The Grand Elder Shows Off

Do what you should be doing...

Those words were like a stone cast into the stagnant pool of Xiao Yan's heart, stirring ripples across its surface.

Did that mean that every time he cultivated, his heart grew restless because he was too afraid of losing everything?

If the departed Qin Yu had known what Xiao Yan was thinking at that moment, he would probably have found it both laughable and exasperating.

He simply wanted Xiao Yan to keep going like this until Yao Lao emerged. Why was he overthinking things for no reason?

Naturally, Xiao Yan had no way of knowing Qin Yu's original intentions. He merely sank into his own thoughts, and the gloom in his heart seemed to disperse bit by bit.

He sat there with his head lowered for a long time, only snapping back to his senses when Xiao Yu happened to pass by.

"What are you doing here? Have you seen Brother Yu?"

"N-No, nothing."

The moment he saw Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan jolted in fright, and the scars on his face began to ache faintly.

"Brother Qin Yu just went out. I don't know where he went."

After casually brushing her off with a couple of words, Xiao Yan quickly fled as if he were a mouse that had seen a cat.

"Hmph, let's see if you dare act so arrogant again."

Xiao Yu felt immensely satisfied at Xiao Yan's reaction, but...

She seemed to have forgotten to ask Xiao Yan which direction Qin Yu had gone!

"Sis?"

Just then, Xiao Ning also passed by.

"What is it?"

"...Sis, you two really are in perfect sync. Early in the morning, neither of you stayed in your rooms—you both went looking for the other."

After Xiao Ning said that while holding back a laugh, Xiao Yu's face instantly flushed bright red.

So Qin Yu had gone to look for her...

"Hm? Where is she?"

Elsewhere, Qin Yu was somewhat puzzled after failing to find Xiao Yu. Hadn't they agreed to go to the admissions office today to see what this year's new students were like?

Qin Yu had told Xiao Yu about his impending departure on the way back long ago.

At first, she had indeed been reluctant to part with him, but after a few days, she gradually came to accept it.

After all, she could not shamelessly cling to Qin Yu and stop him from pursuing a higher realm, could she?

Still, Xiao Yu asked that for these last few days, Qin Yu temporarily put cultivation aside and relax. Qin Yu readily agreed.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan returned to his room.

He sat by the bed with his head lowered, Qin Yu's words still echoing in his mind.

"Do what you should be doing..."

Xiao Yan fell backward onto the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling, his right hand unconsciously rubbing the black ring on his finger.

This ring was a keepsake left behind by his mother. He had worn it for so many years and had never taken it off.

"Then I'll keep cultivating."

He shook his head, sat up, and entered a cultivation state once more.

Even if the Dou Qi he cultivated this time would still vanish, Xiao Yan tried his best not to dwell on it.

If it disappeared, then so be it. He would see just how long it could keep disappearing.

If two years were not enough, then five years. If five years were not enough, then ten.

He refused to believe that the heavens could truly make him useless for no reason at all.

The next few days were the most leisurely Qin Yu had spent since crossing into this world.

He cultivated at a fixed time every day. Afterward, he would wander around Wutan City with Xiao Yu, occasionally visiting the academy's temporary residence.

This year's admissions work was as bustling as ever. During the first few days, Instructor Ruo Lin was busy from morning to night.

However, the quality of this year's recruits could only be called average, leaving Instructor Ruo Lin with nothing but helpless sighs.

"Ah, students like Qin Yu truly are rare and hard to come by."

Wanting to recruit another student in a small place like Wutan City who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Qin Yu was indeed asking too much.

On the third day after arriving in Wutan City, the Grand Elder deliberately chose a time when Xiao Zhan was handling affairs in the clan council hall and took Qin Yu on a "casual stroll" past the place.

"Patriarch, come, come, let me introduce someone to you."

Seeing Xiao Zhan "just so happen" to be there, the Grand Elder entered with his nose raised high, then pulled Qin Yu in front of him.

"This is young friend Qin Yu, my Yu'er's classmate at Canaan Academy."

"A year ago, he was still a One-Star Dou Practitioner. Look at him now—what cultivation level is he at?"

Xiao Zhan raised his head, his gaze landing on Qin Yu as his expression instantly froze.

A Seven-Star Battle Master?

At that moment, Xiao Zhan's attention was wholly focused on Qin Yu, and he completely ignored what the Grand Elder had just said.

Qin Yu looked to be under twenty, yet he had already reached the Battle Master realm—and was even a Seven-Star Battle Master?

When the Grand Elder saw Xiao Zhan's nearly jaw-dropping expression, his mouth practically curved into a grin.

Xiao Zhan looked at Qin Yu, then at the Grand Elder. His lips moved as though he wanted to say something.

"Aiya, Patriarch, why is the gap between people so enormous?"

The Grand Elder did not give Xiao Zhan a chance to speak. He shook his head and sighed theatrically.

Qin Yu, standing nearby, was already struggling to keep a straight face. This old man usually looked like a composed elder, but when he showed off, he could be so... childish!

"My Yu'er cultivated alongside young friend Qin Yu. In just one year, she went from Eighth-Stage Battle Qi to a Four-Star Dou Practitioner. That speed, hehe..."

Xiao Zhan's mouth twitched. Veins bulged on his forehead, and he nearly crushed the pen in his hand.

This old man really knew how to show off! He had finally found something to beat him with!

Still, Xiao Zhan knew about Xiao Yu's Four-Star Dou Practitioner cultivation. Such progress was truly astonishing by his standards.

Then he looked at his son, Xiao Yan—Third-Stage Battle Qi, unchanged for two years.

"Grand Elder, did you come here today specifically to..."

"No, no, I just happened to pass by. Just happened to pass by."

Seeing that Xiao Zhan seemed close to losing control, the Grand Elder hurriedly waved his hands. Yet the smile on his face did not look "casual" in the slightest.

"Oh, right, Patriarch. Young friend Qin Yu will be staying with our Xiao Household these next few days. If any of the younger members have questions about cultivation, they can come ask him for guidance."

Before leaving, perhaps feeling that he had not enjoyed himself enough, the Grand Elder turned back, leaned over Xiao Zhan's desk, and flashed him an exceedingly punchable, sly grin.

"Of course, we can't let him teach them for free."

Xiao Zhan's face reddened, as though smoke would start pouring from the top of his head the very next second. His expression was beyond description.

Yet every word the Grand Elder had said was true.

Moreover, Qin Yu was right there. Xiao Zhan could only grit his teeth, force out a smile uglier than crying, and say through clenched molars,

"Fine. I'll consider it."

Qin Yu had his back to the two of them, but he still had to use his hand to forcibly keep his cheeks from rising.

No, I can't laugh! At least not here!

As they left the council hall, Qin Yu looked back.

Xiao Zhan sat there alone, his face still flushed red. But that fake smile had vanished, replaced by a deep sense of helplessness.

It was the silent helplessness of a father whose heart ached for his son, yet who could do nothing for him.