"I've been in the Xiao family for so long, it's time to complete the task the clan assigned me. Go find the Xiao family's Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. It should be in Xiao Zhan's storage ring. If you can't find it, then... kill!
Capture all those Xiao family members and bring them before Xiao Zhan. Kill them if they don't hand over the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade! If killing one isn't enough, kill two, if two aren't enough, kill three... kill until he's willing to hand it over. If they're really stubborn, kill them all. Anyway, the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade is right here in the Xiao family; it can't escape."
Cold, ruthless words came from Gu Xun'er's mouth, her expression unchanged, as if she were narrating a trivial matter, chilling everyone to the bone.
Gu Xun'er had been well-trained by Hun Changqing. Hun Changqing threatened Gu Xun'er almost constantly, and Gu Xun'er naturally learned Hun Changqing's methods. She
also put Hun Changqing's ruthlessness and unscrupulousness into practice.
Ling Ying, who had been secretly delighted, froze on the spot, his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Gu Xun'er.
"Miss, what's wrong with you lately?"
Ling Ying noticed that ever since Gu Xun'er emerged from seclusion more than half a year ago, she had been acting strangely, often appearing listless and dull-eyed.
This state continued until he monitored the goddess named Ya Fei, after which Gu Xun'er became somewhat terrifying.
She would often vent her anger on furniture after hearing news about Ya Fei.
Now, she even wanted to destroy the Xiao family for the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade!
Ling Ying had practically watched Gu Xun'er grow up, and he knew perfectly well how much she loved Xiao Yan and how much she had done for him.
He had wanted to take the Ancient Jade long ago, but Gu Xun'er had stopped him because of Xiao Yan.
Although he didn't like Xiao Yan and thought he wasn't good enough for Gu Xun'er, it was undeniable that Gu Xun'er deeply loved him.
Ling Ying was completely unaware of what had happened to Gu Xun'er. Gu Xun'er had always stayed in the Xiao family; how could she have suddenly changed so drastically?
He couldn't understand it, but Gu Xun'er was someone he had watched grow up, and he silently regarded her as his granddaughter. Seeing Gu Xun'er in this state, it was impossible for Ling Ying not to worry.
Half a year ago, when he noticed Gu Xun'er's unusual behavior, he wanted to know the answer, but he held back from asking.
Now that Gu Xun'er actually wanted to destroy the family of the person she loved, Ling Ying finally couldn't help but ask her.
Seeing that Ling Ying didn't immediately carry out her orders, Gu Xun'er frowned.
She was reflecting on whether she had been too polite to Ling Ying. Instead of carrying out the mission, he was questioning her.
Instantly, Gu Xun'er released a terrifying killing intent that enveloped Ling Ying, and a cold, ruthless voice came from her mouth.
"Ling Ying, I don't want to say it a second time!"
Upon hearing Gu Xun'er's words, Ling Ying trembled with fear and hurriedly replied,
"Yes...yes, Miss, I'll do it right away!"
He then disappeared into the darkness in a fluster.
Hearing Gu Xun'er call his name, Ling Ying remembered that he was merely a servant of the Gu clan from outside the clan and had no right to question his master. He only needed to complete the tasks assigned to him by his master.
...
Ling Ying quickly returned to Gu Xun'er's room, knelt on one knee, and presented a jade pendant. Gu Xun'er's terrifying demeanor had still left him somewhat shaken.
"Miss, I found the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade in Xiao Zhan's storage ring. Please examine it."
Gu Xun'er picked up the jade pendant from Ling Ying's hand and examined it. The pendant was exquisitely crafted with clear patterns, but it was incomplete. After confirming that it was indeed the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, Gu Xun'er nodded and said... "Indeed, it is the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade. I don't know if the Xiao family is lucky or unlucky that I found it so easily."
Hearing Gu Xun'er's words, which seemed to express regret for not being able to directly destroy the Xiao family, Ling Ying broke out in a cold sweat and dared not say anything more.
After placing the jade into her storage ring, Gu Xun'er said to Ling Ying,
"Ling Ying, I will return to the clan tomorrow. You stay here and keep an eye on Xiao Yan. He is currently out training. Protect his life if he encounters danger."
"Yes, Miss."
Gu Xun'er's words relieved Ling Ying. Gu Xun'er's request to protect Xiao Yan's life proved that she still cared about him.
Although Ling Ying disliked Xiao Yan, Gu Xun'er's continued concern made her feel that at least a trace of her former self remained; she wasn't completely different.
Then, Gu Xun'er added,
"If Xiao Yan were killed by someone else, it would be rather boring. We wouldn't get to see some interesting things. I'll personally kill him then."
Ling Ying: ...
He felt his young lady seemed a bit abnormal now.
... In a secluded ancient forest
in the Ancient Realm
, Gu Xun'er walked along a narrow, old path. The path was winding and secluded, with endless ancient trees reaching for the sky, blocking out the sun. The wind rustled through the treetops, creating a vast and slow rustling sound.
At the end of the path stood a simple, ancient pavilion. Inside, a middle-aged man dressed in white, slightly thin, with a refined face, like a scholar, was carefully sipping tea. His aura was ethereal, yet he possessed no aura whatsoever, appearing as an ordinary mortal.
This man was none other than Gu Yuan, the current patriarch of the Ancient Clan, one of the strongest in the Dou Qi Continent, a peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng!
Gu Xun'er walked up to Gu Yuan, took out the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade from her storage ring, and handed it to him, saying,
"Father, the Xiao family's ancient jade has been retrieved."
Gu Yuan didn't examine the jade, but instead stared at Gu Xun'er, revealing a gentle smile, and said,
"Oh? A five-star Great Dou Master? What, you've actually decided to focus your energy on cultivation lately? Had you had enough fun?"
Gu Xun'er nodded silently.
Gu Yuan looked at Gu Xun'er with some surprise; he felt that Gu Xun'er seemed a little strange.
"This girl was always so lively when she came back before, always acting all cute and affectionate with me. Why is she so cold this time? Could something have happened at the Xiao family?"
Gu Yuan said calmly.
"Now that you've retrieved the ancient jade, have you decided to return to the clan?"
Gu Xun'er shook her head, saying somewhat coldly
, "No, I returned to the clan to retrieve some things. I still need to go back to the Xiao family."
"Going back? Is it because of Xiao Yan?"
Gu Yuan didn't care what Gu Xun'er wanted to retrieve; the Gu clan could give her anything. He was only concerned that Gu Xun'er wanted to return to the Xiao family.
Thinking of the information Ling Ying had sent back, Gu Yuan felt a little irritated. He had only wanted Gu Xun'er to have a happy childhood and to keep an eye on the ancient jade there. How did it all end up being taken away so suddenly?