In the following days, Xiao Tian maintained an impeccable demeanor, showing nothing but discipline and respect—except, of course, when it came to Xun'er. Around her, despite his best efforts, his guard would occasionally slip, revealing a playful spark in his otherwise composed nature. Still, he remained acutely aware of the invisible eyes watching over him—Yao Lao's sharp and penetrating gaze that seemed to catch even the slightest misstep. Determined to leave no room for doubt, Xiao Tian ensured that his every action painted the picture of a hardworking, humble, and upright disciple.
To further cement this carefully crafted image, Xiao Tian ingeniously devised a variety of situations. Sometimes, he would step forward to aid fellow disciples in their moments of need—whether it was assisting someone stuck in a cultivation bottleneck or standing up to defend a weaker disciple from bullying. Each act was calculated yet sincere on the surface, and afterward, he would graciously offer small tokens of appreciation—refined pills, rare herbs, or helpful advice. His gestures seemed selfless, and before long, whispers of his kindness and reliability began to spread throughout the clan.
At other times, Xiao Tian preferred a more subtle approach. He would quietly intervene from the shadows, setting things in motion so that others believed their breakthroughs or strokes of fortune were merely coincidences. No one suspected his hand behind these silent favors, yet the overall impression of his benevolence grew steadily stronger.
Whenever Yao Chen observed him—whether peering down openly or concealed within the spiritual void—he was greeted with the same unwavering scene: Xiao Tian seated cross-legged, his body surrounded by the subtle glow of Dou Qi, beads of sweat trickling down his temples as he pushed himself to his limits. Day after day, he diligently honed his skills, practicing techniques with unwavering focus and refining his spiritual strength with determined precision. The performance was flawless, and Yao Chen, seeing no flaws, quietly admired the boy's resolve.
Yao Chen's Point of View
High above, within the protective confines of a swirling soul ring, a solitary figure cloaked in dense, pure white robes sat in stillness. His aged face was stern yet thoughtful, and his deep eyes flickered faintly as his vast soul power stretched out like an invisible net, monitoring every subtle movement below.
Murmuring softly to himself—his voice so low it seemed meant only for his own ears—Yao Chen's brows knit together slightly. "This boy… his character is excellent," he muttered, his tone carrying the weight of genuine approval. His eyes, though hollowed by age, gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "And his loyalty… unshakable."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he continued observing Xiao Tian's flawless act. "It seems," Yao Chen mused aloud, the corners of his eyes crinkling in amusement, "there's no need for any further 'character tempering.'"
The words were laced with dry humor. In the past, Yao Chen had often laughed privately at his own missteps, jokingly referring to Xiao Yan's earlier lack of talent—which had, in truth, been caused by Yao Chen's own mistake—as a form of 'character tempering.' To see Xiao Tian now, so diligent and unwavering, made that joke feel even more ironic.
Still, despite the light chuckle that escaped his lips, Yao Chen's gaze remained sharp and probing, his soul power continuing to weave through the atmosphere like a silent guardian. "Let's see how far you'll go, boy," he murmured, his smile fading into a thoughtful expression. "So far… you've yet to disappoint."
The soul ring pulsed faintly as Yao Chen leaned back slightly, his aura calm but ever-watchful, a silent sentinel who would not miss even the slightest ripple in Xiao Tian's growing strength.
"He better be far superior to that bastard disciple of mine!" Yao Chen suddenly snapped, his calm demeanor cracking at the mere thought of his former student. His eyes darkened, and his soul power stirred with a rare flicker of anger. The name that fueled his fury was one he loathed to mention—Han Feng. Even now, the betrayal of that once-promising disciple left a bitter taste in Yao Chen's heart.
– Back outside –
Xiao Tian sat cross-legged on his bed, his expression serene, body unmoving as he appeared deeply focused in cultivation. However, beneath the surface of this display, nothing was happening. His Dou Qi showed no signs of progress—not because he lacked effort, but because he was still without a proper Qi Method. Of course, he carefully pretended ignorance, maintaining the act of diligent cultivation for the ever-watchful Yao Chen.
After some time, Xiao Tian sighed, opening his eyes slowly. The stillness of his room pressed down on him, and he stretched his body lazily. Rising from the bed, a low moan escaped his lips—not of pain, but of slight strain from sitting too long in one position. "Ugh…" he muttered, rubbing his neck. His mind, almost instinctively, drifted to a familiar name: Xun'er.
It had been four whole days since he'd spent any meaningful time with her. For Xiao Tian, that was an eternity. The lack of closeness was wearing on his self-control, and today, he couldn't take it any longer. Her face, her voice, the warmth of her company—it all haunted his thoughts endlessly now. Without a second thought, he slipped on his robe and stepped out of his room, his feet moving of their own accord.
Quietly, Xiao Tian wandered through the paths of the Xiao Family estate, the moonlight casting soft shadows across the ancient walls. His heart thumped with rising anticipation as he approached the familiar courtyard. Before long, he found himself standing before her house, unable to hold back any longer.
He raised his hand and knocked gently, keeping his voice casual but laced with eagerness. "Xun'er, it's me. Wanna hang out?"
From inside, he heard a surprised but happy response: "Coming!!!"
What Xiao Tian didn't know was that Xun'er had been waiting—almost pacing—inside her room, ready and about to step out herself to look for him. She had missed him too, though she would never say it so bluntly. But now, as fate would have it, he had come to her first.
The door swung open with a soft creak, and Xiao Tian's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard for a moment. Standing there was Xun'er, her delicate figure framed in the doorway, her long hair cascading down her shoulders, her eyes sparkling under the glow of the lantern light. Tonight, she looked breathtaking—every bit the stunning beauty that made his heart race.
"Xun'er… you look so beautiful," Xiao Tian blurted out, his voice filled with genuine admiration.
Xun'er's cheeks tinged a soft pink, her eyes crinkling in amusement as she replied playfully, "Brother Xiao Tian, you and your sweet words… you never change."
Her gentle smile was enough to melt away the frustration that had built up over the past few days. Without needing to say more, the two set off together, walking side by side into the quiet night, the air between them warm and familiar.
And just like that, the young couple spent the rest of their evening together, laughing, talking, and simply enjoying each other's company—ending their day the way both of them had longed for.
---
In Xiao Tian's room—
Xiao Tian sat cross-legged on the bed, his breathing calm and steady, eyes closed in deep meditation. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of Dou Qi circulating around his body. Suddenly, without warning, a low, eerie chuckle echoed through the air, breaking the stillness like a sharp blade.
"Hmm?" Xiao Tian's eyes snapped open, sharp and alert. Before he could react further, a swirl of mist-like energy gathered in the center of the room, twisting and condensing into the shape of a figure. In the blink of an eye, an ethereal, translucent man materialized—a soul figure clad in dense white robes, radiating an ancient, imposing aura.
"Hahaha… Dou Zhe, 2nd star already?" the old man's voice boomed, carrying both amusement and faint surprise. His deep-set eyes gleamed as he gazed at Xiao Tian, a hint of approval flashing across his aged features. "Not bad… not bad at all!"
Xiao Tian's heartbeat quickened, but he kept his expression steady, masking his inner excitement. He lifted his head slightly, eyes narrowing to study the figure before him. There was no mistaking it: the legendary Yao Lao, the soul who had been silently watching him all this time, had finally revealed himself.
'So… my future master has finally decided to show himself,' Xiao Tian thought to himself, a grin tugging at the corners of his lips. Despite his outward calm, a surge of triumph stirred in his chest. His moment was here—and he was ready.