Xiao Ni strode forward in high spirits. Just as he was about to turn left into the area where Xiao Xun'er lived, a charming figure suddenly appeared and blocked his path.
"Xiao Mei?" Xiao Ni frowned slightly at the girl who had appeared out of nowhere and asked indifferently, "Were you looking for me?"
He neither disliked nor liked Xiao Mei. If he had to describe his feelings toward her, it was probably sympathy.
Xiao Mei placed far too much importance on her pride and talent. If she had not deliberately distanced herself from Xiao Yan in the past, Xiao Yan would not have treated her so coldly after he rose again.
"I... I came to congratulate Brother Xiao Ni on becoming a Seven-Star Dou Practitioner," Xiao Mei said with her head lowered, her tone somewhat shy.
"Oh." Xiao Ni nodded, did not say another word, and walked around Xiao Mei.
"Xiao..." Xiao Mei turned around, wanting to say something more, but when she saw Xiao Ni quicken his pace, she swallowed her words.
Perhaps the distance between her and Xiao Ni, as well as Xiao Yan, could never be narrowed again. She had brought this upon herself and could blame no one else.
"Brother Xiao Ni, why didn't you say a few more words to her just now?" When Xiao Ni arrived outside Xiao Xun'er's room and was about to knock, Xiao Xun'er's voice came from the rooftop.
The view from above was excellent. Xiao Xun'er had clearly seen Xiao Mei block his way earlier and had heard their brief conversation.
"Why did you climb up so high, you little girl?" Xiao Ni asked with a wry smile. Without waiting for Xiao Xun'er's reply, he leaped onto the roof.
"Brother Xiao Ni, you still haven't answered my question." Seeing Xiao Ni sit beside her, Xiao Xun'er narrowed her eyes and reminded him again.
Brother Xiao Ni wanted to avoid her question? Not a chance.
"I was in such a hurry to get past her because I wanted to come see you." Xiao Ni gently pinched Xiao Xun'er's nose, speaking with obvious affection.
Teased by Xiao Ni like that, Xiao Xun'er's little face reddened slightly. After pondering for a moment, she asked again, "Have you finished what you needed to do, Brother Xiao Ni?"
"Mm, I'm done. I came to see you because I wanted to tell you two things. First, tomorrow, just lend me another thousand gold coins. From then on, I'll support you. Second, I want you to accompany me to Black Jade Pavilion tomorrow." Xiao Ni explained his purpose with complete sincerity.
"Brother Xiao Ni, you're going to Black Jade Pavilion so soon? Did you discover something?" Xiao Xun'er had been a little shy upon hearing that Xiao Ni would support her in the future, but after hearing the rest, her brows immediately knit together.
She had originally thought Xiao Ni would not take her to Black Jade Pavilion for another twenty days or so. She had not expected him to move the trip up to tomorrow. He must have discovered or experienced something while he was out today.
"Senior Chekenao came to see me last night. He told me some things about Aunt Lan. Aunt Lan's death may have had something to do with Gu He." Xiao Ni's expression was grave. His fists unconsciously clenched, and a faint killing intent showed in his eyes.
He had never thought much of Gu He to begin with. If Aunt Lan's death had truly been caused by Gu He, then alongside Yun Shan, Yun Leng, Ge Ye, and the others, Gu He would be added to his list of people who had to die.
"What did Senior Chekenao tell you?" Xiao Xun'er's expression also turned solemn.
She rarely saw Xiao Ni like this. Senior Chekenao must have told him many things last night. Xiao Ni had always regarded Aunt Lan as a mother, while Gu He was an immovable mountain to the Xiao Household. Xiao Ni must have been suffering terribly after learning the truth.
"He told me..." Xiao Ni then explained what Chekenao had said to Xiao Xun'er as simply as possible. Xiao Xun'er kept a tight hold on his hand, which gradually calmed him down.
"The Soul Hall's people disappeared after arriving at the Misty Cloud Sect. Could someone within the Misty Cloud Sect be secretly colluding with the Soul Hall?" A flash of killing intent crossed Xiao Xun'er's eyes before she comforted him softly. "Don't worry, Brother Xiao Ni. No matter who is colluding with the Soul Hall, Xun'er will help you kill that person along with that hypocrite, Gu He."
There was a trace of chill beneath Xiao Xun'er's gentle tone, and she had already begun forming a plan in her heart.
She would never allow anyone to harm Xiao Ni. Not even if there was only the slightest possibility!
"I believe you have the strength to do that, but it would be best if Xiao Yan and I avenged this ourselves." Xiao Ni's tone became much calmer. With Xun'er beside him, his heart always settled easily.
"When do you plan to tell Uncle Xiao and Brother Xiao Yan the truth, Brother Xiao Ni? If they learn that Aunt Lan's and Grandpa Xiao Lin's deaths were both connected to Gu He, they definitely won't be able to bear the blow." Xiao Xun'er spoke gently, unable to help feeling heartache for Xiao Ni.
"For now, we'll keep it from Uncle Xiao. As for Xiao Yan, we'll play it by ear once we reach the Misty Cloud Sect." Xiao Ni sighed softly and spoke in a low voice.
"Now that you know the truth, Brother Xiao Ni, do you still insist on going to the Misty Cloud Sect?" Xiao Xun'er frowned slightly, the worry in her heart growing stronger.
If the truth was really as Senior Chekenao had said, then Xiao Ni would be walking into the Misty Cloud Sect like a lamb into a tiger's den. His life could be in danger at any moment.
"Being closer to evil people makes revenge easier, doesn't it?" Xiao Ni's cold smile carried a hint of bitterness. He was determined to go to the Misty Cloud Sect.
"I understand. No matter what Brother Xiao Ni wants to do, Xun'er will accompany you." Xiao Xun'er smiled sweetly, her gaze incomparably firm.
"You're that good to me? Then if I want to sleep in your room tonight, will you accompany me too?" Xiao Ni rolled his neck and revealed a mischievous grin.
Their conversation just now had been too oppressive. It was time to lighten the mood.
"Brother Xiao Ni, you!" Xiao Xun'er withdrew her hand in mock anger, rose to her feet, and jumped straight off the roof.
"Brother Xiao Ni, I have something to do. You should head back first." Xiao Xun'er glanced lightly at Xiao Ni, who was still sitting on the roof. Then, somewhat shyly, she spoke before quickly leaving.
She had not left out of embarrassment or anger. She really did have something to do.
"Huh? I was trying to lighten the mood, and I ended up driving her away?" Xiao Ni scratched his head in confusion. Then he too jumped down from the roof and went to find a place to cultivate.
"Come out." Xiao Xun'er arrived at an open space on the mountain and spoke coldly.
"Young Miss." A black shadow slowly emerged behind Xiao Xun'er, then dropped to its knees.
"From now on, secretly protect Brother Xiao Ni."
"But..." The black shadow had just begun to speak when Xiao Xun'er coldly cut it off.
"Do as I say, or return to the Ancient Clan right now!" Xiao Xun'er's tone and gaze were extremely domineering, frightening the black shadow into instantly lowering its head.
She also wanted to be more polite to the senior before her, but Xiao Ni's safety was at stake. She truly found it difficult to remain calm.
"Yes." The black shadow reluctantly yielded. After waiting for a moment and seeing that Xiao Xun'er had no further orders, it gradually vanished behind her.
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