Xiao Xun'er

The next morning, the sun rose.

After cultivating all night and initially stabilizing his Da Dou Shi cultivation and the Nine-Layer Phoenix Fire Art, Ning Chen let out a long breath of hot, stale air and slowly opened his eyes.

Feeling the Fire Attribute Dou Qi surging endlessly within him, countless times purer and more vigorous than it had been the day before, he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from lifting. His spirits soared.

"Ah, no shortcuts in sight. This is all the result of hard work and sweat."

After putting on an act and sighing to himself, Ning Chen pushed open the door, refreshed and ready to explore Wutan City.

However, the moment he opened it, a young man's face, wearing an ingratiating smile, abruptly filled his view.

"Good morning, Mr. Ning!"

Looking at Xiao Yan, who was all smiles and even a little obsequious, Ning Chen raised an eyebrow, his expression half-amused.

"Little Brother Xiao Yan, why are you standing guard at my door so early in the morning? Shouldn't you be sleeping in or cultivating diligently in your room?"

"My father specifically told me that you're an honored guest of the Xiao Clan, Mr. Ning, and that we must see to your every need. Especially me—I'm supposed to do everything I can to look after you."

Xiao Yan rubbed his hands together and chuckled awkwardly.

"And... I really do want to ask you about some cultivation-related matters. I hope you won't mind giving me some pointers."

Ning Chen chuckled softly but didn't answer directly. He merely patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder, then walked right past him toward the Xiao Clan's main hall at an unhurried pace.

"Xiao Yan, I know what you want to ask. You're hoping I'll help solve the problem of your Dou Qi disappearing."

Xiao Yan stopped in his tracks, his smile freezing.

"But I'm sorry," Ning Chen continued, his tone still calm.

"Leaving aside the fact that my strength has been reduced to less than a tenth of what it was, so I might not be able to help you, you should understand that getting a powerful expert to take action isn't something you can accomplish with a few words and a small favor."

He tilted his head slightly, glancing from the corner of his eye at Xiao Yan's conflicted expression.

"The Xiao Clan's hospitality yesterday isn't enough to make me get involved in such a difficult matter."

With that, Ning Chen didn't linger. He strolled away, and his figure soon vanished around a corridor corner, leaving Xiao Yan standing alone, his expression shifting as he stared blankly after him.

I hope that kid takes my words to heart and faces reality.

He'd better not turn out like certain protagonists in novels: if you help him, it's only what you owe him, and if you don't, he becomes your enemy and holds a grudge... Otherwise...

Ning Chen's gaze turned imperceptibly colder.

Xiao Yan was a fellow countryman, and in a sense, Ning Chen had "watched him grow up." In the original story, he had also been a fairly upright person.

As long as it didn't interfere with his own interests, Ning Chen didn't mind getting along with him or even giving him a hand when it mattered.

But if his character took a wrong turn and he became the kind of person who made a point of following the "path to his own death," then Ning Chen would have nothing to say.

Forget helping him—if he could resist stepping on him a couple of times, he'd deserve to be called a paragon of virtue.

"Mr. Ning."

Just as his thoughts began to wander, a cool, melodious voice suddenly came from nearby, like a clear spring flowing through a mountain stream.

Ning Chen paused, then turned toward the voice. In a nearby garden, Xiao Xun'er stood beside a cluster of orchids in a pale purple dress. The faint morning light made her look like a celestial maiden in a painting.

Yet her beautiful face held little warmth, and her clear, autumn-water eyes were fixed on him.

Deep in her gaze lay undisguised scrutiny and wariness.

That look... Could this little girl really think I came here to steal the Tou She Ancient God Jade from her?

Ning Chen found the thought amusing. With a warm, welcoming smile, he nodded slightly at Xiao Xun'er.

"Good morning. You must be the Xiao Clan's treasured young lady, Miss Xun'er. You're every bit as remarkable as they say."

Xiao Xun'er moved forward with light steps, stopping at a carefully measured distance from Ning Chen. Her voice remained cool.

"You're too kind, Mr. Ning. I saw you display your power at the marketplace yesterday and help the Xiao Clan out of a difficult situation, so I came to thank you once again on behalf of the clan."

Xiao Xun'er spoke courteously, but her beautiful eyes never left Ning Chen's face, as though she wanted to see through his warm smile and discover what he was really thinking.

Although it had lasted only for an instant, she had caught the coldness in Ning Chen's eyes just moments ago.

That had only heightened the alarm bells in her heart.

This man's origins are mysterious, and his strength unfathomable. He knows all about Brother Xiao Yan's situation, and now he's shown an expression like that... What exactly is he after by staying in the Xiao Clan?

"It was nothing. Clan Leader Xiao has thanked me several times already. There's no need for you to be so polite, Miss Xun'er."

Ning Chen acted as though he hadn't noticed anything, his smile still casual. "But you, Miss Xun'er—you're so young, yet already so poised, with the bearing of someone from a distinguished family. I imagine your origins must be quite extraordinary."

He delivered the words lightly, but Xiao Xun'er's heart jolted.

Is he testing me?

"You flatter me, sir. Xun'er grew up in the Xiao Clan. I'm just an ordinary young woman."

Xiao Xun'er replied calmly, tying herself more firmly to the Xiao Clan.

"Oh? Is that so?"

The curve of Ning Chen's lips widened slightly, turning playful. His gaze seemed to drift casually to Xiao Xun'er's slender, jade-like fingers hanging at her side.

"But from what I can tell, Miss Xun'er keeps her aura well concealed, and your foundation is far too solid for a place like Wutan City to have produced."

"And... you seem to have an aura of an extremely ancient and noble flame about you. If my senses aren't mistaken, it must be close to one of the legendary Heavenly Flames..."

"Boom!"

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded in Xiao Xun'er's mind!

Her composed expression instantly froze, and her delicate body trembled almost imperceptibly. She could hardly conceal the wariness and shock in her gaze as she looked at Ning Chen!

Did he really sense the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame within me? Or does he know who I am, and is deliberately testing me?

Who is he? Could it be... that he came here for me?!

[From Xiao Xun'er: Surprise +2999, +1999...]

Seeing Xiao Xun'er's reaction, Ning Chen chuckled to himself. He hadn't forgotten that among the group yesterday, she had contributed the fewest surprise points.

Rather than press her further, he smoothly changed the subject, as if his comment had just been tossed out casually.

"I'm joking, Miss Xun'er. Don't take it to heart. Perhaps my senses were off. After all... I can't even remember my own origins."

Ning Chen spread his hands, his face wearing just the right hint of helplessness and self-mockery, bringing out the "amnesia" excuse once again.

Xiao Xun'er took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the turmoil within her.

This Ning Chen is definitely not as amiable as he appears! And what he just said was no mere joke!

For the Xiao Clan's safety, I have to find a way to deal with this!

"Mr. Ning, you really are... humorous."

Xiao Xun'er struggled to remain composed, but her voice was even colder than before.

"I have matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave."

With that, she didn't give Ning Chen another chance to test her. She bowed slightly, then hurried away.

Watching Xiao Xun'er disappear among the flowers, Ning Chen's smile grew even brighter.

Teasing key figures who knew the plot and watching them react with shock and suspicion really is one of the great joys of being a transmigrator.

The Gu Clan's young lady is certainly wary. But that just makes this more interesting, doesn't it?

Ning Chen turned leisurely and continued toward the Xiao Clan's gate, his mood growing lighter.

In the original story, Wutan City had only a handful of places and people worth checking out. He'd seen enough of the Xiao Clan. Next, it was time to visit the Mittel Auction House.