Xiao Xun'er's Curiosity

"But, Brother Xiao Yan..." Before Xiao Xun'er could finish speaking, Xiao Yan's voice rang out from the room again, seemingly tinged with anger. "Leave. If you really see me as your brother, then leave now. Don't disturb my cultivation..."

"Brother Xiao Yan... I..."

"Get out..." Xiao Yan cursed outright.

Xiao Xun'er was stunned. This was the first time Xiao Yan had ever lost his temper with her. She walked out of the courtyard in a daze, but before leaving, she still reminded him, "Brother Xiao Yan, then Xun Er will be leaving. But people are made of iron, and food is steel—don't mistreat yourself. If you have any troubles, you can come talk to Xun Er."

Ling Ying, hidden in the shadows and protecting Xun Er, saw this and a trace of anger flashed through his eyes. This Xiao Yan actually dared to treat his Miss like that.

But considering that Xiao Yan was the only person in the Xiao Clan his Miss cared about, he forcibly endured it. After examining Xiao Yan closely, he discovered that his cultivation had actually fallen to the 8th Stage of Dou Qi.

He immediately transmitted his voice to Xiao Xun'er. "Miss, Young Master Xiao Yan's Dou Qi cultivation seems to have dropped to the 8th Stage of Dou Qi."

"What..." Xun Er's steps halted, and she froze in place. No wonder Brother Xiao Yan had stayed in his room without even eating, cultivating like he had lost his mind.

"Old Ling, do you know why Brother Xiao Yan's Dou Qi disappeared?" With Ling Ying's Dou Qi assisting her, Xiao Xun'er sent her reply.

Ling Ying shook his head. "Apart from being somewhat weak from going without sleep or food, Young Master Xiao Yan's body is normal in every other respect."

"I understand. Old Ling, please keep a closer eye on Brother Xiao Yan's condition. If you find anything, remember to notify me immediately."

"This subordinate obeys."

Taking a deep breath, Xun Er slowly walked out of the courtyard where Xiao Yan was staying.

Just then, a familiar figure walked past in the distance.

Xiao Xun'er was slightly taken aback and thought in surprise, Is that him? What is he doing near Brother Xiao Yan's residence?

"Miss, this brat named Xiao Se is a genius no less gifted than Young Master Xiao Yan. He has already broken through to the Dou Zhe realm," Ling Ying, concealed in the darkness, reminded her.

At those words, Xiao Xun'er's delicate brows furrowed slightly. "But Old Ling, why is he hiding it?"

It was not that Xiao Xun'er particularly cared about the young man before her. It was simply that not only was he exceptionally talented, he was also the only person in the Xiao Clan who was immune to her charm.

Ling Ying paused slightly and fell silent for a moment before speaking tactfully. "Perhaps his difficult upbringing gave this boy a good temperament. He knows how to protect himself, how to endure, and how to hide his talents. He is neither foolish enough to play the pig to eat the tiger and turn himself into a real pig, nor does he make himself too conspicuous. Miss, have you noticed that he plays an almost invisible role in the Xiao Clan? Aside from having some contact with that little girl named Xiao Yu, most of the younger generation of the Xiao Clan cannot even remember his name."

Throughout it all, he did not mention Xiao Yan once. Because the moment Xiao Yan was brought up, it would become apparent that compared to Xiao Se, Xiao Yan's temperament fell short by far. Even a minor setback had nearly caused him to collapse completely.

Xiao Xun'er nodded gently, agreeing with Ling Ying's judgment.

She had specifically asked Ling Ying to investigate Xiao Se's background.

His parents had died when he was young, and he had been raised by household servants. Because his father had been impartial and offended many people during his lifetime, after his parents died, Xiao Se had once nearly become an abandoned child of the clan.

Had he not displayed remarkable cultivation talent at the age of six, he likely would not even have been allowed through the gates of the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Xun'er walked up to Xiao Se and smiled. "Cousin Xiao Se, what a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you here."

Although she knew there was nothing suspicious about Xiao Se, Xun Er, who considered herself well-mannered, would not ignore him. Besides, she could take the opportunity to probe his reason for being here.

Xiao Se was slightly startled, and a trace of surprise flashed through his eyes.

He had noticed Xiao Xun'er when he saw her emerge from Xiao Yan's courtyard. He had intended to ignore her and simply go find Xiao Yu, but who would have thought she would take the initiative to greet him?

"Does Miss Xun Er need something?" Xiao Se asked in an neither servile nor overbearing tone. Others might fawn over her in every possible way, but Xiao Se had no habit of being a simp.

"Hehe..." Xiao Xun'er pursed her lips. She was not at all surprised by the young man's attitude. Adorable dimples appeared on her lovely face as she smiled softly. "Nothing. I just saw Cousin Xiao Se here alone and wanted to ask whether you needed any help."

Hearing this, Xiao Se covertly glanced at Xiao Yan's courtyard from the corner of his eye and understood. It seemed she was afraid he had discovered that Xiao Yan's cultivation had regressed. He then said calmly, "It's nothing much. I promised Xiao Yu that I would see her off when she left for Canaan Academy."

At that, Xiao Xun'er's smile grew even brighter, and there was not the slightest hint of falseness in it. "Then Cousin Xiao Se, you may have come too late. Cousin Xiao Yu packed up and left early this morning. She is probably about to set off already. If you go now, you might still make it."

"Uh..." Xiao Se tugged at the corner of his mouth, and dark lines spread across his face. If he really missed her, that little woman Xiao Yu would probably come back next time with a sword and chase him down to hack him to pieces.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Se turned around and darted toward the Xiao Clan's exit, in the direction of Canaan Academy's assembly point in Wutan City.

Before leaving, he did not forget to call out, "Thank you!!!"

Watching Xiao Se's flustered appearance, Xiao Xun'er smiled and could not help murmuring softly, "He really is an interesting person."

However, neither Xun Er nor Xiao Se knew that Xiao Yan, standing on the second floor of his courtyard and peering through a crack in the window, had watched their entire conversation with gritted teeth.

Wutan City, Canaan Academy's designated assembly point for new students.

Xiao Ning was currently holding Xiao Yu's hands as he bid her a tearful farewell. "Sis, I'll miss you."

"Get lost... Are you in heat or something... Don't get your tears and snot on me." Xiao Yu flung away her disappointing younger brother with a look of disgust.

Xiao Ning wiped away his tears, lowered his head, and said dejectedly, "I understand..."

Xiao Yu let out a deep breath and said earnestly, "All right, you're a grown man. Stop crying at every turn. And stop competing with Xiao Yan over women. You can't beat him. Learn from Xiao Se—mature, steady, and unruffled in any situation."

As she spoke, Xiao Yu swept her gaze over the surroundings, trying to find Xiao Se.

"Uh..." Xiao Ning's face darkened. He was probably the only person in the Xiao Clan besides Xiao Yu and Xiao Xun'er who knew how powerful Xiao Se was.

In his eyes, this younger clansman had clearly been one stage of Dou Qi below him in cultivation, yet his combat strength was terrifyingly high. Several times, Xiao Ning had privately challenged him, only to return beaten black and blue each time.

"Xiao Yu, it's time for us to leave."

Ruo Lin, Canaan Academy's instructor for the new students, urged Xiao Yu.

"Oh... I'm coming." Xiao Yu answered.

She searched for a long while but still did not see Xiao Se. Her beautiful eyes could not help reddening slightly. Biting her red lips, she thought, Did that Little Pervert forget the time? Damn it, when I come back next time, just see how I deal with you.

Just then, a familiar male voice with a slightly magnetic quality came from afar and entered Xiao Yu's ears. "Xiao Yu, sorry, I'm late."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu looked toward the voice. When she saw who it was, tears flowed from her beautiful eyes despite herself. Under the astonished gazes of Xiao Ning, Ruo Lin, and the many new students of Canaan Academy, she leaped into the newcomer's arms.

"You Little Pervert, I thought you'd forgotten!"