The Ancient Clan's Young Lady Came Clean

Xuan Jin shook his head and chuckled softly.

"Miss Xun Er, you think too highly of me."

"I can barely keep up with my own cultivation. How would I have the energy to teach a disciple?"

His words were casual, yet direct.

The fingers resting on Xiao Xun'er's knee curled slightly.

She had anticipated that Xuan Jin might refuse, but she had not expected such a decisive refusal, one that left no room whatsoever for negotiation.

"Young Master Xuan..."

She still wanted to try once more.

But Xuan Jin raised a hand and interrupted her, changing the subject.

"Besides."

His gaze fell upon Xiao Xun'er, carrying a hint of amusement.

"Doesn't Miss Xun Er already have a capable teacher at her side?"

"Your guard, Ling Ying."

"He is a Dou Emperor expert. Teaching someone who is not even a Dou Zhe should be more than enough, shouldn't it?"

At those words, Xiao Xun'er froze completely.

She lifted her head, and obvious astonishment appeared on her cool face for the first time.

He truly knew everything.

From the moment Ling Ying had first gone to Tianxiang Tower to exchange pills, he had already seen through it all.

The mysterious act she had put on before him was probably no more than a child's game.

A sense of defeat welled up in Xiao Xun'er's heart.

She had been intelligent since childhood, with a mind far beyond those of her peers. Even when facing the elders of her clan, she could remain composed.

Yet before this young man, only a few years older than her, she felt as though everything about her had been seen through.

After a long while, she slowly exhaled, and her tense body relaxed with it.

Since he had already laid everything bare, continuing to conceal things would only make her seem petty.

"Young Master Xuan truly has keen eyes. Xun Er has made a fool of herself before an expert."

She admitted it openly, her composure returning.

"My name is Gu Xun'er. I come from the Ancient Clan."

Xiao Xun'er directly revealed her background.

Xuan Jin smiled calmly.

"The Ancient Clan, I know of it. I simply did not expect Miss Xun Er's background to be so extraordinary. It seems I was the presumptuous one."

"What are you saying, Young Master Xuan? It was Xun Er who had been concealing things all along," Xun Er said softly.

Xuan Jin nodded, his tone calm.

"I am the personal disciple of Xuan Yi from the Pill Tower."

"As for my identity as an alchemist, since Miss Xun Er has already investigated it, there is no need for me to repeat it."

Although Xiao Xun'er had uncovered this information, hearing it from his own lips still shocked her.

Without an Emperor Clan Bloodline, he had become a Seventh-Rank Peak Alchemist and reached the Dou Zong realm before the age of twenty. Even within the Ancient Clan, few could match such talent.

Xiao Xun'er took a deep breath and calmed her turbulent emotions.

"Elder Ling is indeed my guard, but the cultivation technique he practices is not suitable for Brother Xiao Yan."

She explained, "Besides, I will not be staying in Wutan City much longer."

These words also explained why she had been so anxious.

After hearing her out, Xuan Jin merely nodded, showing no surprise whatsoever.

"I truly cannot help with accepting a disciple." Xuan Jin refused without mercy.

Xiao Xun'er sighed. "Since that is the case, Xun Er will not force the matter. Then let us exchange for some pills instead."

She pushed the Jade Box containing the World-Breaking Talisman toward him once more.

"Let us use this World-Breaking Talisman as payment."

This time, Xuan Jin did not decline. "Alright. They will be ready in a few days."

"Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Xuan."

With the deal complete, the atmosphere eased considerably.

Looking at the calm young man before her, Xiao Xun'er suddenly felt the desire to befriend him.

Even within the Ancient Clan, where geniuses gathered like clouds, someone like him was exceptionally rare.

If she could become friends with him, it would bring nothing but benefits, whether publicly or privately.

"Young Master Xuan," she took the initiative to say.

"Xun Er may be presumptuous, but I would like to be friends with you. Would that be possible?"

Xuan Jin raised his head and looked her over, a faint smile on his face.

"To befriend Miss Xun Er is naturally something I would be more than happy to do."

He had not expected Xiao Xun'er, the young lady of the Ancient Clan, to have not the slightest trace of arrogance.

Since Xiao Xun'er had shown him such respect, Xuan Jin naturally could not put on airs. Establishing ties with the Ancient Clan would also be important for the future.

Upon receiving his affirmative answer, a smile appeared on Xiao Xun'er's cool cheeks, like ice and snow melting for the first time, incomparably beautiful.

"Then Xun Er shall take the liberty." She lifted her teacup, using tea in place of wine, and raised it toward Xuan Jin from afar.

Xuan Jin also lifted his cup and returned the gesture. "Not at all. Just say what you wish to say."

"I am a little curious."

Xiao Xun'er set down her teacup and asked softly.

"With Brother Xuan's status and talent, why did you come to this remote Northwest Continent to train?"

This land had sparse spiritual energy and scarce resources. It truly did not seem like a place a core disciple of the Pill Tower would choose for training.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Jin leaned back in his chair and sighed.

"Xun Er, you investigated me, so you should know that I have a certain hidden ailment."

"I left the Pill Tower partly to train, and partly to seek a cure."

Xiao Xun'er's heart stirred.

The information had indeed mentioned that Xuan Yi's disciple suffered from a hidden ailment.

"So that is how it is." She nodded.

"The Ancient Clan possesses many rare cultivation arts and secret techniques. Perhaps they may help with your ailment. If Brother Xuan trusts Xun Er..."

"Thank you, Xun Er, but there is no need."

Xuan Jin waved a hand and interrupted Xun Er, his expression utterly composed.

"My luck has been fairly good. I have already found a way to resolve the hidden danger within my body."

Seeing this, Xiao Xun'er smiled. If the hidden danger within Xuan Jin's body had been resolved, his future achievements would surely be limitless.

The earlier she established ties with him, the better.

"Congratulations, Brother Xuan."

Xiao Xun'er rose to her feet and congratulated him with a smile.

"Thank you for clearing up Xun Er's doubts today, Brother Xuan. As for the pills, I will trouble you with them. Xun Er will come collect them personally another day."

"Alright."

Xuan Jin answered, effectively seeing her out.

Xiao Xun'er turned around, her graceful steps light as she slowly departed.

Xuan Jin yawned and waved a hand, dispelling the barrier. Only then did the sound of wind and cicadas once more flood into the courtyard.

Before long, Ya Fei led Xiao Yi Xian through the door.

Xiao Yi Xian still wore a curious expression. Her grayish-purple eyes moved back and forth between Xuan Jin and the stone stools where Xiao Xun'er had sat moments earlier, as if she hoped to uncover some secret from the air itself.

Ya Fei was far more composed. She walked to Xuan Jin's side and refilled his cup with warm tea, her movements practiced and her bearing elegant.

"Young Master."

Xuan Jin lifted the teacup and blew on the rising steam, but did not drink immediately.

After pondering for a moment, his gaze swept across the two women before him.

One was seductive and charming, shrewd and capable, and would be his future representative on the Northwest Continent.

The other was fresh and unworldly, innocent and lively, possessed the Calamity Poison Body, and had boundless potential.

"Ya Fei." Xuan Jin set down his teacup and said, "Help me handle three matters."

Ya Fei immediately composed herself and stood solemnly, lowering her head respectfully. "Please speak, Young Master."

"First, use every channel available to the Mite'er Family to gather high-grade poisons, poisonous herbs, and toxic creatures for me. The higher the grade, the better. There is no limit to the quantity."