Xiao knew that arguing with his mother won't lead to anything, in truth he wants to tell her everything, truthfully without hiding anything, yet he can't, not because he doesn't trust her if he can't trust his mother then who can he trust? but because he doesn't want her to be embroiled in whatever was in store for him.
Telling her the truth would make her connected to the both his fate and the lines of Karma, this was not something Xiao did not desire, in this world where the danger lies hidden and secrets lay chosen, he couldn't guarantee that he could 100% protect his mother, for that one needed ones own strength, nothing other than that was better.
Plus he knew that his mother wasn't some pretty vase that needed protecting she was an independent and a strong woman, she doesn't need his protection, he just needs to give her the stage for it and he was sure that his mother would rock it down, all Xiao's waiting for is a chance, the moment 'it' comes he will make his move,
"So Xiao what level of cultivation are you?"
"Oh, just the first level of the Heaven Core Realm"
"Oh....just the first level of the Heaven Cor-"
Suddenly Yun Lan stiffened as she stopped talking, for a moment her brain seemed to have stopped, seeing her reaction Xiao smiled, of course, he would hide things from her but he will make sure to tell her about the things that won't hurt her plus it was kind of funny to see his mothers current look, she who remains calm now looked like a frozen statue,
Xiao called out with innocent eyes while trying his best to hold back his laughter, only then did Yun Lan break out of her daze as she looked at her son who had a smirk on his face, she closed her eye as she took deep breaths to calm her self, it was only after a few minutes did she open her eyes, seriousness filled then as she looked deeply into Xiao,
"Listen to my words, no matter what never reveal your true cultivation to anyone, I know that it might feel good but unless you have got yourself a truly great background don't expose yourself, okay?"
Each word spoken by Yun Lan was stressed out, showing how serious she was and Xiao knew the reason too but in his mother's eyes he was still an 11-year-old and for him to have an inflated ego due to it might be normal, wishing to show it off was completely normal too, hence she was guiding him, he didn't argue with her as he seriously nodded his head and spoke,
Seeing the seriousness in Xiao's eyes Yun Lan sighed, even though she knew that her son was a genius in mind she knew that he was still a child, she didn't want to risk others knowing his cultivation, everyone knew his cultivation potential and if they knew his current strength many would link it to some sort of treasure risking his life, Xiao right now might have high cultivation but that doesn't mean he can't be a takedown.
Sadly this time Yun Lan didn't know Xiao's true strength, if she did she wouldn't be having these thoughts, Yun Lan soon smiled as she hugged her son and spoke with a cheerful voice,
"My son's a genius! humph let's see who dares boast about their children in front of me, I knew that my son would someday shake the world!"
And with that Yun Lan started to drown Xiao with compliments and affection, she didn't for a second doubt her son's words, she knew he wouldn't lie to her about stuff , hence she was over the moon knowing about it, she began to understand that her son's talent might have increased drastically, after all, he did go through a phoenix's trail it was normal for his talent to undergo a drastic change,
"Wait, then how did you hide your cultivation?"
"Oh that, well remember the gift I said you about? it was a treasure that helps me hide and maintain my cultivation, it's very useful in this case"
"I see that's good for now but don't hide it completely, just adjust your level of cultivation a bit above your previous one, the old fogies know that Yurou left with you and they all want to meet you and know what happened"
Yun Lan spoke, her voice lacking any warmth as she spoke of the Yun family, Xiao nodded his head, he had already expected this, after all, Yurou disappeared with him, and interrogating him would be the best choice of action, knowing that they can't do anything against Yurou's protector he was the next best choice,
"Let me guess they want to meet me now"
"Yeah, they wanted to meet you as soon as you had landed but I refused and spoke that you needed rest"
"I see.....then let's go and be done with this"
Saying so Xiao and Yun Lan started to head towards the family meeting hall where the elders and the high ranking family members were waiting and as he kept walking he made sure to adjust his cultivation making it to foundation establishment realm level 1, it was unseen for a child of his age but not entirely unbelievable after all he did go through a 'lucky' encounter with Yurou and his cultivation should match it.
His mind had already made up a story and he had talked it over with his mother who agreed with his chosen path, soon both of them reached the family room, coming upon the members who were awaiting their arrival, and as soon as they entered, Xiao was scanned upside down, making all those that did raise their eyes in surprise,
Many astonished voices were heard as they realized that Xiao's cultivation was far above what should be, Xiao's eyes trailed around the room, he could see his grandfather the patriarch sitting in the topmost position while his father and the future leaders sat beside him, he could even see his father's second wife sitting behind him holding his stepbrother, her eyes focused heavily one him before they retreated.
He could even see a frown on his father's face, everything was as he had thought it to be, an oppressing family for which he didn't have a hint of familial feelings for, a father that was focused more on another woman and a grandfather who seems to believe that everything lies within his palm,
Yun Hao spoke, they first moved forward and gave a bow,
"We greet the patriarch"
After that, his mother spoke,
"Xiao was still tired and I was just making sure that he was well and fine"
Hearing Yun Lan's words Yun Hao frowned for a moment before which his eyes turned towards me, sizing me up and down, a few seconds later he spoke,
"Grandchild, you seem to have gone through a lucky encounter, care to explain?"
Hearing, his words I took a deep breath as I smiled and spoke,