What Do You Call a Benevolent and Reasonable Person in Xianxia? An Impossibility!

Jia Nan Academy, a renowned institution on the Dou Qi continent, is located at the intersection of the Jia Ma Empire and two other major empires. Its prestige draws countless people who aspire to become its students.

Behind this reputation lies a strength that commands respect across the North Western Region. The fact that a single academy can make three great empires wary speaks volumes about Jia Nan Academy’s formidable power.

On a remote mountain peak near Jia Nan Academy, a graceful figure stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing longingly in the direction of the Jia Ma Empire. This pure and ethereal girl was none other than Xiao Xun’er, the mysterious figure from the Xiao Clan.

“It’s already been… half a year…”

Xiao Xun’er murmured, her eyes flickering with a touch of loneliness.

This was the first time she had been away from Big Brother Xiao Yan for so long…

Thinking about this, Xiao Xun’er couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

People often said Xiao Mei couldn’t grow up and leave Xiao Yan. In truth, she wasn’t much different.

Suddenly, Xiao Xun’er’s expression tightened as she slowly turned to look behind her.

“Come out.”

As her words fell, a shadow emerged from the grass behind her, coalescing into a figure kneeling on one knee.

This person was Ling Ying, a man sent by the Gu Clan to protect Xiao Xun’er and whom she had dispatched to secretly guard Xiao Yan. Ling Ying was a peak Dou Huang expert.

Xiao Xun’er turned to face Ling Ying, her eyes filled with deep anticipation as she slowly spoke.

“Old Ling, thank you for your efforts these days.”

“A servant’s duty is to follow his young mistress’s orders. How can it be considered troublesome?”

Ling Ying responded calmly, then proceeded to recount everything Xiao Yan had done over the past six months to Xiao Xun’er.

After hearing Ling Ying’s account, especially the part about Xiao Yan venturing into the Heavenly Flame alone, Xiao Xun’er’s heart clenched, and she immediately reprimanded him sharply.

“Why didn’t you help him at that time?!”

That was the Heavenly Flame! Even a Dou Huang had to be extremely cautious when dealing with it. Xiao Yan, a mere Dou Shi (Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level), 3rd Level), dared to venture in without any preparation. He survived purely by luck! If Gu He hadn’t had the Blood Lotus Pill or if he had harbored any selfish intentions, Xiao Yan would have died there!

“Please punish me, young mistress!”

Ling Ying did not offer any defense and simply bowed his head to accept his guilt.

Xiao Xun’er’s question was justified. He had been sent to protect Xiao Yan but ended up watching him charge into the Heavenly Flame. Fortunately, Xiao Yan survived. If he had died, how would Ling Ying explain it to his mistress?

Seeing Ling Ying bow his head in guilt, Xiao Xun’er suddenly calmed down and quietly observed him for a while before sighing deeply.

“Forget it, it’s not your fault.” Xiao Xun’er said softly, a bitter smile appearing on her face. “Who could have predicted Big Brother Xiao Yan’s actions?”

Indeed, who could have anticipated Xiao Yan’s reckless behavior?

That kind of act, seen by others as a death wish and utterly foolish, was beyond common understanding and thus could not be foreseen.

Thinking about this, deep worry filled Xiao Xun’er’s eyes.

The things Xiao Yan had done over the past six months were indeed hard to accept. No one could believe those actions were done by a rational person.

But having grown up with Xiao Yan, she knew those were precisely the things only he could do.

To outsiders, Xiao Yan appeared to be a clear-headed person who knew what to do and what not to do.

In reality, only those close to him knew how rebellious his heart was.

He did know what should be done and what shouldn’t.

However, his understanding often differed greatly from others, leading him to act contrary to what others believed was right.

What others thought shouldn’t be done, he would risk his life to do!

Only he knew the steadfastness in his heart.

But regardless of everything, Xiao Yan was still alive, which was enough for Xiao Xun’er.

Though given Xiao Yan’s personality, similar situations were bound to happen again.

“Old Ling, please be more vigilant in the future.” Xiao Xun’er said softly, looking at Ling Ying. “Xiao Yan won’t just stop at one reckless act.”

“Yes!”

Ling Ying replied firmly. Even without his mistress’s orders, the events involving the Snake-People had made him very cautious. Who knew what other dangerous stunts Xiao Yan would pull next?

“Then let’s consider this matter settled.”

Xiao Xun’er turned around, her tone suddenly cold as she squinted and smiled faintly, emitting a slight dark aura that made Ling Ying’s heart shiver.

He already had an inkling of what his mistress was about to ask.

“Old Ling, in that cave in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, did Xiao Yan do anything improper while alone with that Yun Lan Sect Master?”

As expected!

As soon as Xiao Xun’er asked, Ling Ying’s clothes were instantly soaked in cold sweat. He quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet her eyes, and firmly assured her.

“Please rest assured, young mistress! I swear on my life, Young Master Xiao Yan did nothing improper! If there is even a single falsehood in my words, I will atone with my death!”

Ling Ying dared to swear that his words were absolutely true, without a hint of deceit!

However, he had slightly, just slightly, withheld part of the truth.

But could he be blamed for that? Could anyone fault him for concealing part of the truth? Could he dare to reveal it?

The events of that night alone filled Ling Ying with dread, and he couldn’t let Xiao Xun’er know. If she found out about Yun Yun’s pregnancy, it wouldn’t just be the Yun Lan Sect at risk—possibly the entire North Western Region could be affected! Ling Ying himself might not escape unscathed!

Thus, Ling Ying could only hope Xiao Yan would find a way to deal with it later, even though Xiao Yan was still unaware of it.

“Really…”

Hearing Ling Ying’s firm assurance, Xiao Xun’er frowned slightly. Though she still felt uneasy, a nagging sense of something amiss, she ultimately believed Ling Ying.

After all, Ling Ying had sworn on his life. It would be unreasonable to distrust him further. She was far away and unaware of the specifics, while Ling Ying had been with Xiao Yan the whole time. How could she not trust him and instead rely on her instincts? What would be the point of his reports then?

Moreover, Ling Ying was originally sent to protect her but was now tasked with guarding Xiao Yan instead. It was unfair to doubt him for fulfilling this extra duty.

Additionally, beyond trusting Ling Ying, Xiao Xun’er had faith in Xiao Yan. She believed him would never do something disgraceful. Even if something happened with Yun Yun, it would be Yun Yun’s doing, not Xiao Yan’s.

After all, Yun Yun, the esteemed Sect Master of the Yun Lan Sect and a Dou Huang, was highly respected. How could she act inappropriately towards her disciple’s fiancé?

Even if Xiao Yan agreed, Yun Yun herself wouldn’t overcome her moral barrier. Given her upbringing, she would never do such a thing.

Yes, it was impossible. Absolutely impossible!

Xiao Xun’er nodded firmly, convincing herself.

Seeing her expression soften, Ling Ying sighed deeply in relief.

Phew… Finally, this matter is settled.

As for future issues, they’ll have to be dealt with later.

After all, this wasn’t something a mere servant like Ling Ying could resolve.

Yet, in his moment of relief, Ling Ying couldn’t help but speak up, despite knowing better.

“Young mistress, from my observations, Xiao Yixian also seems to have feelings for Young Master Xiao Yan. You should be cautious…”

“Hmm?”

Xiao Xun’er raised an eyebrow, cutting him off. Her previously calm expression darkened instantly, and she glanced at Ling Ying with a faint, humorless smile.

“Sorry, Old Ling, I was thinking about something and didn’t hear you clearly. What did you just say?”

“…I said nothing, young mistress.”

Seeing Xiao Xun’er’s reaction, Ling Ying couldn’t help but curse himself for being too talkative.

Why couldn’t you just follow instructions and keep quiet?!

Seeing Ling Ying’s understanding, Xiao Xun’er did not dwell on the issue.

Of course, she only let it go verbally. Internally, she silently remembered this matter.

Her silver teeth clenched tightly.

When Xiao Yan decided to go out and explore, Xiao Xun’er’s greatest fear was this.

Xiao Yan’s unique personality made him very attractive to others. Once people got to know him deeply, they would genuinely appreciate how remarkable he was.

Take the matter with Xiao Yixian, for example. After all the things Xiao Yan did, it would be hard for anyone, regardless of gender, not to develop a fondness for him.

At the most desperate moment of your life, someone pulls you back from the brink of hell without fearing death and without expecting anything in return. They use words and actions to show you the beauty of life and convince you that your life is far more precious than you think. Who wouldn’t be moved by such a person?

And Xiao Xun’er was certain that Xiao Yixian wouldn’t be the last.

However, what frustrated Xiao Xun’er the most was that the reasons Xiao Yixian fell for Xiao Yan were the same reasons she did.

If she were to deny Xiao Yixian’s feelings for Xiao Yan, how could she justify her own?

It’s a headache…

Xiao Xun’er rubbed her temples with some discomfort and then sighed deeply.

“Ling Ying,” Xiao Xun’er temporarily set aside her feelings and asked him softly, “Do you have any objections to my order for you to protect Xiao Yan?”

“No,” Ling Ying replied without hesitation this time.

“Even without Miss’s order, Xiao Yan deserves my protection.”

Of course, without Xiao Xun’er’s order, Ling Ying wouldn’t have gone to protect Xiao Yan.

After all, Xiao Yan had nothing to do with him, and he had no reason to protect someone unrelated.

But Ling Ying genuinely believed that Xiao Yan was worth protecting.

Such people were rare. In Ling Ying’s life experience, Xiao Yan was the only one like this.

In a world where everyone believed in survival of the fittest and many became strong through this belief, Xiao Yan stood out.

Xiao Yan fundamentally denied the legitimacy of survival of the fittest and used this belief as motivation to forge his own righteous path, resolutely advancing despite facing numerous deadly situations without ever considering a change.

He was more aware than anyone of the hardships of his path.

Yet, Xiao Yan still walked this road.

Such a person was extraordinarily rare, not just in the present but throughout the history of the continent.

Saying that he’s the first one is not wrong.

It’s normal for people to express disdain for the survival of the fittest when facing someone stronger.

But who can still firmly denounce survival of the fittest when facing someone weaker?

Moreover, in the current world, even the weak believe that survival of the fittest is the way it should be.

That Xiao Yan could uphold his inner belief and persist to his current level seemed almost impossible to Ling Ying.

Xiao Yan was not just fighting against one person or one force.

He was fighting against the fundamental principle of this world.

Saying he was fighting the entire world wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

Ling Ying admitted he couldn’t do what Xiao Yan did.

But that didn’t stop him from admiring Xiao Yan.

“I see,” Xiao Xun’er smiled faintly at Ling Ying’s answer, feeling a subtle sense of pride.

This was the person she liked.

“By the way, Ling Ying, one more thing,” Xiao Xun’er remembered something and looked at him, “What do you think of Xiao Yan’s current strength?”

“Uh…” Ling Ying was momentarily stunned by her question, then twitched his mouth before answering.

“From what I’ve observed, with his current strength and without using the power of that soul within him, Xiao Yan could probably… maybe… possibly… exchange a few blows with a Dou Wang.”

“And against a Dou Ling?” Xiao Xun’er asked further.

“A Dou Ling likely wouldn’t be able to take more than three blows,” Ling Ying muttered internally.

Xiao Yan’s combat power was ridiculously abnormal! The standard ranking system didn’t apply to him!

And this was when he was still a Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level)!

When he reaches Dou Wang—no, when he becomes a Dou Ling, he probably wouldn’t need his protection anymore!

“Can exchange blows with a Dou Wang…” Xiao Xun’er murmured, biting her finger before exhaling in relief. “Good, I can still keep up.”

Huh?

Keep up?

What does that mean?

Ling Ying was confused by her muttering. Xiao Xun’er waved her hand lightly.

“Go ahead, continue protecting Xiao Yan, but don’t let him find out. He doesn’t like that.”

“Yes!”

Ling Ying didn’t dwell on it. He turned into a shadow and disappeared instantly.

The moment Ling Ying vanished, an anxious voice called out.

“Xun’er! Xun’er!”

Xiao Xun’er looked towards the voice and saw Xiao Mei waving as she ran towards her, grabbing her hand and dragging her back towards the academy.

“I finally found you! Hurry, hurry! You’re the only one left! I finally convinced Xiao Yu to play the male lead! If she changes her mind, my script will fall apart!”

“…Why is Xiao Yu playing the male lead?” Xiao Xun’er’s mouth twitched. It wasn’t that she wanted to act with another male, but Xiao Yu was a girl, right? How could she play the male lead?

“There’s nothing I can do about it! If they heard you are the female lead, the boys would fight over the male lead role until next month!”

Xiao Mei grumbled, unhappy with Xiao Xun’er’s question.

Considering Xiao Xun’er’s popularity in the academy, if she announced Xiao Xun’er was the female lead, the whole academy would turn upside down with boys fighting for the male lead role!

But truth be told, despite the hassle, Xiao Mei never thought of replacing Xiao Xun’er as the female lead.

With Xiao Xun’er’s popularity, who would want to change her? As a budding director, Xiao Mei was counting on Xiao Xun’er to boost her popularity!

“Stop talking! We’re about to start filming! Hurry!”

As Xiao Mei dragged her arm, Xiao Xun’er’s expression softened, and a slight smile appeared.

Before coming to the academy, she worried if Xiao Mei would be down due to Xiao Yan’s absence. But now, it seemed she had worried too much.

Xiao Mei was probably the one among the Xiao Clan juniors who enjoyed academy life the most.

And this must be what Xiao Yan hoped for~