Nine-star Dou Zhe, Bashful Bai Xiaoran

"What kind of happiness are you talking about?"

"For example, a girl's happiness, or a boy's happiness. Sister knows quite a lot—whichever one you like?"

Ya Fei's delicate hand landed on Bai Xiaoran's, clasping it tightly in her palm.

"Let's forget it, Sister Ya Fei." Bai Xiaoran tried to pull his hand back, but she was holding on too tightly.

Ya Fei smiled. "Don't reject me so quickly. You helped Sister solve the problem of Liu Xi. For the past year, I've been thinking about how to repay you. After some thought, perhaps Sister could offer her—"

Before she could finish, Bai Xiaoran immediately cut her off. "No need. I did those things for myself too, so Sister Ya Fei doesn't need to offer herself to me."

Quite a few Xiao Family disciples witnessed that brief little exchange. It would be a lie to say they were not envious.

They all knew Ya Fei. Being able to win her favor would make even sleeping feel sweet.

"Sister Ya Fei, are you and Brother Xiaoran very close?"

"We've met a few times. Didn't Sister Xun'er know?" Ya Fei secretly raised the corner of her lips in an almost imperceptible smile.

Xiao Xun'er looked toward Bai Xiaoran, who had already turned his head away guiltily.

"Hmph, so what? You merely have a few years' acquaintance with Brother Xiaoran." Xiao Xun'er gave a proud snort.

She had saved Brother Xiaoran's life.

"It doesn't matter how long you've known each other. What matters is that Young Master Bai is truly adorable in private." Ya Fei's eyes shifted playfully.

Xiao Xun'er snorted and did not continue arguing with Ya Fei.

"Brother Xiaoran, that woman's intentions are impure!"

"I can see that," Bai Xiaoran said. "I can handle it."

Anyone with eyes could tell that Ya Fei was a woman exceptionally skilled at teasing others.

Xiao Zhan stood at the front and said, "Since everyone has arrived, we shall begin today's Coming-of-Age Ceremony with the Dou Qi testing stage."

The ceremony was being held at the Training Ground, which had been expanded considerably for the occasion.

Otherwise, the previous space would have been far too small to accommodate so many people.

The Great Elder stood beside the stone used for testing Dou Qi. "First, Xiao Ning!"

A young man leaped into the center of the Training Ground. His gaze swept across the surroundings before finally landing on Bai Xiaoran. If he could attract Young Master Bai's attention, it would be worth it.

"You brat, stop staring and put your palm on it!" the Great Elder barked.

Didn't he find it embarrassing to stare at Bai Xiaoran every day?

After Xiao Ning placed his palm down, the Great Elder announced, "Xiao Ning, Level Eight Dou Qi!"

"Level Eight—not bad, not exceptional."

"Next, Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Yan stepped onto the Training Ground, and many people immediately began whispering among themselves. Xiao Yan had once been the Xiao Family's genius, but when that genius had suddenly turned into trash, he had suffered no shortage of criticism.

"Xiao Yan, come forward!"

Xiao Yan placed his palm on the stone.

The Great Elder froze. "Level Nine Dou Qi!"

"Level Nine!"

"How long has it even been? He's already recovered to Level Nine Dou Qi!"

Xiao Ning's heart tightened. Level Eight Dou Qi... That trash actually recovered!

When he saw Bai Xiaoran looking at Xiao Yan, he became even more furious.

"Control your temper. There are so many people here. If you want to embarrass yourself, don't drag me into it!" Xiao Yu rebuked him.

It was merely a gap in strength, yet he was already getting angry. He still lacked some tempering of the mind.

"Yes, Sister!" Xiao Ning said.

Ya Fei smiled. "Clan Leader Xiao, it seems that Young Master Xiao Yan has recovered."

"I didn't expect Yan'er to recover either. As his father, I'm naturally happy." Xiao Zhan's heart filled with joy.

Yan'er's recovery was a good thing.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er."

Xiao Xun'er leaped onto the Training Ground.

Everyone knew Xiao Xun'er very well. She and Miss Bai were even praised as Wutan City's twin beauties.

"Come, Miss Xun'er!"

Once Xun'er placed her hand on the Testing Stone, the Great Elder announced, "Xiao Xun'er, One-star Dou Zhe!"

The crowd could not help crying out in astonishment.

After that, many more disciples underwent testing. Although none of them had broken through to the Dou Zhe realm, Xiao Zhan was already very satisfied with the Xiao Family disciples' results.

"Last, Bai Xiaoran!"

Ya Fei smiled. "Little Brother Xiaoran, it seems their enthusiasm is even greater than it was for Xun'er!"

Just as Ya Fei had said, the cheers never stopped the moment Bai Xiaoran stepped onto the field. Even Xiao Yu below the stage stared at him with burning eyes.

"Little Brother Xiaoran, you smell so nice!" Xiao Yu had never seen a woman more beautiful than Bai Xiaoran, even at Jia Nan Academy.

Bai Xiaoran brushed aside the strands of hair by his ear, his eyes settling on the Testing Stone before he placed his palm against it.

The Great Elder stared at the result displayed on the Testing Stone and blurted out, "Holy shit, Nine-star Dou Zhe!"

Ya Fei's beautiful eyes widened. She could not believe that he had broken through to Nine-star Dou Zhe in just one year.

"Nine-star Dou Zhe... Xiaoran truly is astonishing," Xiao Zhan said.

Even Xiao Xun'er, who lived with him, found his rapid progress deeply troubling.

From the moment Bai Xiaoran broke through to the Dou Zhe realm, it was as if he had begun a life of unstoppable advancement, breaking through without end. Yet after reaching Nine-star Dou Zhe, he had remained stuck for a month, unable to break through to Dou Master. When he asked Ling Ying, the only answer he received was that he lacked a fortuitous opportunity and a trigger.

"Hehe, Miss Bai is so beautiful."

"I want to see Miss Bai's fragrant shoulders..."

"Miss Bai, could you sell your clothes? I can pay for them!"

Almost everyone's eyes were fixed on Bai Xiaoran.

"E-Everyone..."

A flush instantly rose to Bai Xiaoran's face. Faced with so many gazes, he had to admit that he still could not handle it.

"So adorable!"

Xiao Yu swallowed. "Little Brother Xiaoran, you become more stunning with every passing year."

Xiao Yan rubbed his eyes. It was his first time seeing Bai Xiaoran act so bashfully.

"Brother Xiaoran is as beautiful as a painting."

"Indeed. This old man is seeing it for the first time as well!" Old Yao sighed.

What woman haven't I seen? Why does this kid make my heart flutter a little? This old man is obviously straight!

Bai Xiaoran did not linger long, using the Subtle Shadow Steps to quickly return to his seat.

Ya Fei grabbed Bai Xiaoran's little hand. "Little Brother Xiaoran, come with me!"

She immediately led Bai Xiaoran away from the Training Ground.

Xiao Xun'er quickly followed after them.

Once they arrived outside the Xiao Family estate, Ya Fei asked, "Are you that afraid of being stared at?"

"Mm!"

Seeing Bai Xiaoran's pitiful expression, Ya Fei immediately felt the urge to protect him.

"Ah, Brother Xiaoran, you really make Sister unable to stop herself!"

Bai Xiaoran hurriedly retreated several steps. "Wait, don't do anything reckless."

"Why are you so nervous? You're making it seem like Sister is taking advantage of you."

"Isn't that exactly what you're doing?"

Ya Fei giggled. "Then you can take advantage of Sister instead. Sister's tofu is soft and fragrant."

"You!" Bai Xiaoran simply could not win against Ya Fei.

When Ya Fei saw that Bai Xiaoran looked as though he might cry, she immediately gave up on teasing him.

"Sister has something to give you. It can cool you down whenever you feel nervous!"

Ya Fei took out a small stone and placed it in Bai Xiaoran's hand.

"A Black-clothed Person brought this item in for auction some time ago. Thinking you might need it, Sister bought it."

"Thank you, Sister Ya Fei."