Two years later.
Nearly a hundred children stood in front of the Chain Qi Hall, registering one by one.
Xiao Yan stood behind Xiao Feng, wearing the ring from his destiny. Neither of them spoke, and they silently followed the line into the hall.
If it weren't for today's special occasion, Xiao Yan would have been unwilling to be with Xiao Feng.
Over the past two years, he had occasionally tried to chat with Xiao Feng, subtly probing whether he was also a transmigrator. However, Xiao Feng was tight-lipped, and not only did he fail to get any information out of him, he was also dragged over to practice horse stance several times. So much so that every time she saw Xiao Feng, she would involuntarily shiver, afraid of hearing that phrase again, "Huo Huo, come on, let's do a horse stance!"
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After pausing at the registration desk, Xiao Feng realized that not everyone who came was four years old; some were five or six.
"Xiao Feng, four years old."
"Okay, next."
"Xiao Yan, four years old."
When the person registering heard Xiao Yan's name, they couldn't help but give Xiao Huohuo a more serious look, their voice softening. "Alright, go in."
After everyone had entered, a teacher went on stage and started talking non-stop, from strength levels to the vastness of the world, for almost two hours before finally returning to the main topic, briefly explaining the Qi-chaining technique, and then it was over.
That was it!
"Thank goodness Uncle Xiao Zhan taught me beforehand, this is so unreliable!" Xiao Feng thought to himself.
Nearly a hundred children immediately followed suit, and the teacher said, "Practice this hand seal more, class dismissed now, come back tomorrow."
That's it?
On the way back, Xiao Yan suddenly spoke up, "Brother Feng, did you feel any Dou Qi?"
"Hmm? No." Xiao Feng's expression was calm, but his heart was churning. According to what the teacher taught, he shouldn't be able to feel Dou Qi. Could he
feel Dou Qi just by going through the motions?
No wonder... so terrifying!
"Ah... I don't have any either." Xiao Yan scratched his head. "I thought I was just too stupid."
Xiao Feng secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Cultivating Dou Qi requires a gradual approach. The teacher probably didn't teach us much for that reason."
"Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded, but his mind was elsewhere: it took his two older brothers three or four days to sense Dou Qi, so it seems his talent is quite good.
Thinking this, his gaze towards others changed slightly.
...
Time flies like water, and a year passed quickly.
On this day, Xiao Feng dragged a damaged iron spear into the courtyard, with many iron rods tied to it, some horizontal and some vertical.
Xiao Yan, who was diagonally opposite, became interested when he saw it and came over in a gust of wind.
He recognized it; it was clearly a wooden dummy!
"Brother Feng, what are you doing?"
Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Feng, who was setting up a wooden dummy in the middle of the courtyard, and almost blurted out the words "transmigrator."
"Oh, I heard Brother Ding say today that these blood-stained weapons can ward off evil spirits. I think it's pretty good to have one." Xiao Feng rambled on. "Ah, Huo Huo, since you're here, let's do some horse stance for half an hour."
Xiao Yan's scalp tingled. "Ah, lunchtime is almost here. I think I heard Big Brother calling me."
Xiao Feng pouted. Just how much of a blow was that annulment of the engagement? It actually allowed this loser to turn his life around!
Just as he was pondering this, Xiao Ding's voice came from outside.
The two looked out and saw Xiao Ding walking towards them.
He greeted Xiao Yan, "Third Brother, come here."
"Coming." Xiao Yan walked over.
At this moment, Xiao Ding looked at Xiao Feng, his expression hesitant, unsure of what to say.
Seeing Xiao Ding's expression, Xiao Feng spoke before he could, "Brother Ding, if you have something to do, go ahead and do it. Don't worry about me. I can manage the meal myself."
He had overheard someone saying on the way that the family had received distinguished guests and that a banquet was being held, only for the family head and elders.
Xiao Ding seemed relieved, his voice tinged with apology, "Okay."
In the two years they'd known each other, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li undoubtedly favored Xiao Feng more than the lazy and good-for-nothing Xiao Yan. But ultimately, there was a difference in status; Xiao Feng wouldn't be qualified for the VIP seats later.
Although he didn't know what had happened, Xiao Feng was clear about his position. He didn't call Xiao Zhan "Dad," so why should he treat everyone equally?
So Xiao Feng wasn't upset. He ate something casually in the kitchen and returned to his courtyard to continue practicing.
After three years of honing his skills, Xiao Feng's physique had improved significantly. Perhaps the physical limits of people in this world were very high; he could now easily break a brick with a single finger.
This brick wasn't an ordinary red brick, but a bluestone brick…
As Xiao Feng finished practicing and exhaled, a commotion arose outside.
Before he could even reach the courtyard gate, it was pushed open.
"Come here, Feng'er, this is Xun'er, a year younger than you. Don't bully her." Xiao Zhan stood at the door, surrounded by a group of children.
Xiao Feng glanced over and saw a girl in a purple dress in the center. Her delicate and pretty face was adorned with bright black eyes, a small and clean nose, and pink and moist lips.
The little girl's expression was aloof and serene, like a lotus just beginning to bloom. Despite her young age, she already possessed an ethereal quality; it was hard to imagine how breathtakingly beautiful she would become when she grew up…
Xiao Feng knew it was her without Xiao Zhan pointing it out.
Like a jade bead falling into the sand, she was dazzlingly beautiful , almost blindingly so.
No wonder Xiao Huohuo went to touch her in the middle of the night.
"Hello, Brother Xiao Feng." Before Xiao Feng could react, Xiao Xun'er's light, melodious voice rang out. Xiao Feng withdrew his gaze and gave a slight bow, "Hello, Sister Xun'er." It was just a casual meeting, merely to make themselves acquainted . Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Feng's shoulder, said nothing more, and led Xiao Xun'er elsewhere. Composing himself, Xiao Feng closed the courtyard gate and sighed, "Time is running out." He clenched his fists, where thick, dense battle qi swirled, but he knew it was far from enough. That night, Xiao Xun'er sat on her bed, neither cultivating nor sleeping. She didn't understand why her father had abandoned her here. Was it because she wasn't obedient enough? The cool and indifferent expression she wore during the day vanished, replaced by a deep sadness in her eyes. Just then, a shadowy ripple appeared in the corner of the room, and a figure emerged—it was Ling Ying. "Miss, I discovered an interesting person while scouting the area. Perhaps you could try to make contact with him?" Xiao Xun'er, utterly annoyed and unable to listen, said dejectedly, "Did I anger Father? Is that why he doesn't want me anymore?" Ling Ying sighed inwardly. Even if his young mistress was exceptionally intelligent, she was still just a four-year-old child. He quickly comforted her, "Miss, you're mistaken. The clan leader isn't abandoning you; he's simply too busy with affairs of state to care for you. There are undercurrents within the clan, and the clan leader doesn't want you involved. Sending you here is for your own good." " For your own good"—though Ling Ying's voice was gentle, it sounded grating to Xiao Xun'er's ears. Xiao Xun'er hugged her knees, looking sullen. After a while, she asked, "What interesting person are you talking about?" "Do you remember Xiao Feng, whom we met during the day?" "Hmm, he seemed quite ordinary." "Yes, even I thought so at the time. I never imagined this little guy would be so well-hidden." Ling Ying sighed. There's a saying that a unicorn can be hidden in the fields, but no one would believe it unless they saw it with their own eyes. Xiao Xun'er tilted her head and looked at Ling Ying, waiting for his explanation. Ling Ying said, "Since Miss can't sleep, why not go and make contact? If you can recruit him, it will be of great help when you return to your family." "Now?" Xiao Xun'er asked doubtfully as she went out the door. After stepping out of the room, she could hear a faint sound of something cutting through the air in the distance. It became even clearer when she stood at the gate of her small courtyard . The sound came from the opposite side; it was Xiao Feng's courtyard. She approached lightly, stopping outside the gate of Xiao Feng's courtyard, a hint of hesitation on her face. Creak… Just as Xiao Xun'er was about to raise her hand to knock on the door, Xiao Feng, sensing someone outside, opened it first. "Sister Xun'er?" … On the other side, Xiao Yan was somewhat excited. After a year of arduous training, just now, the amount of Dou Qi accumulating in his dantian had finally reached a certain requirement, enough to emanate from his palm! Despite physical exhaustion, his overwhelming excitement made it difficult for him to fall asleep. Even with his eyes tightly closed, all sorts of thoughts raced through his mind.
Having witnessed Xiao Feng's martial arts skills and his prowess on the wooden dummy, and reflecting on his own Dou Qi, Xiao Yan couldn't help but have many fantasies.
"Could this be another name for internal energy? I remember internal energy can nourish the body, if that's possible..."
Thinking this, Xiao Yan's heart began to stir. What young man doesn't dream of becoming a great hero? If this really is internal energy, then he must pry some martial arts manuals out of Xiao Feng!
Finally, he put on his clothes, pushed open the door, and crept towards a certain direction.
"My two older brothers have already cultivated Dou Qi, as for Xiao Feng... forget it. Xun'er is quite likable, I'll try it on her."
...
"Ah, Brother Xiao Feng, may I come in?"
Xiao Xun'er was slightly surprised, wondering how he had noticed her.
The little girl asked while sizing up Xiao Feng. The boy, who looked ordinary during the day, now had exceptionally bright eyes, which even the darkness couldn't conceal.
"Okay, come in."
Xiao Feng didn't block Xiao Xun'er at the door. This girl had a powerful background; building a good relationship would only bring benefits, and chatting wouldn't hurt.
However…
Xiao Feng glanced behind Xiao Xun'er, simultaneously holding his breath and sensing his surroundings, but couldn't detect Ling Ying's presence. He didn't know if it was because Ling Ying's concealment was too high, or if he dared not interfere in the private life of the ancient clan's young lady…
As the courtyard gate was about to close, Xiao Feng paused.
If he wasn't mistaken, he had just seen some little pervert preparing to ambush the innocent little loli.
It seemed he had unintentionally changed the timeline.
No… the timeline should have changed the moment he appeared, right?
Xiao Feng suddenly grinned, thinking to himself: Everyone in Doupo is counting on you to confront the Soul Emperor head-on, and instead of cultivating properly, you want to play the game of raising a little loli?
Get lost!
Putting aside those chaotic thoughts, Xiao Feng turned around and found Xiao Xun'er standing blankly in the courtyard.
He, of course, didn't know that Xiao Xun'er's dazed expression was due to Ling Ying's sudden telepathic message warning her to be careful as he was leaving for a moment. He simply assumed it was the strikingly beautiful wooden dummy in the courtyard that had caught her eye.
"Ahem, Xun'er, please come in."
Without caring whether the young girl had followed, Xiao Feng entered the main hall first. He smoothly and effortlessly warmed the teapot, washed the cups, added tea leaves, brewed the tea, skimmed the foam, and poured the tea.
This was currently the only pleasure Xiao Feng could satisfy.
"Please sit." Busy as he was, Xiao Feng took a moment to gesture for her to sit.
Xiao Xun'er sat to the side, pursing her lips, wanting to laugh but afraid Xiao Feng would misunderstand. Before the tea was even poured, her pretty face was already flushed .
"Laugh if you want to, no need to hold it in."
Xiao Feng handed the teacup to Xiao Xun'er with both hands. The young girl reached for it, but as soon as she took her hand away, she burst into laughter.
Not knowing what was wrong with her, Xiao Feng pretended not to hear and continued sipping his tea.
The laughter only stopped after she had drunk nearly half of the tea.
"I'm sorry...you were too...too..."
"Mature?"
"Yes, too mature. You're clearly a five-year-old toddler, but you acted just like my dad. I couldn't help it. Brother Xiao Feng, please don't be angry."
After this laugh, the little girl's true nature was revealed. Her black gem-like eyes blinked, and it was unclear whether she was deliberately trying to be cute.
"If I remember correctly, you're a year younger than me, right?" Xiao Feng lowered his head to drink his tea, glancing at Xiao Xun'er with a sidelong glance.
The little girl smiled again, picked up her teacup, and took a sip.
"Oh, right. Tea is refreshing, but drinking too much can cause insomnia. Sister Xun'er, you shouldn't drink it." Xiao Feng reminded her.
Xiao Xun'er slightly curled the corners of her lips, put down her teacup, and said, "Did I hear Brother Xiao Feng practicing his boxing outside just now?"
"Oh, it was my oversight," Xiao Feng said, realizing his mistake. "I'm so sorry to have disturbed your rest."
"Ah?" Xiao Xun'er was taken aback, quickly waving her hand. "No, I'm just new here and a little unaccustomed to the place. I wasn't disturbed at all."
Xiao Feng glanced at the girl, feeling sorry for her. He'd promised her a wonderful childhood, only to have her live like an orphan.
It would be a miracle if she could sleep.
He had to admit, the ancient clan leader's thought process was truly something else!
(End of Chapter)