Xiao Ze chatted with Xiao Yan for a while before saying, "I have plans with Xun Er, Third Brother. Sorry, but I'll have to go."
Xiao Yan nodded in understanding and smiled with relief.
His fourth brother really was a winner at life. Xiao Yan couldn't help but envy him.
Not only was he extraordinarily talented, he also had a beautiful girl by his side.
"Go on. Get ready, and I hope you two have a wonderful date."
Xiao Yan offered his sincere blessing. After all, Xiao Ze was his own younger brother.
Since Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er had been training together from the same batch, their relationship had progressed quickly.
Even though Xiao Yan had considered experimenting with Dou Qi, he hadn't set his sights on Xiao Xun'er.
After all, he and Xiao Xun'er weren't close enough for him to barge into her room. She might well have beaten him right back out!
Later, when he couldn't find anyone to experiment on, Xiao Yan's idea of testing Dou Qi simply came to nothing.
He threw himself into cultivation and kept at it until the Dou Qi vanished.
"By the way, Third Brother!"
After walking a few steps, Xiao Ze suddenly turned around and called out to Xiao Yan.
"What is it? Is there something else you need your third brother to help with?"
A faint smile appeared on Xiao Ze's face. His gaze was earnest as he said, "I've always believed that Third Brother is a rare talent among men. You'll surely overcome this small setback, become a true dragon, and soar across the Dou Qi Continent!"
Xiao Yan froze at those words.
No one had ever believed in him the way Xiao Ze did!
Believed in his potential, believed in his future!
Even Xiao Zhan had never shown such astonishing faith in him.
"Third Brother, don't give up. A temporary low point doesn't mean the future will stay dark forever!"
After saying that, Xiao Ze didn't add another word. He waved at Xiao Yan and quickly walked away.
Xiao Yan stood where he was, pressing his lips together. His eyes felt as if he'd gotten sand in them.
Before he knew it, tears had welled up.
Every day and night of the past year, he had trained painstakingly alone in his room!
Yet his Dou Qi had continued to disappear beyond his control.
It wasn't until the testing ceremony that the truth was laid bare before everyone.
And all Xiao Yan received in return were sneers, ridicule, and cold looks.
Even those who had once followed close behind him had silently put distance between them.
His father still treated him as he always had, and was still working hard to find a way to cure him.
But Xiao Yan could tell that Xiao Zhan no longer had much hope for him.
It was as if Xiao Zhan was desperately clinging to the last straw, still hoping to discover why Xiao Yan's Dou Qi was disappearing.
And yet, the family's hottest rising star, the genius who was flourishing like the midday sun—his own fourth brother—had shown him unparalleled faith!
How could that not move Xiao Yan?
"That's right. The trouble in front of me is only a small wave on the road of my life. How can I let myself stop here?"
Xiao Yan wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, took a deep breath, and hurried back to his room!
Cultivate!
I'm going to cultivate!
Xiao Ze hurried back to his room, then bathed and changed.
He put on his most dashing clothes and combed his hair in a grown-up style.
Looking at the handsome young man in the bronze mirror, Xiao Ze broke into a broad grin.
He rummaged by his bed and found a black card. It was an ordinary Gold Deposit Card, with a maximum balance of five thousand gold coins.
The cards above it required not only wealth, but even strength!
"Even though I told that girl she could treat me, I can't actually make her pay."
The Administrative Elder had given him this black card when Xiao Ze went to collect his allowance.
His monthly allowance had shot up to a hundred gold coins!
He could also apply to the Xiao Clan for any cultivation resources he needed.
And right now, the black card had a full two thousand gold coins on it!
According to the Administrative Elder, it was compensation for the allowances Xiao Ze hadn't collected before.
"Everything's about ready. I should go wait for Xun Er at the main gate!"
Xiao Ze stepped outside and checked the time. It had only taken him about half an hour, so he was still in time!
Inside Xiao Xun'er's room, clothes were spread all over the bed.
Wearing a dressing gown, Xiao Xun'er kept picking up clothes and holding them against herself.
Hidden in the shadows, Ling Ying watched his young mistress take such care with her appearance, and felt conflicted.
"Miss, you're naturally beautiful. Anything would look good on you!"
"But I want to pick the very best outfit!"
Xiao Xun'er set down the two pieces she was holding and picked up another, studying it carefully.
"Today is the first time Xiao Ze and I are going out on a date. We're going to eat under the pretext of celebrating,"
"But I still want to look my very best!"
Ling Ying was at a loss. Seeing how troubled his young mistress was, he suddenly came up with a good idea.
"Miss, you and Young Master Xiao Ze are practically inseparable and see each other almost every day. He must have seen all your usual outfits already."
Xiao Xun'er froze. That was probably true!
Ling Ying pressed his advantage. "Why not wear something you've never worn before? It might make Young Master Xiao Ze's eyes light up."
"You're right! Thank you, Elder Ling!"
Xiao Ze waited at the gate for a while. As he waited, he took stock of the results of his recent cultivation.
A few days ago, he had just become a Nine-Star Dou Zhe. Now his cultivation had stabilized, and he had already made another big stride forward.
The original novel had mentioned that at the early stage of the tenth level of Dou Qi, gaining one level in a year could already be considered very fast.
Cultivation had been turtle-slow during the Dou Qi stage.
But after becoming a Dou Zhe, one's cultivation speed increased dramatically. It was possible to shoot up several stars in a single year!
On top of that, the Dou Qi Vortex the system had created for Xiao Ze was completely different from everyone else's, making his progress even faster.
With a little more time, he'd reach the peak of the Nine-Star Dou Zhe level.
I'll use the tenfold feedback from Xun Er reaching One-Star Dou Zhe to help me break through to Dou Master!
Xiao Ze was thinking to himself when a voice suddenly rang out.
"Xiao Ze, what are you thinking about so intently?"
Xiao Xun'er's voice came from beside him. Xiao Ze turned around as he replied, "Of course I was wondering whether my little Xun Er was going to make me wait a whole hour before she finally showed up."
When he saw Xiao Xun'er, a glimmer of amazement appeared in his eyes.
Her long hair fell to her hips, and a golden ornament adorned the top of her head, with a few red threads hanging from it.
She wore a pale green inner garment beneath a white dress, with red patterns decorating the cuffs and collar.
She looked as if she had stepped right out of a painting.
And with Xiao Xun'er's aura, like a Green Lotus untouched by the world, she seemed all the more like a celestial maiden descended to earth.
Xiao Xun'er clearly caught the admiration and surprise that flashed in Xiao Ze's eyes. Her heart felt as sweet as if she'd just tasted honey.
"Xiao Ze, do I look pretty?"
As she spoke, Xiao Xun'er spread her arms and twirled in place, giving Xiao Ze a good look.
"Pretty! That outfit looks great—and my little Xun Er looks even better!"
Xiao Ze couldn't help nodding in admiration.
A delighted smile bloomed across Xiao Xun'er's face. All that time spent choosing an outfit and dressing up had been worth it.
"Then let's go, Xiao Ze. Eat your fill!"
"You little girl, aren't you afraid I'll eat you out of house and home?"
Xiao Xun'er looked proud. She lifted her chin like an adorable little kitten.
Xiao Ze knew perfectly well just how fabulously wealthy Xiao Xun'er was!
Even if he ate until a thousand versions of himself were stuffed to bursting, it would probably be no more than a drop in the ocean to her.
Before you continue