Conversation Before the Clan Competition

Since sparring with Ling Ying that day and breaking through to Five Star Dou Zhe, Xun'er's exceptionally gifted cultivation speed had finally begun to slow somewhat.

Over the following month, Xun'er's somewhat intense training gradually eased, leaving her much more relaxed. During the day, she sparred with the one-star and two-star Dou Shi clones summoned by Yun Xi, honing her Dou Skills and cultivation methods. At night, she cultivated quietly in the Bamboo House, studying the combat techniques she had gained while also deeply cultivating her Starry Radiance Art, allowing it to integrate better with her Dou Skills.

Yun Xi also approved of this more leisurely training method. Although the fast-paced forest training and sparring battles from before had been quite effective, they had been somewhat excessive for a little girl like Xun'er.

Though she had not shown it on the surface, he had noticed that Xun'er's mental strength was nearly at its limit. This relaxed style of training was just what she needed to ease her mental fatigue.

"Yun Xi, the Clan Competition is tomorrow. Old Ling said quite a few people from other clans will be coming to watch. I wonder who I'll be facing tomorrow..."

On a stone chair outside the Bamboo House, Xun'er lay on her back, staring at the decorations beneath the eaves as she spoke lazily.

A cloud of white mist appeared, and Yun Xi slowly materialized. Looking at Xun'er's lazy appearance and hearing what she had just said, he said with amused exasperation, "You, honestly. When you first heard about the Clan Competition, you were nervous about this and that—afraid your opponents would be too strong, worried about disgracing your father. Now that your strength has improved a little, you're already getting carried away."

Hearing that, Xun'er turned her head to look at Yun Xi beside her and said proudly, "I'm really strong now. I think I can make the top five, hehe."

Indeed, over the past month, Xun'er had become highly proficient in using her two Mystic High-Rank Dou Skills, able to wield them with ease. Those two ultimate moves were also the key to her winning the championship.

"Confidence is a good thing, but too much confidence becomes arrogance. Don't you have an old saying here... Be careful not to capsize in a ditch. What happened before should serve as a warning."

Not long ago, Xun'er, despite being at the peak of Five Star Dou Zhe, had been thoroughly beaten by two clones with the strength of Four Star Dou Zhe. Afterward, she had even blamed Yun Xi for not helping her while he stood to the side laughing.

Hearing the heavy note of admonishment in his tone, Xun'er's expression became slightly awkward. Clearly, she had recalled something unpleasant.

"Alright, get up and cultivate for a while. Only when you've mastered your Dou Skills can you say that... Wait, your father is here."

Watching Yun Xi vanish halfway through his sentence, Xun'er could not help but laugh. So this guy is still afraid of Father after all.

Three seconds after his figure disappeared, the space beside her twisted, and Gu Yuan stepped out, dressed plainly.

"Xun'er, the Clan Competition is tomorrow. Are you prepared?" Gu Yuan asked with a smile as he looked at the little girl sitting up.

At a glance, he could tell that Xun'er was at the peak of Five Star Dou Zhe. Such strength was quite good among the younger generation of the clan.

"I think I'm doing alright... I should be able to get a... pretty good ranking..." She had originally intended to say top five, but remembering Yun Xi's words, Xun'er did not dare guarantee it and could only answer conservatively.

"Oh? Very confident, aren't you? Hahahaha." As he reached out to stroke Xun'er's little head, Gu Yuan sat down beside her, clearly pleased with her answer.

As if suddenly remembering something, Xun'er asked slyly, "Father, could you secretly tell me how strong they all are? And whether Gu Qingyang and the others have any trump cards?"

At those words, Gu Yuan's hand froze as it stroked her head, but it returned to normal a moment later.

"You little rascal, aren't you asking Father to give you special tutoring?" Gu Yuan said with amused helplessness.

Secretly revealing information about the other contestants to a participant so she could prepare against them—if that was not special tutoring, what was?

Xun'er argued, "What do you mean? How is this 'special tutoring'? I just want to understand my opponents better so I can guard against them more precisely. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win every battle."

Though she knew full well that asking such questions was cheating, she still solemnly laid out all her crooked reasoning and views in an attempt to win her father's support.

Hearing Xun'er's words about knowing herself and her enemy, Gu Yuan chuckled inwardly. This girl is quite clever. She even knows to learn about her opponents in advance. Not bad, not bad.

Still, Gu Yuan furrowed his brows and said with apparent difficulty, "Hmm... this... alright then... but Xun'er, how will you repay Father?"

At his first words, a smile had just appeared on Xun'er's little face, only for his next question to leave her dumbfounded.

Repay him? Repay him how?

After freezing for a second, Xun'er came back to her senses. Her little face reddened as she rose onto her tiptoes, clasped her hands behind her back, puckered her rosy lips, and lightly kissed Gu Yuan's right cheek.

"Smack~"

"Hahahahaha, good! Father likes this repayment very much." Gu Yuan laughed heartily.

Turning her flushed little face away, she muttered, "Alright, hurry up and tell me."

Seeing Xun'er like this, Gu Yuan was in an excellent mood. After lightly clearing his throat, he slowly began.

"Gu Qingyang should be around a Four Star Dou Shi now. Like you, all of his Dou Skills and cultivation methods are Mystic High-Rank."

"Gu Yao is a Two Star Dou Shi, and his Dou Skills and cultivation methods are all Mystic High-Rank as well."

"Gu Hua and Gu Xing are both Nine Star Dou Zhe, and their Dou Skills and cultivation methods are likewise all Mystic Rank. As for the others, I don't know much."

"As for everyone else... with your strength, there's no need to pay them much attention. However, aside from you elite members of the inner clan, there are several Dark Horses as well."

At that, Gu Yuan paused. He had intended to introduce them one by one, but then he suddenly recalled the sight of Xun'er sending Ling Ying flying with a single palm strike even while Ling Ying had suppressed his strength to that of a Dou Shi. He decided not to elaborate further.

"Mm..."

After hearing Gu Yuan's words, Xun'er said with fighting spirit, "Father, I'll definitely do my best!"

"Hahahaha, I believe in you. Alright, get some good rest. Father will be leaving now." Gu Yuan lightly patted Xun'er's shoulder, smiling as he stepped into the space beside him.

Watching Gu Yuan leave, Xun'er turned and entered the Bamboo House. She dropped onto the bed and recalled his words, her brows knitting slightly.

"Gu Qingyang and the others are all so strong. What if I can't beat them..."

These people were the best among the Gu Clan's elites, the outstanding talents of its younger generation. Their strength was all slightly above Xun'er's, so it was no wonder she was worried.

"Don't overthink it. Do you think all your training these past few days was for nothing? Get some rest and prepare for tomorrow's Clan Competition." Just as Xun'er was worrying, Yun Xi's calm voice rang in her mind.

"Ah, I won't think about it anymore. I'll just give it everything I've got!"

After encouraging herself, Xun'er fell back onto the bed. Her body gradually relaxed, and she slowly closed her eyes...