Slap!
A fair, delicate little hand slammed fiercely onto the table, leaving behind a charred palm print.
Seeing the young lady lose her composure like this for the first time, Ling Ying, who was kneeling on one knee nearby, flashed a cold glint in his eyes.
"Young Miss, should I go and deal with that girl…"
Hearing this, Xun Er frowned as she looked at Ling Ying, golden flames flickering in her eyes.
"Old Ling, do you think I need to resort to such methods to win over Brother Xiao Yan?"
Even though Ling Ying was a Dou Emperor powerhouse, he found it difficult to withstand the scorching gaze that seemed capable of igniting Dou Qi itself. He quickly replied, "Please calm your anger, Young Miss. That Nalan Yanran is certainly no match for you. I'm only worried that Young Master Xiao Yan is too pure-hearted and might be deceived by others!"
Ling Ying knew that at a time like this, only Xiao Yan's name could divert the young lady's attention.
Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, Xun Er's gaze grew deeper and more profound.
"Brother Xiao Yan is not that foolish. Xiao Mei has been so attentive all these years, yet Brother Xiao Yan has never grown close to her. He can distinguish between good and bad."
After a long pause, Xun Er's voice echoed softly. Hearing this, Ling Ying inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.
Although he had to obey the young lady's orders, he would still feel somewhat uncomfortable if he truly had to kill a young girl.
"However, I cannot just do nothing. Send word back to the clan. I need the best resources, and I need them doubled!"
Xun Er's cold, clear voice reverberated through the room.
"Yes, Young Miss!"
Upon hearing this, Ling Ying nodded, his figure transforming into a wisp of black smoke before slowly dissipating.
After a moment of contemplation, Xun Er left the room and headed toward the back mountain.
Meanwhile, in the back mountain of the Xiao family, a young man held a three-foot-long green sword. A faint red glow swirled around the blade as he thrust, swept, slashed, and flicked it in his hands.
With each change in his sword technique, the steps beneath his feet shifted accordingly. The initial stiffness from when he first began learning gradually smoothed out through repeated practice.
Swoosh!
Xiao Yan sheathed his sword and stood upright.
After three hours and dozens of practice sessions, Xiao Yan could now proficiently execute the entire set of sword techniques.
However, applying them in actual combat would undoubtedly require long-term, accumulated practice.
This sword technique was called the Fire Origin Sword Canon. It consisted of two levels. Upon mastering the first level, one could unleash the Fire Origin Setting Sun Sword—a single strike resembling a falling sun, possessing considerable power.
After mastering the second level, one could execute Fire Origin: Annihilation. When combined with the Blazing Fire Dou Qi cultivated through the Fire Origin Art, its power rivaled that of a Xuan Rank High-Level Dou Technique!
Incidentally, the Fire Origin Sword Canon was a Dou Skill adapted by the third-generation sect master of the Cloud Mist Sect from the Wind Extreme Sword Canon to suit fire-attribute sect disciples. As a result, Yun Yun, who had long ago mastered the Wind Extreme Sword Canon to its peak, found it effortless when teaching Xiao Yan.
Nevertheless, presenting a Mysterious Mid-Rank Dou Skill for Xiao Yan to cultivate right from their first meeting—if Nalan Yanran were to learn of such preferential treatment, she would likely be green with envy.
After all, even in her previous life as the Young Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect, she could only start cultivating Profound Rank low-level Dou Skills after advancing to the Dou Fighter level.
As for cultivating profound Dou Skills like the Wind Extreme Sword Canon, she didn't qualify until she reached the Dou Master level.
"It seems that at most, in just half a month, you should be able to grasp the first layer of the Fire Origin Sword Canon."
Yun Yun was very satisfied with Xiao Yan's progress today, and the smile on her lips never faded.
Talented, hardworking, and respectful toward her—such a disciple was practically perfect.
"Alright, that's enough Dou Skill practice for today. You should go back and focus on cultivating your Dou Qi."
Yun Yun nodded slightly, her delicate body trembling as a pair of enormous Azure Dou Qi Wings unfurled from her back.
"Teacher, are you leaving?"
Xiao Yan was taken aback.
"Yes, I have some matters to attend to. I'll be back by evening. Focus on your cultivation."
Yun Yun smiled, reaching out to ruffle Xiao Yan's dark hair. After giving her instructions, she transformed into a streak of azure light and soared into the distance.
Xiao Yan raised his hand to touch the spot Yun Yun had ruffled, his expression somewhat peculiar.
What a strange feeling—was that a head pat?
Come to think of it, even his father, Xiao Zhan, hadn't patted his head like that in nearly three years.
"Brother Xiao Yan, what are you thinking about so deeply? In the past, you'd notice as soon as Xun Er approached."
A clear, lively voice tinged with curiosity sounded beside his ear.
She had also witnessed Yun Yun ruffling Xiao Yan's hair just now.
But she wouldn't show any sign of it.
"Ah, I was just missing my mother a little."
Xiao Yan sighed at her words.
Since his mother passed away, he hadn't felt a motherly touch in a long time. Yun Yun's gesture had given him a similar feeling.
Xun Er fell silent upon hearing this.
Her own mother, too weak to withstand her powerful bloodline, had passed away shortly after giving birth to her.
Afterward, her father sent her to the Xiao family.
Where she met Brother Xiao Yan.
"Xun Er, stay with me for a while."
Though he said "sit," Xiao Yan simply lay down on the ground, resting his hands behind his head.
"Alright."
Xun Er lay down beside him, mimicking his posture with her hands cushioning the back of her head.
She said nothing.
She simply stayed quietly by Xiao Yan's side.
Only when the sunset began to fade did Xiao Yan finally speak. "Xun Er."
"Brother Xiao Yan, I'm here."
She responded softly.
"What do you think of Nalan Yanran?"
The setting sun cast half of Xiao Yan's face in shadow, making his expression seem obscure and hard to read.
"Do you want Xun Er to tell the truth?"
Hearing this, Xun Er sat up, looking down at Xiao Yan and blinking.
"Yes."
Xiao Yan nodded.
"Then Xun Er will speak frankly. I feel that Nalan Yanran seems to have some ulterior motive toward Brother Xiao Yan. I just don't know whether what she's after is harmful to you or not."
Xun Er tilted her head thoughtfully, speaking earnestly.
"Hmm, our feelings align. We've rested enough; it's time to head back."
Xiao Yan smiled noncommittally, standing up and reaching out to take Xun Er's hand, pulling her to her feet. His sleeve gently brushed over her dress, sweeping away the stray grass.
Watching Xiao Yan's careful and earnest demeanor, Xun Er couldn't help but let a slight smile curl at the corners of her lips.
Want to snatch Xiao Yan away from me? Not so easy!
But... I'll have to pay even more attention to Xiao Yan from now on, to make sure no other scheming women steal him away!
Though her mind was racing with thoughts, Xun Er's expression remained unchanged. She brushed the stray grass off Xiao Yan's clothes, wrapped her arms around his, and blinked cutely:
"Alright! Let's go, Xiao Yan!"
Under the setting sun, the young boy and girl walked side by side. The evening breeze swept past like a mischievous spirit, playfully lifting their hair and the hems of their clothes, creating a scene of peace and beauty.