Some stealthy figures crept into his room. Xiao Yan quickly closed the door, then darted to a corner of the room, finally pulling out a heap of herbs and several magic crystals, placing them carefully into the cabinet. He inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of the herbs on his hands, and smiled contentedly, exhaling a relieved breath. To focus fully on his cultivation, Xiao Yan had purchased enough medicinal supplies for eight months. The sight suggested he intended to spend the rest of the year immersed in rigorous training. He gave the cabinet a warm pat, a smile spreading across his lips, then lazily made his way to the bed, sinking into it with a soft sigh—his long day had truly taken its toll. "Yan, are you there?" A knock came suddenly, as if from a drowsy state. He blinked, still half-drowsy, and quickly jumped off the bed, opening the door to find Xiao Zhan standing outside. He gave a slight nod, blushing slightly and asking, "Father, is there something I can assist with?" "Then why not come visit me if there's nothing at all?" "You've been avoiding me for two months now," said Xiao Zhan, his large hand gently rubbing the top of Xiao Xin's head with a warm, affectionate touch. Watching the serene smile on Xiao Zhan's face, Xiao Xin felt touched, his nose slightly tinged with emotion, yet didn't know what to say. "Still holding yourself responsible for that matter? Hah, if she doesn't appreciate my son, that's her loss. What's there to be sad about? As a man, why act so like a young girl? I know it well—my son, Xiao Xin, is no ordinary person!" said Xiao Zhan with a broad, confident demeanor. "Hah, Father. In three years, I'll personally go to Yunlan Sect," said Xiao Xin, speaking softly with a gentle smile. Xiao Zhan's smile softened slightly, his eyes fixed steadily on Xiao Xin, hesitating before asking, "I'm not particularly concerned about that. But... are you truly going?" My father didn't say you couldn't measure up to Nalan Yanran, but Cloud Lake Sect's strength...” Xiao Yan smiled slightly, nodded, and pressed his thin lips into a firm, resolute line: “Father, some things can't be avoided. A man must shoulder them.” “Hah, this temperament is quite like mine. I'm sure both of my elder brothers would be delighted to hear you think this way.” With a warm smile, Xiao Zhan nodded in satisfaction, sighed softly, and then gave a firm affirmation: “Very well. I’ll be waiting for the day my son earns me back my face! I’ll have Nalan Su’s old fool come to me with a dowry, demanding I revoke that very divorce decree he signed back then!” Xiao Yan nodded, chuckling. “Here you go—consider this my sponsorship!” From his sleeve, he produced a white jade bottle, one Xiao Yan had grown very familiar with, and handed it over. Staring at the foundational elixir that had circled several times before returning to his hands, Xiao Yan felt both amused and a little teary—yet his expression remained one of genuine curiosity. "Father, what is this?" "Foundational elixir—accelerates the cultivation of combat energy. Purchased today." Xiao Zhan chuckled, cracking his lips. "Must have cost quite a bit, hasn't it?" Receiving the jade bottle, Xiao Yan felt a warm current flow through him. "Four thousand gold coins. But as long as it proves useful to you, it's well worth it." Xiao Zhan said with casual ease. "You've spent four thousand gold coins on this foundational elixir—my elder brothers and uncles will surely use this as an excuse to stir up trouble again." Xiao Yan sighed with a touch of weariness. "Hmph. I'm the head of this family. They can only make a fuss with their words." Xiao Zhan scoffed. "Father, thank you. At my coming-of-age ceremony in a year, I'll have them all silent." Xiao Yan smiled gently. "Very well. I'll be waiting for the very moment my son undergoes his Though he didn't know where Xiao Yan had drawn his confidence, Xiao Zhan was genuinely delighted by his son's assured demeanor and burst into laughter. "Alright, you've got plenty of rest now. Just come find me whenever you need something—after all, we're family. What could be embarrassing about that?" With a wave of his hand, Xiao Zhan turned and strode confidently toward the front courtyard. "Man, I still have to deal with those old coots—just four thousand gold coins, and they're as frantic as if they've just run out of their life savings." The murmurs and complaints of Xiao Zhan drifted faintly through the darkness. Watching his father fade into the shadows, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and smiled softly, saying, "Don't worry, Father. I'll use reality to silence them. Three years ago, I could make them look up to me. Three years from now, I'll still be able to!" After standing at the doorway for a while, Xiao Yan tucked away the jade bottle in his hand and glanced playfully at the corner of the room. "Niece, listening in on people's conversations—how fun is that?" "Brother Xiao Yan, you're so perceptive today..." A graceful girl in a purple dress stepped out from the corner, tilting her small head slightly, a warm smile playing on her beautiful face. "It seems rather fond of Xiao Yan's awkward situation. Xun'er laughed softly, her voice like a silver bell, then gradually stopped, remaining slightly silent before speaking gently, 'I heard what Uncle Xiao said just now. I believe Xiao Yan, yes... if one day he truly decides to join Yunlan Sect, I'd be happy to assist him.' Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan blinked, his eyes fixed steadily on the beautiful young girl's face. Under the unyielding gaze, Xun'er's refined complexion slowly flushed with gentle embarrassment, and she murmured in mild complaint, 'Xiao Yan, what are you looking at?' 'Heh, Xun'er also blushes—rare indeed,' Xiao Yan suddenly chuckled after a while. Xun'er gave Xiao Yan a withering glance, thinking to herself, 'You're the only one who stares at me like this.' 'Now, now, have a little more confidence in Xiao Yan. Though Yunlan Sect is strong, I'm still young and have plenty of time. Perhaps I can't be as indulgent as Yun's Yun Yun in raising Lan Yanran, but I'm sure I'll do no worse.' Xiao Yan smiled, gently stroking the girl's dark hair, and said, "It's late now, go rest." Watching Xiao Yan wave farewell, Xun'er shook her head in resignation and nodded, then slowly walked into the darkness, under his watchful gaze. As she turned a corner, a commotion of voices suddenly erupted inside a room—Xiao Zhan and several elders were arguing, and their dispute centered precisely on the destination of the four thousand gold coins. Her steps halted, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, she sighed softly, and with a graceful curl of her long jade fingers, a purple-gold card appeared in her hand. With a gentle flick of her fingertip, the card shimmered and sent a beam of golden light into the room where the elders were still arguing. Glancing casually at the now-silent room, Xun'er said calmly, "The funds for the Foundation Elixir were my contribution—I have ten thousand gold coins on this card. The elders need not trouble Xiao Un-cle." A silence fell over the room. Moments later, three elders offered their quiet, wry responses.