Reward for Complaining About the Plot?

"So it really was a transmigration..."

In a secluded courtyard within the Xiao Clan estate of Wutan City, a boy who looked to be only three or four years old lay on a wooden bed, muttering to himself as he felt the faint trace of Dou Qi emerging within his body.

He had been in the Xiao Clan for four years now, ever since he was born.

Yet, all of this felt like a dream to him, especially after realizing he was in the Dou Qi Continent; it was simply too hard to believe.

His memory was still stuck on his life as a miserable corporate slave, ending his "996" blessing only to be flattened by a heavy-duty truck while trying to save a child on his way home.

The good news was that, just like every other generic transmigrator, he had a system.

It was called the [Endless Gossip System].

As long as a plot event occurred, he had a chance to receive rewards by mocking the plot in his heart. The prize pool contained countless Heaven-tier cultivation techniques, Emperor-grade medicinal pills, and even Heavenly Flames.

Getting his hands on just one of those would basically allow him to take off instantly.

The bad news was that he had transmigrated way too early. The protagonist, Xiao Yan, was just a little brat like him—where was he supposed to find a plot to mock!

"Forget it, since I'm here, I might as well stay... Being early is fine, it leaves room for some maneuvering."

For instance, he could take advantage of their young age to become friends with Xiao Yan.

After all, that was the future Flame Emperor, the Son of Destiny of this world, a figure who would eventually dominate the Great Thousand Worlds.

While he didn't need to grovel, building a good relationship was necessary.

Even if their relationship wasn't bad right now, wouldn't it be better if it were even closer?

Because Xiao Yan wasn't some "God King Tang"—he was the type to repay a drop of kindness with a gushing spring. When he eventually struck it rich, he wouldn't forget his childhood friend.

Even if he only leaked a little bit through his fingers, it would be enough for him to live a life of ease and comfort.

As for becoming a top-tier powerhouse?

Relying on a broken system that relied on probability was a bit too much to ask for a "non-chief" like him who always hit the hard pity in gacha games. Besides, he had no desire to become cannon fodder dying under the hands of Hun Tiandi.

So, he would leave the big bosses like Hun Tiandi and Hun Miesheng to the protagonist.

He would just focus on staying alive and lying flat.

"Action speaks louder than words!"

Having made up his mind, he didn't dawdle and immediately got up to leave the room.

However, no sooner had he stepped out of the courtyard than he noticed many Xiao Clan disciples heading toward the clan's reception hall.

They were in such a hurry, as if some earth-shattering piece of gossip was waiting for them to feast upon.

"Little Yuan!"

Following a familiar call, someone grabbed his neck, and he felt his body sink under the weight.

Coming into view was a familiar face, and he affectionately called out—

"Cousin Xiao Li."

Little Yuan was his nickname; his formal name was Xiao Yuan.

The person before him was the biological second brother of the original protagonist, Xiao Yan, and the future second leader of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group. Although he was also just a little brat right now, he was a few years older than him and Xiao Yan, already a young lad.

He usually took good care of him.

Besides him, two others had arrived as well.

"Cousin Xiao Ding, Cousin Xiao Yan."

The boy of the same age, Xiao Yan, only nodded slightly, looking rather full of himself.

Can't be helped.

After all, he had already started practicing Qi and was the earliest among this generation of Xiao Clan disciples to condense Dou Qi.

"Little Yuan, I heard you haven't stepped out for the past few days?"

Xiao Ding asked.

Unlike Xiao Yan's arrogance or Xiao Li's excessive enthusiasm, Xiao Ding's tone was calm and plain, yet one could still feel the concern within it.

"Yeah, I was originally going to look for you kid, but then I heard you'd locked yourself in your room. Are you pining after some cousin and about to burst? Tell your cousin, is it Xiao Yu?"

Xiao Li chimed in, though his winking expression made him look like he was begging for a beating.

Xiao Yuan felt his head fill with black lines and sighed helplessly.

"Cut it out, Cousin Xiao Li. Aren't you afraid that if this reaches Cousin Xiao Yu's ears, she'll draw her sword and chase you all over the courtyard? Besides, I haven't been out lately because I was busy condensing Dou Qi."

Hearing this, Xiao Li burst into laughter.

"Don't worry, Xiao Yu is no match for me now...?"

His voice cut off abruptly. Realizing what was said, Xiao Li widened his eyes.

"Wait, Little Yuan, what did you say? You condensed Dou Qi?!"

"Yeah."

Xiao Yuan nodded and said honestly, "I'm already at the first stage of Dou Qi."

"Goodness..."

Xiao Yuan couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.

Even Xiao Ding and Xiao Yan turned to stare at him, eyes wide with shock.

What had they just heard?

Xiao Yuan had actually condensed Dou Qi?!

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had probably only managed to condense their first strand of Dou Qi at seven, and even that had already placed them in the upper-middle ranks of the clan.

Yet five-year-old Xiao Yan had condensed Dou Qi at four, becoming the clan's once-in-ten-thousand-years genius.

No one expected Xiao Yuan to achieve the same feat at the same age of four!

For a moment, none of them knew what expression to wear.

Xiao Yuan, pinned by their burning gazes, felt awkward and quickly changed the subject.

"That... Cousin Xiao Li, Cousin Xiao Ding, where are you all headed?"

At that, Xiao Li perked up at once, throwing an arm around his neck and dragging him toward the main road.

"Hey hey hey, Cousin Xiao Li, what are you doing? We can talk without the dragging!"

"Listen up, Little Yuan. I heard from my dad that the Xiao clan has a distinguished guest staying with us today—a little girl, no less. Don't you want to go take a look?"

Hearing Xiao Li's explanation, Xiao Yuan froze on the spot.

Staying with the Xiao clan, and a little girl?

Could it be Gu Xun'er?

Running the timeline through his head, it did seem to match when she entered the Xiao clan.

The thought made his gaze drift unconsciously to Xiao Yan, his expression turning strange. Xiao Yan shivered under the stare and frowned back at him.

He looked ready to demand "What the hell are you looking at?"

"Little Yuan, what are you staring at Little Yan for?"

"Ah, no, I just think Cousin Xiao Yan looks really handsome today..."

The words sent a chill down Xiao Yan's spine; he instinctively took several steps away.

Clearly a misunderstanding.

"Tch, when the hell did your preferences change? I'll admit my Little Yan is good-looking, but you're not bad yourself, and he's definitely not your type!"

Xiao Li gave him a smack on the head, glaring in displeasure.

"No way! Come on, come on—we're dragging you over to see that little guest girl right now and fix whatever's wrong with your orientation!"

With that, Xiao Li channeled Dou Qi and hauled him toward the Xiao clan's reception hall without room for argument.

"Ow, Cousin Xiao Li, easy—easy! That hurts!"

As the eldest, Xiao Ding watched the three of them roughhousing, a helpless smile slowly spreading across his face.

When the four of them reached the reception hall, a crowd of younger clan members had already gathered outside the doors.

A long-legged girl among them spotted them, snorted coldly, and turned away.

"Ignore her."

Xiao Li glanced at the departing figure, then slung an arm around Xiao Yuan's neck again and shoved straight through the crowd, dragging Xiao Yan and Xiao Ding to the very front.

Unfortunately, the hall doors were tightly shut; nothing could be seen or heard, only a few vague silhouettes inside, apparently discussing something important.

Yet a girl stood just outside the doors, as though she had only recently stepped out.

She still looked very young, her petite, slender frame draped in a pale-purple gauze dress edged with gold thread.

She resembled a pampered young noble lady.

Her features were delicate, but her face held a sickly pallor.

It was as if she suffered from malnutrition, forming a stark contrast with her luxurious attire.

Even so, it couldn't mask the aloof, indifferent aura of pride that clung to her.

Tsk tsk, this couldn't be Gu Xun'er, the little princess of the Ancient Clan—one of the eight great ancient clans, right? Why does she look so frail? One punch and she'd probably cry for ages.

Ding, congratulations on obtaining the Innate Fire Spirit Body.