Chapter 21: The Bamboo Mat Frightened to Pee, the Heavenly Steps Cultivation Method Cruelly Rejected

“Hmm, what’s going on down there?”

From high above, Soul Cang immediately spotted Xiao Yan amidst the chaotic crowd.

It seemed the two sides were fighting, and Xiao Yan had temporarily fallen into a disadvantage. Fortunately, a woman stepped in to handle the situation, though it appeared she couldn’t hold out much longer.

“Who is that?” Soul Cang murmured in puzzlement as his gaze swept over the woman’s exquisitely long legs.

Seeing the woman protecting Xiao Yan about to be injured, Soul Cang shouted sharply, “Stop!”

His voice thundered like a storm, echoing from the sky and spreading in all directions.

Liu Xi grabbed the whip from the woman named Xiao Yu, just as he was about to reach towards her fair, smooth thigh. Hearing the shout, he instinctively stopped and looked up.

His sight was filled with a figure slowly descending with outstretched wings.

Qi Energy Wings!

Liu Xi’s heart jolted, and his mind involuntarily recalled the earlier warning from Jialeo.

Could there really be a Battle Emperor?

Realizing his earlier words, Liu Xi’s legs suddenly went numb, and he collapsed weakly to his knees.

Then, Xiao Yan’s voice rang out, making Liu Xi’s already pale face lose all color, his eyes dimming completely.

“Big Brother!” Xiao Yan’s voice was filled with joy and excitement as he saw Soul Cang descend.

Soul Cang landed before Xiao Yan, ruffling his hair affectionately. “Second brother, it’s been a year. You’ve grown taller.”

Xiao Yan chuckled happily, taking no offense at the head pat.

Sometimes, elders in the family habitually showed affection this way.

His big brother instinctively patting his head meant he truly acknowledged him as a younger brother.

Xiao Yan’s heart swelled with happiness. Hearing Soul Cang’s inquiry, he quickly recounted what had happened.

So this was a triggered storyline... Soul Cang nodded slightly; he remembered there was a section about the First-Rank Alchemist Liu Xi.

His gaze flicked to the other party’s lower garments, noticeably darker in color, and his brow furrowed.

What is this? I haven’t even done anything yet, and he’s already scared out of his wits?

Suddenly, Soul Cang didn’t even bother to discipline his thoughts—it was beneath him.

Maybe he could leave him be, letting Xiao Yan deal with him, applying some pressure on his younger brother to prevent Xiao Yan from slacking off.

In the silence, several figures rushed over from afar—Jialebi, Xiao Zhan, Guni, and others.

They saluted Soul Cang first, then Jialebi, seeing the terrified Liu Xi and the trembling Jialeo, along with Xiao Yan standing beside Soul Cang...

Jialebi’s heart sank, and without hesitation, he knelt before Soul Cang to apologize.

“Enough. I’m not angry with a few kids,” Soul Cang said, waving his hand as he hoisted Xiao Yan onto his shoulder and flew away.

“Thank you, Lord Cang, for your mercy,” Jialebi called out loudly to Soul Cang’s retreating figure.

He then helped Jialeo up, supported Liu Xi, and slunk away from the scene.

“Congratulations, Chief Xiao.” Guni withdrew his envious gaze from Xiao Yan and smiled, cupping his hands toward Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan smiled faintly. “It’s Yan’er who’s fortunate.”

He then dismissed the Xiao family guards gathered around and left, chatting amiably with Guni.

“Hmph! You came back and stole my Brother Xiao Yan!” After the crowd dispersed, Xiao Xun’er stood sulking, stomping her foot angrily while watching Soul Cang and Xiao Yan’s backs disappear.

“Cousin Xun’er, has Xiao Yan really recognized a Battle Emperor as his big brother?” Xiao Yu approached, unable to hold back her curiosity.

She had been stunned the moment Soul Cang appeared.

After all, even at Canaan Academy, Battle Emperors were not common, and when encountered, they rarely showed such a friendly side as Soul Cang did.

Xiao Xun’er nodded. “Yes.”

After saying this, she quickly ran toward the Xiao family’s back mountain, as if afraid Soul Cang might do something bad to her Brother Xiao Yan.

When Xiao Yan’s figure vanished completely, Xiao Yu withdrew her gaze and looked at the young man beside her. “Brother, losing to Xiao Yan is no injustice.”

The young man, named Xiao Ning, was considered one of the outstanding young generation of the Xiao family. During the previous test conference, he had challenged Xiao Yan and ended up bedridden for a whole month.

Hearing his sister’s words, Xiao Ning’s eyes showed a flash of discontent. “If I had a Battle Emperor big brother, I wouldn’t be any worse than him.”

Xiao Yu rolled her eyes at him. “Do you think Battle Emperors are as common as cabbages on the street? Who can just meet one?”

Besides, you have no kinship with the other party. Why would they recognize you as a younger brother? Give you benefits?

She worried these words might hurt her brother, so she kept them to herself.

However, Xiao Ning looked at his sister and said, “Sis, why don’t you try harder?”

“What do you mean?” Xiao Yu asked instinctively, not understanding.

Xiao Ning grinned. “Sis, you’re so beautiful, especially your long legs. Everyone looks when you walk down the street. I even saw Lord Cang glance your way just now. Why don’t you give it a try? I might not have a Battle Emperor big brother, but maybe I could have a Battle Emperor brother-in-law.”

“You scoundrel, what are you saying?” Xiao Yu’s face instantly flushed red, her ears pink.

Realizing he’d said too much, Xiao Ning bolted, with Xiao Yu chasing him, whip in hand.

...

On the back mountain, atop the peak.

Soul Cang and Xiao Yan descended one after the other.

Xiao Yan’s eyes gleamed with delight as he sighed, “Flying in the sky feels so good.”

Soul Cang smiled. “Train well, and one day you can be like me.”

Xiao Yan snapped back to reality, scratching his head. “Big brother, you’re gifted. I can’t compare.”

“Second brother, I don’t remember you being so lacking in confidence. Don’t forget you still have three years to fulfill your promise. Cheer up.” Soul Cang patted Xiao Yan’s back, producing a jade token with his other hand.

Xiao Yan looked at it meaningfully, his eyes blazing with passion.

Soul Cang smiled. “Second brother, a promise is a promise. You’re about to become a Battle Fighter. This cultivation technique is for you.”

His eyes shone with anticipation.

Yet Xiao Yan didn’t move.

Soul Cang was momentarily stunned, waving his hand to gesture Xiao Yan to take it.

“Big brother, I can’t accept this!” Xiao Yan pushed Soul Cang’s hand away seriously.

What’s going on? Soul Cang looked at Xiao Yan in disbelief. “Second brother, what are you doing? I promised you this a year ago. Why can’t you accept it?”

Xiao Yan smiled, shaking his head. “No. You’ve already helped me so much, and I have nothing to thank you with. If I take this cultivation technique, how can I face you? Big brother, you’d better take it back.”

But if you don’t accept it, how am I supposed to reward you? Soul Cang’s eyes showed some anxiety.

“Second brother, between us, no need to care about such things. Listen to your big brother and accept it.” Soul Cang urged again.

However, Xiao Yan refused no matter what. Even Soul Cang’s feigned anger and intimidation were useless.

In the end, Soul Cang was at a loss and asked Xiao Yan what he needed to do to accept it.

Xiao Yan smiled mysteriously. “Big brother, I want to give you a gift too. If you agree, I’ll accept it.”

“Fine, bring it on,” Soul Cang said immediately.

He didn’t care what Xiao Yan could offer—valuable things were scarce; the Xiao family only had an ancient Emperor Jade left.

And Xiao Yan didn’t yet understand its true value.

“I’m not ready yet. Please wait a bit. I need to discuss with Father and the elders.” Xiao Yan smiled mysteriously.

Watching Xiao Yan’s excited figure, Soul Cang was puzzled. “What gift needs to be discussed with Xiao Zhan and the others? Just give me something; I’m not picky...”