A nighttime talk with Xun'er

That evening, a visitor came to Xiao Chen's courtyard.

Today, Xun'er had changed into a tasteful light green outfit.

The soft color lent the girl a few more traces of innocence.

A pair of tight-fitting trousers hugged her slender, long legs snugly, revealing every curve.

Xiao Chen withdrew his gaze after just one glance at her.

Then he gave a helpless sigh.

"Xun'er pays her respects, Senior."

"You came after all. I've been waiting for you." Xiao Chen's voice echoed slowly through the courtyard.

"You were waiting for me, Senior?"

Her slender fingers brushed aside the dark hair the night breeze had blown across her forehead, and a trace of nervousness quietly rose in Gu Xun'er's heart.

Xiao Chen's appearance had been far too sudden. The Gu Clan had known nothing of his existence.

"Gu Yuan's daughter, from the Gu Clan?"

"Your talent is quite good."

Xiao Chen smiled faintly.

Gu Xun'er's expression shifted slightly. Few people knew her father's name.

"I left the Xiao Clan when I was very young. I don't know much about what happened a thousand years ago. Would you tell me about it?"

Gu Xun'er fell silent for a moment, then gently shook her head.

"I don't know much about what happened back then either, Senior. But now that you've returned to the Xiao Clan, I'm sure you'll be able to get to the bottom of it."

Xiao Chen sighed softly.

True enough. These juniors were indeed unlikely to know much about such things.

"What did you come to see me about?"

The girl lifted her delicate chin slightly, and her clear, lilting voice slowly rang out. "Senior, since you were a member of the Xiao Clan thirty thousand years ago, where have you been all this time?"

"You're curious?" Xiao Chen looked at Gu Xun'er and smiled gently.

"Yes."

"Where I've been for these thirty thousand years is something I'll tell your father in person someday." Xiao Chen had no intention of answering her question.

"Someday?"

"Senior Xiao Chen, aren't you planning to go see my father?"

Xiao Chen said indifferently, "He should come to see me, not the other way around."

Gu Xun'er's heart jolted.

This was the first time she had ever seen anyone dare speak of her father like this.

After all, her father was a mighty Nine-Star Dou Saint, an expert ranked among the top three on the Dou Qi Continent.

"Besides, even if he wanted to see me now, I wouldn't let him come. After thirty thousand years of rushing about, I'd like some peace and quiet. Do you understand?"

Her long lashes fluttered gently, and the girl fell silent.

Although Xiao Chen hadn't stated it outright, she could sense it.

This Xiao Clan ancestor seemed to have something against their Gu Clan.

She had only dared come in person after observing this Xiao Clan ancestor for over half a month and believing she roughly understood his temperament.

Yet she hadn't expected this Xiao Clan ancestor to have such an attitude toward the Gu Clan.

Then I...

Xiao Chen's expression was calm. He no longer entertained any other thoughts about Gu Xun'er as she was now.

Leaving everything else aside, the fact that Xiao Yan had already done that to her was enough to make Xiao Chen lose all interest in Gu Xun'er.

As the two fell silent, Xiao Chen suddenly smiled. "Little fellow, you still think you can hide in front of me? Aren't you overestimating that Dou Emperor cultivation of yours?"

"Why aren't you showing yourself?"

Hearing this, Gu Xun'er naturally knew whom Xiao Chen was addressing.

Given Xiao Chen's strength, however, she wasn't surprised that he could detect Elder Ling.

The next instant, a patch of darkness in the courtyard slowly stretched outward, then gathered together, writhing rapidly...

At last, the shadow gradually condensed into an elderly figure.

"Senior." After appearing, Ling Ying immediately bowed respectfully to Xiao Chen.

Xiao Chen nodded, sizing up the old man before him with a peculiar look in his eyes.

So this is Ling Ying?

A dark face, black robes, concealed within the shadows...

"Ling Ying, a Seven-Star Dou Huang, with a cultivation method inclined toward the dark attribute..."

"Myriad Shadow Bind and Demon Snake Devour. Those two moves are rather interesting."

As Xiao Chen spoke slowly, both Ling Ying and Gu Xun'er looked stunned and astonished.

He could learn so much from a single glance?

What an unfathomable realm!

Gu Xun'er knew that even her father, Gu Yuan, couldn't do this...

Ignoring their shock, Xiao Chen studied Ling Ying for a while before nodding. "You're quite good."

I'm quite good?

Ling Ying was bewildered.

Smiling, Xiao Chen took two steps forward.

Ling Ying immediately backed away two steps despite himself.

But right afterward, he forced himself to stand still.

Xiao Chen kept walking until he stood before Ling Ying, then raised his right hand.

At that moment, both Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying were tense to the extreme.

Ling Ying's Adam's apple bobbed as he couldn't help swallowing.

The next second, Xiao Chen's right hand landed on Ling Ying's shoulder and patted it gently.

"Would you be interested in following me from now on?"

At those words, both Ling Ying and Gu Xun'er froze.

What was this?

Poaching someone from under their noses?

Competing with the Gu Clan for a man?

And openly snatching him away right in front of the Ancient Clan Chief's daughter?

"Senior Xiao Chen, I..." Ling Ying gave a bitter smile.

Xiao Chen raised his hand and patted Ling Ying's shoulder again, smiling. "From the moment I first saw you, I felt there was some affinity between us."

"If you stay with the Gu Clan, you may remain a Dou Emperor for the rest of your life."

"But if you follow me, I guarantee you'll break through to Dou Zun, or even Dou Sheng. What do you say?"

At Xiao Chen's words, Ling Ying felt his heart begin to race uncontrollably.

Even reaching Dou Zong would be difficult for him in this lifetime.

Yet this Senior Xiao Chen before him had actually promised he would reach Dou Zun, or even Dou Sheng!

Was that really true?

Could he believe it?

Even Gu Xun'er's red lips parted slightly, and she could scarcely believe her ears.

Help Elder Ling break through to Dou Zun, or even Dou Sheng?

How could this Senior Xiao Chen speak so casually of something even the Gu Clan couldn't accomplish?

After disappearing for thirty thousand years, just what realm had this Xiao Clan ancestor reached?

Could he be a Dou Di?

Seeing their reactions, Xiao Chen suddenly turned away, the corners of his mouth lifting.

"Very well. I won't force you to decide immediately. You can observe me carefully for a while and see whether my promise is true or false."

He turned back around, his expression returning to calm. "You've both seen how far the Xiao Clan's strength has risen in just half a month. There's really no need to doubt my abilities, is there?"

Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying exchanged a glance, neither knowing what to say.

They had naturally witnessed the Xiao Clan's improvement during this time.

This Xiao Clan ancestor truly possessed means that reached the heavens.

"All right, let's leave that matter here. Since you're here, I might as well ask you to deliver a message." Xiao Chen looked at Ling Ying.

Ling Ying hurriedly cupped his hands. "Please go ahead, Senior."

Xiao Chen gave a mysterious smile, raised his hand, and took out a piece of ancient jade.

It was a piece of ancient jade that gave off a strange, faint radiance.

Under the moonlight, the peculiar patterns on its surface seemed to brighten and dim as though breathing.

Gu Xun'er and Ling Ying's gazes landed on it, and their expressions instantly went blank.

"Th-this... this is the Tou She Ancient God Jade?!"