Lin Fan didn't give an answer directly but asked first: "I don't know what help does Brother Xiao Yan want?"
Then after a long explanation, Lin Fan finally understood. It looks like Xiao Yan wanted to give Xun'er a surprise but he is not very proficient in choosing a suitable gift so he needs help. Hearing this Lin Fan also became interested. He didn't expect to promote the relationship between the protagonist and the heroine.
How good would it be if it was me instead of Xiao Yan?
Shaking the distracting thoughts from his mind, he agreed readily. Anyway, he has been cultivating all day and is a bit bored. It would be nice to stroll around and get to know the city.
Both of them set off and visited several stalls in the Xiao market. The Xiao Family being one of the major families in Wutan City has numerous businesses and most of the shops in the Xiao market belongs to the family itself. Xiao Yan although known as 'trash' now, has enough respect as the son of Xiao Zhan, patriarch of the Xiao family to be able to roam around in his own area.
After circling the market for several rounds, Lin Fan selected a few jewelleries for Xiao Yan to choose. Xiao Yan picked up a few which he liked and they left the place at dusk. They also talked along the way and gradually became friends.
Returning to the Xiao family, both of them separated.
In a large courtyard in a luxuriously decorated room, a girl was sitting on a stool with a masked man standing in front of her in a respectful posture.
"Uncle Ling, did you find out?"
A sweet voice sounded with a hint of indifference.
"Young Miss, I have looked into it. He seems to be an ordinary person with a little bit of talent."
The masked man reported.
This girl was obviously Xun'er. She sent Ling Ying to investigate Lin Fan's identity but the result is nothing. He seems to have no family, no background. But, is it really possible for someone with no background and no resources to be a high level Dou Zhe at such a young age? She doesn't believe it.
Ling Ying hesitated for a while and said: "Maybe he got some opportunity to advance his cultivation quickly."
Xiao Xun'er also nodded thinking it to be a plausible explanation. Douqi Continent is huge, there are many opportunities but with his strength the opportunity he got shouldn't be high.
~knock ~knock
"Xun'er, are you there?"
Ling Ying turned into a shadow and dissipated instantly. Xun'er also adjusted her expression and opened the door with a smile: "Brother Xiao Yan, what are you doing coming to Xun'er so late? Come on in."
Xiao Yan didn't enter as it was already dark and handed the wooden box to Xun'er.
"You have been by my side for such a long time and always supported me so this is a gift I prepared for you."
Then he scratched his head and added:
"Actually, I am not that good in selecting gifts so I took Brother Lin Fan and we both chose it together. Let me know if you liked it."
Then without waiting for Xun'er's response he hurried away. This is the first time he has given a gift to a girl. Even if he was a person of two lives, he felt shy.
Xiao Xun'er looked at the wooden box in her hand quietly and felt quite warm in her heart.
"Brother Xiao Yan really cares for me."
She opened it and found two beautiful earrings with intricate patterns lying inside it. This design was very much to her taste.
At this time Lin Fan's figure suddenly appeared in her mind and she thought: "Hmph..his choice is not bad."
Lin Fan didn't know any of this and he was cultivating on his bed when a system prompt sounded before his ears:
[Ding! Mission: Take away Xiao Yan's ring. Reward: Soul Controlling Talisman]
Lin Fan looked at the mission released by the system and fell into a deep thought.
To be honest, he did think of going against the protagonist at first but after careful consideration, there was no profit but a huge risk. Afterall, there is an ancient clan princess backing him.
As for getting Fenjue, he was not interested. His Chaos Refining Sutra is many times more powerful. But now, with the system's rewards, he can't back down. Anyway, it's not that he has to become an enemy to take Xiao Yan's ring. He has other ways. Thus, his plan begun.
The following days, Xiao Yan came once to thank him for that day and Lin Fan showed great enthusiasm. Knowingly or unknowingly he asked about his stagnant cultivation. Xiao Yan didn't hide and told him a lot. After knowing his situation he immediately began his act.
He convinced Xiao Yan that there was a similar case in his town when he was a child and he heard it was because of a cursed object. Apparently the cursed object may have different origin and the user will not be able to cultivate while it touches his body. He then asked seriously: "Brother Xiao Yan, did you have anything on your body during all these years of practice that fits the description?"
Xiao Yan was puzzled and began thinking carefully. It seems he wore different dresses and doesn't wear any ornaments which can act as a cursed object.
Wait!
He raised his finger and looked at the ring in his hand. This is probably the only thing he wore everytime he cultivates but he had this ring for many years and it didn't bother him in the beginning.
Seeing his dilemma, Lin Fan smiled and said in a heavy tone: "Brother Xiao Yan, you can think slowly about the things I said. Oh, by the way I have also heard that the cursed object may be inactive for a period of time before finally activating due to a stimuli."
Xiao Yan nodded still confused and thanked Lin Fan before leaving.
Lin Fan looked at the departing figure, his lips curled up.
The fish has taken the bait!
In these few days, he has found out that Xiao Yan is still 18 months away from the coming of age ceremony. This also means the plot will start in exactly half a year. At this time, Yao Lao is only partially awake. Lin Fan gambled that he won't be able to come out.
Even if he does, he will use the Dou Huang guards to capture him but it will undoubtedly not be easy. He wants to try the easy route first. If it doesn't work, he has to use violence.