Xiao Qun's heart was filled with discontent, her eyes burning with resentment.
"Hmph, just because Xiao Yi is his niece, she got a shortcut to join Tianyu Peak and become Ji Yan's personal junior sister."
"That spot was supposed to be mine."
"Even now, they won't let me meet Senior Brother Ji Yan. It's infuriating."
Watching Xiao Chuang walk away, Xiao Qun felt a surge of frustration at his favoritism. However, she was powerless. Xiao Chuang was a Nascent Soul stage expert and the Peak Master of Chiyue Peak in Lingxiao Sect, holding a highly respected position within the Xiao family. Even though her grandfather was the Great Elder, there wasn't much they could do against him.
"Hey, Xiao Qun, isn't that Xiao Yi?" a companion beside her suddenly pointed out.
Following her gaze, Xiao Qun spotted Xiao Yi walking with a young man not far away. Seeing Xiao Yi's cheerful expression, Xiao Qun's mood soured even more. She believed the rightful spot of being a personal disciple at Tianyu Peak, Ji Yan's junior sister, should have been hers, not Xiao Yi's. In her eyes, Xiao Yi had taken something that rightfully belonged to her.
With this thought in mind, Xiao Qun called out coldly, "Xiao Yi!"
Xiao Yi, hearing her name, turned around. Her previously cheerful face immediately dropped.
"Ugh, bad luck!" Xiao Yi muttered under her breath.
Lü Shaoqing noticed the scowl on Xiao Qun's face as she approached and asked, "Who are they?"
Xiao Yi replied, "She's my cousin. We've never gotten along. She's a real pain."
When Xiao Qun drew closer, she eyed Lü Shaoqing up and down, then sneered, "Oh, who's this? You've only been here a short while, and you've already found yourself a man?"
"Is he your backer or something?"
Xiao Yi glared, "Xiao Qun, stop spouting nonsense."
"This is my Second Senior Brother."
"Second Senior Brother?" Xiao Qun glanced at Lü Shaoqing dismissively, not hiding her disdain. She had never heard of him. The only person she knew of from Tianyu Peak was Ji Yan. Anyone else wasn't worth her attention.
After all, as the granddaughter of the Xiao family's Great Elder, her status was no less significant than that of any so-called personal disciple.
"Second Senior Brother? I've never heard of anyone like that."
It wasn't surprising that Xiao Qun looked down on him; even within Lingxiao Sect, there were many who had no idea of Lü Shaoqing's existence. So, for someone like Xiao Qun, an outsider, it was even less likely.
Lü Shaoqing frowned and asked Xiao Yi, "Did she grow up eating garbage? Her mouth smells foul."
Xiao Yi couldn't help but burst into laughter. Indeed, Second Senior Brother was different—his words could infuriate anyone.
As expected, Xiao Qun's eyes flared with anger, her teeth gritted. "Do you want to die? How dare you disrespect me!"
"I was just curious. With such a foul mouth, it must have been hard growing up eating filth."
Looking genuinely surprised, Lü Shaoqing continued, "I didn't expect you to look human but actually be a dog. Are you perhaps a dog demon in human form?"
"Haha!"
Xiao Yi laughed out loud, showing no mercy. Xiao Qun's entire body trembled with rage, her eyes blazing as if she wanted to burn Lü Shaoqing to ashes. Even the people beside Xiao Qun were holding back their laughter, their faces red as they struggled. This was their first time encountering someone so sharp-tongued.
"Who exactly are you?" Xiao Qun shrieked in rage, her voice sharp and piercing. "How dare you insult me like this. I won't let you off!"
Lü Shaoqing looked puzzled. "I was just telling the truth. How is that insulting you?"
"Don't make baseless accusations, little girl. That's unreasonable."
"I'm one of the most polite people around. I never speak ill of others. Just ask Xiao Yi if you don't believe me."
Xiao Yi eagerly nodded, enjoying herself. "That's right, Second Senior Brother is a good person."
Lü Shaoqing shot her a look, "Stop handing out 'good person' cards."
Xiao Qun was about to explode. This guy's mouth was seriously infuriating. And the worst part was, he said everything with such an earnest expression that she almost believed he was right.
If not for the last shred of rationality she had left, she would have already drawn her sword to attack. For someone as detestable as him, even hacking him to pieces wouldn't be enough. Unable to win verbally against Lü Shaoqing, Xiao Qun turned her fury on Xiao Yi.
She glared at her. "So, you've teamed up with an outsider to go against me? Are you betraying the Xiao family?"
Xiao Yi huffed, "He's my Second Senior Brother, not an outsider."
"Second Senior Brother? I only know of the First Senior Brother at Tianyu Peak."
Lü Shaoqing asked, "Who do you think you are, talking so big?"
Xiao Qun sneered coldly, "Hmph, I'm the granddaughter of the Great Elder of the Xiao family."
Xiao Yi quickly whispered to Lü Shaoqing, "Second Senior Brother, the Great Elder is a mid-stage Nascent Soul expert."
Lü Shaoqing's demeanor immediately changed. "Oh, you're the granddaughter of Elder Xiao? You should've said so earlier."
"My apologies for the offense, Miss Xiao. Please don't take it to heart."
"Misunderstanding, it's all a misunderstanding."
Hmm?
This shift in tone felt odd. Xiao Yi was puzzled, as was Xiao Qun.
Has his attitude changed?
Feeling smug, Xiao Qun thought, See? My grandfather's reputation still holds weight.
After all, who would dare to offend a mid-stage Nascent Soul expert? Even Lingxiao Sect wouldn't dare. Xiao Qun smirked, "What's wrong? Are you scared?"
Lü Shaoqing kept his head up. "It's not fear. It's just that we're all family here, and there's no need for conflict."
Xiao Qun scoffed, "Family? With you? Have you looked in a mirror? Are you even worthy?"
"Well, I'm my junior sister's senior brother, and you're her cousin. Doesn't that make us family?"
Lü Shaoqing cupped his hands politely. "I sincerely hope Miss Xiao won't hold any grudges."
Xiao Qun sneered even more, turning to Xiao Yi with a mocking smile. "Haha, this is your Second Senior Brother?"
"Just a cowardly worm."
Xiao Yi, feeling indignant, tugged at Lü Shaoqing's sleeve. "Second Senior Brother, you don't need to be afraid of her."
Lü Shaoqing brushed off her hand. "Don't be foolish. She's the granddaughter of the Xiao family's Great Elder; we can't afford to offend her."
"Mid-stage Nascent Soul—do you realize how powerful that is?"
Xiao Yi was stunned. Was her Second Senior Brother really the type to back down from a fight? It didn't seem like him at all.
Xiao Qun laughed heartily. "Haha, at least you know your place."
"Compared to Senior Brother Ji Yan, you're nothing. No wonder I've never heard of you."
So, even the so-called Second Senior Brother of Tianyu Peak isn't much after all.
Lü Shaoqing's eyes lit up. "Miss Xiao, do you like my First Senior Brother?"
Xiao Qun's face flushed, but she didn't deny it.
"So what if I do? Ji Yan is so amazing. What's wrong with admiring him?"
"Do you want to meet him? I can take you to him."
Lü Shaoqing's words instantly dispelled Xiao Qun's anger.
"Re-Really?"
No one could resist such an offer. Ji Yan was the dream man of countless girls, and Xiao Qun was no exception. She had dreamed about him numerous times but had never met him up close. She had only seen him from a distance.
Now, hearing that she could meet him face-to-face, Xiao Qun was thrilled.
"You can really take me to see Ji Yan?"
Lü Shaoqing nodded confidently. "Of course!"
However, Xiao Qun wasn't entirely convinced. She stared at Lü Shaoqing suspiciously. "What are you plotting?"
Xiao Qun remained wary, scrutinizing Lü Shaoqing closely.
"What's your plan?"
"Don't think you can fool me. I won't fall for any tricks."
Lü Shaoqing shrugged. "Why would I lie?"
"Come on, I'll take you to First Senior Brother's place. He's there right now."