Elder Jia

"Elder Jia." Xiao Shuang did not stand on ceremony. He immediately rose to his feet and bowed.

It seemed Jia Xingtian had been watching him all along. If there had been any chance of him posing a threat to Yaoye, he would probably have experienced the methods of a Dou Huang expert.

Though he thought this to himself, Xiao Shuang kept his expression perfectly controlled. He moved the stool he had been sitting on over and wore a respectful expression.

Jia Xingtian did not say much. He simply sat down on the stool. After observing him for a short while, he found Xiao Shuang fairly satisfactory, so his demeanor naturally became more amiable.

"Tomorrow, I will formally bring Yaoye to the Xiao Family to arrange the marriage contract. I know your future is boundless." Jia Xingtian paused, then earnestly advised, "But when you become powerful, do not ever forget Yaoye. Otherwise, this old man will not let you off."

Xiao Shuang nodded. He was not an ungrateful person. Yaoye and the Royal Family had treated him with sincerity; if he repaid them with ingratitude, could he still be called human?

"Please rest assured, Elder Jia. I, Xiao Shuang, will never let down Princess Yaoye."

"Hmph. I can tell. No more of that. The storage ring Yaoye gave you is a fine thing. Drip a drop of blood on it, then leave a soul imprint, and you can use it."

Jia Xingtian glanced at the sleeping Yaoye, feeling rather helpless. This child was not usually so relaxed. Could it be that Xiao Shuang truly made her feel this safe?

"Thank you, Elder Jia." Xiao Shuang stroked the storage ring, then bit his finger and let a drop of blood fall directly onto it.

The storage ring emitted a faint blue glow. When Xiao Shuang's soul power touched the ring, he could sense that he had gained some control over it.

Although Xiao Shuang was still very weak and his soul power could not be used in battle, leaving a soul imprint on a storage ring was quite simple.

However, though this storage ring was precious, any Da Dou Shi could easily erase Xiao Shuang's soul imprint.

Jia Xingtian frowned, then rose from the stool and personally walked over to Xiao Shuang.

"Kid, hand me your storage ring first."

Hearing this, Xiao Shuang did not hesitate in the slightest. He directly removed the storage ring and placed it in Jia Xingtian's hand.

Jia Xingtian smacked his lips inwardly at Xiao Shuang's straightforward action. This kid really was rather likable...

Holding the storage ring in his hand, he wrapped it in pale yellow Dou Qi, while a small amount of soul power formed a layer of protection over it.

He tossed the ring back into Xiao Shuang's hand and said with a hint of pride, "This old man has added some protection to it. Unless they have the strength of a Peak Dou Huang or are an alchemist, no one can take this storage ring from you." At the same time, he silently added to himself that Peak Dou Huang experts and powerful alchemists would probably not think much of this storage ring anyway...

Putting the storage ring back on his finger, Xiao Shuang cupped his hands and said, "This junior thanks Elder Jia."

"It's nothing. I'll wake Yaoye after she sleeps a little longer. You do not mind, do you?" After saying this, Jia Xingtian closed his eyes. He seemed to have entered a cultivation state.

Xiao Shuang stood where he was. Yaoye had taken over the bed, and Jia Xingtian had taken the stool. Was he supposed to stand here the whole time?

However, his hesitation lasted only a few seconds before he naturally walked to the bedside. The instant he sat down, he sensed an aura lock onto him.

Hmph, I'm sitting down. You can't expect me to stand here the whole time, can you? As that aura locked onto him, Xiao Shuang could not help complaining inwardly. Then, ignoring Jia Xingtian, he sat directly beside Yaoye.

When Yaoye sensed someone sitting beside her, she did not wake. Instead, her jade feet kicked about, tossing the thin blanket covering her aside.

Xiao Shuang caught Yaoye's kicking foot and covered her with the thin blanket again. Whether she was pretending or putting on an act, Yaoye showed no sign of waking.

After settling Yaoye again, Xiao Shuang sat cross-legged by the bed, his hand unconsciously giving a squeeze. Mm, it felt quite nice...

Yet at some point, even the tips of Yaoye's ears had turned bright red.

Jia Xingtian had initially wanted to stop the kid from sitting beside Yaoye, but on second thought, the two were about to enter a marriage contract anyway, so he let them be.

Moreover, Yaoye was extremely cautious by nature. She would never allow anyone to approach while she was asleep...

Yet when this kid sat down, Yaoye's reaction had been minimal. Jia Xingtian could not help shaking his head as he thought, I really do not know how this kid managed it, making Yaoye treat him with such devotion.

Sitting cross-legged, Xiao Shuang naturally did not remain idle. Instead, he began absorbing Dou Qi. The speed of his absorption left even Jia Xingtian utterly astonished. Having lived so long, he had never seen anyone cultivate this quickly.

Simply put, Xiao Shuang absorbed Dou Qi several times faster than an ordinary person. Once he broke through to Dou Zhe and cultivated a high-level technique, he would likely leave those of his age far behind...

Furthermore, Jia Xingtian believed that the reason Xiao Shuang's cultivation speed was so extraordinary had to be related to his physique.

Some people might be born with special physiques like this, making cultivation twice as effective with half the effort. Such a gift favored by heaven could not be gained through envy alone. Unfortunately, with all his insight and experience, he truly could not see what was special about Xiao Shuang's physique...

His breathing reached a perfect balance, and the Ice Attribute Dou Qi in the air was absorbed into Xiao Shuang's body. Feeling the Dou Qi within him gradually increase, a faint smile appeared on Xiao Shuang's lips.

As his hand seals changed, Xiao Shuang's speed of absorbing Dou Qi gradually slowed. Being too eager for quick success was a great taboo.

When he opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance passed through Xiao Shuang's pale blue pupils. He then exhaled the stale air from his chest, ending his cultivation session.

By then, Yaoye had already awakened. Leaning against the pillow, she watched Xiao Shuang lazily, the corners of her lips slightly raised, looking exceptionally alluring.

Sensing Yaoye's gaze, Xiao Shuang chuckled, his tone carrying a trace of teasing. "Well? Have you seen enough, Princess Yaoye?"

Princess Yaoye was no ordinary person. How could a single sentence make her shy? She kicked away the thin blanket and lightly touched Xiao Shuang's back with the tip of her foot.

"Yes, and I am quite satisfied with what I saw. Now help me put on my shoes."

Xiao Shuang raised a brow, then jumped off the bed and picked up the shoes at the side, which looked both luxurious and expensive.

Yaoye naturally sat at the edge of the bed. At that moment, she looked just like a true Empress.

Before her shoes were even on, Yaoye grabbed Xiao Shuang by the collar and whispered into his ear, "How did it feel? Have you touched enough?"