"Auntie, Auntie!"
"Take us out to play!"
As soon as Zi Yan appeared, Xian Yue immediately released Gu Fei's leg and ran over to her side, her big, bright black eyes looking up at Zi Yan expectantly.
"Where do you want to go and play?"
Zi Yan smiled warmly at the affectionate way Xian Yue addressed her, and handed the little girl a freshly picked spirit fruit.
"Today, many guests have arrived in the clan. It's very lively, and people from other ancient clans are here too..." Xian Yue explained as she took a bite of the fruit.
"Alright, Auntie Zi Yan will take you there!" Zi Yan agreed.
"Sister! Auntie Zi Yan, wait for me, I want to go too!" Wu Shuang, who had been holding onto Gu Fei's other leg, quickly let go and ran over to join them.
Though Wu Shuang was under six years old, he was far from ordinary. Having fully mastered the power of the Heaven Swallowing Python within him, he could now wield the strength of a three-star Dou Ancestor.
So, he immediately followed Zi Yan, walking through the air.
"These little rascals!"
Gu Fei shook his head with a soft smile as he watched the children eagerly follow Zi Yan.
"Husband, since the children are so excited, shall we go and have a look too?"
Two stunning figures, Cai Lin and Xiao Yi Xian, appeared by Gu Fei's side.
"Sure," Gu Fei nodded with a smile. Compared to cultivating, he much preferred spending time with his loved ones, though he knew he couldn't completely set aside his responsibilities.
"I'll go take a look too..."
Qing Lin approached, with the Lion King, who had taken human form, standing not far behind her.
Understanding the need for privacy, Qing Lin did not disturb the trio of Gu Fei, Cai Lin, and Xiao Yi Xian. Instead, she chose to leave with the Lion King, quickly catching up with Zi Yan and the children.
After everyone had left, the secluded mountain peak was left with only Venerable Tian Huo.
...
Meanwhile, on another green peak, a graceful figure slowly descended.
The moonlight bathed her exquisite face, making her appear particularly captivating.
This beautiful woman was none other than Xun Er.
Having received news from Ling Ying, Xun Er learned that Xiao Yan had arrived in the Gu Realm. Instinctively, she assumed Xiao Yan had come specifically to find her.
Initially, she considered asking Ling Ying to bring Xiao Yan directly to her mountain. However, she quickly dismissed the idea, knowing that it might lead to unnecessary misunderstandings if they were alone together.
"I should go there myself," Xun Er sighed softly, and then began to leave the mountain.
...
"Sister, wait for me!"
In the midst of the festively decorated palace complex, Wu Shuang and Xian Yue dashed through the crowd, playing happily together.
The surrounding area was filled with guests from various outside clans, none of whom recognized the two little children.
"Am I seeing this right?"
"That little kid is a Dou Ancestor?"
"A Dou Ancestor at such a young age? That's incredible..."
As Wu Shuang passed by, shocked eyes followed him, filled with disbelief.
Some of the older generation from the Central Plains could not help but feel that their years of cultivation had been in vain...
"Teacher, this... this little kid's cultivation is higher than mine..." Xiao Yan, who was walking with Feng Xian, was nearly speechless with shock when he saw Wu Shuang.
"Could it be that all the children in the Gu Clan are this strong?" Feng Xian was equally astonished.
"That's impossible. Even with strong bloodlines, no one is born this powerful. At most, they'd have high talent and a quick cultivation pace..." Yao Lao dismissed the idea but wasn't entirely convinced himself. Even he couldn't fathom the reason behind Wu Shuang's immense power.
"This Gu Clan is really full of monsters!"
"Venerable Feng, I think I'll stop wandering around and go rest," Xiao Yan said, feeling extremely insignificant. If he continued exploring, he feared it might affect his mental state.
Just as Xiao Yan was about to return to his quarters, a beautiful figure appeared in his line of sight: "Xun Er?"
"Brother Xiao Yan, long time no see!" Xun Er greeted him calmly with a smile.
Venerable Feng was taken aback; he hadn't expected Xiao Yan to have acquaintances in the Gu Realm. Moreover, this acquaintance seemed to hold a significant position, as Xun Er, despite her young age, had reached the cultivation level of an eight-star Dou Venerate, far surpassing his own four-star Dou Venerate level. He couldn't help but marvel at the sheer talent within these ancient clans.
"Xun Er, it's been so long. How have you been?" Xiao Yan asked excitedly.
Xun Er had a special place in Xiao Yan's heart. She had given him a Heavenly Flame, taught him advanced techniques, and even when Yao Lao had fallen into a deep sleep, it was Xun Er who had gone to great lengths to find the herbs needed to awaken his master.
(TL/n: Wait, did she really give away the Heavenly Flame??!! And no one in the clan complained about it? I thought it was just a seed flame..)
"I've been doing well," Xun Er responded with a simple nod, her reaction much more subdued than Xiao Yan had anticipated.
Xiao Yan was surprised. He had expected Xun Er to eagerly ask about everything that had happened to him over the years.
Their conversation quickly drew the attention of those nearby. Even if one ignored Xun Er's impressive cultivation, her beauty alone was enough to attract countless gazes.
People were curious.
How could a woman as stunning as Xun Er know someone like Xiao Yan, who appeared so insignificant?
"Isn't that Xun Er of the Gu Clan?"
"Could that guy be Xiao Yan, the one who caused the breakup between Gu Fei and Xun Er?"
"I heard that after Xun Er got married, she took special care of this guy, which Gu Fei couldn't tolerate. Their so-called separation was actually just Gu Fei unilaterally divorcing her..."
"Looking at how they're interacting now, it seems that the rumors might be true!"
"But seriously, her taste is questionable. A guy like him isn't even fit to carry Gu Fei's shoes!"
Hearing these whispered conversations, Xun Er's face flushed with anger. She hadn't expected that even though she avoided meeting Xiao Yan in private, it still led to gossip.
She was only having a few words with her brother Xiao Yan- nothing more.
"Xun Er got divorced?"
"So, Xun Er was already married?"
Xiao Yan was shocked. It was only now that he learned about Xun Er's past. She had never mentioned any of this to him before.
Aside from his surprise, Xiao Yan felt a surge of anger. The blatant mockery from these so-called ancient geniuses was completely disrespectful to him.
"Brother Xiao Yan, this isn't a place you should be..." Xun Er said softly.
(TL/n: Last chapter for today. Thanks to all the guys who keep on pointing out my mistakes- I've since corrected them all. Thanks for the support and don't forget to leave a review if you're enjoying it so far!)