Flower-shaming Moon-veiling

"Congratulate me for what?" A trace of confusion flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes.

"Of course I'm congratulating you on reaching the fifth stage of Dou Qi. Looks like your talent has returned."

When Xiao Yan heard that, a flicker of panic crossed his eyes. He unnaturally touched the Ring in his hand, and Yao Lao spoke to Xiao Yan through their heart-to-heart connection: "Don't worry. He can't sense me."

After hearing that, Xiao Yan's heart settled. "Mm. Sure enough, I still can't hide it from you. My Dou Qi has been gradually recovering bit by bit, and it isn't leaking away anymore. Once I felt that it was no longer draining away, I've been cultivating like mad during this period, afraid it would start leaking again. But now I'm sure that the same situation as before won't happen again."

"That's really great. This way, the genius of our Xiao Family has finally returned to his place." Xiao Tian happily slung an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulders as he spoke, but inwardly he was thinking: I need to start preparing my future plan for the Black-Corner Region Black Factory Director. There's no better candidate for factory director than you.

"Xiao Yanzi, where are you planning to go?"

"I'm going to the Dou Skills Hall to take a look. Tian Ge, where are you going? Also, this is the money I borrowed from you before." Xiao Yan took out a black Gold Savings Card and handed it to Xiao Tian.

"Then you go ahead. I'm going to find Xun Er. After cultivating for so long, I'm getting ready to go out on a date, hahaha." Xiao Tian accepted the Gold Savings Card and said with a laugh. After speaking, he walked away.

Xiao Yan was force-fed a mouthful of Dog Food by Xiao Tian's words, his face dark with speechlessness. Yao Lao was also holding back laughter inside the Ring. "Xiao Yanzi, why don't you go find yourself a little girlfriend too?"

"Women will only affect my Cultivation Speed. I don't need women."

Xiao Tian accompanied Xiao Xun'er out for an entire day of strolling around. During that time, the smile on Xun Er's face never stopped, and the resentment from not seeing Xiao Tian for two whole months had already vanished without a trace.

Near dusk, the two returned to the Xiao Family. On a small path, they saw a group of people surrounding Xiao Yan. The one leading them was Da Lao Zhang's grandson, Xiao Ning.

"Xiao Yan, you piece of trash, you still have the face to show up? Why don't we spar a little? In a few months, you'll be driven out of the family and assigned to a branch clan, living out your life as a waste. By then, we won't even get to see you anymore." Xiao Ning spoke to Xiao Yan with an arrogant look on his face.

"Oh? Then do you dare spar with me?"

"Come on, spar then, whoever doesn't dare is a grandson!" Startled by the sudden voice, Xiao Ning answered smoothly without thinking.

Xiao Ning suddenly noticed that the looks in the eyes of his Followers were off. He turned his head and saw Xiao Tian strolling over along the small path. Xiao Ning instantly recalled the fear of being dominated and beaten up two years ago. At once, he became like a deflated balloon, swallowed, and his tone stuttered. "I-it's Cousin Xiao Tian. There's no need for us to spar. I still admire your strength very much."

"Didn't you just say whoever doesn't dare is a grandson? Where did all that ambition from just now go?"

"I was just joking, wasn't I? Just livening up the mood for everyone, giving them a laugh." Xiao Ning shrank his neck and said.

"Hurry up and get lost. If I see you bullying clan members again next time, I'll beat you so badly your grandfather won't recognize you. I already told you before, stop acting tough at home all day. Cultivate seriously. If you want to cause trouble, go make things hard for the other two clans."

"Yes, yes, yes." Xiao Ning nodded in agreement while leading his underlings away in a flash.

"Thanks, Tian Ge."

"No need to thank me. Even if I hadn't stepped in, you definitely would've been fine. I can sense your approximate strength. With your fifth stage, fighting Big Brother Xiao Ning at the seventh stage to a draw shouldn't be a problem. Did you pick your Dou Skill?"

Xiao Yan raised the scroll in his hand. "I picked it. Tian Ge, I'll head back first. You and Xun Er take your time strolling."

After Xiao Yan left, Xiao Tian and Xun Er strolled around briefly, then he sent her back.

For the next half a year or so, during this period, Xiao Tian cultivated while refining medicine. Occasionally, he took time to accompany Xun Er, and also brought the Medicinal Pills he refined to the Auction House to auction off, using the chance to build his relationship with Ya Fei. But every time, he was chased out for being handsy.

Xiao Tian: This isn't my fault. The main thing is that black stockings are too charming. Who could withstand that, brothers? ╮(╯▽╰)╭

"Whew. If I cultivate for about three more days, I should be able to break through to Dou Shi, right? And the Yimu Thunder is almost finished condensing too. Nine and a half strands now. I estimate another month and a half should do it." Xiao Tian opened his eyes and looked inward at the condition of his body.

Knock, knock.

After knocking came from outside the door, a young girl's gentle voice followed. "Xiao Tian Gege, it's time to get up. Today is the day of the ceremony's Re-test. This time, Xiao Tian Gege, you can't be absent."

This was the formal Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Everyone had to participate in the previous coming-of-age test, but Xiao Tian had gone to find the Clan Leader and the Three Great Elders, displayed his own Aura, and after the Clan Leader and Three Great Elders in the clan sensed it, their boundless tolerance for a genius allowed Xiao Tian not to take part in the test or the Re-test. He only needed to attend the coming-of-age ceremony. As for Xiao Yan, just like in the Original Work, he tested at the seventh stage of Dou Qi and defeated the challenger Xiao Ke, shocking everyone.

Hearing the young girl's voice, Xiao Tian washed up simply, changed clothes, and opened the door. Outside stood Xiao Xun'er, dressed in a pale pink dress. She was elegant and refined beyond the ordinary, naturally possessing an ethereal air, with tender skin and breath like orchids, endlessly gentle and lovely.

"No wonder the flowers in my courtyard looked so dejected. My Xun Er is still so Flower-shaming Moon-veiling."

Hearing the young man's praise, the girl was so happy that her willow-like brows curved into crescents.

Xiao Tian closed the door and took Xiao Xun'er's hand, walking toward the Testing Grounds. Now sixteen, Xiao Tian was already a little over 1.8 meters tall. He wore a well-fitted white robe embroidered with golden lines and accented with a few blue accessories. His figure was upright, his lines smooth.

The two walked together hand in hand. Under the sunlight, everyone who saw them could not help but praise: a person like jade upon the road, an unrivaled young master in this world.

The two arrived at the Testing Grounds and walked straight to Xiao Yan's side. Seeing Xiao Yan now reclaiming his glory, looking high-spirited, Xiao Tian said, "Xiao Yanzi, it's been a long time since I saw you like this. Not bad, not bad."

"Xiao Tian, I heard you bullied my younger brother?" A sudden sentence interrupted the conversation between Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan.

Xiao Tian turned his head toward the source of the voice and saw Xiao Yu storming over aggressively. "This tomboy still came back." The moment Xiao Tian saw that it was Xiao Yu, his mouth moved faster than his brain and he said it aloud.

"Who are you calling a tomboy?" When Xiao Yu heard Xiao Tian's words, she was so angry that she immediately drew the sword at her waist and was about to slash at Xiao Tian. Xiao Ning hurriedly stopped Xiao Yu. "Sis, Grandpa said Xiao Tian is already an Advanced Dou Zhe. You can't beat him."

When Xiao Yu heard that, she looked at Xiao Tian in disbelief. "What did you say? He's an Advanced Dou Zhe ⊙▽⊙?"

Xiao Tian looked at Xiao Yu, who after whispering with Xiao Ning had a shocked expression on her face. "Can you change that temper of yours? At this rate, be careful no one wants you in the future. Also, this is slander. Was I bullying your younger brother? I was teaching him. Look at what your brother has become now, throwing his weight around everywhere and bullying people. If he wasn't bullying fellow clan members, would I have beaten him? I was helping him establish the correct outlook. You should be thanking me."

Xiao Yu, who had just restrained her temper, heard this and turned to look at Xiao Ning. Xiao Ning instantly pretended to be an ostrich, guilty-eyed as he stared at the ground. Seeing Xiao Ning like this, Xiao Yu knew what Xiao Tian said was true, and she glared fiercely at Xiao Ning. "During this period, you're going to cultivate properly. You're not allowed to go anywhere. If you do evil again, I'll break your legs."

Xiao Ning's face turned bitter. Just as he was about to speak, Xiao Yu glared again, and under the instant suppression of bloodline authority, Xiao Ning immediately swallowed the words he wanted to say back down.

"Jia Nan Academy will be recruiting students in a while. Are you coming?"