Cunning

What happened during today's Testing Ceremony was placed under a gag order jointly imposed by Xiao Zhan and the three elders.

Anyone who spread the news would henceforth be placed on the Xiao Clan's kill list.

If it had been the Xiao Clan of old, they could never have acted or spoken so arrogantly.

But now that the Xiao Clan had produced a Dou Wang, they had transformed into a Dou Wang clan.

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

Not even that old monster Jia Xingtian, a Peak Dou Emperor, would dare say such a thing.

He might be a Peak Dou Emperor, but could he guarantee that the entire Imperial Family consisted of Peak Dou Emperors?

There was only one Jia Xingtian. He could not possibly stay beside every member of the Imperial Family at all times.

If you truly enraged a Dou Wang, he could wage guerrilla warfare against you. Even if you were a Peak Dou Emperor, you would still have to pay a price.

Not to mention that Xiao Jin was a Dou Wang capable of refining Sixth-Grade Medicinal Pills. A favor from such an expert was something even Dou Emperors could not obtain through exchange.

Originally, the younger generation of the Xiao Clan had believed Xiao Jin was unworthy of Xun'er. Whenever they saw the two together, there were always sour remarks and inevitable slander.

But with the Testing Ceremony drawing to a close, no one held that view any longer.

Everyone merely admired Xun'er for recognizing talent. It was one thing for her to be a genius herself, but her judgment was also so sharp that she had spotted Xiao Jin's potential long ago.

After Xiao Jin returned to his place, he saw Xiao Yan staring in stunned disbelief and Xun'er puffing her cheeks in anger.

He was utterly confused. He did not seem to have offended this girl, did he?

Xiao Jin cast Xiao Yan a questioning look, but Xiao Yan merely shook his head, indicating that he did not know what had happened either.

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

Xiao Jin did not intend to stay any longer. The burning gazes on the square made him extremely uncomfortable.

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 sulking, Xiao Jin could only take her hand and lead her away from the square.

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 greatly approved of Xiao Zhan as a father. Over the past three years, his father had never abandoned him and had tried every possible way to help him solve his problems.

Being unable to solve a problem was a lack of ability. Not wanting to solve it was a matter of attitude.

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

Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile. "Your son only found out today as well."

"He certainly knows how to keep things hidden." Xiao Zhan smiled and shook his head, but his smile soon faded.

Of his two sons, one was extraordinarily talented, while the other was afflicted by a strange condition. Even now, he had not found its cause.

Noticing the change in his father's mood, Xiao Yan said with a smile, "Father need not worry. Brother Jin said he can help me solve my cultivation problem."

"Really?!"

"Your son believes Brother Jin would not deceive me." Although Xiao Jin was merely an adopted son, Xiao Zhan had treated him very well over the years, and Xiao Yan also had a close relationship with him.

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

"Good! If your cultivation problem can also be resolved, then the Xiao Clan's future will be even more glorious!" Xiao Zhan was overjoyed. Today's Testing Ceremony had truly brought him an enormous surprise.

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

"Mhm. Go on, then. Make sure you adjust your condition properly." Xiao Zhan understood what his son meant and waved for him to leave.

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

Are girls really this easily angered?

He had merely gone to test his cultivation. It had taken no more than ten minutes from start to finish.

Everything had been fine when he left. How had this girl become angry the moment he came back?

Xun'er gave a soft snort and remained silent.

Xiao Jin was truly out of options. They happened to have returned to his courtyard by then, so he could only pull Xun'er inside as well. After closing the door, he looked into the girl's eyes.

"Xun'er, no matter what your brother did wrong, if you don't point it out, then your brother might make the same mistake next time. Don't you think so?"

Faced with Xiao Jin's sincere gaze, Xun'er lowered her little head more and more.

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

Xiao Jin: "???"

No, who exactly had done something wrong here?

Hadn't she been angry just now? Why was she apologizing now?

When she received no response, Xun'er continued, "Brother Xiao Jin, Xun'er knows she was being petty just now. Clearly, Brother Xiao Jin did nothing wrong, but Xun'er still couldn't help losing her temper."

By the end of that short sentence, Xun'er's voice had actually taken on a faint choke.

This time, Xiao Jin truly panicked.

If Xun'er had been angry, he was confident he could coax her back.

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

"Xun'er, what exactly did you think of? Can you tell your brother?" His tone was gentle, and his grip on the girl's hand tightened slightly.

After a while, Xun'er finally said softly, "When Brother Xiao Jin went onstage for the test just now, I saw so many girls in the clan looking at you with admiration."

"And?"

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

Xiao Jin was stunned, only realizing what she meant after a long moment.

This girl was worried that once he made a name for himself, he would neglect her?

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, he rubbed the girl's soft hair. "Xun'er, you've been with your brother for a full ten years."

"But Brother Xiao Jin only sees me as a little sister, doesn't he? Since I'm a little sister, that means another woman will be by Brother Xiao Jin's side in the future. If that woman told Brother Xiao Jin to leave Xun'er behind, would Brother Xiao Jin really quarrel with the woman he loves because of Xun'er?" The girl's voice was exceptionally aggrieved, and the slight tremble at the end made Xiao Jin's heart shudder twice.

"Impossible." Xiao Jin denied it cleanly. "If such a day truly comes, your brother will make that woman get as far away as possible. No one can separate us siblings."

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

Xiao Jin: "???"

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

Why did Xun'er seem so strange today?

Besides, wasn't she worrying far too far ahead? He was only 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 reaching several decades or a hundred years of age. Wasn't it too early to consider such things now?

Xiao Jin could only interpret it as Xun'er having left the Ancient Clan alone to come to the Xiao Clan, leaving her deeply lacking in a sense of security.

After he displayed his strength today and attracted the attention of many girls, the anxiety in Xun'er's heart had been stirred up as well.

He could only gently wrap an arm around the girl's shoulders and say solemnly, "Your brother promises that no matter what happens in the future, I will never leave Xun'er alone."

Leaning against Xiao Jin's chest, where he could not see, the girl who had looked so pitiful just moments ago suddenly revealed a sly smile.

Brother Xiao Jin, you promised that yourself.

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