In Wu Tan City, at the Xiao Residence.
Within a modest mansion, a separate area was delineated, equipped with individual exclusive rooms and courtyards.
Beneath an ancient peach tree, a girl dressed in a purple dress sat elegantly on a stone stool. Delicate fingers held a finely crafted white jade teacup filled with crimson liquid, emitting a rich aroma of herbs.
If there were an Alchemist present at this moment, they would surely recognize the liquid in this cup as the Fifth Grade Pill: Red Lotus Holy Maiden Saliva. It possesses the miraculous effects of tempering Dou Qi and enhancing constitution. However, its medicinal potency is domineering, requiring at least a Dou Grandmaster to consume.
The girl lifted the teacup and took a shallow sip. Under the potent medicine, her fair and delicate cheeks instantly flushed red. Yet, as golden flames flashed in her eyes, the medicinal power of the Fifth Grade Pill instantly assimilated, and her complexion returned to normal.
"Ah, so boring."
"Brother Xiao Yan, why don't you come play with Xun'er?"
As the girl drank tea brewed with Fifth Grade Pill, she toyed with peach blossoms falling from above with one hand. Perfect facial features, ethereal countenance, like a lotus in its early bloom. It's not hard to imagine how stunning she'll be when she sheds her youthful naivety!
"Have you investigated thoroughly, Elder Ling?"
The girl's crimson lips parted, her clear voice carrying a hint of etherealness.
"Hehe, indeed, Miss!"
"Your Soul Perception, even Dou Emperor experts cannot conceal it."
Accompanied by a swift-moving figure, an elderly man in black robes appeared before the girl and knelt on one knee.
"No need for formalities, Elder Ling."
"At the moment, I am Xiao Xun'er."
The girl's expression remained indifferent, as if she had long been accustomed to Dou Emperor experts kneeling before her.
"Yes, Miss!"
Ling Ying stood up, but his upper body still maintained a slight forward posture. This wasn't deliberate flattery but a suppression stemming from bloodline, an infinite respect ingrained into his very marrow.
"We have identified the unfamiliar force that entered Wu Tan City today. They are from the Misty Cloud Sect, the foremost sect of the Jia Ma Empire."
"Misty Cloud Sect."
In the eyes of the girl named Xiao Xun'er, there flashed a hint of peculiarity, followed by a signal for the other party to continue speaking.
"The elderly leader is named Ge Ye, an Outer Sect steward of the Misty Cloud Sect, with a strength of 7 Star Dou Grandmaster."
"The girl is named Nalan Yanran, the successor to the Misty Cloud Sect Master. Currently, her strength is at the 7 Star Dou Practitioner level."
Upon hearing the name Nalan Yanran, the girl raised an eyebrow. Then, with an expressionless face, she said, "Is she Xiao Yan's nominal fiancée? What is she doing here?"
With her sharp wit, she quickly guessed the only possibility after a moment of thought, and a faint smirk appeared on her face.
"Nalan Yanran. Should I thank you or detest you?"
Unless something unexpected occurs, the relationship between Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan will deteriorate completely after today. This is something Xiao Xun'er is delighted to hear. However, she also knows that Nalan Yanran's arrival bodes ill, likely to cause immense spiritual trauma to Xiao Yan. This is where Xiao Xun'er feels indignation!
Ling Ying felt an inexplicable chill, beads of cold sweat forming on his forehead, his demeanor becoming even more humble.
"By the way, there is a third person, whose name should be Yun Tianming. It is said that he is also an official disciple of Yunlan Sect. As for his strength, your subordinates have not been able to find out."
"Oh? Even Elder Ling couldn't see through?"
Xiao Xun'er's calm face showed slight ripples.
"Yes, there are three possibilities in this situation."
"The first possibility is that this individual's strength far surpasses mine."
As Ling Ying said this, he himself found it absurd.
He was a Dou Emperor from an Ancient Clan!
Unless Yun Tianming is a Dou Ancestor powerhouse, how astonishing would that be for a 15-year-old Dou Ancestor?
Xiao Xun'er made no comment, evidently not believing the first possibility.
"The second possibility is that the opponent's Soul Realm is very high, close to your level, Miss. This is obviously impossible!"
Ling Ying inadvertently praised his own young miss.
"It's not certain. A person's soul is innate; some individuals are born with strong Soul Power."
"Like Brother Xiao Yan~"
As Xiao Xun'er spoke, a charming smile appeared on her face.
"Well, Master Xiao Yan is indeed an exception."
Ling Ying smiled awkwardly.
In the Dou Qi Continent, individuals born with strong Soul Power often possess incredibly powerful bloodlines.
Xun'er, as the young lady of the Ancient Clan, having strong innate Soul Power was quite normal.
However, in the Xiao Family where Xiao Yan resides, despite the Xiao Clan's former glory a millennium ago, times have changed. The Dou God bloodline of the Xiao Clan has long dried up, and most of the clan members have average talents, blending into the crowd.
Only Xiao Yan, at the age of four, began Qi cultivation; at ten, he attained the Ninth Stage Dou Disciple; at eleven, he successfully condensed his Dou Disciple Realm and advanced to the Dou Practitioner stage! While such cultivation talent isn't outstanding among the Ancient Clan, what surprised Ling Ying was that Xiao Yan's Soul Power far surpassed ordinary people. He even outstripped the elites among his peers in the Ancient Clan!
Yes, compared to talent in Dou Qi cultivation, Xiao Yan's little-known soul strength is the true genius!
Perhaps due to genius recognizing genius, Xiao Xun'er has held favorable sentiments towards Xiao Yan since childhood. Even when the latter encountered issues with his Dou Qi, dropping to the Dou Disciple Third Stage, Xiao Xun'er never looked down on him. She believed that one day Xiao Yan would rise again, qualifying to stand at the same height as her!
This might sound a bit superficial, but it's the reality. After all, where in the world would a girl like someone who is utterly useless? There must be something attractive about the person.
"According to the information your subordinate gathered, this Yun Tianming was born a beggar in Jia Ma Sacred City. At the age of six, he was taken in by the Misty Cloud Sect, with no family background."
No family background means no bloodline inheritance. How strong can his Soul Power possibly be?
"The third possibility is that this person wears special restrictions that shield my perception," Ling Ying said seriously, clearly inclined towards the third possibility.
"I see, Misty Cloud Sect."
"It seems they've left something behind."
Xiao Xun'er nodded thoughtfully.
"Um, Miss, do you seem to know a lot about the Misty Cloud Sect?" Ling Ying looked puzzled.
In his view, the Misty Cloud Sect was merely a mediocre sect nestled in the small region of the Jia Ma Empire. Even their strongest individuals were only at the level of Dou Emperors. Ling Ying possessed the strength of a peak Dou Emperor, which in the Ancient Clan might only make him a lackey, but dealing with the Misty Cloud Sect would still be well within his capabilities!
"The founding Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Po Tian, was once the youngest Dou Venerate powerhouse in the Central Plains. He had connections with an elder of our clan."
Xiao Xun'er, upon reaching this point, revealed a rare peculiar expression on her face, then fell silent.
What's the connection after all? Ling Ying's curiosity was piqued, but Xiao Xun'er abruptly stopped speaking, leaving him in frustration!
However, Ling Ying dared not ask what the young miss didn't want to say. After all, that belonged to the secrets of the Ancient Clan, something not for him, a mere descendant, to inquire about.
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