Putting on an Act

Seeing the Second Elder's actions, everyone was utterly dumbfounded. This was the first time the Second Elder had ever struck Xiao Ning—and he had used his foot to hit Xiao Ning in the face. It seemed the Second Elder understood the stakes very clearly.

"Xiao Ni, are you all right? If you want to cough up blood, feel free to spit it right in my face." While everyone was still reeling in shock, the Second Elder said something else that left them both amused and speechless.

What the hell? Spit on your face? Where's your dignity? Since when had the Second Elder become so shameless?

"There's no need for the Second Elder to worry. Xiao Ning's punch only scratched an itch for me." Xiao Ni casually waved his hand. His complexion was rosy, his expression calm, and he stood rooted in place like a massive bell.

Seeing how casually Xiao Ni spoke, and that he really seemed uninjured, Xiao Zhan and the three elders let out quiet breaths of relief. Then Xiao Zhan suppressed his excitement and cautiously asked, "Xiao Ni, don't tell me you've already become a Fighter?"

At Xiao Zhan's words, everyone pricked up their ears.

Xiao Ning was at the eighth stage of Dou Qi, and he had just used the Yellow Tier mid-grade martial skill, Mountain-Shattering Fist. Even someone at the ninth stage of Dou Qi would feel pain in their chest or be forced back several steps if they took that punch head-on. Yet Xiao Ni had not moved an inch and did not even seem to have suffered internal injuries. If he was not putting on an act, then he was most likely already a Fighter.

"Oh, I actually broke through to Fighter during my coming-of-age ceremony three years ago. I just wanted to keep a low profile, so I used a secret technique to suppress my level." Xiao Ni held his head high and puffed out his chest, looking utterly unfathomable.

In fact, the system had given him a reward once during the previous ten years. It had allowed him to break through three stages of Dou Qi in the final three months before his coming-of-age ceremony, letting him pass it smoothly.

The person who had challenged him back then had also been at the seventh stage of Dou Qi, yet before he could even react, Xiao Ni had knocked him off the platform with a single punch. As a result, most people believed he had only won by luck and continued treating him as trash.

As for why Xiao Ni lied about having become a Fighter three years ago, it was naturally because he wanted to squeeze more gold coins out of Xiao Ning and the Second Elder.

A sixteen-year-old Fighter was absolutely seed-level talent for the Xiao Household. He was already nineteen now, and if he took the opportunity to reveal a little more of his strength, he could definitely extort even more gold coins from the Second Elder.

"What? You were already a Fighter?!" The three elders spoke in unison, their faces filled with shock. Xiao Ning and the other two, along with Young Man C, who had just woken up, all had their mouths twitch violently.

"Then what star Fighter are you now?" Xiao Zhan asked with feigned calm, though inwardly he was overjoyed.

Becoming a Fighter at sixteen—his talent might not compare to Xiao Yan's, but calling Xiao Ni the Xiao Household's second greatest genius would not be an exaggeration. Tsk, tsk, who would have thought that his good brother would also father such a little genius? If Xiao Ni could give Xiao Yan some guidance, then perhaps...

"Oh, I was lucky enough to break through to a two-star Fighter just yesterday." Xiao Ni spoke casually, then revealed his level.

With the system backing him, whatever level he wanted others to see was the level they would see. Of course, he might not be able to fool someone more than three major realms above him.

"Mm, not bad." Xiao Zhan nodded with a smile, growing even more appreciative of Xiao Ni.

When the others saw Xiao Ni's level, their eyes widened. They no longer dared to underestimate him, nor did they dare associate the word trash with him again.

Breaking through was not a fight. How could there be such a thing as luck? This brat Xiao Ni was clearly showing off, but they could only listen.

"So, when I said Xiao Ning should help repair my door and compensate me with one hundred and fifty thousand gold coins within a year, do you elders think that was excessive?" Xiao Ni wore an infuriating smile. Xiao Ning glared at him viciously, but no longer dared make a sound.

This Xiao Ni was simply pushing his luck. He had asked for fifty thousand gold coins just now, so why had it suddenly become one hundred and fifty thousand?

"Uh... not excessive, not excessive. I'll give you the money right now." The Second Elder hurriedly took out a card. "There are more than two hundred and eighty thousand gold coins in it. Keep it and spend it slowly."

The Second Elder was exceedingly polite on the surface, but inwardly he was furious. That little bastard Xiao Ning had actually caused him to lose another hundred thousand gold coins. Once the Lineage assessment was over tomorrow, he would definitely teach that brat a proper lesson.

As for Xiao Ni, not only could he invite an alchemist to refine Foundation Elixir for the Xiao Household, but he could also use a secret technique to suppress his level. Xiao Ni's standing in the Xiao Household would undoubtedly rise rapidly. The Second Elder had a feeling that Xiao Ni's level was probably not limited to just a two-star Fighter. It was a pity such an excellent prospect had not gone to Jia Nan Academy.

"Thank you, Second Elder." Xiao Ni accepted the card without hesitation, feeling utterly delighted inside.

"Xiao Ni, since you became a Fighter long ago, why have you never gone to the Martial Skills Hall to select a martial skill?" Xiao Zhan asked warmly.

Normally, one should have gone to the Martial Skills Hall to select suitable martial skills upon reaching the fifth or sixth stage of Dou Qi. Yet Xiao Ni had never even approached the Martial Skills Hall. Could it be that someone was able to teach him better martial skills? Something like Siphon Palm, perhaps?

"The martial skills there are too low-grade. They're not really suitable for me." Xiao Ni spoke with a serious expression.

He was telling the truth. He truly had no interest in cultivating martial skills below Mysterious Tier high-grade, unless they were strange and profound skills like Siphon Palm or Fire-Blowing Palm. Only then would he consider cultivating them.

"You brat!" Xiao Zhan laughed and scolded him, then turned to Xiao Ning and said sternly, "You lot, hurry up and replace Xiao Ni's door. If you can't get it done, don't even think about sleeping tonight!"

Because of Xiao Yan and Xiao Ni's reputations as trash, he had often needed to consider the feelings of those three old fellows. Now that Xiao Ni had helped him vent his frustrations, he could finally hold his head high from now on and no longer needed to watch the three great elders' expressions.

"Yes." Although Xiao Ning and the other three were unwilling, Xiao Ni's status was no longer what it had once been. They could only swallow their anger and leave the council hall.

"Xiao Ni, with such excellent talent, why didn't you go to Jia Nan Academy back then?" the First Elder asked tentatively.

Naturally, they were happy that the Xiao Household had produced a genius like Xiao Ni. However, the Xiao Household's resources were limited. If Xiao Ni had gone to Jia Nan Academy, he certainly could have gone much farther. Of course, the Xiao Household did not seem to have given Xiao Ni any cultivation resources over the years, either.

Thinking of this, the First Elder could not help feeling somewhat guilty.

"Because I didn't want to go," Xiao Ni said flatly.

What a joke. The system's first mission had taken him ten years, and he had not even completed it yet. How could he possibly go to Jia Nan Academy? Giving up halfway was not his style.

"Ah, what a pity." The First Elder shook his head regretfully. Though he was dissatisfied with Xiao Ni's answer, he did not show it.

"Since you don't want to go to Jia Nan Academy, are you interested in the Cloud Mist Sect?" Xiao Zhan strode over and asked.

The honored guest visiting the Xiao Household in two days would be sent by the Cloud Mist Sect. Niece Nalan also seemed to be cultivating in the Cloud Mist Sect. If he put in a few good words with the guest and invoked Niece Nalan's name, Xiao Ni's entry into the Cloud Mist Sect would be practically guaranteed.

"The Cloud Mist Sect? I'm not interested for now, though perhaps I'll pay them a visit in another two or three years." Xiao Ni shrugged. His third mission would take another twenty-one days to complete, and he still needed to investigate Aunt Lan's affairs. He had no time to join any Cloud Mist Sect.

He did want to meet Yun Yun, but the time was not right yet. Nalan Yanran coming to break off the engagement in two days would be the first step of his plan. If things went smoothly, he should meet Yun Yun very soon. As for whether he would join the Cloud Mist Sect, that would depend on Yun Yun's sincerity.

"I understand. Go back for now." Xiao Zhan shook his head helplessly.

"Mm." Xiao Ni nodded slightly, turned, and walked out of the council hall.