Chapter Twenty-One: Let Him In

“What? Xiao Yan has already become a Dou Zhe?!”

In the dead of night, inside the Oba family estate, Oba Pa, who had just emerged from seclusion, suddenly stood up from his seat, staring incredulously at Gali Bi across from him.

He was unwilling to believe the news, yet his reason told him there was no need for the other party to lie.

Moreover, if nothing serious had happened, the head of the Gali family, a dignified elder, would not have come seeking him for a late-night discussion.

“It’s absolutely true. This news has already spread throughout the city. You can ask any clan member; you’re probably the only one still able to focus on seclusion at this hour.”

Upon hearing this, Oba Pa glanced at the steward standing nearby, who nodded slightly.

In an instant, Oba Pa’s expression darkened as he heavily sat back down.

After a brief silence, Oba Pa looked up at Gali Bi.

“I understand your intentions. From now on, our two families will advance and retreat together. Even though Xiao Yan is extraordinarily gifted, growth takes time. The Xiao family won’t dominate so easily!”

As the clan leader, Oba Pa might not be a genius, but he was no fool. After reluctantly accepting the fact that Xiao Yan had already advanced to Dou Zhe, he immediately guessed why Gali Bi had come.

An eleven-year-old Dou Zhe, who could be said to possess the bearing of a Dou Huang.

Such a prodigy was not only rare in Utan City but could be considered top-tier even throughout the entire Gamma Empire.

With the emergence of such a genius in the Xiao family, one could imagine the precarious position the Oba and Gali families would find themselves in the future.

Therefore, a united front was imperative.

In fact, in the future, they might have to find a way to ensure that Xiao Yan’s potential is cut short.

Of course, that would require the right opportunity.

Gali Bi nodded slightly; many matters were understood without needing to be spoken aloud.

Just then, another steward from the Oba family entered, bowed apologetically to Gali Bi, then quickly approached Oba Pa’s side and whispered in his ear.

Hearing something surprising, a flicker of doubt crossed Oba Pa’s eyes.

The steward nodded gently, confirming the truth.

Witnessing this, Gali Bi was curious but refrained from asking further.

“Since there are other pressing matters at your estate, I will take my leave for now. We shall reconvene another day to discuss the details.”

Having attained the attitude he sought, Gali Bi’s objective was fulfilled.

He stood up, bowed slightly, and under Oba Pa’s reciprocal gaze, departed with his entourage.

Outside the Oba family gate, Gali Bi saw a strikingly handsome boy of roughly ten or so standing rigidly, undaunted by the surrounding gazes.

This must be a guest of the Oba family…

Gali Bi speculated, and when the boy looked over, he politely nodded before leaving unhurriedly.

Inside the family’s drawing room, with no outsiders present, Oba Pa spoke again to confirm.

“Are you sure the other party is a Grand Dou Master, and only around ten years old?”

“Clan leader, Dou Qi armor does not lie. I even have the feeling that his manifested Dou Qi armor is more impenetrable than yours.”

The steward who had followed him for years answered truthfully, without any concealment.

Hearing this, Oba Pa grew even more perplexed.

A Grand Dou Master at such a young age was not something Utan City could produce; he was most likely from outside.

But after careful thought, Oba Pa could not recall any prior interaction between the Oba family and such a person.

“Let him in.”

Soon, Oba Pa made his decision.

Now that the Xiao family had produced Xiao Yan, they were bound for unprecedented heights.

Perhaps this Grand Dou Master youth who came to visit was the key to breaking the Oba family’s deadlock!

The steward bowed slightly and took his leave.

Before long, he led a handsome youth briskly into the drawing room.

Oba Pa sat in the main seat, scrutinizing him carefully, confirming even more that he did not recognize the boy.

Knowing the youth was also a Grand Dou Master, Oba Pa already regarded him with considerable importance, but as clan leader, he could not afford to lose face.

He lightly tapped the armrest with his fingertips.

“I suppose I do not know you. State your purpose—why have you come?”

The one who entered was none other than Chen Xiao.

Casting a glance at the dignified Oba Pa, Chen Xiao compared them in his mind.

Whether in strength or bearing, Xiao Zhan was indeed superior, worthy of being one of the ancient eight tribes.

After a brief assessment, Chen Xiao lost all interest in Oba Pa and succinctly stated his intent.

“To eliminate you.”

Before Oba Pa could react, Chen Xiao already drew his long blade, icy blue Dou Qi swirling around him. With a swift motion, he unleashed the advanced Xuan-tier Dou Technique, the Roaring Lion Chant.

In the next moment, the icy blue lion’s head let out a soft roar, and before the two stunned stewards could react, it swept over Oba Pa’s seat like a whirlwind.

Boom!

The wall collapsed, splinters flying.

Looking back at the spot where the clan leader had sat, no trace of Oba Pa remained—only shattered flesh and blood scattered across the floor.

The overwhelming disparity in realm, techniques, and the element of surprise meant Oba Pa died without a single regret.

“Y-You…”

The two stewards, having witnessed everything, trembled in shock, pointing at the youth but unable to form a single coherent word.

If even the clan leader who was a Grand Dou Master was obliterated in one strike, what could mere Dou Masters do? What could they possibly change?

Chen Xiao glanced at the two and, with no desire to continue fighting, turned and strode away.

With the clan leader dead, the rest was no longer his concern.

After leaving the Oba estate, Chen Xiao heard the growing commotion behind him but made no hurry to return.

“Congratulations, Brother Chen Xiao. Your great vengeance is avenged.”

From the shadows, a graceful young woman in green stepped forward.

Chen Xiao shook his head slightly, feeling no stirring within.

Perhaps it was because the enemies were limited in strength, or perhaps because he understood the fate of the Oba family was sealed from the start. After eliminating the chief culprit, he felt no joy—only calmness, knowing he had fulfilled his duty as a son.

“Xun’er, have you informed Clan Leader Xiao Zhan?”

Before coming here, Chen Xiao had asked Xun’er to leak some information to Xiao Zhan, letting him know that something major would happen tonight at the Oba family.

This was also why Chen Xiao refrained from attacking the other Oba members—

The Xiao family would handle it!

Moreover, it was a way to repay the care the Xiao family had shown over the years.

“I already informed him. Uncle Xiao Zhan is probably already gathering forces and preparing to come.”

Xun’er replied with a light laugh.

If an ordinary person told Xiao Zhan that the Oba family was in trouble, he might scoff.

But if it was Xun’er, Xiao Zhan would have no doubt whatsoever.

“That’s good. We shall watch quietly from the shadows.”

Elsewhere, not far from where he had departed, Gali Bi also heard the uproar from the Oba family side.

“What’s going on? Go check it out.”

His attendant took the order and quickly dashed back along the same path.

In less than three minutes, he returned.

“Clan leader, Oba Pa is dead. The Oba family is now in utter chaos. The attacker is suspected to be the young man we saw earlier.”

Gali Bi was stunned upon hearing this.

Then, he suddenly quickened his pace toward the Gali family estate.

“Hurry, gather the forces. We must not let the Xiao family get ahead!”

A flicker of confusion passed over the young attendant’s face. Just minutes ago, you had allied with the Oba family—what are you trying to do now?

Tonight, the young attendant learned a harsh lesson.

Throughout the night, Utan City was engulfed in turmoil.

Chen Xiao and Xun’er stayed hidden, witnessing firsthand as Xiao Zhan led the three elders and numerous skilled warriors of the Xiao family, charging fiercely into the Oba estate.

Not long after, Gali Bi arrived with his forces as well.

By the end, even some less prominent families in the city joined in the plundering.

At dawn, the once magnificent estate lay in ruins.

Walking among the wreckage, there was not a single living soul to be seen—only countless corpses scattered everywhere.

The families benefiting from this carnage would not allow the Oba family any chance for revenge, striking with ruthless brutality, leaving no stone unturned—only then could they rest assured.

“What is Brother Chen Xiao thinking?”

Following behind Chen Xiao, inspecting for any remaining threats, Xun’er asked curiously, noticing his silence.

The law of the jungle was the nature of this world; such tragedies unfolded daily across the continent. Xun’er fully understood this, and the fall of the Oba family did not stir even a flicker of emotion within her.

It was the first time Chen Xiao had experienced such an event, and it stirred a slight ripple in his heart.

“Nothing. Just learning from the experience.”