Watching Xiao Yan emerge from the small room with his technique in hand, Xun'er shook her head and murmured with reluctant amusement, "I'll take your word for it this time."
Stepping outside, Xiao Yan glanced at the clan members still stunned by his display and shrugged lightly. Once Xun'er joined him, the two strolled leisurely out of the corridor.
With ample time remaining before the two-hour limit, there was no rush to leave. The Dou Qi Pavilion was forbidden ground on ordinary days — this rare chance to enter was too precious to waste. A bit of curiosity-satisfying exploration was in order.
Just before exiting the Fire Corridor, Xun'er ducked into a small room at random, selected a Yellow-grade low-level Dou Qi technique, and then accompanied Xiao Yan as he wandered into several of the other elemental corridors.
Today, the Dou Qi Pavilion was undoubtedly the most lively it had been in years. Every elemental corridor was packed with young clan members, their faces flushed with excitement as they hammered away at the light barriers. Shouts of triumph rang out in an endless chorus as barrier after barrier shattered.
Caught up in the atmosphere, even Xiao Yan wore a faint, persistent smile.
After wandering through yet another corridor, he calculated the time, stretched lazily, and turned to Xun'er with a grin. "Let's go. Time's almost up."
She nodded indifferently and followed him around a corner, heading directly for the pavilion's exit.
They had just turned the bend when Xiao Yan's brow twitched. A short distance ahead, Xiao Mei — clad in a vivid red dress — was pacing frantically before a light barrier, her face flushed crimson with agitation. She clearly wanted the technique inside, but lacked the power to shatter the barrier.
Today Xiao Mei wore a striking crimson gown, its fitted sash accentuating her slender, willow-like waist. Her figure — graceful and alluring — drew every eye.
Yet that lovely face, so naturally a blend of innocence and charm, was now clouded with desperation. Her brows knitted in distress produced a sight so pitiable that the young men nearby felt an almost overwhelming urge to come to her aid.
...
Xiao Mei's mood was wretched — could best be described as frantic with anxiety. Before entering the Dou Qi Pavilion today, her father had secretly passed her the number of a specific chamber, emphatically instructing her to obtain the technique within. He had pulled strings and called in every favor he could to learn that particular room's contents from the Pavilion's administrative staff, and he was certain that if she could secure this Yellow-grade high-level wind-attribute technique, she would gain a decisive head start on the path of Dou Qi cultivation.
The trouble was, while her father had obtained the room number, he had failed to account for the formidable strength of the chamber's barrier. Since Xiao Mei had first arrived here, she had labored for nearly an hour, yet the barrier still stood unbroken. Other clan members, drawn by her beauty, had offered their help — but this type of barrier could only be shattered by a single person. If more than one person struck it, the barrier would strengthen in proportion, rendering the attempt futile.
Now the two-hour window was nearly spent. If she could not break the barrier now, Xiao Mei would leave with nothing. The thought of facing her father empty-handed sent tears welling in her charming eyes, lending her an air of helpless beauty.
Her misty gaze swept across the young men around her. She managed a bitter smile and shook her head — then her eyes froze.
There, not far away, a young man in black robes walked toward her with his hands clasped behind his head, his expression utterly composed.
Xiao Mei's delicate nose twitched. The despair that had taken root in her heart stirred once more. She wiped away the tears about to fall, bit her lower lip, and fixed her gaze on the approaching Xiao Yan with a pleading, pitiful look, hoping he might help her.
The surrounding youths followed her gaze, which settled on the figure approaching at an unhurried pace. Their whispered conversations died away, replaced by a reverence that tinged their eyes.
In an instant, the once-bustling corridor fell silent as death.
Under the weight of dozens of stares, Xiao Yan walked forward, his expression blank and detached. Without a glance to either side, he passed by Xiao Mei — who stood with her lips parted as if to speak — and walked on.
Xiao Mei's red lips remained half-open. After a moment of stunned silence, a self-mocking smile crept across her lovely face. She shook her head gently, and the flicker of resentment that had risen moments ago faded as she recalled how she had treated Xiao Yan these past years.
"So this is what I deserve," she whispered, sinking slowly to the ground. Her shoulders trembled with quiet sobs, and the sound of muffled weeping echoed through the silent corridor.
Surrounded by sympathetic but helpless onlookers, Xiao Mei crouched there like an abandoned kitten. One by one, the watching youths sighed and shook their heads.
Then something in the atmosphere shifted. Xiao Mei lifted her tear-streaked face — and froze.
The young man who had already walked past was now turning back, hands clasped behind his head, sauntering toward her with an unhurried gait.
"Move." Xiao Yan glanced at the tearful, pitiable figure and spoke in a flat voice.
"Ah? Yes..." Another jolt of surprise. Then comprehension dawned. Joy bloomed across Xiao Mei's face as she quickly stepped aside.
Under the curious and relieved gaze of the crowd, Xiao Yan approached the barrier, extended his palm, and exhaled softly.
His body went still for a heartbeat — then, like a bolt of lightning, he exploded into motion. His body whipped into a violent spin. His right leg lashed outward with savage force, the fabric of his trousers snapping with a sharp crack.
"Boom!" The kick struck the barrier with crushing impact. Ripples surged outward, and in the next instant — under the stunned eyes of every onlooker — the barrier burst apart with a thunderous crack.
Maintaining the follow-through of his kick, Xiao Yan slowly lowered his leg. He rolled his neck, turned in an unhurried motion, and walked back toward Xun'er at the far end of the corridor.
"Cousin... thank you... I'm sorry." Xiao Mei's voice was small and timid as he passed.
"Mm."
Xiao Yan spared the girl — who had finally lost her arrogance — one brief glance, then gave a faint, cool nod. And under the admiring eyes of the gathered youths, he vanished around the corridor's end.