Feeling the majestic momentum emanating from Xiao Yu, Jia Lie Ao was shocked beyond words.

Three-star Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd level)! How could this be?!

Jia Lie Ao vividly remembered that when he last saw Xiao Yu last year, she was only an eight-star Dou Zhe (Battle Practitioner, 2nd Level)!

It's only been a year!!!

However, Jia Lie Ao quickly calmed down.

So what if she's a three-star Dou Shi?

The lowest-ranked guards of the Jia Lie clan are all five-star Dou Shi!

You, a three-star Dou Shi, can't stir up any waves in front of them!

"Attack!!!"

As Jia Lie Ao gave the order, the guards of the Jia Lie clan rushed towards Xiao Yu.

However, in the next second, as Xiao Yu's figure flashed, Jia Lie Ao's previously confident expression turned into disbelief, and his eyes revealed intense horror.

Jia Lie Ao looked in terror at the guards who were fierce just a second ago but now lay on the ground, unconscious, their faces marked with whip scars. His mind was in chaos and unable to process.

What just happened???

Looking at Xiao Yu and her resolute whip-wielding hand, cold sweat covered Jia Lie Ao's body.

A three-star Dou Shi defeated a group of Jia Lie clan guards who were at least five-star Dou Shi???

Are you kidding me?! Is there anything more absurd than this in this world?!!

At this moment, Jia Lie Ao instantly recalled the incident three months ago when he was knocked unconscious by Xiao Yan's two moves using the power of three-star Dou Zhi.

What the hell is wrong with the Xiao Clan?!!

But whether Jia Lie Ao believes it or not, the facts won't change in the slightest.

Watching Xiao Yu step on the bodies of the Jia Lie clan guards and slowly approach, it felt like a demon gradually closing in through Jia Lie Ao's eyes.

At this moment, Jia Lie Ao was truly panicked.

"You, you, you, you, you... Don't come any closer! If you dare to touch me, my father will definitely..."

"Shut up, trash."

Xiao Yu coldly sneered at Jia Lie Ao, and with a flick of her whip, it lashed across Jia Lie Ao's face, the powerful force instantly knocking him unconscious.

As for Liu Xi, he had completely lost his arrogance and was now filled with fear, his body trembling all over.

Xiao Yu had no desire to even lay a hand on someone like him. It would dirty her whip should she choose to whip him.

At that moment, footsteps could be heard coming from one end of the street market. Xiao Yu slightly turned her head and saw a group of people wearing Xiao Clan guards' uniforms approaching.

As the Lunar New Year was approaching, according to the Xiao Clan's customs, the guards had all gone to purchase New Year goods. When they received news of a disturbance in the Xiao Clan market, they immediately dropped what they were doing and hurried over.

"Miss Xiao Yu! You're back?"

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

The leading Xiao Clan guard was momentarily stunned upon seeing Xiao Yu. As the granddaughter of the first Elder, she was naturally recognized by them. He then looked at the fallen Jia Lie clan guards, the unconscious Jia Lie Ao, and the trembling Liu Xi, but couldn't immediately understand the situation.

Xiao Yu nodded slightly at him and spoke in a calm voice.

"Throw these guys out. Don't hinder others from doing business here." Then she glanced at Liu Xi. "As for that guy, beat him half to death before throwing him out, but make sure he doesn't lose any of his limbs."

"Yes, ma'am!"

The leading Xiao Clan guard immediately complied. He then instructed the other guards to clean up the mess according to Xiao Yu's instructions. Xiao Yu had no interest in watching further and walked towards the Xiao Clan.

(At this time, Xiao Yan should be training with everyone, right?)

Xiao Yu thought to herself and, upon returning to the Xiao Clan, didn't immediately report to her grandfather. Instead, she headed straight to the training grounds.

However, when she reached the entrance of the training grounds, Xiao Yu didn't hear any sound coming from inside. Upon entering, she found the training grounds empty.

Confusion filled her mind.

Why is there no one here? Are they taking a day off?

Puzzled, Xiao Yu turned around and left the training grounds. She made her way to the family council hall and upon entering, saw Xiao Zhan and three other elders, including her grandfather, wearing worried expressions.

The first Elder was momentarily stunned when he saw Xiao Yu come in, but then a look of joy appeared on his face.

"Xiao Yu! You're back!"

"Grandfather, it's been a year. I've missed you," Xiao Yu smiled and saluted with her fists. She then turned to Xiao Zhan and asked, "Patriarch, where are Xiao Yan and the other Xiao Clan members?"

"They... They're at the back mountain."

Xiao Zhan replied, deepening Xiao Yu's confusion.

"Why are they at the back mountain?" Xiao Yu asked.

"Three months ago, Xiao Yan took all the younger generation of the Xiao Clan to the back mountain for training, saying they would come down before the coming-of-age ceremony. It's about time now if we calculate the days correctly," Xiao Zhan explained.

...Why would they be taken to the back mountain for training?

Xiao Yu scratched her forehead in exasperation. But since it was initiated by Xiao Yan, it was probably for something good, moreover, since childhood, Xiao Yan had always been the one to lead in doing things that went against common sense, and Xiao Yu was used to it.

But speaking of the back mountain, Xiao Yu suddenly remembered something, her face slightly reddening. Then she spoke earnestly to the Elder.

"Grandfather, I'll go to the back mountain first."

"Ah, go ahead."

Although the Elder wanted to spend more time sitting with his granddaughter whom he hadn't seen in a year, he waved his hand lightly, and Xiao Yu turned to leave.

"Oh, by the way." As she walked towards the door, Xiao Yu suddenly turned back and looked at Xiao Zhan, asking, "Patriarch, when I passed by the Xiao Clan market earlier, I noticed that it was unusually quiet. Many shops were empty. What happened?"

"Ah... I was just discussing this with the three elders." Xiao Zhan rubbed his temple, looking somewhat troubled. "The Jia Lie clan somehow found an alchemist who produced a healing medicine called Revitalizing Powder. It attracts all the city people over there, and when the customers all start to go there, our clan shops naturally can't retain them."

"I see..."

Xiao Yu furrowed her brows, recalling the vain man named Liu Xi she had seen in the market earlier. He should be the alchemist hired by the Jia Lie clan, and now he should have been beaten half to death and thrown out by the Xiao Clan guards.

But let's deal with that later.

Xiao Yu strode away from the council hall and headed towards the back mountain of the Xiao Clan.

As she walked up the mountain, Xiao Yu didn't feel much excitement about the upcoming reunion after a long separation. Instead, she was filled with deep sorrow.

I wonder how Xiao Yan has been this past year...

Thinking back to the once spirited youth and his resilient smile even after losing his Dou Qi, Xiao Yu felt an overwhelming pain in her heart.

She had gone to the Canaan Academy to find the cause of Xiao Yan's loss of Dou Qi and a solution for it. However, despite her own significant improvement in strength over the past two years, she hadn't found a clue about Xiao Yan's situation.

This gave Xiao Yu a strong sense of frustration, feeling like she had wasted these two years at the Canaan Academy.

Damn it...

Xiao Yu clenched her silver teeth tightly and gradually entered the depths of the back mountain.

Suddenly, a figure pounced out from the bushes ahead. Xiao Yu instinctively prepared to strike back but stopped herself when she sensed the familiar aura coming from the person. Then she was pushed down to the ground.

"Ouch, never thought I'd trip over a piece of firewood, hmm? The ground felt soft….."

The young man pinning Xiao Yu down murmured helplessly. Seeing Xiao Yu, who was initially stunned but then showed a look of joy, he couldn't help but smile.

"Eh! Xiao Yu?! You're back!"

Looking at the familiar face before her, Xiao Yu's eyes softened, and she smiled.

"Yeah... I'm back, you little pervert~"