Utter Defeat

"You..."

Xiao Xun'er looked at Yao Wan, yet had no way to refute her.

"As for my identity, if you want to explain it clearly to Xiao Yan, that is fine too. Only, before that, Miss Xun'er had better first explain clearly what the situation is on your own side."

No sooner had Yao Wan finished speaking than Xiao Yan's door was opened as well.

The young man in a green robe had just stepped outside when he saw Xun'er at the courtyard gate, and that beautiful figure who, in his memory, seemed to have rarely ever left her room.

"Wan Guniang?"

Xiao Yan murmured subconsciously.

"Hm? Dou Qi Stage Five? That was fast."

Yao Wan looked toward the voice and noticed Xiao Yan's cultivation at that moment, causing her to pause slightly.

"This is still thanks to Wan Guniang helping me temper my body over the past half year. If not for that, my cultivation speed would probably have been greatly reduced."

Xiao Yan smiled, though he left out his own diligence and hard work over the past half month.

"No need to belittle yourself. Being able to break through to Dou Qi Stage Five in half a month can also be considered your own fortune. I merely gave you a gentle push from behind. If you yourself were useless, even if I took medicinal pills and force-fed them to you, it would still be no use."

There was a faint hint of a smile in Yao Wan's tone.

"Speaking of which, it really is rare for Wan Guniang to go out."

"My legs aren't broken. Are you saying I'm not allowed to go out?"

Yao Wan asked in return, and in the end, both of them could not help laughing.

"Mm, originally I still had a few Small Worries, but from the looks of it now, there's no need to worry too much. Whether it is Gold Coins or materials, if you don't have enough, just come to me. I have plenty on my side."

As she spoke, Yao Wan stepped forward and lightly patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, then leaned close to Xiao Yan's ear.

Xiao Yan only felt an elegant, fragrant breeze rush toward him. His body, which had subconsciously wanted to retreat, was held in place by Wan Guniang.

"...What is it?"

Xiao Yan asked subconsciously. This kind of action was somewhat awkward for him.

"Nothing... your Xun'er Younger Sister is still waiting there so eagerly. I won't make myself annoying. If you have any problems with cultivation later, just come find me."

Yao Wan leaned by Xiao Yan's ear and said in a lowered voice.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Yao Wan released Xiao Yan. There was not the slightest pause or lingering in her movements as she turned and left.

When she reached the gate, Yao Wan brushed past Xiao Xun'er, but the two of them already had nothing left to say.

After Yao Wan left, Xun'er finally had the chance to say something to Xiao Yan.

"...Xun'er?"

Xiao Yan had still been somewhat puzzled as to why Wan Guniang had suddenly said such strange things, but when he noticed Xun'er's gaze, he suddenly understood something.

"Xiao Yan Gege's talent has returned?"

Seeing the Dou Qi on the young man's body circulating ceaselessly like a stream, a beautiful smile finally appeared on Xun'er's face once more.

"Mm."

Xiao Yan did not explain further, only nodded lightly.

"I knew Xiao Yan Gege would definitely pull himself together again."

"Of course. Always watching you walk ahead, I at least would feel some pressure..."

This was honestly the truth. Every time the clan held a test, Xun'er's talent and cultivation would always shock everyone present, drawing the attention of those around her. Although Xiao Yan could not exactly be called jealous of this, the feeling of being left behind was honestly not all that pleasant.

Only now, he finally had the ability to rouse himself and chase after her again.

His hand subconsciously stroked Xun'er's long black hair. Her dark strands were like a waterfall, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance.

"...Xiao Yan Gege."

Feeling Xiao Yan's gentleness, Xun'er subconsciously raised her head. Her eyes held an emotion Xiao Yan could not understand as she said softly,

"Tell me, that Wan Guniang, how did you come to know her?"

"Ah?"

He had originally thought Xun'er might once again want to pester him into going out for a walk with her, but her words made him freeze without realizing it.

"How did the conversation suddenly get to Wan Guniang...?"

"'Suddenly'...?"

Xun'er narrowed her beautiful eyes. Aside from her, who else would bring up that woman in front of Xiao Yan Gege?

"It was Father. Half a month ago, when Wan Guniang's realm had just broken through—"

Immediately after, Xiao Yan explained to Xun'er the process of how he and Wan Guniang had met.

"Although Wan Guniang does act a little strangely, she can't really be considered a bad person..."

"Even if that is true, doesn't Xiao Yan Gege find it strange? She is an alchemist at the Dou Wang realm. Instead of staying somewhere and living in comfort, she just had to run to the Xiao Clan..."

Xun'er was also unwilling to speak too bluntly. After all, if she spoke too bluntly, it would be bad if Xiao Yan Gege thought she simply disliked her—

Who would have thought that Xun'er's words would make Xiao Yan nod lightly?

"Mm, actually, regarding this point, I can more or less sense it too."

"It's just that, well, Wan Guniang herself said it: if the world only had selfish motives, wouldn't that be far too boring?"

Xun'er's heart sank. Even if he did not say it, she could sense what Xiao Yan Gege was about to say next.

"After all, compared to interests and benefits, I would rather believe she helped me purely because of a whim of interest from half a year ago."

"Xiao Yan Gege trusts her very much?"

Naturally, Xun'er did not want to hear Xiao Yan Gege say in front of her how good another woman was, so she asked directly.

"I trust her."

On this point, Xiao Yan did not hide anything.

"Why?"

"There isn't really any special reason. It's just, how should I put it..."

Xiao Yan considered his words for a moment before saying, "After all, over this past half year and more, the one who accompanied me the most was Wan Guniang..."

"Although the relationship between us might be closer to that of an improvised Dao Protector and a lost person being guided, in the end, it feels more like we are simply friends. There is no need to care about talent, strength, or weakness. We can say whatever we want... isn't that quite freeing?"

Xun'er's breathing hitched, and for a moment, she did not know what to say.

Perhaps it was also at this moment that she suddenly realized it.

Compared to her argument with that woman earlier, the current her was the one who had truly lost completely.

After that, Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan did not manage to chat for long before Xiao Xun'er left.

"Sigh, brat."

After the entire small courtyard returned to its usual quiet, Yao Lao sighed and only then revealed his figure.

"What is it? Teacher?"

"Nothing. It's just that, ah, you are going to suffer in the future."

As someone who had been through it before, Yao Lao stroked his beard and said.

Xiao Yan was completely confused.

"Enough. Cultivate! With the way you are now, by the next Clan Test, can you reach One-Star Dou Zhe?!"

"Eh? Teacher, didn't you say before that by the next Clan Test I could only reach Dou Qi Stage 8?"

"Brat, can't you have even a little drive!"