54: Chapter 54: A Reassurance from Xun'er! If he were to marry into her family...

Can a Dou Practitioner from a small empire in a remote region refuse to be the disciple of a Dou Huang?

Xun'er felt that they couldn't; at least, it was unheard of before.

But today, she saw it with her own eyes.

"Do you think I'm a foolish person?" Ling Xiao wanted to hear Gu Han's reason for refusing to take her as his master.

"A gentleman has things he will do and things he will not do." Gu Han maintained his bowing posture and answered sincerely, "Since Senior said you've investigated me, then you know I was once an orphan. I grew up in an orphanage founded by the Cloud Mist Sect in town before the age of six. After my cultivation talent was tested at six, I went up to the Cloud Mist Sect to become a Preparatory Disciple."

"To this junior, the Cloud Mist Sect has the grace of saving my life, the grace of raising me, and the grace of nurturing me."

"In recent years, the Cloud Mist Sect's performance in the Northwest Continent Sect Competition has been getting worse, and its influence has become weaker and weaker."

"Now, there is only one Dou Huang, the Sect Leader. The sect has fallen to a second-rate power in the Northwest Continent and a third-rate power on the continent; it truly cannot hold its own on the grand stage."

"As a Cloud Mist Sect Disciple, I want to do my part for the revival of the Cloud Mist Sect."

Having said this, Gu Han paused, his eyes becoming even more determined. "Senior is Miss Xun'er's guard. This junior's horizons are limited, so I do not know what kind of power could have a Peak Dou Huang as a guard."

"I think the power behind Miss Xun'er definitely has Dou Zun Experts, and perhaps even the legendary Dou Sheng experts."

"If I could take Senior as my master, it would certainly be a good thing for me."

"But I think Miss Xun'er will not stay here forever, and I cannot let go of the Cloud Mist Sect for the time being."

"At least before I participate in the Sect Competition for the sect, I will not leave."

These were Gu Han's true thoughts, but in reality, they were also an excuse.

As a cheater, even if the Ancient Clan wanted to nurture him, it would only be icing on the cake.

He indeed intended to participate in the Northwest Continent Sect Competition, but he believed he could easily make a name for himself when the time came.

However, his words moved Ling Ying, Ling Xiao, and Xun'er, even making them feel shocked.

This world is full of people who forget righteousness for profit, are heartless and fickle, weigh pros and cons, and betray their masters and ancestors.

Someone like this, who can stick to their original heart when faced with temptation, is worthy of respect.

Although from a certain perspective, such a person is "silly."

But this silliness is very precious.

"In that case, it seems we are not destined." Ling Xiao spoke with some regret. After thinking for a moment, she took out a token and threw it to Gu Han. "This token is of little use in the Northwest Continent. If you go to the Central Plains in the future, go to the Ye Clan Merchant Guild and show this token; it will allow people to contact me."

"If we are destined, perhaps we can become one of our own."

"Thank you, Senior." Gu Han put away the token and turned to leave without another word.

The Heavenly Goose Six Line Wings left a blue-white streak of light in mid-air, and before long, he disappeared into the clouds.

"What a pity." Ling Ying spoke with a tone of regret. "This boy's character and virtue are even more rare and precious than his talent and comprehension. If he could be taken as a personal disciple, it would surely be a wonderful thing."

"You think I don't know?" Ling Xiao snorted coldly.

"Sister, I am feeling sorry for you." The corner of Ling Ying's mouth, hidden under his mask, twitched.

"You're clearly stabbing me in the heart." Ling Xiao glanced at him sideways. "Losing such a disciple, I feel like I've missed out on a great opportunity."

"Aunt Ling, calm down. Old Ling is also distressed for you," Xun'er comforted her.

Ling Ying: "..."

He was only five years older than his sister, Ling Xiao.

Why was he called Old Ling, while Ling Xiao was called Aunt Ling?

But as a guard, he didn't dare question his young lady and could only remain silent.

"Aunt Ling, Xun'er feels there might be a way to have the best of both worlds." Xun'er's lively eyes flickered slightly, and a smile blossomed on her face.

"What is your brilliant idea, Miss?" Ling Xiao looked at Gu Xun'er with expectation.

"Not being able to take him as a disciple doesn't mean we can't invest and form a good connection." Xun'er began to analyze seriously. "As for cultivation talent, just looking at a fifteen-year-old seven-star Dou Practitioner, it's not much. But Old Ling also investigated and found that it has been less than two months since he broke through to Dou Practitioner. To rise from one-star to seven-star, and judging from his performance in the fight with me just now, his foundation and realm are very stable. His talent is at least A-rank."

"If he were in my clan, starting cultivation from the age of four with the help of Linchi Liquid, he would be at least a Dou Ling by now and qualified to participate in the Black Annihilation Army assessment."

"Then there's comprehension. It has been less than two months since he broke through to Dou Practitioner, yet he has cultivated one Xuan-rank Low-grade Qi Method, three Xuan-rank Low-grade Dou Techniques, one Xuan-rank Mid-grade Dou Skill, and a Breath-Concealing Secret Technique all to perfection. Furthermore, he relied on himself to obtain and master a Quasi-Di-rank Flying Dou Technique. His comprehension is definitely S-rank, and I feel he is still hiding something."

"Such talent and comprehension would be considered a genius even among the descendants of the Ancient World and would receive vigorous nurturing."

"But he also has soul talent; even as a Dou Practitioner, he has a Middle Stage of the Mortal Realm soul."

"Combining these three factors, if he were in the Ancient World, he would be a commander seed for the Black Annihilation Army."

The Black Annihilation Army is under the control of the Ancient Clan's Elder Council, a gathering place for the clan's powerful warriors, possessing extremely formidable combat power.

Within the Black Annihilation Army, there is a very strict hierarchy, with Four Great Commanders and Eight Commanders.

The lowest of the Four Great Commanders is a seven-star Dou Zun, and the lowest of the Eight Commanders is a one-star Commander.

Being a Black Annihilation Army Commander Seed means being valued and nurtured by the Ancient Clan's Elder Council as a successor to a future Black Annihilation Army Commander—essentially a Dou Zun prospect, and an outstanding one at that.

From this, it can be seen how high Xun'er's evaluation of Gu Han was.

"The key point is that his character and personality are also excellent." Xun'er's tone became serious. "He would surely pass the clan's Heart-Questioning Trial. If he were willing to marry into the family or marry a Core Disciple of the Ancient Clan, he would even have a chance at becoming a Great Commander."

"To be honest, it's only because he appeared in a small place like the Jia Ma Empire and was encountered by you, Aunt Ling, that you even had the chance to become his teacher."

"If it were within the clan, you wouldn't even be qualified to be his guide."

"Before leaving the Xiao Family, I also plan to place a bet on him."

These words might sound a bit harsh to Ling Xiao, but they were the truth.

Whether it was Ling Xiao or Ling Ying, they both had to admit that Xun'er was right.

The fact that he had a Middle Stage of the Mortal Realm soul while only at the Dou Practitioner realm alone made Gu Han stand out from ordinary geniuses, not to mention his strong comprehension.

This was a wild, top-tier genius who only lacked resources.

"Miss, I understand." Ling Xiao revealed a smile of relief, a mysterious light shining in her eyes. "My life's path was already visible to the end ten years ago; the first turning point appeared because of Miss."

"This time, I will place a bet for myself."

Meanwhile, Gu Han had already returned to the Xiao Family and landed in the small courtyard where he lived.

Xiao Zhan, Nalan Su, the Nalan Family's Dou Ling, Zhang Chuchen, the three Xiao Family elders, as well as Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, were actually all there.

"Everyone, it's late and you're not resting; why are you all gathered in my courtyard?"