Xiao Yu Learns a Hard Lesson

Yun Yun was clearly stunned. She stared blankly at me, and I responded with an honest smile. She was annoyed into laughter, shook her head lightly, and sank her mind into her Ring of Holding to begin selecting gifts.

I continued smiling honestly, then tilted my head and winked at the four members of the Xiao Family. Their reactions varied.

Just then, a series of footsteps came from inside the tent, and an old man emerged—it was Hai Bodong! My eyes lit up. How had I forgotten this Old Guy just now?

I stepped forward and came before Hai Bodong, about to speak. Unexpectedly, Hai Bodong spoke first. He casually glanced at me, waved a hand, and said lazily:

"Kid, cut it out. Let me tell you, this old man has nothing on him and can't produce any sort of greeting gift."

My expression stiffened, but I immediately revealed an even brighter smile and said with a chuckle, "Senior, listen to yourself. I, Nalan Ye, am a member of the Nalan Family. How could I possibly be the sort of person who covets petty advantages?"

Hai Bodong chuckled, gave me a disdainful look, then flicked his sleeve. He could not be bothered to say another word.

I secretly cursed the old rascal. It was just a greeting gift, yet he was reluctant to take one out. What a miser!

Yet I still wore a beaming smile as I pointed at Hai Bodong and said, "Meier, do you know who this senior is?"

Naturally, they did not. Confusion showed on their faces. I clapped my hands and said, "You may not know him if I tell you his name, but if I reveal his title... you'll definitely be shocked!"

"This senior is the renowned—Ice Emperor of the Gamma Empire!"

The three members of the Xiao Family cried out in surprise, and Xiao Yan was no exception. He treated Yun Yun poorly because he had a grudge against her, but when faced with Hai Bodong, one of the legendary Ten Great Experts of the Gamma Empire, his expression changed and a strange light appeared in his eyes.

By then, Yun Yun had already given the four youngsters their greeting gifts. As they held their little presents, they looked at Hai Bodong with eyes full of reverence, admiration, and respect.

If it had been me, I definitely would not have been able to resist giving each of them a gift. But this Old Guy Hai Bodong—he was really something. His skin was far too thick.

He simply stood there with his head held high, gazing into the distant golden desert, without showing the slightest reaction.

The corner of my mouth twitched as I gave the Old Guy a deep look. Then I shouted to summon the Flying Magical Beast handlers and set off once more toward Stone Desert City.

The Flying Magical Beast slowly rose into the air, climbing higher and higher as its speed increased.

The Xiao Family members were Young Masters and Misses, after all. It was not their first time riding a Flying Magical Beast, so they showed little curiosity and returned to their tents.

The Flying Magical Beast was spacious. A large tent made of special materials had been erected on its back, divided into several smaller rooms. For some reason, Xiao Meier and I entered the same room.

The two of us sat cross-legged on cushions, facing one another. I smiled softly, my eyes fixed unblinkingly on her face, where innocence and charm coexisted.

Xiao Meier seemed somewhat nervous. She lowered her head, her cheeks faintly flushed. Occasionally, she would glance up at me, only to quickly lower her head again—it was rather adorable.

After watching her for a while, I broke the silence and asked, "Meier, what was the gift Senior Yun gave you...?"

Xiao Meier lowered her head and fiddled with the small Jade Bottle in her hands. After hesitating for a moment, she still offered it to me with both hands and said happily, "It's this bottle of pills. A Three-Rank Pill, but..."

At this point, she frowned slightly and said with a troubled expression, "Sect Leader Yun said this pill is meant to assist a Dou Shi's cultivation. I have to wait until I reach the Dou Shi level before I can take it."

What a fortunate trouble...

After thinking for a moment, I flipped my hand and took a Jade Bottle from my Ring of Holding, offering it to her as I said:

"Meier, this is nowhere near as precious as Senior Yun's gift. It's merely a First-Rank Pill, a Small Supplement Pill. But its effects assist a Dou Zhe's cultivation, so it is perfect for you right now. Keep it."

Xiao Meier hesitated, shook her head, and carefully put away her own Jade Bottle without accepting mine. She said, "You need this pill too. You should keep it for yourself."

I laughed heartily. Dou Qi circulated within my body, and a layer of Dou Qi Gauze Robe immediately enveloped me. Wearing a proud expression, I shook my head and said:

"Meier, I am already a One-Star Dou Shi. The Small Supplement Pill is useless to me now, so just take it."

Xiao Meier was startled. Looking at the Dou Qi Gauze Robe surrounding me, her beautiful eyes widened round as she said in disbelief, "You... last time, you were still at the Dou Qi stage. How are you already a Dou Shi?"

"You're only sixteen or seventeen!"

"Because I'm a genius!"

I said it with a grin, reaching out to take her left hand. It felt excessively warm, and there was quite a bit of sweat in her palm. Perhaps she was too nervous?

But as I felt further, I found her skin delicate, her fingers slender, tender, and soft. My heart stirred, and I hurriedly stuffed the Jade Bottle containing the Small Supplement Pill into her palm before quickly letting go.

"Just accept this pill. Well, consider it a little gift from me for our reunion after so long apart."

She hesitated, thinking that this bottle of pills really would benefit her cultivation. Her pearly teeth lightly bit her red lips before she nodded and softly answered, "Mm."

I burst into laughter and said, "Call me Gege."

When Xiao Meier froze slightly, I hurriedly coughed dryly and composed myself. Then I said softly, "Look, we've been together for so long, but you haven't called me that even once. From now on, how about you call me Ye Gege?"

Xiao Meier's little face reddened. She looked around, her body seeming a little awkward, but in the end, she softly called out:

"Ye Gege."

The corners of my mouth curved up. Xiao Meier's sweet call left me feeling refreshed in both body and mind. I was just about to say something when another call came from the entrance of the tent:

"Ye Gege."

I turned my head and saw a tall woman entering through the tent entrance. She grabbed my arm in an embrace and teased, "Oh my, that sounds so intimate. I'll call you Ye Gege like that from now on too."

I helplessly glanced at Xiao Yu, then turned toward Xiao Meier. Xiao Yu's teasing had made her face flush so red it seemed ready to bleed.

A burst of anger suddenly arose in my heart for no reason. I shook my arm free from Xiao Yu's grasp, took a deep breath, and asked, "Sister Xiao Yu, don't tell me you've been eavesdropping on us the whole time?"

Xiao Yu's large eyes darted around as she replied absentmindedly, "I wasn't trying to eavesdrop. This tent just isn't soundproof, so I happened to hear it by accident."

My breath abruptly caught, then grew heavy. This time, I was genuinely angry, mixed with traces of fear and dread.

I was a transmigrator and had quite a few secrets. What I hated most—was someone eavesdropping on my conversations!

Xiao Yu, this crazy woman, really needed to learn a hard lesson.

I turned to Xiao Yu and snorted coldly. The Dou Qi around my body suddenly surged as my figure flashed like lightning. Before Xiao Yu could react... I curled my fingers and fiercely flicked her forehead!

Though Xiao Yu was usually carefree and bold, she was actually only a Four-Star Dou Zhe. I was a One-Star Dou Shi. If I truly meant to kill her, I could slap her to death with one hand. How could she possibly be my opponent?

She immediately cried out, her body swaying as she staggered backward. Finally, losing her balance, she fell onto the cushion in a sitting position.

"Sister Xiao Yu, you finally got yourself into trouble today...?"

Two more figures entered—it was Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er. Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Yu, who had fallen to the ground, and froze for a moment before saying earnestly:

"Sister Xiao Yu, I told you long ago that your temperament would definitely get you into trouble when you were out in the world. I told you to change, but you wouldn't listen. Now look..."

At that, Xiao Yan spread his hands helplessly, wearing an innocent expression as he said, "Didn't it come true today?"