"The Snake-People's Medusa recently ordered all her people to search for an Ice Spirit Cold Fountain. She herself is heading for the extreme southern border of the Jia Ma Empire. Her purpose is unknown. Ling Yue is shadowing her in secret."
"Misty Cloud Sect's Yun Yun recently ordered the investigation of information on Xiao Yan and Young Master Xiao Ting, then began investigating the Hall of Souls. She is now heading for the northern region of the Jia Ma Empire."
"While Yun Yun met with the Jia Ma Empire's royal family member Jia Xing Tian, a Protector of the Hall of Souls secretly eavesdropped on them."
"The girl called Little Fairy Doctor is being investigated by Ling Mei. So far, the only one found is in Qingshan Town near Wu Tan City. She is a physician of the local power, Thousand Medicinal House, and is currently on her way to Wu Tan City with the pavilion master to deliver a batch of medicinal materials to the Miteer Auction House."
"The girl called Qing Lin is being investigated by Ling Xue. No useful information has yet been found about her in the northeastern provinces."
The woman kneeling on one knee was named Ling Qing, one of the commanders of Xun Er's secret guards. Her cultivation was at nine-star Dou Ancestor, and she was the strongest on the surface.
There was an entire squad responsible for protecting Xun Er in the shadows, most of them women. After all, Xun Er herself was a girl, and having women protect her from the dark was more convenient.
Of course, there were also men, mainly tasked with things more suited to male agents.
For example, since yesterday, a guard named Ling Ying had been ordered by Xun Er to secretly protect Xiao Ting.
"Medusa, the Snake-People's Queen, leaving the Serpent tribe and entering the Jia Ma Empire alone… leaving the northeastern territories and heading to the south."
"Yun Yun, investigating Big Brother Xiao Ting, then seeking traces of the Hall of Souls."
"Little Fairy Doctor… has come to Wu Tan City."
Xun Er slowly lifted her head, a spark of fire flickering in her beautiful eyes.
If there had only been one person acting strangely, it could still be brushed off as coincidence. But with three at once, things were unlikely to be that simple.
These three, along with that Qing Lin, were all women whose names Xiao Ting had mentioned in his journal, just like her.
Since she had determined that she likely wasn't the only one with a copy of the journal, it was natural to investigate the other potential holders.
Yun Yun, Medusa, Little Fairy Doctor, and Qing Lin were all priority subjects—Yao Lao and Xiao Yan as well.
If they possessed the journal but weren't bound by threats similar to her own and could potentially harm Xiao Ting, she needed to step in and eliminate the danger in time.
As the daughter of the Gu Clan's clan leader, she wielded a power that ordinary people could not even imagine. Doing such things was child's play.
"Have people continue investigating the four of them—especially Yun Yun."
Xun Er closed the book, a chill surfacing in her gaze.
"Find out exactly why she's looking for members of the Hall of Souls."
"And that Hall of Souls Protector—since he's appeared in a backwater like the Jia Ma Empire, find out what he's after."
"If it's related to the Xiao Clan, then arrange a 'chance encounter' where a dispute arises over treasure and he's… accidentally killed."
She did not say that last sentence aloud.
She had originally intended to give this direct order, but then thought that Xiao Ting might know about this Hall of Souls Protector's existence. If she intervened rashly, it could cause unnecessary suspicion, so she decided to play it safe.
"As you command." Ling Qing accepted the order and retreated.
A breeze swept through the courtyard, lifting Xun Er's hair and skirt hem, making her look even more ethereal, like a girl who had just stepped out of a painting.
When the courtyard once again appeared to hold only her, she lowered her head to read, but her eyes were filled with anticipation.
"Little Fairy Doctor… did you come to Wu Tan City by coincidence, or because of Big Brother Xiao Ting?"
…
At the same time, in the Xiao Clan's council hall—
Xiao Zhan and the Elders confirmed Xiao Ting's strength several times and were elated.
A one-star Dou Master at fifteen, and achieved with little help from the clan—this kind of monstrous talent was unheard of.
Nalan Yanran, the only granddaughter of a Dou King and the only disciple of Yun Yun, was about the same age as Xiao Ting, and a year ago had only been a three-star Dou Practitioner. She almost certainly hadn't reached Dou Master yet.
"Ting Er, you should have told us sooner about your talent."
After rejoicing, Xiao Zhan put on a stern face to lecture him:
"The clan will definitely do everything in our power to nurture you. We'll strive to help you reach Dou Grandmaster within three years, then use another five years to push for the Dou Spirit realm."
Xiao Ting: "…"
For a second there I thought you were going to say "three years of entrance exams, five years of mock tests."
But needing eight full years just to reach Dou Spirit? He might as well find a piece of tofu and bash his head in.
These Elders of the Xiao Clan… after they were done "blackening" the ancestors, they'd started 'cursing' him, the junior.
"Uncle, no need to trouble the clan."
Although he was grumbling inwardly, Xiao Ting's smile was sincere.
"I've decided that when the Jia Nan Academy admissions come around, I'll sign up. I'm confident I can enter the Inner Academy."
"The Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy has a five-year program. Those with especially outstanding talent can apply to postpone graduation by two years. Graduates are at worst Dou Spirits, and the best among them are all at Dou King level by the time they leave."
Dou King!
Xiao Zhan and the Elders' breathing all became noticeably heavier.
Thirteen years ago, they had still had a Dou King in the clan. They understood very well how much benefit that brought.
"Going to Jia Nan Academy is fine, but the clan will also give you all the support we can within our power."
Xiao Zhan spoke earnestly, eyes serious.
"Ting Er, you don't have to feel any psychological burden. As long as you become a Dou Spirit, you won't have to lift a finger; just your name alone will be enough to bring the clan benefits."
The Elders nodded repeatedly.
Thinking of his own plans for growing stronger, Xiao Ting didn't refuse further.
The resources the Xiao Clan could provide would only be icing on the cake and wouldn't be very meaningful for long anyway.
"Uncle, Elders, I'll return to cultivate."
He cupped his fist and took his leave.
He had come with a Grandmaster Pill and left with a hundred thousand gold coins.
After deducting the amount that was the market price for the pill, the rest was the clan's initial investment in him.
"Our Xiao Clan is about to produce a dragon."
Even after Xiao Ting left, the First Elder still hadn't calmed down from his excitement. His gaze fell on Xiao Zhan.
"Clan Leader, that thing should be entrusted to Young Master Xiao Ting. He's the most suitable."
"I understand." Xiao Zhan nodded slightly.
"By tradition, it should be handed to the clan's strongest or the Clan Leader for safekeeping."
"Ting Er might not become the Clan Leader, but his talent surpasses Yan Er's, and his temperament is in a different league."
"When his cultivation surpasses mine, I'll hand it to him to safeguard."
In Xiao Zhan's heart, Xiao Ting was no different from a son.
In fact, because his younger sister and brother-in-law had died protecting him and Xiao Yan, he felt a few extra shades of pity for this nephew.
…
Back in his own small courtyard, Xiao Ting began to cultivate in earnest.
Cheats were only auxiliary; one still had to be strong oneself.
"Hmm?"
Time always passed quickly during cultivation.
He meditated until well into the hour of the Rat—just past midnight if it were in his previous life.
For some reason—perhaps due to the journal—he didn't feel any fatigue. Instead, he felt more and more energetic.
He had the sense that as long as he could endure the monotony, he'd have limitless energy to keep cultivating. For someone like him with top-tier talent and powerful soul, his sensitivity to every bit of progress only deepened that satisfaction.
Everyone knew cultivation was tedious. No one could sit there all day, especially when they couldn't feel any improvement.
But he had fallen in love with the feeling of cultivation—immersed in it, unable to stop, planning to train straight through the night.
Then, a message came through the journal, breaking his rhythm.
"Now this is what I call a proper blessing."
…