Mischief

"Just in time?" Xiao Ning froze, never expecting such a strange answer from him.

For some reason, Xiao Yan's face was full of smiles. Given his usual personality, he should never have shown such an expression.

Thinking of the rumors circulating among the younger generation of the clan, Xiao Ning revealed a faintly pitying look. "Cousin Xiao Yan, I heard some clansmen say that you've suffered such a huge blow recently that you've developed some sort of delusion and often talk to yourself. I didn't believe it at all before, but seeing you like this now, I'm starting to worry about your mental state."

As he spoke, he glanced at the large sack lying open not far away, becoming even more certain of his suspicions.

"And Cousin Xiao Yan, haven't you ever heard that biting off more than you can chew gets you nowhere? A whole sack of Yellow-tier low-grade Dou Techniques isn't a good choice for cultivation. Do you need me to help you find a few higher-tier Dou Techniques?"

"Really? Then thank you very much for your concern, Cousin Xiao Ning." Xiao Yan seemed not to hear the mockery in his words and readily agreed. "In that case, I'll have to trouble you to pick out a Yellow-tier Advanced Dou Technique for me, preferably one suited for close-quarters combat. I need it urgently."

The smile on Xiao Yan's face grew even wider, carrying a hint of Hun Ruoruo's manner.

Since the other party had come knocking on his door, how could he not take the chance to vent the frustration of being toyed with for so long?

Besides, he had to admit that leaving the other party unable to back down like this was rather amusing.

"H-Higher-tier?!" As expected, Xiao Ning's eyelids twitched sharply, and even his voice changed pitch.

Even as the First Elder's grandson and one of the clan's promising young talents, he only barely possessed two Yellow-tier Advanced Dou Techniques. Yet Xiao Yan had opened his mouth and demanded one, even specifically asking for a close-combat type.

Did he take Xiao Ning for some kind of treasure-delivering fool?

Trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice used to lure it, Xiao Ning's expression instantly darkened.

He took a breath and forced a sliver of a smile back onto his face. "Oh, hehe, Cousin Xiao Yan really knows how to joke. With your Third Stage Dou Qi cultivation, higher-tier techniques would be very difficult for you to learn. I advise you not to aim too high."

As he spoke, his expression gradually returned to normal, once again assuming a concerned look.

His expression is written all over his face, yet he still insists on keeping this act up. How boring.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan inwardly sighed in boredom.

People with shallow scheming who insisted on pretending otherwise might not realize it themselves, but to others, they only appeared laughably foolish.

Xiao Ning was clearly a perfect example.

A sharp curve slowly formed at the corner of Xiao Yan's lips. He could not be bothered to continue exchanging empty pleasantries with him. After all, from the beginning to the end, he had never expected Xiao Ning to actually produce a Yellow-tier Advanced Dou Technique.

"Your purpose in doing this is nothing more than to get Xun'er's attention, right?"

Returning to his usual lazy expression, Xiao Yan said indifferently, "You can't even keep up a fake act without getting yourself tangled in it. Isn't that stupid?"

Xiao Ning, who had already forced himself to smile in order to save face, had his expression completely darken after receiving this merciless ridicule. He simply tore off all pretense and sneered, "Xiao Yan, after losing your mind, you've really taken on a sharp-tongued new persona. Since you have such a big problem with me, how about—"

"How about we spar?"

"What's the point of cutting in? Do you dare?" Though his words had been abruptly interrupted, Xiao Ning did not get angry again and continued with his provocation.

In his eyes, Xiao Yan was merely a Third Stage Dou Qi waste who did not even know any Dou Techniques. Whether he agreed or not, there was no way he could avoid losing face today.

As long as Xiao Yan embarrassed himself in front of Xun'er, the humiliation Xiao Ning had suffered earlier would have been worth it.

"Fine, but it's just a spar, right?" Xiao Yan looked somewhat hesitant.

"A spar between clan members naturally ends at the right point, so you needn't worry. I'll show mercy and won't turn you into some cripple."

Xiao Ning was overjoyed, and even the malice in his tone lessened somewhat, afraid that Xiao Yan might notice something amiss.

"Heh."

Hearing what seemed to be an exceedingly faint scoff, Xiao Ning looked closely at Xiao Yan again, only to find that he was already strolling slowly toward the Training Ground.

Must have been my imagination, right? Xiao Ning thought, inexplicably feeling a trace of unease.

Recalling the results of the previous Family Test, he shook his head and dispelled the strange thought from his mind.

In one month, no matter how miraculous it was, that brat could not have improved by much!

At the Training Ground, the fight between Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning drew the attention of many clan disciples who had originally been in the Dou Technique Hall. Some even put down their Dou Techniques or stopped their training and ran over to watch this battle between two people with vastly different strengths.

On one side was Xiao Ning, one of the clan's promising members, who had just broken through to Eighth Stage Dou Qi some time ago.

On the other was Xiao Yan, the clan's fallen genius, who had only recently dropped to Third Stage Dou Qi.

The difference in strength was simply too great. No one had come to see who would win; they merely wanted to witness just how miserable Xiao Yan's first match would be after going three whole years without sparring even once—

Except for Xun'er, who was guarding Xiao Yan's large sack.

Quietly clenching her little fists, Xun'er called toward Xiao Yan, "Brother Xiao Yan, good luck!"

Soon, after Xun'er declared her support for Xiao Yan, many of those around them who had supported Xiao Ning promptly changed sides to support Xiao Yan instead. They flipped faster than pages in a book, so Xiao Yan was not entirely without cheers.

Thanks to Xun'er, the support ratio shifted from ten-to-zero to eight-to-two.

"Cousin, you'd better be careful."

Watching Xiao Yan stand casually before him, the jealousy on Xiao Ning's face could no longer be concealed. He gave a cold smile and clenched both fists.

An invisible ripple spread out, stirring up the dust on the ground and causing it to whirl around him in circles.

Seeing that Xiao Yan showed no reaction whatsoever, Xiao Ning frowned slightly. "Xiao Yan, I know your meager Third Stage Dou Qi is not enough to form an aura, but if you do not resist, then even if I hold back, I'm afraid you may still suffer some hidden injuries."

He was naturally not truly concerned about Xiao Yan. However, this was only a private spar. If Xiao Yan suffered any hidden injuries before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, then even with his status as the First Elder's grandson, Xiao Ning feared he would be unable to bear Xiao Zhan's fury.

Xiao Ning clearly did not have the nerve to gamble with his own future just to show off.

"Are we fighting or not?" Xiao Yan's expression remained calm, as though he had not heard a word Xiao Ning had said.

"You!" A trace of viciousness flashed through Xiao Ning's eyes. "You chose not to defend yourself. If you end up crippled, don't blame me!"

With that, he stomped the ground and shot toward Xiao Yan.

As he charged forward, Xiao Ning continuously channeled the Dou Qi within his body through his meridians, gathering it in his right palm. The next instant, a faint current of energy emerged, wrapping around his entire right hand.

Seeing Xiao Yan draw ever closer, Xiao Ning gritted his teeth and cast aside all hesitation, striking straight at his opponent's chest.

"Yellow-tier low-grade Dou Technique: Stone Piercing Hand!"