Double Xiao's

Xiao Feng glanced at the child and said, "You're quite talkative for someone so young. But remember, appearances can be deceiving." He gently brushed the child's hair as he spoke.

The library attendant let out a sigh and began to explain his point. It took him about five minutes to reach a conclusion.

Xiao Feng then opened up his cultivation to the foundation establishment realm and placed his hand on the orb. The child scoffed when he realized Xiao Feng was only at the foundation establishment realm. A smirk appeared on Xiao Feng's face as he noticed the child's reaction.

As Xiao Feng ascended to the second floor, the library attendant looked at him with a stern glare. "Little Xiao, go and practice your swordplay now!" he scolded.

"Isn't the other guy and I in the same realm?" Xiao Zhu muttered as he headed towards the basement. "And there's a big age difference between us. Why do you always want me to practice every day?"

"Appearances are often misleading," the library attendant kept repeating slowly, as if it were a mantra.

On the second floor of the library, Xiao Feng stood surrounded by rows of sword-based cultivation manuals. His eyes scanned through the pages, searching for any information that could aid him in his training.

Xiao Feng diligently studied the images and diagrams, striving to understand the complex techniques and methods described in the texts. Despite the overwhelming knowledge before him, he remained focused on his goal, knowing that every bit of information he absorbed would help him hone his skills.

However, he still hadn't found what he was looking for.

While reading, Xiao Feng noticed another cultivator struggling with a manual. He instinctively got up to help but hesitated, remembering the problem he needed to solve.

Just as he was about to ascend to the third floor, Xiao Zhu ran past him, murmuring in disagreement.

'Heaven Secret Movement.'

Xiao Feng swiftly caught him and asked, "What's the matter?"

The child burst into tears without hesitation. Xiao Feng pulled him closer, embracing him. Though he felt unsure about how to console a child, he realized that the kid had opened up to him.

"What's your name?" Xiao Feng asked, still holding the child.

"Little Xiao..."

Xiao Feng smirked. "It seems you already know my name, but only a few people are allowed to call me that," he said.

The child looked at Xiao Feng with an odd expression and freed himself slightly from the embrace. "I mean... Little Xiao Zhu is my name."

Xiao Feng's eyes lit up upon hearing this. "And... yeah, only a few people are allowed to call me that too. Now you're an exception," he said with a smirk.

"Little Xiao Zhu."

"Little Uncle Xiao Feng."

Xiao Feng burst into laughter. "Doesn't that sound a bit weird?"

"Well, nice uncle, you don't seem to be from around here. And why are you so weak? Did you get kicked out of your clan for being the weakest, that's why you came to the library?" the child asked.

Xiao Feng clenched his teeth and smiled. "Is that how you interpret the whole situation?"

"Yeah, I guess."

Xiao Feng scoffed. "Well, the conclusion remains the same. I need to become proficient in the way of the sword," he said with determination. "Now that you're alright, go up and stay happy."

Xiao Zhu looked at Xiao Feng with newfound respect. "Uncle Feng, I owe you a favor," he smiled, running up to the third floor.

After Xiao Zhu left, the light he brought with him dissipated, leaving Xiao Feng feeling burdened once again. He let out a sigh and continued flipping through the manuals, still unsatisfied with his progress. He needed to find an exclusive teacher who could guide him. However, in that moment, the search for a teacher slipped from his mind as he got lost in the pages.

Nightfall arrived quickly, prompting Xiao Feng to return to the first floor where the library attendant was stationed. After checking out, he walked out onto the street with a whirlwind of thoughts in his head.

Now, Xiao Feng was alone on the street, holding the gold coins. Just before bidding farewell to Xuan Ping, his brother had given him over ten million gold coins.

"Traveling alone has turned out to be tiresome. It's really frustrating. Finding a teacher has proven to be futile... When will I be able to comprehend even half of the Heavenly Slaying Slashes?" Xiao Feng scoffed, his tone filled with determination.

[Back in the library]

Xiao Zhu came running out of the library's basement, "Father! I've comprehended half of the slashes," he said with joy.

"Good, just work harder."

"Father, what about that uncle? I didn't see him while coming down the store," he asked.

"He has certainly left since it's already late."

Xiao Zhu felt disappointment as he had wanted to say goodbye to him. He and his father cleaned up the library as they were done for that day.

"What a delight it is to get home and meet your mother cooking your favorite meatball made with pork and vegetables—it scents nice," Xiao Zhu said.

At Xiao Zhu's words, the mother smiled.

"Hope you didn't disturb your father today? And you seem brighter than usual today," the mother said, running her hands through his hair.

"He-he... I met a pleasant uncle today," he said with a smile. "Mother, I promise to practice diligently henceforth."

"Wow, you'll tell me about him, right?" she said as she set the dining table.

As the father gazed upon Xiao Zhu, he noticed there had been a change in him while maintaining a neutral expression. Xiao Zhu was born with an affinity for sword Qi. Being naturally skilled in sword techniques, Xiao Zhu had always been a bright child. As a result, his father had high hopes for him to become a powerful sword cultivator and urged him to be diligent in his training.

Despite being better than cultivators around his age, and even those with a significant age difference, Xiao Zhu would often complain about his father being too strict with him.

"And now he's talking about cultivating diligently?" the father thought, curious. "What did you discuss with that young man?" he finally asked.

"Little Uncle Xiao... we discussed nothing much, but he is nice," Xiao Zhu smiled.

Huh, not what the father was expecting. "Forget about it, let's eat," the father said.

"But it seems he was banished from his clan for being too weak!"

"Eat!"

A laugh escaped from the mother.

....

Xiao Feng sat with his legs crossed on the bed of a small inn he had found in the city. He reflected on the recent incident with the Netherworld sect master, as well as the impressive abilities demonstrated by Ye Fan.

At that moment, he could feel it. Ye Fan... he was unfathomable.

"Xuan Ping, Xu Qing, how are you both faring?" he whispered softly to himself.

Xiao Feng went down to the inn's dining area to get something to eat. As he ate, he observed his surroundings, but he didn't find anything concerning. The inn seemed clean and well-maintained, and the other patrons were a mix of travelers and locals going about their business. Xiao Feng finished his meal and returned to his room.

Closing the door behind him, Xiao Feng took a deep breath and focused his mind on his cultivation. He began to perform the Heaven Secret Movement, the technique he had been practicing for the past few months. Moving his body in a fluid motion, he controlled his breath and energy flow.

As he continued to cultivate, Xiao Feng felt a sense of peace and calmness wash over him. He knew that in dangerous situations, the Heaven Secret Movement would be his best defense. He practiced diligently, determined to master the technique and be ready for any challenge that may come his way.

Not only that, but he had been practicing the Heaven Secret Movement for so long that his body had adapted to the movements, and it had become second nature to him.

Xiao Feng's dedication and practice had paid off because now he could cultivate without even thinking about it. It had become a part of his daily routine, like breathing or eating.

With his cultivation skills ingrained deep within him, Xiao Feng felt confident in his ability to face any challenge that may come his way. He continued to practice and refine his skills, striving to become stronger.