Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, five months had passed.
"You're inviting me to your Xiao Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony? Are you serious?"
In the small courtyard, Zhou Changqing was sipping tea when Xiao Yan's words made him choke, nearly spitting it all out.
Xiao Yan slapped him on the shoulder and grinned. "How could it be fake? My father personally instructed me to invite you. I have to say, you've got some real pull, Old Zhou."
"But it makes sense," Xiao Yan continued. "You're a celebrity now. Even if most people in the city don't know your name, they'll never forget the young genius who publicly executed a Dou Master half a year ago. People are still talking about it. You've become one of Wu Tan City's greatest legends."
"A genius like you, not to mention that incredible smithing skill of yours... if my father has half a brain, he's definitely going to try and get on your good side. The clan elders wouldn't object either. See? Here's the proof."
"So, what do you say? Want to go? It's up to you. If you don't feel like it, just say no. Don't worry about me. We're brothers; I won't take a little thing like this to heart."
"Since it's Uncle Xiao who's inviting me, I'll go," Zhou Changqing said after a moment's thought. He gave Xiao Yan a sly look. "I've been pretty bored lately, so it'll be fun to watch the show. What was it you always say? I'll get to see you show off."
Hearing this, the corners of Xiao Yan's mouth couldn't help but curve upward. He shot Zhou Changqing a knowing look in return.
A month ago, the clan had held a preliminary test for the ceremony. Back then, his strength at the seventh stage of Dou Qi had shocked quite a few people.
But they could never have imagined that now, with the official ceremony about to begin, he had another surprise in store for them!
It had been so many years since he'd felt the thrill of basking in the limelight like this... Xiao Yan couldn't help but sigh with feeling.
"Then it's settled. I'll show you, Old Zhou, that I, Xiao Yan, am no worse than you."
"Tsk. It's one thing to show off in front of others, but in front of me? You think you're up to it?"
"Ahem, I'll come get you tomorrow. Remember to wake up early."
"Just make sure you're not the one who oversleeps."
The next morning.
Well before dawn, Xiao Yan arrived at the small courtyard to find Zhou Changqing. The two then set off for the Xiao Clan compound.
As one of the three great clans of Wu Tan City, the Xiao Clan occupied the southern district, ruling it as its undisputed hegemon. Their residence was a testament to their power, a lavish estate that was not only vast in area but also decorated with an air of immense grandeur.
After entering the Xiao Clan grounds, the two wound their way through several corridors before arriving at a massive plaza paved with bluestone.
The plaza was already bustling with people, their excited chatter filling the air as they cast expectant glances toward the center.
In the middle of the plaza stood a wide stage constructed from giant logs, upon which a black stone monument used for testing Dou Qi was erected.
Zhou Changqing nodded slightly as he took in the lively scene. As one of the most important days for the clan, the Xiao Clan had invited many friendly powers to observe the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, naturally making it a much grander affair.
"Come on, I want you to meet someone."
Xiao Yan slung an arm over Zhou Changqing's shoulder and led him toward a shady spot.
Zhou Changqing raised an eyebrow but didn't object. There weren't many people in the Xiao Clan whom Xiao Yan would personally introduce, only a select few. He had a strong feeling he knew who it was.
Soon, they arrived under a large tree and saw the person Xiao Yan had mentioned.
It was a young girl dressed in a lavender-pink dress.
Her youthful face was exquisitely beautiful, and her slender waist was as delicate as a willow leaf, looking as if it could be encircled with a single hand. Her silken black hair was casually tied back with a light purple ribbon, cascading down her lovely curves to her waist. Two small green bells adorned her fair wrist, making her look like a figure who had stepped out of a painting.
Her cool and detached aura made her seem like a freshly blossomed lotus rising from the mud, captivating all who saw her.
"Xiao Yan ge-ge, you're here?"
When the girl saw Xiao Yan approaching, her previously indifferent eyes lit up, curving into beautiful crescents. She stood up and came forward to greet him, her clear, girlish voice filled with joy.
Xiao Yan's face softened into a doting smile. "Mhm, sorry to keep you waiting, Xun'er."
"Here, let me introduce you," he said. "This is Zhou Changqing, my friend."
"Old Zhou, this is my younger sister, Xiao Xun'er. You can just call her Xun'er."
At Xiao Yan's introduction, the two looked at each other with curiosity.
For Xiao Xun'er, there was practically no one whom her Xiao Yan ge-ge would call a friend, let alone introduce to her. The young man before her was the first. This alone showed how important he was in her Xiao Yan ge-ge's heart.
She couldn't help but wonder what kind of person possessed such charm as to earn her Xiao Yan ge-ge's recognition.
She saw a young man about the same age as Xiao Yan, but he was exceptionally handsome, with a gentle and warm disposition.
A faint golden light flashed in Xiao Xun'er's eyes, and she nodded to herself. As expected, anyone acknowledged by Xiao Yan ge-ge was no simple character. His talent was remarkably high.
Zhou Changqing, of course, had no idea that his cultivation level had already been seen through by Xiao Xun'er.
As he observed the girl, who could already be considered a peerless beauty, his curiosity was satisfied. It was no wonder Xiao Yan was so smitten with such a devastatingly beautiful girl. She was half the motivation behind his cultivation, a driving obsession to become worthy of her.
"Hello, I'm Zhou Changqing. If you don't mind, Miss Xun'er, you can call me Changqing. Of course, Old Zhou works too."
"Hello. Since you're Xiao Yan ge-ge's friend, you're my friend as well. And please, don't call me Miss Xun'er. Just Xun'er is fine."
"Hehe, alright, now that you know each other, let's sit and talk. The ceremony won't be starting for a little while," Xiao Yan said with a smile, motioning for them to sit.
The three of them sat down with their backs against the large tree and began a simple conversation.
Of course, for the most part, Zhou Changqing kept quiet, listening peacefully or watching the bustling crowd below the stage.
They were like a young couple chatting, and he had no intention of intruding. If he knew anyone else in the Xiao Clan, he wouldn't be sitting here playing the third wheel.
Glancing at the laughing pair, a mischievous idea sparked in Zhou Changqing's mind.
Showing off your sweet little relationship, are you? Picking on me because I don't have a childhood sweetheart?
"Hey, Old Xiao," Zhou Changqing whispered, leaning closer to Xiao Yan. "Is Xun'er really just your sister? You two seem a little too close for that. Is she your 'darling' sister?"
Xiao Yan, who had been laughing a moment before, whipped his head around to face Zhou Changqing. His face rapidly turned crimson as he hissed back in a low, flustered voice.
"Wha— Old Zhou, what nonsense are you spouting! What 'darling' sister! Xun'er and I are innocent! I only think of her as a sister!"
"I don't believe you."
"You...!"
"Ah, you're getting flustered. You're totally flustered."
As he spoke, Xiao Yan secretly snuck a glance at Xiao Xun'er out of the corner of his eye, as if afraid she might have heard.
Seeing Xiao Yan's reaction, Zhou Changqing's lips curled into a smirk, and he nearly burst out laughing.
The three of them were sitting so close; did he really think whispering would help? It was pure self-deception. He hadn't noticed that the tips of Xiao Xun'er's ears were already bright red, a shy blush creeping across her pretty face.
Besides, Xun'er hadn't even refuted it, so why was he in such a panic?
And so, thanks to Zhou Changqing's meddling, both Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er fell silent, their faces flushed. The atmosphere instantly grew quiet.
During the silence, they kept avoiding each other's gaze, though they snuck several careful glances when they thought the other wasn't looking.
Seeing this, Zhou Changqing finally felt satisfied.