Chapter 14: Xiao Yan’s Deep Emotion, Xiao Xun’er Visits Hun Cang!

Thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west; never underestimate... a young man in hardship...

Countless eyes turned toward Hun Cang.

Clearly, no one expected this Dou Emperor to speak such words.

As the subject himself, Xiao Yan’s gaze trembled.

Big Brother actually believes in me so much!

One must understand, these past three years, ever since his Dou Qi vanished, he had endured nothing but cold stares and ridicule within the family.

If before, at the auction house, Xiao Yan had some reluctance in accepting Hun Cang as his elder brother just to ride on his influence,

At this moment, he accepted it completely.

Nalan Yanran was silent for two seconds, her gaze shifting between Xiao Yan and Hun Cang, then said, “Very well, in three years, I will wait for him at Yunlan Sect!”

“A promise is a promise. In three years, I will ascend to Yunlan Sect. I will repay today’s humiliation!” Xiao Yan fought back a choked voice and spoke with resolute determination.

“Elder Ge, let’s go!” Nalan Yanran no longer paid attention, her expression cold as she walked away.

Ge Ye bowed nervously toward Hun Cang, feeling as if he were stepping on the wind, eager to leave the Xiao family at once.

“Wait!”

Just as he reached the door, Hun Cang’s voice rang out suddenly.

Ge Ye’s heart skipped a beat, turning around in confusion—and then he saw a dark shadow flying toward him. Instinctively, he raised his hand and caught it.

It was a box.

Hun Cang said coldly, “My second brother does not need your trinkets.”

“Yes, yes.” Ge Ye obediently put it away, and after a moment, seeing Hun Cang give no further instructions, he grabbed the young man beside him and fled from the Xiao family as if escaping.

Nalan Yanran had already mounted her carriage; Ge Ye climbed aboard as well, the young man still driving.

But now, the young man’s face no longer held the pride from before; instead, it was pale and filled with fear.

“I never expected that Xiao Yan would have an elder brother at the Dou Emperor level...” Through the window, Ge Ye gazed at the Xiao family fading into the distance, his voice laced with complicated feelings.

...

“It’s actually true...”

“Dou Emperor elder brother! Xiao Yan is about to take off!”

“I really don’t understand what kind of luck Xiao Yan stepped on to be this fortunate.”

“Keep your voice down; he’s going to be the young clan leader soon.”

The Xiao family members were driven out of the main hall by Xiao Zhan, shattering their hopes of making a good impression before Hun Cang.

They whispered among themselves, stealing glances back inside. When their eyes passed over Xiao Yan, envy and admiration shone brightly.

“If I hadn’t changed my attitude toward Brother Xiao Yan, maybe I could be like Sister Xun’er too…”

Among the crowd, Xiao Mei watched Xiao Yan introduce Xiao Xun’er to Hun Cang, gently caressing Xun’er’s head with great fondness.

Her mood suddenly sank deeply, and her steps felt heavier.

Soon, only Xiao Zhan, the three elders, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Xun’er remained in the hall.

Hun Cang was invited by Xiao Zhan to sit in the seat of honor, with Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun’er beside him.

After some polite exchanges, the conversation warmed somewhat, using Xiao Yan’s broken engagement as a topic.

“Big Brother, I’ve embarrassed you.” Xiao Yan said dejectedly.

Since crossing over, he had believed himself the protagonist, destined for a bright and boundless future to explore and soar.

But successive blows made him feel ashamed.

Especially after meeting Hun Cang, he felt utterly humiliated.

First, in terms of strength: Hun Cang was already a Dou Emperor, a true powerhouse in the Gamma Empire.

While he himself was still only at the third stage of Dou Qi.

Most frustratingly, their ages were barely different.

Comparisons like these were maddening.

Second, he had never expected Nalan Yanran to break their engagement today.

Even more unexpected was that, under Nalan Yanran’s aggressive withdrawal citing Yunlan Sect, it was his elder brother who came to his aid.

Truly a social death...

Hun Cang almost laughed but restrained himself, not wanting to shatter his big brother image. He said, “A real man stands up wherever he falls. Three years from now, just defeat her.”

Xiao Yan nodded, then shook his head. “It’s not that simple, Big Brother. I will train, but she will improve as well. I’ve wasted three years already—it’s not easy to catch up.”

His face darkened, and he bit his teeth, recalling the cursed ring.

“It’s alright. With Big Brother here, you can focus on your training. Leave the rest to me!” Hun Cang said calmly.

Xiao Zhan echoed, “Yes, Yan’er, your father will help too. Concentrate entirely on your cultivation.”

“That’s right, Young Clan Leader. The entire family supports you. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask us old fellows,” the Chief Elder said.

The Second and Third Elders nodded in agreement.

“You all...” Xiao Yan looked at Hun Cang’s serious expression and choked up. “Big Brother, please rest assured. I will train hard and not disappoint you.”

After some time, Xiao Zhan and the three elders excused themselves, leaving the two young men alone.

Xiao Xun’er scrutinized Hun Cang for a few seconds before taking her leave.

Xiao Yan faced Hun Cang alone. This was only their second meeting, so he felt shy and nervous, but Hun Cang draped his arm around his shoulder like a brother and began chatting about their past lives.

The distance between them suddenly closed.

After dining at the Xiao residence, Hun Cang accepted Xiao Zhan’s invitation and stayed at the Xiao family without hesitation.

In the following days, he had Xiao Yan purchase medicinal materials, which he gave to Yao Chen to refine, then passed the elixirs back to Xiao Yan. Rewards came continuously, like harvesting system bonuses non-stop.

“You brat, you’re too much. It’s clearly me who labored over the refining, yet you take all the credit,” Yao Chen grumbled as Xiao Yan gleefully left with training supplies, popping out of his ring.

After several days together, Yao Chen found that although Hun Cang was from the Soul Clan, he was unlike those sinister types—he was bolder and even joked around.

Hun Cang pocketed the system’s reward pills and laughed at him, “If you hadn’t secretly absorbed my second brother’s Dou Qi, would he have been bullied like this? Now that you’re refining medicine to make up for it, isn’t that only fair?”

“...” Yao Chen was speechless. Could that be compared?

“I had no choice at the time because of special circumstances, but once I recover, I’ll definitely make amends.”

Now, whenever Xiao Yan came over, Yao Chen would complain about him twice.

He glared at Hun Cang twice, sensing movement, and quickly retreated back into his ring.

“Brother Hun Cang, may I come in?” a clear voice called from outside.

“Come in.”

Hun Cang barely finished speaking when the door was pushed open. A girl in a pale blue dress, with an aura like a blue lotus, stepped inside.

“Sister Xun’er, what brings you here?” Hun Cang greeted her calmly.

Since the day Nalan Yanran broke the engagement, Hun Cang had noticed Xiao Xun’er’s gaze lingering on him.

“Brother Hun Cang, why are you so kind to Brother Xiao Yan?” Xiao Xun’er’s expression was unreadable, her tone steady, golden flames flickering faintly in her eyes.

Others might not know, but she was fully aware of Hun Cang’s origins.