For a family to endure and thrive over the long term, the most crucial factor is maintaining vitality—vitality that stems from the younger generation. These young members serve as the family's fresh blood; only through a continuous influx of this fresh blood can the family's great machine remain ever-operational. Therefore, the coming-of-age ceremony is a day of great significance for every family, and the Xiao family is no exception. As one of the three most prominent families in Wutan City, the Xiao family's coming-of-age ceremony naturally draws attention from various city-based power groups, with some friendly factions even formally invited to participate. Xiao Yan swept his gaze across the vast stage, then shifted his attention to the gathering of people from various factions below. With a sigh of resignation, he murmured, "There really are quite a few of them..." Seeing Xiao Yan's slightly frustrated expression, Xun, who knew he preferred quiet, couldn't help but chuckle with a touch of satisfaction. As soon as her laughter had escaped, she noticed Xiao Yan's intense, scowling gaze and quickly closed her mouth, scanning him with steady eyes. A subtle golden glow flickered subtly in her autumn-hued gaze. She smiled, slightly surprised, "Xiao Yan, you've reached the eighth segment of combat energy now?" Xiao Yan glanced at her sideways, realizing that with her, nothing seemed to go unnoticed. Frustrated, he sighed deeply and nodded weakly. "Hmph... Just under a month, and you've already broken through to the eighth segment—such speed! That's truly remarkable," Xun remarked, even her composed demeanor betraying a hint of astonishment. Gazed at her coldly, Xiao Yan's gaze paused momentarily as he noticed a graceful woman in a red dress, chatting pleasantly with someone nearby. Her full, well-proportioned figure, subtly revealed beneath the flowing red gown, was especially alluring. Already, a crowd had gathered around her, making her the most lively and bustling spot among the audience. This woman, whose every smile and expression carried a mature charm, was none other than Yafei, the head auctioneer of the Tumir Auction House, whom Xiao Yan had previously seen. As his eyes briefly swept over her slender, sinuous waist, he silently murmured, "Indeed a top-tier beauty!" Just as his gaze remained fixed on Yafei, a soft, quiet hum from a young girl beside him suddenly broke the stillness. "Ah," Xiao Yan blinked, subtly shifting his gaze, and smiled gently at Xun, her face composed. "I didn't expect the Tumir Auction House to have someone attending our family's coming-of-age ceremony." Gazing at Xiao Yan, who was pretending to be completely indifferent, Xun'er said softly, "The Xiao family has always maintained good relations with the Temeir auction house in Wutan City. It's no surprise she would come. Moreover, her social skills are widely recognized as strong in Wutan City—many young gentlemen and noble sons, who came seeking beauty, have spent considerable amounts of money on her, only to end up with nothing but empty promises. If Xiao Yan has any intentions, he should be careful indeed. I won't lend him money to go around doing these things." Hearing this, Xiao Yan managed a slightly embarrassed smile and sighed, "Even if I have such intentions, I still need to be seen as someone worth recognizing—she's at least seven or eight years older than me." "Isn't it just that some women simply prefer certain types?" Xun'er lifted her rosy lips, smiling slightly, yet with a hint of amusement. Clearing her throat, Xiao Yan could only retreat, his gaze now unable to linger on the circle. "Hm, how come she's returned?" Seeing Xiao Yan retreat, Xun'er also abandoned her assault, and after a brief lull, suddenly exclaimed in surprise. "Who?" Stiffening slightly, Xiao Yan followed Xun'er's gaze, his brows gradually furrowing. At the spot where their eyes met, a beautiful woman in what appeared to be academy attire was leaning against a large tree. She wore a long sword at her waist, and was notably tall. Most striking of all were her well-proportioned, long, graceful legs—so sensuous that even the elegant and graceful Ya Fei could not match them. "Xiao Yu?" Xiao Yan frowned, fixing his gaze on the tall woman. "She didn't go to the Gan Nan Academy for further studies, did she? How come she's back now?" Xun'er playfully shrugged, then slightly tilted her head with a teasing tone. "Xiao Yan brother, it seems you've got yourself into trouble this time." With a crack at the corner of his mouth, Xiao Yan rubbed his slightly aching forehead and murmured, "This obstinate woman is driving me crazy. For heaven's sake, back then she merely accidentally stumbled into her hot spring bath in the rear mountains and then, quite unintentionally, brushed against her thigh. Yet she has been chasing me for half a year now!" "Ah, how could a girl's body be touched at will?" Hearing this, Xun'er covered her mouth with a delicate smile, suddenly remembering how, as a child, he had thoroughly examined her from head to toe, her finely featured face now tinged with a soft, alluring blush. Xiao Yan gave a dismissive shrug and coldly remarked, "This woman is actually Xiao Ning's own sister—neither of them is particularly pleasant. That man's hostility toward me must have deep roots." At a distance, Xiao Yu seemed to have sensed something, turned her head, and gazed at Xiao Yan beneath the great tree, momentarily startled before her brows furrowed, a touch of disdain and aversion flashing in her beautiful eyes. After a brief hesitation, she moved her long, alluring legs, stepping steadily toward Xiao Yan. At the sight of her approaching, Xiao Yan's brows furrowed slightly, a touch of disdain and impatience evident in his expression. "Hmph, Xiao Yan, I never expected you'd make a comeback—truly surprising." As she drew closer and observed the unmistakable impatience etched on Xiao Yan's face, which he seemed unwilling even to conceal, Xiao Yu chuckled coldly. "What does it matter to you?" Xiao Yan clearly had no warm feelings for Xiao Yu; his usual calm demeanor vanished entirely, and he launched right into a blunt remark. "Your tongue remains so sharp—perhaps these three years of setbacks haven't dulled your sharpness after all," Xiao Yu said, gazing down at Xiao Yan with condescension, clearly adopting the tone of someone delivering a lecture from a position of superiority. "Another one of these tones..." With a deep breath of irritation, Xiao Yan slightly tilted his head, carefully studying the woman he hadn't seen in a year, then gradually shifting his gaze to her lush, sensuous legs. He rubbed his nose gently and said, "Your legs are still so long. I just wonder—since then, has anyone else touched them?" At this, Xiao Yu, who had been smiling coldly, instantly turned as pale as paper.