"Boy, your name is Xiao Wei, right? "Which clan do you come from?"Old and asked, voice low but firm, cutting through the wind.
Xiao Wei looked up from admiring the view.
"Yes, Senior. My name is Xiao Wei. I used to belong to the Xiao Clan from Mo City, but I was expelled about half a year ago. Now I'm just a rogue Cultivator."Xiao Wei said with a straight face.
His tone remained calm, but the statement caught everyone's attention. Shi Man and Shi Feng exchanged surprised glances, and even Mo Chen turned slightly to better hear him. Old Yang raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, but said nothing at first.
"Expelled? They actually expelled someone like you?"Shi Man asked in disbelief.
"Only a fool would drive out a Tier 1 Alchemist with a Martial Master's combat ability"Chen Xiao added.
Even Mo Chen, who had been watching Xiao Wei cautiously since the alchemy competition, seemed genuinely surprised now. Her sharp gaze softened into something more thoughtful.
"Xiao Wei, when and where exactly did my father give you that cauldron?"Mo Chen asked, her tone more curious now, less suspicious than before.
Xiao Wei turned to meet her eyes, flying alongside them. He kept his voice steady.
"It was over a year ago. I met Senior Mo Fan by chance in Mo City market. After a bit of conversation, I offered some wine to him in exchange for the Cauldron"Xiao Wei said.
There was a pause.
Shi Feng blinked. Shi Man opened his mouth to say something but stopped. Chen Xiao tilted his head, trying to process what he just heard. Even Old Yang slowed down slightly, as if the surprise had seeped into his movements.
Mo Chen's eyes narrowed.
"You gave my father... wine... and he gave you a Tier 5 Cauldron? Just like that?"Mo Chen muttered.
Xiao Wei noticed there reaction and smiled faintly.
"Well, to be completely accurate, he let me borrow it. Before leaving, he said, 'Use it well until I return to take it back.' That's how he put it."Xiao Wei said.
A long silence followed as everyone digested this information. For Mo Fan to hand over a Tier 5 cauldron to a Xiao Wei in exchange for wine was simply unbelievable. And yet, Xiao Wei's words carried a ring of truth.
It was now clear to everyone that there was some untold story between Xiao Wei and Mo Fan, one Mo Fan could not easily unravel.
Shi Man finally broke the silence with a light chuckle.
"You're full of surprises, Brother Xiao Wei! First you defeat Qin Lan, then you outclass him in alchemy, and now we learn you're on friendly terms with a master like Mo Fan. What else are you hiding?"Shi Man asked.
Xiao Wei chuckled, trying not to seem too smug.
As the group continued flying through the open sky, Xiao Wei couldn't help but glance down at the world passing below them. A strange feeling welled up in his chest—one part freedom, another part strength.
After a few moments, Xiao Wei thought of the cauldron in his Storage Ring and muttered to himself.
"But now that I think about it, I should probably get another cauldron for public use. This one draws too much attention."Xiao Wei muttered.
Old Yang heard him and laughed lightly.
"You're not wrong about that. A Tier 5 Cauldron in the hands of a Martial Apprentice Realm Cultivator? You might as well hang a sign on your back that says 'rob me.' "Old Yang said.
The others laughed with him, even Mo Chen letting out a quiet, amused breath.
As they soared through the skies, carried by the strength of Old Yang's Spiritual Energy, Chen Xiao looked around, noting the unfamiliar scenery passing beneath them. He leaned slightly toward his Master, confusion flickering across his youthful features.
"Master, are we not going back to the sect?"Chen Xiao asked.
Old Yang didn't respond immediately. His sharp eyes were focused ahead, but after a few breaths, he turned slightly to answer, his voice calm and composed.
"No. The Shi Clan and I have some questions for Xiao Wei. We will be heading to the Shi Clan's estate first"Old Yang said.
Old Yang glanced at Xiao Wei, but his face remained calm and untroubled, as though he had expected this. The golden hue of the setting sun bathed the horizon, casting long shadows across the land as they neared Feng City. The wind blew gently against their robes, fluttering the fabric like banners in the sky.
As they approached the Shi Clan estate, a loud voice rang out from the courtyard below.
"The Young Master is back!"a lady servant shouted, who had spotted them descending from the sky.
Within moments, a flurry of activity erupted across the clan grounds. Servants and Elders gathered in the open courtyard as Old Yang and the group landed. But before they could settle, Xiao Wei suddenly felt a wave of oppressive pressure descending upon him. The weight of it made his bones hum.
At that moment, Shadow Ming's voice echoed in Xiao Wei's mind.
'Boy, don't panic. That pressure belongs to a Ninth Layer Martial Saint Realm Cultivator.'
Almost as if summoned by Shadow Ming's warning, a middle-aged man appeared before them in a gust of wind, landing silently on the stone tiles. He was tall and dignified, with piercing eyes that radiated calm authority and strength, he was Shi Clan current head.
"Senior Yang, what brings you to the Shi Clan?"the middle aged man asked politely.
Before Xiao Wei could ask, Shadow Ming spoke again, his tone carrying a mix of pride and nostalgia.
'It's my grandson, Shi Lu. He already reached Ninth Layer in Martial Saint Realm. I never thought he'd rise this far.'
Old Yang smiled and stepped forward, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Shi Lu, I believe it would be best if we talk in private"Old Yang said before sending a voice transmission to him.
Shi Lu nodded in understanding, immediately recognizing the gravity of the situation. Without further delay, he led the group into the heart of the Shi Clan estate, guiding them to a secluded, well-guarded chamber used only for confidential matters.
The secret room was dimly lit by lamps, carved with runes that suppressed sound from escaping. Seated around a stone table were Old Yang, Xiao Wei, Shi Lu, Shi Feng, and Shi Long. Shi Long, the previous patriarch of the Shi Clan and son of Shi Ming, was also present. And his Cultivation was at the Second Layer of Martial Master Realm second to Old Yang, his presence was not to be underestimated. His eyes were steady, filled with years of experience and clan burdens.
Shi Lu sat quietly, his gaze lingering on Xiao Wei, assessing him. There was no hostility in his eyes, only curiosity. Shi Feng was going to become the next Clan Head so he was also present, sitting beside his father Shi Lu and grandfather Shi Long, remained quiet, showing due respect.
Old Yang broke the silence first.
"Let's not waste time. Tell us, Xiao Wei. How did you know Shi Ming's Martial Technique, the 'Rat Trap Array Formation'? And where did you get that old wooden bow you used before?"Old Yang's eyes narrowed, his voice firm and to the point
The room fell into silence. The tension was palpable as everyone's eyes fixed on Xiao Wei. Even Shi Feng leaned forward, his brows slightly furrowed, waiting for an answer. Xiao Wei, however, remained calm on the surface, though his thoughts churned furiously.
*What should I say?*Xiao Wei wondered.
Just then, Shadow Ming's familiar voice echoed in his mind, composed as he know what Xiao Wei must be thinking.
'Tell them the truth. You saw my soul, and I told you I wanted to possess Shi Feng. Also told them I ordered you to come to my clan to pass my Material Techniques.'
Taking a deep breath, Xiao Wei straightened his back and looked directly at Old Yang.
"Seniors, you must be aware that a few months ago, Senior Shi Feng opened Shi Ming's resting cave. I was present at the scene during that time."Xiao Wei said.
Shi Feng nodded, his expression unchanged.
"That's true. Xiao Wei was there."Shi Feng said.
Xiao Wei continued, his tone steady.
"After Senior Shi Feng took the bow and left the cave, everyone else followed him. I, however, decided to remain behind for a few more days. There were herbs growing inside the cave, and I wanted to gather them while I had the chance."Xiao Wei said.
Shi Lu, the Martial Saint, and Shi Long, Shi Ming's son, listened closely. Old Yang remained quiet, his hands folded in front of him as he carefully weighed every word.
"It was during that time, that a translucent soul appeared before me. He claimed to be Shi Ming and... he seemed genuine. He didn't attack me, nor did he try to possess me. Instead, he spoke with clarity and sadness. He said he wanted someone to pass on his legacy."Xiao Wei said, his voice dropping slightly.