After hearing Xiao Feng's explanation and seeing the treasures placed before them, Xiao Zhan looked at him with deep pride.
"Feng'er," Xiao Zhan said slowly, his voice filled with emotion, "what you have done for the Xiao Family is more than all of us elders combined have managed to accomplish in the past twenty years."
The elders around the hall nodded in agreement.
"You have not only brought back Profound High-Level cultivation techniques, corresponding Dou Fighting Techniques, and many medicinal pills, but you have also given the clan a precious medicinal formula."
Xiao Zhan gently held the parchment in his hand as he continued speaking.
"This medicinal formula will greatly help the younger generation of the Xiao Family. It will save a great deal of time during the early stages of cultivation and will also improve their physical strength and cultivation aptitude."
Pausing for a moment, Xiao Zhan looked directly at Xiao Feng.
"If you have no objections," he said seriously, "I would like to appoint you as the Young Master of the Xiao Clan starting today. And when you come of age, you will naturally become the next Clan Chief of the Xiao Family."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.
Many of the elders were slightly surprised, but after thinking about Xiao Feng's contributions and talent, none of them voiced any objections.
However, Xiao Feng quickly shook his head repeatedly.
"Uncle, I cannot accept this," Xiao Feng said calmly.
"I am still young, and I do not yet understand how to properly manage a clan. Furthermore, my strength is not sufficient to shoulder such a heavy responsibility."
Although the titles of Young Master and future Clan Chief sounded extremely prestigious, Xiao Feng clearly understood the responsibilities behind them.
"For now," Xiao Feng said with a calm smile, "I would rather focus on improving my cultivation and alchemy. When the clan truly needs me in the future, I will naturally do everything in my power to help."
Hearing this, Xiao Zhan looked at him silently for a moment before slowly nodding.
Although Xiao Feng had refused the position, the respect in the eyes of the elders toward him only grew even stronger.
Although the titles of Young Master and future Clan Chief sounded prestigious, Xiao Feng clearly understood the hidden dangers behind them.
He knew that in the future, because of the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade fragment possessed by the Xiao Family, the mysterious organization known as the Hall of Souls would repeatedly target the clan. They would pursue Xiao Yan, kidnap Xiao Zhan, and nearly annihilate the entire Xiao Family in their relentless search for the jade fragment.
Knowing how dangerous that future would be, Xiao Feng did not wish to draw unnecessary attention to the clan by accepting such prominent titles at this time.
After the meeting in the main hall ended, Xiao Feng returned to his room to cultivate.
The day passed quietly as he focused on circulating his Dou Qi and stabilizing his cultivation.
Soon, night arrived.
That evening, the Xiao Family residence was unusually lively. The large hall, which was usually spacious and quiet, was now filled with many members of the Xiao Family.
In the central area of the hall sat the most influential figures of the clan.
The Grand Elder sat on a large chair, his old face covered in wrinkles from his broad smile.
"The Xiao Family has developed rapidly in these past few years, and it is all thanks to you! When you were still a child, we already felt that you were a dragon among men, destined for great achievements in the future. Looking at it now, it seems we did not misjudge you back then. Hahaha!"
"Hehe, Grand Elder, you overpraise me," Xiao Feng replied with a slight smile as he sat calmly in his chair.
"The development of the Xiao Family is the result of the hard work of all the clansmen. I merely provided some help within my abilities; it is nothing worth mentioning."
Earlier on the clan square, after only a few brief exchanges, Xiao Feng had already been brought to the hall by the elders. Along the way, similar words of praise had continued without stopping.
To be honest, most of the things Xiao Feng had brought back to the Xiao Family were things that were no longer very useful to him.
The Xiao Family's growth to its current level was still mainly due to the efforts and determination of its clansmen. If the clan members themselves had not worked hard to improve, then even the resources he provided would have been wasted.
However, while Xiao Feng thought this way, the other clan members did not see it like that.
Over the years, Xiao Feng had sent back numerous cultivation techniques and Dou Fighting Techniques, including many Profound Rank techniques, covering almost every attribute.
Before this, the highest-level cultivation technique in the Xiao Family had only been a Mid-Level Profound Rank technique.
Even that technique had been carefully guarded and could only be practiced by the Clan Chief, since its attribute might not match others, making it difficult for most members to use.
Apart from cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques, Xiao Feng had also sent back various medicinal pills.
Although many of these pills were merely by-products from his alchemy experiments while researching pill formulas, their effects were still extremely beneficial.
Because of these resources, the Xiao Family had produced several Great Dou Masters in recent years, greatly increasing the clan's overall strength.
In fact, the number of Great Dou Masters in the Xiao Family had now become the highest in Wutan City.
For this reason, the clansmen simply treated Xiao Feng's modest words as humility and continued praising him enthusiastically.
"Haha! After all these years, Xiao Feng is still as humble as ever!"
"Indeed! Neither arrogant nor impatient — truly the demeanor of a powerful expert!"
The hall was soon filled with laughter and admiration, and the atmosphere became warm and lively as the clan members celebrated the achievements of their most talented member.
Xiao Feng's handsome appearance, combined with his status as the strongest expert in the Xiao Family and his calm, indifferent temperament, left many of the female relatives in the clan somewhat dazzled. Their beautiful eyes sparkled with curiosity and admiration as they secretly glanced toward him.
Faced with the various praises and enthusiastic gazes directed at him, Xiao Feng merely smiled faintly and did not take them too seriously.
After all, he had heard such words since childhood and had long learned to face them with a calm mind.
When the praises in the hall finally subsided slightly, Clan Chief Xiao Zhan spoke with a warm smile.
"The contributions you have made to the Xiao Family over the years are clear to everyone here. Therefore, in order to recognize your achievements, your name has already been recorded in the Family's Karma Book."
"Oh?" Xiao Feng let out a slightly surprised sound.
The Karma Book was a special register used by the Xiao Family to record the names of clansmen who had made great contributions to the clan. The last person whose name had been recorded there was the former Clan Chief, Xiao Lin.
Almost every powerful clan had a similar tradition in order to honor those who had greatly benefited the family.
Xiao Feng had not expected his name to appear in it so early. After all, most of the people recorded in the Karma Book were already long gone, while he himself was still only in his teens.
"Xiao Zhan is right," the Third Elder added with a cheerful tone while stroking his gray beard.
"Not only has your name been recorded in the Family's Karma Book, but the elders have also discussed another matter."
The elders exchanged glances before the Grand Elder spoke again.
"The Xiao Family has decided to establish the position of Grand Elder for you. From now on, you will hold the position of Grand Elder of the Xiao Family, and your status in the clan will be even higher than that of the ordinary elders."
Given Xiao Feng's current strength and the contributions he had made, it was no longer appropriate for him to remain merely an ordinary clan member.
After a brief discussion, the Xiao Family had created the special position of Grand Elder for him.
To be honest, if Xiao Feng had not been so young—and if Xiao Zhan had not managed the clan well over the years—some elders would have even suggested that Xiao Feng directly take over the position of Clan Chief.
After all, in the Xiao Family, the position of Clan Chief was not strictly inherited through bloodline. When the Clan Chief stepped down, anyone with enough strength and prestige could compete for the position.
Xiao Zhan himself had obtained the position in this way many years ago through his strength and reputation.
Of course, even if they had suggested such a thing, Xiao Feng would most likely have refused.
Xiao Feng knew very well that Wutan City was far too small for someone seeking the peak of cultivation. If he wished to become truly strong, he would have to step beyond this small city and venture into the vast Dou Qi Continent, where countless opportunities, dangers, and powerful experts existed.
Only by experiencing the wider world could he continue to grow stronger and reach greater heights. For this reason, although he deeply cared about the Xiao Family, he could not remain here forever. Being able to occasionally provide resources and assistance to the clan was already the most he could do while pursuing his own path of strength.
After thinking for a moment, Xiao Feng nodded slightly.
"Since it is the clan's decision, I will accept the position of Grand Elder for now," he said calmly. "However, I assume this position does not require me to manage too many clan affairs?"
Hearing this, the Grand Elder immediately laughed in relief.
"Of course not. Whether the Grand Elder chooses to manage clan affairs or not is entirely up to you."
Naturally, Xiao Feng had no intention of involving himself too deeply in clan management.
After chatting for a while longer, the atmosphere in the hall gradually became more relaxed.
Suddenly, Xiao Zhan smiled mischievously and asked a rather unexpected question.
"Feng'er, you have grown so much over the years and achieved such great success… but tell me something."
Xiao Zhan leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming playful.
"Do you have a girlfriend yet?"
The sudden question caused the entire hall to become lively again.
Several elders burst into laughter, while many younger clan members also looked toward Xiao Feng with curiosity.
Even some of the female relatives in the hall immediately lowered their heads shyly, though their ears perked up to hear the answer.
Xiao Feng was slightly caught off guard by the sudden question.
After a brief moment, he simply shook his head with a faint smile.
"No, Uncle," he replied calmly.
"For now, my focus is mainly on cultivation and alchemy. I have not really thought about such matters yet."
Hearing this, many of the elders laughed again.
"Haha! A young genius like Xiao Feng should naturally focus on cultivation first!"
"Still, with his talent and appearance, finding a partner in the future will certainly not be difficult!"
The lively laughter filled the hall once more as the clan members continued chatting happily late into the night.