"What an arrogant name, Juan Shoutian."
Among the young men and women, Xiao Yan heard Gu Shenge's alias and a glint flashed in his eyes. The name Shoutian was incredibly audacious.
Moreover, the man's clothes and accessories were all predominantly gold, and his bearing surpassed that of anyone Xiao Yan had ever met. To have already reached the Dou Huang level at such a young age took more than exceptional talent. He likely had the backing of a major force as well.
Where had Big Brother met someone like him?
Xiao Yan couldn't help wondering. Although his elder and second brothers had made some accomplishments in Shimo City, there was no way they could have befriended a Dou Huang expert. But now wasn't the time to investigate. Making connections with a Dou Huang expert could only benefit the Xiao Clan.
"Brother Xiao Yan, what are you thinking about?"
Beside Xiao Yan, a cool and elegant girl in purple, as pure and refined as a newly blossomed green lotus, noticed his distracted expression and asked what was on his mind.
She was only sixteen, yet already possessed striking, refined beauty and a figure that was both delicate and shapely. She was a rare beauty, standing out among the girls, and the boys around them made no secret of their admiration.
But though the boys admired her, the feeling wasn't mutual. The girl only had eyes for the resolute young man beside her.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly at her question and sighed. "My big brother's friend looks only three or four years older than me, yet he's already a Dou Huang expert. I wonder when I'll reach that level. It feels so far away!"
Hearing Xiao Yan's lament, Xiao Xun'er comforted him, her voice as clear and musical as pearls falling onto a jade plate.
"Xun'er believes that with Brother Xiao Yan's talent, Dou Huang won't be your limit. You're sure to reach even greater heights in the future. And Xun'er... Xun'er will help you, too."
"You little rascal. Let's not talk about that. I should focus on preparing to defeat Nalan Yanran."
Xiao Yan smiled at Xiao Xun'er's comfort. Dou Huang was still far beyond his reach. It was more important to think about what lay ahead.
At the mention of Nalan Yanran, ripples stirred in Xiao Xun'er's otherwise calm eyes, and a wisp of golden flame flickered and vanished.
Meanwhile, Gu Shenge and Xiao Zhan were deep in conversation, and the group moved into a more spacious, brightly lit hall.
Along the way, the Xiao Clan girls couldn't hide their admiration for the handsome, powerful Gu Shenge. But with their family elders present, they didn't dare approach him.
"Xiao Yu, how do you think Big Brother Xiao Ding met Young Master Juan? He's a Dou Huang expert, one of the most powerful people in the Jia Ma Empire!"
A pretty young girl with a hint of allure asked Xiao Yu, who was walking beside her. Xiao Yu shook her head. How would she know? Jia Nan Academy was a school, not an intelligence agency.
In the Xiao Clan's main hall, Xiao Zhan had initially wanted Gu Shenge to take the seat of honor. But realizing that might look too much like blatant flattery, he instead invited him to sit in the First Elder's seat, second only to the clan head's, then resumed their conversation.
"Young Master Juan, the Xiao Clan can't compare to the great families of Jia Ma Holy City, and our lodgings are rather humble. I hope you won't mind."
"Clan Head Xiao, there's no need to be so polite. I'm not particular about where I stay. A palace hall or a cave in the wilderness—it's all just somewhere to sleep. If cultivators can't endure even a little hardship in daily life, how can they hope to endure the hardships of cultivation?"
Gu Shenge smiled faintly, switching from calling himself "this seat" to "I."
Xiao Zhan nodded in agreement. "Precisely, precisely."
Then, looking puzzled, he asked, "May I ask how you met my eldest son? I truly can't understand how a Dou Shi like him could befriend a Dou Huang expert such as yourself."
"It was quite a coincidence..."
Gu Shenge didn't hide anything and told Xiao Zhan and the others about Qing Lin.
When they heard that their connection had begun because Xiao Ding had taken in a half-breed child of a Snake-person and a human, everyone looked toward Qing Lin. Their eyes fell on the green scales at the little snake girl's wrist, and they marveled silently.
But none of them looked at her with disgust. They had heard of the Jia Ma Empire's conflict with the Snake-People Tribe, but they had never met a Snake-person before and had no personal grudge against them. They felt no distaste toward Qing Lin; if anything, they looked at her with sympathy.
After all, a half-breed child of a Snake-person and a human living in a city that hated the Snake-People Tribe must have endured plenty of hardship and suffered many grievances.
Qing Lin wasn't ashamed of the green scales on her body. Instead, she looked a little proud. Her young master had told her that her scales were beautiful, a one-of-a-kind mark.
"Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"
Yao Lao's voice suddenly rang in Xiao Yan's ear, full of surprise. Xiao Yan was baffled. What were the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils?
"Teacher, what are the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils?"
"I can't explain it now. I'll tell you when we're alone."
After saying that, Yao Lao went quiet again. He was afraid that if he said much more, the man called Juan Shoutian would sense his presence.
Xiao Zhan looked at Qing Lin, feeling moved. He hadn't expected that his son's kind act would help him befriend a Dou Huang expert. It seemed he should encourage the Xiao Clan members to do more good deeds and make good connections.
After chatting for a while, Gu Shenge and Qing Lin moved into a separate courtyard arranged by Xiao Zhan. He also assigned four Xiao Clan disciples to attend to Gu Shenge, including Xiao Yan.
As soon as Qing Lin arrived at the courtyard, she tidied up the bedroom. Gu Shenge rewarded her with a head pat.
Gu Shenge looked at the four Xiao Clan disciples accompanying him and produced four jade bottles. Each held nine pills. He tossed them to the young men.
"These next couple of days will be a bit of a hassle for you four. Here are a few bottles of Sheben Guyuan Pills. Take them."
The Sheben Guyuan Pill was only a second-grade pill, but it could be taken repeatedly and improve the quality of Battle Qi. Gu Shenge had made quite a few while refining second-grade pills. He had forty or fifty bottles in his System Space, but unfortunately, the system only bought Magic Cores and wouldn't take pills.
Xiao Yan and the other three disciples hurriedly caught the bottles, all of them delighted. They had naturally heard of the Sheben Guyuan Pill. Though second-grade pills weren't especially high-level, they were valuable treasures in a small place like Wutan City.
"Thank you, Young Master Juan," they said together. Gu Shenge smiled and nodded.
"There's a Miteer Auction House in Wutan City. Which of you knows it best? Come with me in a bit."
At his question, the three Xiao Clan disciples hesitated and glanced at Xiao Yan before ultimately giving up their chance.
Things had changed. Xiao Yan was no longer the good-for-nothing he'd once been, and he had an alchemist for a teacher. Besides, Young Master Juan was a friend of Xiao Yan's elder brother, so Xiao Yan was naturally the right one to accompany him.
Xiao Yan spoke up. "Big Brother Juan, I'm acquainted with Miss Ya Fei at the Miteer Auction House. I'll go with you."
Gu Shenge nodded. He told Qing Lin to wait at home, or, if she wanted to go out, to ask one of the other three Xiao Clan disciples to accompany her. He'd take care of something and be back soon.
"Understood, young master."
Qing Lin nodded obediently and watched as Gu Shenge and Xiao Yan left.
~
P.S. The Wutan City arc won't be too long. After the Magic Beast Mountain Range arc, I'm considering traveling to the first world. There are three options: The Nine Songs of the Sky, Douluo Continent, and Super Seminary. It won't be for long, just a brief transition.
Before you continue