"Xiao Xun'er, Dou zhi qi 7th stage, High!"
A loud shout silenced the crowd below.
Everyone looked towards the stage with awe and excitement. Then there was another uproar.
"Cousin Xun'er is only a little away from the 8th stage. She is truly the No.2 genius of our family."
"That's right. After Young Master Xiao Yan, she is the strongest."
"She and Young Master Xiao Yan is a perfect match, don't you think?"
"That's right but it seems they don't interact much."
"Yes, everytime I see, that Xiao Lin is around her."
"Although Xiao Lin looks pretty good but his talent is lacking."
"That's true. Only the Young Master deserves Cousin Xun'er."
Soon, the discussion steered out of control and Xiao Lin became the target of criticism.
Hearing all sorts of remarks around him, Xiao Lin didn't take them seriously.
Firstly, he and Xun'er are just friends. Although the friendship started strangely, it is what it is.
Secondly, even if something develops between them, he won't care about what other people thinks.
Thirdly, the system has suddenly prompted him to Sign In so he is busy.
"System, Sign In!"
[Congratulations Host for receiving a 4th rank ancient alchemy inheritance]
Xiao Lin's mind became agitated after looking at the reward.
He has long felt his soul attribute was suitable for alchemy — fire with a sliver of wood. But without any guidance, learning alchemy is as hard as climbing the heavens.
This is why he kept this matter aside and focused on cultivation. But now with this inheritance, he can finally take his first step in the world of alchemy.
He knew the earlier he starts learning alchemy the better will be his growth potential so he decided to start from tonight itself.
At this time, Xun'er also returned. She looked unfazed by the flattery around her. Seeing this, Xiao Lin couldn't help but admire her more.
But as soon as she came in front of him, the cold, indifferent face crumbled completely into a warm, bright smile.
"How about it brother Xiao Lin, is Xun'er amazing?" She blinked her pretty eyes cutely and asked for praise.
Xiao Lin immediately gave a thumbs up and said sincerely: "Xun'er is amazing. I believe if Xun'er cultivates seriously, she can even leave Xiao Yan behind."
Hearing such praise, Xun'er's smile doubled and her heart felt sweet. She didn't feel anything when others congratulated her but when Xiao Lin did the same, she felt extremely happy.
Maybe this is what happens when a person you like, compliments you.
Since both of them had finished testing, they left the ground heading towards the marketplace Xiao Lin had promised before.
On the other side of the field, Xiao Ning looked at the two of them talking and laughing and his face darkened considerably.
He couldn't understand why a genius girl like Xun'er associated with a nobody like Xiao Lin. Is it just because he is handsome?
He secretly decided to teach Xiao Lin a lesson.
The markets in Wutan City is controlled by the three major families. The area under the Xiao family is considered the busiest and the most profitable for business owners.
This also made the Xiao family have a slight edge against the other families in terms of wealth and connections.
Xiao Lin and Xun'er walked through the streets watching the items presented in various stalls with interest while chatting casually.
They even bought a candied haw each, to enjoy the time together. Xiao Lin looked at the girl smiling happily beside him and couldn't help but fall into memories.
It was five years ago. One night, he accidentally bumped into Xiao Yan sneaking into her courtyard.
Unwilling to let a little girl be taken advantage of, he shouted, hoping to alert her secret guard.
He didn't expect that before someone could catch Xiao Yan, he fled. But since his job was done, Xiao Lin also left the place.
A few days after that event when he was at the back-mountain of the Xiao family, he met Xiao Xun'er for the first time.
Initially he wanted to steer clear of her due to her background but this girl, no matter how he avoided her, kept bumping into him.
After some time, Xiao Lin, through their conversations found they have a lot in common and it wouldn't be too bad to be her friend. Afterall, as a little girl who was forced to stay away from her clan, she also felt quite lonely just like him.
Gradually their friendship deepened and now, they can talk to each other almost freely.
"Brother Xiao Lin, look at that. Such a beautiful hairpin."
Suddenly Xun'er's voice brought him out of his thoughts.
He saw her standing infront of a stall holding a jade hairpin with a butterfly design.
"If Xun'er wants it, just buy it."
Xiao Lin immediately switched to his rich brother mode and handed a pouch to the shopkeeper.
With the system in hand, he has received a lot of money over the years. He is now a little rich man.
Xun'er took the hairpin and handed it over to Xiao Lin. Just as he was confused, she said in a low mosquito-like voice: "Help me put it on."
Xiao Lin was stunned and didn't react for a while. Seeing her red ears and lowered head, he understood something and took the hairpin from her hand.
Their fingers touched and Xun'er felt an electric shock passing through her body. She quickly pulled her hand away.
Xiao Lin didn't expect Xun'er to have such a cute side.
He meticulously placed the hairpin on her black silky hair feeling something completely new.
"How does it look?" Xun'er asked with some expectations.
"Very beautiful. Just like you." Xiao Lin said truthfully which made her blush even more.
After this small event, everything returned to normal. It was already evening when Xiao Lin returned home.
Closing all the doors and windows, he probed into the ring in his hand.
This was a space ring he received from the system. He found that he can actually program the system to send all his rewards inside this ring.
Soon, he found a tripod and a jade slip inside the ring.
The system was quite considerate.
Along with the inheritance, it even provided him with a furnace.
That's good news, otherwise he had to buy it from outside and the quality wouldn't be too good.
This furnace was actually of decent grade, enough for him to use for a while.
Without wasting anymore time, Xiao Lin stuck the jade slip to his forehead and a stream of information entered his mind.
Pill prescriptions, refining techniques, fire controlling techniques, even strange insights along with an encyclopedia on herbs and treasures flooded his mind.
It was the same feeling when he was integrating his memories back then but the effect is not that prominent.