Why Are You Always So Sneaky?

The small courtyard beside Ya Fei's residence had been tidied into a tranquil, elegant retreat.

After the banquet, Xuan Jin stayed there.

Ya Fei personally arranged everything. Xiao Yi Xian was settled in the guest room next door. Ya Fei looked at Xuan Jin, reluctance flickering in her alluring peach-blossom eyes.

"If you need anything, Young Master, just call for me at any time."

She spoke softly, her voice carrying an intoxicating charm.

Xuan Jin nodded without saying much.

Only then did Ya Fei leave the courtyard with graceful steps, looking back every few paces until her shapely figure vanished beneath the moonlight.

The courtyard returned to silence, leaving only the rustle of the breeze through the bamboo leaves.

Xuan Jin sat alone on a stone stool, poured himself a cup of tea, and enjoyed this rare moment of peace.

Yet that peace did not last long.

A nearly imperceptible ripple quietly appeared in the air.

A black figure silently merged into the shadows at the corner of the courtyard.

Xuan Jin's hand holding the teacup did not pause in the slightest. He did not even turn around, merely speaking calmly.

"Why do you always have to be so sneaky whenever you come looking for me?"

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly carried into the shadows at the corner of the courtyard.

The black figure visibly stiffened.

Waves rose in Ling Ying's heart. He was a Dou Emperor, and his concealment skills were exquisite. Even ordinary Dou Emperors would find it difficult to detect his whereabouts.

But before this Young Master Xuan, all his stealth seemed like a child's game.

He slowly emerged from the shadows, lowering his head.

"Ling Ying pays respects to Young Master Xuan."

Only then did Xuan Jin set down his teacup, turn around, and examine the man in black.

"If you hide yourself like this, how am I supposed to believe you are sincere?"

Ling Ying lowered his head even further, unsure how to respond for a moment.

Xuan Jin's tone remained calm, yet every word struck at his heart.

"Besides, the pills I refined for the person behind you, from Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid to Qi Gathering Powder, are almost all meant for those from the Dou Qi stage to the Dou Zhe stage."

Xuan Jin rose to his feet and slowly walked before Ling Ying, looking down at him.

"You, a Dou Emperor, have no use for such things."

Xuan Jin paused, allowing the invisible pressure to rise to its peak.

"Tell me... what exactly are you and the person behind you plotting?"

Cold sweat slid down Ling Ying's forehead.

He could feel an immense Soul Power locking onto him. Should he make any unusual move or utter even half a false word, his body and soul might be destroyed in the next instant.

He knew full well how terrifying the man before him was: a Dou Zong, a Seventh-Rank Peak Alchemist, with Xuan Yi of the Pill Tower backing him.

Although the Ancient Clan was far stronger than the Pill Tower, he, Ling Ying, was merely a Dou Emperor.

"Young Master Xuan, please quell your anger!"

Ling Ying hurriedly said,

"My young lady harbors absolutely no ill intentions. It is simply... her identity is special, and cannot be exposed."

Xuan Jin said nothing, merely watching him quietly and waiting for him to continue.

"These pills truly were not requested for me."

Ling Ying did not dare conceal anything further.

"They were for a friend of my young lady."

"A friend?" Xuan Jin gave a soft laugh, the implication unmistakable.

Ling Ying inwardly groaned, but could only force himself to continue.

Xuan Jin waved his hand, unwilling to hear any more explanations.

"Enough."

"Go back and tell your young lady that for our next cooperation, she should come see me herself."

He turned around, returned to the stone table, and sat down again.

"And there is no need to call me Master anymore. It makes me sound old."

"At my age, Young Master Xuan will do."

Ling Ying promptly replied with respect.

"Yes, Young Master Xuan! I will certainly deliver your words!"

Having said that, he did not dare linger another moment. With a flicker, he once again melded into the shadows and vanished without a trace.

The courtyard fell silent once more.

In the guest room next door, however, Xiao Yi Xian remained unable to calm down for a long time.

She had only just become a Dou Zhe, and her hearing was far sharper than an ordinary person's. Moreover, the guest room was not far from the courtyard, so she had caught fragments of the conversation just now.

Though the black-clothed man had deliberately concealed his aura, the occasional trace that leaked out still made her heart pound in alarm.

He was absolutely an expert she could only look up to.

Yet before Brother Xuan Jin, such an expert had been as respectful as a servant.

Sixth Grade Alchemist...

At the banquet today, Ya Fei had only vaguely explained to her what an exalted status those five words represented.

Xiao Yi Xian clenched her fists and silently made a vow.

"Brother Xuan Jin is so amazing. I absolutely cannot hold him back. I have to grow stronger quickly and repay him as soon as possible."

She closed her eyes and began circulating the Dou Qi within her body. Strands of pale-purple Poison Dou Qi slowly flowed through her.

Elsewhere, Ling Ying's figure appeared in Xiao Xun'er's room, still without making a sound.

He recounted what had just happened in full detail, especially Xuan Jin's questions. He did not dare omit a single word.

Xiao Xun'er quietly listened to Ling Ying's report. Moonlight streamed through the window lattice and fell across her delicate face, revealing no emotion.

Only after Ling Ying finished did she let out a soft sigh.

"Young Master Xuan is right. I was negligent."

She was not angry in the slightest. Instead, she began reflecting on her own actions.

All this time, she had been accustomed to staying behind the scenes and using Ling Ying's strength to pave the way for Brother Xiao Yan.

To those unaware of the circumstances, such behavior truly did seem furtive and lacking in sincerity.

It was hardly strange that Young Master Xuan, whose mind surpassed ordinary people, could see through it.

"I thought things through too simply." Xiao Xun'er murmured softly.

Ling Ying remained silent at her side. He knew his young lady had already made her decision.

"Oh, right,"

Ling Ying recalled another matter.

"Miss Ya Fei sent word that Young Master Xuan seems to be attending the Xiao Family Coming-of-Age Ceremony the day after tomorrow."

"Oh?"

Xiao Xun'er paused and raised her head.

That was an unexpected delight.

She had originally been pondering how to find a suitable time to formally visit Xuan Jin.

Now, it seemed the opportunity had come to her on its own.

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony was the Xiao Family's event and a public occasion. Meeting there would be far more appropriate than rashly going to the Miter Auction House.

"Very well."

Xiao Xun'er made her decision.

"The day after tomorrow, I will first meet Young Master Xuan at the ceremony, then find an opportunity to formally pay him a visit."

Her gaze fell upon the exquisite Purple Gold Jade Box on the table, and her resolve hardened.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Xiao Family Coming-of-Age Ceremony arrived as scheduled.

Wutan City was more bustling today than ever before.

Some time ago, important figures from the major powers of the Imperial Capital had gathered here before quietly departing, already turning this small northwestern city into the center of attention.

Now, the mysterious Master Xuan, who had drawn such a convergence of storms, had returned and would attend the Xiao Family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Word spread without wings, drawing the attention of countless people.

The Xiao Family residence was festooned with decorations and packed with voices.