Increase the intensity

Jiang Lanzhi looked at Xiao Fan's retreating figure, and couldn't help but doubt her past life.

"Did he have the Righteous Qi Constitution in his past life?"

Looking at the Young Lord's token in her hand, Jiang Lanzhi felt a mix of emotions. Being able to cultivate the Righteous Qi Constitution proved that Xiao Fan's heart was definitely not evil.

A strange thought arose in her mind: perhaps he had been led astray by something.

Jiang Lanzhi's eyes lit up; she subtly leaned towards this conclusion.

"Never mind, I'll just be wary of him."

...

On the other side, in Xiao Fan's mind, the System's voice rang out.

[Jiang Lanzhi's heart is wavering. Your Righteous Qi has made her suspicious.]

[Capture progress: 1%]

"Damn it, is this difficulty too high? If I casually found a stranger, with my status, position, and looks, it wouldn't be 1%!"

In any case, there was finally a possibility of capture.

Then he would have to implement his plan.

After thinking for a moment, Xiao Fan summoned Uncle Jiang, wrote a letter, and handed it to him, instructing him to send it to Tai Xuan Holy Land and give it to the Grand Elder.

Thinking that one should have a proper attitude when asking for help, he also added a redacted version of 'Phoenix and Dragon Reversal' inside.

"The Grand Elder should cooperate with me, right?"

As soon as he returned to his residence, You Feng's figure appeared before him.

"Master."

"Hmm, any new news?"

Xiao Fan had previously told him to keep an eye on Xiao Yun, so he probably had some information.

"Yes, for some unknown reason, Xiao Yun has broken through to the Golden Core Realm."

"On the day he formed his Golden Core, he didn't choose to stabilize his Realm; instead, he fought in an arena outside Linxian Heaven.

No Cultivator of the same Realm could withstand his might, and Golden Core Late Stage Cultivators could at most barely block three of his moves."

Child of Destiny, invincible among peers, an old trope.

Xiao Fan said, "Continue."

"In just seven days, he swept through Cultivators of the same Realm with an invincible stance, achieving seventy-nine consecutive victories, and even declared that he would reach one hundred consecutive victories within ten days."

Xiao Fan raised an eyebrow, wondering, "So high-profile?"

You Feng replied, "Xiao Yun is indeed high-profile, and incredibly confident."

"His so-called duels are wagers. To fight him, one must bet Spirit Stones, three thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones per match.

As long as you defeat him, you can win all his Spirit Stones, but only Cultivators of the same Realm can challenge him."

"He also said that these wagers have no other purpose, because he has a sickly younger sister at home who needs Spirit Stones to buy Medicinal Pills. He had no choice but to set up this arena to earn some Spirit Stones to buy Medicinal Pills."

Xiao Fan sat on the Treasure Artifact carved from precious wood, his mind racing.

Child of Destiny, really doesn't let one rest easy.

Xiao Yun, although you are from a collateral branch, you bear the Xiao Family's name.

Using the excuse of treating your younger sister, while honing your invincible momentum, and also gaining a good reputation in passing—what a clever scheme.

The main point is that Lan Yuhong has no blood relation to the Xiao Family.

Xiao Yun only said it was to treat his younger sister, which would mislead others. Those who don't know might think our Xiao Family is bullying the two siblings.

He created a vulnerable image for himself and subtly slandered the Xiao Family.

What a devious mind!

Alright, this Child of Destiny is certainly raising the difficulty for me.

"Anything else?" Xiao Fan said indifferently.

"There are some not-so-good rumors." You Feng said awkwardly.

Xiao Fan said indifferently, "Tell me, let's see how much it differs from what I guessed."

"Yes."

"Outside the arena, many people were moved by his actions of gambling to treat illness, and some even rumored that collateral branch Disciples of the Xiao Family couldn't make a name for themselves, and that this Genius Disciple, almost invincible among his peers, was actually reduced to earning Spirit Stones through gambling to treat illness."

"I imagine the Family must have received the news by now."

Quite a performance.

Xiao Fan sneered inwardly, trying to use influence to oppress others, or what?

Playing mind games with me? What can you fight me with when your Intellect-Lowering Aura is gone?!

You Feng didn't know why Xiao Fan wanted him to keep an eye on a collateral Disciple, but he presumed the Young Lord must have his reasons.

You Feng respectfully said:

"Master, this person's actions are truly damaging to the Xiao Family's reputation. Should we eliminate him?"

Kill him? This guy has already made a name for himself and is at the center of attention. If anything happens to him, it will definitely attract a lot of gossip.

Moreover, he's a Child of Destiny, much harder to kill than ordinary people. If something goes wrong and he escapes, the consequences will be endless.

Xiao Fan shook his head. He said, "Although I don't care about my reputation, my father's good name cannot be ruined."

Even though Xiao Fan usually threatened his father, deep down, he still respected his old man.

"This subordinate was presumptuous."

"Oh, right, help me with one more thing." Xiao Fan instructed.

"Go find some people to create a stir, saying that the Seal of the Northern Underworld Demon Cave near Tai Xuan Holy Land has loosened, and there's a risk of the Heavenly Demon sealed beneath descending upon the human world."

"Remember to hide your identity; don't let anyone know it was you who did it. Go."

"Yes."

You Feng left after speaking.

Xiao Fan pondered what else needed to be prepared. He still had many things to do, but if he rushed too much, his intentions would be too obvious.

Let's just take these two steps for now. Next, there's something else to do.

...

Xiao Family Internal Affairs Department.

At this moment, in the main hall, a group of people were gathered, arguing fiercely.

"Who let that Xiao Yun cause trouble outside? And saying the gambling was just to save his younger sister? If he really wants to save someone, why not make it clearer?"

"Exactly, exactly. She's just an adopted daughter, has nothing to do with our Xiao Family."

"Those who don't know might think our Xiao Family is abandoning its own to die. It's truly annoying."

"Someone quickly stop him."

"That's wrong. I think Xiao Yun had no choice but to resort to such a measure. Besides, his actions demonstrate Family affection and should be supported."

"Indeed, I agree with that statement."

"Xiao Yun has already achieved seventy-nine consecutive victories. To achieve such a feat among those of the same Realm is a great fortune for our Xiao Family."

"I propose raising Xiao Yun's treatment by another level, allowing him to enter the middle tier of Linxian Heaven."

"Indeed, he has this talent and should receive good cultivation."

The Elders of the External Affairs Department were currently arguing fiercely over Xiao Yun's matter.

The situation this time was somewhat subtle; it wasn't an external conflict but a dispute among Xiao Family members.

Some were very displeased with his actions, while others felt Xiao Yun should be cultivated. The two sides found it difficult to reach a consensus on this matter.

Because this was a Xiao Family internal affair, acting without a unified conclusion would violate Family rules.

In the main hall, besides these Elders, there was also a young man with a resolute face and a tall, straight figure.

His eyes were like torches, watching the argument, and a hint of pride rose in his heart.

The goal was achieved!

This young man was Xiao Yun, the person at the center of this incident.

In the Internal Affairs Department's main hall, more than a dozen Elders sat around a circular table, arguing incessantly.

As if they had argued enough, an older Elder let out a deep shout, saying,

"Enough! Stop the commotion!"

The Elders, who had been chattering endlessly, instantly fell silent.

That older Elder, with some graying hair, was none other than the Head of the Internal Affairs Department.

His face showed no emotion, his countenance was weathered, and he looked coldly at everyone present.

"Discussions are for reaching answers, not for you to bicker here."

After speaking, he turned and asked,

"Are you Xiao Yun?"

Being called out like that, Xiao Yun, neither humble nor arrogant, stepped forward and bowed respectfully, saying,

"Junior Xiao Yun greets the Head and all Elders."

"Mm." He nodded and said, "I've looked into your situation. Both parents are deceased, and you only have an adopted sister to rely on."

"Logically speaking, only Disciples with Xiao Family blood can cultivate in the Xiao Family's main branch, but considering your special circumstances, the Family gave you preferential treatment, allowing you to bring your younger sister into Linxian Heaven."

"But you not only refused to complete your mission and wanted to leave Linxian Heaven, you also caused this fighting incident. Tell me, what do you intend to do?"

To achieve such prestige in the Family's Internal Affairs Department.

Besides strength, foresight was also very important. The Head immediately saw that Xiao Yun's actions were too high-profile, clearly designed to attract attention.

Xiao Yun smiled proudly in his heart. He had considered everything before acting, including the questions.

These questions were practically free points.

He covered his face with a sorrowful expression, sighing with profound sadness, and said,

"Head, these are all desperate measures."

"My younger sister's condition is very severe. As soon as she cultivates, she suffers from a cold poison, and even normally she has no peace. The cold poison freezes her body, causing unbearable pain. The intense pain of the cold poison makes her face turn green, and she even loses consciousness."

"We have relied on each other for many years, and I truly cannot bear to see her suffer like this. I had no choice but to resort to this measure, hoping that the Elders can find a way to save her. As long as she can be saved, I am willing to do anything."

The Elder's face was expressionless. He said,

"Your method is to be ambiguous and mislead others, making outsiders think that our Xiao Family abandons its collateral branch Disciples to die?"

Xiao Yun immediately knelt down without a word, kowtowing flatly and shouting,

"I know this will damage the Family's prestige, but I had no other choice. This was the best method I could think of. I admit my mistake, please, Elders, save Yuhong."

He cried, crying heartbreakingly, his wails echoing through the hall, making listeners sad and onlookers shed tears.

"Head, please be lenient. After all, his intentions were good." An Elder interceded.

"A mistake is a mistake. Guards, take Xiao Yun to the black prison and make him reflect for ten days."

"Head, please be lenient, my younger sister needs someone to take care of her."

"Head..."

Xiao Yun begged on the surface, but inwardly he was smug. Everything was going according to plan, and he would be out very soon.

The guards outside came in and escorted Xiao Yun away.

The Head was ultimately kind-hearted. He said, "Two people, go look after his younger sister."

"Yes."

...

On the other side, Xiao Fan arrived at the outermost layer of Linxian Heaven, at Xiao Yun's residence.

In the small courtyard, the sickly, pale-faced girl, Lan Yuhong, was sweeping fallen leaves.

Every few sweeps, she had to stop and rest for a moment; it was very strenuous.

Linxian Heaven was warm in winter and cool in summer, yet she wore thick, tightly wrapped clothing.

However, her pale complexion and bulky clothes could not conceal her delicate beauty. Every gesture exuded a moving yet resilient aura.

Even more beautiful than in the portrait!

Xiao Fan was slightly surprised when he saw Lan Yuhong. Goodness, her sick face could hardly hide her exquisite beauty.

Plus the sibling attribute bonus...

"No wonder Xiao Yun developed impure thoughts."

But what you can't have, she's mine!

------

I'm a bit late, sorry, sorry.

Thank you all Fellow Daoists for the flowers and for powering with love. Um, thanks to Fellow Daoists [Nanhai Wuhua] and [Yexi Rumeng ꧔ ꦿ ᭄] for the Reminder (Urge for Update Talismans).