As dusk closed in, a slender figure in white stopped before the door, looking faintly forlorn against the orange-red sunset outside.
The youth looked up at the elegant little house he had never visited before, a trace of complicated emotion flashing through his eyes.
In the hall that day, the girl in green had remained seated in a corner, her expression serene, as though none of the upheaval had anything to do with her.
Yet he had keenly noticed that when the word [Inheritor] was spoken, Xiao Xun'er's fingertips paused for an almost imperceptible instant.
That reaction had not been bewilderment, but... gravity, or perhaps some deeper emotion.
He recalled when the girl first arrived at the Xiao Clan several years ago-
The unfathomable aura of her companions, deep as an abyss and vast as the sea, and the utmost reverence shown by the Xiao Clan's patriarch and elders. After a moment's contemplation, he finally raised his hand and knocked on the carved wooden door.
There were questions that had troubled him for a long time, and he wanted answers.
"That sound is..."
Watching Ling Ying vanish soundlessly into the darkness, Xun'er thought for a moment, then went to open the door with light steps.
Creak-
The door opened a crack, revealing a fair face with gentle, refined features.
There was no surprise in Xiao Xun'er's eyes. She simply stepped aside slightly. "Cousin Xiao Tian, please come in."
The youth was none other than Xiao Tian, whom Yao Chen had said defeated Xiao Yan head-on three years ago.
The room was sparsely furnished, with only a wooden table, a blue lamp, and a wisp of sandalwood incense.
Xiao Tian sat down, his gaze sweeping over the lamp, and his pupils contracted slightly-
The faint flame flickered, yet fine golden lines seemed to flow within it, bearing some resemblance to the dangerous aura he had vaguely sensed earlier that day.
"What brings you here so late, cousin?"
Xiao Xun'er courteously poured tea, her movements gentle and graceful, her tone calm as still water.
Accepting the teacup, Xiao Tian fell silent for a moment, then decided to get straight to the point.
"I've gained some insights into my cultivation recently, and I intend to make a few breakthroughs in the coming days."
"Before that, there are a few doubts on my mind. I came to ask whether you could help clear them up. Sorry for the trouble."
"I see."
"Please ask whatever you like, cousin. I'll tell you everything I know."
Xiao Xun'er nodded slightly with a soft laugh. In the lamplight, her eyes were as clear as autumn waters.
"But you're always so mysterious, Cousin Xiao Tian. I can't promise I'll be able to help."
Xiao Tian set down his teacup, his gaze brushing almost casually over a dark corner nearby as he weighed his words.
"When the people from the Misty Cloud Sect mentioned [Inheritors] today, Cousin Xun'er... you didn't seem surprised?"
Xiao Xun'er's fingertips paused briefly. She lifted her eyes to him, her smile unchanged. "Weren't you the same, Cousin Xiao Tian?"
Their eyes met, and an invisible tension seemed to spread through the air.
Xiao Tian set down his teacup and suddenly smiled. "Then I'll speak plainly."
"Xun'er, have you ever heard of a place called the 'Great Thousand World'?"
As his words lingered, Xiao Xun'er's gaze rested on the youth's clean-cut face, and a faint ripple finally stirred in her eyes.
"The Great Thousand World..."
She pondered quietly for so long that Xiao Tian thought she would not answer. Only then did she gently shake her head.
"I've never heard of it. Is the place you mean that world beyond the heavens mentioned by the Misty Cloud Sect?"
"Perhaps..."
Xiao Tian sighed softly, feeling somewhat disappointed and helpless at her answer.
"It's probably somewhere outside the Dou Qi Continent, much like the Douluo Continent Yun Xiaotian spoke of."
"Then do you know whether there are any methods in this world that allow someone to create an incarnation outside their own body?"
"I have heard something about that."
Xiao Xun'er rose to pour more tea, then continued softly, "But according to the rumors, most such incarnations are weak and require considerable nurturing. The losses rather outweigh the gains."
"There is, however, said to be an ancient art of refining puppets. It lets one command puppets as naturally as an arm directs its fingers, surpassing even those incarnation techniques."
At that thought, Xun'er's eyes shifted slightly, a hint of mischief surfacing in them.
"Are you asking because you inherited a Dou Technique that lets you cultivate a clone, Cousin Xiao Tian? I wonder how it compares with that puppet-refining method?"
"They're only low-level Dou Techniques."
Seeing Xun'er's curious expression, Xiao Tian could not help giving a wry chuckle and a slight shrug.
"If I don't work harder at cultivating, I'm afraid you and Little Brother Yan will soon surpass me."
After chatting for a little longer, Xiao Tian clearly realized that whenever he brought up strange tales and unusual happenings on the continent, Xun'er could explain them with a smile.
But whenever he touched upon sensitive questions concerning [inheritances], the coolness and distance hidden in Xiao Xun'er's words became an invisible wall, blocking every probing attempt.
"Thank you for today, Xun'er." With a soft sigh, Xiao Tian slowly rose and cupped his hands slightly.
"Sorry for disturbing your quiet cultivation, cousin. I'll take my leave."
"Take care, cousin."
Xiao Xun'er rose to see him out, her green skirt swaying, her slender waist like a willow branch in spring.
The door closed gently. Xiao Tian stood in the bamboo grove outside as the night breeze brushed past, carrying a slight chill.
"The Great Thousand World... the Ancient Heavenly Palace."
"If my strength can truly reach the pinnacle, perhaps every question will fall away like bamboo beneath a blade."
Outside, not far from Xun'er's courtyard.
A handful of youths had gathered together, eagerly discussing something.
"Brother Yan, your fight today was brilliant! That arrogant brat from the Misty Cloud Sect went green in the face!"
Xiao Ning looked quite excited.
Just moments earlier, Nigu, the Second-Rank Alchemist from the Mittel Auction House, had personally visited the Xiao Clan after hearing from some unknown source that they possessed a dose of virtually perfect Qi Gathering Powder.
His appraisal revealed that the medicine Xiao Yan had given Xiao Ning actually contained several pill patterns, making it a one-in-ten-thousand rarity. A single dose was worth as much as two or three ordinary doses of Qi Gathering Powder!
Xiao Ning's old, imperious manner toward Xiao Yan, whom he had once treated as trash, had vanished entirely. His expression now even carried a hint of fawning.
"And that Qi Gathering Powder of yours-tsk, tsk! My grandfather said he's lived more than half a lifetime and never seen anything of such quality!"
Surrounded by the others, Xiao Yan wore a somewhat helpless expression on his delicate-featured face.
He had followed that familiar figure in green, intending to talk to Xun'er, only to be spotted by this group near the courtyard and firmly held up.
"Xiao Ning, stop pocketing the bargain and pretending you're doing everyone a favor." Beside him, Xiao Mei covered her lips with a soft laugh, her almond-shaped eyes turning to settle on Xiao Yan.
"That Qi Gathering Powder must have been prepared for Cousin Xiao Yan by his mysterious teacher. It's just that with his talent, he doesn't need medicine to help him."
"Haha! Exactly, exactly! Our young patriarch is generous!"
Xiao Ning scratched his head and chuckled. He was already at a high level of Dou Qi, and he believed that before long, this heaven-sent windfall would raise his chances of advancing to Dou Zhe to one hundred percent!
Faced with the complete reversal in their attitudes within a single day, Xiao Yan merely smiled, unruffled. Yet his gaze drifted involuntarily toward the lit window deep inside the courtyard.
"Are you waiting for Cousin Xun'er, Cousin Xiao Yan?"
Sharp-eyed Xiao Mei followed his gaze, a faint hint of jealousy coloring her voice.
"It's late. Cousin Xun'er is probably getting ready to turn in."
Xiao Yan was just about to speak when he suddenly went still.
With a creak, the bamboo gate at the outermost edge of the courtyard opened.
A figure in white stepped slowly out, looking particularly tall and straight in the dim light.
It was none other than Xiao Tian.
Xiao Yan's expression froze on the spot.
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