Angry Xun'er

Just as Xiao Yao and Xiao Yan were chatting, a cool voice from the stage interrupted them.

"Next, Xiao Yao!"

Upon hearing the name, everyone present turned to look in Xiao Yao's direction. Some gazes held expectation, while others were cold and jealous.

Xiao Yao paid their stares no mind. Coming back to himself, he said to Xun'er and Xiao Yan, "I'll go up first, then."

Xun'er extended her slender arm, revealing her soft, delicate palm as she looked at the little bird on Xiao Yao's shoulder and called gently, "Phoenix Cry, come here..."

The little bird perched on Xiao Yao's shoulder seemed to understand Xun'er's intention. Its red feathers trembled slightly as it slowly flew toward her hand.

In Xun'er's palm, the bird occasionally tilted its little head and let out several crisp chirps at her, as though answering her call. Then it obediently stood in her hand.

As it watched Xiao Yao's retreating figure slowly ascend the stage, it pointed at him with one wing, tilted its head at Xun'er, and let out low chirps, seemingly asking her something.

Xun'er gently stroked its head and spoke to it softly, as though explaining the reason.

After hearing her, the little bird seemed to understand. It looked up in Xiao Yao's direction, then turned back to Xun'er and rubbed its little head against her palm, letting out several gentle chirps.

Xun'er smiled and nodded, lightly stroking the bird's feathers.

After watching the red little bird interact with Xun'er, Xiao Yan could not suppress his curiosity and quietly asked her.

"Xun'er, did Brother Yao pick up this little bird himself, or did you two happen to find it together?"

Xun'er turned her head and saw the curiosity in Xiao Yan's eyes. A faint smile curled her lips.

She answered softly, "Actually, Brother Xiao Yao and I found this little bird by accident in the back mountain.

At the time, we were searching for a rare herb in the forest there when we suddenly heard a weak chirping sound.

We followed the sound and found this injured little bird.

Its feathers had been cut by branches and were covered in blood. It looked incredibly frail.

So after we saved it, it kept clinging to the two of us and refused to leave."

"I see..." Xiao Yan nodded after hearing that.

At that moment, Xiao Yao looked at the black stone stele before him and slowly placed his palm upon it.

"Xiao Yao, Dou Practitioner: Four Stars."

The entire venue suddenly fell silent. After a brief lull, heated discussion immediately erupted below the stage.

"Tsk, he's still only a four-star Dou Practitioner. He's actually made no progress at all in over two years."

"Sigh, these two brothers truly are worthy of being twins. One's Dou Qi cultivation regressed, while the other's has not improved in the slightest."

"Hey, don't say that. At least his Dou Qi cultivation hasn't regressed, and at his age, his cultivation is still far better than ours!"

Listening to the contemptuous mockery and regretful sighs from below, Xiao Yao slowly swept his gaze across the crowd. When he saw the confusion and concern in Xun'er's eyes, he smiled faintly to signal that she need not worry.

Seeing this, the concern in Xun'er's eyes gradually faded. When she saw Xiao Yao come down, she hurried forward and asked worriedly, "Brother Xiao Yao, are you all right?"

Seeing that Xun'er did not ask why he had done this, Xiao Yao smiled. "I'm fine. Don't worry."

Xun'er lightly bit her lip. "Hmph! How can those people talk about you two brothers like that? I'm furious! No, I'll have Phoenix Cry fly above them and drop a few piles of..."

Hearing this, the little bird on Xun'er's shoulder nodded as though it understood, letting out a crisp, pleasant chirp as if it too were standing up for Xiao Yao.

Seeing Xun'er like an enraged little kitten, Xiao Yao reached out and rubbed her little head.

"Xun'er, don't be angry! There's no need to get upset over their idle gossip."

Xiao Yan also teased, "Hehe, Xun'er, their mouths may be a little foul, but if you have it do that over their heads, wouldn't that just make them even fouler?"

Xun'er glared at the two of them, the displeasure in her eyes fading slightly. She muttered softly, "You two only know how to tease me. I really am angry! How can those people talk about Brother Xiao Yao like that?"

Seeing this, Xiao Yao took out a bag of potato-flavored chips from his Storage Ring and handed it to Xun'er, quickly changing the subject. "All right, all right, Xun'er, let's not be angry. Have some snacks, then let's go out for a walk and clear our heads."

When Phoenix Cry saw the chips Xiao Yao handed to Xun'er, its eyes suddenly lit up, and it let out a delighted chirp.

Seeing this, Xiao Yao smiled and said to Xun'er, "Xun'er, look, even Phoenix Cry agrees that we should go for a walk, right, little Phoenix Cry?" As he spoke, he picked up a chip and fed it to the bird.

When Xun'er saw Phoenix Cry nod and chirp, it ate the chip Xiao Yao offered it.

Watching the interaction between Xiao Yao and Phoenix Cry, she felt the warmth of family.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan quickly chimed in, "That's right, that's right, Xun'er. Let's go eat something tasty, then find a place to relax properly."

After hearing their comforting words, Xun'er's mood gradually brightened. With chips in one hand, she took Xiao Yao's hand with the other and pulled him forward.

Watching the two of them interact, Xiao Yan helplessly shook his head and hurried after them.