Engagement

After obtaining his second soul ring, Ji Lin once again plunged into an endless life of cultivation.

On the Douluo Continent, the strong were revered. Without strength, one could accomplish nothing. Moreover, Ji Lin possessed an ultimate attribute, which meant his cultivation would inevitably slow after level 30, so he trained exceptionally hard.

He even set aside his plans to study Soul Tools, focusing entirely on increasing his cultivation and tempering his body.

Xu Jiujiu often called him a cultivation maniac. Whenever she had the chance, she would forcibly drag him out to stroll through the streets and go shopping.

He knew Xu Jiujiu was afraid he was putting too much pressure on himself and would train himself into an idiot. Whenever Xu Jiujiu came looking for him, he never refused, always making time to accompany her.

As time passed, their relationship grew even closer. Once, Xu Jiawei jokingly teased them, saying that once Ji Lin grew a little older, he ought to start calling him brother-in-law. Xu Jiujiu was so embarrassed that she did not come to play with Ji Lin for several days.

After that joke, Xu Jiawei also saw certain things clearly. Before long, he sought out Chi Yuan and made a request.

"Your Excellency Chi Yuan, I would like Ji Lin and Jiujiu to enter into an engagement. Once Ji Lin graduates from Shrek Academy, they can formally marry. What do you think?"

Chi Yuan was not particularly surprised upon hearing this. She had long seen through Xu Jiawei's intentions. Otherwise, why would Xu Jiujiu, a dignified princess of the Star Luo Empire, be inseparable from Ji Lin every day, so intimate with him? Yet Xu Jiawei had never intended to interfere.

Ji Lin's talent was astonishing. Not only was he an ultimate-attribute soul master, but a few days ago, he had officially broken through to become a level-30 quasi-Soul Elder.

On top of that, he had a teacher like Chi Yuan behind him, whose strength was unfathomable.

Therefore, in order to completely bind Ji Lin to the Star Luo Empire's war chariot, Xu Jiawei not only provided him with cultivation resources and knowledge, but also wished to take things a step further and become family with him.

Furthermore, Xu Jiujiu had always been close to Ji Lin. Xu Jiawei was not randomly pairing them up, but bringing about a happy match. As for their age difference, it was not an issue in their eyes. Titled Douluo had lifespans of at least several centuries, and he was confident that both of them would become Titled Douluo in the future. A difference of a few years was nothing.

"This is something the two of them should decide for themselves. I respect A'Lin's decision," Chi Yuan said, shaking her head.

Ji Lin was not opposed to an engagement with Xu Jiujiu. She was beautiful, sweet-voiced, and had a great figure, not to mention her noble status. They had grown up together as childhood sweethearts, and she was utterly accommodating toward him. Who could refuse that?

As for Xu Jiujiu, she had even less objection. She had practically watched Ji Lin grow up. With his white hair, blue eyes, and handsome face, Ji Lin perfectly matched her tastes. Coupled with his unparalleled cultivation talent and their long years together, Xu Jiujiu had long since fallen for him.

And from her position as a princess of the Star Luo Empire, she could win over a top-tier genius for the imperial family while also liking him herself. She had no reason to refuse.

Very soon, Xu Jiawei held an engagement ceremony for Ji Lin and Xu Jiujiu. It was not conducted with great fanfare or made known to everyone. After all, this was merely an engagement, not a formal marriage. Only a small number of imperial nobles and the Titled Douluo of the Worship Hall were invited.

It was worth mentioning that Duke White Tiger Dai Hao, who was qualified to attend the engagement ceremony, did not come because he was stationed at the western border of the Star Luo Empire, where it bordered the Sun Moon Empire. He could not get away.

The one who came in Dai Hao's place was the Duchess of the ducal residence. In the original novel from his previous life, this Duchess was said to be the Star Luo Emperor's most favored youngest daughter. Ji Lin could only think, Did I read a pirated version of Douluo Continent?

Ji Lin had met Xu Jiawei's youngest daughter. She was a little blonde girl even younger than him, named Xu Yun.

She had also awakened the Star Crown Martial Soul, becoming the third person to possess it after Xu Jiawei and Xu Jiujiu.

The engagement ceremony did not last long. Its purpose was simply to introduce Ji Lin and his teacher, Chi Yuan Douluo, to the imperial nobility, so that no blind fool would offend the master and disciple in the future. It also allowed Ji Lin to meet the empire's most prominent nobles and build connections.

After the banquet ended, Ji Lin and Xu Jiujiu returned to Ji Lin's room. Seeing Xu Jiujiu take off her shoes and kneel on the bed, Ji Lin's eyes lit up.

Noticing Ji Lin's gaze, Xu Jiujiu gave a sly smile. Since she knew him so well, she naturally understood what he was thinking. She stretched out her little hand and patted her black-stockinged thighs in front of her, looking utterly seductive. "Want it? Then say it. 'Princess, please let me rest my head on your lap.'"

"Princess, please let me rest my head on your lap." Ji Lin had no integrity whatsoever before Xu Jiujiu. What was integrity? Could it compare to the sweetness of a lap pillow?

After saying that, Ji Lin eagerly removed his shoes and climbed onto the bed, resting his head on Xu Jiujiu's black-stockinged thighs with a blissful expression.

"So soft, (╯▽╰) so fragrant~~"

Feeling Ji Lin rub his cheek against her thighs and the warm breath he exhaled, Xu Jiujiu's pretty face reddened slightly. She hurriedly reached out and held his head in place, stopping him from moving around. Lowering her head to gaze into Ji Lin's sapphire-like eyes, Xu Jiujiu gradually became entranced.

The atmosphere gradually turned ambiguous. Xu Jiujiu lowered her head slightly, looked into Ji Lin's eyes, pressed her red lips together, then bent down and gently pressed them against his.

Ji Lin subconsciously stuck out his tongue and licked her lips, startling Xu Jiujiu into jerking her head up like a frightened fawn.

So soft, so sweet, so wonderful. Ji Lin was lost in the aftertaste for a moment. He would never forget that feeling for the rest of his life.

He had remained a virgin until his death in his previous life and had never even held a girl's hand. When had he ever experienced such a wonderful sensation?

Startled, Xu Jiujiu pushed Ji Lin away, put on her shoes with her face completely red, and bolted away, leaving behind only one sentence. "It's getting late. Get some rest early. I'll come see you again tomorrow."

Then she pushed open the door and vanished.

Only after leaving that tender embrace did Ji Lin come back to his senses. "Wait—" He had barely spoken when Xu Jiujiu's figure had already disappeared.

"Fuck!" Ji Lin clutched his head in frustration, so regretful his intestines turned green.

Such a perfect opportunity had slipped away. Even if they could not go all the way because of their age, he could at least have had something less intense!

Ji Lin rolled around irritably on the bed and wailed, "Damn it, Xu Jiujiu, you can't just light the fire and leave me to deal with it!"

"Hah, one day or another, I'm going to claim you, you little vixen, and make you take responsibility after lighting that fire."

Ji Lin let out a long breath and straightened his back, delivering his threat viciously.

After making his threat, Ji Lin touched his lips and savored the feeling from earlier once more. "Hehehe, so soft, so sweet."

His foolish grin made Chi Yuan, who was peeking from next door with her Mental Power, twitch at the corner of her eye, her expression utterly strange.

She refused to admit that this embarrassing fool was her disciple.

With mixed feelings, Chi Yuan lightly touched her lips with a finger, her face filled with confusion. Was that sort of thing really so pleasant?

Leaving aside the confused Chi Yuan and the foolishly grinning Ji Lin.

After returning to her room, Xu Jiujiu quickly shut the door, kicked off her shoes, and threw herself onto her soft pink bed, burying her flushed little face in her pillow.

"Ahhhh! What am I even doing, Xu Jiujiu? Xu Jiujiu, you went too far."

Our Princess Jiujiu remained completely unaware that she had lit the fire and left him to deal with it.