People in Doupo: The beginning of the game intercepts the rich woman Xun'er

With the concerted efforts of the Xiao family members, the Xiao residence was quickly transformed, filled with a lively and bustling atmosphere.

The vermilion pillars were draped with brocade ribbons, and gold and red silk ribbons hung down from the eaves, flowing in the wind like a rosy cloud. Strings of shimmering glass palace lanterns hung under the corridor, exuding a sense of luxury even before they were lit. The courtyard was filled with exotic flowers and plants collected from all over the holy city of Gama, their rich fragrance mingling with the fresh scent of grass and trees, permeating every corner of the mansion.

This grand preparation was even more magnificent than the Xiao family's usual celebrations during festivals, exuding solemnity and enthusiasm in welcoming the legendary member of the clan back home.

As the tribespeople bustled about, time slipped away like sand through their fingers.

Above the sky, the originally blazing sun gradually softened its intensity, and the golden-red afterglow gently fell upon the upturned eaves of the Xiao Mansion, gilding the exquisite carved beams and painted rafters with a warm halo.

As the last rays of dawn disappeared behind the horizon, night slowly unfolded like a thick, dark brocade.

The cool moonlight poured down from the sky, like frost and snow, enveloping the entire Xiao mansion in a hazy, clear glow.

The flowers and plants, which had been languid under the scorching sun, now seemed to awaken, stretching their branches and leaves under the moonlight. This, along with the gradually lit glass palace lanterns under the eaves, made the exquisite mansion even more elegant and lively.

On the vast square in front of the Gama Palace, banners fluttered and armor gleamed coldly. A group of people had already lined up in neat rows, ready to set off.

The spears forged from black iron pointed diagonally at the sky, and the guards, clad in bright silver armor, stood ramrod straight, their faces solemn as pines, their imposing aura solid and unyielding.

At the center of this elite guard, three figures stood out: Jia Xingtian, the pillar of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family and the royal guardian, as well as the noble eldest princess Yao Ye and the second princess Yao Yue.

Jia Xingtian, clad in a long black robe, with white hair and beard, exuded an aura of profound and imposing authority, yet his gaze swept over the heavily armed troops. His deep voice, like the tolling of an ancient bell, resounded throughout the square.
"It's time to go."

As soon as he finished speaking, the cavalry captain at the front of the column raised his arm and shouted, his voice booming through the clouds and splitting rocks: "Let's go!"

As soon as the command was given, the sound of synchronized footsteps thundered out, and the horses' hooves pounded on the bluestone slabs, kicking up fine dust.

This well-organized procession then marched in a grand procession toward the Xiao family mansion.

The streets along the way were already crowded with people from the holy city of Gama who had come to see what was happening. The crowds were bustling and the sounds of discussion were constant.

The royal family's grand mobilization is clearly intended to express their utmost respect for the Xiao family.

Even though the crowd was packed shoulder to shoulder, no one made a sound or pushed. Everyone consciously moved to the sides of the road, making way for the royal procession.

As they watched the banners and armor recede into the distance, the faces of the people were filled with amazement and awe.

Inside the elegant and understated carriage, curtains hung gently, isolating the outside world from noise.

Yao Yue withdrew her gaze from the outside world, took a few light steps, and moved closer to Yao Ye's side. Her beautiful eyes were filled with barely suppressed curiosity, and her voice trembled slightly with disbelief.
"Sister, do you think what Great-Grandpa said is true? Is Xiao Ling really that powerful? Not only is he a Dou Zun expert, but he can also refine peak-grade eighth-rank pills and win the championship of the Pill Gathering?"

Yao Yue has devoted herself to studying alchemy since childhood. With her extraordinary talent and diligent practice, she has long been considered one of the best among the younger generation of alchemists in the Jia Ma Empire. However, even now, she can only barely refine fifth-grade pills.

For alchemists like Yao Yue, the Pill Tower in Zhongzhou Holy Pill City is the supreme holy land in their hearts, and the title of Pill Competition champion is an honor that countless alchemists can hardly reach in their entire lives.

She had long known that Xiao Ling was exceptionally talented, but she never expected that in just a few short years, the young man who had once made a name for himself in the Jia Ma Empire would transform into the champion of the Pill Refining Competition in the Central Plains, and be known as the "Number One Alchemist in the Central Plains".

Such remarkable achievements in alchemy had a revolutionary impact on Yao Yue, who was obsessed with medicine making.

Faced with her younger sister's eager inquiry, Yao Ye, whose demeanor was even more dignified and aloof, lightly stroked the subtle patterns embroidered on her sleeve with her slender fingers, her tone unhurried and confident.

"This matter should be true. According to my great-grandfather, he heard this information from Mr. Hai himself. As for Miss Ya Fei, she had previously accompanied Master Xiao Ling to Zhongzhou to develop her career. This information was also described in Miss Ya Fei's previous letters to the Mittel family, so there is no need for her to fabricate it."

As she finished speaking, she sighed softly, a hint of regret flashing in her eyes. "It's a pity that the royal family failed to establish a closer relationship with Xiao Ling back then, otherwise the royal family wouldn't have to go to such lengths now."

"Yes, perhaps I should have asked my great-grandfather to go and ask Xiao Ling for a lesson in alchemy. Maybe I could refine a sixth-grade pill by now!" Yao Yue gently tapped her smooth chin with her jade finger, her tone full of regret.

As for the undercurrents and anxieties within the royal family, she didn't take them to heart at all. After all, her mind was far too simple for Yao Ye; she was oblivious to these power struggles and had absolutely no interest in them, nor did she want to get involved in such matters.

As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes suddenly lit up slightly, as if she had thought of a brilliant idea, and her voice revealed a hint of excitement.
"Since Xiao Ling is so amazing, his cousin Xiao Yan must have learned a lot of skills from him! I also heard my great-grandfather say that although Xiao Yan didn't shine as brightly as his cousin at the Pill Gathering, he still got a good ranking, so his alchemy skills must be quite outstanding!"

As she said this, she clenched her delicate fists, her eyes filled with anticipation. "At the banquet later, I must find an opportunity to ask Xiao Yan for guidance! With his pointers, my alchemy skills might just break through the bottleneck and advance to the sixth rank!"

Seeing his younger sister's boisterous and energetic appearance, Yao Ye couldn't help but smile slightly. He shook his head helplessly and affectionately, his gaze falling on Yao Yue's cheerful profile. A rare, heartfelt smile appeared in his eyes.

Similar displays of power and grandeur are being repeatedly staged in the streets and alleys of the holy city of Gama.

Those prestigious families and powerful figures who had occupied the holy city for many years all came out in droves. Some brought carriages and horses laden with rare treasures, while others led their elite guards. The vast numbers of people poured out of their mansions and converged in the same direction.

These nobles and dignitaries of the Gama Empire all shared a surprisingly common goal today: the Xiao family mansion, located in the heart of the holy city and currently adorned with lanterns and decorations. As the royal procession arrived first at the gates of the Xiao family mansion and entered under the respectful guidance of the Xiao family guards, the rest of the prominent families and powerful figures from all sides followed suit, continuously converging on the gates of the Xiao mansion.

As time passed, more and more guests poured into the mansion, making the already brightly decorated and bustling Xiao mansion even more crowded.

Those celebrities and dignitaries who are usually scattered throughout the holy city of Gama and rarely seen are now gathered together. Amidst the elegant attire and the sounds of greetings and laughter, a symphony of voices fills the air.

Xiao Zhan, the current patriarch of the Xiao family, was currently moving among the guests, greeting them with a smile on his face.

In terms of cultivation level, Xiao Zhan was not considered top-tier among this group of powerful figures, many of whom were Dou Huang or Dou Zong.

Even so, everyone present treated him with utmost politeness and respect.

Even powerful Dou Zong experts like Jia Xingtian and Hai Bodong, who were renowned throughout the Jia Ma Empire, treated him as an equal when they spoke with him.

Ultimately, it's simply because the Xiao family produced two exceptionally talented young geniuses, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan.

With these two powerful figures backing the Xiao family, no one dared to be negligent in the slightest.

Just then, four azure afterimages swept across the sky above the Holy City of Gama, accompanied by a sharp whooshing sound, like four streaks of light piercing the sky, and finally landed steadily in front of the vermilion gate of the Xiao family mansion.

As the light and shadow faded, four figures—two men and two women—were revealed. They were none other than Yun Shan, the former sect leader of the Yunlan Sect; Yun Yun, the current sect leader; her beloved disciple Nalan Yanran; and Yun Leng, the sect's Grand Elder.

As soon as Yunshan steadied himself, he stepped forward and politely clasped his hands in a salute to the Xiao family guards at the door. His aged voice carried a hint of gentle laughter.
"Hehe, I am Yunshan from the Yunlan Sect. I have come here today to attend the banquet. Upon hearing that Master Xiao Ling and Master Xiao Yan have returned to the Jia Ma Empire, the entire Yunlan Sect is overjoyed. My visit is twofold: first, to welcome the two masters back, and second, to renew our old friendship with the Xiao family."

Seeing that a powerful Dou Zong expert was so polite to them, mere guards, the Xiao family guards standing at the door felt a surge of secret pleasure, feeling that it was an honor to serve the Xiao family.

However, they did not show the slightest arrogance. The head guard quickly stepped forward, returned the greeting with clasped hands, and spoke in a respectful yet measured tone.

"So it's the old sect leader of Yunshan! Please come in! My clan patriarch and two masters have been waiting for you for a long time!"

After saying that, the head guard smiled and stepped aside to lead the way, respectfully guiding Yunshan and his party of four into the Xiao residence.

Led by the guards, Yunshan and his party of four were quickly taken to the main banquet hall at the deepest part of the Xiao residence.

The heavy rosewood door was slowly pushed open, and as soon as the four figures stepped into the hall, the previously noisy conversation suddenly fell silent. Countless eyes turned towards them, filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

"Yunshan, you old bastard!"

A hearty laugh rang out first, and Hai Bodong stepped forward, approaching Yunshan. A slight smile played on his lips, and his eyes held a hint of amusement. "Several years have passed, and it's been a rare treat to see you. If it weren't for Master Xiao Ling's return this time, I don't know how long I would have had to wait to meet you again."

"Hehe." Yunshan stroked his white beard and shook his head with a smile. "I have now retired and handed over all the affairs of the Yunlan Sect to the younger generation, such as Yunling."

My old bones are so tired that I can only find a quiet place to meditate and pass the time. Unlike you, so full of energy, still running around in this mundane world.”

After exchanging brief pleasantries with Hai Bodong, Yunshan turned his gaze directly to Xiao Zhan in the center of the crowd. A very friendly smile instantly spread across his face, and he walked towards him, laughing loudly.
"Hehe, Clan Chief Xiao, it's been a long time! The Xiao family has produced two such outstanding juniors, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan. It is truly a cause for celebration that they have returned home in glory after achieving success in their cultivation!"

"Elder Master Yunshan, you're too kind." Xiao Zhan quickly came forward, his face full of humble smiles. He waved his hand and said sincerely, "It's all thanks to the children's own hard work. As the clan leader, I'm just benefiting from the juniors' achievements."

"Clan Chief Xiao, you're too kind!" Yunshan waved his hand with a smile, his tone earnest. "The Xiao family is thriving under your leadership, and you deserve immense credit for that!"

Although Yunshan deeply agreed with Xiao Zhan's humble words, he would never agree with them verbally.

The thought flashed through his mind, and he immediately took out a storage ring engraved with cloud patterns, handed it to Xiao Zhan with both hands, and his smile deepened: "This storage ring contains some secret treasures collected by my Yunlan Sect. Consider it a small gift to celebrate the return of the two masters to their hometown! Yunlan Sect is still some distance from the Holy City. In order to save time, we had to fly here on our swords and were unable to prepare carriages and ceremonial regalia. We hope that Clan Chief Xiao will forgive us!"

Upon seeing this, Xiao Zhan smiled sincerely and quickly accepted the storage ring with both hands. He felt the cool touch of the ring in his palms and laughed loudly, "Elder Master Yunshan is too kind! With this kind of sentiment, our Xiao family is more than satisfied!"

After saying that, he changed the subject and looked at Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran behind him, his tone full of praise: "Now that Yunlan Sect has such outstanding juniors as Sect Master Yun Yun and Miss Nalan to support it, if it develops in the Central Plains in the future, it will surely have a smooth journey, and the future of Yunlan Sect will definitely be prosperous!"

"Haha, thank you very much for your kind words, Clan Chief Xiao! The future of the Xiao family will surely continue to soar to new heights! Let us advance together!"

Hearing Xiao Zhan's words, Yun Shan's smile became even more genuine, and his tense expression completely relaxed. Clearly, his initial goal of forging a closer relationship with the Xiao family had been achieved.

Of course, he also knew in his heart that Xiao Zhan's kind attitude towards him was not just because of the congratulatory gift.

It's likely that the Xiao family's attitude towards the Yunlan Sect changed because their own disciple Yun Yun and grand-disciple Nalan Yanran had developed a considerable relationship with Master Xiao Ling in Zhongzhou.

After all, the incident where Nalan Yanran took the initiative to visit Xiao Yan, the third young master of the Xiao family, and insisted on breaking off their engagement caused quite a stir and strained the relationship between the two sides for many years. (End of this chapter)