Chapter 21: After the Storm, a Warning

Chapter 21: After the Storm, a Warning

As Xiao Chen's figure slowly disappeared beyond the horizon, a strange silence enveloped the grand hall. No one spoke, no one moved—all eyes remained locked on that fading back, as if struggling to accept the reality they had just witnessed.

A soft breeze brushed past as Xiao Rongyu suddenly dashed after Xiao Chen, ignoring the burning stares of everyone around her. In her eyes, nothing else mattered at that moment.

Snapping out of his daze, Elder Xiao Jian cleared his throat and stepped forward. "What happened here today... was shocking indeed. But as I said earlier, let's conclude this gathering. The elders still have other matters to discuss."

The geniuses all sighed in relief. It was finally over. This suffocating hall felt more like a prison than a place of gathering.

Surprisingly, the first to move wasn't any of the young talents—it was Deacon Mo.

After being beaten senseless by a junior, the shame burned deep into his bones. He couldn't stay another second in that hall.

With his head lowered, he dashed toward the exit, desperate to escape—his figure a blur of panic.

But then...

Bang!

A sudden gust of wind swept through the hall. The massive entrance doors slammed shut with an ear-deafening thud, causing the entire hall to tremble slightly.

Deacon Mo's panicked figure crashed head-first into the tightly sealed door.

"Urghh!!"

He bounced off like a rubber ball, flipping backward awkwardly. He tumbled onto the ground, face-first, skidding across the marble floor. His hair, already messy, became a tangled nest. His nose flattened against his face, lips bruised, and his robes disheveled. Combined with his short, stocky figure—he resembled a rat that had just been drowned and kicked out of the sewer.

For a moment, the hall fell silent... until Xiao Lan couldn't hold it anymore.

"Pfft—Hahaha!"

Xiao Lan's laughter erupted like a volcano. He clutched his stomach, tears welling up in his eyes as he pointed at the wretched Deacon Mo. "H-He looks like a soaked rat! Ah... I can't...!" He gasped between bouts of laughter.

Even cold-faced Xiao Li couldn't resist. Her lips curved upward, forming a rare, beautiful smile. The other geniuses exchanged glances, some biting their lips, others trembling as they struggled to suppress their laughter.

Meanwhile, the elders were much calmer—but not blind.

Elder Xiao Jian's sharp eyes had caught it—just before the door sealed, a powerful surge of spiritual iQ had flared. There was a distinct wind attribute—violent yet controlled. The only person in the room who commanded such top-grade wind affinity... was none other than Patriarch Xiao Hao.

The elders slowly turned toward the Patriarch.

Xiao Hao leaned lazily against his chair, arms crossed, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as his eyes gleamed with mischief. He didn't even try to hide it. His gaze swept over Deacon Mo's miserable figure, then he gave a slow, satisfied nod—as if he'd just taken out the trash.

"Consider that punishment... light," Patriarch Xiao Hao murmured, his tone lazy but laced with coldness.

Realization dawned on everyone. The Patriarch... was still angry.

Deacon Mo's assault on Xiao Chen hadn't been forgiven. That wind slam was no accident—it was a deliberate slap, a message from the Patriarch himself.

The elders sighed bitterly. They couldn't fault him. If it were their child, they might've done worse.

Elder Xiao Mei, regaining her composure, placed her delicate fingers against her lips. She let out a soft chuckle, her melodious laughter like the tinkling of jade bells. "How petty... yet how satisfying," she whispered with a playful glint in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Xiao Han clenched his fists silently, face darkening. Deacon Mo was someone who supports him. Xiao Boyan bit his lips till they bled. The humiliation of watching Deacon Mo—once an authority figure—reduced to such a state only served to remind them how far Xiao Chen had soared.

Still, the awkward air slowly eased.

Xiao Lan wiped the tears from his eyes and sighed, "Ah... I needed that. If I stayed serious another minute, I might've died."

No one stopped him. His laughter, foolish as it seemed, washed away much of the tension.

For a moment, everyone in the hall shared the same thought—perhaps it wasn't all bad to have someone like Xiao Lan around.

As the crowd began to disperse, the sound of shifting feet and soft murmurs echoed through the grand hall. Just as the last of the whispers faded, a deep, authoritative voice rang out, halting everyone in their tracks.

"Remember this clearly—engrave it in your soul, all of you." Patriarch Xiao Hao's voice boomed like a clap of thunder, resonating through the air and striking fear into the hearts of everyone present.

The entire hall froze. Heads slowly turned as all eyes landed on the Patriarch, whose expression had turned dark and deadly serious.

"Xiao Chen's Martial Spirit and his true strength... must be kept an absolute secret," Patriarch Xiao Hao continued, his sharp gaze sweeping over every face, lingering particularly long on the seven geniuses. "No one outside this hall... must hear even a whisper of what transpired here today."

He paused, his eyes narrowing as the weight of his words settled heavily over the room.

"This awakening... is both a blessing and a curse. Should our enemies catch wind of Xiao Chen's talent, they will not sit idly by. They will see him as a future threat—and move to kill him before he grows. That is a risk... I will not take."

The Patriarch's voice turned cold, his next words slicing through the air like a blade:

"If I so much as hear of a single word leaking out, I will hold the seven of you personally accountable."

The geniuses shuddered. Cold sweat broke out across their backs as the Patriarch's icy gaze bore into them one by one.

"And should I find the snitch..." A cruel smirk twisted the Patriarch's lips. "I will cripple your cultivation with my own hands... and throw you out of the Xiao Family. By then, death will be the only mercy you'll pray for."

A heavy silence engulfed the room. The seven geniuses felt a chill run down their spines. They gulped nervously, their throats dry.

Still, most of them weren't too concerned. They had witnessed Xiao Chen's monstrous talent firsthand—none of them were foolish enough to invite the Patriarch's wrath over petty gossip. To them, it was a small price to pay for their lives.

However... not everyone shared that sentiment.

Standing at the back, Xiao Han's face was ashen. His jaw clenched so tightly, his teeth threatened to crack. He stared at the floor, fists trembling at his sides, his pride shattered into pieces.

Beside him, Xiao Boyan was no better. His expression twisted in frustration and hate. His nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood, but he didn't seem to notice.

They wanted nothing more than to curse aloud, but the fear of the Patriarch's punishment chained their tongues.

The elders exchanged silent glances, some nodding solemnly, others furrowing their brows. While most understood the gravity of the situation, not all were entirely loyal. Still, none dared voice any objection here and now.

Among them, Elder Xiao Yang stood still in the far corner, his head lowered, body trembling—not from fear, but from pure rage.

His hands were clenched so tightly that his nails pierced his skin, crimson blood dripping silently onto the floor. He felt humiliated, powerless... defeated.

Today... Today was the most disgraceful day of my life... he thought bitterly.

His gaze was hidden, but in his heart, flames of resentment blazed wildly.

Xiao Yang expression suddenly changed from anger to cruelty as he thought inwardly. "Xiao Hao thinks he's protected Xiao Chen, but he's only made him a bigger target... I'll find a way to use this to my advantage, Perhaps it time I start getting serious about an alliance with his foes..."

The Patriarch oblivious to Xiao Yang's plot watched them all quietly, his sharp senses catching every change in expression, every flicker of emotion. Yet, he said nothing more. His declaration had been made.

The message was clear—betrayal would not be tolerated.

Slowly, the crowd began to shuffle out, their minds heavy with fear and lingering shock.

Some carried bitterness, others excitement. But they all knew—today, the Xiao Family had been shaken... and what happened today would never be forgotten.

Even if no one spoke of it... everyone would remember.

---

"Ahhh~" Xiao Lan exhaled deeply the moment he stepped outside. The suffocating air of the hall lifted—replaced by the cool breeze of the outer courtyard.

Standing tall, a rare, relaxed smile spread across his face. He ran a hand through his dark red hair, closing his eyes—engraving this moment into memory.

"Today was thrilling, don't you think, Sis?" he blurted after a pause, eyes glinting playfully.

But Xiao Li's crimson gaze remained cold. She glanced at him sideways, her icy expression unchanged.

"I don't have time for your nonsense. I've something important to do," she replied flatly. Without another word, she turned away—her silver-blue hair fluttering like silk.

"Come on, Sis! Don't be like that!" Xiao Lan called after her, scrambling with a helpless smile.

One by one, the other geniuses drifted away.

The frail Xiao Niye disappeared into the shadows without a sound. Towering Xiao Gu stomped off, muscles taut with frustration. Xiao Yue, doll-like, lowered her head and hurried off alone.

The courtyard slowly fell silent—leaving only the fading tension.

"Aargh! That bastard... always ruining everything for me!" Xiao Han suddenly roared, kicking at the ground. A cloud of dust burst upward.

Xiao Boyan quickly stepped in, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, Young Master. He may have awakened a strong spirit, but all hope isn't lost. Remember... he angered First Elder. If you win him over, you'll recover from this."

His voice was calm, deliberate—trying to soothe the storm brewing in Xiao Han's heart.

But Xiao Han wasn't listening.

"Shut up! I'm thinking!" he snarled, his gaze sharp enough to cut.

With a stomp, the ground beneath cracked slightly. Xiao Han stormed off—leaving Xiao Boyan behind.

Xiao Boyan's forced calm twisted into a bitter scowl. His fists clenched tight as he watched the retreating figure.

"It's all... Xiao Chen's fault!" he growled inwardly. "Why? Why is this happening?"

His mind spun—drowning in unanswered questions.

What happened to Xiao Chen?

How did he grow so strong... so fast?

What truly happened at the Martial Spirit Awakening...?