Xun'er Was Truly Terrifying

"That would naturally be wonderful." Xiao Shuang tilted his head and whispered into Yaoye's ear as well. "To receive the Princess's favor is my honor. Thank you for your reward, Princess."

Yaoye's pretty face flushed red, and her body involuntarily leaned back slightly.

"You... don't spout nonsense!"

Seeing the Princess like this, Xiao Shuang inexplicably thought of a phrase: High offense, low defense?

Seeing how composed Princess Yaoye had seemed just now, he had thought she was formidable. So this was all there was to it?

At that moment, Jia Xingtian gave a light cough, making the two of them feel somewhat awkward.

"Elder Jia, I was merely helping Princess Yaoye put on her shoes. Don't read too much into it."

"Great-Grandfather, why are you coughing when nothing's wrong? You gave me a fright."

Their reactions were completely different. Hearing Yaoye's words, Jia Xingtian could only smile bitterly to himself. If he had not intervened, who knew how badly Yaoye would have been teased? That brat Xiao Shuang was no simple fellow...

But were ten-year-old children already this mature nowadays? Jia Xingtian once again felt that he was growing old.

Yaoye adjusted her clothes and regained her usual cool, elegant demeanor. She said to Xiao Shuang, "Great-Grandfather and I will be leaving first. Tomorrow, we will come to the Xiao Family to formally settle the marriage contract."

"Alright, I understand." Xiao Shuang stood and escorted Yaoye and Jia Xingtian to the door. As for Ping'er? She knew perfectly well what she was supposed to do: stay in the room and pretend she knew nothing.

After seeing Yaoye and Jia Xingtian off, Xiao Shuang returned to his room. Sitting on the bed, he felt as though he could still smell Yaoye's unique, delicate fragrance.

"Oh my, Brother Xiao Shuang, you certainly have good fortune with women!" The moment he sat down, he heard that voice. Xiao Shuang could only sigh helplessly and stand up again.

He had actually guessed who it was. That voice belonged to Xun'er. He had never expected himself to be under the watch of so many people.

Xiao Shuang glanced around but could not find where she was, so he could only call out, "Cousin Xun'er, what brings you here so late at night?"

Yes, by the time Yaoye and Jia Xingtian had left, it was already late at night. Normally, shouldn't people be asleep at this hour? Why did visitors keep coming to him one after another?

After a while, a patch of shadow by the wall wriggled a few times. Then Xun'er strode out of it with an elderly man dressed in black.

"Tsk, I knew you were no ordinary person."

Hearing Xiao Shuang's words, Xun'er maintained her smile and sat down on a stool as if nothing had happened. Then she said, "Brother Xiao Shuang, don't you want to learn about your own physique? Or do you not find your cultivation talent rather abnormal?"

Xiao Shuang sat back down on the bed and quietly observed the elderly man in black.

As if sensing Xiao Shuang's probing gaze, the elderly man in black gave a friendly smile and introduced himself. "My name is Ling Ying. Don't worry, the young lady means you no harm. There's no need to be nervous."

Xiao Shuang nodded, then turned his gaze back to Xun'er and said clearly, "What is strange about my physique? As for my cultivation talent, I don't think there is anything abnormal about it."

Xun'er toyed with a lock of her hair. Hearing Xiao Shuang's words, she smiled sweetly. "Is that so? But as far as I know, Brother Xiao Shuang can only absorb Dou Qi of the Ice Attribute, correct?"

"And once Brother Xiao Shuang breaks through and becomes a Dou Zhe, I suppose you will only be able to wield Ice Attribute Dou Qi as well?"

Xiao Shuang raised an eyebrow and spoke calmly. "Cousin Xun'er, that is not quite right. Even cultivation methods are divided by attributes. Is it not normal for people to have an affinity for a certain attribute?"

"Of course, Brother Xiao Shuang is right as well. Even I was quite surprised by your physique. How about having Elder Ling explain it to you?" Xun'er's tone was gentle, no different from usual, yet beneath that gentleness was something unquestionable.

"I would be glad to hear the details." Xiao Shuang's words represented his attitude: You are stronger, so I'll listen to you.

"Don't take offense. Xun'er merely wishes to tell you about the Extreme Cold Physique." Xun'er spread her hands cutely. Their relationship was still fairly good, and unless she had no other choice, she wanted to maintain this pleasant relationship.

However, that was only if there was no major conflict of interest between them. Otherwise, she would not mind getting rid of this genius who could one day shake the continent.

With only a little guidance, someone with the Extreme Cold Physique would become one of the continent's peak experts sooner or later. Even certain ancient clans could do nothing against a fully developed Extreme Cold Physique—though the Ancient Clan was not among them.

"Since the young lady has said so, let me explain." Ling Ying seemed to have fallen into reminiscence. Even the young lady did not know much about these matters. In the entire Ancient Clan, only one person knew of his past: the Ancient Clan's clan leader, Gu Yuan. He also obeyed only Gu Yuan, though now that included the young lady.

"My name is Ling Ying, and the attribute of the Dou Qi I cultivate is the Dark Attribute. Like the concealment method just now, no one but a Dark Attribute cultivator can use it."

"Let me add something. You should have heard of the Dark Race, correct?"

Xun'er had been prepared for this. Elder Ling had told her about it earlier, so she was not surprised now.

"The Dark Race in the south of the continent?" Xiao Shuang was greatly surprised. This was information he had not known. The Dark Race was shrouded in mystery.

Satisfied by Xiao Shuang's surprise, Ling Ying cleared his throat and continued, "The Dark Race is extremely exclusionary. Only a very small number of clansmen leave the race to travel the continent, such as myself."

"And I once read of your Extreme Cold Physique in ancient records."

"It is said that the Dou Qi produced by the Extreme Cold Physique can weaken Heavenly Flames. The best way to determine whether someone possesses the Extreme Cold Physique is to test them with a Heavenly Flame!" At this point, Ling Ying's gaze became somewhat heated. He had never seen the Extreme Cold Physique that had once shaken the continent tens of thousands of years ago, apart from the sparse records in ancient texts.

"Judging by the situation, Cousin Xun'er should already have a way to test my physique?" Xiao Shuang shrugged, looking entirely unconcerned.

"Yes. As long as Brother Xiao Shuang agrees, Xun'er can verify it for you right now." Xun'er's smile looked highly trustworthy, if one ignored the tiny wisp of golden flame in her hand.

Most importantly, an unawakened Extreme Cold Physique posed no threat to Xun'er whatsoever. In her view, it was merely Ice Attribute Dou Qi that was somewhat denser than usual.

Xiao Shuang extended his hand. Ice-blue Dou Qi swirled around his palm. Looking at the golden flame in Xun'er's hand, he could only smile bitterly. "Begin."

Xun'er's expression turned solemn. Controlling the Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame was still somewhat difficult for her, and she also had to make sure she did not injure Xiao Shuang. This posed an even greater test of her precision.

Looking at Xun'er before him, her current strength clearly far surpassed his own. She had probably used some kind of secret technique. Even so, Xiao Shuang sighed inwardly, Xun'er was truly terrifying.