The procedures were incredibly tedious, enough to make one dizzy.
Sitting below, Xiao Yan watched his peers on stage, manipulated like puppets, and rubbed his forehead. "This ceremony… is self-inflicted suffering."
"That's the family tradition. Endure it," Xun'er said.
From afar, Xiao Jian's laughter gradually approached. Before Xiao Yan could respond, Xiao Yu spoke first.
"Xiao Jian, did you miss me?"
Xiao Jian sat in an empty seat nearby, sighing.
"If I'm not mistaken, Canaan Academy shouldn't be on break right now. Are you sure it's alright for you to come back?"
Xiao Yu's eyes lit up. "You even noticed? You care about me that much?"
Xiao Jian remained silent.
He now slightly regretted sitting there.
For some reason, Xiao Yu had liked him since they were young.
At first, it might have been because she found him pleasing to look at and more mature than others his age.
But four years ago, when Xiao Yan's talent began to falter and Xiao Jian rose to prominence in the marketplace, Xiao Yu's enthusiasm toward him grew even stronger.
Even when Xiao Yan was struggling, she treated him well and often spoke up for him.
"As a cousin, it's normal to care about you, right?" Xiao Jian sighed.
"Hmph, still being stubborn, huh? I've watched you grow up; I know what you're thinking," Xiao Yu said proudly with a gentle hum.
"Isn't it possible… that we're only a year apart and grew up together?" Xiao Jian said, sighing.
Though it was quieter without Xiao Yu at home, he still found it a little unsettling. From childhood, she always wanted to talk or play with him.
"Right? Childhood sweethearts!" Xiao Yu said eagerly.
Xiao Jian remained silent for a moment.
Finally, he asked, "What exactly did you learn at Canaan Academy?"
In the past, Xiao Yu had been clingy but never so direct with words like these.
Xiao Yan and Xun'er tensed their faces, trying not to laugh.
After a year, Xiao Yu was truly astonishing.
"Hmph, who says I didn't study well? Look.....I'm a Three-Star Fighter now!"
She puffed up her chest proudly.
Xiao Jian's gaze involuntarily followed....to the chest of her lavender uniform, where three golden stars gleamed.
"Impressive, huh?" Xiao Yu said, chest rising slightly as she spoke.
"Indeed," Xiao Jian nodded seriously, averting his gaze.
"Looks like you gained a lot at Canaan Academy," he added.
Hearing the compliment, Xiao Yu's face lit up with a radiant smile.
Xiao Jian, in turn, momentarily lost himself in her expression.
Setting aside their minimal blood relation, they really were childhood friends.
"Oh, I heard you're a Two-Star Fighter now. Hehe, I knew you could do it! Come, let me see your Fighting Qi's attribute."
Finally remembering "business," Xiao Yu affectionately grabbed Xiao Jian's hand to sense his energy.
Xiao Jian smiled and activated his internal Fighting Qi.
"Ice attribute?"
Feeling his pure energy, Xiao Yu's eyes sparkled. She picked up a teacup, delighted. "Quick, help me chill the tea!"
Xiao Jian said nothing but still used his energy, lightly touching the teacup with his fingers, instantly freezing the tea.
"Xiao Jian! You did it on purpose, didn't you?"
Xiao Yu's brows rose, pretending to be upset, as she lightly tapped him with a small fist.
"No, I was deliberately… careless!"
Xiao Jian raised an eyebrow, smiling.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Yu glared at him, then stuffed the ice into her mouth, crunching it.
Not bad.....it was quite refreshing.
By the time the coming-of-age ceremony on stage was more than halfway through, it was finally Xiao Jian's turn.
Hearing the announcement, curious and skeptical gazes from the VIP seats on the high platform immediately fell upon him.
One major reason these guests attended the Xiao family's ceremony was because of the two young masters of the family.
Xiao Jian stood up calmly, walking onto the stage under the watchful eyes of all present.
The ceremony was presided over by Second Elder Xiao Ying.
Seeing Xiao Jian step forward, a smile appeared on his aged face.
"This is just how the ceremony goes. Endure it for a moment," he whispered softly to Xiao Jian.
After fetching the ritual materials from the stage behind him, Xiao Ying stood before Xiao Jian and began the tedious process.
Below the stage, many young ladies cast burning glances toward him.
Xiao Jian, who had once been nothing more than a "pretty face," was now the ideal of many dreams...talented, handsome, and of noble status.
Of course, his status was only notable within Utan City; in the imperial capital, it would be much less significant. Across the continent, it barely mattered.
Among the gazes, two were particularly notable.
Without turning his head, Xiao Jian knew exactly who they were:
Yafei on the stage as a VIP and Xiao Yu in the audience with her intense gaze.
As for Xiao Mei's glances, Xiao Jian ignored them. After all, in terms of charm, she couldn't compare to Yafei.
Ever since he had been unable to cultivate, among the younger generation of the family, only Xiao Yan, Xun'er, and Xiao Yu had consistently treated him warmly.
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