Xiao Xun'er

The next morning, the rising sun began to peek over the horizon.

After cultivating for the entire night and initially stabilizing his Great Fighter cultivation and the Nine-Layer Phoenix Fire Art, Ning Chen exhaled a long breath of turbid air tinged with scorching heat, slowly opening his eyes.

Feeling the surging, unceasing flow of fire-attribute Dou Qi within his body—now countless times purer and more vigorous than it had been yesterday—the corners of his mouth curled upward uncontrollably, his mood exceptionally pleasant.

"Sigh, no shortcuts to be found; these are all fruits born of hard work and sweat."

After feigning a self-deprecating sigh, Ning Chen pushed open his bedroom door, feeling refreshed and ready to take a good stroll around Wutan City.

However, the moment the door swung open, a young man's face, wearing a fawning smile, abruptly occupied his entire field of vision.

"Mr. Ning, good morning!"

Looking at Xiao Yan, who was beaming with a smile that even carried a hint of sycophancy, Ning Chen raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable.

"Little brother Xiao Yan, shouldn't you be sleeping in or working hard on your cultivation this early in the morning, instead of standing guard at my door like a temple deity?"

"My father specifically instructed that you are an honored guest of the Xiao Clan, and we must treat you with the utmost care. Especially for a lad like me, I must do my absolute best."

Xiao Yan rubbed his hands together, gave a sheepish laugh, and said with some embarrassment, "Besides... I truly did want to ask you for some advice regarding my cultivation, and I hope you won't mind offering some guidance."

Hearing this, Ning Chen chuckled softly. He didn't answer directly, but instead reached out to pat Xiao Yan on the shoulder before walking straight past him, heading toward the front hall of the Xiao Clan at a leisurely pace.

"Xiao Yan, I know what you want to ask. It's nothing more than hoping I can step in and resolve the trouble of your disappearing Dou Qi."

Xiao Yan's footsteps faltered, the smile on his face freezing.

"But I'm sorry," Ning Chen continued, his tone remaining indifferent, "Setting aside the fact that my strength is currently damaged—not even a tenth of what it once was—and I may not truly be able to help you, even if my strength were intact, you should understand that to move a powerhouse to act is not something that can be achieved with a few words or a small favor."

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

"The small favor of the Xiao Clan taking me in yesterday is not enough to make me intervene in such a thorny matter."

With that, Ning Chen stopped lingering. He walked with a relaxed gait, his figure soon disappearing around the corner of the corridor, leaving Xiao Yan standing alone, his expression shifting as he stared blankly into space.

I hope this kid takes my words to heart and recognizes reality.

It would be best if he isn't like some novel protagonists who view help as a duty and lack of help as a grudge, harboring resentment... otherwise...

Ning Chen's eyes turned imperceptibly cold.

Xiao Yan was, after all, a fellow countryman, and in a sense, someone he had "watched grow up." In the original story, his character was quite upright.

As long as it didn't hinder his own interests, he didn't mind being on good terms with him or even giving him a hand at a critical moment.

But if his nature were to warp into one of those people who pride themselves on a "path to death," then he would be very sorry.

Forget reaching out to help him; being able to refrain from stepping on him while he was down would already be considered a moral triumph.

"Mr. Ning."

Just as his thoughts were drifting, a cold, melodious female voice, like a clear spring flowing through a mountain stream, suddenly came from the side.

Ning Chen was startled and looked toward the sound. In the garden not far away, Xiao Xun'er stood gracefully beside a cluster of orchids in a pale purple dress. The faint morning light illuminated her, making her look like a fairy from a painting.

However, there was little warmth on her exquisite face, and her eyes, clear as autumn water, were quietly watching him.

Deep within that gaze lay undisguised scrutiny and vigilance.

This look... could this little girl really think I'm here to snatch the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade from her?

Ning Chen found it somewhat amusing. A gentle, refreshing smile appeared on his face as he nodded slightly toward Xiao Xun'er.

"Morning. I presume this is the pearl of the Xiao Clan, Miss Xun'er? Truly as elegant and spiritual as the rumors say."

Xiao Xun'er moved with light steps, walking forward two paces to maintain a perfect distance from Ning Chen. Her voice remained cold.

"Mr. Ning is too kind. Xun'er simply saw you display your great power in the market yesterday to resolve the crisis for our Xiao Clan, so I came to thank you on behalf of the family."

Xiao Xun'er's words were polite, but her beautiful eyes never left Ning Chen's face, as if trying to see through his gentle smile to the true thoughts hidden in his heart.

Just now, even though it was fleeting, she had indeed caught that flash of coldness in Ning Chen's eyes.

This caused the alarm bells in her heart to ring even louder.

This person's background is mysterious, his strength unfathomable, and he knows everything about Brother Xiao Yan's situation. Now, with that look... what exactly is his intention for staying in the Xiao Clan?

"It was just a small effort. Clan Head Xiao has already thanked me many times; Miss Xun'er need not be so formal."

Ning Chen acted as if he noticed nothing, his smile remaining casual. "On the contrary, Miss Xun'er, you are so young yet possess such an extraordinary bearing, with the grace of a noble family. It seems your background must be truly exceptional."

He said this lightly, yet it made Xiao Xun'er's heart tighten sharply.

Is he testing me?

"Mr. Ning overpraises me. Xun'er grew up in the Xiao Clan since childhood; I am but an ordinary girl."

Xiao Xun'er responded calmly, her tone flat, binding herself even more tightly to the Xiao Clan.

"Oh? Is that so?"

The curve of Ning Chen's mouth widened slightly, carrying a hint of playfulness. His gaze swept inadvertently over Xiao Xun'er's slender, jade-like fingers hanging at her sides.

"Yet, I observe that Miss Xun'er's aura is restrained, and your foundation is so solid that it is far beyond what a place like Wutan City could cultivate."

"Furthermore... there seems to be an extremely ancient and noble aura of flame upon you, Miss. If my senses are correct, I fear it is not far from the legendary Heavenly Flame..."

"BOOM!"

It was as if a thunderbolt had exploded in her mind!

The calm expression Xiao Xun'er had maintained instantly froze, her delicate body trembling imperceptibly. The gaze she directed at Ning Chen could no longer hide her vigilance and shock!

Did he say that because he truly sensed the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame on me, or does he know my identity and is intentionally testing me?!

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

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

Seeing Xiao Xun'er's reaction, Ning Chen chuckled inwardly. He hadn't forgotten that among the group from yesterday, Xiao Xun'er had provided the least amount of surprise value.

He stopped pressing her, instead shifting the topic with ease, as if what he had just said was merely a casual remark.

"Just a joke, Miss Xun'er, please don't mind it. Perhaps my senses were mistaken; after all... I can't even remember my own origins."

Ning Chen spread his hands, his face showing just the right amount of helplessness and self-deprecation as he brought out the "amnesia" cover story once again.

Xiao Xun'er took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the raging waves in her heart.

This Ning Chen is definitely not as kind as he appears on the surface! And his words just now were absolutely not just a joke!

For the safety of the Xiao Clan, I must find a way!

"Sir is truly... humorous."

Xiao Xun'er barely managed to maintain her composure, though her voice was a few degrees colder than before.

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

Having said that, she did not give Ning Chen another chance to probe, bowed slightly, and turned to leave in a hurry.

Watching Xiao Xun'er's figure disappear into the depths of the flower bushes, the smile on Ning Chen's face grew even brighter.

Teasing these key characters who are familiar with the plot and watching their shocked and suspicious expressions is truly one of the great joys of being a transmigrator.

The eldest lady of the Gu Clan... her vigilance is indeed strong, but that only makes it more interesting, doesn't it?

Ning Chen turned around leisurely and continued walking toward the gates of the Xiao Clan, his mood becoming increasingly pleasant.

There are only a few places and people in Wutan City worth seeing from the original story. Having seen enough of the Xiao Clan, the next stop should be the Mittel Auction House.