The Tall Tree Will Be Blown Down by the Wind

While Gu Yuan was observing Xiao Chong, a man in a black robe approached Xiao Zhan, the patriarch of the Xiao family. At this moment, Xiao Zhan was also being congratulated and celebrated by representatives of various forces, and his mindset had likely become somewhat inflated.

People who once required him to treat them with courtesy were now showing him great respect because of his son. Issues that once worried him no longer needed his attention, all thanks to his son. Even his wife was in good health and had regained her youthful beauty.

Such an environment could easily cause a person to lose themselves.

But just then, an overwhelming aura emanated from the black-robed man, forcefully pushing back everyone surrounding Xiao Zhan with an absolute dominance. He then stepped in front of Xiao Zhan and spoke.

"Patriarch Xiao Zhan, I offer you a piece of advice."

"The tall tree in the forest will be felled by the wind!"

"Even a Dou Huang dare not claim true invincibility in the Jia Ma Empire, let alone the entire Eastern Continent."

"If you wish for the Xiao family to remain confined to this small Wutan City in the future, you can continue to boast about your son."

"If you do not wish for that, then it would be best to lay low."

As his words fell, a heavy pressure instantly emanated from the black-robed man. Xiao Zhan could feel an oppressive force almost as strong as his son's emanating from this person.

Could this man also be a Dou Huang?!

This black-robed man was naturally Ling Ying, who had come here with Patriarch Gu Yuan.

Upon hearing Ling Ying's stern warning, Xiao Zhan's expression immediately stiffened.

But his son was not only born a Dou Huang, with exceptional cultivation talent, but also a genius in martial arts and combat techniques! With such talent, how could he be held back by mere flattery in Wutan City or even the Jia Ma Empire? His future was destined to dominate the entire Dou Qi Continent!

After all, parents are a child's first teachers.

Was it perhaps inappropriate for him to so openly host a grand birthday celebration and invite everyone to show off?

Realizing this, Xiao Zhan's heart tightened, and he sighed inwardly. As a patriarch, it seemed he was still not steady enough!

Of course, Xiao Zhan's worries were entirely unnecessary. Within Xiao Chong's childlike mind resided a soul even more cunning than his own.

"Thank you for the reminder, senior. May I know your esteemed name?"

"No need for thanks. It's just that I recently found a baby girl. Although she has a connection with me, I have no intention of raising her."

"Your Xiao family is a small but capable force. I'll trouble you to take care of this child."

With that, Ling Ying walked over to Gu Yuan, exchanged a glance with him, and then brought out the infant Xun'er.

However, the way he held the baby... to Xiao Chong, it seemed somewhat comical.

Ling Ying held the baby with both hands, arms stretched out as if presenting an ancestor, and handed her to Xiao Zhan.

From a perspective, that was indeed a figure of ancestral level.

After all, the father was still standing right behind him, watching...

Although Ling Ying now appeared to be a mysterious and lofty figure on the surface, Xiao Chong could sense that Ling Ying's legs were trembling.

Upon closer inspection, one would notice that Ling Ying wasn't actually touching Xun'er; his arm supporting the infant was enveloped in a thin layer of Dou Qi, making Xun'er almost "float" on his arm. However, such subtle movements could only be detected by Xiao Chong.

Over on Xiao Zhan's side, he was momentarily stunned when the mysterious black-robed figure handed over the child. He had a vague feeling that this child, whom he was being asked to adopt, might not be so simple.

But Xiao's mother didn't concern herself with such matters.

Upon seeing the infant Xun'er, her eyes immediately lit up, and she directly took the girl from the black-robed man's hands, exclaiming joyfully,

"Great, great, I've been wanting a daughter."

"Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, Xiao Chong, and Xiao Yan—I've given birth to four boys."

"Finally, I have a girl!"

"Her eyes are so bright she's sure to grow up beautiful."

Gu Xue, Xiao's mother, smiled as she cradled Xun'er in her arms.

After delivering this little ancestor, Ling Ying breathed a sigh of relief and then continued,

"Since the Xiao family has agreed, please treat this child as your own."

"By the way, her name is Xun'er. As for her surname... until her family comes to claim her, she can temporarily take the surname Xiao."

Seeing his wife so taken with Xun'er, Xiao Zhan couldn't refuse.

He immediately clasped his fists and said, "Rest assured, senior. As long as she remains with our Xiao family, we will treat her as the daughter of the clan leader. Also Thank you for your earlier advice, senior. I will give it serious consideration."

"Mm." Ling Ying nodded in satisfaction.

Then he turned and left.

Gu Yuan, who had been standing beside Xiao Chong, took a few more glances at Xiao Chong.

He also looked several times at Xun'er, now held by Xiao's mother, his eyes revealing a father's reluctance.

Then he too turned and left, disappearing completely from Wutan City.

As for the conversation between Xiao Zhan and Ling Ying, it was isolated by Dou Qi at the Dou Huang level, so only Xiao Zhan and Xiao Chong heard it; the others did not.

As for what Ling Ying said, Xiao Chong naturally had no objections. It was up to the elders to decide what was reasonable.

Presumably, his father would now proceed with a more discreet development strategy.

From the perspective of the Gu clan, this was also correct. The less the Xiao family revealed itself, the fewer concerns the Gu clan would have, and the less likely it would be for the Soul Palace to find them prematurely.

For Xiao Chong, with his extraordinary comprehension, it was all inconsequential.

At most, after today's events, Xiao Chong would have a sister with no blood relation to him—Xun'er.

The birthday celebration, interrupted by Ling Ying's sudden appearance, ended hastily, with some of the later segments being rushed through.

Under Xiao Zhan's arrangements, the elders of the Xiao family also expressed their apologies to the people present, after which the family's forces quickly began to consolidate.

And just one day later a rumor emerged within the Xiao family.

The legendary prodigy of the Xiao family, Xiao Chong was said to be suffering from a terminal illness!