Comfort

Xun Er thought Xiao Bai had grown tired of sitting and was heading to the back mountain for a stroll, so she hurried after him.

When Xiao Bai heard her, he thought for a moment and did not refuse, simply waiting for the little girl to catch up.

Bringing Xun Er along was fine too. He did not know whether his current Soul Strength could contend with Yao Lao, and with her there, he had an extra layer of insurance.

If something unexpected happened, he could still frown and retreat behind Xun Er.

"Xiao Bai Gege, let's go walk by the lake!"

Xiao Xun Er had not spent time with Xiao Bai in ages, so she was in quite high spirits.

Xiao Bai shook his head and said, "No. Today, we're going to the cliff."

Seeing that Xiao Bai did not seem to be going to the back mountain just to wander around, Xiao Xun Er tilted her little head and asked curiously, "The cliff? What are we going there for?"

Xiao Bai smiled. "To comfort an injured soul!"

"Injured? Who, Cousin Xiao Yan?"

"Mm... uh... I suppose so!" Xiao Bai said, somewhat uncertain.

That guy was about to take off any moment now. Comfort him, my ass!

"So mysterious!" Xiao Xun Er muttered when she saw him hemming and hawing.

"All right, you'll know in a bit. Let's go!"

Xiao Bai took the little girl's hand and strode quickly toward the cliff.

After Xiao Yan left the hall, he made his way in a daze to the cliff on the Xiao Family Back Mountain, gazing into the distance at the Demon Beast Mountain Range shrouded in mist.

Remembering Nalan Yanran's domineering words just now, they felt like sharp swords stabbing into his heart. He bit down hard on his lip, completely unaware as the taste of blood spread through his mouth.

He shouted hoarsely toward the empty cliff opposite him, "The humiliation of today—I don't want there to be a second time. Not one bit!"

Inside the ring, Yao Lao saw that the time was ripe and was just about to emerge and put on a divine display, making the kid outside bow down in worship, when he suddenly seemed to sense something. He immediately gave up, feeling rather stifled for a moment.

The sound of footsteps came over. Xiao Yan turned his head and saw Xiao Bai walking toward him with Xiao Xun Er in hand.

"Brother Bai, did you come to comfort me?"

Seeing that Xiao Bai had followed him over not long after he arrived, Xiao Yan was certain that he was worried about him. A trace of emotion rose in his heart, but he still asked with a faint hint of expectation.

Xiao Bai's heart caught when he heard that. He was not. He knew the plot. Xiao Yan was about to begin the legend of the Flame Emperor, so what comfort would he need?

But he had forgotten that while Xiao Yan's dawn was just about to arrive, this was also his most desperate moment.

Still, looking at those expectant eyes, Xiao Bai could not bear to say no, so he could only nod.

"Brother Bai!"

Xiao Yan's emotional cry, along with his tearful eyes, sent a shiver through Xiao Bai's whole body, and goosebumps instantly rose all over him.

Eugh~!

Seeing that Xiao Yan still wanted to come over and hug him, Xiao Bai raised a palm in front of himself and shouted sternly, "Stop... You're a dignified grown man. Don't act like a little woman!"

Hearing Xiao Bai's shout, Xiao Yan instantly snapped out of his emotions. Recalling his actions just now, he could not help feeling a little embarrassed, and his face immediately turned red.

Seeing Xiao Yan's expression, Xiao Bai instantly had the urge to turn around and leave.

Damn it, you're a grown man, yet you're all bashful and blushing.

I never thought you were this kind of Xiao Yan!

But remembering his purpose today, he suppressed the urge to retch and did not turn around and leave.

It seemed he would have to stay farther away from this kid in the future. He, Xiao Bai, was a fine man, and there were still so many beautiful women in the world waiting for him to comfort them!

How could he possibly put on a Brokeback Mountain act with this kid here?

Who knew if the blows of these three years had been too much for him? Why did it feel like this kid's mind had already become so twisted?

Xiao Yan saw the strange look Xiao Bai was giving him and was confused at first, but then, for one instant, inspiration struck.

Thinking of the peculiar tastes certain people had in his previous life, he remembered that he had worn this exact same expression when he heard about them. Then, thinking back on his own actions just now, he somewhat understood that Xiao Bai had taken him for that kind of person.

In an instant, Xiao Yan felt an urge to just die on the spot and hurriedly opened his mouth to explain, "Brother Bai, I'm not that kind of person!"

Xiao Bai grew even more suspicious, but he did not want to continue the topic. He calmly nodded, deciding in his heart that from now on, unless there was a reason, he would not spend time alone with him.

Xiao Xun Er watched from the side, utterly confused. She felt like they were discussing something very strange.

"All right, enough idle talk. Let me ask you, do you want to solve the problem of your disappearing Dou Qi?"

Xiao Bai said with a serious expression.

"Bai Ge, can you solve my problem?"

A tremendous hope rose in Xiao Yan's heart. This was the knot in his heart, one that had trapped him for three years. Not a moment went by when he did not think about finding the cause and then solving it.

He had never expected Xiao Bai to suddenly give him such a surprise.

As for Xiao Bai's words, he did not doubt them. He knew that although the person before him could be unserious about small matters at times, when it came to something like this, he would not joke with him unless he was certain.

"If I said I knew long ago, but never told you, would you blame me?"

His voice was soft, but in Xiao Yan's ears, it was like a clap of thunder.

A tremendous rage rose in his heart, along with sorrow.

He had once been at odds with the person before him, but now, he truly regarded him as a friend, as an elder brother, as... a role model in life.

Yet now, this person was telling him that he had clearly known what his problem was, but had watched helplessly as he fell into ruin for these three years.

Xiao Yan stared fixedly at Xiao Bai, his expression seeming both like crying and laughing as he asked, "Why? Why? Is it because I once caused you trouble?"

Xiao Bai smiled and did not answer him, instead walking on his own toward the stone table at the side.

Xiao Xun Er followed without saying a word. Although she did not know why Xiao Bai was doing this, she... believed him!

Xiao Bai was not asking for trouble, because even if he did not say it now, Xiao Yan would find out in a moment anyway.

In that case, it was better for him to expose it now and hold the initiative in his own hands.

He had long anticipated this scene, and he also had an idea of how to explain it, though it might be a lie.

If it were anyone else, Xiao Bai would not care at all what they thought. They could do whatever they liked!

How he, Xiao Bai, conducted himself needed no explanation to others!

But the youth before him was different in the end, and besides, the Xiao Clan had shown him kindness.

As for the future, he would not steal the opportunities Xiao Yan already had, but for those he had yet to obtain, then each would rely on his own ability.

After sitting down beside the stone table, Xiao Bai pointed at the stone stool to the side and said to Xiao Yan, who was still standing off to one side, "Sit down and talk slowly. No rush. It's still early today, and we have plenty of time!"

Looking at Xiao Bai, who was calm and composed, Xiao Yan also calmed down a little. His eyes struggled for a moment before he slowly walked over.

"Ask whatever you want," Xiao Bai said calmly after seeing Xiao Yan sit down.

"Why?" Xiao Yan asked in a heavy voice.

"Because I couldn't beat him!"

"Couldn't beat him? You're saying my Dou Qi disappearing was caused by someone?" Xiao Yan's eyes flickered with shock and doubt.

A trace of surprise also flashed through Xiao Xun Er's eyes. Back when something first went wrong with Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan had asked her to help take a look at Xiao Yan's condition, but at the time, Ling Ying had not detected anything!

Xiao Bai nodded.

Only Yao Lao inside the ring nearly could not stop himself from jumping out and cursing, "You little brat, bullshit! Back then, you were the one who made me sleep for two months, nearly causing a change in my plan and making that brat Xiao Yan cultivate a method and break through to Two Star Fighter!"