Xiao Yan's gaze swept over, only to see this group of young boys and girls staring at him curiously. Besides curiosity and worry, there was also a hint of ambition that they themselves might not have even noticed.
Xiao Yan was not unfamiliar with this situation. In his previous life, they had also looked at him like this. As his strength consistently failed to recover, the ambitions of these individuals gradually inflated.
When a god falls from the altar, what often follows is an even more terrifying backlash from mortals. If one could trample the former number one in the family underfoot, it would indeed be a very fulfilling thing.
Unfortunately, in this life, they would likely never have this opportunity.
Xiao Yan didn't take the gazes of these little fellows seriously. How could a swan care about the gazes of sparrows? As for the past, he merely laughed it off.
"Father, Elders, I'm late."
Xiao Yan smiled slightly and found Xun'er's position, sitting down directly.
Xun'er's position was above Xiao Ning's, and the position reserved for Xiao Yan was above Xun'er's. After all, he was still considered the number one of the younger generation in the family.
Before Xiao Yan arrived, Xiao Ning had been making small talk with Xun'er, but the little girl was absentmindedly looking at the plate in front of her.
Only after Xiao Yan arrived did the little girl's eyes light up slightly.
"No matter, the food hasn't been served yet anyway."
Xiao Zhan chuckled, and the several elders didn't say much either.
Their feelings towards Xiao Yan were mostly based on family interests. As long as Xiao Yan still held significant value to the family, their smiles would always be directed at Xiao Yan.
"Xiao Yan, why do you have so many bruises on your body?"
The moment Xiao Yan sat next to Xun'er, the Great Elder suddenly spoke, his gaze somewhat solemnly looking at the bruises exposed on Xiao Yan's arm.
As his voice fell, the gazes of the others also turned towards Xiao Yan. Xun'er, who was beside him, suddenly stood up at this moment and pulled open Xiao Yan's sleeve.
"Brother Xiao Yan, what happened to you?"
The little girl's delicate small face was full of concern, her pair of lively eyes looking at Xiao Yan with worry.
This scene made the youths who were originally worried about Xiao Yan suddenly look at Xiao Yan with a bit more displeasure.
Especially Xiao Ning, who was sitting to the side, his face darkened even more after seeing this scene.
As the most beautiful girl in the family, although Xun'er was just an undeveloped little girl, she had already made these youths, whose hearts were just beginning to flutter, admire her greatly.
However, in these past few years, apart from Xiao Yan, this girl seemed to be indifferent to everyone else. Only when she encountered Xiao Yan would this girl reveal her gentlest side.
"It's nothing. I went to the back mountain to exercise my body and accidentally got a few bumps and bruises. It'll be fine after applying some healing ointment."
Xiao Yan grinned, gently patted Xun'er's shoulder, and sat down.
"Exercising your body?"
Several elders looked at each other. After Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment, he nodded gently and said: "Then after dinner, go to the family warehouse and get some more healing ointment."
"Thank you, Father."
Xiao Yan nodded and began to chat idly with Xun'er.
In his previous life, he never lacked the means to please girls, let alone in this life. With just a few words, he made the little girl giggle.
"Bastard."
Xiao Ning, watching from the side, felt an incomparable bitterness in his heart. He had been trying to curry favor here for half an hour, but Xun'er remained indifferent. Yet, with just a few words, Xiao Yan made Xun'er smile like a flower.
However, the current Xiao Yan had just lost his Dou Qi, and the title of the family's number one genius was still there. Xiao Ning didn't dare to directly ride on Xiao Yan's head and spout nonsense.
Soon, the delicious food was served. Everyone ate and chatted. Only after everyone was about half full did Xiao Zhan slowly speak.
"Little fellows, you must strengthen your cultivation recently. In seven days, it will be the family's annual Dou Qi cultivation test."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan was slightly stunned. Only then did he remember that the family test was not far away.
However, why are you guys always staring at me? Xiao Yan's gaze swept over and saw that the youths of the family's younger generation were all staring at him. Even those few who were too embarrassed to stare directly at him would still glance over from time to time.
"It looks like these guys really want to see the moment I fall from the altar."
Xiao Yan smiled helplessly.
If things developed according to the original trajectory, seven days later would indeed be the moment he fell from the altar. Unfortunately, this kind of thing would not happen in this life.
"Xiao Yan, how is your Dou Qi recovering? For the Dou Qi test in seven days, are you confident?"
Xiao Ning, who was beside him, was feeling extremely uncomfortable watching Xiao Yan and Xun'er chatting so enthusiastically. Seizing the opportunity, he finally pulled the topic over.
Although his words seemed concerned, they were actually filled with doubt. However, in Xiao Yan's eyes, this kind of tactic was just somewhat amusing.
"Not good at all. I only have a little Dou Qi left. I'm afraid it will be difficult to recover."
Xiao Yan gently shook his head.
"Is that so? That's truly a pity. However, with cousin's talent, I'm afraid you'll be able to recover to the sixth Duan of Dou Qi very quickly."
Xiao Ning nodded solemnly.
"Why the sixth Duan of Dou Qi?"
Xiao Yan and Xun'er exchanged a glance, looking at Xiao Ning with some confusion.
"Because, I have already reached the sixth Duan of Dou Qi!"
Xiao Ning smiled modestly, but his face was full of smugness.
He was almost a year older than Xiao Yan. To be able to reach the sixth Duan of Dou Qi at the age of thirteen was actually a very good talent in the family. It was only in front of Xiao Yan and Xun'er; if it were in front of other youths, Xiao Ning would walk with his nose in the air.
"Pfft."
The young boy and girl exchanged a glance and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Amazing, cousin's talent is truly impressive. You will definitely be a pillar of strength for the family in the future."
Xiao Yan nodded encouragingly. He suddenly found these young people very interesting. The way they acted was full of flaws, yet they were so serious, which he found quite amusing.
"Average, average. However, cousin, you must recover quickly. Without an outstanding opponent like you, I will be lonely."
Being praised by Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning felt as if he had ascended to heaven, and his words couldn't help but carry a bit more bravado.
"Yes, if I could trample you underfoot, that would definitely be a very fulfilling thing for cousin, right?"
Xiao Yan nodded gently, then suddenly said with a somewhat pensive smile.
"That's... impossible, right?"
Xiao Ning was cheerfully boasting when he unknowingly met Xiao Yan's pair of pitch-black eyes.
For some reason, he suddenly shivered inexplicably. The Xiao Yan in front of him was clearly smiling and talking to him, but why did he always have the feeling of facing his grandfather before being beaten?
"Hehe, what about your older sister? Why didn't she come to eat today?"
Xiao Yan didn't pay attention to Xiao Ning's change. How could he, an old monster who had lived for tens of thousands of years, bicker with a thirteen-year-old brat?
Seeing Xiao Ning reminded him of Xiao Yu, and then he thought of her beautiful legs, asking in a casual, gossipy manner.
"My sister is currently at a critical period of her cultivation."
Xiao Ning let out a slight sigh of relief. After feeling that inexplicable pressure disappear, he immediately started putting on airs again.
"She is about to break through to the ninth Duan of Dou Qi!"
(End of this chapter)