People in Doupo: The beginning of the game intercepts the rich woman Xun'er

Xiao Ling wasn't the type to dwell on trivial matters, and he had long since forgotten about the incident with Elder Gu Qian.

But when his sharp ears caught Xun'er's words, "There's a very special person who wants to see you," his eyes instantly lit up. His previously light and graceful movements slowed down slightly as he turned to look at the girl in blue beside him, his tone full of curiosity:
"A special person? Who is it?"

He rubbed his chin with his fingertips, his mind racing. Among the ancient clans, apart from Xun'er, he knew very few people.

For Xun'er to describe someone as "special," they must not be an ordinary elder or member of the clan. However, after searching through all possible guesses, no clue could be found.

Seeing Xiao Ling frowning and deep in thought, even his eyebrows were slightly furrowed, Xun'er simply pursed her lips, her eyes filled with a faint smile, and the corners of her mouth curved into a smile that was not quite a smile.

No matter how Xiao Ling pressed her for answers, she would only shake her head slightly, refusing to give a single direct response. She would only occasionally flick her drooping hair with her fingertips, her eyes brimming with undisguised joy.

Seeing her deliberately tantalizing expression, Xiao Ling sighed helplessly and lightly tapped the tip of her nose.

"Fine, even you're starting to make fun of me. Oh well, I have to see you anyway, so go ahead."

Despite saying that, his curiosity deepened, and he quickened his pace, clearly eager to see that "special person" soon.

Seeing Xiao Ling's "helpless words but honest actions" expression, Xun'er could no longer hide the smile in her eyes, and the curve of her lips became even brighter.

She quickly stepped forward, gently took Xiao Ling's arm, and her slightly cool fingertips inadvertently brushed against his sleeve, carrying a touch of girlish intimacy.

Xiao Ling felt the soft touch in the crook of his arm. When he turned his head, he happened to meet Xun'er's smiling eyes, which reflected the flowing clouds in the mountains and his figure.

The moment their eyes met, neither of them spoke, but they both smiled slightly, as if the wind around them had taken on a sweetness, carrying with it the fragrance of the mountain grass and trees, and gently enveloping the two figures walking side by side.

……

On the edge of a precipitous mountain cliff, a figure stood with his hands behind his back. He gazed at the surging sea of ​​clouds in the distance, a strand of black and white hair fluttering in the mountain breeze on his forehead. Beneath the hair, his eyes were as cold as a Shura blade tempered with ice, and even the surrounding air seemed to freeze a little by the coldness.

"Xiao Ling, you've finally arrived..."

A soft laugh suddenly broke the silence, and the void behind the figure distorted slightly. A man in a silver robe appeared like a ghost, the dark patterns embroidered on his robe swaying slightly with his movements, exuding a sense of mystery.

The silver-robed man's gaze swept over the man's striking black and white hair at the edge of the cliff, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery.

"Ancient Demon, I saw it from down the mountain just now. Xun'er and Xiao Ling's affection is genuine. Even now, you still don't intend to give up?"

The man known as the "Ancient Demon" did not turn around. His voice was calm, as if he were talking about trivial matters like drifting clouds in the mountains, yet it concealed an undeniable stubbornness.
“He’s not from an ancient clan, so he shouldn’t be entangled with Xun’er. When we meet later, I’ll personally remind him to be careful.”

"What if he insists on not leaving?" The man in the silver robe raised an eyebrow, his questioning tone now tinged with inquiry.

“Back in Zhongzhou, I warned him that getting too close to Xun’er was against the rules.”

Gu Yao's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the corner of his sleeve, his voice still cold and flat, but a barely perceptible hint of melancholy flashed in his eyes.

"Now he still dares to step into the territory of the ancient clan and be so intimate with Xun'er. It is obvious that he did not take my words to heart and did not see the importance of the consequences."

He looked up in the direction Xiao Ling and Xun'er had come from, his black and white hair swaying in the wind, his tone carrying an undeniable certainty:

"But it's alright. I'll make him understand thoroughly later that there are some people and things he can't just touch. This time, I'll make him back down..."

"Heh, this is quite interesting." The man in the silver robe chuckled softly, his fingertips casually tracing the rocks at the edge of the cliff, his eyes filled with expectant interest.

"It's been quite a few years since the younger generation of the Ancient Clan and the Xiao Clan have had a serious confrontation. I'm really curious to see just how capable Xiao Ling is, and whether he can bring me some unexpected surprises..."

Before he finished speaking, his figure gradually blurred like smoke blown away by the wind. The dark patterns on the hem of his clothes shimmered in the light and shadow, and in an instant, he completely merged into the void in the mountains.

Only the low, teasing laugh lingered in the mountain breeze, refusing to dissipate for a long time.

……

Guided by Xun'er, Xiao Ling did not go to the accommodations set up by the ancient clan to welcome guests. Instead, he followed the figure in green into the depths of the mountains and finally stopped in front of an elegant bamboo house.

A babbling brook surrounds the bamboo house, and bamboo bells hanging from the eaves sway gently. On the stone steps in front of the house, an elderly figure stands with a smile, his gaze fixed on the two people who are slowly descending.

"Elder Ling?"

Upon seeing that familiar face, Xiao Ling was taken aback at first, then quickly stepped forward, smiling and bowing respectfully, his tone full of surprise: "What are you doing here?"

"Hehe, in just ten years, Young Master Xiao Ling has grown to such a level. It truly makes this old man feel a little ashamed." Ling Ying smiled and sighed, her gaze falling on Xiao Ling, full of emotion.

He recalled that when he was ordered to secretly protect him, the person in front of him was just a naive boy who had just embarked on the path of cultivation. But now, the naivety of that time had long since faded, replaced by the aura of a powerful figure who could stand firm in Zhongzhou. Even his name had become a figure that many people felt awe at the mere mention of.

"Let's go, let's go inside." Xun'er smiled faintly, raising her hand to lead Xiao Ling towards the bamboo house.
“This is where I usually meditate. It’s very secluded and rarely visited. I think Brother Xiao Ling probably wouldn’t like other noisy places.” Xiao Ling nodded upon hearing this, his gaze sweeping over the serene bamboo shadows and streams around him. A sense of comfort welled up in his heart. This quiet environment was indeed to his liking.

These days have been full of turmoil, and he has long been the subject of discussion in the ancient clan. If he goes to those crowded reception areas, he might be stared at like a rare object, which makes him feel uncomfortable just thinking about it.

He followed Xun'er into the bamboo house. The interior was simply yet elegantly furnished, and a faint scent of bamboo wafted in the air.

The three of them sat down on the bamboo mat in the living room. As soon as they sat down, a gentle mountain breeze drifted in through the half-open window, causing the curtains to sway softly.

"Young Master Xiao Ling, your arrival at the Ancient Clan this time is much earlier than I expected." Ling Ying picked up the bamboo teacup on the table, gently blew on it to warm it, and spoke with a tone full of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both admiration and regret).

“I originally thought that it would take you at least twenty years before you would be able to step into this ancient realm. I never expected that you would actually be standing here in just ten years.”

He put down his teacup, his gaze falling on Xiao Ling, full of admiration: "However, to be fair, Young Master Xiao Ling, your talent is truly exceptional. In just a few short years, whether it's breakthroughs in cultivation or advancements in alchemy, you've made earth-shattering progress. Your current level is beyond the reach of even some of the elders in the clan. With your current strength, you are indeed qualified to set foot in the ancient clan. With your arrival, Miss can truly breathe a sigh of relief."

Ling Ying paused, her tone becoming heavier, as if recalling past events: "Back then, many people in the clan proposed bringing all the members of the Xiao family to the Ancient Realm. As for the motives behind this proposal, whether it was to use it to control Miss or had other plans, Young Master Xiao Ling, you can probably guess. Fortunately, Miss argued on her behalf, and with the help of several reasonable elders who opposed it, they finally dispelled those people's ideas."

"But this is ultimately just a temporary measure." Ling Ying's voice deepened, her fingertips gently tracing the rim of the teacup.
"The suggestion to relocate the Xiao family to the Ancient Realm is brought up almost every year. In order to give you enough time to grow, Miss has devoted almost all her energy to seclusion and arduous cultivation in recent years."

"As you know, ancient races like ours value bloodlines the most. The purer the bloodline power, the more weight one carries in the clan. Miss is desperately improving her strength so that she can have a greater say and suppress those resolutions against the Xiao family time and time again."

He looked up at Xun'er, his eyes filled with tenderness: "Outsiders can't even imagine how difficult that process was. Fortunately, Miss finally succeeded. Now, even some senior elders in the ancient clan have to show her the proper respect when they see her, and she has suppressed all those thoughts that were detrimental to the Xiao family."

At this point, Ling Ying couldn't help but sigh softly: "I know that you, Young Master Xiao Ling, have achieved what you have in just ten years, and you must have suffered a lot behind the scenes. But what Miss has sacrificed over the years is no less than yours..."

"Elder Ling." Xun'er called softly, her slender hand gently tugging at Ling Ying's sleeve. A helpless smile played in her eyes as she shook her head, indicating that he didn't need to continue.

Seeing this, Ling Ying smiled and patted her mouth, saying, "Look at me, I'm getting senile. I can't control my mouth and keep talking about old things."

Xiao Ling didn't respond, but just listened quietly.

His deep eyes fell on Xun'er's elegant and refined face, his eyes swirling with complex emotions—heartache, guilt, and determination.

The next second, he reached out and gently grasped Xun'er's slightly cool hand, the warmth of his palm slowly transferring to her. His voice was soft yet resolute: "You've had a tough time all these years."

He paused, his gaze growing even more resolute: "Leave everything from now on to me. I will take care of all the pressure you've been under in the clan. Believe me, I'm qualified to say that now."

When her jade-like hand was enveloped by that warm palm, a light pink blush quietly spread across Xun'er's cheeks, and even the tips of her ears showed a hint of red.

Over the years in the ancient tribe, she has been accustomed to dealing with the tribe's troubles with a strong attitude, but beneath that hard shell, she is ultimately a girl who longs to rely on others.

The grievances and perseverance that had been hidden in her heart for many years seemed to find their home when she heard Xiao Ling say "Thank you for your hard work." All the sacrifices she had made seemed worthwhile.

She was never one to covet talent or bloodline, but she was stubbornly persistent in her feelings for this person.

The memories of her childhood with Xiao Ling in the Xiao clan were buried deep in her mind, slowly fermenting over the years to create the rich and moving affection she has today.

Xun'er gently pulled her hand away, but didn't actually pull it off. She simply looked up at Xiao Ling, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her tone became more serious:

“Brother Xiao Ling, tomorrow is the coming-of-age ceremony of the ancient clan. According to the rules, this ceremony is not related to you invited guests, but you are a member of the Xiao clan and you are close to me, so you will definitely be present at this coming-of-age ceremony.”

She paused, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes: "According to the clan's rules, members who participate in the coming-of-age ceremony can freely choose someone to spar with. For those who already harbor resentment towards you, this is a legitimate opportunity to take action, and they probably won't let it go easily."

"Of course, with Brother Xiao Ling's current strength, even among the younger generation of the ancient clans, there are very few who can surpass you." Xun'er changed the subject, her tone becoming more serious. "But there are four of them. If you really have to face them, you might have some trouble."

"Are you talking about those four commanders?" Xiao Ling tapped the armrest of the bamboo chair lightly with his fingertips, answering calmly, clearly having heard of them before.

"Hmm." Xun'er nodded, a hint of worry between her brows. "These four people are all above the eight-star Dou Zun level, and are recognized by the clan as the most likely to inherit the Black Annihilation King's throne... Among these four, the one most likely to attack you is the ancient demon known as the 'Asura Commander'."

“Commander of Asura, Ancient Demon…” Xiao Ling repeated the name in a low voice, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes, “He must be one of the two people I met once in Zhongzhou back then, right? I didn’t expect him to have such a status in the ancient clan. I just wonder how much his strength has improved in the past few years.”

“Gu Yao’s talent is already outstanding, and the bloodline of the Dou Di in his body is even more pure. Most people in the clan hope that I can marry him.” Xun’er lowered her eyes gently, her tone carrying a bit of helpless bitterness. “Half a year ago, he took the initiative to mention this matter to the Elder Council, but I rejected him to his face. The reason I gave was Brother Xiao Ling.”

She looked up at Xiao Ling, her eyes full of sincerity: "Given Gu Yao's nature, he will definitely make a move against you at tomorrow's coming-of-age ceremony. He knows that if he can defeat you in front of everyone, the elders in the clan who were originally neutral will probably turn to him."

"Hehe, the first time I saw him in Zhongzhou, I could tell he had feelings for you." Xiao Ling's lips curled up, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, but his tone was nonchalant. "Now it seems that even knowing the feelings between you and me, he has not only not given up, but has become even more persistent."

"But don't worry, he got his comeuppance at my hands before. Even if we fight again now, I can still make him submit to me."

Xiao Ling's fingers tightened slightly, his gaze darkened, and his words carried an undeniable force: "Afterwards, I will make it clear to everyone that you are my woman, and not just anyone has the right to covet you..." (End of Chapter)