Before Leaving

A year passed in the blink of an eye.

During that time, Yun Yun came to the Xiao Family. No conflict occurred, and after offering an apology, she left with Nalan Yanran.

When Nalan Yanran left, her gaze at Lin Yu was filled with such reluctance! Yun Yun saw it all. Yanran had grown up! So she comforted Nalan Yanran, saying, "If you want to win his favor, you must become stronger! Otherwise, even if you can be with him, you'll only be a vase!" Yanran understood.

Over the past year, Lin Yu had stayed by Xiao Xun'er's side and done nothing else, since he would soon be leaving. He only occasionally checked in on the shop, while Yao Chen usually helped watch over it.

Lin Yu asked Xingluo to give Yao Chen the identity of a shop clerk. He would help Lin Yu sell items, though he could only sell the things displayed in the shop, as well as handle the lottery draws! Information about whatever was drawn would also appear in Yao Chen's mind.

Of course, aside from Xiao Xun'er, no one knew of Lin Xingluo's existence.

Xiao Yan had not been idle over the past year either. Lin Yu told him that whenever he had time, he could seek guidance from the old man in his shop.

Only then did Xiao Yan discover that the old man was actually a Half-Saint!

Yao Chen discovered that Xiao Yan possessed exceptional talent for alchemy. Since even the cultivation technique he practiced was an alchemy technique, Yao Chen was more than willing to teach him.

And so, Xiao Yan advanced from Dou Qi Three-stage to a 1-star Dou Zhe within a year, far stronger than he had been at this point in the original story. Of course, his cultivation technique played a major role in that. (Damn, this is the hardest part to write!)

"Brother Lin Yu, wake up!"

Xiao Xun'er lightly knocked on the door as she called out.

Hearing Xiao Xun'er's voice outside, Lin Yu climbed out of bed with extreme reluctance.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" With his eyes still closed, he fumbled for the clothes on his bed, slowly buttoned up his shirt and put on his pants, then shuffled over to the door in his shoes and opened it.

As the door opened, warm sunlight poured in, shining on Lin Yu's sleepy face so brightly that he could barely open his eyes.

Xiao Xun'er found the sight rather amusing. "Brother Lin Yu, you slept in again! Today is the coming-of-age ceremony!" As she spoke, she placed the breakfast she had brought him on the table behind him, then returned to stand before him and used her delicate hands to straighten his clothes.

A month before the coming-of-age ceremony, there would be an assessment, mainly to eliminate those whose Dou Qi was below standard. Lin Yu and Xiao Xun'er had not attended. With their strength, no one would dare say anything even if they skipped it. Just like in the original story, Xiao Yan had slapped everyone in the face, though his strength was far greater than in the original story.

Lin Yu had also recovered from the grogginess of just waking up and watched Xiao Xun'er arrange his clothes.

"To have such a beloved, what more could a man ask for!"

Lin Yu could not help sighing. Though they were not married yet, it was already practically decided, wasn't it?

Watching Xiao Xun'er seriously straighten his clothes, Lin Yu suddenly pulled Xun'er into his arms.

"Ah! Brother Lin Yu!"

Xiao Xun'er was startled by his sudden move, and her face instantly flushed crimson. She tried to push Lin Yu away with both hands, but Lin Yu was too strong. His arms were like steel clamps, holding Xiao Xun'er tightly. She could only give up and obediently lie in his embrace.

Seeing that Xiao Xun'er had stopped struggling, Lin Yu withdrew one hand and lifted her chin.

Xiao Xun'er then met Lin Yu's deep eyes, and she was lost in them.

Lin Yu planted a kiss on Xiao Xun'er's soft lips. At that moment, time seemed to stop, and everything around them became incredibly clear.

Feeling the warmth and tenderness of Lin Yu's lips, Xiao Xun'er closed her eyes and savored the tranquility of that moment.

"Brother Lin Yu, I'm sorry," Xiao Xun'er said quietly in Lin Yu's arms. She wrapped her arms around him like a gentle little kitten, quietly resting against his chest.

Hearing Xiao Xun'er's words, Lin Yu was momentarily stunned. He had not expected Xun'er to think in that direction. Only then did Lin Yu remember that Xiao Xun'er was the most perfect person in the Ancient Clan to awaken the Dou Emperor Bloodline in a thousand years.

If Xiao Xun'er lost her virginity before becoming a Dou Sheng, her Dou Emperor Bloodline would inevitably be affected, and her hopes of becoming a Saint in the future would be slim!

Although Lin Yu could alter Xiao Xun'er's bloodline, if she was unwilling, he would not force her. There would be plenty of time in the future!

Lin Yu greedily inhaled the bursts of fragrance drifting from Xiao Xun'er's hair. Then he patted Xun'er's back and turned her face toward his. "It's all right, Xun'er. Brother Lin Yu can wait!" He raised his hand and pinched Xiao Xun'er's nose, making her burst into soft, sweet laughter.

Though the kiss just now had seemed perfectly ordinary, Xiao Xun'er was still drenched in fragrant sweat.

Left with no choice, Xiao Xun'er could only return to her room to wash up and change clothes.

Lin Yu, meanwhile, ate the breakfast Xiao Xun'er had brought while waiting for her.

Coming-of-age Ceremony

The coming-of-age ceremony was the most important day for every major family, because if a family wished to grow stronger, the vitality of its younger generation was indispensable!

As one of Wutan City's three great families, the Xiao Family's coming-of-age ceremony naturally drew onlookers from all the major forces in Wutan City.

Xiao Xun'er brought Lin Yu to the venue for the coming-of-age ceremony and found a spot beneath the shade of a tree to sit down.

Lin Yu had not intended to come, but Xiao Zhan insisted that he attend. He said that if Lin Yu were present today, it would be a good opportunity to raise the Xiao Family's reputation in Wutan City once more!

After all, Lin Yu was a Dou Zun!

Under the shade of the tree, Lin Yu lay listlessly on a bench, resting his head on Xiao Xun'er's lap with his eyes closed. Xiao Xun'er, seated above him, fed grapes into his mouth.

The breeze blew by, occasionally lifting several strands of Xiao Xun'er's long hair. The sight of her tucking them behind her ear was itself a beautiful scene!

"Young Master Lin Yu!" A seductive voice entered Lin Yu's ears.

Lin Yu slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the voice. A bewitching woman in a red dress came into view. The dress tightly wrapped around her voluptuous figure, making her exceptionally alluring!

"Ya Fei?" Lin Yu slowly sat up.

"Young Master Lin Yu still remembers this little woman? I am truly flattered!"

"What did you come to see me for?"

"Ever since we met at your General Store last time, we haven't seen you again, have we? Our Mite'er Auction House would like to discuss a business deal with you. I wonder if..." Ya Fei spoke in a pleading tone.

"Not interested." Lin Yu naturally knew what she wanted. If he sold everything to the Mite'er Auction House, he could certainly earn a huge amount of points, but fewer people would know about his shop. What if no one came to draw prizes anymore?

Feeling bored, Lin Yu closed his eyes again and lay back down on Xiao Xun'er's lap.

"Lin..." Ya Fei still wanted to speak, but Lin Yu merely waved his hand.

"Then I'll take my leave." Seeing his attitude, Ya Fei knew there was no point pursuing the matter any further. With that, she walked toward the venue.

"Brother Lin Yu, aren't we going over there?" Xiao Xun'er asked as she fed him.

"Why would we? It's so noisy over there. It's much quieter here, and I have a beauty like you keeping me company!" Lin Yu opened his eyes, looked at Xiao Xun'er, and teased her.

Xiao Xun'er's face reddened. "Hmph, Brother Lin Yu only knows how to bully Xun'er. Xun'er isn't talking to you anymore!" With that, she stood up and headed into the venue.

Lin Yu nearly toppled over face-first.

I shouldn't have teased Xun'er. Now no one's going to feed me grapes! He hurriedly chased after her.

"Oh, Xun'er! It was just a joke. Was that really necessary?" Lin Yu wrapped his arms around Xiao Xun'er from behind and whispered into her ear.

Lin Yu's action drew envious looks from every man nearby.

Xiao Xun'er's face instantly flushed all the way to her ears, and she seemed to be steaming all over.

"Brother Lin Yu, there are so many people here. Don't do this—let go of me!" Xiao Xun'er whispered in panic.

"Hehe." Seeing her like this, Lin Yu chuckled and released her.

So Xun'er's ears were this sensitive. Just a little breath against them, and she was already unbearably shy.

"Lin Yu, Cousin Xun'er!" Upon hearing that voice, Xiao Xun'er seemed to have found a savior. Blushing, she ran toward it.

Lin Yu looked over at the sound and saw a tall young woman before him. She appeared to be wearing an academy uniform, with a sword at her waist. But the most eye-catching thing about her was her pair of long legs!

Lin Yu recognized her at once—Xiao Yu!

"Cousin Xiao Yu!" Xiao Xun'er ran to Xiao Yu's side and linked arms with her.

"Cousin Xun'er, what's wrong? Why is your face so red?" Xiao Yu could not help asking as she looked at Xiao Xun'er's crimson cheeks.

"Cousin Xiao Yu, don't ask!" At Xiao Yu's question, Xiao Xun'er lowered her head even further.

Xiao Yu looked at the shy Xiao Xun'er, then at Lin Yu standing there with narrowed eyes, as if she had realized something.

"You two..." Xiao Yu pointed at Xiao Xun'er, who was holding her arm, then at Lin Yu.

Then she walked over and patted Lin Yu on the shoulder. "Not bad, kid! You conquered my Xun'er so quickly!"

"Uh... no, haha... She's obviously mine!"

"I didn't expect you to be so possessive, kid! What, I'm not even allowed to get close to Xun'er? Since you said that, I'm not giving Xun'er back to you today! Let's see what you can do about it! Hmph!" With that, she dragged Xun'er away.

At that moment, Xiao Xun'er softly said to Xiao Yu, "How about... I go back to Brother Lin Yu..."

"Xun'er, you can't spoil men like that. The more easily they get something, the less they'll cherish it! You need to give him a feeling of being close yet out of reach." Xiao Yu lectured Xiao Xun'er with a serious expression.

Lin Yu's mouth twitched when he heard that. What kind of bullshit logic was that? The first part was fine, but the second... close yet out of reach—wasn't that what a slut did?

No, I can't let her lead Xun'er astray!

But helplessly, he could only watch Xiao Yu take Xiao Xun'er away.

Xiao Xun'er turned back to look at Lin Yu, her eyes filled with deep apology.

Lin Yu gave Xiao Xun'er a look in return. Don't worry, Xun'er. I'll save you! He had no idea whether she understood it.

The restrictions are way too strict now. Not even a little of that kind of thing is allowed...