Xiao Xun'er

"Young friend Xiao Ling, you jest. How does a low-tier Earth Tier Dou Technique sound as compensation?"

Gu Yuan smiled gently, looking at the youth before him.

Based on his experience in reading people, this young man was clearly the type who wouldn't move without seeing the bait.

Therefore, he didn't beat around the bush.

He believed a low-tier Earth Tier Dou Technique would be enough to sway the other party.

In truth, his assessment wasn't wrong, but unfortunately, he had run into a cheater!

Xiao Ling glanced at the shocked Xiao Zhan and the others nearby, thinking to himself.

What a spineless bunch...

But upon reflection, it made sense; in a small place like Wutan City, even a mid-tier Xuan Tier technique was a treasure, let alone an Earth Tier one.

"Senior Gu, I, Xiao Ling, am not that kind of person, but for the sake of my clan, I would like to request a low-tier Earth Tier fire-attribute cultivation method from you. I hope you will grant this, Senior."

Xiao Ling looked at Gu Yuan with a sincere expression and cupped his hands.

In reality, it wasn't that he hadn't considered swindling Gu Yuan.

But he didn't want to use this little girl as a bargaining chip, as it would tarnish the image he held in her heart.

Although he couldn't trade for anything above Earth Tier yet, he didn't think much of a mere low-tier Earth Tier technique.

Unless Gu Yuan brought out a Heaven Tier Dou Technique, but that was clearly unrealistic.

Techniques of that caliber were not something just anyone in the Ancient Clan was qualified to cultivate.

However, his words left Xiao Zhan and the others feeling deeply ashamed. They exchanged complex glances, silently resolving in their hearts that they would support whatever Xiao Ling said from now on.

After all, the Dou Qi Continent was never short of geniuses, but the character of those geniuses varied greatly. A genius like Xiao Ling, who was wholeheartedly dedicated to his clan, was rare.

Gu Yuan looked at the youth before him, nodding with satisfaction, then glanced at his daughter beside him... and said gently.

"Very well. This is a mid-tier Earth Tier fire-attribute cultivation method. Consider it a greeting gift for you, young friend. I leave my daughter, Xun'er, in your care."

"Rest assured, Senior Gu, I will take good care of Xun'er."

Xiao Ling accepted the jade slip and gave his word.

"Good. Since that is the case, I can rest easy. I have matters to attend to, so I shall not linger."

With that, Gu Yuan's figure slowly dissipated.

"Safe travels, Senior."

Xiao Zhan and the others stood up and bowed respectfully to show their reverence.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling casually tossed the cultivation method to Xiao Zhan: "Uncle Zhan, I leave this Flame Sun Technique to you. I have things to do, so I'll be heading back first." As he spoke, he looked at the little girl beside him and smiled: "Xun'er, let's go."

"Oh~"

Hearing this, Xun'er snapped out of her daze and replied. She then gave a polite nod to Xiao Zhan and the others before trotting after him.

"Brother Xiao Ling, wait for me~"

In the main hall, Xiao Zhan and the others exchanged glances, shaking their heads helplessly, before an order was spread throughout the Xiao Clan.

Lift the lockdown!

Congratulations to the branch clan member Xiao Xun'er for returning to the ancestral fold.

Yes, that was the only message, with no further explanation.

However, the high-ranking members all warned their respective juniors not to provoke this new clan member.

At this moment, in the west side room of the small courtyard, Xiao Ling clapped his hands, looked at the tidied-up room, and nodded with satisfaction. He turned to the little girl beside him and smiled.

"Xun'er, you will live here from now on. It's close to me, so it will be easier for me to look after you."

Hearing this, Xun'er raised her porcelain-doll-like face, blinked her beautiful large eyes at the youth who was two heads taller than her, and smiled slightly.

"Then I shall trouble you, Brother Xiao Ling."

"Haha, no trouble at all." Xiao Ling waved his hand and turned to walk out of the room. "Alright, get some rest early. I'm going to go cultivate. If you need anything, remember to call me."

"Mm~"

Xun'er nodded with a smile.

After Xiao Ling left, the smile on her face gradually faded, revealing a hint of confusion.

Originally, her father had sent her to the Xiao Clan to search for a piece of Ancient Jade, but now he had actually told her to lurk by Xiao Ling's side, even saying that if the Ancient Jade happened to be with him, she could abandon the plan and build a bond of goodwill instead.

This left her feeling a bit confused~

At this moment, the shadow of a pillar behind her shifted slightly, and a voice emerged from it.

"Young Miss, do not worry. This old servant will always be by your side."

"Elder Ling, I am fine."

Xiao Xun'er composed her emotions and offered a faint smile.

One could only say that as expected of a god-tier bloodline, she was indeed much more mature than her peers.

Hearing this, Ling Ying intended to lighten the young girl's mood, so he whispered, "Miss, according to my observations just now, this Xiao Clan truly has quite a few geniuses—over a dozen of them. Even if placed in the Northwest Continent, they would rank within the top one hundred."

"Oh~"

Xiao Xun'er raised her delicate willow eyebrows in surprise and asked softly, "Then can Elder Ling see through the strength of Brother Xiao Ling?"

"This... this old servant cannot see through the strength of Young Master Xiao Ling, but based on my deductions, Young Master Xiao Ling is at least a Dou Practitioner," Ling Ying said.

"Is that so..."

Xiao Xun'er murmured softly.

On the other side, Xiao Ling sat cross-legged on his bed. Recalling Gu Yuan's attitude toward him during the day, a sharp glint flashed across his eyes.

"It seems... strength is indeed the ultimate truth..."

If Gu Yuan had seen through his strength as a Nine-Star Dou Shi today, the effect would certainly not have been as powerful as it was now.

After all, only the unknown is easy to spark speculation.

The next day, when the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Xiao Ling had already arrived at Xiao Xun'er's door, but just as he was about to knock, the door opened.

"Brother Xiao Ling, come in~"

Xiao Xun'er stood at the doorway with a faint smile.

"Uh, no need."

Hearing this, Xiao Ling looked in surprise at the little girl who had managed to predict his arrival thanks to Ling Ying, then smiled.

"Since Senior Gu has entrusted you to me, I must take responsibility for you. You will come with me to the morning class today."

As he spoke, Xiao Ling took the little girl's hand while her face flushed red, and led her out of the small courtyard.

"Brother Xiao Ling, did you organize the morning class?"

Xiao Xun'er tilted her little head up to look at the boy's profile, her face flushed as she asked.

Hearing this, Xiao Ling smiled and replied.

"Of course."

Although the morning class had been organized by the original owner of the body, he now occupied it, so theoretically, he was the one who organized it. There was nothing wrong with that.

Xiao Ling thought this to himself as he held Xiao Xun'er's small hand and walked along the quiet path.

Hearing his reply, Xiao Xun'er did not speak again.

She kept her head down the entire way, lost in thought, occasionally tilting her head to glance at the boy's profile, her delicate, porcelain-doll-like face instantly turning bright red.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling looked at Xiao Xun'er in surprise, and seeing her evasive gaze, he couldn't help but feel a bit confused.

At this moment, several young boys approached from a fork in the road ahead, and upon seeing him, they all stepped forward to greet him.

"Morning, Big Brother Xiao Ling..."

"Morning, cousin."

"Mm."

Xiao Ling returned to his calm demeanor, holding Xiao Xun'er's hand as he walked past them.

"This... is that little girl beside Big Brother Xiao Ling the Xiao Xun'er?"

One of the Xiao Clan disciples asked, not entirely sure.

"It should be." Another Xiao Clan disciple watched the pair walking away and suddenly asked curiously, "What do you think would happen if Cousin Xiao Yu saw this?"

Xiao Yan: "???"

The other Xiao Clan disciples: "..."

The ones who realized what he meant gave him a look of disdain before hurrying to catch up.