Cunning

What happened at today's Testing Ceremony was jointly sealed by Xiao Zhan and the three elders.

Anyone who spread the news would be placed on the Xiao Clan's kill list from that day onward.

If this had been the Xiao Clan of the past, they would never have spoken or acted so arrogantly.

But now that the Xiao Clan had produced a Dou Wang, it had transformed into a Dou Wang family.

They could ignore the threat of a Da Dou Shi, but no one in the entire Jia Ma Empire dared claim they could ignore the threat of a Dou Wang.

Even that old monster, Jia Xingtian, a Peak Dou Emperor, would not dare act so boldly.

It was true that he was a Peak Dou Emperor, but could he guarantee that the entire Imperial Family consisted of Peak Dou Emperors?

There was only one Jia Xingtian. It was impossible for him to remain by every member of the Imperial Family's side at all times.

If one really provoked a Dou Wang, that person could play guerrilla warfare with them. Even if they were a Peak Dou Emperor, they would still have to pay some price.

Not to mention that Xiao Jin was a Dou Wang capable of refining Sixth-Grade Medicinal Pills. The favor of such a powerful expert was something even a Dou Emperor could not buy.

The younger generation of the Xiao Clan had once felt that Xiao Jin was unworthy of Xun'er. Whenever they saw the two of them appearing together, there had been no shortage of sour remarks, not to mention slander.

But as the Testing Ceremony came to an end, no one held that opinion anymore.

Everyone could only admire Xun'er's discerning eye. Not only was she a prodigy herself, but her judgment was also razor-sharp. She had recognized Xiao Jin's potential long ago.

After Xiao Jin returned to his place, he saw the dumbfounded Xiao Yan and the puffed-up Xun'er.

He was utterly confused. I don't think I did anything to provoke this girl, did I?

Xiao Jin cast Xiao Yan an inquiring look, but the other man only shook his head, indicating that he had no idea what had happened either.

"Third Brother, I'll take Xun'er back first. Remember to come to my courtyard tonight. I'll help you resolve your cultivation problem."

Xiao Jin had no intention of staying any longer. The scorching gazes on the plaza made him uneasy.

He had always kept a low profile. Otherwise, he would not have waited until today to reveal his talent.

Seeing that the girl beside him was still puffed up, Xiao Jin could only take her hand and lead her away from the plaza.

Not long after the two left, Xiao Zhan appeared beside Xiao Yan.

"Yan'er, why did Jin Er leave?"

"Brother Jin couldn't stand everyone's attention, so he took Cousin Xun'er back first." Xiao Yan still respected Xiao Zhan as a father. Over the past three years, his father had never abandoned him and had done everything possible to help him solve his problems.

Being unable to solve a problem meant lacking the ability. Not wanting to solve it meant lacking the right attitude.

"Did you know about Jin Er's cultivation before this?"

Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile. "I only found out today."

"He certainly knows how to keep things hidden." Xiao Zhan shook his head with a smile, but that smile quickly faded.

Of these two sons, one was extraordinarily talented, while the other was plagued by a strange illness. To this day, he still had not found the cause.

Xiao Yan noticed the change in his father's mood and said with a smile, "Father, there's no need to worry. Brother Jin said he can solve my cultivation problem."

"Really?!"

"I believe Brother Jin wouldn't deceive me." Although Xiao Jin was only an adopted son, Xiao Zhan had treated him very well over the years, and Xiao Yan had a good relationship with him as well.

Xiao Yan believed that Brother Jin had no reason to deceive him about this.

"Good! If your cultivation problem can also be solved, the future of my Xiao Clan will become even more glorious!" Xiao Zhan was overjoyed. Today's Testing Ceremony had truly given him a tremendous surprise.

"Father, Brother Jin asked me to go see him tonight."

"Mm. Go on, and adjust your condition." Xiao Zhan understood what his son meant and waved for him to leave.

"Xun'er, even if you're angry, you have to let Brother know why, right?" Xiao Jin was at a loss. He truly was not good at dealing with girls.

Are girls all this prone to getting angry?

He had merely gone to test his cultivation. The whole thing had taken less than ten minutes.

She had been fine when he left, so how had she become angry by the time he returned?

Xun'er gave a soft snort and continued to remain silent.

Xiao Jin really had no idea what to do. As they happened to have arrived at his courtyard, he could only pull Xun'er inside as well. After closing the door, he stared into the girl's eyes.

"Xun'er, no matter what Brother did wrong, if you don't point it out, Brother might make the same mistake again next time. Don't you agree?"

Under Xiao Jin's sincere gaze, Xun'er's little head drooped lower and lower.

After a long while, she finally murmured, "Brother Xiao Jin, I'm sorry."

Xiao Jin: "???"

Wait, who exactly did something wrong here?

Weren't you angry just now? How did you suddenly start apologizing?

Without receiving a response, Xun'er continued, "Brother Xiao Jin, Xun'er knows that I was being childish just now. You clearly did nothing wrong, but I still couldn't stop myself from losing my temper."

It was only a short sentence, but by the end, Xun'er's voice was actually tinged with a sob.

Now Xiao Jin was truly flustered.

If Xun'er was angry, he was confident he could coax her back to good spirits.

But she clearly looked as if she had suffered some enormous grievance, and he did not even know why. How could he not panic?

"Xun'er, what exactly are you thinking about? Can you tell Brother?" His tone was gentle, and he tightened his grip on the girl's hand slightly.

After a while, Xun'er finally said in a low voice, "When Brother Xiao Jin went up for the test just now, I saw so many girls in the clan showing looks of admiration."

"So?"

"So will Brother Xiao Jin stop wanting Xun'er in the future?"

Xiao Jin was stunned. It took him a long while to react.

Was this girl worried that he would neglect her after revealing his brilliance?

He rubbed the girl's smooth hair helplessly. "Xun'er, you've been with Brother for a full ten years."

"But Brother Xiao Jin only sees me as a younger sister, doesn't he? Since I'm your younger sister, that means another woman will be the one accompanying you in the future. If that woman makes you abandon Xun'er, would Brother still quarrel with the person he loves because of Xun'er?" The girl's voice was filled with grievance, and the slight tremor at the end made Xiao Jin's heart tremble twice.

"Impossible." Xiao Jin denied it decisively. "If that day really comes, Brother will make that woman get as far away as possible. No one can separate us siblings."

"No!" The girl's voice rose slightly. "Xun'er doesn't want Brother Xiao Jin to lose his happiness because of me."

Xiao Jin: "???"

He was confused again. Was Xun'er really this kind of person?

Why does Xun'er seem so strange today?

Besides, she was worrying far too far into the future. He had only just turned fifteen this year.

Cultivators had long lifespans, and the stronger their cultivation, the longer they lived.

Many people did not find a partner even after living for decades or centuries. Wasn't it far too early to consider this problem?

Xiao Jin could only understand it as Xun'er having come alone from the Ancient Clan to the Xiao Clan and having always lacked a sense of security.

His display of strength today had attracted the attention of many girls, which had stirred up the anxiety in Xun'er's heart.

He could only gently put an arm around the girl's shoulders and say seriously, "Brother promises that no matter what happens in the future, he will never leave Xun'er alone."

Leaning against Xiao Jin's embrace, in the place where he could not see, the girl who had still been looking aggrieved moments ago suddenly revealed a crafty smile.

Brother Xiao Jin, you made this promise yourself.

So no matter when, Xun'er will always, always stay by your side.