Xiao Yu

A month passed in the blink of an eye, and the Coming-of-Age Ceremony arrived as scheduled.

Over the past month, Xiao Yuan had not made any breakthroughs.

After all, he had advanced to the Dou Zhe level. The energy required to advance was considerably greater than when cultivating Dou Qi.

Moreover, the energy required for each additional star only increased.

Although Xiao Yuan had made no breakthroughs in his realm, in terms of Dou Techniques, he could now use the Mystic mid-rank Ice Mirror without much burden.

As for Mystic Ice Whirlwind Kill, he had practiced it as well. However, it was a Mystic High-Rank Dou Technique and consumed a great deal of Dou Qi, so it could only be used as a trump card.

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony was a major event for any family.

For a family to endure and prosper, the most important thing was a constant supply of fresh blood—and that fresh blood naturally consisted of the family's younger generation.

Only when the younger generation was sufficiently numerous and outstanding could the family's future competitiveness be ensured.

As one of Wutan City's three major clans, the Xiao Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony naturally drew the attention of all the city's factions. Some friendly forces had even accepted the invitation and come directly to attend the ceremony.

Among them was Ya Fei, whom Xiao Yuan had not met even once over the past month.

Today, she had specially worn a luxurious red brocade robe. Her full, exquisite figure was faintly discernible beneath the close-fitting cut of her dress, utterly alluring.

On the surface, Ya Fei had come as a representative of the Mittel Auction House in Wutan City. In truth, she represented the Mite'er Family behind her—and herself.

Under normal circumstances, Ya Fei would surely have been surrounded by quite a few influential figures from the city.

But today was somewhat different.

Ya Fei stood beside the enormous wooden platform specially constructed by the Xiao Clan for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, walking shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yuan.

Although Xiao Yuan was only sixteen, he was already more than half a head taller than Ya Fei. Coupled with the fact that both were renowned beauties of Wutan City, their standing together drew most of the crowd's attention.

"Good thing you're here. Otherwise, this trip would have brought no end of trouble."

Feeling the gazes around them, Ya Fei let out a breath and spoke lightly.

"Hehe, Sister Ya Fei came here for me. Of course I should handle such a small matter!"

Xiao Yuan replied with a smile.

"Little Brother Xiao Yuan is always so confident."

Ya Fei shook her head with a smile.

"Of course. I've always been confident. It's not as if this is your first day knowing me, Sister Ya Fei."

Xiao Yuan answered with complete seriousness.

"Still, it seems Little Brother Xiao Yuan hasn't been cultivating diligently this past month. You're actually still a Two Star Dou Zhe!"

Ya Fei's red lips curled slightly as a teasing glint flashed through her eyes.

"Fine, I was indeed a little slack. But mainly because I knew Sister Ya Fei would come to my Coming-of-Age Ceremony, so I got a little distracted while cultivating."

Xiao Yuan shrugged helplessly.

Ya Fei did not know whether to laugh or cry. She reached out and lightly shoved Xiao Yuan before saying, "So it's somehow my fault?"

"Mm!"

Seeing Xiao Yuan's solemn expression and earnest answer, Ya Fei could not help laughing. "Did you spend this past month cultivating your courage and that mouth of yours instead of Dou Qi?"

"Mm-hm, as expected of someone from the Mite'er Family. Sister Ya Fei really has sharp eyes!"

Xiao Yuan laughed along with her.

"Hmph. I thought you were different from those young masters, but now it seems you're even more smooth-tongued than they are!"

Ya Fei snorted softly, pouting as she chided him.

Yet her eyes were filled with amusement. Clearly, she was not displeased by Xiao Yuan's words in the slightest.

"What difference can there be between men? If there has to be one, it's only that I hold Sister Ya Fei in a more important place in my heart."

Xiao Yuan said with a faint smile.

Ya Fei froze for a moment, then the smile on her face grew even brighter.

Beneath a large tree in the distance, Xiao Yan was sitting in the shade with Xun Er to cool off. Naturally, the two of them had seen Xiao Yuan and Ya Fei chatting and laughing, and they could not help gossiping.

"Tsk, Third Brother told me before that he was quite close with Sister Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the Mittel Auction House. Looks like I'm about to have a sister-in-law!"

Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and said with a grin.

Xun Er nodded beside him, smiling sweetly. "Quite a few young masters in Wutan City have spent a great deal of money on Sister Ya Fei, only to end up with nothing. I never expected Brother Xiao Yuan to actually win her over!"

"Oh? He's already won her over?"

Xiao Yan was still somewhat clueless and asked doubtfully.

"Mm, can't Brother Xiao Yan tell? The way Sister Ya Fei looks at Brother Xiao Yuan is not merely how one looks at a friend."

Xun Er continued.

"Uh..."

Xiao Yan examined them carefully, and the more he looked, the more familiar it seemed.

Why did that look seem a little like the way Xun Er looked at him?

Could it be—cough, cough, no. I must be imagining things! Shaking his head and casting aside the somewhat wicked thoughts in his mind, Xiao Yan noticed that Xun Er had fallen silent. He turned to look at her.

Xun Er was staring in another direction.

Xiao Yan followed her gaze, and his brows gradually furrowed.

Where the two were looking, a beautiful woman dressed in what appeared to be an academy uniform leaned against a large tree. A longsword hung at her waist, and she had a rather tall figure. Most eye-catching of all were her round, slender legs. Even Ya Fei, with all her enchanting charm, did not possess such sexy long legs.

"Sister Xiao Yu?" Xiao Yan stared at the tall beauty in confusion. "Didn't she go to Jia Nan Academy for further study? Why has she come back?"

Xun Er cutely shrugged. Then she tilted her head slightly and said teasingly, "Brother Xiao Yuan seems to be in trouble this time."

"This is bad. Sister Xiao Yu used to pay Third Brother special attention. She might have feelings for him. If she sees Third Brother with Sister Ya Fei, something big will probably happen!"

Xiao Yan's face twitched as he could not help worrying for Xiao Yuan. In the distance, Xiao Yu seemed to sense something. She turned her head toward Xiao Yan beneath the tree, paused slightly, then revealed a friendly smile and nodded.

Then, she moved those alluring, sexy long legs and walked toward Xiao Yan.

Watching her approach, Xiao Yan glanced from the corner of his eye at Xiao Yuan in the distance, who had yet to notice anything unusual. Gritting his teeth, he brought Xun Er forward to meet her.

"Xiao Yan, I heard your talent has recovered. Congratulations!"

Once she drew close, Xiao Yu noticed the stiffness on Xiao Yan's face. Though puzzled, she still offered her congratulations with a smile.

"Cough, Sister Xiao Yu, you're back!"

Xiao Yan replied with an awkward laugh.

"Mm, school happened to be on break, so I came back. By the way, where's your brother? Why don't I see him?"

Xiao Yu gave a brief explanation, then asked.

Hearing Xiao Yu's question, the smile on Xiao Yan's face completely froze.