Wutan City, Xiao Clan, Xiao Bai's Courtyard.
The golden fire peach tree in the courtyard had entered its blooming season once again. At this moment, golden-red petals covered the entire tree. As the breeze brushed past, the branches swayed gently, and a few petals drifted down, landing softly on the stone table beneath the tree.
Beside the stone table sat a young girl dressed in a light cyan dress. She was like a lotus untouched by the mortal world—pure and serene. She was holding an ancient book, reading intently. On the table, a cup of steaming tea exuded a rich fragrance.
"Come out."
The girl's calm eyes flickered slightly as she suddenly spoke. Her ethereal and melodious voice carried a soothing quality, as if it could cleanse one's soul.
As soon as her words fell, a green shadow appeared in the distance. The figure respectfully bowed toward the girl, who had yet to lift her gaze from her book, and said in a reverent tone:
"Miss!"
The girl slowly raised her head, revealing a delicate and jade-like face—it was none other than Xiao Xun'er.
"Speak. What matter is so important that you would disturb me at this moment?" Xun'er gazed at the green figure for a moment before speaking in a calm tone.
The green figure looked somewhat helpless. If it weren't about that person, she would never have dared to disturb her lady in this courtyard.
"Miss, Master Ling has sent word that Young Master Xiao Bai is already on his way back!" the figure quickly reported.
Upon hearing this, Xun'er's calm, autumn-water-like eyes instantly sparkled with joy. A genuine smile spread across her delicate and elegant face as she softly murmured, "So, he's finally coming back!"
"Did Elder Ling provide any other information?" Xun'er asked eagerly.
Ever since Ling Ying had last sent word that Xiao Bai had long since discovered his presence, she had stopped requesting updates every month.
She was afraid that that flirtatious guy would misunderstand!
At this thought, Xun'er ground her teeth slightly. The last time Ling Ying had reported back, he mentioned that her Xiao Bai had taken in another little maid.
Fortunately, this time it was just a young girl. Although she had felt a bit annoyed at first, after hearing the full story, she didn't take it too seriously in the end.
The green figure then slowly recounted everything that had happened to Xiao Bai since then.
"So, the reason Xiao Bai revealed Elder Ling's presence that night was to break through to Da Dou Shi? Xiao Bai is truly progressing quickly!" Xun'er mused, deep in thought.
Ling Ying hadn't witnessed it firsthand, but after discovering Xiao Bai's Da Dou Shi-level aura afterward, he had speculated about the reason for that night's events.
"Queen Medusa?" Upon hearing about the peak Dou Huang's involvement, Xun'er furrowed her delicate brows, feeling a bit concerned.
"Green Snake Master Lu Man?, Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, Heavenly Serpent Mansion?" Xun'er took a sip of her tea and spoke in an indifferent tone, yet a hint of coldness flickered in her eyes.
"Have you uncovered the background of that ice-attribute Dou Huang?" Xun'er glanced lightly at the green figure, her delicate brows slightly knitted.
"According to our investigation, his name is Hai Bodong. He was once one of the ten strongest experts in the Jia Ma Empire, known as the Ice Emperor. He is highly skilled in ice-attribute Dou Qi and seems to have deep ties with the Mithel Auction House."
"Over twenty years ago, he was sealed by Medusa in the Tagor Desert, rendering his cultivation useless. Since then, he had been living in seclusion in Rock Desert City. It wasn't until Young Master Xiao Bai appeared that he reemerged and has been following him ever since. His motives... are unclear."
"Unclear motives?"
Xun'er was clearly dissatisfied with such a vague response. When it came to anything related to that person, she was extremely sensitive and protective—she would not allow any unknown dangers to lurk around him.
"Apologies, Miss." The green figure gave a wry smile. "Master Ling only knows that Young Master Xiao Bai had a fight with that person when they first met. However, what happened inside the room afterward is unknown. Master Ling speculates that they must have made some kind of deal."
"Later, upon realizing Young Master Xiao Bai's immense soul strength, Master Ling refrained from getting too close. As a result, many details remain unclear."
"Sigh..."
Hearing this, Xun'er's delicate face showed a trace of concern. Did her Xiao Bai brother think that Elder Ling was someone she sent to spy on him?
She had genuinely not expected him to give her such a surprise—a late-stage Mortal Realm soul strength!
She had originally thought that he would remain unaware of the person she had sent. Who could have guessed that he had known all along? That damn scoundrel—he hid it so well!
Perhaps Ling Ying had already been exposed back when they were in the Xiao Clan, but Xiao Bai had simply chosen not to reveal it until now!
"Miss, you need not worry. Young Master Xiao Bai already knew about Master Ling before he left, so he likely didn't overthink it. Besides, Miss acted purely out of sincerity, wanting to protect him, with no other motives." The green figure smiled in reassurance.
She knew very well the little maidenly thoughts her lady harbored.
Normally, her mistress was calm and wise. But the moment that name was mentioned, her usually cool and detached demeanor would vanish, and she would slip into a lovestruck state.
She rejoiced for him, worried for him.
Thinking about that man named Xiao Bai, the green figure couldn't help but internally sigh. That lucky bastard—being favored by her lady was already a fortune accumulated over several lifetimes, yet...
It was truly unbelievable. With Miss's proud nature, even after learning certain things, she still couldn't let go of that man.
Lately, her longing had grown even deeper. Almost every day, she would come to this courtyard to stay for a while, refusing any disturbances—as if his lingering presence here could ease her yearning.
"So, for all this time, Brother Xiao Bai has been staying with the Snake-People Tribe until he set off for Wutan City?" Xun'er snapped out of her thoughts and asked softly.
Hearing this question, the green figure's breathing momentarily faltered. Remembering the intelligence reports, she braced herself and responded, "Yes, Miss. Young Master Xiao Bai likely struck some sort of deal with Queen Medusa. Later, Master Ling detected the aura of Heavenly Flame and an unusual phenomenon in the heavens and earth, speculating that it might be related to Queen Medusa's evolution."
"Another deal?"
Xun'er was at a loss for words. Was her Xiao Bai brother determined to strike a deal with everyone he met?
A deal with Yao Lao, a deal with that Hai Bodong, and now another deal with Queen Medusa.
"Miss..." The green figure hesitated, her voice cautious.
"Is there more?" Xun'er asked curiously. Hadn't everything been reported already?
"Miss, according to Master Ling... that, um... that Queen Medusa seems to have developed a certain... connection with Young Master Xiao Bai."
Before the green figure could even finish her hesitant words, she noticed that the young lady's beautiful face had darkened slightly. Immediately, she swallowed the rest of her sentence.
"He sensed wrong."
Xun'er's voice was calm, but a faint, almost imperceptible trace of resentment lingered beneath the surface. Compared to when she first learned about Xiao Yi Xian, she no longer wore her anger so openly.
Still, she couldn't help but seethe inwardly. *Another one? Who does this woman think she is, daring to steal my Gu Xun'er's man?!*
"Y-Yes!" The green figure wiped her cold sweat, deciding not to mention it further.
No matter how noble her lady's status was, at the end of the day, she was still a woman. And jealousy... was an instinct all women mastered without needing to be taught.
"You may leave." Xun'er said coolly.
"Yes!" The green figure bowed before swiftly vanishing into the shadows.
Once she was gone, Xun'er gently picked up a golden-red peach blossom petal. Thinking of that damn scoundrel, she found herself gritting her teeth slightly.
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