Xiao Bai had no idea what Ling Ying was thinking. If he did, he'd have told him to hold on—there was a character coming up he'd definitely love.
He continued Shi Hao's tale until the part where Shi Hao was struck by the Immortal-Breaking Curse, and the women accompanied him to the lower realm. There, Xiao Bai paused.
His stomach growled. It's been nearly a day and a night since I last ate.
"Xun Er, come grab some food with me. I haven't eaten since yesterday. We'll pick up the story when we're back, sound good?"
"What? Why didn't you say so earlier?"
Xun Er, who'd been wondering why he stopped, shot to her feet, a touch of guilt in her eyes. She grabbed his hand and tugged him out the door.
Xiao Bai had planned to head to the Xiao Clan's dining hall, but Xun Er wouldn't hear of it. She dragged him straight to Wu Tan City's finest restaurant, the Guest-Welcoming Pavilion.
She ordered a sprawling table of dishes, then asked if it was enough, ready to pile on more.
Xiao Bai couldn't help but laugh and wince. This girl, does she think I'm a pig? This isn't enough? Staring at the dozen-plus plates of no ordinary fare, he gingerly patted his wallet, wondering how many of his ten years' worth of saved gold coins would survive this meal.
He picked up his chopsticks and dug in. Xun Er didn't eat; she instead rested her chin on her hands, watching him devour the food with a warm smile.
Today's Xiao Bai feels… different somehow.
There was a faint air of majesty in his demeanor now. The headband's trailing ribbons added a touch of carefree defiance. She didn't know what caused the change, but she liked it.
Unbeknownst to Xun Er, this was the effect of the Yi Wood True Thunder in Xiao Bai's body. Yi Wood True Thunder, the lightning of vitality, of spring's awakening, of resurgence, was grand and upright. After absorbing it, Xiao Bai unconsciously carried a trace of its regal aura.
When someone exudes a unique quality, even plain features become captivating. And Xiao Bai's face was far from plain. Of course, such charisma had to stem from a positive trait.
Sated and content, Xiao Bai excused himself briefly.
Xun Er nodded obediently, her eyes glinting with amusement as she watched him go.
He returned soon after, handing her a purple-gold card. She'd slipped it to the waiter when ordering. He gave her head a gentle pat. "You little rascal, getting sneaky, huh?"
"Elder Wang, this way! The restaurant's new roasted greenwood lamb is exquisite. You've got to try it today!"
"Thank you, Young Master Nuo. In that case, I won't hold back!"
As Xiao Bai and Xun Er stepped out of the restaurant, they nearly collided with two figures entering: a richly dressed young man in his twenties and a short, plump middle-aged man with a beaming smile.
The young man, chatting with the older one, glanced up and spotted Xiao Bai and Xun Er leaving. A cryptic smile curled his lips.
"Well, well! If it isn't the Xiao Clan's 'genius,' Xiao Bai! Five years, and still no breakthrough? What, too attached to the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi?"
"Makes sense. Reaching the ninth stage at ten years old—you'd want to linger in that glory, reliving your past brilliance!"
He leaned heavily on the word "genius," his tone dripping with mockery.
"Jia Lie Nuo, what are you, some kind of thing? Forgotten how you were beaten senseless? A twenty-year-old groveling after an eleven-year-old Xiao Bai thrashed you—you dare mock him?"
Before Xiao Bai could respond, Xun Er stepped forward, fiercely protective.
Jia Lie Nuo's eyes lit up at the sight of her. "Isn't this the Xiao Clan's pearl, Miss Xun Er? Sure, he was impressive once, but now? Just a washed-up nobody who can't break through. Everyone in Wu Tan City knows the Xiao Clan's got a useless genius. Do I need to spell it out?"
"Oh, and Miss Xun Er, my younger brother hasn't stopped talking about you since he saw you. His talent's not bad, you know—at least he's broken through to Dou Zhe. Way better than this loser. What do you say, give him a chance?"
"No chance. Looks like you're itching for another beating. Last time was too light!"
Xiao Bai pulled Xun Er back, his face expressionless as he stared at Jia Lie Nuo.
Five years ago, Jia Lie Nuo, then at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi, had harassed a Xiao Clan girl on Wu Tan City's streets. Xiao Bai and Xun Er happened to pass by, and with both sides watching, he couldn't ignore it. He'd pummeled Jia Lie Nuo until he begged for mercy. Yet here he was, strutting again.
Xiao Bai wasn't surprised Jia Lie Nuo couldn't sense his realm. His soul concealment was designed to fool the likes of Yao Lao and Ling Ying. Trash like this probably didn't even know what soul power was. How could he see through it?
Even Dou Zhi Qi stages required strong soul perception to detect without a Dou Qi testing stele. Jia Lie Nuo's claim that Xiao Bai was still ninth-stage was just outdated assumption.
"Haha! Beat me? Think I'm still ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi? Look closely—I'm a six-star Dou Zhe now. Do you even know what that means? Oh, right, you're still stuck at ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi—how could you?"
Jia Lie Nuo turned to the plump man beside him. "Elder Wang, you're well-traveled. Ever heard of a ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi beating a six-star Dou Zhe?"
Elder Wang, a Jia Lie Clan retainer and three-star Dou Shi, had heard of Xiao Bai's reputation. Happy to humor the young master, he chuckled, "Hardly, Young Master Nuo, you flatter me. In my forty-two years, I've never heard of anyone at ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi matching a six-star Dou Zhe, let alone winning!"
"Haha! Hear that, 'genius' Xiao?" Jia Lie Nuo roared with laughter.
Xiao Bai watched their smug back-and-forth with cold eyes. Xun Er glanced at him, worried, wondering if she should summon Ling Ying to crush these two.
"You've truly wasted your forty-two years. A three-star Dou Shi at your age? Someone your age wouldn't even qualify to look up to me!"
Xiao Bai stood, hands behind his back, his tone calm but cutting.
In the distance, Ling Ying perked up. Here it comes, the kingly boast! He whipped out paper and brush from his storage ring, scribbling furiously.
"Insolent brat, how dare you insult me!"
Elder Wang's perpetual smile vanished. A yellowish Dou Qi cloak shimmered around him as he advanced on Xiao Bai. He didn't use a technique—he wouldn't dare kill a Xiao Clan member—but a lesson was in order.
This kid needed to learn that on the Dou Qi Continent, the strong commanded respect. A ninth-stage Dou Zhi Qi daring to mock a three-star Dou Shi? Even with the Xiao Clan behind him, Elder Wang had the Jia Lie Clan. As long as he didn't kill the boy, a few broken limbs wouldn't stir much trouble.
"You dare!" Xun Er shouted, stepping in front of Xiao Bai.
Seeing her instinctively shield him, Xiao Bai's heart warmed. He knew she could handle Elder Wang with ease, but her protectiveness touched him.
Still, as he eyed the approaching Elder Wang, excitement flickered in his gaze. He gently pulled Xun Er behind him—no way she's stealing this chance. Jia Lie Nuo was beneath his notice, but a three-star Dou Shi, especially one with earth attributes, was perfect for testing his limits.
He wouldn't use his Dou Qi cultivation or soul power—that'd defeat the point of hiding them. Since his body had been tempered by Yi Wood True Thunder, he hadn't gauged its strength. A three-star Dou Shi was just right to measure his physical prowess.
As for consequences, Xiao Bai had already weighed them. The Jia Lie Clan was on par with the Xiao Clan—no threat to him. Though his cultivation was only eight-star Dou Zhe, his soul was at the late Mortal Realm.