Because most of the Xiao family disciples had gathered in the square for the test, the other parts of the clan were unusually quiet.
Xiao Yan dragged Xiao Tian along toward their residence. Xiao Tian felt a little regretful—he hadn't even had the chance to greet Xun'er before being pulled away.
After passing through a small pavilion, the two arrived beside a lotus pond.
At first glance, the scene seemed peaceful, but Xiao Tian quickly noticed something strange.
Normally, lotus flowers were a single color. However, among the pond's blossoms, several lotus flowers shimmered with multiple hues, their colors faintly interweaving in a way that felt unnatural.
If Xiao Tian hadn't been unfamiliar with the Xiao family's layout, he might never have paid such close attention.
He suddenly stopped Xiao Yan.
"Wait," Xiao Tian said. "Look at the lotus flowers in that pond. Don't you think their colors are strange?"
Xiao Yan paused, glanced at Xiao Tian, then followed his gaze. The moment he noticed it, his eyes narrowed.
He passed this place countless times, yet he had never realized that some of the lotus flowers were multicolored.
Was it a rare breed—or something else?
Just as Xiao Tian was about to jump in, Xiao Yan reached out and stopped him.
"Let's go," Xiao Yan said. "Maybe it's just a special variety."
But Xiao Tian shook his head.
Moments ago, he had clearly seen a flash of seven-colored light flicker at the bottom of the pond.
It had happened in an instant—but Xiao Tian, who had been staring without blinking, was certain.
"Don't rush," Xiao Tian said, pointing into the water.
"There's something down there. I saw light reflecting."
Xiao Yan followed his finger. A thin ray of light briefly reflected upward, stinging his eyes.
He closed them slightly and circulated his Dou Qi, expanding his perception.
But the moment his senses reached the pond's edge, they vanished completely.
"No," Xiao Yan said helplessly. "My Dou Qi is too weak to detect anything."
Unlike Xiao Yan, Xiao Tian didn't attempt to use Dou Qi.
Perhaps because he wasn't used to controlling it yet, he chose the simplest method.
Before Xiao Yan could stop him—
Splash!
Xiao Tian jumped straight into the pond.
He swam toward the multicolored lotus flowers. Just as he was about to reach them, the pond water suddenly began to boil violently.
Caught off guard, Xiao Tian swallowed several mouthfuls of water. He struggled and barely managed to surface—
At that moment, a strip of purple silk flew from afar, sweeping through the pond and instantly snatching away all the multicolored lotus flowers.
A slender figure appeared beside Xiao Yan.
"You country bumpkins," a cold voice rang out,
"How dare you touch my things?"
The girl's face was veiled, making her features indistinct, but judging from her voice, she seemed to be around Xiao Tian's age.
Meanwhile, Xiao Tian climbed out of the pond, coughing and spitting water as he collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan rushed over and quickly used his Dou Qi to regulate Xiao Tian's breathing.
Neither of them paid any attention to the girl.
Being completely ignored infuriated her.
"Didn't you hear me?" she shouted, stamping her foot.
Xiao Tian slowly turned his head. The redness in his face gradually faded.
He stood up and strode toward the girl, reaching out to poke her forehead with his finger.
"Who are you?" Xiao Tian said angrily.
"You're so young—how can you do something this harmful?"
As he spoke, he squeezed the water from his soaked clothes, splashing it straight onto her.
Xiao Yan tried to stop him—but it was already too late.
"Ah—!"
The girl screamed and waved her hand. A powerful force sent Xiao Tian flying straight back into the pond.
"Touching my things and splashing water on me?" she said furiously.
"I won't let this go!"
Girls cared deeply about their appearance. Seeing her clothes soaked, her anger flared even more.
But worrying about her image, she quickly turned and disappeared in the blink of an eye—clearly going to change clothes.
After much effort, Xiao Yan pulled Xiao Tian out of the pond again. The two lay on the ground, utterly exhausted.
"Hey," Xiao Tian asked between heavy breaths,
"Who was that girl? Why is she so irritable?"
She doesn't exist in Battle Through the Heavens…
Xiao Tian frowned inwardly.
Could it be that events in this world don't strictly follow the novel anymore?
Xiao Yan propped himself up and looked at Xiao Tian helplessly.
"She's a mysterious girl who's always stayed in the Xiao family," Xiao Yan said.
"No one knows when she appeared—not even my father. Many people know of her, but no one has ever asked about her identity."
"To this day, her background remains unknown."
Xiao Tian was stunned.
A mysterious girl… appearing out of nowhere?
Could there be another transmigrator?
The thought made his scalp tingle.
Seeing Xiao Tian's rapidly changing expression, Xiao Yan asked worriedly,
"Are you alright? Are you afraid she'll cause trouble? Her background is unclear, but I've never seen her harm any Xiao family disciples."
Why would Xiao Tian be afraid?
Ever since obtaining the system, a quiet confidence had taken root within him.
As far as he was concerned—the system could get him through anything.
Naturally, he didn't explain anything.
Xiao Tian looked back at the pond. The multicolored lotus flowers were gone, leaving only ordinary lotus plants behind.
A cool breeze blew past, making him shiver. He wrung out his clothes and said,
"Let's head back first and change. Don't catch a cold."
They returned quickly, encountering no trouble along the way. The mysterious girl didn't appear again, and Xiao Xun'er didn't follow them.
It was becoming clear—
Some things were no longer unfolding exactly as in Battle Through the Heavens.
After changing clothes, Xiao Tian stepped outside. Xiao Yan remained inside, resting.
Xiao Tian didn't disturb him. Instead, he toyed thoughtfully with the storage ring in his hand.
Judging by the timing—
Yao Lao should awaken soon.
To avoid unnecessary complications, Xiao Tian decided to change locations.
After bidding farewell to Xiao Yan, he hurried out.
His destination—
the mountain wall behind the Xiao family,
the place where Yao Lao first appeared in the novel.