One Sentence, and Xun Er Was Coaxed into a Placenta!

"Not bad. You even knew to hide your true intentions."

As they walked back to the Xiao Family estate, Old Yao chuckled teasingly in Xiao Yan's mind.

"I just didn't want to haggle with him. If he realized I was interested in that iron shard, wouldn't I become the sucker?"

Xiao Yan replied with a faint smile in his heart.

Upon returning to the estate, Xiao Yan headed purposefully toward Xun Er's residence.

He knocked on the door and waited briefly, but received no response.

That meant Xun Er was not inside.

If she had been in the room, even if she was cultivating, Xun Er would have responded.

After giving it some thought, Xiao Yan headed to the Dou Technique Hall.

Before he even got close, he could faintly hear a noisy commotion coming from within.

Hearing the shouts coming from the Dou Technique Hall, Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised. Few people usually came here, so why was it so lively today?

Thus, beneath the respectful gazes of the clan members guarding the Dou Technique Hall, Xiao Yan strode inside.

The moment he entered, waves of cheers and applause from boys and girls came rolling toward him.

The Dou Technique Hall was divided into eastern and western sections. The east stored the family's Dou Techniques, while the west was a sizable training ground. At that moment, quite a few people were gathered around the training ground, eagerly watching the two people competing in the center.

Xiao Yan was rather familiar with the two competitors. They were his cousin Xiao Ning and his younger cousin Xiao Mei.

Both had reached the fourth stage of Dou Qi. In terms of talent, nine-year-old Xiao Mei was far better than twelve-year-old Xiao Ning.

Xiao Yan had no interest in watching a contest between people at the Dou Qi stage. It was simply too boring.

His gaze swept around, and through a gap between the bookshelves, he spotted the beautiful girl in a light purple dress.

Without disturbing Xun Er, who was leisurely flipping through a Yellow Tier high-grade Dou Technique, Xiao Yan softened his footsteps and walked over.

Yet the moment he approached, Xun Er raised her head and revealed a sweet smile.

"Brother Xiao Yan!"

The girl's clear voice and elegant smile were like spring rain, moistening all things without a sound and refreshing the heart.

"What are you reading so seriously?"

Xiao Yan reached out and naturally took the Dou Technique scroll from Xun Er's hands. His eyes swept over it, and he suddenly froze.

"Yellow Tier high-grade Dou Technique: Flame Fist???"

The moment Xiao Yan saw the name of the Dou Technique, he felt that something was very off. It carried a distinct flavor of home.

Then his gaze sharpened as he carefully read the details of the technique.

"Flame Fist, Yellow Tier high-grade Dou Technique. Its offensive power is extremely formidable. When mastered, one may unleash a self-sacrificing punch through the air, compressing Dou Qi before detonating it to form flames. Combined with the force of one's entire body, its power rivals a Mystic Tier Dou Technique! Note: If special flames are used, its power will increase with the strength of those flames, reaching as high as the Earth Tier!"

Holy shit!

Xiao Yan's eye twitched slightly.

What kind of genius had created this Dou Technique? And where was its matching Demon Sealing Slash?

"Xun Er, where did you find this Dou Technique? It's rather interesting!"

Xiao Yan concealed the shock in his heart and turned to look at Xun Er.

"Um, I found it in that corner over there. Brother Xiao Yan, there's no need for you to look. Those are all damaged Dou Techniques. Only this one is relatively complete, but because it is too difficult to cultivate, no one has been able to learn it, so it was tossed into the corner."

Xun Er tilted her head in thought, then pointed toward the lower right corner of the innermost bookshelf.

"Oh, I see. I think this Dou Technique is quite interesting. It shouldn't be difficult to learn."

Xiao Yan raised his brow at her words and smiled.

"Since Brother Xiao Yan is so confident, once you learn it, could you teach Xun Er hand in hand?"

At those words, Xun Er blinked her clear, beautiful eyes, her voice taking on a slightly coquettish tone.

"Of course!"

Xiao Yan smiled and affectionately reached out to rub Xun Er's little head.

Hearing Xiao Yan's promise, a radiant smile appeared on Xun Er's pretty face. She then continued whispering and giggling beside him, and their intimate manner made every young man in the hall turn red-eyed with envy.

From afar, Xiao Mei watched the two laughing and chatting beneath the bookshelves. Having already fought Xiao Ning to a draw, she lightly bit her lip, her gaze somewhat dim.

She had done nothing wrong. It was only that Xiao Yan and Xun Er shone too brightly, making everyone see only each other while overlooking the lone star beside them whose light had been obscured.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, come with me. I have something to give you."

Xiao Yan said with a smile.

"What is it?"

Xun Er's eyes immediately lit up. Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, and even Xiao Yan's mood brightened considerably at the sight.

"There are too many people here. Let's find somewhere quieter to talk."

Although Xun Er was trustworthy, if he took out the Qi Gathering Powder here, the entire Xiao Family would probably be thrown into turmoil.

"Okay!"

Xun Er nodded obediently, then wrapped her arms around Xiao Yan's arm and rested her little head against his shoulder as she smiled happily.

Xiao Yan smiled back. He then took the Dou Technique scroll in his hand to register it with the Dou Technique Hall administrator before leaving with Xun Er beneath the envious gazes of the youths.

Xiao Mei had lost the mood to remain as well. After politely greeting her cousin Xiao Ning, she left alone.

As for Xiao Ning... he naturally had some affection for Xun Er as well, but Xiao Yan's brilliance was simply too dazzling, leaving him feeling inferior. Seeing Xiao Yan and Xun Er together, such a handsome man and beautiful woman, he could only sigh, find a Dou Technique scroll, and bury himself in studying it.

Inside Xun Er's room.

In the entire Xiao Family, only Xiao Yan was allowed to enter this place.

Other than him, there was Ling Ying. Even when he came to report information, he had to kneel outside if he did not have Xun Er's permission.

"Brother Xiao Yan?"

Though there were tables and chairs in the room, Xun Er directly pulled Xiao Yan over to sit by the bed, looking at him curiously.

"I won't beat around the bush. Here."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan took the specially purchased, high-quality jade box from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xun Er.

"This is... Qi Gathering Powder?"

Xun Er opened the jade box and examined it briefly before recognizing the type of pill.

"Mm."

Xiao Yan nodded.

"How does Brother Xiao Yan have this?"

Xun Er lowered her eyes, a trace of deeper meaning flashing through them. Then she raised her head, looking delighted as she asked curiously.

"It's like this. I took another master, an alchemy grandmaster. Haven't you reached the ninth stage of Dou Qi? I thought it was the perfect time to ask my teacher to refine a Qi Gathering Powder for you. Though I know that even without this, you could successfully advance to become a Dou Zhe, it would naturally be even better with it."

Xiao Yan said with a smile.

"An alchemy grandmaster?"

Xun Er looked at Xiao Yan with some suspicion.

With her discernment, it was not difficult for her to see that this Qi Gathering Powder was of even better quality than the ones sent by her clan.

But how had Brother Xiao Yan encountered an alchemy grandmaster?

And even taken him as a master...

Hm?

Xun Er suddenly understood, and joy appeared on her face. "Does that mean Brother Xiao Yan can become an alchemist?"

"Yes, that's right."

Xiao Yan nodded.

"Then Xun Er must congratulate Brother Xiao Yan. Alchemists are the most respected profession on the continent. Combined with Brother Xiao Yan's cultivation talent, you will surely become a peerless expert renowned across the continent someday!"

Xun Er smilingly put away the pill and spoke earnestly.

"Mm, I'll work hard to reach that point. So Xun Er, you must work hard too. If I stand at the pinnacle with no one beside me, I'll be very lonely."

Xiao Yan said with a smile.

Xun Er's eyes widened at those words. Her pretty face suddenly flushed red, and she was completely stunned.

"Alright, put the pill away and cultivate properly. I need to go study this Dou Technique."

With that, Xiao Yan rose and left. Xun Er nodded somewhat foolishly as she watched him go.

Only one sentence continued echoing through her mind.

Brother Xiao Yan said that he hoped she would be by his side in the future!