Battle Through the Heavens: Even without the Burning Flame Technique, I, Xiao Yan, still became an e

After the Jialie family was destroyed and the Oba family backed down, the Xiao family became the sole power in Wutan City.

The Xiao family spent half a year integrating the businesses of the two major families, and at the same time used various means to eliminate all discordant voices within Wutan City.

Although the Obama family relinquished 50% of its assets, they were thus bound to the Xiao family and received their support to some extent.

Obawen, the only first-grade alchemist in the Oba family, was also officially hired by the Xiao family and became their exclusive alchemist.

After all, in this world, there are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.

The Obama family also gained many opportunities for external expansion by forming an alliance with the Xiao family.

This caused many second-rate forces in Wutan City to choose sides.

In Wutan City today, the words of the Xiao family patriarch carry more weight than those of the city lord appointed by the Jia Ma Empire.

Before a private lake belonging to the Xiao family, a boy and a girl sat side by side, savoring the last moments of tranquility.

After suppressing her emotions for ten years, Xiao Xun'er finally completed the condensation of her Dou Qi at the age of fourteen, becoming a Dou Zhe.

This also means that she and Xiao Yan will have to go through a relatively long separation.

In the past six months, Xiao Yan's cultivation level has also increased from a six-star Dou Shi to an eight-star Dou Shi.

If it weren't for the fact that the highest fire-type cultivation technique in his family was only at the low-level Xuan rank, Xiao Yan's achievements would certainly have been far greater than this.

"Today is Xiao Yan's coming-of-age ceremony, right? Congratulations, Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Xun'er's tone was calm, but it contained a hint of reluctance.

Now that she has become a fighter, she needs to return to her family to awaken her bloodline. She only has three days left.

"There's nothing to congratulate. Everyone grows up eventually. But for you, Xun'er, congratulations on advancing to the Dou Zhe level."

With a blade of grass dangling from his mouth, Xiao Yan found rare moments of relaxation by Xun'er's side, free from the need to ponder the complexities of the world.

"If I could, I would rather I had less talent; perhaps then there wouldn't have been so many problems."

These were Xiao Xun'er's true feelings. Her bloodline was too rare, and she was the strongest among the younger generation of the family. She had been the focus of the family's attention since birth.

The greater the talent, the greater the responsibility; there are some things that are simply beyond her control.

"Don't worry, no matter what difficulties you encounter, just remember that your brother Xiao Yan will always be there for you when you need me."

Xiao Yan patted his chest and made a promise to the girl who was two years younger than him.

Although it sounded like Xiao Yan was just saying it casually, Xiao Xun'er knew that Xiao Yan had never lied to her.

"Yes, I believe in Brother Xiao Yan."

After speaking, Xiao Xun'er took out a dark gold scroll that emitted bursts of red light from her storage ring.

"Brother Xiao Yan, today is your coming-of-age day. Consider this book, 'The Art of Playing with Flames,' as a gift from Xun'er to Brother Xiao Yan."

Feeling the energy fluctuations on the dark gold scroll, Xiao Yan's eyes widened immediately.

Even the highest-level Xuan-rank intermediate cultivation technique in the family didn't give this feeling at all.

Xiao Yan realized almost instantly that this was an Earth-rank cultivation technique!

"Xun'er, this gift is far too precious, and I cannot accept it without having done something for it."

Although he had never seen a low-level cultivation technique, Xiao Yan had heard of its value.

In the Black Corner Region, a low-level Earth-rank cultivation technique can fetch a sky-high price of ten million!

Even the Xiao family, if they were to exhaust all their assets, could only buy half of this cultivation technique.

If it were something cheap, Xiao Yan would accept it, but for something so valuable, even if he really wanted it, he wouldn't dare to accept it easily.

"This cultivation technique isn't just a free gift for Brother Xiao Yan; it's a loan from Xun'er to Brother Xiao Yan."

"You can return it to me when you have enough power. Besides, in my opinion, Brother Xiao Yan's potential far surpasses that of a mere Earth-rank cultivation technique."

In fact, Xiao Yan knew that Xiao Xun'er said this to make it easier for him to accept.

What is an exorbitantly priced cultivation technique to him may really be nothing to her.

"Alright, alright, since she's Xun'er's kept man, I won't mind taking a bite or two."

Xiao Yan didn't stand on ceremony and accepted the "Flame-Playing Technique." After all, Xun'er's backing was too powerful, and if he didn't have enough strength, he might not even have the right to meet her in the future.

Seeing that Xiao Yan had accepted the cultivation technique, Xun'er's face lit up with a bright smile once again.

"Alright, the coming-of-age ceremony is about to begin. If Brother Xiao Yan doesn't go, Uncle Xiao Zhan and the elders will definitely be angry."

Xiao Xun'er immediately stood up, grabbed Xiao Yan's hand, and rushed towards the Xiao family's ceremony square.

Xun'er's hands were soft yet icy cold. Xiao Yan wanted to hold them tightly in his hands, but he was afraid that he would hurt her if he used too much force, so he could only let Xun'er control him.

At this moment, Xiao Yan seemed to realize that his feelings for Xun'er were more than just brotherly and sisterly affection.

……

The coming-of-age ceremony in the Xiao family was incredibly complicated and tedious, almost giving people a headache.

Sitting in the audience, Xiao Yan looked at the boy on stage who was being manipulated like a puppet, and couldn't help but rub his temples.

He leaned closer to Xun'er beside him and whispered, "This coming-of-age ceremony is even more torturous than intense ascetic training."

Seeing Xiao Yan's helpless expression, Xun'er's bright eyes curved slightly as she smiled and said, "This is a rule passed down from our ancestors, and even Uncle Xiao, as the head of the clan, cannot change it."

"That's why I don't want to suffer this old torment anymore."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan glanced at some of the less talented members of his clan, a hint of envy in his eyes.

In the Xiao family, anyone who is sixteen years old and whose fighting strength is below the seventh level can generally be considered to have little talent for cultivation.

Such people are usually assigned to peripheral businesses of the Xiao family to manage the family's business.

They generally don't receive much support from their families, and their coming-of-age ceremonies are very simple, basically just a formality.

"Next, Xiao Yan."

Just as I was about to doze off, I didn't know when my name was called.

Xiao Yan walked onto the stage with a sense of helplessness, and the person presiding over his coming-of-age ceremony was none other than Xiao Lie, the eldest elder of the family.

Looking at the dozens of props and spices that the Grand Elder had laid out on the table, Xiao Yan couldn't help but frown.

"Elder, I don't remember the coming-of-age ceremony having so many things involved?"

In response to Xiao Yan's question, the First Elder's aged face revealed a kind smile: "You are the pride of our Xiao family, how can you have a regular coming-of-age ceremony like others? After unanimous discussion among us elders, we will conduct a more sacred ancestral coming-of-age ceremony for you. This is a privilege reserved for you alone."

Ultimately, with the preferential treatment of several elders and the tacit approval of the clan chief, the coming-of-age ceremony, which was originally only supposed to last half an hour, was stretched to three hours...