Identity Exposed?

Boom!

Water splashed high as a depression about ten feet wide appeared in the rushing stream, only to return to normal in an instant.

On the grassy bank.

Yun Xi stood ramrod straight, his expression frozen as he stared at Xun'er, whose face was full of fake smiles, unable to process what had just happened.

"Xun... Xun'er, what's wrong with you...?"

Wiping nonexistent cold sweat from his forehead, Yun Xi spoke with a hint of panic.

Who would have thought that smiling Xun'er would suddenly attack him? Fortunately, he was currently a Soul Body, so this kind of skill clearly could not hit him. Otherwise, at such close range, he might have been injured.

"Hm?? Nothing's wrong." Xun'er continued smiling.

"Huh? Ha... is that so?"

Xun'er rolled her eyes at Yun Xi, ignored him, then turned around and hugged her knees as she quietly watched the grass, covered in a silvery veil by the moonlight.

"A little sister? Xun'er is quite a greedy girl..." Lowering her head slightly, she murmured in a voice only she could hear.

The night gradually deepened. Yun Xi stared blankly at the glittering surface of the water, his thoughts in turmoil.

After an unknown amount of time, he tilted his head slightly and saw Xun'er, sitting beside him with her knees hugged to her chest, swaying a little as though she were sleepy.

"This silly girl."

Without making a sound, Yun Xi moved closer to Xun'er. When they were pressed together, he stretched out a hand and gently pulled her into his embrace, resting her little head against his stomach so she could sleep more comfortably.

What Yun Xi did not see was that Xun'er, nestled in his arms, curled her lips into a smile as well. Whether she had fallen into a sweet dream or something else, no one knew...

"Miss? Miss?"

Repeated calls woke Xun'er from her sleep.

Opening her eyes slightly and seeing Ling Ying standing respectfully nearby, Xun'er was startled. She hurriedly sat up from the ground and looked around, searching for that familiar figure.

This guy reacted pretty quickly...

"Miss, it is time to return. The Clan Leader is waiting for you in the hall." As Ling Ying spoke, he took out a golden token.

Xun'er nodded. Turning around to look at the patch of grass that had been flattened while she slept, a faint blush appeared on her little face.

For no other reason than that she had experienced the most unforgettable night of her life here.

"Buzz~"

As the token in Ling Ying's hand shattered, the space before them twisted. A moment later, a Space Crack appeared.

"Miss, let us go."

Seeing Xun'er still standing motionlessly in place, Ling Ying spoke softly. He did not understand why Miss seemed so reluctant to leave this place.

Having kept watch in the shadows all night, other than seeing Xun'er stare blankly at the stars, the only unusual thing he had seen was her suddenly releasing a Dou Skill.

Just as Ling Ying was puzzled, Xun'er moved and darted into the Space Crack. Ling Ying did not think further and followed close behind.

As the two departed, the Space Crack gradually shrank, and the place fell silent once more. The splashing water and the wild grass and flowers swaying in the wind seemed to await the arrival of their next fated visitor.

Within the Gu Clan's Primordial Great Hall.

Figures sat around a stone table inlaid with gold. Seated at the head was none other than the Gu Clan's Clan Leader—Gu Yuan. His complexion was rosy, and a pleased smile lingered at the corners of his lips.

Beside him sat the various Elders of the Elder Council, along with several honorary Elders and guest Elders.

A Space Crack appeared, and Xun'er and Ling Ying emerged before the group.

"Clan Leader, Miss has returned safely. Ling Ying shall take his leave first..."

Before Xun'er could react, Ling Ying found an excuse and withdrew first.

Gu Yuan nodded with a smile, then turned to look at the silent Xun'er in confusion.

"What is it, Xun'er? Did you not enjoy your outing?"

Faced with Gu Yuan's question, Xun'er remained silent.

Meanwhile, in her mind.

"Ah... how am I supposed to explain this? Going alone to the outermost edge of the Gu Clan and evading most of the Elders... how am I supposed to explain that...?"

Hearing this, Yun Xi teased, "Just say you went there yourself and merely concealed your aura."

Xun'er shook her head with a miserable expression.

Ever since entering the Space Crack, she had been thinking about how to face Gu Yuan's questions. After all, as the little princess of the Gu Clan, with only the strength of a Four Star Dou Zhe, how could she possibly travel alone to the outermost edge of the Ancient World, thousands of miles away, without anyone protecting her? No one would believe it.

"That won't work... there's no reason... what should I do... Yun Xi~~~~"

"Don't look at me like that. I have no solution either. I was the one who took you there, after all. You can't exactly tell your father that I took you there, can you?" Seeing Xun'er's pitiful gaze, Yun Xi turned his head and said no more.

Plopping down onto the ground, Xun'er began acting cute again.

"How about... you tell your father about my existence?"

Yun Xi looked helplessly at Xun'er, who was hugging his thigh. A man who feared not even an army of thousands now found himself completely out of ideas.

"Xun'er? What is wrong? Are you hurt somewhere?" Seeing Xun'er like this, Gu Yuan suddenly asked with concern.

As soon as he spoke, the Elders below also turned their attention toward her. They were worried as well.

Her little face flushing red, Xun'er said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "N-No... I'm not hurt..."

"Then... what is wrong?" Gu Yuan looked at Xun'er's blushing face in confusion.

"It's really nothing... Father, there's no need to worry..."

"Really?"

"Really!"

Hearing Xun'er's words, Gu Yuan quietly used his spiritual power to examine her body. Once he found that she truly was unharmed, his newly raised worries finally settled.

"By the way, Xun'er, Father would like to ask: how did you reach the edge of the Ancient World?" Gu Yuan suddenly asked with a smile.

He was quite curious about how Xun'er had managed to travel alone to that distant boundary without anyone protecting her.

Xun'er froze at his words, immediately feeling as though her head were covered in sweat. Had Father discovered it after all?

"I... I went through the Teleportation Array between Gu Saint Mountain and Gu Saint City..." After pausing for a moment, Xun'er replied with a flushed face.

"Oh? Is that so? Then why did I not sense any transmission fluctuations?"

Looking at Xun'er's crimson face and her jade-like hands tightly clutching the corners of her clothes, Gu Yuan asked with a faint smile.

As someone shrewd with age, how could he fail to see that Xun'er was lying? As her father, he knew every little movement and expression she made when she lied.

"Sigh... Xun'er, if you really can't do it, just tell him. That way you won't be so embarrassed."

Yun Xi let out a long sigh and spoke calmly. He had already prepared himself to be exposed.

"Father... actually, I..."

"Enough. I understand. There is no need to explain."

Just as Xun'er finally gathered her courage to confess, Gu Yuan interrupted her.

"Let us leave it at that for now. Xun'er, go back first. Once Father finishes his business here, I will return and keep you company, all right?"

"Ah?... Oh, okay... then I'll head back first..." Though somewhat confused, Xun'er still fled the hall as though a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.