Men and Women Should Keep Their Distance

The next morning.

Today was the day of the Xiao Family's Dou Qi test, as well as the most important threshold before the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

It could be said that today's test would more or less determine the future of most of the Xiao Family's younger generation.

If they failed to qualify, there would be little hope of making a comeback at the Coming-of-Age Ceremony a month later. Breaking through in Dou Qi was no easy matter.

After finishing his breathing cultivation, Xiao Yan slowly sat up from his bed and pulled the slightly wrinkled sheets smooth until they were perfectly neat.

He fetched water, washed up, stretched his body, then put on a clean black outfit.

Every day was like this, nothing unusual about it.

"Keeping calm in the face of great events may be excessive for something this small, but the calm should still be there." After finishing everything, Xiao Yan laughed at himself.

More than half a year had passed. His horizons and strength had long since changed beyond recognition, and the difficulties once laid before him had unknowingly become ordinary matters.

It was both progress and growth.

Xiao Yan liked this feeling. With the strength to control his own fate, there was no need to care about others' opinions or judgments.

After sighing, he gradually turned his gaze into the distance. "I have already crossed the first hurdle. The Three-Year Pact will be no different."

With that, the young man turned and slowly walked out of his room.

Compared to the Three-Year Pact, he actually carried even more burdens upon his shoulders, but he did not speak of them.

Things too distant still had to be put into action first.

"Look, it's Young Master Xiao Yan! He finally showed himself!"

"What? Young Master Xiao Yan, who never appears in public?"

"I heard that ever since Young Master Xiao Yan gained the ability to communicate with ghosts, he would be scorched by yang fire whenever he appeared during the day. Why did he suddenly show up today?"

Chattering discussions followed him along the way. Even though everyone desperately lowered their voices, they still reached Xiao Yan's ears, making him roll his eyes—

The Family Test began in the morning. If he did not show up now, when was he supposed to appear?

And what did they mean by the ability to communicate with ghosts?

Hadn't they been calling him insane before? These people changed their tune far too quickly.

The corner of his mouth twitched as Xiao Yan murmured toward the person beside him, "Ruoruo. You made me suffer so badly back then, and now you're being called a ghost too. How does that feel?"

Hun Ruoruo, walking beside him, had changed into a long Daoist Robe. She looked exceptionally elegant, but the crescent smile between the girl's brows scattered that lofty air like clouds blown away by the wind.

"Then I suppose I'll have to visit them in their dreams tonight."

"Hey, absolutely not. If you do that, I'll never clear my name. Rumors spreading from person to person are terrifying."

"Hehe, I was just teasing you."

"I knew it." Xiao Yan, who had expected as much, shook his head and hurried toward the less crowded area ahead.

First Young Master Xiao Yan, then trash, and finally Young Master Xiao Yan again.

Rather than exchange fake pleasantries with these fence-sitters who changed faces as quickly as turning pages, he would rather be pranked by Hun Ruoruo.

The young man's steps were hurried, while the girl's were unhurried, yet the distance between them never widened. It was a rather strange sight.

After taking a side path and entering the main street, the massive Azure Stone Training Ground came into view.

At the center of the grounds, dozens of young men and women crowded together, chattering noisily.

"Good thing we came early. There aren't many people."

Xiao Yan let out a breath and casually found an inconspicuous corner to sit in. Then he frowned at Hun Ruoruo, who was not far beside him.

"Ruoruo, what's with you?"

Unlike before, the girl's calm expression carried a gentle softness. Her otherworldly, detached aura, paired with her Daoist Robe, made her seem especially ethereal.

"Young Master Xiao, say no more. Prepare yourself in peace."

".?"

Xiao Yan was dumbfounded. What act is this enchantress putting on now? He had already found it incredibly awkward when he saw her wearing a Daoist Robe earlier.

Now she was pretending to be some aloof beauty?

The problem was that no one could even see her. She had not even dispelled that Disguise Dou Technique.

At that thought, Xiao Yan's gaze involuntarily drifted toward her serene, lovely face, and he could not help sighing inwardly—

Well, she really does look the part. Being pretty makes all the difference.

With some indescribable feelings in his heart, Xiao Yan's gaze began to wander.

Elegant as water, she was rather similar to her Dou Qi attribute. Though he did not know why she was acting this way, the scenery was lovely and the beauty beside him was like a painting. It was hard not to let his thoughts run wild.

However, he soon stopped thinking that way.

"Brother Xiao Yan. Sister Ruoruo, hello."

The girl in the purple dress came uninvited, spotting the two of them at once from the corner of the crowd.

"Miss Xun'er, long time no see." Hun Ruoruo nodded lightly and replied with a smile.

Her voice was quiet and gentle, yet to Xiao Yan's ears, it sounded like a ghostly talisman demanding his life.

"Xun Ni Zi, you can see her?!"

"Shh! Brother Xiao Yan, you're speaking too loudly." Xun'er placed her index finger against her pink lips and scolded him in a lowered voice.

"Ah? Oh, okay."

Xiao Yan was clearly still too shocked to recover. He stared wide-eyed at the two girls, who occasionally exchanged smiles and conversation while leaving him off to the side, feeling that the world was utterly absurd.

After quite some time, Xiao Yan gradually came to his senses and could not help rubbing his ring, trying to get some answers from Teacher.

To no avail.

Xiao Yan's eyelids twitched wildly, but he could hardly call that damn Old Man out in front of Xun'er.

Helpless, he could only give up.

So he rested his chin on his hand and watched the solemn test examiner and elders before the platform in utter boredom, feeling as though each day lasted a year.

This torment, hurry up and end already.

"Xiao Mei, Eight-Stage Dou Qi, advanced!"

A commotion broke out below the platform, and envious gazes turned toward the girl standing before it.

The pride on Xiao Mei's delicate face flashed past. Taking advantage of her position on the platform, where she could look down on everyone, she tried to search for something.

Very quickly, she spotted Xun'er in her purple dress in an unnoticed corner, as well as Xiao Yan, who stood one spot away from her and seemed rather solitary.

"Cousin Xiao Yan."

Remembering the image of the young man carrying that enormous cloth sack on his back, Xiao Mei's face could not help showing a trace of regret and remorse.

His cultivation was probably already on par with hers now, wasn't it?

Such speed was clearly beyond her reach.

Seeing Xiao Mei standing there in a daze, the test examiner frowned and spoke coldly. "Xiao Mei, stop spacing out. Other family members are still waiting to be tested!"

"Ah! Oh, sorry." A dim emotion flashed through her eyes. Xiao Mei did not look any longer and walked straight down from the platform. Even as her sisters around her came forward to joke and play with her, she showed no joy.

After Xiao Mei, the next dozen or so family members were almost completely wiped out. Only one person reached Seven-Stage Dou Qi, making the results look utterly dismal.

"Xiao Xun'er!"

Upon hearing this, Xun'er, who had been chatting happily with Hun Ruoruo, paused slightly before tilting her head toward Xiao Yan. "Brother Xiao Yan, Xun'er is going up first."

"Ah, yes, Xun'er, good luck." Xiao Yan, who had been absentmindedly lost in thought, suddenly snapped awake and hurriedly said.

As he watched the girl's figure slowly head toward the platform, Xiao Yan immediately felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

He almost impatiently leaned close to Hun Ruoruo and asked urgently, "Ruoruo, when did you get to know that girl Xun'er? Why have you never told me?"

Hun Ruoruo sat upright, her expression unchanged. "Young Master Xiao, men and women should keep their distance. Do not sit so close."