The Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Xiao Xun'er

Time slipped by, and five months passed in the blink of an eye.

"You're inviting me to your Xiao Clan's coming-of-age ceremony? Seriously?"

Zhou Changqing was drinking tea in his courtyard when Xiao Yan's words made him choke, nearly spitting it out.

Xiao Yan clapped a hand on his shoulder and chuckled. "Of course! My father personally told me to invite you. I have to say, you've really got some clout."

"It makes sense, though. You're famous now, Old Zhou. Most people in the city don't know your name, but they remember that young genius who killed a Dou Shi right out on the street a few months ago. People are still talking about it. You've become one of Wutan City's legends."

"With your talent, not to mention your skill at making Iron-Cleaving Mortal Weapons, my father would have to be out of his mind not to get on your good side. The clan elders wouldn't object, either. And here we are."

"So, are you coming? Just do what you want. If you don't feel like it, turn it down. Don't worry about me. We're friends, after all. I wouldn't take a little thing like this to heart."

"Since Uncle Xiao invited me, I'll go. I've been pretty bored lately, anyway. It'll be a chance to enjoy the show. What was that phrase you used? Watch you show off."

After a moment's thought, Zhou Changqing nodded and waggled his eyebrows at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan's lips curled upward despite himself, and he returned the same knowing look.

A month earlier, the clan had held the preliminary assessment for the coming-of-age ceremony. His Seventh Stage Dou Qi had shocked quite a few people then.

But none of them could have imagined that, with the actual coming-of-age ceremony approaching, he had another surprise in store for them!

It's been years since I last felt the thrill of revealing my brilliance before a crowd...

Xiao Yan could not help sighing inwardly.

"Then it's settled. You'll get to see it for yourself, Old Zhou. I, Xiao Yan, am no worse than you."

"Tsk. Show off to other people all you like, but to me? Think you've got what it takes?"

"Ahem. I'll come get you tomorrow. Remember to get up early."

"Just make sure you don't oversleep yourself."

Early the next morning.

Before six in the morning, Xiao Yan arrived at the courtyard to fetch Zhou Changqing.

The two then headed toward the Xiao Clan.

As one of Wutan City's three great clans, the Xiao Clan occupied the southern district and was its undisputed overlord.

The Xiao Clan's residence was lavish indeed. Not only did it cover an expansive area, but its furnishings and decorations were magnificent as well.

After entering the Xiao Clan's grounds and making several turns, the two finally reached an enormous bluestone square.

Quite a few people had already gathered there, chattering away and occasionally glancing toward the center of the square.

A broad platform built from massive timbers stood prominently in the center, with a black stone stele for testing Dou Qi erected upon it.

Zhou Changqing nodded slightly at the bustling scene.

The coming-of-age ceremony was an extremely important occasion for the clan, and the Xiao Clan had invited many friendly factions to attend and observe.

Naturally, that made the occasion all the livelier.

"Come on. Let me introduce you to someone."

With an arm draped over Zhou Changqing's shoulders, Xiao Yan headed toward a shaded spot.

Zhou Changqing raised an eyebrow but did not refuse.

There were only a handful of people in the Xiao Clan whom Xiao Yan would personally introduce to him.

He therefore had an inkling of who it might be.

Soon, they reached a large tree and met the person Xiao Yan had mentioned.

She was a young girl dressed in a pinkish-purple gown.

Her lovely face still held a trace of youthful innocence, and her slender waist was like a willow leaf, delicate enough to encircle with a hand.

Her long, dark tresses were loosely tied with a pale purple ribbon, falling smoothly along her alluring curves to her waist. Two tiny green bells hung from her fair wrist, making her look like a maiden stepped out of a painting.

Her cool, serene bearing was all the more captivating, like a blue lotus just beginning to bloom amid the mud.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you're here?"

When the girl saw Xiao Yan approaching, her somewhat aloof eyes lit up and curved into lovely crescents. She rose to greet him, her clear, youthful voice ringing with delight.

Xiao Yan wore an affectionate smile as he nodded. "Yes. Sorry for the wait, Xun'er."

"Let me introduce you. This is Zhou Changqing, a friend of mine."

"Old Zhou, this is my little sister, Xiao Xun'er. You can just call her Xun'er."

At Xiao Yan's introduction, the two studied each other curiously.

To Xiao Xun'er, there was hardly anyone whom her Brother Xiao Yan would call a friend and introduce to her. In fact, the boy before her was the only one.

That alone showed that he must hold a considerable place in her Brother Xiao Yan's heart.

Xiao Xun'er could not help wondering what sort of person possessed enough charm to win even Brother Xiao Yan's approval.

She saw that he was a boy about Xiao Yan's age, exceptionally handsome, with a rather gentle expression and demeanor.

A faint golden gleam flashed through Xiao Xun'er's eyes, and she inwardly nodded.

Just as I thought, a friend Brother Xiao Yan acknowledges is no ordinary person. What extraordinary talent.

Zhou Changqing, of course, had no idea that Xiao Xun'er had already seen through his cultivation level.

As he studied the girl before him, who could already be called a peerless beauty, Zhou Changqing's curiosity was satisfied.

With a girl beautiful enough to topple kingdoms, it was little wonder Xiao Yan could never forget her. Even half his motivation to cultivate came from his obsession with becoming worthy of Xiao Xun'er.

"Hello, I'm Zhou Changqing. If you don't mind, Miss Xun'er, you can call me Changqing. Of course, Old Zhou works too."

"Hello. Since you're Brother Xiao Yan's friend, you're naturally my friend as well. There's no need to call me Miss Xun'er. Just Xun'er is fine."

"Hehe, all right. Now that you've met, let's sit down and talk. The ceremony won't start for a little while."

Once they had introduced themselves, Xiao Yan smiled and invited them both to sit.

The three sat with their backs to the large tree and began chatting casually.

Most of the time, however, Zhou Changqing did not interject. He simply listened quietly or watched the lively crowd below the timber platform.

The little lovebirds were chatting, and he could hardly butt in. If he had known anyone else in the Xiao Clan, he certainly would not have stayed there being force-fed their lovey-dovey display.

Glancing at the laughing pair, Zhou Changqing rolled his eyes, and a wicked impulse stirred in his heart.

Showing off your romance, are you?

Picking on me because I don't have a childhood sweetheart, are you?

"Say, Xiao, is Xun'er really your little sister? Doesn't look that way to me. With how lovey-dovey you two are, wouldn't 'little sweetheart' be more accurate?"

Leaning closer to Xiao Yan, Zhou Changqing teased him in a low voice.

Xiao Yan, who had still been laughing and chatting, immediately turned toward Zhou Changqing. His face heated rapidly, and he argued in a hushed voice, flushing red all the way down his neck.

"Wh—Old Zhou, what nonsense are you spouting?! What little sweetheart?! There's nothing going on between Xun'er and me! I only see her as a little sister!"

"I don't believe you."

"You little...!"

"See? You're flustered. You're getting flustered."

As he spoke, Xiao Yan stole a glance at Xiao Xun'er from the corner of his eye, as though terrified she might overhear.

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Zhou Changqing's lips curled upward, and he nearly failed to hold back his laughter.

We're all sitting this close together. What good does whispering do? Isn't that just covering your ears while stealing a bell?

Haven't you noticed that Xiao Xun'er's ears are already bright red, and her pretty little face is flushed with embarrassment?

Besides, Xiao Xun'er hasn't even denied it. What are you getting so worked up for?

And so, thanks to Zhou Changqing's meddling, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er blushed and fell silent.

The atmosphere immediately quieted.

During that silence, however, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er kept averting their eyes, cautiously stealing glances at each other several times.

At the sight of this—

Zhou Changqing finally felt satisfied.

(End of chapter)