The Royal Family's Foundation

"If I reached the Dou Wang realm, I would be qualified to marry Miss Yaoye, right?" Xiao Shuang's expression was solemn, as though he had already decided that he would become a Dou Wang within ten years.

A Dou Wang before the age of twenty—just how high could his future achievements reach? The mere thought made Jia Xingtian's scalp tingle, though he still gave a cold snort.

"Hmph. If things truly turn out as you say, then you will only be twenty in ten years. A twenty-year-old Dou Wang would be honored wherever he went across the continent. What reason would I have to oppose your marriage agreement?"

However, Jia Xingtian's tone shifted. "This old man has never seen a twenty-year-old Dou Wang. So what if your talent is exceptional? Who can guarantee that you will break through to Dou Wang in ten years? If you fail, would you not be delaying Yaoye?"

"Yes, turning talent into actual strength is indeed difficult. I cannot give you a definite answer on that." Xiao Shuang helplessly spread his hands. There was nothing wrong with Jia Xingtian's words. There were countless geniuses, but how many of them truly became powerhouses? He really had nothing to prove that he could break through to Dou Wang in ten years.

Seeing the tension between the two men, Yaoye was equally helpless. After pondering for a moment, she lightly brushed her Storage Ring with her finger, and two scrolls appeared in her hands.

"If you are willing, I will naturally respond in kind. As for Great-Grandfather's concern about turning talent into strength..." Yaoye placed a scroll in each of Xiao Shuang's hands and said earnestly, "I can invest in your talent. This is a Mysterious Tier High-grade Ice Attribute cultivation method, along with a matching Mysterious Tier Mid-grade Dou Technique!"

"I believe in your talent, but the resources the Xiao Family can provide you are limited. I can resolve that problem for you. What do you say?"

Jia Xingtian opened his mouth, but no words came out. He could see it now—the future Empress of the Jia Ma Empire had fallen for him.

"Thank you for your kindness, Princess Yaoye, but I..." Xiao Shuang had yet to finish when Yaoye interrupted him. She gave a light laugh, then sat atop the stone platform. Her pair of slender jade-like legs swayed gently, tracing enticing curves through the air.

"Do not think about refusing. This is also my investment. I agree to this marriage agreement. No matter what anyone else says, it will not affect my decision."

"Besides, how could my fiancé go without good cultivation methods and Dou Techniques? I only need you to promise me one thing."

After saying that, Yaoye raised her head and quietly waited for Xiao Shuang's answer.

"I agree. I already said before that as long as it does not harm the Xiao Family, I will agree to it. Besides, given Miss Yaoye's status, surely you would not stoop to making things difficult for the Xiao Family?" Xiao Shuang naturally sat beside Yaoye, paying no attention to Jia Xingtian glaring furiously nearby.

"Mm, good!" Yaoye fixed her gaze on Xiao Shuang, and this time, she spoke without the slightest hesitation.

"I am the Grand Princess of the Royal Family, the future Empress of the Jia Ma Empire. Even so, do you still wish to enter into a marriage agreement with me?"

"Of course. Xiao has said it before: within ten years, I will definitely break through to Dou Wang. When that time comes, I will naturally bring the betrothal gifts and fulfill our marriage agreement."

Xiao Shuang's answer greatly pleased Yaoye. She nodded, then removed the Jade Pendant hanging around her neck.

Xiao Shuang only felt a fragrant breeze brush past him, and the Jade Pendant was suddenly around his neck.

The Jade Pendant still carried Yaoye's warmth. Although it was a style usually worn by girls, it did not seem out of place on Xiao Shuang at all.

"I have worn this Jade Pendant since I was young. I am giving it to you now as a token of affection between us. Whether or not you break through to Dou Wang within ten years, you will still be my husband, Yaoye's husband!"

As though bewitched, Yaoye had originally only intended to make contact with the talented Xiao Family member who had no marriage agreement. Even if she wished to show goodwill and win him over, she had merely planned to give him a Mysterious Tier Low-grade cultivation method. Selling herself along with it had been entirely unexpected.

Yet she did not regret it. The moment she met Xiao Shuang, she had felt an inexplicable impulse. That was why someone as calm as her had done something so irrational.

"I will not let Miss Yaoye down." Xiao Shuang carefully tucked the Jade Pendant beneath his clothes, then smiled somewhat awkwardly. "Unfortunately, Xiao does not have any valuable item to give in return. I am truly ashamed."

"Hehe, it is nothing. Let us leave things here for today. Great-Grandfather and I will be staying in Wutan City for a few more days, so there is no need to rush anything."

Yaoye waved her hand, then took a small jade bottle from her Storage Ring.

"There is a Qi Gathering Powder inside. I need not explain its effects, right?"

Xiao Shuang naturally understood the effects of Qi Gathering Powder. He took a deep breath, then cupped his hands toward Yaoye. "I, Xiao Shuang, am not an ungrateful man. I will repay today's kindness a hundredfold in the future!"

No matter what Yaoye and Jia Xingtian's intentions were, Xiao Shuang knew one thing: they had truly given him help. These cultivation methods and Dou Techniques were precisely what he lacked. Yaoye's actions were no different from sending charcoal in the snow.

"There is just one matter Xiao does not understand."

After hesitating again and again, Xiao Shuang still decided to speak plainly.

"Go ahead. If you wish to know, I will answer you." Yaoye was very understanding. She looked gently at Xiao Shuang, though her eyes held a strong possessiveness.

"Why... me?"

That was right. Why Xiao Shuang? Was he truly worth such treatment from the future Empress of the Jia Ma Empire?

"Because you are handsome." Yaoye answered immediately, then seemed to feel that it was inappropriate and added another reason.

"Also, as a Princess of the Royal Family and the future Empress of the Jia Ma Empire, I cannot accept other women appearing around you."

"Haha... hahaha, Princess Yaoye is quite interesting." Hearing that, Xiao Shuang laughed several times. Then his expression turned serious, and his voice became solemn as well.

"I, Xiao Shuang, am not a fickle man. Princess, please rest assured of that."

Without an all-knowing perspective, the strongest person in the Xiao Family was only a Da Dou Shi. As the rulers of the Jia Ma Empire, the Royal Family made Xiao Shuang's marriage to Princess Yaoye an undeniably lofty match.

Thus, Princess Yaoye's words were not unreasonable. Put himself in her shoes—if the partner she had poured resources into cultivating went off to find other women, what kind of joke would that be?

Seeing Xiao Shuang agree without hesitation, Yaoye could not help but nod. She had given so much, not to make a wedding dress for someone else.

No matter what happened in the future, Xiao Shuang could only belong to her. Of course, at this moment, Yaoye also harbored a terrifying thought.

If Xiao Shuang betrayed her, she would ask Great-Grandfather to act and lock that little bird with broken wings in a cage forever!