Danwu Refining Spirit

Chapter Twelve: Devoting oneself to the utmost until death.

As the head of the Xiao family, Xiao Kaixin was truly delighted today. He had heard that two more disciples had passed yesterday's body tempering test. Most remarkably, both disciples were direct descendants of the Xiao family and were under sixteen years old.

According to the clan's rules, the clan leader must personally meet with such a talented disciple to show encouragement.

However, one of the two disciples was the son of the deceased Xiao Banshi, which made Xiao Kaixin feel somewhat troubled. Of course, it was only a minor trouble; he figured that a mere disciple who had just completed body tempering wouldn't cause any trouble.

If the other party can truly perform exceptionally well within the next two years and be promoted to an elite disciple, then the ancestral property left by Xiao Banshi should be returned to him; otherwise, it should be confiscated.

The Xiao family has never lacked geniuses, but rather cultivation resources. Every year, many disciples successfully temper their bodies before the age of sixteen, but cultivation resources are limited. Only by becoming elite disciples will the family invest more effort in them.

Thinking about cultivation resources, Xiao Tianxin's mood turned somewhat gloomy.

Flying Moon City is still too small. After so many years of logging, the various mineral and spiritual veins outside the city are almost exhausted. Moreover, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in Flying Moon City is becoming increasingly thin. The saying of Twilight City is not unfounded.

I've heard that some small spiritual veins have recently been discovered in the Southern Wilderness. The Tie family and the Situ family, two other major clans in the city, are already secretly discussing and planning to get a share of the spoils. Naturally, the Xiao family can't be left behind in such a good thing.

These newly discovered small spiritual veins are not worth the attention of truly powerful families; they only benefit families in smaller places. Although the Xiao family is known as a powerful family, that is only in relation to Feiyue City. Compared to some of the super families on the Tianyun Continent, the Xiao family is merely an ant on an elephant.

Perhaps it's not even ant-like? Xiao Kaixin shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his lips, as he continued to ponder.

However, being small has its advantages. At least they won't be in the spotlight like those truly powerful clans, and when good things like discovering small spiritual veins happen, there won't be too many people vying for them. As long as the disciples they send out are capable, it's still quite possible to gain more benefits from it.

Thinking of this, Xiao Kaixin's mood brightened up a bit, but it was immediately ruined by his own lack of ambition.

Early in the morning, Xiao Kaixin sat listlessly in the study, his mood fluctuating between pride and disappointment.

"Master, the two disciples who passed the body tempering test yesterday have arrived and are waiting in the courtyard."

The old butler quietly pushed open the half-closed door and looked at Xiao Kaixin, whose expression was conflicted and shifting between light and dark, and said softly.

"Oh? Since they're here, let them all come in."

Regardless, the addition of two more talented disciples to the family was a cause for celebration. Xiao Kaixin tried to drive away his unhappiness and put on a smiling face, hoping to show his amiable side.

However, this smiling face is so old that, under the morning sun shining through the window, it looks more like a dried-out old orange peel.

The door was pushed open again, and the old butler bowed and withdrew, leaving the two boys in the room.

Indeed, that burly young disciple is clearly a good candidate for martial arts. Such innate strength will give him a significant advantage in combat.

As for the thinner young man, he must be Xiao Banshi's son, as he looked somewhat malnourished.

Two young disciples stood before him, and Xiao Kaixin made his judgment with just a glance.

Although he didn't know their names, he knew some of their basic situation and was aware that Xiao Banshi's son had been living in poverty ever since his death.

It's normal for an orphan to be bullied by people with ulterior motives, but Xiao Kaixin didn't consider whether his act of confiscating Xiao Chong's ancestral property should be classified as having ulterior motives.

"Xiao Chong (Xiao Tianhu), a disciple of the Xiao family's ancestral school, greets the clan leader." The two young disciples bowed in unison.

"No need," Xiao Kaixin said, but did not reach out to stop them. Instead, he waited for the two to finish their greetings before continuing, "The fact that you two were able to successfully temper your bodies before the age of sixteen shows that you have good aptitude. You must have worked hard in your daily cultivation."

But you must remember that you must work even harder in your future cultivation, and never slacken in the slightest, so that you may become the elite of the clan.”

"Disciple shall keep in mind the clan leader's teachings, contribute to the clan, and let the clan's glory spread throughout the Tianyun Continent!"

Xiao Tianhu answered loudly first, glancing at Xiao Chong out of the corner of his eye, as if he had already won.

"Xiao Chong, what do you think?" Xiao Kaixin glanced at Xiao Tianhu with admiration, but was somewhat dissatisfied that Xiao Chong had not responded positively to his encouragement.

"Reporting to the clan leader, I pondered all night and could only come up with eight words," Xiao Chong said slowly.

Xiao Kaixin had originally thought that Xiao Chong had been living an unhappy life over the years, which had caused him to become so dull-witted. However, she was surprised to find that the other party spoke without any stage fright and even had a hint of suspense. She couldn't help but ask curiously, "What are those eight characters? Tell me."

"I will dedicate myself to the cause until my dying breath." Xiao Chong didn't pause this time, but his tone was as gentle as before.

Hmm? These words don't sound like they came from a teenager. Could it be that he's just naturally gifted?

Xiao Kaixin was initially surprised, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt that the meaning resonated with him. He was immediately intrigued and asked again, "The other disciples are all focused on the future, saying that they will strive to be the first and pave a path for the revival of the family. Why did you alone receive this eight characters? Don't you think like them?"

"I also wish for the prosperity of the family, but that is not something I should be concerned about right now."

Xiao Chong raised an eyebrow and replied with a soft laugh, "The clan leader will consider all the questions regarding which direction the clan should take and how to proceed with caution during development. As for the disciples, they only need to do their duty and follow the clan leader's arrangements for the rest."

Those words... were quite insightful! Who said this child's fierce eyebrows were a hindrance to the family? If everyone in the clan were as understanding and reasonable as him, how could the Xiao family not prosper?

Xiao Kaixin felt that the other party had hit the nail on the head, and when she looked at Xiao Chong again, her gaze was very different, as if she had discovered a treasure.