Heading to the Back Mountain

When the morning sunlight streamed into the Bamboo House through the gaps in the window, the little girl in Yun Xi's arms finally slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Yun Xi's rather handsome face. Xun'er had just been about to greet him when he unexpectedly beat her to it.

"Hmm? Xun'er? You're awake?" Yun Xi softly asked as he looked at Xun'er, who was staring at him with wide eyes from within his arms.

"Mm-hm~" Xun'er gave a small stretch, then suddenly asked in surprise, "Yun Xi, did you hold me like this all night?"

No way... did he really hold me the entire time? Did I say anything in my sleep? Did I make any embarrassing faces? Oh no! Will he laugh at me? It should be fine, right... But my image is ruined!... It's fine, I never had much of an image anyway...

Watching the little girl's expressions constantly shift, Yun Xi was utterly baffled as well. "Yeah. Holding you is pretty comfortable, but... your expression... did you eat a fly or something?"

How could he possibly know what Xun'er was thinking? The only reason he had occasionally guessed her thoughts in the past was by reading her expressions, but this expression now... who could possibly understand it?!!

"Ahahaha, it's nothing, it's nothing." Xun'er gave a fake smile, trying to break the awkward atmosphere.

Fortunately, Yun Xi was a straight-laced guy. Since Xun'er had said so, he did not ask any further questions.

Although Yun Xi's embrace was very comfortable, in order to improve her strength, she still decided... to leave this sinful place!

With that thought, Xun'er suddenly stood up under Yun Xi's puzzled gaze! Then, after standing there for several seconds...

"Ah~ Your arms are still more comfortable..." Xun'er lay back in Yun Xi's arms and let out a contented moan.

Yun Xi: (ー_ー)!!

A few more minutes passed. Looking at Xun'er clinging to him like a koala, Yun Xi finally could not hold back any longer.

"Gu Xun'er! Do you still want to cultivate or not?!"

Hearing his shout, Xun'er, who had been blissfully enjoying the warm embrace, suddenly sat up straight. Looking at the somewhat stern Yun Xi before her, she properly replied, "Y-yes... yes... I need to cultivate..."

"Then why aren't you going if you want to cultivate?!" Yun Xi shouted again.

"Ah? Oh, okay~" Xun'er immediately nodded, forcibly making herself leave Yun Xi's arms. She then opened the door and headed straight for the Back Mountain Training Field.

Inside the Bamboo House behind her, Yun Xi watched Xun'er jog away. The angry look on his face slowly vanished, and the corners of his lips curled up as he could not help but chuckle. "This girl is really fun... Hahahaha." As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Xi's figure gradually became illusory.

At the Back Mountain Training Field.

Boom!

With one punch, Xun'er blew apart the Dou Master-level clone in front of her and complained, "Hmph! You scolded me! Stupid Yun Xi, you scolded me again!"

Clearly, Xun'er had vented all the grievance she had suffered from Yun Xi onto the clone. Since she could not beat Yun Xi, she would start by beating up his clone!

On a boulder in the distance, Yun Xi heard Xun'er's indignant muttering and could not help shaking his head with a smile. "This girl..."

Bang!

Xun'er's body flew backward.

"Hm?!" Seeing Xun'er sent flying, Yun Xi hurriedly got to his feet. In a flash, he steadily caught her.

"What happened?" Yun Xi anxiously asked while holding Xun'er.

"It's... it's nothing. I just couldn't quite beat it..." Hearing Yun Xi's anxious voice, Xun'er's little face reddened as she hurriedly answered.

In truth, Xun'er had been fighting the clone while sulking, and the Three-Star clone had sent her flying with a punch.

Naturally, Xun'er could not possibly tell Yun Xi the real reason. If she did, who knew how he would laugh at her?

"Alright." Yun Xi nodded and put Xun'er down.

"By the way, Xun'er, you're nearly at the Six-Star Peak now, right?" Yun Xi asked.

"More or less, but it feels like my cultivation progress has started slowing down." Xun'er spoke somewhat dejectedly.

That was indeed true. After reaching the Five-Star level, she could clearly feel her cultivation slowing down, though she did not know why.

"It's fine. I have a feeling that you'll reach Seven-Star within the next couple of days."

"Okay..." Xun'er nodded, clearly not very enthusiastic.

"Oh, right. What level has your soul power reached now?" Yun Xi casually asked.

"I'll try..."

Xun'er closed her eyes, and her soul perception slowly spread outward. Every movement of the flowers, grass, and trees around her appeared in her mind as though played in slow motion.

She instantly withdrew her perception and opened her eyes. The images in her mind gradually faded, and she answered, "Around several dozen meters, I think."

"Then keep it spread out, and we'll take a look deeper into the back mountain." Yun Xi nodded at Xun'er's answer.

"Okay." After agreeing, Xun'er released her soul perception again, covering the surrounding area.

This was actually part of cultivation as well. Yun Xi mainly wanted to train Xun'er's soul control. Although cultivators could see everything within several dozen meters at a glance, using it in battle would allow one to analyze an opponent's weaknesses and flaws.

Those with exceptionally powerful soul strength could even launch spiritual attacks directly, heavily injuring their opponents. That was where its terrifying power lay.

This method of cultivation, having Xun'er continuously release her soul power, might have been unique to him.

"Let's set off now and see what good treasures your Gu Clan Back Mountain has." Yun Xi's body turned into a streak of light and entered Xun'er's body, then he immediately urged her on.

"Alright. I've never been to the deepest part of the back mountain either, so I don't know what's there."

And so, Xun'er slowly walked into the dense forest of the back mountain, keeping her faint soul power released.

Gu Clan Reception Hall

Gu Yuan sat at the head of the hall. Below him on his left sat three elderly men with white hair and beards, smiling pleasantly. One of them was Elder Gu Dao, one of the judges of the Clan Competition. These were the three highly esteemed elders of the Gu Clan—the Three Immortals of the Gu Clan!

At their sides, numerous Elders had also arrived, all dressed formally. On the right were several young men and women, the future frontline strength of the Gu Clan. At their head was Gu Lie, the Gu Clan's next candidate for Black Annihilation King, possessing the strength of a Three-Star Dou Emperor!

At the very bottom were Gu Qingyang, Gu Yao, and the others who had just won the Clan Competition.

Looking across the hall, one could see the Elders and juniors from the other six ancient clans besides the Soul Clan. Behind them were also Elders and disciples from other major clans of the Central Continent.

They were currently conversing at length from their seats. After all, with the Clan Competition over, preparations still had to be made for the upcoming grand ceremony. Although the Soul Clan had not attended, that did not hinder everyone's discussion.

Amid the cheerful conversation, Gu Yuan glanced toward the younger members of the various clans playing and sparring together in a corner. With a hearty laugh, he called Ling Ying to his side.

"Go bring Xun'er here as well. Let the juniors interact with one another more."

Hearing Gu Yuan's instructions, Ling Ying lowered his head and clasped his hands in acknowledgment before heading toward Xun'er's Bamboo House.