Cousin Xiao Ning, lost!?"
As they looked at Xiao Ning, who had been defeated so easily, the audience fell into a stunned silence. Then, shock slowly began to rise from their hearts.
The younger generation of the Xiao family stared in amazement at Xiao Ning, who was spitting blood and lying on the ground. They knew Xiao Ning's fighting ability well. Among the younger generation, aside from Xun'er, he had no rivals. To see him defeated so quickly by Mo Yu was completely unexpected.
"The strength Mo Yu displayed just now—it's at the eighth level of fighting power, right?"
"And those fighting skills he used, with that thunderous aura—I've never seen anything like it in the Xiao family!"
After a moment of stunned silence, people began to murmur among themselves.
No one had expected that Mo Yu, who had always been low-key, was actually a hidden genius!
"Cousin Mo Yu, you're incredible. I didn't expect that besides cousin Xun'er, there would be someone like you in the Xiao family."
Seeing Mo Yu defeat Xiao Ning with a single blow and demonstrate the strength of the eighth level of fighting power, Xiao Ning, despite his arrogance and confidence, was not foolish. He immediately realized that Mo Yu's attitude was backed by genuine strength.
The malice in Xiao Ning's eyes faded, replaced by deep fear.
Observing the shocked audience, Mo Yu showed no pride or complacency. Instead, he walked down from the training ground with a nonchalant demeanor, as if the recent events were merely a warm-up.
"The power of the Thunder Body is quite impressive. Although Xiao Ning's strength is average, he also possesses the eighth stage of fighting power and intermediate yellow-rank fighting skills. It only took two lightning patterns to easily defeat him. The hard work during this period was worth it."
Mo Yu felt the powerful energy surging in his right arm and smiled slightly. Xiao Ning had unwittingly served as a punching bag for him.
After dealing with this distraction and having read many scrolls earlier, Mo Yu felt a bit tired. He was about to leave when he noticed a young man approaching from the left.
The boy had a youthful face, with a faint, ambiguous smile that made it hard to tell whether he was serious or amused. His expression was relaxed and contented, as if unaware of anyone around him.
"Oh, judging by this expression, it seems Xiao Yan has shed his former lethargy and regained his spirit. It must mean Yao Lao has also made an appearance."
The young man in front of him was Xiao Yan.
In the past few months, Mo Yu had been focused on improving his own strength, leaving him little time to pay attention to the Xiao family or Xiao Yan's situation.
But fate had brought them together today.
Xiao Yan also noticed Mo Yu. In recent days, with Yao Lao's help, he had discovered the cause of his lost fighting spirit and was starting anew. With Yao Lao's aid, the continent's top alchemist, his strength and confidence were rapidly recovering.
However, Xiao Yan still vividly remembered Mo Yu's encouragement from the past and felt immense gratitude.
Today, Xiao Yan had come to the family fighting arena to look for low-level fighting skills that might be useful, but he had unexpectedly witnessed Mo Yu's match with Xiao Ning.
What he hadn't anticipated was that Mo Yu would win!
Xiao Ning, apart from Xun'er, was considered the top talent in the Xiao family. Even Xiao Yan, who had only recently risen to prominence, believed he was not yet a match for Xiao Ning.
Yet Mo Yu had defeated him in one move. Such mystery and power were reminiscent of Xun'er…
"Cousin Mo Yu, I haven't seen you for a few months, and I didn't expect you to surprise me again."
Having undergone three years of training, Xiao Yan quickly regained his composure and greeted Mo Yu calmly.
"Cousin Xiao Yan, you're looking well. I believe your strength has improved considerably," Mo Yu said, his gaze fixed on the young man in front of him as if he could see right through him.
Although others might not have noticed, Mo Yu's perceptive abilities were extraordinary, and he could detect that Xiao Yan had faintly reached the fifth level of fighting power.
Breaking through two levels in two months was impressive and confirmed Mo Yu's suspicion.
The young man before him seemed poised for greatness.
Under Mo Yu's intense gaze, Xiao Yan felt as if he were exposed, though the feeling quickly passed, making him question if it had been an illusion.
"Haha, cousin Mo Yu, you're too kind. I recently discovered the cause of my physical issues, so my strength has recovered somewhat."
Xiao Yan was honest with Mo Yu, revealing some information but omitting details about Yao Lao, as this was a secret even his father didn't know.
Mo Yu understood and nodded in acknowledgment. Just as Xuan Lei was Mo Yu's greatest secret, Yao Lao was similarly significant to Xiao Yan.
After three years of hardship, Xiao Yan was no longer the naive child he once was. He understood the importance of discretion.
They exchanged a few more casual pleasantries. Both were passionate about cultivation, so their conversation soon turned to their individual pursuits.
Before parting ways, Xiao Yan hesitated and said, "By the way, cousin Mo Yu, the family is having a gathering soon. I recommended you to my father, and he agreed that you could attend. If you have the time, you should come and meet the elders of the family."
Now that his talent had been restored, Xiao Yan felt constrained by the Xiao family and was eager to make Mo Yu an important ally.
However, he realized that Mo Yu's potential extended far beyond the Xiao family or even the Jia Ma Empire.
As Xun'er had said, Mo Yu would not remain inferior for long. Despite Xiao Yan's own exceptional talent, his perspective was still limited compared to Xun'er's.
Mo Yu was slightly surprised but nodded and said, "Alright, I'll attend if I have time."
Attending the family gathering meant that his talent was recognized by the Xiao family and that he was valued. Mo Yu had no particular comments on this.
The Xiao family was merely a stop on his journey.
Seeing Mo Yu agree, Xiao Yan felt a sense of relief. He was reluctant to see Mo Yu leave the Xiao family.
After confirming a time for the family gathering, Mo Yu turned and left.
As Mo Yu's figure receded, Yao Lao's voice suddenly echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.
"What's going on? Isn't your Xiao family a small imperial family? Why are there so many exceptional talents? Forget about that little girl—though she has an impressive background, I can still trace her origins. But your cousin— even I can't see through him. How strange. Is it really a problem with your Xiao family's Feng Shui…"
Hearing Yao Lao's musings, Xiao Yan's mind was left in a daze.
Cousin Mo Yu, you are truly mysterious…