Meanwhile, silvery laughter drifted from Xiao Ling's courtyard now and then.
"Brother Xiao Ling, please tell me one more story?"
Mwah~
"That's your reward. Please?"
Xiao Ling looked at the adorable girl before him, wiped the spit from his cheek, and shook his head helplessly.
"All right, but this is the last one. I've already told you nine. One more makes a perfect ten."
"Hehe, Brother Xiao Ling is the best~"
Xun'er giggled.
Xiao Ling cleared his throat. Glancing toward the distant mountain behind the house, his eyes lit up.
"This story began long ago, in a kingdom called Xia Kingdom. War raged everywhere, and there was a young monk who didn't want to join the army to save his country... One day, he came to a towering mountain. Halfway up stood a temple, so he struggled up the slope until he reached its gates. When he peered inside, guess what he saw?"
Xiao Ling paused and smiled at the girl before him.
"Huh?"
Xun'er blinked her lovely eyes, thought for a moment, then shook her head, looking curious.
"Ahem..."
"Um... Miss, Young Master Xiao Ling."
Ling Ying cleared his throat, interrupting Xiao Ling.
"Young Master Xiao Ling, that fellow has left Wutan City. Please take back your Sixth-grade Breakthrough Pill. I merely made a trip; my service isn't worth this much."
Xiao Ling narrowed his eyes and reconsidered how much of a threat Wu Ming posed. After carefully weighing it, he relaxed. Even if Wu Ming reached Da Dou Shi, he still would not be much of a threat to him.
So the next time they met, Xiao Ling intended to pay whatever price it took to finish him off for good.
He had no intention of spending his days guarding against a thief.
With that thought, Xiao Ling smiled and pushed the pill back.
"Please keep it, Elder Ling. This pill won't do much for Xun'er or me. If you take it and break through to Dou Zong, Xun'er will be much safer."
Ling Ying had been about to refuse, but he hesitated. Then he accepted the pill and cupped his hands.
"Rest assured, Young Master Xiao Ling. Once I reach Dou Zong, I will protect the young miss and the Xiao Clan for as long as she remains here."
"Then, on behalf of the entire Xiao Clan, thank you, Elder Ling."
Xiao Ling stood and returned the gesture.
He understood the limit Ling Ying had set, but it was enough.
After all, he could not protect the Xiao Clan forever.
He had his own affairs to attend to, and he still wanted to see the wonders of the Dou Qi Continent...
After Elder Ling left, Xiao Ling took Xun'er back to her room. Then he looked up at the distant moon, his thoughts unknown.
The night soon passed. At dawn, Xiao Ling emerged from the Xiao Clan's main hall. Beside him, Xun'er tilted her head slightly and studied his profile.
"Brother Xiao Ling, is there anything else you need to prepare? Um... if you're short on money, you can tell me. I know you're not too proud to accept help."
Xiao Ling set his thoughts aside and looked down at the little rich woman beside him. Mischief stirred, and he grinned.
"Sure. Lend your Brother Xiao Ling a hundred million first. I need it to get married."
"Huh?!"
Xun'er blinked, then caught his meaning. Her cheeks flushed as she threw herself at him.
"Brother Xiao Ling, you're awful... Such a bad influence..."
Watching the girl flail in his arms, Xiao Ling smiled from the heart. He scooped her up and carried her toward his courtyard despite her struggles.
Their laughter and teasing rang out all the way there.
Every younger member of the Xiao Clan they passed stared as if they had seen a ghost. Mouths hanging open, they watched the pair disappear and drew sharp breaths.
Then they hurried off to share what they had seen with their friends.
Xiao Ling paid little attention to their shock. By now, his position in the clan was secure.
A little playful teasing would do nothing to change how people saw him.
His authority had long since taken root throughout the Xiao Clan...
Truthfully, if he had wanted to run the clan, he—not Xiao Zhan—would have been its leader.
Just as Xiao Ling was about to enter his courtyard, someone lunged at him. Caught off guard, he fell to the ground. He turned his head, and something soft and damp pressed against his cheek.
"Ah~"
Xun'er cried out.
Seeing how bold Xiao Yu was, her cheeks reddened, and she cursed inwardly, Shameless~
Xiao Yu shot Xun'er a challenging look, secretly pleased with herself. The moment she had heard the news, she had rushed out of seclusion.
She had meant to share her good news with Brother Xiao Ling, but instead...
"That's enough, Yu Er. Have some decorum in broad daylight." Feigning anger, Xiao Ling added, "Now help me up!"
"Oh~"
Looking at the two girls and their competing intentions, Xiao Ling felt a headache coming on.
He gave Xiao Yu a stern look, took a bottle of pills from his Storage Ring, and handed it to her.
"Yu Er, you've only just broken through to Dou Zhe, and your cultivation hasn't stabilized. Here's a bottle of Second-grade Foundation Establishment Pills. Use them to consolidate your cultivation. I'll bring you something fun when I return. Off you go."
"I have things to pack now. I can't keep you company."
Xiao Ling waved her away.
"Hmph. Mean Brother Xiao Ling, stinky Brother Xiao Ling. I'm ignoring you..."
Xiao Yu pouted.
"Take them! Focus on cultivating. If you really want to help me, get stronger as soon as you can. Go on."
Xiao Ling had found the one argument she could not resist.
Sure enough, Xiao Yu immediately took the jade bottle, rose, and planted a light kiss on his cheek. Then she strode away on her long legs, grumbling under her breath.
"That girl..."
Xiao Ling shook his head helplessly, then turned to Xun'er.
Seeing the strange look on her face, he suddenly remembered. How could I forget? I scared off that big black rat the night before last, and now I've forgotten about Xun'er's meridians.
As she cried out in surprise, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the west wing.
Inside the room, Xiao Ling gritted his teeth and traded thirty years of his lifespan to his cheat for a Tianshan Snow Lotus Seed.
The plump Snow Lotus Seed glimmered in his hand. Looking closely, he could even make out something like a tiny infant inside it.
Xiao Ling nodded in satisfaction. The Snow Lotus Seed might have been only sixth grade.
But the energy it held was certainly beyond that grade. Otherwise, it would not have cost him thirty years of his life; four months would have sufficed.
Then he looked at Xun'er, curled beneath the covers with only her little head showing.
She was pretending nothing was wrong, but her delicate brows were tightly drawn. His heart ached for her. He sat beside the bed and spoke softly.
"Be good, little one. Take this, and you'll be all right."
Xun'er's long lashes fluttered. Her expressive eyes turned to her Brother Xiao Ling.
Then she looked at the lotus seed he held to her lips. She parted her mouth and swallowed it.
A crystalline, ice-like energy surged from Xun'er's body. It was gentle, however, and did her no harm. Instead, it enveloped her completely.
At the sight, Xiao Ling breathed a sigh of relief and left the room.
"Elder Ling, sorry for the trouble, but please look after Xun'er for me."
"Rest assured, Young Master Xiao Ling. I will keep the young miss safe."
Before you continue