Chapter 16: The Elemental Dao Sect’s Upcoming Exam (2)
Chapter 16: The Elemental Dao Sect’s Upcoming Exam (2)
The massive ceremonial hall of the Xiao Family fell into a reverent silence as the ancient doors creaked open, groaning under their own weight. Light filtered through in solemn beams, casting long shadows across the polished jade floor.
With measured, deliberate strides, the elders of the Xiao Family entered one by one. Their flowing golden robes—embroidered with the family’s insignia, a dragon coiling around a flowing river—billowed like drifting clouds. The emblem, steeped in legacy, shimmered faintly under the lantern light, a symbol of the Xiao Family's once unmatched prestige.
Each elder’s step echoed faintly, yet every sound struck the heart like thunder—subtle reminders of their profound cultivation and noble status.
The young prodigies instinctively straightened their backs, their hearts pounding within their chests. Without waiting for a signal, they cupped their fists and bowed deeply in perfect unison.
> “All Elders, this junior greets you!”
Their voices rang out in respectful harmony—solemn, nervous, and laced with the awe of youth standing before power.
All except one.
---
Xiao Chen stood among them, arms folded lazily behind his back. He did not move. His expression was calm—too calm—his eyes half-lidded with detached indifference. His posture was unhurried, almost serene, and carried with it a subtle, yet chilling arrogance.
He did not bow.
Instead, he merely cupped his fists slightly—offering the barest minimum of courtesy. To most, it would seem disrespectful, but in him, it felt… natural. Not rebellious, not haughty—just the expression of someone who truly believed none here were worth bowing to.
Some of the younger cultivators gasped inwardly, their faces twitching with disbelief.
> “Has he gone mad?”
These were the Elders—pillars of the Xiao Family! Even the proud Xiao Han, known for his arrogance, had bowed his head deeply.
And yet… Xiao Chen stood there unmoved.
Perhaps it was the subtle influence of the Heavenly Yin-Yang Dragon Martial Spirit that slumbered within him. Its awakening had stirred something ancient within his blood—a pride older than the Xiao Family itself. A pride that refused to kneel. A pride that did not recognize authority born of age alone.
---
From the elders’ side, most remained unaware, too caught up in the gravity of the gathering.
Except one.
Elder Xiao Mei, robed in silver with streaks of blue, her eyes like twin stars—sharp and penetrating—swept her gaze across the room. Then she stopped.
Her pupils contracted slightly as they landed on Xiao Chen.
> “This boy…”
Her mind sharpened.
She watched him closely. His stillness, his silence, the tranquil yet unyielding aura around him—it was unlike anything she had sensed in generations.
> “Is it arrogance… or terrifying confidence?”
For a breathless moment, the seasoned elder felt something stir in her spirit—an old instinct whispering a warning.
> “No… it’s deeper. He’s holding back. He stands there like a coiled dragon suppressing its power. Were I not watching closely, I would’ve missed it entirely.”
She said nothing. Did nothing. Just observed, her sharp gaze growing more serious.
---
Meanwhile, at the front of the hall, the Great Elder—Xiao Jian—stepped forward. His long beard swayed with a breeze that didn’t exist. Though his aura was restrained, a subtle pressure swept through the hall like a heavy fog.
He cupped his fists, offering a serene smile.
> “Greetings, young talents of the Xiao Family.”
His voice was deep and smooth, like a river’s current—calm, but powerful. It seemed to resonate in the bones.
> “Today marks a turning point. Before us stand the most gifted of this generation. To witness such promising sprouts brings this old man great joy.”
The atmosphere shifted.
Even with their cultivations suppressed, the presence of Martial Grandmasters, and especially that of Elder Xiao Jian and Patriarch Xiao Hao—both at the Martial Lord Realm—was overwhelming.
The air grew heavier.
Every genius present felt it—the suffocating weight of standing before true power.
Xiao Han clenched his fists, his ever-present smirk replaced by a rare seriousness.
Xiao Rongyu narrowed her eyes, her expression unreadable.
The infamous twins, Xiao Lan and Xiao Li, usually playful, now stood silent and still.
All of them knew… this was no ordinary gathering.
This moment would shape their futures.
Yet amidst the pressure, only one figure remained utterly unfazed.
Xiao Chen.
He stood as he had before—calm, still, indifferent. Like a mountain untouched by wind.
---
Elder Jian’s gaze swept through the hall, lingering a moment longer on each face, as if peering into their very souls.
Then he cleared his throat.
> “Hmm… hmm…”
The quiet cough, laced with spiritual energy, rolled through the hall like thunder, silencing even the sound of breath.
Everyone straightened unconsciously.
> “You must be wondering why you were summoned today,” he continued, his tone solemn yet composed. “I won’t waste your time. I will get straight to the point. There is good news.”
He paused.
He let the silence grow.
> “The Entrance Examination of the Elemental Dao Sect… is coming up.”
A ripple surged through the hall.
> “It will take place… three months from now.”
The words hit like a crashing wave.
> The Elemental Dao Sect?
One of the Five Great Sects of the Vast East Region?
Elder Jian continued, his eyes narrowing slightly.
> “Even greater news—an ambassador from the Elemental Dao Sect will personally visit Clear Water City to oversee the selection process.”
> “He will come seeking those worthy to represent their sect.”
The room went dead silent.
Then—
> “W-What? The E-Elemental Dao Sect?”
Xiao Han’s voice trembled, eyes wide with disbelief. His dreams, his ambition—suddenly felt within reach.
> “If I get admitted… my rise is guaranteed. I could reach Martial Lord… or higher!”
Beside him, Xiao Rongyu’s lips parted slightly, her gaze becoming sharp.
Her dreams were larger. She didn’t just want strength—she wanted legacy. She wanted to raise the Xiao Family back to its rightful glory as a Grade Four Family.
This was the first step on that path.
---
At the edge of the gathering, Xiao Chen’s eyes opened.
Just a sliver.
For the first time, a flicker of interest stirred behind those cold, indifferent eyes.
He knew what this meant. He wasn’t blinded by excitement or consumed by ambition. He simply understood…
> “The Elemental Dao Sect will have the resources I need.”
Even with an immortal inheritance, a heaven-defying bloodline, and a supreme martial spirit, he lacked one crucial thing—support.
Resources. Elixirs. Cultivation grounds. Teachers.
And the Dao Sect offered all of it.
> A soft smirk curved his lips.
Then he closed his eyes once more.
> “It seems the heavens truly favor me…”
---
Elsewhere in the hall, Xiao Li’s breath quickened. Her silver-blue hair trembled faintly with her qi. Her eyes darkened in awe.
> “A sect ruled by a Martial Monarch… a Grade Four force...”
The scale was beyond comprehension.
Even the Emperor of Lingshui Country, was at the Martial King Realm, and ruled only a Grade Three influence—The Royal Family.
A single elder from the Dao Sect could erase the entire royal family from the map—and no one would dare retaliate.
That… was true power.
---
Xiao Lan, ever the wild one, let out a laugh, unable to contain himself.
> “Hehe… The heavens must favor me! The Elemental Dao Sect? Hmph! This young master was born for this!”
His eyes gleamed, red hair cascading wildly as his excitement overflowed.
But just as his voice echoed through the hall—
BOOM!
A voice exploded like thunder.
> “SILENCE!”
Everyone froze.
The voice came from Elder Xiao Feng, his aura like a frozen lake, his gaze frigid.
The air stilled.
Even Xiao Lan’s grin vanished. His face paled. His back straightened instinctively as he lowered his head.
Elder Xiao Feng’s cold eyes settled on him, disappointment flashing like lightning.
> “Reckless brat… know your place.”
---
The entire room became still once more. Even breathing was done in silence.
The weight of a single word—SILENCE—pressed down like a mountain. It reminded everyone here that, no matter their talent, they were still juniors.
Still far from touching the heavens.
Far away, Xiao Chen cracked one eye open again, watching with mild amusement.
Then he closed it, as if everything unfolding before him was just… background noise.
The storm had passed, but the pressure lingered.
The atmosphere within the ceremonial hall had changed.
Heavy with destiny.
Heavy with the weight of the path ahead.