The Proper Way to Unlock a Top-Tier Rich Beauty

"Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe recently ordered all her people to search for the Cold Ice Spirit Spring. She herself is heading toward the far southern edge of the Jia Ma Empire, her purpose unknown. Ling Yue is observing her in secret."

"Yun Yun of the Misty Cloud Sect recently ordered an investigation into information concerning Young Masters Xiao Yan and Xiao Ting. She then began investigating Soul Hall and is now heading toward the northern part of the Jia Ma Empire."

"When Yun Yun met with Jia Xingtian of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, she was secretly eavesdropped on by a Soul Hall Protector."

"A woman named Xiao Yi Xian is being investigated by Ling Mei. At present, only one has been found in Qingshan Town, not far from Wutan City. She is a physician for the local faction Wan Yao Zhai and is currently traveling to Wutan City with the Wan Yao Zhai master to supply the Mittal Auction House with a batch of medicinal ingredients."

"A woman named Qing Lin is being investigated by Ling Xue. So far, no useful information has been found in Northeast Province."

The person kneeling on one knee was Ling Qing, one of the guard commanders secretly protecting Xun'er. His strength had reached the ninth star of Dou Zong, making him the strongest on the surface as well.

There was an entire squad protecting Xun'er, most of them women. After all, Xun'er was a woman, so having women protect her in secret was more convenient.

There were men as well, responsible for handling matters more suitable for men.

For instance, since yesterday, a guard named Ling Ying had been ordered by Xun'er to secretly protect Xiao Ting.

"Medusa, queen of the Snake-People Tribe, left the snake-people settlement and entered the Jia Ma Empire alone, departing Northeast Province for Southern Province."

"Yun Yun is investigating Brother Xiao Ting and searching for the whereabouts of Soul Hall members."

"Xiao Yi Xian has come to Wutan City!"

Xun'er slowly raised her head, and a flicker of flame passed through her beautiful eyes.

If only one person had displayed unusual behavior, it could have been dismissed as coincidence. But with three at once, things were probably not so simple.

Those three, along with Qing Lin, were all women whose names Brother Xiao Ting had mentioned in his Notes.

Since she had concluded that she might not be the only one with a Notebook Copy, she naturally had to investigate the others who might possess one.

Yun Yun, Medusa, Xiao Yi Xian, and Qing Lin were the key subjects of investigation. Yao Lao and Xiao Yan were no exception.

If they possessed a Notebook Copy yet were unaffected by its threat and could do something to harm Xiao Ting, she could eliminate them in time.

As the daughter of the Gu Clan's patriarch, she wielded power beyond ordinary imagination. Doing such things was effortless for her.

"Have people continue investigating the four of them, especially Yun Yun." Xun'er closed the book, coldness surfacing in her eyes. "Find out why she is looking for people from Soul Hall."

"And that Soul Hall Protector. Since he has appeared in such a remote place as the Jia Ma Empire, find out his purpose as well."

"If it has anything to do with the Xiao Clan, arrange for someone to run into him while seizing treasure, provoke a conflict, and accidentally kill him."

Xun'er did not say the last sentence aloud.

She had originally intended to give the order directly, but then considered that Xiao Ting might know of this Soul Hall Protector's existence. Interfering rashly might arouse unnecessary suspicion, so she decided to be more cautious.

"Understood." Ling Qing accepted the order and withdrew.

A breeze swept through the courtyard, stirring Xun'er's hair and skirt until she looked even more ethereal, as though she had stepped out of a painting.

In the courtyard, where she was once again the only visible person, she lowered her head and continued reading, though anticipation hid in her eyes.

Was Xiao Yi Xian coming to Wutan City a coincidence... or was it because of Brother Xiao Ting?

Meanwhile, in the Xiao Clan's Council Hall.

Xiao Zhan and the elders confirmed Xiao Ting's strength several times over and were overjoyed.

A sixteen-year-old one-star Dou Shi who had achieved this with barely any support from the clan—such monstrous talent was simply unheard of.

Nalan Yanran, the only granddaughter of a Dou Wang and the sole disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect's leader, was about the same age as Xiao Ting. A year ago, she had only been a three-star Dou Zhe. She certainly had not reached Dou Shi yet.

"Ting'er, you should have let us know about your talent sooner." Amid his joy, Xiao Zhan put on a stern expression and lectured him. "The clan will definitely devote all its strength to nurturing you. We will strive to get you to Da Dou Shi within three years, then spend another five years advancing toward Dou Ling."

Xiao Ting: "..."

He had nearly thought Xiao Zhan was about to say three years of high school exams and five years of practice tests.

But if it took him eight years just to reach Dou Ling, he might as well find a block of tofu and smash himself to death.

These Xiao Clan elders had finished mocking the Xiao Clan ancestors and were now "cursing" him, a junior.

"Uncle, there's no need to trouble the clan." Though he grumbled inwardly, Xiao Ting wore a sincere smile. "I've decided to enroll when Jia Nan Academy comes to recruit after some time. I'm confident I can enter the Inner Academy."

"The Inner Academy of Jia Nan Academy has a five-year program. Exceptionally gifted students can apply to delay graduation for two years. The weakest graduates are Dou Ling, while the outstanding ones graduate as Dou Wang."

Dou Wang!

Xiao Zhan and the elders all breathed more rapidly.

As members of a clan that had still had a Dou Wang expert overseeing it thirteen years ago, they knew very well how many benefits that had brought them.

"Going to study at Jia Nan Academy is fine, but the clan will still do everything within its ability to provide you with resources." Xiao Zhan spoke earnestly, his gaze serious. "Ting'er, you need not feel burdened. As long as you become a Dou Ling, you won't need to do anything at all. Your name alone will benefit the clan."

The elders nodded repeatedly, indicating that Xiao Zhan was right.

Thinking of the plan he had made to grow stronger, Xiao Ting did not refuse again.

The resources supplied by the Xiao Clan would merely be icing on the cake, and before long, they would no longer mean much anyway.

"Uncle, Elders, I'll return to cultivate." Xiao Ting cupped his fists and took his leave.

He had arrived carrying a Dou Shi Pill, but left with an additional one hundred thousand gold coins.

Aside from the portion used to purchase the Dou Shi Pill at market price, the rest was the clan's initial investment in him.

"Our Xiao Clan is about to produce a dragon." Even after Xiao Ting departed, the First Elder remained immersed in delight. Then his gaze suddenly fell upon Xiao Zhan. "Clan Head, that item would be most suitable for Young Master Xiao Ting."

"I understand." Xiao Zhan nodded slightly and said, "By tradition, this item should be kept by the clan's strongest member or the clan head."

"Ting'er will likely not become clan head, but his talent surpasses Yan'er's, and his temperament is far ahead as well."

"Once his cultivation surpasses mine, I will hand the item over to him for safekeeping."

To Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ting was no different from his own sons.

In fact, because Xiao Ting's parents had died protecting him and Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan felt even more tenderness toward him.

Elsewhere, Xiao Ting returned to his own small courtyard and began cultivating seriously.

Having cheats was only support; true strength still depended on oneself.

"Hmm?"

Time always passed quickly during cultivation.

Xiao Ting sat there until after midnight, which in his previous life would have been just past twelve o'clock.

Perhaps because of the Notes, he did not feel the slightest bit tired. Instead, he became increasingly energized.

It felt as though he possessed endless energy and could cultivate forever so long as he endured the loneliness. With his exceptional aptitude and powerful soul force, he could keenly sense every bit of progress.

Everyone knew cultivation was tedious. No one could sit there all day, especially when they could not feel any improvement.

Yet now, he had fallen in love with the feeling of cultivating. Unable to stop, he immersed himself in it, preparing to cultivate through the night in one go.

But the information sent by the Notes interrupted his rhythm.

Now this was more like a blessing.