"Our deal still stands. Just give yourself to me, and I can restore the cultivation physique everyone once envied."
"I believe my Dou Emperor cultivation should be enough to convince you."
When Xiao Ze said this, he wasn't worried in the least that Ya Fei might refuse. He had a reason she couldn't turn him down.
Anyone who had read the original story knew that Ya Fei was an ambitious woman. Sharp and shrewd, she would never be content to remain tucked away in the tiny city of Wutan.
But her physical constitution had become the greatest shackle holding her back, and he, Xiao Ze, could solve that problem perfectly.
He trusted Ya Fei to know which mattered more.
At his words, Ya Fei's expression turned serious. Her eyes shifted as she studied him for a moment, her thoughts unreadable.
Just as Xiao Ze had said, as one of the few Dou Huang experts in the Jia Ma Empire, she naturally believed he had the ability to restore her cultivation.
Besides, the man before her was so young—nothing like the useless wastrel the rumors described.
Even within the Mittel Family, she couldn't find another young man so outstanding. Perhaps there wasn't a second one in the entire Jia Ma Empire.
What reason did she have to refuse?
Still, it had all come so suddenly. He had made such a request the moment they met, and it truly left her struggling to choose.
Seeing Ya Fei's conflicted expression, Xiao Ze knew it was time for him to take the initiative.
The next moment, a pair of strong hands wrapped around Ya Fei's slender waist, and her body shivered.
"Sister Ya Fei, don't worry. I won't treat you badly."
Pressed against his chest, Ya Fei nodded shyly.
"Little brother Xiao Ze, I belong to you now. Don't take me and then abandon me."
As a merchant, having a sharp eye was basic training. With Xiao Ze's talent, his future was bound to be bright. Someone like him was a talent she had to hold on to.
At the same time, the system's notification rang in Xiao Ze's mind.
[Beep! Congratulations, Host, on marrying SS-rank Ya Fei. Marriage rewards are being issued...]
[Beep! Marriage reward issued: Third-grade alchemist talent!]
[Beep! Marriage dowry issued: High-grade Earth-tier Dou Technique: Crimson Flame Flowing Firefly; Fire Spirit Body (Saint Potential)!]
Xiao Ze's eyes curved like crescent moons. The system couldn't have been more generous!
As expected, if he kept marrying, one day he would stand at the pinnacle of the continent!
He had gained the abilities of a third-grade alchemist in the blink of an eye. If word got out, everyone would envy him.
"Sister Ya Fei, you smell so good..."
Then Xiao Ze pulled the woman in his arms close and kissed her passionately.
His words made Ya Fei blush with embarrassment. She chided him, "Little brother Xiao, you're so naughty. You're going to wear your sister out."
"Hahaha..."
Xiao Ze was teased until he could hardly control himself, his heart itching with desire. The next moment, they embraced tightly.
Xiao Ze's kiss was a little domineering, yet touched with an indescribable tenderness.
After a long while, they finally parted, both breathing heavily.
Ya Fei's cheeks were red as rosy clouds. She didn't dare meet Xiao Ze's gaze and instead buried her face against his chest.
"From now on, you're mine," Xiao Ze whispered.
That night was destined to be sleepless.
The next day, it was already late morning.
On the soft bed, Ya Fei lay curled in Xiao Ze's arms.
After a night of fierce battle, they had both found great satisfaction and reaped a bountiful harvest.
Unlike Xiao Yi Xian's reserve, Ya Fei was alluring, like a mature older sister—irresistible.
Especially her lithe, serpentine figure, swaying with every movement and radiating charm.
Best of all, after his relentless attentions day and night, Ya Fei had successfully gained the Fire Spirit Body.
As long as nothing unexpected happened, it meant she would have the potential to become a Dou Saint.
At the same time, the system's notification suddenly rang.
[Beep! Congratulations, Host, on completing dual cultivation. Reward: complete cultivation technique, Flame Mantra (fully mastered version)!]
"First the Dou Technique, and now the cultivation technique. This system really is a worm in my stomach!"
Xiao Ze was delighted.
The Flame Mantra was one of the finest cultivation techniques in the original story. Once mastered, it could rival a Heaven-tier technique.
But it required Heavenly Flames. Now the system had given him the fully mastered version. How could he not be pleased?
By then, Ya Fei had woken from her deep sleep and opened her bright eyes to look at Xiao Ze.
"You're awake. How do you feel?" Xiao Ze asked with a smile.
Ya Fei rested against his chest and nodded gently. "I feel wonderful. Thank you for giving me the chance to cultivate again."
"It's nothing. As long as you're happy."
Xiao Ze held Ya Fei tightly, their bodies pressed together so closely they could hear each other's breathing.
Their eyes met, and they stayed that way until the afternoon, when they were finally willing to part.
He had a task to take care of and couldn't let the day drag on too long. Otherwise, the Xiao Clan might become a meal on someone else's table.
Ya Fei acted swiftly. She immediately announced that the Mite'er Auction House was severing all commercial ties with the Jia Lie Family and refused to supply them with medicinal herbs.
The news sent the Jia Lie Family, which had been riding high, plummeting to the bottom in an instant.
"What! The Mite'er Auction House refuses to do business with the Jia Lie Family?"
The Jia Lie Family's council hall.
When the clan leader, Jia Lie Bi, heard the news, his vision went black.
The Jia Lie Family could keep the Xiao Clan under its heel partly because they had an alchemist, and partly because they had monopolized all the medicinal herbs in Wutan City.
And the Mite'er Auction House was the Jia Lie Family's largest supplier of medicinal herbs.
If their supply was cut off, wouldn't that be the death of him?
Even the cleverest housewife couldn't cook without rice. No matter how many alchemists the Jia Lie Family hired, without medicinal herbs, it would all be for nothing.
"Did the Mite'er Auction House give a reason?" Jia Lie Bi demanded of his subordinate, his gaze terrifying.
No matter how he looked at it, he couldn't understand.
Everyone said merchants chased profit. The Mite'er Auction House's move was no different from lifting a rock only to drop it on their own feet.
"Reporting to the clan leader, the Mite'er Auction House gave no reason." His subordinate trembled with fear.
"Damn that woman!" Jia Lie Bi was so furious he nearly spat blood.
He had finally managed to trample the Xiao Clan underfoot, and success was within reach. How could he give up now?
If he couldn't do it openly, then he would strike in secret and cut off their lifeline!
On the way back to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Ze didn't go straight home. Instead, he headed to the Xiao Clan's marketplace.
He wanted to see how much longer the Jia Lie Family could keep jumping around.
Finally, after waiting for a quarter of an hour, the Jia Lie Family could no longer hold back. They launched the first attack on the Xiao Clan.
They began burning, killing, and looting, and the scene descended into chaos.
"I've finally got my chance!"
Xiao Ze sneered inwardly. Then, without holding back any longer, he unleashed the full force of his Peak Dou Emperor cultivation.
The terrifying pressure put everyone present on high alert.
A figure stood in the air, his handsome face bearing a trace of pride.
"Look, it's Young Master Xiao Ze!"
"Young Master Xiao Ze is here to save us!"
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