Gift

"Miss, someone is coming. This old servant will step aside for now."

Ling Ying said respectfully.

"Very well, Elder Ling."

Hearing this, Xun'er waved her small hand, her curved willow-leaf brows arching slightly as she looked toward the door, where she saw Xiao Yu and her companion approaching.

Seeing this, a flash of irritation appeared on Xun'er's face, which was as delicate as a porcelain doll.

She stood up and, with a few flickers of movement, arrived at the doorway, blocking the path of Xiao Yu and the other, her tone flat.

"Brother Xiao Ling is in the middle of cultivation and is not to be disturbed by anyone. You two should head back."

She didn't know why, but she felt annoyed whenever she saw this pair of siblings. Still, she maintained the necessary politeness, though it went no further than that.

Hearing this, Xiao Yu looked past the little girl to the room of her Brother Xiao Ling. Upon seeing the tightly shut door and sensing that familiar aura, she withdrew her gaze.

She looked back at the little girl before her, her tone carrying a hint of confrontation.

"Why should I go back? Brother Xiao Ling and I are childhood sweethearts; I will wait here for him to finish his seclusion."

Pausing for a moment, Xiao Yu glanced at the younger brother behind her and snapped.

"Xiao Ning, you go back first. Remember, don't go spouting nonsense again, or I'll sew your mouth shut."

"Sigh."

Xiao Ning, who had been about to retort, was so frightened that he swallowed his words and hurriedly agreed.

Watching Xiao Ning leave, Xun'er turned her gaze back to Xiao Yu, her words becoming equally confrontational.

"Cousin Xiao Yu, why are you still standing here? Brother Xiao Ling said no one is allowed in, and that includes you."

However, the moment these words left her lips, even she was stunned. She couldn't believe they had come from her own mouth; since when did she need to be jealous and compete with others?

In truth, this couldn't be blamed on Xun'er. Although she possessed a God-tier bloodline, a God-tier bloodline was still human. Furthermore, she was only four years old this year. While she appeared mature, like a little adult, that did not change her actual age.

Therefore, it was perfectly normal for Xun'er to show signs of jealousy.

At this moment, Xiao Yu, standing opposite her, straightened her posture, her long, straight legs particularly eye-catching. A hint of provocation appeared in her eyes as she said.

"Cousin Xun'er, I am older than you. Brother Xiao Ling is a normal man, so I advise you to give up on that idea. Don't compete with me, cousin; I'll buy you some candy later."

Xiao Yu's words hit the bullseye, making Xun'er so angry that her beautiful large eyes were filled with fury. She pointed a small finger at Xiao Yu, and after a long moment, she could only squeeze out four words.

"You... you are shameless."

Ling Ying, hiding in the shadows, shook his head helplessly. As an old man, he could only watch such matters from the sidelines and was completely unable to help his young mistress in the slightest...

However, just as the older girl and the younger girl were bickering, Xiao Ling inside the room had reached the critical moment of pill formation.

His expression was calm as he looked at the embryonic pill within the flame cauldron. His slender fingers moved rapidly, weaving mysterious hand seals, and then a miraculous scene occurred.

After a flash of white light, the embryonic pill inside the flame cauldron suddenly split into two.

"This... did it actually succeed?"

Seeing this, a hint of joy appeared on Xiao Ling's calm face. He had been painstakingly practicing this hand seal for four years.

He had failed every single time, and this time he had only attempted it with a trial-and-error mindset, never expecting it to actually succeed.

"Hoo..."

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Ling flicked the side of the cauldron, and two golden lights flashed, landing accurately into a jade bottle.

Gazing at the pills in his hand, Xiao Ling fell into deep thought, mentally rehearsing every detail of the hand seals he had just performed.

However, after repeatedly analyzing it dozens of times, Xiao Ling had to give up.

This was the technique he had named the "Fen Dan Seal."

He started the fire again to refine more pills, intending to try a few more times... but perhaps fate was no longer smiling upon him, as he refined over a dozen batches in a row, none of which succeeded.

It wasn't until the sky grew dark that Xiao Ling had to give up.

Although he hadn't succeeded again, after a full day of alchemy, Xiao Ling had once again adjusted his state to its peak.

He could feel that he could break through with just a single thought, but he chose not to... after all, there were two little girls waiting for him outside.

At this moment, the two girls in the courtyard were unexpectedly not bickering, but sitting together chatting like good sisters; one could only say that a woman's heart is truly deep.

Just then, the "creak" of the door opening sounded. Both girls looked over simultaneously and saw their Brother Xiao Ling looking at them with a smile.

Seeing this, both girls ran over, one after the other, throwing themselves into that familiar embrace.

Xun'er: "Congratulations, Brother Xiao Ling, for achieving your wish."

Xiao Yu: "Congratulations, Brother Xiao Ling, for your great increase in strength."

"Alright, alright, stop."

Xiao Ling looked at the two girls in his arms with a headache, then hurriedly changed the subject.

"You two go sit over there. I brought gifts for you from this training session."

Hearing this, the two little girls' eyes lit up. After exchanging a glance, they immediately sat down obediently, gazing at him expectantly.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling couldn't help but smile, then took out two jade bottles and handed them over respectively.

"Here, this is a treasure I found while out on my travels. It is called Earth Core Life Pulse Marrow, and it can alter one's cultivation talent. I've heard that consuming it offers a chance to become an Emperor, though I don't know if that's true or not.

However, it is certainly extraordinary. You two should go back and refine it properly; perhaps you will have a chance to become an Emperor in the future as well."

Hearing this, Xiao Yu did not doubt him at all. She took it directly and said with a charming laugh, "Yu'er thanks Brother Xiao Ling."

Xun'er, standing to the side, felt a flash of shock in her eyes, but she hid it well enough that it did not attract the attention of her not-so-bright cousin. She said in a crisp voice, "Xun'er thanks Brother Xiao Ling."

Looking at the two girls before him, Xiao Ling smiled. He then took out a scroll and tossed it toward Xiao Yu, saying, "Yu'er, this is a gift I brought for you this time: a Profound-tier high-grade Flight Dou Technique, Eagle Wings. Keep it for now; I will protect you when you cultivate it later."

Hearing this, a look of surprise appeared on Xiao Yu's pretty face, and she asked in confusion, "Brother Xiao Ling, what is a Flight Dou Technique? Is it the kind that lets you fly in the sky?"

He had been prepared for Xiao Yu's question. He nodded with a smile and said, "It is exactly what you think; it can replace the need for Dou Qi Wings."

Hearing this, a look of shock appeared on Xiao Yu's pretty face, and she quickly tried to push it back, saying softly, "I cannot accept this. It is more suitable for Brother Xiao Ling, and besides, I don't need to go out."

Hearing this, Xiao Ling felt a warmth in his heart. He smiled, gave her a flick on the forehead, and said gently, "You silly girl, just take it. Your Brother Xiao Ling already has one."

"Oh~"

Xiao Yu drew out the sound, then obediently put away the precious Flight Dou Technique.

Seeing the girl put it away, Xiao Ling could not help but smile.

"Alright, you two should hurry up and refine those. I am going to cultivate as well."

With that said, he prepared to head toward the back mountain.