Female Protagonist Assistance System

“Oh, you’re back.” The black-robed figure stood up, hands clasped behind their back.

Gu Xun’er was stunned for only a moment before Ling Ying appeared beside her. Ling Ying bowed respectfully to the black-robed figure: “Esteemed One.”

The visitor was, of course, Xiao Han, who had just refused Gu Xun’er’s invitation to browse the market.

At this moment, Xiao Han had naturally come to fulfill the promise made ten years ago to take Gu Xun’er as her disciple.

Hearing Ling Ying’s voice, Gu Xun’er finally reacted, her eyes widening: “You…”

Xiao Han spoke in a hoarse voice: “The ten-year promise. Heh, little girl, if I’m not mistaken, you should be fifteen this year.”

Gu Xun’er nodded: “I am fifteen this year.”

Xiao Han said: “Have you made up your mind then? Are you willing to become my disciple?”

Gu Xun’er nodded without hesitation.

“To become my disciple, my condition remains the same: you must become a strong individual,” Xiao Han said, “Even if your cultivation level is low.”

Although she still didn’t understand the meaning behind these words, Gu Xun’er had grown up. She wouldn’t keep pressing for answers, as she knew that her prospective master meant for her to seek the answer herself. Therefore, Gu Xun’er didn’t ask further.

“If you agree, then perform the discipleship ceremony,” Xiao Han sat down again, looking composed.

Gu Xun’er became serious. She poured a cup of tea and respectfully knelt before Xiao Han. After Xiao Han accepted the teacup, Gu Xun’er reverently performed the traditional three bows and nine kowtows of the discipleship ceremony.

[Her attitude is very proper,] Xiao Han said to the system, then slowly drank the tea.

The system breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that its host’s favorability towards Gu Xun’er had skyrocketed due to her proper attitude.

System: When guiding other hosts, I hope for the mission targets to have high favorability towards the host. With this host, I just hope the host can have high favorability towards the mission targets.

“Very good. From today onwards, you are my disciple. My name is Han Xiao,” Xiao Han set down the teacup and said seriously. “Although I am of the lightning attribute, I am more than capable of teaching you.”

At Xiao Han’s gesture, Gu Xun’er stood up. Hearing this, she nodded, not doubting the truthfulness of Xiao Han’s words for a moment.

The more Xiao Han looked at Gu Xun’er, the more satisfied she felt, thinking this girl would make a decent disciple—at least she was obedient and respected her teacher.

Thinking this, Xiao Han became even more serious: “Girl, do you want to become an alchemist?”

Hearing this, both Gu Xun’er and Ling Ying were inwardly shocked.

Ling Ying couldn’t help but ask: “Esteemed One, are you an alchemist? But you…”

But aren’t you of the lightning attribute?

“Who says those of the lightning attribute can’t become alchemists? How narrow-minded,” Xiao Han snorted coldly, seemingly very disdainful of Ling Ying’s words. The Nine Heavens Thunder Technique had a specific section on using lightning for alchemy. In her previous life, Xiao Han had been a respected high-level alchemist. Moreover, compared to the fire attribute, the lightning attribute, which could purify bloodlines, was clearly more capable of purifying and even upgrading medicinal ingredients.

Gu Xun’er and Ling Ying looked at each other in bewilderment. In their education, only those with fire attributes, and some with wood attributes, could become alchemists. This was the first time they had heard of lightning attribute alchemists.

“Master, may I ask, what level of alchemist are you?” Gu Xun’er suppressed her surprise and asked politely.

In the Dou Qi Continent, although alchemists were rare, due to their esteemed status, they had a clear ranking system. From low to high, they were divided into levels one to nine.

Xiao Han stroked her chin and said: “Seventh grade.”

Indeed, in these ten years, Xiao Han had not only resumed her old profession of alchemy, but she had also gone to the Alchemist Association to obtain a seventh grade alchemist badge. However, her alchemy skills far exceeded seventh grade. After all, the Nine Heavens Thunder Technique was far superior to the top techniques of this world, and the alchemy skills it contained were incomparable to the alchemy techniques learned by ordinary alchemists.

As for why she only tested for seventh grade, it was because when she took the seventh grade alchemist test, her own cultivation could only support the creation of seventh grade pills.

System: My host is truly not a normal person. Whether you believe it or not, I certainly do.

Gu Xun’er’s eyes immediately lit up: “Master, can I become an alchemist too?”

Xiao Han nodded. Gu Xun’er’s attributes included the wood attribute, but it was too minimal and suppressed by the Golden Emperor Skyscorching Flame, giving the illusion that she was purely of the fire attribute. To be honest, if the system hadn’t mentioned it, Xiao Han wouldn’t have noticed those traces of wood attribute in her body.

“The day after tomorrow at dawn, wait for me at the back mountain,” With these words, Xiao Han was about to leave, but Gu Xun’er called out to stop her.

“Master, I have a friend. Could you possibly take her as a disciple too?” Gu Xun’er asked.

Xiao Han was surprised, not expecting Gu Xun’er to have a friend, let alone one important enough to make her ask for them to be taken as a disciple.

It couldn’t be Xiao Yan, could it? Xiao Han immediately became wary, but her tone remained calm: “Who?”

Seeing that Xiao Han hadn’t outright refused, Gu Xun’er secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She considered for a moment before saying carefully: “Her name is Xiao Han. She’s a member of the Xiao family, and she has the lightning attribute like you, Master.”

Xiao Han: “…”

System: [… Oh, this damned socialist sisterhood.]

Xiao Han nearly lost her balance. In an instant, she had imagined countless scenarios, but she never anticipated that the person Gu Xun’er wanted to recommend was herself.

Actually, Gu Xun’er hadn’t thought too deeply about it. She just felt that Xiao Han wasn’t as simple as she appeared on the surface. Plus, Xiao Han often helped her without asking for anything in return and was unwilling to become friends. This made Young Miss Gu feel uncomfortable, so she could only find another way to repay the kindness.

Moreover, Young Miss Gu was quite looking forward to becoming fellow disciples with that taciturn, nominal elder cousin. For some reason, every time she saw the other’s expressionless little face and those eyes as deep and unfathomable as an ancient well, she felt the urge to tease her a bit.

Xiao Han instinctively rejected the proposal: “Not possible.”

What kind of ridiculous operation would it be to take herself as a disciple?! And if she really agreed, how would she handle the situation?!

Gu Xun’er was surprised by Xiao Han’s decisiveness. At the beginning, she hadn’t so resolutely expressed that she wouldn’t take other disciples.

System: [Host, you’re a bit out of character. Don’t forget that you’re currently playing the role of a profound and mysterious expert.]

Xiao Han coughed, also feeling that her reaction just now had been a bit too intense. After all, she had been trying so hard to distance herself from the female lead, why were they entangling again?

No, no, no, shouldn’t the focus be on why Gu Xun’er was trying so hard to secure such a good opportunity for someone she wasn’t that familiar with?

Xiao Han steadied herself and asked: “Why recommend her? If I’m not mistaken, your relationship isn’t particularly good, is it?”

Gu Xun’er shook her head, thought for a moment, and replied: “How should I put it… Because Cousin Xiao Han often helps me, and it’s the kind of help without any ulterior motives. Although she might think she’s hidden it well, I’ve actually seen it all. Father often teaches me to reciprocate kindness and to treat those who are genuinely good to me with sincerity. But for some reason, Cousin Xiao Han doesn’t seem willing to interact with me much, so…”

Gu Xun’er didn’t know what kind of turmoil her words had caused in Xiao Han’s heart. She never imagined that all her help had been discovered by this little girl?! And had left such a deep impression on her?!

The system sent an expression of deep suffering and spoke in a very low voice: [Host… it seems you’ve made a misstep.]

Xiao Han: “…”

This misstep was completely unexpected.

“Moreover, I feel that Cousin Xiao Han isn’t as simple as she appears on the surface. I always felt that her talent should be more than what she’s shown,” Finally, Gu Xun’er made a concluding statement, “So, Master, won’t you reconsider?”

Xiao Han: “…”

How could she reconsider?!

But if she didn’t agree, who knows what unreliable methods this little girl might come up with to “repay” her “kindness.” The days of being pestered by her would only increase, which could affect many of her plans.

Just thinking about it gave Xiao Han a headache.

[How about you just make up some reason, Host?] the system weakly suggested.

Xiao Han also wanted to make up a reason, but she was afraid that this reason might have an indelible impact on her future plans.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, Xiao Han came up with a plan. She said slowly: “Not possible, because Xiao Han is already my senior disciple, which means she’s your senior sister disciple.”

The system was shocked.

Gu Xun’er was also surprised.

Xiao Han continued: “So you don’t need to plead for her.”

[Host, why did you suddenly say this?] The system felt that its newly upgraded chip might not be sufficient; it couldn’t understand Xiao Han’s thinking at all.

[If I remember correctly, a considerable part of the future plot takes place at Jia Nan Academy. At that time, the identity of Han Xiao might not be convenient for taking action, so I’ll need the identity of Xiao Han to help. Therefore, establishing a good relationship between Xiao Han and Gu Xun’er early on will also be beneficial for my future plans,] Xiao Han explained.

The system let out a “wow,” sometimes truly wondering how Xiao Han’s brain worked.

“Xiao Han is a bit reclusive in nature, but she has unique insights on some matters. You can interact with her more,” Xiao Han said. “I’ll also inform her about taking you as a disciple. However, since your cultivation methods and directions are different, I won’t be teaching you together.”

This way, she avoided raising Gu Xun’er’s suspicions in the future.

Seeing Gu Xun’er’s still surprised expression, Xiao Han unusually felt a bit mischievous and said: “Remember to call her Senior Sister Xiao Han in private.”

Having teased Gu Xun’er, Xiao Han left in a very good mood. She had no idea that the decision she made today would lay such a big trap for her future.