In the full view of the crowd, the young girl nimbly leapt onto the high platform and landed gracefully beside Xiao Yan. Her clear, flowing eyes slowly turned, her pretty face brimming with a smile. Staring at Xuner who had just jumped up, Xiao Yan was taken aback for a moment, then he rolled his eyes helplessly: “What are you doing here?” Xuner pursed her small lips and smiled lightly, not answering. She turned her gaze to Xiao Yu, whose expression had slightly changed due to her appearance, and said with a smile, “Cousin Xiao Yu, you are a bit older than Brother Xiao Yan and have even entered the academy to study. This kind of challenge is somewhat unfair. If Cousin Xiao Yu truly wants to vent on someone, I, Xuner, will accompany you.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu’s pretty face darkened, her eyebrows furrowing. She glared fiercely at Xiao Yan, sneering, “Are you only good at hiding behind women?”
Xiao Yan’s eyebrows twitched, a fierce light flashing in his eyes. At that moment, he felt an almost irresistible urge to pin this woman down and ravish her.
“Enough!” Just as the three of them were caught in a tangle, the Second Elder, not far away, bellowed angrily, his face darkening. The three were stunned into silence by his roar.
With a gloomy expression, the Second Elder stomped over, glaring at Xiao Yu, “You have no right to challenge on this stage. Go back immediately. If you disrupt the ceremony again, you’ll be locked up for a month!”
After lashing out at Xiao Yu, the Second Elder let out a sigh, turning to Xuner, who stood with her head slightly bowed, playing with a strand of her hair. He said with a wry smile, “Miss Xuner, you should go down as well. Your challenges do not conform to the rules.”
Xuner shrugged indifferently, nodding slightly with her delicate chin. As she turned to leave the stage, she even made a playful face at Xiao Yan, leaving him at a loss between laughter and exasperation.
After being reprimanded by the Second Elder, Xiao Yu’s pretty face looked a little wronged. She bit her red lips with her teeth, and after a moment, stamped her little foot angrily, turning to leave with a cold laugh, “You little rascal, just wait and see!”
Watching this finally concluded, comical scene, the Second Elder breathed a sigh of relief. Turning to the now seemingly innocent party, he let out a bitter smile, then turned serious, shouting coldly to the audience below, “Xiao Ning violated the rules by taking a pill. From today, he will be confined for three months!”
After speaking, he ignored the slight commotion below and shouted again, “The challenge is over, Xiao Yan wins!”
For this rather insignificant outcome, Xiao Yan remained indifferent. After hearing the announcement that the Coming of Age Ceremony was over, he directly walked down from the high platform.
Under the watchful eyes of the entire audience, he returned to his place, feeling a touch of amusement as he noticed the respectful gazes of the clan members around him. He touched his nose and smiled faintly.
… After Xiao Yan’s ceremony ended, other clan members continued to step forward, but under the shadow of his shocking performance, their achievements seemed somewhat dim.
Xuner’s appearance, however, caused quite a stir. A fifteen-year-old fighter, such an achievement was only a little short of Xiao Yan’s when he was younger. Although Xuner’s achievements were impressive, many people present had already heard of her reputation as the brightest gem of the Xiao family. So, while they were amazed, it was still less of a shock compared to Xiao Yan’s impact.
The Coming of Age Ceremony lasted from morning to afternoon, finally drawing to a close amidst the murmurs of the crowd. As they dispersed, many pairs of eyes couldn’t help but look at the calm, black-robed youth below with a hint of awe.
Seeing the ceremony end, Xiao Yan felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. The gazes of those around him were becoming unbearable. Shaking his head, he got up and left.
“Brother Xiao Yan’s performance today was truly surprising,” a fragrant breeze came from beside him, and Xuner’s light and graceful laughter rang out like a silver bell.
Touching his nose, Xiao Yan smiled.
“I originally thought Brother Xiao Yan didn’t know how to fight, but I didn’t expect him to be so deeply hidden,” Xuner said with a meaningful smile, her hands behind her back and her head slightly tilted.
“Hey, how could I be more hidden than Xuner? The fighting technique you used in the Hall of Combat wasn’t ordinary either,” Xiao Yan grinned, teasing her.
Hearing this, Xuner was taken aback. Her eyes, like autumn pools, curved into beautiful crescents as she smiled, “Brother Xiao Yan has a keen eye. If you’re interested in those combat techniques, Xuner can teach you…”
Shrugging, Xiao Yan shook his head, “No need. Too much, and you can’t digest it all. I still understand this basic principle.”
“Then… what about a Dou Qi cultivation method?” Surprised by Xiao Yan’s refusal, Xuner’s bright, black eyes turned playfully, and she suddenly smiled sweetly.
Xiao Yan’s steps paused, his eyes narrowing as he mumbled, “In five days, I can go to the Dou Qi Pavilion to find a cultivation method…”
“The best the family has is the Mid-Stage Mystical Rank ‘Raging Lion Rampage,’ which Uncle Xiao practices. And currently, Brother Xiao Yan doesn’t have the authority to cultivate it,” Xuner brushed a lock of her hair, her small mouth slightly pursed as if choosing her words carefully. After a moment, she said softly, “Xuner can get Brother Xiao Yan a High-Stage Mystical Rank cultivation method. Do you… want it?”
“This girl… she’s really a little rich lady. A High-Stage Mystical Rank… that kind of thing must cost at least several hundred thousand,” sighing inwardly, Xiao Yan couldn’t help but smile bitterly. If it weren’t for his lucky encounter with the Pharmacist Elder, it would be extremely difficult to close the gap between him and Xuner, despite his own talent. Xuner’s mysterious background was undoubtedly very powerful.
Gently touching the ancient ring, Xiao Yan felt a bit more at ease. This was his capital to become a true powerhouse…
Under Xuner’s gaze, Xiao Yan gave a light laugh, shaking his head gently. In his soft voice, there was a touch of stubbornness and determination, “No, I can become a powerhouse on my own.”
Xuner’s steps stopped, her lively eyes blinking as she stared at Xiao Yan’s unhesitating back. After a moment, she smiled, “It seems… there really is a mysterious person behind Brother Xiao Yan. Hmm… should I investigate?”
Frustrated, she flicked her smooth forehead with a slender finger. After a while, Xuner shook her head helplessly, “Forget it, Brother Xiao Yan hates it when others pry into his affairs. Since that mysterious person has taught him so much, I guess they won’t harm him.”
Sighing lightly, Xuner raised her small face, and in her autumn-like eyes, a faint golden flame danced gently. “I hope that person has no ill intentions. Otherwise… even if you hide inside Brother Xiao Yan’s body, I will pull you out…”
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