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Xun Er fiercely pummeled the life-sized cloth doll of Xiao Yan, then hugged it and threw both it and herself onto the bed.
She knew her father had probably gone to find Xiao Yan, but with her current abilities, by the time she found them, everything would already have been discussed, so she didn't bother to waste her effort.
After lying on the bed for a while, Xun Er stood up and walked to Xiao Yan's room on the floor below. Before leaving, she wanted to leave something for Xiao Yan.
She planned to directly give him Dou Techniques, while some auxiliary cultivation pills and medicinal materials would be better hidden in places he could easily find, as Xiao Yan might not accept them if given directly.
Although the current Xiao Yan was much stronger than in the original work at the same time, the pressure he faced was also greater.
The responsibility to Yun Yun, the responsibility to the Xiao Family, the promise to Xiao Meng, the promise to Xun Er, and because of "Xiao Zhan," the Soul Clan high-level and Gu Yuan had already turned their attention here in advance.
Xun Er could clearly feel Xiao Yan's spirit was extremely tense, to the point where it could break at any moment.
She wanted to do as much as possible for Xiao Yan, to relieve some of his pressure.
Pushing the door open, she saw a man with a monocle embedded in his right eye socket, black gloves on both hands, and a faint smile on his lips.
Xun Er's expression slightly condensed; Zhou Mingrui's presence didn't feel like an ordinary student, and there seemed to be an inexplicable connection between him and Xiao Meng.
"What are you doing here?" Xun Er asked, puzzled.
"Miss Xun Er, I will probably be your subordinate from now on, so I came to say hello," Zhou Mingrui said softly.
"Hmm?" Xun Er was confused.
"Venerable Gu Chen of your clan has decided to take me as his disciple. After you leave this time, I will also go to the Gu Clan with you."
"Is that so..." Xun Er propped her chin and asked, "How many fire energy points do you still have? Give them all to me. After returning to the clan, I will give you corresponding resources as compensation."
She temporarily overlooked Zhou Mingrui's suspicious points and chose to rationally exploit his value.
Zhou Mingrui shrugged and handed his fire crystal card to Xun Er.
Just as Xun Er was about to take it, a slightly rough hand took the fire crystal card first.
It was Gu Yuan.
He looked at Xun Er with a smile, "You really are full of thoughts about that little lover."
"Father, what did you do to Brother Xiao Yan?" Xun Er asked.
Gu Yuan shook his head slightly, "I actually arrived much earlier and have been observing you two for two months. I've seen his every move, and he's not bad. If his strength can keep up, I won't object... I just chatted with him about everyday things."
A hint of joy appeared on Xun Er's face. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Zhou Mingrui disappear from the side.
A surge of spirit power swept over her, even passing through her body and brushing against her soul.
Gu Yuan's unusual action made her expression change. After a moment of slight annoyance, she immediately realized something was wrong and said in a deep voice, "What happened?"
"I'll tell you when I have time. Be careful of Zhou Mingrui, and be careful of the people around Xiao Yan!" With that, he disappeared from his spot.
In the hazy space, Gu Yuan and Zhou Mingrui stood opposite each other. The latter stopped observing his surroundings and looked at Gu Yuan:
"Sir, do you have any instructions?"
He behaved very respectfully, as if he were truly a loyal subordinate.
"Should I call you Zhou Mingrui, or Xiao Mingrui?" Gu Yuan asked.
"Hmm?" Zhou Mingrui's face showed confusion, and he asked, puzzled, "What do you mean? I've always been called Zhou Mingrui."
Gu Yuan once again swept Zhou Mingrui with his spirit power. He observed very carefully but did not find the semi-transparent small worms with twelve rings and starlight-like colors on the other party, which was somewhat unexpected.
Could it just be a coincidence? Is this just his personal hobby, and Xiao Yan is being overly sensitive?
No, my thinking almost went astray. The worms are just a means for the Xiao Clan to control and use others. What if Zhou Mingrui himself is a person of the Xiao Clan?
Gu Yuan looked at him deeply and said, "If you don't understand, then don't think too much. Maybe I made a mistake... I'm sorry to have startled you."
Zhou Mingrui did not answer, only lowered his head, displaying an expression of extreme humility, as if he was flattered that a high-ranking person like Gu Yuan would apologize to him for a small mistake.
After sending Zhou Mingrui to Gu Chen, Gu Yuan brought Xun Er to Xiao Yan. He said:
"I've checked Zhou Mingrui; there are no worms. Let's go see the Ape Lord you mentioned."
Just then, Yao Chen suddenly spoke up to remind him, "Xiao Yan, have you really thought it through? The Ape Lord is different from me. Its goodwill towards you, the intelligence and emotions it currently displays, might be the result of those worms... If they are eliminated, the Ape Lord you are familiar with might no longer exist."
Xiao Yan's heart trembled, and his eyes widened. He had overlooked this possibility... That's right, since Uncle Gu Yuan said these worms might be related to the hidden Xiao Clan, then they might be benevolent... Thinking carefully, all along, they have never caused harm.
Xun Er looked at Yao Chen with a hint of curiosity. She knew Xiao Yan had a teacher, and Ling Ying had also reported to her that Xiao Yan's teacher was a Spirit Body.
Yao Chen noticed Xun Er's gaze and gave her a kind smile.
Gu Yuan waited quietly for Xiao Yan to make a decision. He was both wary and expectant of this mysterious Xiao Clan. Wary of their strange methods, yet expectant of being able to cooperate with them to obtain information about the Great Thousand from them...
People at his, Xiao Xuan's, Soul Emperor's, and Zhu Kun's level all vaguely felt that they couldn't take that final step, not because of their own aptitude, but because something was missing between heaven and earth.
It was as if this heaven had become "shorter."
If they could change to another World, to a vaster plane, then the distance of that step would no longer be an insurmountable chasm.
Compared to confrontation, Gu Yuan was more inclined to cooperate with the Xiao Clan. Of course, the premise was to clarify the limitations of the other party's strange methods and possess certain preventive and counteractive capabilities.
If he felt that the Xiao Clan's threat was too great and could not be allowed to continue developing, then he would not care about the friendship that had faded to almost nothing a thousand years ago... He would treat them as a second Swallowing Spirit Clan and mercilessly eradicate them.
Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment and said, "Let's go take a look first. No matter what their true intentions are, just the thought of trying to control Teacher and influence you, Teacher, is something I cannot forgive."
Xun Er sensed something from their conversation and Gu Yuan's actions just now.
That's right... I knew why Daddy would suddenly come to the Black-Corner Region and stay for two months!
Perhaps my matter with Brother Xiao Yan was just a side note; the matters concerning Brother Xiao Yan and Zhou Mingrui were the real key.
Gu Yuan nodded slightly, "As you wish."
He used his spirit power to pinpoint the Ape Lord's location, then brought Xiao Yan and Xun Er to its side.
The Ape Lord immediately became alert, but relaxed upon seeing Xiao Yan, revealing a smile, "Xiao Yan, is this your new woman? Many children, many blessings, many children and many blessings!"
Xiao Yan's expression stiffened, and cold sweat immediately streamed down his face.
Xun Er turned her head to look at Xiao Yan. Although she knew that the previous woman was most likely Xiao Meng, and she had tacitly accepted Xiao Yan's relationship with her, this did not prevent her from giving Xiao Yan a hard time, lest he cause any more romantic entanglements. Although she was magnanimous, she could also get angry!
Xun Er's half-smiling, half-not expression made Xiao Yan anxious, and Gu Yuan's slightly cold gaze sent shivers down his spine... This was the faint killing intent from a Nine-Star Dou Saint!
Xiao Yan shrunk his neck, showing an awkward smile.
The Ape Lord suddenly took out its treasured item, the eighth-tier "Bewitching Desire Fruit"! Without a word, it shoved it into Xiao Yan's hand, revealing a somewhat lewd smile:
"I understand, you need it!"
The eighth-tier "Bewitching Desire Fruit" had powerful medicinal properties; just the scent it emitted caused Xun Er to feel a faint desire. Her face flushed slightly as she looked at Xiao Yan, her eyes carrying a hint of lust.
Xiao Yan wanted to push it back, but things given by the Ape Lord were usually not to be refused; it would definitely be pushed back again. Pushing it back and forth would only cause more of the medicinal power to dissipate, affecting Xun Er more... But he couldn't just put it away either!
He was caught in a dilemma, unsure what to do for a moment.
Gu Yuan's face darkened, and he impatiently waved his hand, distorting the space around Xun Er to prevent her from being affected.
He said coldly, "Why aren't you putting it away quickly?"
"Oh, oh..." Xiao Yan complied readily, flipping his wrist and putting the "Bewitching Desire Fruit" into his space ring.
Gu Yuan's gaze grew colder, "Boy, if I find out you used such methods on Xun Er, I will let you know the consequences of angering a Nine-Star Dou Saint!"
Xiao Yan was so startled by the trace of aura emanating from Gu Yuan that he was speechless for a moment. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and said with a serious expression, "How could I possibly use such methods on Xun Er?"
"And there's no need to use them either..." Xun Er said, blushing, her fingers intertwined.
Gu Yuan's heart twitched, and his imposing aura suddenly deflated... The expression on his face became helpless.
He was helpless too!
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