Starfish Island is located a few hundred kilometers from Golden Source City, a truly open-air island with an area of over 200 square kilometers.

The waters around the island are exceptionally clear and are rich with a type of coral reef that glows, known as the sea star.

At night, countless glowing sea stars float in the clear waters, creating a stunning view.

Because of this special sea star, the area was named Starfish Island.

Three thousand years ago, the Lan Family purchased this island. Over the next three thousand years, the Lan Family continually transformed Starfish Island, making it the most famous resort island on Taurus.

A few hundred years ago, as the friction among the major noble families increased, the Lan Family proposed that the major families sit down and talk it out.

To this end, the Lan Family invited all the major families to Starfish Island for a grand noble family gathering.

Early March is also the spawning season for the sea stars. During this time, the glow on their bodies is the brightest and most beautiful.

Over time, the Starfish Island gathering on March 3rd became a fixed day for exchanges and meetings among the major families.

On this day, the young noble youths would strive to showcase themselves at the gathering.

In an era where Sword Dao prevails across the interstellar, holding a Sword Assembly naturally became part of the event.

Of course, the gathering is mainly about socializing, and to avoid escalating conflicts, the Sword Assembly is informal.

Generally, those willing to show their skills would engage in friendly matches, using specially designated weapons and armor, with a strict rule against killing.

In the event of a fatality, the party responsible for the attack must assume full responsibility.

Such strict regulations are in place to prevent anyone from causing trouble under the guise of competition.

After all, the original intention of the gathering was to deepen communication among the major families and avoid conflicts.

However, in such an important setting, every noble youth wishes to showcase themselves as much as possible.

The competition in the Sword Assembly is always very intense.

Xiao Wan is quite concerned with appearances. Her introduction of Gao Xuan has spread, with many ridiculing her for keeping a pretty boy.

At this gathering, she wants Gao Xuan to fiercely slap those people's faces.

Xiao Wan didn't tell Gao Xuan in advance because the matters on Purple Dragon Star were significant.

After all, the gathering is just a social occasion, not a big event. Only the younger generation may think of creating some stir.

Now that Gao Xuan has returned, it's only natural to flaunt a little at the gathering.

After Xiao Wan explained the situation, Gao Xuan gained a basic understanding of the gathering.

He patted his chest and promised: "Don't worry, leave it to me, I'll make sure to bring glory to Sister Wan."

Xiao Wan glanced at Gao Xuan and said, "Don't be careless, don't think just because you accomplished something big on Purple Dragon Star, others will acknowledge you."

She said solemnly, "In the eyes of people from Taurus, the other planets in the Twelve Star Domain are seen as insignificant backwaters. Purple Dragon Star is considered even more of a remote place. Killing Guo Zhengjun doesn't mean much to them..."

Noble youths are arrogant and complacent, lacking understanding of the outside world and disdaining to know it.

For instance, the significant achievement Gao Xuan accomplished on Purple Dragon Star, anyone who has any concept of Purple Dragon Star knows how challenging it was.

The Alliance readily promoted Gao Xuan to Level 6 Member because the old folks in the Alliance knew that what Gao Xuan did was incredibly remarkable.

This alone is enough to prove Gao Xuan's capability.

However, there are not many people who understand this, like the old folks in the Alliance do.

The higher-ups of the Xiao Family have all served in the military all their lives, deeply understanding the harshness of war and the real situation of each planet.

But other noble families are different. They like to act condescendingly towards other planets.

As for noble youths, they are even more arrogant. The earth-shattering feat Gao Xuan accomplished on Purple Dragon Star is nothing to them.

They might even think they could have done it too if they had been there.

It's hard for Gao Xuan, an outsider in the Xiao Family, to gain the recognition of other noble youths based on his achievements on Purple Dragon Star.

Xiao Wan also knew that Gao Xuan has a bit of a temper. She needed to explain the situation to him ahead of time.

"I understand, just a group of ignorant wastrels."

Gao Xuan said, "Now I'm a Silver Sword Hero, anyone not convinced can be dealt with."

"You became a Sword Hero?"

Xiao Wan was a bit surprised. She looked Gao Xuan up and down but didn't notice anything different.

However, Gao Xuan being able to infiltrate Cyan Cloud Residence alone to assassinate Guo Zhengjun made it more reasonable that he is a Silver Sword Hero.

"Yes, I broke through on the way to Purple Dragon Star..."

Becoming a Silver Sword Hero doesn't need to be hidden. Gao Xuan didn't say anything earlier because he didn't want Xiao Wan to overthink it.

Having just obtained the Undying Golden Cicada and then breaking through to Silver Level, the Xiao Family would definitely think this Undying Golden Cicada was important.

Although the Xiao Family couldn't take back the Undying Golden Cicada, they would instinctively feel Gao Xuan took advantage of them.

This psychological nuance is subtle but can lead to lots of negative effects.

Gao Xuan tried to downplay it, minimizing those effects.

Xiao Wan didn't think that far, she was genuinely happy for Gao Xuan: "You're only nineteen and already a Silver Sword Hero. In the history of the Alliance, that's rare..."

"Thanks to Sister Wan's guidance."

Compliments cost nothing, and Gao Xuan's words were as sweet as honey, making Xiao Wan smile with joy, completely forgetting about his affairs with Xiao Ting.

Xiao Wan sent Gao Xuan home and stayed for dinner before leaving.

Upon her return to the old mansion, the dome was already filled with stars.

Xiao Wan went to her room to take a shower and changed into her home clothes before heading downstairs to her father's study.

In front of the huge writing desk, Xiao Cheng was holding a large brush, yet was writing small and neat calligraphy.

For him, controlling power was not difficult, what was difficult was controlling the fixed cognitive habits regarding tools.

Practicing calligraphy is also practicing the mind.

"Gao Xuan has returned..."

Xiao Cheng uncharacteristically spoke to Xiao Wan while practicing calligraphy.

Xiao Wan was also slightly surprised, she hurriedly said, "He has returned. He and Xiao Ting seem to have developed a relationship."

She felt that Xiao Ting didn't seem to be acting; such casually displayed intimacy was hard to fake. Gao Xuan had no reason to cooperate with Xiao Ting in deceiving her.

"This child always had a deep mind, but this time he was quite decisive."

Xiao Cheng calmly finished writing the last few characters, then slowly washed the brush in water. "It shows that Gao Xuan is indeed overflowing with talent."

Xiao Wan said with a bit of grievance, "Xiao Ting is being so shameless."

Xiao Cheng finished washing and hanging the brush, turned around to admonish Xiao Wan, "How many times have I told you? War is the most violent and terrifying struggle, without principles or bottom lines, and all purposes are for victory."

He criticized, "As a soldier, you need to have this awareness."

"A soldier should have a sense of honor."

Xiao Wan was a bit defiant, "A soldier without a sense of honor can only be a group of belligerent beasts."

"These are actually two different things."

Xiao Cheng sighed, "The fact that you still can't distinguish between the two is not a good thing."

He didn't want to talk more about this topic; it involved complex worldviews and outlooks on life, which couldn't be changed with just a few words.

Just like he thought there was nothing wrong with Xiao Ting's means. Accompanying Gao Xuan to sleep was not difficult. This daughter of his was just too reserved, still wanting to wait for Gao Xuan to pursue her actively...

For someone like Gao Xuan, how could he lack women?

Moreover, Gao Xuan was so smart, he might not even want to get involved with a superior.

Xiao Cheng said, "So why did you come so late, what exactly do you want to say?"

"Dad, news from Pegasus Star comes that the Blood Shadow has acted again."

Xiao Wan said, "Now, it can be completely confirmed that Gao Xuan has no connection with the Blood Shadow."

"There was never supposed to be any connection. You were just overthinking."

Xiao Cheng always disregarded this speculation; just from observing Blood Shadow's style of work, it was completely different from Gao Xuan.

After all, Gao Xuan was young; he didn't have the wisdom or ability.

"Gao Xuan's identity has no issues. We can fully trust him now."

Xiao Wan said.

Xiao Cheng chuckled, "Only you doubted him. If we doubted Gao Xuan, he wouldn't have been able to get into the Association."

Xiao Wan felt a little embarrassed from the laughter; at this point, she also felt that she had overthought.

"In the next few days, I'll take Gao Xuan to the social gathering to properly make a splash!"

Xiao Wan was quite looking forward to this, having attended several social gatherings, she was never very happy.

"You, still avoid causing trouble."

Xiao Cheng said, "Things have been a bit chaotic in the past few years, the Blood God Association's activities have become increasingly rampant. I suspect many upper layers of the noble families have been infiltrated. This is troublesome."

As the highest commander of the Taurus Defense Army, Xiao Cheng was very sensitive to the safety of Taurus.

He felt all major noble families had started to show some bad tendencies, and their actions were increasingly lacking in discretion.

The seemingly prosperous and bustling Taurus was actually withering and rotting inside. This made Xiao Cheng uneasy.

If things continue like this, Taurus might be doomed in less than a century or two.

Xiao Yan's forceful actions on Purple Dragon Star this time were actually due to a strong alertness to the cults.

The upper echelons of the Twelve Star Domain had also begun to consciously and firmly crack down on various cults.

This was not a suitable time for the Xiao Family to be too conspicuous.

But Xiao Wan shook her head, "Lan Tiancheng and the others have been complacent for too long, I want to give him a lesson!"

Lan Tiancheng was a few years older than Xiao Wan and had always been the leader among their generation.

This guy, at the age of twenty, was already reputed as the best young swordsman of Taurus.

Now, more than ten years later, nobody has been able to shake Lan Tiancheng's position.

Lan Tiancheng's group also included Yu Feiying and Bai Yue. These guys colluded with each other, wantonly bullying other noble youths. They could be described as three notorious bullies.

Xiao Wan had been abused by these three multiple times at the Sword Assembly and hated these guys to the bone.

This time, with Gao Xuan around, she definitely wanted to severely teach Lan Tiancheng and his group a lesson.

Seeing Xiao Wan gritting her teeth, Xiao Cheng suddenly felt that his daughter truly hadn't grown up.

Still entangled in childhood grievances, still thinking about beating up Lan Tiancheng for revenge...

Xiao Cheng sighed in his heart, if only Xiao Wan were a bit smarter, she would have long taken Gao Xuan and married him.

Gao Xuan, being such a genius, might indeed have the chance to become a Golden Sword Saint in the future!

Having captured such a figure, he must not let him slip away.

Xiao Cheng thought silently, with a daughter who doesn't understand, as a father, he could only try to help as much as he could...