Release of the Fief Reward

She continued, "The current head of the Shui Family is Shui Wuya. His Soul Power is around rank seventy-five—not especially high. But he has two daughters. His eldest, Shui Bing'er, is the captain of Skywater Academy and exceptionally talented. Rumor has it she is close to breaking through to Soul Emperor. His younger daughter, Shui Yue'er, is also a student at Skywater Academy."

She paused, then added, "Though the Shui Family is not considered a top-tier clan, they have operated in Snow Spirit Province for many years and are deeply entrenched there. If you can make them submit to you, matters in Dragon Ascending Town will become much easier. But if you clash with them head-on..."

She did not continue, but her meaning was already clear.

Xiao Yun nodded, committing the information to memory.

With Xue Qianren's information, his plans for Dragon Ascending Town became much clearer.

Take over the Shui Family.

Not by beating them into submission, but by winning them over.

Make the Shui Family willingly serve him.

He lowered his head to look at Xue Qianren in his arms, a faint smile in his eyes. "Thank you."

Xue Qianren snorted and turned her face away. "Don't thank me. I didn't do it for you. I just... didn't want you to die out there."

Xiao Yun chuckled and held her tighter.

"Don't worry," he said softly. "I won't die."

Xue Qianren said nothing, merely burying her face against his chest.

Moonlight flowed like water, spilling over them both.

This night felt especially long.

When the first ray of morning sunlight shone through the window, Xiao Yun awoke to find the space beside him already empty.

Only the faint lingering fragrance on the pillow proved that everything from last night had not been a dream.

Xiao Yun sat up,