Shopping

Shopping

Feeling a little hungry, Xiao Ling decided to head to the dining hall for breakfast. Remembering that Xiao Xun'er had said yesterday that they would visit the marketplace together today, a smile appeared on his face.

Ever since he had first gone to Xiao Xun'er's room to nourish her meridians, Xiao Ling had visited her nearly every night without fail until he was seven. Though the results might have been modest, Xiao Xun'er had felt the sincerity behind his persistence, and their relationship had grown closer and closer. They often chatted together around the clan, always in each other's company.

After leaving the courtyard, he headed toward the intersection where he had arranged to meet Xiao Xun'er. Sure enough, a pretty young girl was waiting there.

She wore a purple dress, her cool and serene temperament resembling a green lotus blooming in the mortal world. Her slender waist was like a willow branch, delicate enough to be encircled in one hand. Her long black hair was casually tied with a pale-purple ribbon, falling smoothly along her lovely curves to her waist. Two small green bells hung from her fair wrist, making her seem like a beauty from a painting. Every frown and smile on her still somewhat youthful face could tug at the hearts of young men.

When Xiao Xun'er saw Xiao Ling walking over, she blinked her bright, limpid eyes and approached him with a smile. "Brother Xiao Ling, are you done cultivating? Your aura has grown much stronger again. As expected of the Xiao Family's number one genius."

Xiao Ling flicked the tip of Xiao Xun'er's nose and laughed. "You little rascal, you're teasing me again."

Xiao Ling was a transmigrator. He knew that Xiao Xun'er possessed the most perfect Divine Bloodline the Gu Clan had seen in a thousand years, with talent so absurdly high that it defied reason. Though he did not know her current cultivation without her bloodline awakened, if she cultivated seriously, she would surely surpass him.

Laughing and chatting, the two entered the dining hall together. The surrounding clan members cast envious looks their way, yet seeing the intimacy between Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er, they could not bring themselves to feel the slightest jealousy.

"Cousin Xiao Ling and Cousin Xun'er really are a match made in heaven!"

"Exactly! They grew up together, and they're both talented and good-looking. Their cultivation talent is incredible too!"

"They're so enviable."

Hearing the surrounding chatter, Xiao Xun'er glanced at Xiao Ling's profile. Her lovely face flushed red as she wondered about something.

Xiao Ling merely smiled. Neither of them had made their feelings clear yet. They were more than friends, but not quite lovers.

As they sat at the table eating and chatting, Xiao Xun'er suddenly asked, "Brother Xiao Ling, where are you planning to cultivate? Do you want to go to the Misty Cloud Sect?"

Xiao Ling rubbed his chin, considered for a moment, then answered, "I'll probably go to Jia Nan Academy. Once I break through to Dou Zhe, I'll register. Jia Nan Academy's annual enrollment period isn't far away."

Although Xiao Ling was exceptionally gifted and might be accepted as Yun Yun's disciple if he went to the Misty Cloud Sect, he knew that the sect was colluding with the Hall of Souls. He also did not know whether Yun Shan had already broken through to Dou Zong. To keep his talent from drawing too much attention, Xiao Ling had specifically asked the clan elders not to spread word of it outside.

Moreover, Jia Nan Academy surely had better-quality geniuses than the Misty Cloud Sect. There were also quite a few students from the Central Plains in the Inner Academy, so he could gather useful information there. In terms of foundation, the Misty Cloud Sect was not even one-tenth as formidable as Jia Nan Academy. In the original story, Yun Shan had never even been seen using an Earth-tier Dou Technique. His strongest technique was still the Mysterious-tier Advanced Dou Technique, Wind Extremity Meteor Kill. The Misty Cloud Sect's Life and Death Gate also could not compare to Jia Nan Academy's Heavenly Flame Refining Qi Tower.

Perhaps becoming Yun Yun's disciple would grant him more resources than being an academy student, but with his talent, Xiao Ling believed he would still receive the academy higher-ups' attention. He could also build a good relationship with that Little Dragoness. Why not?

Shaking his head and no longer dwelling on those matters, the two continued eating. Amid laughter and conversation, they finished breakfast, left the Xiao Family together, and headed toward the marketplace.

Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er walked side by side down the broad street, looking around. Xiao Ling could not help sighing inwardly.

"Dou Qi Continent truly deserves to be called a fantasy world. Even a small place like Wutan City looks more prosperous than some major cities just from its atmosphere."

Xiao Xun'er gazed at the young man beside her, slightly lost in thought. She still remembered when she had first arrived at the Xiao Family. At night, due to the backlash of the Heavenly Flames, her meridians would ache and her body would feel unwell. The boy had secretly come to nourish her meridians with his Dou Qi, and every time, he would be drenched in sweat. It felt as though it had happened only last night.

Looking at him now, the once immature child had grown considerably. Not only was he half a head taller than her, but his appearance had become increasingly outstanding.

His fair face had begun to take on sharper contours. His youthful features and exquisite facial structure made people unable to resist taking a few more looks.

"Xun'er, why do you keep staring at me like that?" Xiao Ling asked with a smile.

"Brother Xiao Ling, you're getting more and more handsome." Halfway through, Xun Er covered her little mouth, turned her face aside, and hurriedly explained, "It's nothing. You heard wrong."

Hearing that, Xiao Ling smiled warmly and gently patted Xiao Xun'er's head. "Xun'er is getting more and more beautiful too. You're the prettiest girl I've ever seen."

Feeling Xiao Ling's warm palm stroking her head, Xiao Xun'er did not dodge away. A faint blush appeared on her lovely face.

After Xiao Ling withdrew his hand, Xiao Xun'er tucked her hair behind her ear, stepped in front of him, clasped her hands behind her back, and leaned forward slightly. With a captivating smile, she said, "Brother Xiao Ling, you're awful. You've messed up Xun'er's hair!" Before Xiao Ling could react, she darted off toward the marketplace.

That smile left Xiao Ling stunned. His heartbeat instantly sped up, and even his breathing seemed to lag for half a beat. Placing a hand over the left side of his chest and feeling his racing heart, he sighed, "So this is what being in love feels like?" Watching Xiao Xun'er run farther away, Xiao Ling quickened his pace and chased after her.

After entering the marketplace, the two began wandering around. Xiao Ling also spread out his Soul Power to investigate, paying special attention to things like old tiles. If he remembered correctly, the Mysterious-tier Low-level Dou Technique Suction Palm—the flashy technique from the original story—had been picked up from a stall in this marketplace.

For the time being, he did not find Suction Palm. Xiao Ling glanced at Xiao Xun'er and noticed that her gaze frequently drifted over to the jewelry shops, clearly showing great interest.

Rubbing his chin, Xiao Ling thought for a while before making up his mind. He led Xiao Xun'er to a shop, since the bracelet she had been looking at most was inside.

Pointing at the bracelet, Xiao Ling asked, "Boss, how much is this bracelet?"

Seeing customers enter, the shopkeeper looked over Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er. Noticing their extraordinary bearing, a flash of amazement crossed his eyes, and he hurriedly said, "Young master, are you buying a bracelet for your little girlfriend? This one suits your girlfriend very well, and the price is quite reasonable too. Just two hundred gold coins."

Xiao Ling's expression remained unchanged, while Xiao Xun'er's face reddened slightly. Seeing that the bracelet Xiao Ling had chosen for her was the one she had been watching all along, the look she gave him became even gentler.

He swiftly took out two hundred gold coins from Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlight Night and handed them to the shopkeeper. Though that should have been quite expensive for an ordinary child, it was nothing more than pocket change to Xiao Ling, who had inherited Yu Xiaogang's assets.

Taking the bracelet, Xiao Ling looked at Xiao Xun'er and saw that she was gazing into his eyes as well. He said, "Little Sister Xun'er, this bracelet suits you very well. Let me put it on for you."

Xiao Xun'er tilted her head slightly to one side, her face feeling a little hot as she extended her left hand before Xiao Ling.

Xiao Ling did not hesitate. He deftly fastened the bracelet around Xiao Xun'er's wrist.

Xiao Xun'er looked at the bracelet and was very pleased. Smiling faintly, she said, "Thank you, Brother Xiao Ling."

Seeing that Xiao Xun'er was happy with it, Xiao Ling smiled as well. The two left the shop, and as they walked, their hands gradually found each other. The distance between their hearts drew closer too.