Seeing Xiao Chen stare at the plaque for three or four seconds before putting it away, Gu Yuan knew what was going on. Interesting. This kid really does know something!
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Once Xiao Chen agreed to the task, Xiao Zhan and the three elders knew there was no point arguing.
Xiao Zhan didn't react much. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face, and he nodded at Xiao Chen.
The three elders, however, looked at Xiao Chen with displeasure. But given Gu Yuan's status, they didn't dare let it show.
As for Xiao Ning, who should have been shouldering this important task, he was glaring at Xiao Chen through gritted teeth. If looks could kill, Xiao Chen would have died countless times over.
Xiao Chen didn't mind. Xiao Ning might be a bit petty, but he wasn't bad at heart, so Xiao Chen had no plans to bother with him.
Of course, if Xiao Ning picked a fight, that would be another matter. Xiao Chen didn't cultivate, but he still had plenty of ways to teach a little kid at Dou Qi Stage One a lesson.
Gu Yuan had seen everything that happened in the hall, but he didn't intend to say anything.
This was an internal matter for the Xiao Family. It wasn't his place, as an outsider, to interfere. He merely patted Gu Xun'er on the head and said with a smile, "Go on, Xun'er. Let this young man..." He trailed off, only then remembering that he hadn't asked Xiao Chen's name. Even this Nine-Star Dou Saint found himself a little embarrassed.
Seeing this, Xiao Chen hurriedly clasped his hands and introduced himself. "This junior is Xiao Chen, from a collateral branch of the Xiao Family!"
Normally, a collateral-branch member like Xiao Chen wouldn't have been qualified to appear here.
But his father had once saved Xiao Zhan's life, so his presence here made sense.
That was also why Xiao Zhan hadn't objected when Gu Yuan had specifically asked Xiao Chen to show Gu Xun'er around.
If Gu Yuan had asked Xiao Ning instead, Xiao Zhan might not have agreed. Xiao Ning could have found some excuse to wriggle out of it.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, young friend Xiao Chen. The Xiao Family truly produces one talented person after another. Even its collateral branches have such outstanding young people!"
Gu Yuan nodded with satisfaction, but his words made everyone present look a little strange.
If anyone else had said that, the three elders and Xiao Zhan would have taken it as mockery. After all, Xiao Chen had never cultivated.
But since the words came from Gu Yuan, they really were praise. It was just that his choice of words felt a little forced.
There was nothing for it. Gu Yuan had spent too long in a position of power to understand such things. It was only after he'd spoken that he remembered Xiao Chen's circumstances.
But the words were already out. He couldn't very well take them back, so he gave a light cough and changed the subject. "Ahem! Xun'er, go on. Let young friend Xiao Chen show you around the clan!"
Gu Xun'er didn't reply. She only nodded, then timidly stepped out from behind Gu Yuan and followed behind Xiao Chen with her head lowered, without saying a word.
After taking Gu Xun'er around the clan, the sun was nearly setting. Looking at the brilliant evening clouds, Xiao Chen suddenly had an idea. He turned to Gu Xun'er behind him. "Miss Xun'er, would you like to go to the back mountain and watch the sunset? The scenery there is quite nice. It's a great place to enjoy the sunset!"
"The sunset? All right!"
Gu Xun'er hesitated for a moment, as if weighing something, but soon gave him her answer.
Ten minutes later, on a smooth boulder in the Xiao Family's back mountain.
Xiao Chen looked at Gu Xun'er, who stood below the boulder, lost in thought. After a moment's consideration, he bent down and held out a hand to her. "Miss Xun'er, let me pull you up. This is the best spot to watch the sunset!"
"All right! Thank you!"
Gu Xun'er thanked him in a sweet voice without any fuss and reached up to take his hand.
Xiao Chen felt a soft touch in his palm. "Pardon me," he murmured, then placed his other hand against Gu Xun'er's back and pulled her up with a sudden burst of strength.
The momentum sent Gu Xun'er tumbling straight into Xiao Chen's arms. He didn't react much; after steadying her, he found a place to sit.
Gu Xun'er seemed lost in thought. A blush spread across her delicate face. When she saw that Xiao Chen wasn't paying attention to her, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down not far from him.
Time trickled by. Before the sun sank into the valley, its light turned half the sky crimson.
"It's so beautiful! Xun'er has never seen such a lovely view!"
Looking at the setting sun as it slowly sank below the horizon, Gu Xun'er couldn't help murmuring softly.
"Miss Xun'er, have you never watched the sunset before?"
Xiao Chen regretted asking as soon as the words left his mouth. He suddenly remembered Gu Xun'er's physical condition.
Because she was so young and frail, her body couldn't withstand the power of the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame, leaving her with some aftereffects.
Before leaving the Ancient Clan, she probably hadn't had much chance to truly play, let alone admire the sunset.
He remembered reading a fan-made story in his previous life that claimed Gu Xun'er had been sealed inside a block of Mystic Ice until she was five, to suppress the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame.
He had no idea if it was true, but judging by Gu Xun'er's reaction, it wasn't impossible.
"Mhm. This is my first time seeing the sunset. Thank you!" Gu Xun'er didn't seem to mind his question. She smiled sweetly. "Also... you can just call me Xun'er!"
"The sun's gone down. We should head back, too. If you like sunsets, Xun'er, I'll come watch them with you every day from now on!"
Xiao Chen didn't refuse her suggestion. It would be nice to grow closer to her.
After all, she was a powerful ally, and one who could already be of great help to him.
Only after the two returned to the clan did they learn that Gu Yuan had already left. A trace of disappointment flickered in Gu Xun'er's eyes, but she quickly recovered.
"Senior must have something very important to take care of. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left without saying goodbye!"
Looking at the slightly disappointed Xun'er in front of him, Xiao Chen couldn't help reaching out to pat her head. Yet a flurry of thoughts stirred within him. Damn, her hair feels so soft! No wonder anime protagonists love patting girls on the head. So that's what it feels like!!!
P.S. Hair really feels amazing. If you're interested, give it a try!
"Mhm! Xun'er knows!"
Feeling the warmth on her head, Xun'er didn't resist. She simply lowered her head and closed her eyes like a little cat, letting Xiao Chen stroke her hair.
After greeting Xiao Zhan and escorting Xun'er back to her room, Master Xiao, who had been busy all day, finally lay down on his bed.
[Host, host, you have some free time now, right? Want to try a simulation?]
"Don't rush me. Let me think it through first. There's no point in rushing something like this!"
Unless he was absolutely certain, Xiao Chen didn't plan to run a simulation. Otherwise, he would only waste his chance.
He only had one chance. Who knew how long it would take for another simulation to become available? If he wasted it by acting too hastily, he'd be devastated.
[Host, that's not right. If you don't work hard, how will you get stronger? How will you reach the pinnacle of life and marry a rich, beautiful woman?]
[You know Gu Xun'er's situation, right? Her father is a Nine-Star Dou Saint. If you don't work hard, you won't even be qualified to enter the Ancient Clan!]
"Seriously, man, what's the rush? You have to give me time to think, don't you?!"
The system's words sounded reasonable, but were complete nonsense. He couldn't even think of a way to change Gu Xun'er's life trajectory. What good would starting a simulation do?
Before you continue