When the milk - baby of just a few years old said this seriously, Xie Yuan's body trembled violently.
"Resist?"
To be honest, in his heart, he had never thought about confronting the Four Great Families. Over the years, there had been quite a few small families that had rebelled.
But which one of them had ended up well?
"Master Xie, actually you can hand over Xie An. After all, it was Xie An who offended Nan Feng. Handing him over will solve a lot of problems."
Xie Yuan looked pained.
Although Xie An was not his biological child, he was like his own son to Xie Yuan.
Although Xie An was cold and didn't talk much to others, Xie Yuan knew that he recognized the Xie Clan in his heart. If he was in trouble, Xie An would surely not stand by idly.
Moreover, many years ago, Xie Yuan was seriously injured. At that time, only the snow lotus on the high mountain could save his life.
Xie Yuan thought he was doomed this time.
But no. It was Xie An who climbed up the high mountain with his tiny body, picked the snow lotus on the cliff, and fell from a high place because of this. If he hadn't been caught by the branches, he would have died long ago.
Just when everyone was about to give up on Xie Yuan, it happened to be an outsider who spared no effort to save him.
After that, Xie An fell ill and had multiple fractures. By the time Xie Yuan recovered, Xie An was still unconscious.
Such a great kindness, he, Xie Yuan, would never forget.
"Master Xie can't bear to part with him."
"Of course. Xiao An is like my own flesh and blood."
Zhao Shuning smiled knowingly. It was good. Actually, in this world, there was still someone who loved Xiao An. It was just that Xiao An was too proud and withdrawn, thinking that he was living under someone else's roof, and had never really faced up to Xie Yuan, who was like a father to him.
"Senior, I was too naive. But I want to do my best to protect Xie An."
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"In that case, I'll help you."
"Thank you, senior."
After Xie Yu brought in the medicine, he was driven out by Zhao Shuning, and so was his own father.
After leaving the ancestral hall, the Xie father - and - son looked at each other and sighed.
"I didn't expect that the Xie Clan would reach such a state one day, having to rely on an eight - year - old milk - baby to revive the family business."
"Those with abilities are not defined by age. Father, although the eldest is young, she is extremely accurate in judging things and people. By the way, father, what did you talk about in the Yun Pavilion earlier?"
What did they talk about?
Xie Yuan shook his head with a smile.
Resist? Maybe, his Xie Clan could really rise up and resist.
Zhao Shuning said that resistance didn't necessarily have to be in the open or at the forefront. Such resistance was the stupidest. It couldn't protect the Xie Clan, nor could it protect themselves.
"Xie Yu, if the Xie Clan chooses someone to believe in, who do you think is the best candidate?"
Xie Yu wasn't stupid. Hearing his father say this, he knew what was on his father's mind.
The Xie Clan had believed in the Wang Clan every year. Every year, a large amount of precious medicinal materials were basically sent to the Wang Clan. If they were to change the clan they believed in, they would completely lose the protection of the Wang Clan.
"Father, have you thought it through?"
Defecting wasn't an easy thing.
"If we can't do it openly, we'll do it secretly."
Xie Yu looked at his father in disbelief. His father had always been serious and just. To hear such words from his mouth really surprised Xie Yu.
"Father, you learned this from the eldest, right?"
Seeing his son's teasing look, Xie Yuan kicked him.
"Stinky boy, are you crazy? How dare you tease your father!"
"Father, have you thought about which clan to believe in again? The Lin Clan?"
"No. The Four Great Families are in cahoots with each other. None of them are good. The Yuan Clan and the An Clan won't do either."
"Father, don't tell me you want to follow the eldest?"
After saying this, Xie Yu burst out laughing.
Obviously, he was just joking.
But his father didn't laugh. He looked at Xie Yu seriously. Xie Yu was stunned and awkwardly put away his smile.
"Father, are you serious?"
"Of course."
Xie Yu swallowed hard.
"But father, the eldest is just an eight - year - old milk - baby."
"Those with abilities should be in charge. It has nothing to do with age."
"No way, father. You're going to believe in a small Zhao Clan? This is so out of character for you!"
"Who says we can only believe in a clan? From now on, our Xie Clan will believe in Senior Zhao Shuning."
Xie Yu sighed. He really didn't know if the eldest at such a young age could bear the title of senior.
Xie Yuan seemed to be in a much better mood. His steps were lighter. Ignoring Xie Yu's expression, he walked away from the other side.
No way. What kind of spell did the eldest cast on his father? How could the always - proper father start to want to resist?
Xie Yu quickly followed up.
According to his father, this matter had to be done secretly.
On the vast grassland, Zhao Shuning was carefully refining pills. The spiritual beast was injured in too many places. The pills she could refine were limited, so she could only rely on time and physical strength.
One day passed.
Two days passed.
Five days passed.
In the blink of an eye, it was almost time for the competition.
But Zhao Shuning still hadn't come out. Xie Yu went in to deliver meals every day, and he didn't dare to stay long. He came out quickly after going in.
Today was the day of the competition.
Looking at the untouched meals, Xie Yu was a little worried.
"Eldest, today is the disciples' joint competition. Can't you go out yet?"
"I can't."
Once the great formation for treating the spiritual beast was activated, it couldn't be stopped. Moreover, it was almost at the end. If she stopped now, all her previous efforts would be in vain.
"What about the competition?"
"You guys go first. I'll arrive later."
"Eldest—you're so kind!"
"Eldest, our Xie Clan owes you a lot."
"Eldest—"
"Get out!"
"Okay!"
With Zhao Shuning's roar, Xie Yu immediately picked up the meals and scurried out dejectedly.
From beginning to end, Zhao Shuning didn't even look at Xie Yu.
Yes, the competition was about to start.
She had worked so hard for so long just to participate in the competition, win the championship, and make her family gain a foothold in Yanqing City.
In this life, Zhao Shuning clearly wanted to live selfishly. But when she saw the spiritual beast covered in wounds and blood, she just couldn't harden her heart.
As an alchemist, she couldn't just watch the monster guarding a clan die in front of her.
"Zhao Shuning, this is your decision. You can't regret it."
Closing her eyes, Zhao Shuning became even more concentrated and focused.
In the Yun Pavilion, there was a man and a beast.
"Emperor Venerable, should we help her?"
The man shook his head.
"I believe in her."