The City Gate Tower and the Hip Joint

Hearing the praise from Wu Yan, a genius who had already become a Dou Zong powerhouse, Gu Xun'er's brows curved slightly.

"Mr. Yan, you flatter me. Xun'er has only just broken through to become a Dou Practitioner. I am still far from reaching your realm."

Gu Xun'er had not expected her cultivation to progress so quickly.

She subconsciously touched the Ice-Blue Jade Bracelet on her left wrist. The cool aura flowing through her meridians perfectly neutralized the scorching heat of that golden flame.

It allowed her to sleep peacefully every night without being distracted by the burning pain in her meridians, which would otherwise affect her cultivation.

Wu Yan noticed Gu Xun'er's movement. Looking at the energy within the bracelet, which was clearly being depleted far too quickly, he gave it some thought.

Hmm, it seemed the life energy contained in my water-attributed Dou Qi was of great help to the little rich girl. I can't miss this chance to raise her favorability!

The next moment, Wu Yan gathered a dense ball of watery blue light in his hand.

Even from some distance away, the two Dou Emperor powerhouses beside them could sense just how astonishing the life energy contained within that blue radiance was!

With a slight movement of his finger, the dense ball of energy instantly merged into the bracelet on Gu Xun'er's left wrist.

Wu Yan did not stop there. As his palm swept over the tabletop, an ice box quietly appeared.

Pushing the ice box toward her, Wu Yan said softly, "This bracelet seems to be of considerable help to Miss Xun'er. Then let me give Miss Xun'er another one."

"Xun'er thanks you, sir. To be honest, your bracelet has indeed helped Xun'er greatly."

Gu Xun'er opened the box and saw a bracelet identical to the one on her wrist. Delight unconsciously appeared on her delicate face.

The bracelet on her hand had just been replenished, and now she had a new one as well. This meant that for the next ten years, Gu Xun'er would no longer need to worry about the flame within her body.

"That is good, then."

Wu Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. In that case, the rich girl's favorability toward him should rise a little, right?

His demands were not high. He did not need to win the rich girl herself. He only needed her to be a little more generous toward him, and when she gave that brat Xiao Yan benefits in the future, remember to let him share in them too.

After carefully putting away the ice box and the bracelet within it, Gu Xun'er, her brows curved in a smile, looked at him with a hint of curiosity. Her innocent gaze lingered over his aloof, unapproachable face.

"Mr. Yan, could you tell Xun'er about your cultivation journey?"

"My journey has been smooth all the way. It seems... there is nothing much worth mentioning."

Wu Yan hesitated. Looking back on his cultivation experiences, there really did not seem to have been any hardships.

Would anyone enjoy such a straightforward cultivation journey, bland as water?

"Oh? Then how old were you when you broke through to become a Dou Practitioner?" Gu Xun'er seemed very interested in Wu Yan's past and had no intention of letting the matter drop.

Wu Yan answered truthfully. Of course, he would certainly leave out anything related to the Little Blue Bottle.

"Mr. Yan, training with a spear must have been exhausting, right?"

"It was somewhat tiring, but it made me stronger, so it was worth the effort."

"Mr. Yan, can you also tell Xun'er about the academy?"

"It is fine. The Grand Elder cannot beat me."

"Mr. Yan..."

Just like that, the two chatted happily as the sky gradually darkened.

As their conversation was about to come to an end, Gu Xun'er suddenly asked a question unrelated to cultivation.

"Mr. Yan, what kind of woman do you like?"

Though it had nothing to do with cultivation, Wu Yan thought that perhaps this was preparation for using a beauty trap on him.

Given the Gu Clan's influence, if they were willing to use a beauty trap on him, it would already be a very good outcome in Wu Yan's estimation.

Thinking that way, Wu Yan considered the matter seriously. After all, it would be troublesome if the beauty trap involved a woman he did not like.

"A gentle temperament, and someone a little cleverer. If she can help me handle some trivial matters, that would be even better."

Upon hearing that, Gu Xun'er blinked, seemingly lost in thought. Yet beneath the table, the little feet she was swinging began to sway much more widely.

At some point, a crescent moon had quietly climbed into the night sky.

Even without the cover of darkness, the Xiao Clan, whose strongest members were merely Da Dou Shi, could not have detected the movements of a Dou Emperor powerhouse.

Not to mention that darkness now provided cover, and the person acting was a Dou Zong powerhouse who stood above Dou Emperors.

From outside Xiao Yan's small courtyard, one could vaguely see that the twelve-year-old had not completely given up on himself. He was still cultivating Dou Qi.

Though his Dou Qi continued to decrease rather than increase.

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door. Xiao Yan got down from the bed, opened it, and found his cousin Gu Xun'er outside.

In addition, beside his cousin stood a young man who exuded an air that kept others at arm's length, his expression indifferent.

"Xun'er, what is this?"

"Brother Xiao Yan, Mr. Yan said he came to help you. Let us in first."

Xiao Yan froze for a moment, then moved his body to the side.

With a bang, the door shut tightly. Xiao Yan turned around, his curious eyes fixed on the young man.

"May I ask how I should address you, sir?"

"Wu Yan."

"Wu Yan!" Xiao Yan blurted out in shock, staring wide-eyed.

Gu Xun'er was somewhat speechless and reminded him, "Brother Xiao Yan, keep your voice down. Do you want all of Wutan City to know that Mr. Yan is here?"

"Sorry, Xun'er. I... I was just too excited!"

Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly, then moved closer to Wu Yan with a broad smile. His eyes shone brightly.

Wu Yan was a little speechless. Something seemed off about this Xiao Yan. Could he possibly be...

"It is fine. I have already sealed off the space around this courtyard. Sound cannot travel outside."

Seeing Wu Yan's gaze turn toward her, Gu Xun'er understood what he meant. She had paid for this favor, so Xiao Yan's gratitude naturally had to be directed toward Gu Xun'er.

"Xun'er invited Mr. Yan here this time because of Brother Xiao Yan's strange illness."

"Oh?"

Xiao Yan blinked. He had not expected his cousin to be so capable that she could even invite this legendary figure here.

"Then I will have to trouble you!"

"No need to be so polite. If you want to thank someone, thank Miss Xun'er."

"Oh, right, and Xun'er too!"

Before long, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, prepared to enter a cultivation state.

Standing before Xiao Yan, Wu Yan's perception, far surpassing those of his peers, swept through Xiao Yan's body in an instant.

"There is nothing wrong with your body. Then the problem is most likely with an external object."

As his calm voice fell, Wu Yan's gaze locked firmly onto the black ring on Xiao Yan's finger.