Female Protagonist Assistance System

“Dou Disciple, Third Stage!”

Gazing at the five large, dazzlingly bright characters on the testing monolith, the young man’s face remained expressionless. A hint of self-mockery and unwillingness tugged at the corner of his lips. His tightly clenched fist caused his slightly sharp nails to dig deep into his palm, bringing waves of piercing pain.

“Xiao Yan, Dou Disciple, Third Stage! Level: Low!” Standing beside the testing monolith, a middle-aged man glanced at the information displayed and announced it in a detached tone.

As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, a wave of derisive murmurs predictably swept through the crowded square.

“Third stage? Hehe, just as I expected. This ‘genius’ has been standing still for another year!”

“Sigh, this waste has truly brought shame upon the family.”

“If the Clan Leader weren’t his father, such a waste would have been driven out of the family long ago, left to fend for himself. How else would he have the chance to stay in the family, eating and drinking for free?”

“Alas, how has that once-renowned genius of Wutan City fallen to such a sorry state?”

“Who knows? Perhaps he did something to anger the gods?”

“Remember how arrogant he used to be with his cultivation and talent? Looking down on everyone every day. Now he’s not even as good as his sister.”

“That’s right, that’s right. He used to look down on Xiao Han, thinking she was useless. Now… tsk tsk tsk.”

The disdainful mockery and regretful sighs from the surroundings fell on Xiao Yan’s ears, deepening the resentment in his heart. He thought back to when his talent was still intact—how would these people dare speak to him like this then? They were all fawning over him, one more obsequious than the other. Now, they couldn’t wait to step on him.

Xiao Han leaned against a large tree, coldly observing this farce without any intention of participating. Her gaze remained fixed on a purple-robed young woman not far away.

Though still young, the girl already showed signs of future beauty that could topple kingdoms. Her aura was cool and elegant, like a blue lotus. Almost all the young men in the venue had their eyes on her, some boldly and eagerly, others shyly and timidly appraising her.

Gu Xun’er…

After watching for a while, Xiao Han began to feel bored. Just as she was about to look away, the young woman she had been observing seemed to sense something and turned her head. Their eyes met, and Gu Xun’er smiled reservedly at Xiao Han, nodding slightly in greeting.

Xiao Han nodded back indifferently, acknowledging the greeting.

Logically, Xiao Han and Gu Xun’er shouldn’t have had much interaction, and Gu Xun’er’s attitude towards her should have been the same as towards other Xiao family members. However, this was not the case.

Compared to other Xiao family members who fawned over her, Gu Xun’er paid more attention to Xiao Han, this taciturn cousin with deep eyes. Additionally, one day when Young Miss Gu couldn’t bear Xiao Yan’s harassment, she grabbed Xiao Han, who happened to be passing by, as a shield. Since then, the interaction between these two became rather peculiar.

“Next, Xiao Xun’er!”

Amidst the clamorous crowd, the tester’s voice rang out again. As this elegant name was called, the crowd suddenly fell silent.

Hearing her name, Gu Xun’er withdrew her gaze and moved gracefully to stand before the monolith. She extended her small hand, the purple sleeve embroidered with black gold thread slipping down to reveal a snow-white, delicate wrist.

Dazzling light once again appeared on the stone monolith.

“Xiao Xun’er, Dou Practitioner: Six Stars!”

Gazing at the four large, golden shimmering characters on the black stone monolith, the training ground fell silent for a moment. Then, waves of sharp inhalations rose like a chorus of gasps, and everyone’s expressions froze.

“Miss Xun’er, Six-Star Dou Practitioner!”

Somewhat shocked by the four golden glowing characters, the tester couldn’t help but shake his head in admiration. Indeed, she was worthy of being the Xiao family’s number one; even Xiao Yan at his peak couldn’t compare.

Looking at the young woman on the platform, elegant in demeanor yet radiating brilliance, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth in resentment, his eyes reddening with intense dissatisfaction.

Capturing Xiao Yan’s expression fully, Xiao Han inwardly sneered. With such a mentality, how could he be worthy of being the chosen one? Had the Heavenly Dao gone blind when selecting the world’s pillar?

“Next, Xiao Han!”

Finally, it was her turn. She felt like she might have fallen asleep if she had to wait any longer.

Xiao Han stretched her body and stepped towards the arena.

Placing her hand on the black stone monolith, Xiao Han slowly inputted a bit of Dou Disciple, stopping when she felt it was enough.

“Xiao Han, Dou Disciple: Six Stages! Level: Medium!”

A mediocre result, which Xiao Han was quite satisfied with.

But her satisfaction didn’t mean others were satisfied. Xiao Yan’s jealousy and unwillingness were about to overflow.

Gu Xun’er’s cultivation had always been higher than his, and even at his peak, he couldn’t compare to her. But Xiao Han was different. Before the age of six, Xiao Han had been unable to cultivate at all. Even after she could cultivate at six, her progress was slow. In the past, Xiao Yan had indeed looked down on this twin sister. But now, even she could surpass him.

Withdrawing her hand, Xiao Han descended from the platform without a word and returned to her position, leaning against the tree with her eyes closed, resting.

This was just a routine small test, not the coming-of-age ceremony. Once everyone had been tested, they could leave; there was no need for competition.

Xiao Han didn’t linger. Upon learning they could leave, she turned to go without hesitation, only to be stopped by a clear, elegant voice: “Cousin Xiao Han, please wait a moment.”

Xiao Han’s steps halted. She turned back, meeting the smiling eyes of the young woman who resembled a blue lotus, and immediately felt a headache coming on: “Does Cousin Xun’er have something?”

She had thought Nalan Yanran was mischievous and difficult enough to deal with, but who knew the female lead Gu Xun’er would surpass her by far.

Gu Xun’er spoke with a charming smile: “It’s still early. Would Cousin be interested in browsing the market with me?”

Hearing Gu Xun’er’s words, the nearby Xiao family members who were pretending to mind their own business while eavesdropping immediately perked up. They stared intently at Xiao Han and Gu Xun’er, wishing they could take Xiao Han’s place.

Among them, Xiao Yan was naturally the most eager.

Would Xiao Han go?

Of course not. Besides, she had things to do today.

“I’m afraid not, Cousin Xun’er. I have some matters to attend to today,” Xiao Han refused decisively. Then, she cast a cool glance at the restless Xiao family members, pondered for a moment, and turned to leave.

Gu Xun’er wasn’t at all upset by the refusal. She watched Xiao Han’s departing figure with interest until she disappeared from view. Only then did she withdraw her gaze, revealing a faint smile. Then, she also swept her eyes over the numerous Xiao family members, finally resting her gaze on Xiao Yan.

Feeling Gu Xun’er’s gaze, Xiao Yan looked up to see the girl he had always wanted to possess now looking at him meaningfully. He couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement and a bit of smugness.

See? As a unique transmigrator, he was indeed heaven’s chosen one. Even with his cultivation regressed, this mysterious, powerful, and beautiful young woman still had him in her heart.

Just as he was about to approach Gu Xun’er to chat, he saw her turn and leisurely walk away.

Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned, feeling extremely embarrassed. Amid the mocking and disdainful gazes, he clenched his fists tightly, his resentment and frustration nearly overflowing.

Xiao Xun’er, how dare you humiliate me like this! One day, I’ll make you kneel before me, begging for my favor!

I’ll let you know what it means not to underestimate a young man in his time of weakness!

Unaware of Xiao Yan’s thoughts, Gu Xun’er walked away with her hands behind her back, in quite a good mood.

As the young miss of the Gu family, though still young, her mental acuity was far beyond her peers. How could she not see that the friendliness of the many Xiao family members towards her carried a certain utilitarian nature? And that Xiao Yan, the Clan Leader’s son, truly treated her like an ordinary little girl, thinking he could capture her heart with small favors? If not for him being the Clan Leader’s son and her need to find an opportunity to obtain the Bodhi Ancient Emperor Jade, she wouldn’t bother to engage with him cordially. That guy’s eyes were practically overflowing with possession and greed; did he really think she was a fool who couldn’t see through it?

Thinking of this, Gu Xun’er’s mind conjured up Xiao Han’s youthful face and her precocious seriousness, making her laugh out loud. In this Xiao family, perhaps only this person’s kindness towards her was without any ulterior motive.

Indeed, Xiao Han’s seemingly subtle assistance had all been noticed by Gu Xun’er, especially how she helped thwart Xiao Yan’s ill-timed advances and self-staged heroic rescues. This had firmly etched Xiao Han in Gu Xun’er’s mind. Moreover, from the moment Gu Xun’er arrived at the Xiao family, she had sensed Xiao Han’s uniqueness.

It was a pity that the other seemed a bit too reclusive. Despite helping her so many times, she was unwilling to become friends. Young Miss Gu kicked away a small stone in her path, sighing with a rare display of girlish vexation.

Ling Ying, hiding in the shadows, watched his young miss’s unusual display of adolescent emotions with a sense of gratification. Having watched Gu Xun’er grow up, he naturally hoped she could develop like an ordinary young girl, rather than bearing the responsibilities of the Gu family’s young miss at such a tender age.

However, thinking of this, he furrowed his brow.

His young miss was already fifteen years old, having reached the age agreed upon with that esteemed one. Why hadn’t that person appeared to take his young miss as a disciple? Had they changed their mind?

The master and servant pair returned to their small courtyard, each lost in their own thoughts. Gu Xun’er absent-mindedly pushed open the door and froze in place.

In the courtyard, a figure completely shrouded in black robes sat by the stone table, lazily flipping through a yellowed book. Sensing Gu Xun’er’s presence, “he” turned his head towards her direction.

“Oh, you’re back?”