Frosty Snow Step

"An Earth Tier Dou Technique? You're giving it to me just like that?"

Taking the Dou Technique, Xiao Shuang was somewhat surprised. He had never cultivated a Dou Technique of this level before.

"This Dou Technique is yours now. What does it have to do with me?" Xiao Yan said with a smile.

"By the way, what grade is the cultivation method you're practicing?" Xiao Yan suddenly seemed to think of something, looking somewhat annoyed. He should have asked for a cultivation method first. If he had a high-grade one, Xiao Shuang's cultivation would surely go much more smoothly.

"Mysterious Tier High-grade. The Royal Family gave it to me," Xiao Shuang replied without concealing anything.

"Then never mind. I probably can't get anything better." Xiao Yan looked a little dejected. Just moments ago, Old Yao had secretly told him that he could only provide an Mysterious Tier Mid-grade ice-attribute cultivation method...

What a pity. It would have been great if he could provide Xiao Shuang with a higher-grade cultivation method. Thinking of this, Xiao Yan shook his head at his own greed.

After Xiao Shuang put away the Dou Technique, Xiao Yan asked, "By the way, are you going to take part in Jia Nan Academy's recruitment?"

Xiao Shuang nodded. "Yes. I'll participate in the recruitment in a few days. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll go to Jia Nan Academy to cultivate for a few years."

"Really? With your current strength, getting into Jia Nan Academy would be more than easy. What a pity—I really want to go with you!" Xiao Yan sounded helpless. Unfortunately, his current strength was nowhere near enough to enter Jia Nan Academy.

Xiao Shuang smiled and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Don't worry. With this Earth Tier Dou Technique of yours, I'll definitely make a name for myself at Jia Nan Academy. When you get there, I'll be able to look after you."

"Hehe, I'll wait for that day." Xiao Yan scratched his head, not looking mature in the slightest.

In truth, he very much wanted to go to Jia Nan Academy with Xiao Shuang. But he still had the Three-Year Pact hanging over him, so he could only follow his teacher and cultivate first.

He would grow stronger. When that day came, he would be able to protect Xiao Shuang, just as Xiao Shuang had once stood in front of him.

"Alright, I should head back too."

Having handed over the Dou Technique, Xiao Yan had nothing else to do. After casually chatting for a few more moments, he said his farewell. His time was tight, after all, with the Three-Year Pact weighing on him.

Xiao Shuang put the Dou Technique into his storage ring. He had other matters to attend to as well, such as getting cultivation resources from Xun'er...

He would be taking part in the recruitment in a few days. How could he do that without adequately preparing cultivation resources?

As though taking a stroll, Xiao Shuang slowly made his way up the Xiao Family's back mountain, then entered his little cave. The stone platform was still there, unchanged in every way.

Sitting cross-legged on the stone platform, Xiao Shuang felt its familiar chill and thought of Yaoye again. It was here that the two of them had first met.

Thinking back on it now, it really was quite interesting. At the very least, it had added a good deal of amusement to his dull life.

After reminiscing for a while, Xiao Shuang took out that Earth Tier Dou Technique.

"Earth Tier Low-grade: Frosty Snow Step!"

It was actually a Movement Dou Technique? Xiao Shuang raised an eyebrow, drew a deep breath, and opened the scroll.

Once mastered, one could leave no trace upon snow. Even a Dou Wang could walk through the air!

"This really is a fine thing." Xiao Shuang sighed in admiration before stuffing the Dou Technique into his storage ring.

Though this Dou Technique was powerful, it was also difficult to cultivate. He still needed to make some preparations.

After sitting for a while, just as Xiao Shuang had expected, Xun'er arrived with Ling Ying.

"Hehe, have all those medicinal ingredients been prepared?"

Seeing Xun'er arrive, Xiao Shuang opened his eyes and smiled.

Xun'er shrugged, removed the storage ring from her hand, and tossed it to Xiao Shuang.

"They're all in there. Check for yourself."

"Mm, there's no need to check. I trust you quite a bit." Xiao Shuang accepted the storage ring and put it directly on his finger. Then he looked up at Xun'er. "After all, our cooperative relationship still needs these medicinal ingredients to be maintained, doesn't it?"

"Of course. These medicinal ingredients are enough to last you for quite some time. Or are you dissatisfied with them?" Xun'er frowned. She could not quite grasp Xiao Shuang's meaning.

"How could I be? I simply feel that Xun'er might be hiding something from me." Xiao Shuang's tone was gentle, but the smile in his eyes carried a trace of coldness.

"After my Extreme Cold Physique awakened, I'm afraid I don't dare trust others so easily anymore."

"Or perhaps you haven't hidden anything from me—you're simply plotting against me?"

Ling Ying's expression changed at once, and he directly stepped in front of Xun'er.

The combat strength of an Extreme Cold Physique was an unknown factor. Moreover, after using so many of the young lady's ice-attribute medicinal ingredients, he could not be certain what Xiao Shuang's upper limit was.

"Hah? Elder Ling, why are you nervous? I'm only a little Dou Master. You could kill me with a flick of your hand."

Xiao Shuang rose from the stone platform. Perhaps Ling Ying's guarded stance amused him, for he even laughed.

Ling Ying gave a bitter smile. "You can't be judged by ordinary standards now. Still, I hope you can calm down."

Xun'er also drew a deep breath. Xiao Shuang's open confrontation had caught her somewhat off guard. Perhaps the records in the ancient texts had been wrong—this Extreme Cold Physique was rather unusual.

"That's right. I was indeed at fault."

There was a trace of forced composure in her voice. Xun'er was not entirely certain what to do either. If Xiao Shuang turned hostile, it would truly be difficult to handle. She was not even sure which side Brother Xiao Yan would take. After all, Xiao Mei had been pushed out only because of her own stupidity, while Xiao Shuang...

"I only wanted to make things clear. After all, being plotted against can't feel good." Xiao Shuang changed his tone, and his smile gained a measure of sincerity. "But Xun'er has provided me with so many resources, so I won't blame you. Of course, only this once."

"After all, a cooperative relationship requires honesty, doesn't it?"

Once she understood Xiao Shuang's meaning, Xun'er smiled helplessly. This Extreme Cold Physique truly was not so easy to control. She had truly brought this upon herself.

"I understand. Only this once."

Ling Ying looked somewhat surprised at the smiling Xun'er, but he said nothing, dutifully serving as background scenery.

"Then that's good. I'll be leaving first. I believe that one day in the future, Little Yanzi will surely be moved by your painstaking intentions."

"Whether or not it was the result of your schemes, I still trust you quite a bit. When the day comes that Little Yanzi faces the force behind you, I will definitely stand with him."

Xiao Shuang clasped his hands behind his head and walked out of the cave with an indifferent expression, slowly leaving the Xiao Family's back mountain.

After Xiao Shuang left, only Xun'er and Ling Ying remained in the cave.

After hesitating for a moment, Ling Ying bowed and said, "Young Lady, what should we do now? Should I go..."

"What would you go do? I was the one who plotted against Xiao Shuang first. What he did wasn't excessive." Xun'er's little face turned cold, then shifted into a helpless smile.

"Forget it. It was my problem too. If I had treated him sincerely, perhaps this issue would never have arisen."

Xun'er also felt some regret, but since it had already happened, she had no intention of making amends. It was enough for her to maintain a cooperative relationship with Xiao Shuang.

She had a feeling that one day in the future, Brother Xiao Yan would surely be troubled by members of the Ancient Clan. At that time, with Xiao Shuang's help, Brother Xiao Yan's burden would certainly be greatly reduced.