Irrelevant

"The uses of Soul Force?"

A rather obscure term had appeared in Xiao Yan's mind for the first time, deepening the confusion on his face.

"As far as I know, Soul Force is something one is born with. It can only grow stronger with age, right? Even a Heaven-tier cultivation method shouldn't be able to cultivate additional Soul Force."

Xiao Yan knew that his former reputation as a genius had stemmed precisely from his extraordinary Soul Force. It had made his cultivation speed incredibly fast, allowing him to leave everyone else in the dust and break through to become a Dou Zhe at the age of eleven.

Thus, when Hun Ruoruo mentioned controlling Soul Force, his first reaction was disbelief, followed by a certain reluctance to accept it—

After all, the Soul Force he possessed from living two lives was practically his greatest reliance now. If Soul Force could be cultivated and even put to use, wouldn't that make him no different from ordinary people?

Seemingly noticing his doubts, Hun Ruoruo tilted her head. "There are indeed cultivation methods that can train Soul Force, but that still depends on the strength of one's innate Soul Force. If someone's Soul Force is no different from that of an ordinary person, how much talent could they possibly have in that area?"

"Heh. That's true." Xiao Yan shook his head with a smile and stopped dwelling on the matter.

After all, he was still far from the Seventh stage of Dou Qi. For now, he should focus on cultivating with the Foundation Building Spiritual Liquid and making a breakthrough.

Reaching for what was beyond his grasp had never been his style.

After chatting for a while, Hun Ruoruo directly packed up her stall, tying it into an enormous bundle of cloth. Then she pointed at Xiao Yan, her meaning obvious.

Xiao Yan's expression stiffened slightly. After repeatedly refusing to no avail, he could only helplessly hoist the cloth bundle, which was taller than himself, onto his shoulder and slowly make his way back toward the Xiao Family.

It was worth mentioning that, since no one around them could sense Hun Ruoruo's presence, Xiao Yan looked like some exhausted young laborer who had begun hallucinating and muttering to himself. His flushed little face made some of the onlookers unable to bear watching, and quite a few stepped forward to condemn the heartless stall owner.

"Young man, who made you carry such a huge bundle?" asked a seemingly straightforward middle-aged man, his brows twisted into knots.

"Kid, whose child are you? Why do you look so familiar?" asked a stall owner who often set up shop here, nearly pressing right up to Xiao Yan.

"Child, do you need this old woman to report this to the Guards managing the Marketplace?" asked an elderly woman.

More and more people gathered around, throwing the orderly Marketplace into a state of mild chaos and even blocking Xiao Yan's path.

"I..." The boy's mouth twitched violently, and the head he had barely managed to hold up sank completely.

"I'm clearly helping Third Young Master train his body. Why are they making it sound like I'm some utterly evil person?" Hun Ruoruo clenched her tiny fists, utterly indignant.

"..."

With the great benefactor and person involved watching from the side, Xiao Yan did not dare say a word. He could only keep his head down and sprint all the way back to the Xiao Family without uttering a sound.

Xiao Family, Rear Courtyard

Walking along the gravel path, Xiao Yan's steps were unsteady as he panted like an ox, sweat pouring from his entire body. To preserve what little image he had left, he had even taken a detour and returned through a relatively secluded side gate of the Xiao Family.

Emerald willow trees lined both sides of the gravel path, their lush green branches swaying in the faint breeze and refreshing the spirit.

Naturally, that excluded those too exhausted to appreciate the scenery.

"Um, Ruoruo..."

Just as Xiao Yan calmed his breathing and was about to say something to Hun Ruoruo, who was admiring the scenery beside him, light, brisk footsteps sounded in the distance, cutting him off.

He looked toward the sound and saw a girl in high spirits walking along another branch of the gravel path, glancing around at the scenery.

A faint smile rested on her lips, while a seductive charm showed through her innocent little face. She actually bore quite a resemblance to Hun Ruoruo.

Of course, compared to Hun Ruoruo beside him, the girl in the distance fell far short in both bearing and appearance, like a firefly compared to the bright moon.

"Heh. I'm still thinking of comparing them at a time like this. I really do have such refined leisure." After mocking himself inwardly, Xiao Yan lightly shook his head. He no longer reminisced about the past, withdrawing his gaze without the slightest reluctance and quickly recovering his strength.

The girl was named Xiao Mei. Back when Xiao Yan had been the Xiao Family's number one genius, she had been almost no different from Xun'er, clinging to him every day. The two girls were like a pair of little followers, leaving him helpless yet unable to dislike them. More than anything, he had simply doted on them.

But good times did not last. Once Xiao Yan's talent vanished without return, Xiao Mei swiftly drew a clear line between herself and him. Though she had never openly mocked him, such an attitude had clearly wounded Xiao Yan's already closed-off and lonely heart.

After passing beneath the shade of the trees, the girl's footsteps suddenly stopped. She had clearly spotted Xiao Yan sitting limply on the ground, drenched as though he had been pulled from the water, his face flushed red.

"Cousin Xiao Yan?"

Xiao Mei let out a low cry of surprise, then quickly shut her mouth.

His appearance, like that of a common laborer, truly startled Xiao Mei. Even though she knew the pressure Xiao Yan had endured, this...

Wasn't this a little too miserable?

Over the past few days, Xiao Yan's strange behavior beneath the testing platform had already spread among the younger generation. With his erratic reactions, few would believe he had not gone mad. Still, people only assumed that he had suffered too great a blow and found it impossible to accept.

Her curved brows furrowed, then relaxed. Xiao Mei sighed inwardly in helplessness. I should ask what happened. No matter what, he is still my cousin. In such a miserable state, he really does look like he has gone mad, just as people said before.

Seeing her walk toward him, Xiao Yan frowned. He took a heavy breath, turned around, slowly lifted the enormous cloth bundle, and shouldered it.

Without even glancing sideways, Xiao Yan walked straight past the girl with his back to her. His steps were slow, yet he showed not the slightest trace of reluctance.

Xiao Mei's rosy lips parted slightly as she stared in astonishment at the boy's retreating back, utterly ignored. With her appearance and status, when had she ever received such treatment? An inexplicable flame of shame and anger rose in her heart, and she could not help shouting, "Cousin Xiao Yan!"

His heavy footsteps paused. Xiao Yan did not turn around, leaving only the enormous cloth bundle to conceal his entire body. His voice was slightly hoarse and dry, yet it carried the distant rejection of a stranger. "What is it?"

His calm yet unfamiliar tone made Xiao Mei freeze, and the emotions that had reached her lips instantly vanished. "Nothing..."

Too lazy to speak with her any further, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and continued toward Xiao Manor.

"Third Young Master, who is that girl? Judging from her expression, I'm afraid she had some unclear relationship with you before."

Hun Ruoruo, who had been silently watching the show, stretched as she walked ahead. Even the black robe she wore could not conceal her graceful, captivating figure.

"Irrelevant."

"Ah, what a pity. I was hoping to hear you tell some heartbreaking tale of pain..." The girl raised her delicate brows, her eyes filled with yearning and anticipation.

"..."

Xiao Yan remained silent.

It was one thing if no one else could hear Hun Ruoruo, but anything he said would be heard clearly.

So the boy simply stopped responding and focused on hurrying home.