Heavenly Opposers

"So you're telling me that Yurou was part Phoenix and both of you ended up in a trial left behind by an ancestral Phoenix of the past?"

"Yes."

Xiao nodded his head at Yun Hao's words. By now, Xiao had explained a part of how things had gone. He just made it such that he didn't play a huge role in the trial, presenting himself as a baggage that rode on Yurou's luck. His words had surprised everybody, and people were now talking with each other, whispering about what a twist this was.

"Where's Yurou's father?"

Xiao asked as he noticed the man's absence. He really wanted to meet the guy who nailed a phoenix. He didn't pay much attention to him before, but it wasn't every day that he met someone like that. The moment Xiao asked the question, the talking in the room stopped as everyone started to look at each other with a hint of fear. Feeling the silence, Yun Hao spoke,

"He was burned to death by that woman."

"Oh."

Xiao didn't have much reaction to it, and he didn't need to know who that woman was. Xiao knew that Yurou didn't have a hint of love for her father. She had always talked about him just seeing her as some sort of trophy or investment for the future. Plus, it was becoming pretty clear to him that whoever Yurou's mother was, she didn't seem to be particularly happy with her father either.

There might have been some sort of secret to what had happened. Well, it didn't interest him much. The only reason he asked was that the man was about to be his 'father-in-law,' but now it didn't matter anymore.

"Sigh...that stupid son of mine."

Xiao could see Yun Hao sighing as he sat in the patriarch's seat. But that wasn't the current topic at hand. His focus soon returned back to Xiao.

"So that's all that happened? Is there anything else?"

"Nope. After I was thrown out, neither Yurou nor her protector paid me any mind as they left."

"I see, then it looks like you have reached the foundation establishment realm."

Yun Hao nodded his head as he said this, these words inciting another talk among the elders. They seemingly understood this as the effect of simply riding on Yurou's luck, but it still doesn't take away the fact that Xiao being at this level is unprecedented.

Xiao's eyes turned towards his father sitting beside his so-called grandfather. Yun Qing only seemed to have a frown at this revelation, not the profound joy or pride he should have. But this didn't deter Xiao as he stood in his place while several talks kept taking place around him. His current cultivation made him a prized genius, maybe a once-in-a-generation talent.

"You look different, did anything else happen inside?" Yun Hao asked again, to which Xiao shook his head, his voice soft as he spoke.

"It's just because of my increase in cultivation, and the purple patch is just a symbol of what happened at the realm."

His words made Yun Hao narrow his eyes at Xiao as a subtle pressure filled his body. Xiao's body shook as his knees seemed to be shaking. Well, it wasn't affecting him at all, but for now, the play had to continue. He would pay back the debt another time.

"Xiao!"

Yun Lan screamed as she appeared in front of Xiao, projecting her own aura to cover the pressure that was acting on him. Turning toward Yun Hao, she screamed,

"What are you doing?!"

"Tsk...nothing. You may leave, the prospect of your cultivation shall be kept secret till a decision shall be made by the elders."

Yun Hao spoke with a nonchalant voice. Hearing it, Yun Lan gritted her teeth in anger, but she didn't say anything as she picked up the 'weakened' Xiao and headed out of the room, under the snarly eyes of the other family members. Xiao, whose cultivation was sky-high, should be treated as a genius, yet here he was not being paid any heed.

'I guess I now need to be careful of the Ming family too.....'

Soon, Yun Lan left the scene with Xiao. Marching with angry steps, she entered her room. As soon as she did, her angry expression faded as it became calm. Knocking at Xiao's head, she spoke,

"Alright, that's enough acting."

Hearing it, the 'weakened' Xiao opened his eyes and looked at his mother with a smug smile,

"How was my acting?"

He asked.

"Well, not as good as mine."

Yun Lan replied with the same smug smile. They were truly mother and son.

"So what did Yurou's father do?"

"Oh, that idiot? Well, as soon as that woman showed up, he displayed an arrogant expression and walked up to her as if he owned her. He said, 'Hehe...so you're here, servant? Then take me to my wife.' After that, all we saw was a blaze, and all that was left were ashes."

Hearing it, Xiao flinched. It looked like that guy was an idiot through and through. Shaking his head about such an idiotic action, he escaped his mother's hug and spoke to her,

"Mother, arrange a carriage. I will be heading to the Li family."

"So soon? Do you really like that crippled child?"

"Sigh...mother, she's just a suffering girl. And even if it is by paper, she's still my fiancée. I have to keep up my appearance."

"Is that the only reason?"

Yun Lan asked doubtfully. Xiao nodded his head.

"Yes, it's just to keep appearances."

"Okay, it better be just that. You know, I heard that Phoenixes are quite ruthless."

Saying so, she made a cutting motion. Xiao just shook his head. Soon, he boarded a carriage heading toward the Li family mansion. Two hours later, he had entered the mansion. A maid led him toward Li Lun's room. A few minutes later, he reached her room. Even before the maid knocked, the door was opened by Li Lun, who was sitting in a wheelchair.

"Xi-Xiao?"

Her head turned toward him as she sat on a wheelchair, her white, sightless eyes looking towards him. Seeing it, he smiled and spoke,

"It's nice to see that you're fine, Li Lun."

Saying so, he walked toward her, dismissing the maid. Reaching her, he patted her head, causing her dead eyes to gain some sort of life as a smile came to her face. Her hands extended forward, not knowing where to move. Xiao understood. He bent a little, hugging the pitiful girl.

"I-I missed you."

She spoke in a low voice as she hugged him. Xiao chuckled at her shyness, speaking back,

"Well, I missed you too."

Saying so, he left the hug, much to the disappointment of Li Lun. Seeing it, he patted her head once more. A hint of guilt filled his heart. Here he was with Li Lun, yet now he was connected by heart to Yurou. Even so, Xiao wasn't going to tell her about it. Not because he was scared, but because he didn't want to hurt the girl more.

'But why I am even feeling bad about this? shouldn't I be happy?'

Those thoughts soon went away as his thought process became 'correct'.

Li Lun already lost so much. How could Xiao say that her fiancé is already in love with another girl? Even more so when she seemed to be developing feelings for him. He wasn't that ruthless or heartless. He would definitely tell Li Lun about Yurou, but not now. Only when she stood far above the world would he tell her.

He would tell her when she had all the power and authority in the world. He would tell her when she was strong enough to take it. Then, he would take whatever anger or hatred she would have. He wasn't going to run away from his promise or responsibility. He promised her that he would marry her if she wanted, and he always kept his promises.

It might be stupid or perhaps hypocritical, but that's who he was, and he would continue to live by his 'thoughts' and 'ideas'.