Xun'er: Isn't It Because of You?

"Uncle, I'll be going now."

After finalizing the details of their scheme against the Jia Lie Clan and Aoba Clan with Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ting took his leave.

On his way back to the small courtyard, he distractedly recorded the events of the evening in the Notes.

[I had thought Xiao Yi Xian would refuse my invitation, and that I would have to put in more effort later to keep this natural poison-body wielder by my side. I never expected her to come to the Xiao Clan tonight and say she was willing to become the clan physician.]

[What surprised me even more was that she voluntarily told me about the cave dwelling in the Magical Beast Mountain Range. She said her strength was insufficient and she feared danger during the exploration, so reporting it to the clan and earning merit would be enough.]

"Sure enough, she has an Observation Copy too."

Medusa, who was searching a mountain range for the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, pursed her lips. A trace of understanding flashed through her narrow eyes.

As a clear-headed observer, she realized that Xiao Ting was not the only one trying to lure Xiao Yi Xian to his side.

Xiao Yi Xian was also actively drawing closer. She most likely had an Observation Copy like Medusa did.

Knowing that she possessed the Woeful Poison Body, while Xiao Ting had mastered the unique Perfect Control Method, Xiao Yi Xian could not possibly remain passive.

Feng Qing'er, Cao Ying, and Yun Yun came to the same conclusion.

As for Qing Lin, she did not think about such matters at all.

She was only looking forward to it—looking forward to Xiao Ting coming for her.

[Her behavior completely caught me off guard and made me lose my composure a little.]

Xiao Yi Xian and Xun'er: It was not little.

[By pure coincidence, Xun'er appeared at this moment.]

[I expected her to come. After all, this was the first time I had brought a woman from outside back to the clan. She would definitely want to take a look.]

[I know Xun'er too well. She is gentle in front of me, but extremely domineering toward outsiders—and she has the confidence to be domineering.]

[But since I brought Xiao Yi Xian home, I'm not afraid she'll overthink things.]

[...]

[Now that I've explained the situation to Uncle, I'm preparing to explore that cave dwelling with Xiao Yi Xian and Xun'er.]

"Tsk, whether it was really a coincidence is hard to say."

Feng Qing'er guessed that Xun'er might have a Notebook Copy as well.

If she were Gu Xun'er, with the confidence to fear neither heaven nor earth, she would absolutely not allow another woman near her man. Xiao Yi Xian would have vanished from the Dou Qi Continent without anyone noticing long ago.

Xun'er most likely had an Observation Copy of the Notes and knew about Xiao Yi Xian's circumstances.

"Have they realized that the other is a copy holder?" Light suddenly bloomed in Feng Qing'er's eyes.

If copy holders were not unique, could they discuss the contents of the copies when they met?

The copies prohibited revealing their existence and the contents of the Notes, but since both parties already knew these things as copy holders, that restriction should not apply.

In other words, copy holders could actually speak freely among themselves.

With that thought, Feng Qing'er began wondering whether Xun'er had supported Xiao Yi Xian behind this string of actions.

"Verifying it will be easy, and I can kill two birds with one stone." Feng Qing'er's heart raced as she took out a token and sent a message. "I have urgent business in the Dan Region. Please have a Dou Zong elder escort me."

Within the Jia Ma Empire, Yun Yun and Queen Medusa looked at the contents of the Notes. After pondering for a long time, they made an extremely tacit decision.

"Once this conflict ends, perhaps I can visit the Tagor Desert and meet Queen Medusa." Yun Yun thought rationally. "It will also let me verify the authenticity of the Notes from another angle."

"If Queen Medusa does not have a Notebook Copy, I can use the contents of the Notes to befriend her and form ties with her in advance."

"If Queen Medusa has a Notebook Copy too, I can test whether we can communicate."

"If we can communicate without issue, she and I will be the most natural allies."

"With Queen Medusa's help, hunting down the Soul Hall's Soul Envoy in the Chu Yun Empire would not be impossible."

The same thought appeared in Queen Medusa's mind.

"I heard Yun Yun is at the northern border. There happen to be clues about the Ice Spirit Cold Spring there, so I'll go verify it." Medusa set off immediately.

Xiao Ting knew nothing of the turmoil stirred up by his few words.

Standing at the entrance to his courtyard, he rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

Before the stone table, Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian were smiling as they chatted happily. The atmosphere was remarkably harmonious.

"Xun'er, Xiao Yi Xian." Xiao Ting walked over to the stone table and sat down, asking with slight surprise, "You two seem to get along quite well."

"We do get along quite well." Xun'er nodded with a smile. "I found that Sister Xiao Yi Xian and I share similar interests. We have much in common to talk about."

"It is because you are so knowledgeable, Sister Xun'er. You seem to know everything, and I happen to love hearing stories." Xiao Yi Xian's eyes were filled with admiration.

"Then later, I'll give you a few books from my collection." Xun'er nodded slightly, her eyes bright.

"Then I'll give you flowers that I planted and trimmed myself." Xiao Yi Xian spoke enthusiastically. "I consider myself rather skilled at it."

The two of them had already planned not to hide anything in front of Xiao Ting.

No matter how well they acted, flaws would eventually show.

But if they truly became friends and interacted naturally, Xiao Ting would only marvel at it initially and would not think much of it afterward.

They could naturally coordinate with each other, without fearing that their possession of copies would be exposed, while protecting Xiao Ting's safety and interests and maximizing their own gains.

In fact, seeing them like this, Xiao Ting truly did not suspect anything. Instead, he found it perfectly normal.

[Sure enough, Xiao Yi Xian has the Same-Sex Succubus Constitution.]

Watching Xiao Yi Xian interact with Xun'er, Xiao Ting sighed inwardly.

[She once clashed fiercely with Medusa, yet in the end they became close friends who would stand by each other through life and death, friends to whom they could entrust their backs.]

Medusa: Tsk, close friends who loved and fought each other.

[When she first met Xun'er, she felt inferior. But after spending time together, the two became best friends who could talk about anything.]

Xun'er and Xiao Yi Xian covertly exchanged glances.

So they were destined best friends. No wonder they found each other so pleasing.

[She fought side by side with Qing Lin in the Central Plains. They were a top-tier talented duo with flawless coordination, like twins who could debut on the spot.]

"Like twins!?" Qing Lin had not even met Xiao Yi Xian, yet her fondness and curiosity toward her had already reached their peak.

A friendship and rapport personally affirmed by Xiao Ting had to be extraordinary.

[She is Zi Yan's confidante and older sister. Unlike Medusa, who indulges her without any bottom line, Xiao Yi Xian blindly protects her before outsiders, but gently guides her and tends to her emotions in private.]

Medusa: Why are you putting me down again? Who is this Zi Yan?

[Who could dislike Xiao Yi Xian, who was hurt by the world yet still faced it with gentleness at her core?]

[Fortunately, I came this time. She will not be left with regrets.]

Whoosh!

A blush rose on Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks.

Faced with Xiao Ting's utterly sincere, unreserved praise "to her face," she could not help feeling shy.

Moreover, Xiao Ting's promise that she would not be left with regrets made her excited.

But to Xiao Ting, her reaction seemed somewhat strange.

"Xiao Yi Xian, why is your face red?"

Xun'er: Isn't it because of you!