Xiao Xun'er Takes the Stage!

"Is this Xiao Xun'er?"

On the high platform, Flowing Cloud watched the purple-clad figure below, a flash of amazement appearing in his eyes.

"As expected of the female lead—this face, this bearing..."

His gaze fixed on Xiao Xun'er's exquisitely beautiful face, and Flowing Cloud could not stop marveling inwardly.

Xiao Xun'er's beauty was entirely different from Ya Fei's.

Ya Fei's beauty lay in her seductive sensuality, enough to make anyone lose control.

Xiao Xun'er's beauty, on the other hand, lay in her pure and elegant aura.

Standing there now, Xiao Xun'er was like a blue lotus, fresh and graceful, unstained by the mud from which it grew.

"Ah, what a pity..."

As his gaze lingered on Xiao Xun'er, Flowing Cloud suddenly sighed inwardly.

Though Xiao Xun'er was peerlessly beautiful, she would be extremely difficult to win over.

Having read the original novel, Flowing Cloud naturally knew that Xiao Xun'er already had deep feelings for Xiao Yan.

Calling it a secret crush would not be an exaggeration.

Flowing Cloud was confident he could conquer any beauty, but when it came to Xiao Xun'er, he was not so sure.

In the original novel, Xiao Xun'er had never lacked suitors at any stage of her life.

Yet she had always remained true to her original feelings, wholeheartedly devoted to Xiao Yan.

Flowing Cloud had no confidence that he could win over a girl like that.

Of course, uncertain as he was, Flowing Cloud was not the sort to give up so easily.

With such a beauty before him, if he could not hold her in his arms, would his journey through another life not be left with an immense regret?

With that thought, Flowing Cloud looked at Xiao Xun'er's figure, a cryptic smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

Perhaps he would have to play the Cao Thief for once.

Brother Xiao Yan, forgive me!

As long as you two are not officially together, I still have a chance.

Flowing Cloud thought this rather shamelessly.

"Brother Xiao Yan, I'll go over first."

When she heard the examiner call her name, Xiao Xun'er glanced at Xiao Yan beside her. A smile appeared on her elegant face.

"Mm."

Xiao Yan forced a smile and nodded at Xiao Xun'er.

He was also curious how far his genius cousin's cultivation had progressed.

With graceful steps, Xiao Xun'er slowly approached the Black Stone Tablet.

She then extended her small hand. Her purple sleeve embroidered with black-gold thread slipped down, revealing a stretch of snowy white, delicate wrist as she gently touched the stone tablet.

After a brief silence, a dazzling light burst forth from the tablet once more.

Dou Qi: Ninth Stage! Level: High!

The moment they saw the words on the tablet, the entire training ground fell silent.

"Heavens, Miss Xun'er's strength has actually reached the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi power!"

"Isn't that far too terrifying?"

"How old is she? She has already broken through to the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi power?"

A moment later, waves of astonished cries erupted across the training ground.

Everyone stared at the beautiful purple figure before them, their faces filled with disbelief.

But once they recovered, the Xiao Clan youths all gazed at Xiao Xun'er's stunning face with blazing eyes.

Having unparalleled beauty was one thing, but her cultivation talent was equally monstrous. In their eyes, Xiao Xun'er was like a fairy descending into the mortal world, flawless in every way.

"Sure enough, the gap between us is growing wider and wider..."

Not far away, after seeing Xiao Xun'er reveal her cultivation, Xiao Yan watched her become the center of everyone's attention. A shadow passed through his eyes, and he slowly headed out of the training ground with a self-mocking smile.

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan and the other Xiao Clan elders also showed surprise.

Clearly, Xiao Xun'er's revealed cultivation had exceeded their expectations.

However, remembering Xiao Xun'er's origins, Xiao Zhan and the others did not show much joy.

Thinking of the formidable strength of those who had sent Xiao Xun'er to the Xiao Clan back then, Xiao Zhan could not help but fall into thought.

Perhaps Flowing Cloud was the only person present who did not look surprised.

He had already seen this scene in the original novel.

Not only was Flowing Cloud unsurprised that Xiao Xun'er possessed the strength of the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi power, he was even somewhat doubtful.

He doubted that this was Xiao Xun'er's true strength at all.

As the beloved daughter of the Patriarch of the Ancient Clan, one of the eight ancient clans, and someone who possessed a God-tier Bloodline, how could she possibly have only the strength of the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi power?

In the original novel, Xiao Xun'er's strength had always been a mystery. Even Xiao Yan did not know it.

Flowing Cloud guessed that Xiao Xun'er was concealing her true cultivation.

"If I get the chance, I should properly experience this young lady of the Gu Clan's true strength and see just how deep you are." As he looked at Xiao Xun'er in the training ground, fighting spirit flickered in Flowing Cloud's eyes.

Flowing Cloud had now reached the strength of a Dou Master, and he wanted to know whether his current strength could compare to the younger generation of those ancient clans.

In the training ground, Xiao Xun'er did not show the slightest pride in response to the astonishment around her.

She calmly swept her gaze around, then slowly followed after the black-clad figure when she spotted him.

"I never expected the Xiao Clan to possess such a genius. It seems the Xiao Clan's unification of Wutan City is just around the corner!"

After coming back to his senses on the high platform, Flowing Cloud smiled and spoke to Xiao Zhan and the other Xiao Clan higher-ups.

"Young Master Flowing Cloud, you jest. How could my Xiao Clan possibly have such ability..." A bitter smile appeared on Xiao Zhan's face as he humored Flowing Cloud.

He knew Xiao Xun'er's identity. Her talent had nothing to do with whether the Xiao Clan could rise to prominence.

"Alright, the test is nearly over, and it is time for me to leave."

He had already seen what he came to see. Flowing Cloud had nothing to look forward to in the remaining tests, so he immediately bid Xiao Zhan farewell.

"Then I shall see Young Master Flowing Cloud off..."

Hearing that Flowing Cloud intended to leave, Xiao Zhan quickly rose to his feet.

"No need. I would still like to stroll around the Xiao Clan."

Flowing Cloud declined Xiao Zhan's goodwill. Then, as if recalling something, he moved closer and whispered, "Clan Chief Xiao, the Mittel Auction House will be holding another auction three days from now. Clan Chief Xiao, please be sure to attend."

Even as he was leaving, Flowing Cloud did not forget to promote his auction.

"Another auction in three days?"

Xiao Zhan looked stunned at first, then asked in confusion, "Didn't the last auction take place less than half a month ago? This..."

"From now on, the Mittel Auction House will hold an auction every half month." Seeing Xiao Zhan's puzzled expression, Flowing Cloud thoughtfully explained.

"An auction every half month..."

Xiao Zhan and the Xiao Clan elders exchanged looks.

"Clan Chief Xiao, let me be frank!"

"There are quite a few treasures among this batch of auction items. As long as your Xiao Clan can secure them, I guarantee that the Xiao Clan will become Wutan City's number one clan."

Flowing Cloud leaned closer to Xiao Zhan, his words carrying a hint of mystery.

He was merely giving Xiao Zhan a reminder so that he could prepare early.

If the auction began and the three great clans did not have enough Gold Coins, causing the auction items to go unsold, Flowing Cloud would truly have reason to cry.