Female Protagonist Assistance System

Finally, to appease the Cloud Mist Sect’s anger, Xiao Zhan had to burn the blood-written divorce certificate in front of everyone and have Xiao Yan write a new contract to dissolve the engagement. Seeing that matters were resolved, Xiao Han departed directly.

“I’m truly sorry, Uncle Xiao Zhan,” Nalan Yanran, having obtained what she wanted, performed a junior’s courtesy to an elder towards Xiao Zhan.

“Ah, never mind. This wasn’t your fault, Niece Nalan.” Looking at the polite and composed young woman, then at his ashen-faced son beside him, Xiao Zhan seemed to age a decade. He sighed, feeling drained.

“In that case, this junior shall take her leave,” Nalan Yanran bowed again and left with the two elders.

“This time, we must thank that esteemed one. If not for their timely arrival, this matter would have dragged on,” one of the elders remarked as they walked.

Nalan Yanran smiled proudly: “At least she has some conscience. Hmph, but I must also work hard on my cultivation. If I lose to that Xiao Yan, it would really shame our Cloud Mist Sect.”

Seeing Nalan Yanran’s high spirits, the two elders exchanged glances, both revealing gratified expressions.

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After leaving the hall, Xiao Han returned to her courtyard. She knew her harsh words were somewhat excessive, but it was intentional. Her aim was to prevent Xiao Yan from venting his dissatisfaction, making him see reality clearly. The Xiao family might dominate Wutan City, but in the broader Dou Qi Continent, they were merely a slightly larger family that any moderately powerful force could trample.

[But won’t this further ignite Xiao Yan’s fighting spirit?] the system asked, puzzled.

Xiao Han tidied her black robe and placed it in the system space, saying: “It will indeed ignite his fighting spirit, but this spirit will be distorted.”

The system felt awed but confused: [Host, I don’t quite understand.]

Xiao Han calmly replied: “Do you know what a true strong person is like?”

System: [Umm… possessing powerful cultivation? Having few equals?]

Xiao Han chuckled lightly. Should she say this was indeed characteristic of a machine? So straightforward. “We have a saying where I’m from: ‘Virtue not matching one’s position will surely bring calamity.’ Similarly, if one’s virtue doesn’t match their ability, it won’t end well.”

“A truly strong person is steadfast in heart, resilient in character, clear in goals, tireless in effort, never giving up, and most importantly, kind-hearted,” Xiao Han said impassively. “To put it crudely, it’s an indestructible cockroach with a sense of justice and correct values.”

System: [……]

This crude description was indeed spot-on.

The system suddenly thought of something: [Then Host, you want Gu Xun’er to become a truly strong person……]

Xiao Han said: “I want to nurture a truly strong person, both in cultivation and character, not just someone with powerful cultivation but a weak disposition.”

“This is also part of the trap I’ve set for Xiao Yan. Admiring strength is good, but admiring strength with a distorted mindset and purpose……” Xiao Han sneered.

Hearing this sneer, the system couldn’t help but shudder.

Its host was intelligent and twisted to an alarming degree.

[Host, what will you do next?] But indeed, clinging to the host’s thigh really did guarantee an easy win!

Today, it was once again the host’s devoted follower.

“Next?” Xiao Han stroked her chin, her gaze profound. “Next, it’s time to properly teach my disciple. I can’t let her down.”

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At dawn the next day, as soon as Xiao Han arrived at the back mountain, she saw Gu Xun’er sitting cross-legged under a tree, meditating with closed eyes. She nodded in satisfaction; after all, who doesn’t like a diligent disciple?

Xiao Han didn’t deliberately conceal herself, so as soon as she reached the back mountain, Gu Xun’er slowly opened her eyes.

“Master,” Gu Xun’er stood up.

Xiao Han nodded and said: “From today, I’ll first teach you alchemy.”

Gu Xun’er was somewhat surprised, not expecting her master to be so direct, getting straight to the point.

“According to the more common sayings on the Dou Qi Continent, to become an alchemist, one must have the support of fire-attribute Dou Qi. So, before learning alchemy, one must at least become a Dou Practitioner and cultivate a fire-attribute Dou Qi technique,” Xiao Han said. “You’re already a six-star Dou Practitioner, lacking only a technique. I happen to have a fire-system technique here called the ‘Flame Mantra’.”

She reached into her sleeve, taking out the ‘Flame Mantra’ scroll courtesy of the system, and tossed it to Gu Xun’er.

“‘Flame Mantra’?” Gu Xun’er caught the scroll, somewhat puzzled.

“This technique has no rank, but it’s more powerful and mysterious than heaven-tier techniques.” As expected, these words shocked Gu Xun’er.

Gu Xun’er suddenly felt the technique in her hand was too hot to handle. In her impression, heaven-tier techniques were already the continent’s top techniques. And what did her master just say? This scroll was more powerful and mysterious than heaven-tier techniques?

In the original text, the Flame Mantra that Medicinal Elder gave to Xiao Yan was actually incomplete, a low-grade yellow-tier technique that needed to evolve by devouring different Heterogeneous Flames. The Flame Mantra given to Xiao Han by the system was complete, requiring no evolution but still allowing the cultivator to devour different Heterogeneous Flames with an 80% success rate.

“The mysterious aspect of this technique lies in its ability to let the cultivator devour different Heterogeneous Flames,” Xiao Han said hoarsely, dropping another bombshell on Gu Xun’er.

Gu Xun’er’s eyes widened, feeling her worldview had been shattered and reconstructed multiple times in one day.

“If you trust me, cultivate this scroll. If you don’t, I have other fire-system heaven-tier techniques,” Xiao Han said composedly. “Choose.”

Gu Xun’er looked at the dark red technique in her hand, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: “Thank you for the gift, Master.”

Xiao Han’s brow relaxed.

This female lead was indeed a talent with potential.

“Alright, go back and cultivate the technique first. When you’re ready, I’ll come teach you alchemy,” she said, turning to leave, but was stopped again by Gu Xun’er.

Gu Xun’er, smiling, asked: “Master, does Senior Sister know alchemy too?”

Xiao Han: “Yes, she does. Why?”

Gu Xun’er revealed an ‘as expected’ expression, her words instantly petrifying Xiao Han: “I guessed correctly. Senior Sister definitely has more than six stages of Dou Qi.”

Xiao Han: “……”

She was unexpectedly outmaneuvered.

The system, seeing Xiao Han at a loss, wanted to laugh but didn’t dare, inwardly sighing that the female lead was indeed the host’s nemesis. It truly was a case of every item has its counterpart.

Xiao Han coughed, saying dryly: “Your master is often not around. If you have any questions, ask your Senior Sister.”

“When you break through the first layer of the ‘Flame Mantra’, go find your Senior Sister.”

She thought for a moment, feeling she should minimize contact with Gu Xun’er using the Han Xiao identity. This little girl was too cunning; if her identity was exposed one day due to being outmaneuvered…… it would be awkward.

Xiao Han turned and left, somewhat embarrassed.

Who knew that before noon, Gu Xun’er would knock on Xiao Han’s courtyard door.

Xiao Han looked at the smiling Gu Xun’er at the door and Xiao Yan beside her, whose face was extremely unpleasant, seemingly wanting to devour her but forced to appear calm, his expression somewhat distorted. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

She told you to come find her if you had questions, not to come find her for no reason!

“Does Cousin Xun’er have something?” Xiao Han’s expression was calm.

Gu Xun’er smiled charmingly, a smile that captivated Xiao Yan beside her: “Would Cousin Xiao Han like to browse the market together?”

Xiao Han very much wanted to refuse, but before she could speak, she heard the system’s voice in her mind.

[Host, this should be the plot where Xiao Yan has taken on a master and is asking the female lead to borrow money to buy medicinal ingredients.]

Xiao Han: [I guessed as much.]

But at this point, Gu Xun’er shouldn’t have any good feelings towards Xiao Yan, so why not directly lend him the money instead of choosing to browse the market with Xiao Yan like in the original text?

Seeing that Xiao Han seemed about to refuse, Gu Xun’er added: “Come to think of it, I’ve never browsed the market with Cousin before.”

Gu Xun’er emphasized “Cousin” slightly, her eyes twinkling mischievously, looking like a cunning little fox.

Xiao Han felt a massive headache coming on. When reading the novel before, she never felt the female lead was this difficult to handle or this mischievous.

Looking again at Xiao Yan’s expression of wanting to kill her, Xiao Han inwardly sighed, feeling that if she didn’t agree today, this female lead would surely cause some trouble. Moreover, to be honest, she wasn’t comfortable letting Gu Xun’er and Xiao Yan be alone together. Who knew if Gu Xun’er might inexplicably fall for Xiao Yan due to the Heavenly Dao’s influence?

So, Xiao Han could only reluctantly agree.

Wutan City, worthy of being one of the Gamma Empire’s major cities, was extremely lively. Despite the scorching sun, the streets were still bustling with people, and one could occasionally see some exotic races.

Xiao Yan needed to purchase some medicinal ingredients for Medicinal Elder to refine drugs to aid his cultivation, and since this matter couldn’t be known to others, he had to lie about going off alone. Gu Xun’er had agreed to come to the market not for Xiao Yan’s sake, so she didn’t seriously listen to Xiao Yan’s excuse and paid no mind to his departure.

Xiao Han maintained an expressionless face, being dragged around by Gu Xun’er, finding it utterly miserable.

It seemed that regardless of the world, girls couldn’t escape the title of shopping fanatics.

Just like Shen Ye in her previous life, who also couldn’t stop once she started shopping. She had followed behind, carrying things until she was nearly exhausted.

Xiao Han suddenly froze, her usually expressionless little face suddenly darkening.

What’s going on? After all this time, how could she still think of that woman Shen Ye?

Xiao Han, oh Xiao Han, are you really this cheap? That woman killed your respected teacher and sold you out to the Luo family. How can you still think of her?

“Senior Sister, what do you think of this?” Just as Xiao Han was lost in thought, a light, clear voice suddenly came over, interrupting her musings. She instinctively turned to look and saw Gu Xun’er pointing at a light green bracelet on a roadside stall, smiling charmingly at her.

Xiao Han glanced at it and nodded casually: “It’s fine.”

Gu Xun’er clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly to look carefully. After a long while, she sighed somewhat disappointedly: “Never mind. I have enough hand accessories already, and besides, no matter how pretty it is, what’s the use? No one will appreciate it.”

Xiao Han looked at her strangely. What was this little girl saying? So many people in the Xiao family liked her, how could there be no one to appreciate her?

Suddenly, Gu Xun’er stepped forward, approaching Xiao Han. Her eyes, like autumn waters, carried a hint of grievance: “Senior Sister, is browsing the market with Xun’er so boring?”

Xiao Han was somewhat puzzled: “How could it be?”

Although it was indeed boring, it wasn’t because of Gu Xun’er. In Xiao Han’s view, shopping was boring no matter who she was with.

“If that’s the case, why does Senior Sister look so listless?” Gu Xun’er pouted. “And with such a distracted expression?”

Xiao Han was slightly taken aback.

But then, Gu Xun’er straightened up, her previous grievance completely gone, replaced by a proud and bright smile.

“Senior Sister, when browsing the market with Xun’er, you can’t be thinking of others.”

The exquisite young woman bathed in sunlight, her bright and unrestrained appearance seemed to be coated in a dazzling, faint golden light, causing the previously dead heart to suddenly skip a beat.

Many years later, Xiao Han still couldn’t forget how radiant and proud that sun-bathed young woman was at that moment, how she made one’s heart flutter.