Like Flowers, Stones, and Plants

The farce of the Coming of Age Ceremony came to a hasty end.

The guests in the Martial Arts Arena rose and took their leave, each harboring different thoughts.

Jia Lie Bi, head of the Jia Lie Family, wore a gloomy expression as he left with his son Jia Lie Ao without looking back.

The Xiao Family had produced a fifteen-year-old Dou Zhe like Xiao Xun'er today and had also latched onto a powerful figure like Xuan Jin. Wutan City was likely about to change.

Ao Ba Pa Dun, head of the Ao Ba Family, wore a complicated expression. Before leaving, he cupped his hands toward Xiao Zhan, his words carrying another meaning.

"Clan Leader Xiao, congratulations. The Xiao Family truly has talents emerging one after another."

Xiao Zhan forced a smile and returned every gesture of courtesy. Only after seeing everyone off did he realize that his clothes were soaked through with sweat.

He turned and hurried before the guest seats, then bowed deeply to Xuan Jin.

"Master Xuan, please forgive us for making a spectacle of ourselves today."

"It was nothing. It was rather interesting."

Xuan Jin rose to his feet, his tone calm and unreadable.

Ya Fei and Xiao Yi Xian also stood and followed behind him.

Seeing that they were leaving, Xiao Zhan hurriedly said, "Young Master Xuan, I have prepared a humble feast at the residence..."

"Clan Leader Xiao Zhan, there is no need." Xuan Jin waved a hand and interrupted him. "I have other matters to attend to."

Xiao Zhan did not dare urge him further and could only respectfully escort the three of them to the entrance.

Just then, a light purple figure approached from nearby and blocked their path.

It was Xiao Xun'er.

She gave Xuan Jin a graceful bow, every movement precise and impeccable.

"Greetings, Young Master Xuan."

Her voice was cool and clear, like a mountain spring.

Xuan Jin stopped and glanced at her, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Miss Xun Er."

Four simple words, neither warm nor cold.

After hearing them, Xiao Xun'er said nothing more and stepped aside to clear the way.

Their brief encounter thus came to an end.

Xuan Jin led Ya Fei and Xiao Yi Xian into the luxurious carriage, which slowly departed beneath the complicated gazes of the Xiao Family.

Xiao Xun'er stood where she was, watching the departing carriage as her long lashes lowered.

He really already knew.

Inside Xiao Yan's room in the Xiao Family.

A rich medicinal scent filled the air.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the bed. His face was still somewhat pale, but his breathing had become much steadier.

The Healing Pill had worked very well. His broken arm bone had already been set, though he still needed time to rest and recover.

Xiao Xun'er entered carrying a bowl of freshly brewed medicine and gently set it on the table.

"Brother Xiao Yan, it is time to take your medicine."

Xiao Yan opened his eyes and smiled at her, though there was a trace of bitterness in that smile.

"I made you worry again today."

"What are you saying, Brother Xiao Yan?"

Xiao Xun'er sat by the bed and stirred the medicine with a small spoon.

"That Xiao Ning went too far. He actually used Qi-Boosting Powder."

Xiao Yan shook his head without responding.

A loss was a loss, regardless of what methods his opponent had used.

If he had been strong enough, then even if Xiao Ning ate pills like meals, he would not have been able to hurt him in the slightest.

The room fell silent for a while.

Xiao Yan suddenly raised a hand and stroked the ancient Black Ring on his finger.

"Xun Er."

"Hmm?"

"That Young Master Xuan... when he first came to Wutan City last year, he took a liking to this ring of mine."

Xiao Yan's voice was somewhat low.

"He said he could trade resources for it, but I refused. It is the only thing Mother left me."

Xiao Xun'er listened quietly without interrupting.

"But now..."

Xiao Yan clenched his fists.

"There are less than two and a half years left until the Three-Year Pact.

"Nalan Yanran's talent will only allow her to cultivate faster than I can. Perhaps she is already a Dou Master by now."

"I tested at the Eighth Stage Dou Qi today, but so what? I could not even fight back against a Xiao Ning who had taken medicine."

A deep sense of helplessness enveloped him.

"I cannot wait any longer."

Xiao Xun'er looked at him and said softly,

"Brother Xiao Yan, I will help you with cultivation resources.

"As for this ring, it depends entirely on what Brother Xiao Yan wants. No matter what you decide, I will support you."

Her words were like a warm current flowing into Xiao Yan's heart.

Xiao Yan looked at the girl who had silently supported him all this time, deeply moved.

Yet he also understood that Xun Er's identity was anything but simple. The force behind her was a colossal existence beyond anything he could currently imagine.

He could not rely on her forever.

A man had to stand on his own in the end.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, as though he had made up his mind.

"Xun Er, I understand."

He raised his head, and the determination returned to his once-confused face.

"Tomorrow, I will visit Young Master Xuan."

Miter Auction House, rooftop courtyard.

Xuan Jin reclined leisurely in a lounge chair, savoring fragrant tea Ya Fei had brewed herself.

Xiao Yi Xian, meanwhile, curiously fiddled with an unfamiliar exotic flower in the courtyard, occasionally letting out a small gasp of surprise.

Ya Fei had changed into a loose, comfortable purple gauze dress. Her exquisite curves were faintly visible beneath the light fabric as she refilled Xuan Jin's tea and asked softly.

Purple truly had its charm.

"Young Master, at the Xiao Family today, that Miss Xun Er..."

Before she could finish, Xiao Yi Xian also leaned over, her purple eyes brimming with curiosity.

"That is right, Brother Xuan Jin. You seemed especially attentive to that Miss Xun Er."

Tilting her head, Xiao Yi Xian analyzed,

"If we are talking about looks, Sister Ya Fei and I are no worse than her.

"Brother Xuan Jin has surely seen many beautiful women, so why was she the one you treated differently?"

The question was direct, but it also voiced Ya Fei's own thoughts.

Hearing Xiao Yi Xian group herself together with her and offer such praise, Ya Fei felt even more fondness for this innocent, lively younger sister.

She was indeed curious as well. Her young master was deep and inscrutable, rarely showing any special interest in anyone.

Hearing this, Xuan Jin set down his teacup and looked at the two heads leaning close to him with an amused smile.

"Oh? And how did Xian'er notice?"

"Just a feeling."

Xiao Yi Xian said it as though it were only natural.

"When Brother Xuan Jin looks at other people, it is as though he is looking at flowers, stones, and plants by the roadside. He cannot even be bothered to spare them another glance.

"But when you looked at that Miss Xun Er, you still seemed calm, but it was just... different."

"Does Young Master look at me as though I am also a flower, stone, or plant?"

Ya Fei added quietly from the side, her voice carrying a faint, barely perceptible grievance.

Xuan Jin was amused by their back-and-forth.

"Enough. Stop guessing wildly."

"Xiao Xun'er is indeed somewhat different."

Seeing their curious expressions, Xuan Jin decided to keep them in suspense. He lifted his teacup, took a light sip, and spoke with certainty.

"Just wait."

"This afternoon, Miss Xun Er will personally come to visit me."

After speaking, Xuan Jin set down his teacup, only to find Xiao Yi Xian and Ya Fei still watching him.

Xiao Yi Xian blinked her pure purple eyes, while Ya Fei's alluring peach-blossom eyes gazed at him quietly, as though she were still waiting for an answer that would satisfy her.