Sending Ling Ying Away

Xiao Cang froze. He had not expected Xun'er to suddenly say such a thing.

Yet after saying those words, Xun'er's gaze abruptly turned resolute.

"Brother Xiao Cang, take Xun'er. Let Xun'er completely become yours."

"That way, Xun'er won't have to worry that you won't want her anymore."

Xun'er spoke with earnest anticipation.

Looking into Xun'er's eyes, Xiao Cang understood her worries.

At present, it seemed the only way to comfort Xun'er was to do as she said and take her.

But...

Xiao Cang had his own concerns as well.

"What's wrong, Brother Xiao Cang? Do you dislike Xun'er? Were the things you just said all lies to deceive Xun'er?"

Seeing Xiao Cang's hesitant expression, Xun'er's lovely face immediately filled with sorrow.

"No, Xun'er."

"Taking you... isn't impossible. But would Ling Ying agree to it?"

"Though he is only your guard and has no right to interfere with any decision you make, he definitely won't stand by and ignore something this major."

Xiao Cang voiced the reason for his hesitation.

Although he did not fear Ling Ying, Ling Ying was a member of the Gu Clan and surely possessed a way to contact them.

If Ling Ying reported this matter to the Gu Clan, and Gu Yuan learned that not only had his precious daughter failed to obtain the Xiao Family's fragment of the Tou She Ancient God Jade, but had instead given herself to a descendant of the fallen Xiao Clan, how could that possibly end well?

In Gu Yuan's fury, the entire Jia Ma Empire—even the Northwest Corner of the continent—might be destroyed.

With his current Battle King cultivation, he could not yet bear such consequences.

"Uncle Ying..."

Xun'er's delicate brows immediately furrowed. She knew Xiao Cang's concerns were not unfounded.

When she had learned some time ago that Xiao Cang was getting married and cried for days, Ling Ying had wanted to report the matter to the Gu Clan.

Fortunately, she had stopped him in time.

Otherwise, her father might have already dispatched Dou Zong or even Dou Zun experts to hold Xiao Cang accountable, perhaps even taking her back to the Gu Clan.

And although Ling Ying had listened to her and not informed the Gu Clan of that matter, it did not mean he would conceal everything from them on Xun'er's behalf.

At the very least, he would certainly not keep quiet about her wanting to give herself to Xiao Cang.

"In that case, we'll send Uncle Ying away."

Xun'er lightly bit her soft lips.

Since she had already made up her mind to give herself to Xiao Cang today, she had to put it into action.

Otherwise, her heart would not be at peace.

She pushed open the door, walked into the courtyard, and softly called, "Uncle Ying, come out and see me."

A few blinks later, an inconspicuous shadow swept over from the horizon.

"Miss Xun'er."

Ling Ying appeared before Xun'er.

He stood tall and straight, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, radiating a formidable heroic air.

At the same time, he glanced toward Xiao Cang inside the room.

"Ling Ying."

Xiao Cang smiled at Ling Ying.

"Miss Xun'er, why have you been crying? Did this brat fail to give you a satisfactory explanation and make you even sadder?"

Ling Ying frowned, and the atmosphere instantly turned murderous.

"Uncle Ying, you've misunderstood. The matter between Brother Xiao Cang and me has been resolved. I called you out for something else," Xun'er hurriedly said.

"What is it?"

Only then did Ling Ying's brows relax.

"Brother Xiao Cang just said he wanted to refine a medicinal pill for me. Could I trouble Uncle Ying to hunt a wood-attributed Fourth-tier Monster Beast and a fire-attributed Fourth-tier Monster Beast in the Monster Beast Mountain Range? Refining the medicine requires these two Demonic Cores," Xun'er said.

"This... Hunting Fourth-tier Monster Beasts isn't a problem, but the Monster Beast Mountain Range is quite far from Wutan City. A round trip would take at least four days. What about Miss Xun'er's safety during that time? Let me see whether I have Demonic Cores like those with me."

Ling Ying looked hesitant, then began checking his Storage Ring.

"Miss Xun'er, would Demonic Cores from Fifth-tier Monster Beasts work?"

Ling Ying looked embarrassed. As an Eight-star Battle Emperor, ordinary Fourth-tier Monster Beast Demonic Cores were useless to him, so naturally he did not carry any.

"No. With Fifth-tier Demonic Cores, Xun'er's current strength won't be able to withstand them."

Xun'er shook her head, then comforted him:

"Uncle Ying, there's no need to worry. Have you forgotten? Brother Xiao Cang is a Dou Wang now. With him here, who could possibly hurt Xun'er?"

"That's true... A Dou Wang is more than enough to ensure your safety, Miss Xun'er. Very well, I'll make a trip to the Monster Beast Mountain Range on your behalf." After a moment of silence, Ling Ying nodded.

"Thank you, Uncle Ying!"

Xun'er beamed with delight.

"Why be so polite, Miss? I'll be on my way."

With that, Ling Ying pushed off with the tip of his foot, spread his Dou Qi Wings, and swiftly departed.

Watching Ling Ying leave, Xun'er's joy deepened.

She returned to the room and closed the door. Blushing shyly, she said to Xiao Cang, "Brother Xiao Cang, Uncle Ying has left. Even if he travels at full speed, it will take him at least four days to return from the Monster Beast Mountain Range."

Seeing her like this, Xiao Cang could not help but laugh.

Was this girl really so eager to offer herself to him?

He could not resist stepping forward and studying Xun'er's exquisite face up close.

Xun'er's pretty face was flawless, her beautiful eyes lively, her lashes fluttering softly. Her nose was exquisitely high and delicate, and every feature was perfectly refined.

Anyone who looked at her once would be unable to resist looking again.

Moreover, Xun'er's cheeks were flushed at this moment, and affection flowed through her beautiful eyes. Having spoken of offering her body to him, merely meeting Xiao Cang's gaze at such close range made her breathing grow hurried.

At once, the atmosphere in the room turned intimate and alluring.

Standing by the door, Xun'er did not know where to place her hands. She could only keep nervously twisting the purple sash before her.

Xiao Cang understood that since Xun'er had already said this much, it was time for him to break through that final barrier himself.

He stepped forward, gently drew Xun'er into his embrace, and whispered softly into her ear:

"Xun'er, have you really thought this through?"

"Mm."

Xun'er lightly bit her thin lip, her cheeks crimson as she nodded heavily.

The moment her soft voice fell, Xiao Cang lifted her chin.

Thump!

Thump!

Their eyes met, and Xun'er's heartbeat quickened rapidly.

She had never felt so nervous and uneasy, yet so expectant.

The sight made Xiao Cang's heart stir.

At this moment, Xun'er perhaps had not even noticed it herself, but the way she looked at Xiao Cang was filled with burning love, almost tangible.

By then, Xiao Cang had completely confirmed Xun'er's feelings. He no longer hesitated, lowering his head to press a light kiss to her lips.

Their blazing affection burned between them like fire.

Xun'er rose lightly onto her toes, her pair of snow-white arms wrapping around Xiao Cang's neck of their own accord.

Elsewhere.

On the road from Wutan City to the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

Ling Ying transformed into a shadow and sped toward the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

"That brat Xiao Cang at least has some sense. He even knew to refine pills for Miss Xun'er."

A satisfied look flashed across Ling Ying's face.

In his view, this was the only decent thing Xiao Cang had ever done.

But he did not know that not long after he left...

The Gu Clan's Proud Daughter of Heaven whom he had been ordered to protect, the cherished jewel in Clan Chief Gu Yuan's hand.