An Opportunity

Hearing Xiao Yu's words, which were clearly a confession, Xiao Yan didn't feel much joy or excitement.

To him now, Xiao Yu is just a cousin.

To say that I like her that much would be complete nonsense.

However, judging solely from her appearance, Xiao Yu is actually quite beautiful. Her long, straight legs are neither plump nor delicate.

As for the pair of jade mountains, although they are not very majestic, they are still considered to have a spiritual quality because of their shape.

However, Xiao Yan already has quite a few girlfriends, so he doesn't need Xiao Yu, but he wouldn't mind having another one like her.

"Xiao Yu, my main focus right now is on cultivation and revitalizing the family. I can only do things casually, and I won't stop moving forward just to wait for you. But no matter what, we are family. If you really like me, then try to catch up with me."

If, when the day finally comes when I can finally stop and wait for you, you still love me, then stay by my side forever.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Yan spoke with a serious expression.

Xiao Yan's words weren't a complete agreement, but they did give Xiao Yu chance, which was a good answer for her.

At least, she has a chance.

It remains to be seen whether she can stay true to herself in the time to come.

If it works out, Xiao Yan will give her a formal title; if it doesn't, it's because she failed to protect her own heart, not because Xiao Yan didn't give her a chance.

In fact, Xiao Yan had the same attitude towards Xiao Mei. However, the little girl was not mature enough, and some things could not be said directly, as it would easily hurt her feelings.

This might seem like differential treatment, but it's something we can't do without.

He can't just agree to be with a woman who likes him, can he?

If they weren't sisters from the same family, Xiao Yan wouldn't have given them such an opportunity.

If someone is too weak, and doesn't possess an astonishing business acumen like Ya Fei, then their help to Xiao Yan will be negligible.

Even if they end up together, they'll be no different from a decorative vase.

Especially now that Xiao Yan is pressed for time, he is either cultivating or on the path of cultivation. Apart from those who are strong enough to spend more time with him and cultivate a relationship, those who are too weak, no matter how hard they try, will not have many opportunities to spend time with Xiao Yan.

In this way, the vase will inevitably be neglected.

This is not good for anyone.

A relationship cannot be maintained by one party's efforts alone; it requires the joint efforts of both parties.

"Okay, I know it'll be hard to catch up with you, but I'll definitely try my best!"

Xiao Yu actually had little confidence in her talent.

But she believed that her feelings for Xiao Yan were absolutely genuine.

She wasn't sure if her feelings were eternal, but she had great confidence in herself!

"Then Xiao Yu, you'd better keep it up!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled and handed her a Storage Ring.

"Here you have enough pills and resources to cultivate to the Dou Ling level, as well as a set of water-attribute cultivation techniques and Dou Technique that can be used together, and some other Dou Technique that you can use. I see that you have just broken through to the Dou Zhe and the cultivation technique you are cultivating is very ordinary. Let's change the cultivation technique tonight."

As for any problems encountered during cultivation, I will stay at home for a while longer. If you have any questions, you can come to me, and I will help you."

Looking at the boy's earnest smile, Xiao Yu felt her heart start pounding again.

Holding the Storage Ring that still retained the warmth of Xiao Yan's palm, Xiao Yu felt as if she were holding a scorching hot iron, or as if she were holding her own future.

"Alright, since I'm all yours anyway, I'll accept this Storage Ring!"

Xiao Yu's voice was much firmer than before, and her eyes shone with a determined light. She wasn't a cute, cuddly kitten like Xiao Mei, but she was Xiao Yu. Once she set her mind on a direction, she would move straight ahead, no matter how difficult it was, she would never look back!

"Then Sister Xiao Yu, you must do your best." Xiao Yan nodded, a gentle smile on his face, and pointed to his Storage Ring. "It's late at night, the perfect time for cultivation. If you have any questions, you can come find me tomorrow. I'll be going now; Sister Ya Fei is still waiting for me."

Hearing the last few words, Xiao Yu felt a slight pang in her heart, but she quickly suppressed it with her unwavering conviction.

She nodded vigorously. "Yes! You should go back now, I will cultivate diligently!"

Watching Xiao Yan wave his hand and disappear silently like a breeze blending into the night, Xiao Yu took a deep breath of the cool air, closed her eyes, and remained silent for a moment before probing her soul power into her Storage Ring.

"Hiss--"

Even though she was mentally prepared, she was still shocked by the contents and gasped.

Lower Earth Tier cultivation technique: Azure Water Condensing Waves, accompanied by a Lower Earth Tier Dou Technique of the same name, as well as three other Mystic Tier Dou Technique.

And many jade bottles, filled with top-quality pills, a dazzling array, enough to support her cultivation all the way to the Dou Ling realm.

Realizing the importance of the resources in this Storage Ring, Xiao Yu decisively strung them together with a strong, thin rope, made them into a necklace, and stuffed them into the Jade Mountain Grand Canyon for direct, close-fitting storage.

Then, she dashed down the mountain.

She didn't want to disappoint Xiao Yan, nor did she want to disappoint herself.

Tonight, she will focus on cultivating her skills and begin using elixirs to quickly and steadily improve her strength!

Xiao Yan quietly returned to his courtyard. Only after he sensed Xiao Yu's figure returning to her room through his soul perception did he feel relieved enough to open the door to his bedroom.

The Zhu Huo remained warm. Ya Fei had not fallen asleep; instead, she leaned against the headboard, toying with the Mystic Ice Spirit Marrow in her hand. Wisps of cold air swirled around her fingertips, adding a touch of ethereal coolness to her alluring face.

Hearing the door open, she looked up, her eyes sparkling with tenderness.

"You're back?"

Her voice was soft, with a languid tone at the end, which was very alluring.

"Hmm." Xiao Yan closed the door behind him, walked to the bedside and sat down, naturally taking her slightly cool hand in his. "Xiao Yu had something to attend to, so I was delayed for a while."

He didn't elaborate, but he didn't deliberately hide the fact that he was going to see Xiao Yu.

Ya Fei leaned into his arms, put away the Mystic Ice Spirit Marrow, and her small hands began to wander and pinch Xiao Yan's muscular body, her tone carrying a mischievous smile:

"Oh? Our young Clan Chief Xiao is so charming that even my cousin in the clan has fallen for him? It seems my position as his fiancée is a bit precarious."

Her jealousy was expressed perfectly, with a teasing tone, not sharp, but rather flirtatious.

She knew Xiao Yan's personality and understood Xiao Yu's feelings, but that didn't stop her from being a little jealous, using it to enjoy more of Xiao Yan's love.

Xiao Yan lowered his head and planted a kiss on her smooth forehead, tightening his arms to embrace her completely.

"I just gave her some cultivation resources to encourage her to become stronger. Family matters always require some reliable and capable people. To you, she's just a younger sister."

Xiao Yan didn't need to explain much. He already had quite a few girlfriends, so having one more wouldn't make much difference. The main thing was to make Ya Fei feel better.

"Hmph, explanations are just cover-ups." Ya Fei scoffed, but a smile curved her lips, clearly pleased with his answer and embrace. She tilted her head back, offering her red lips, "However... considering you didn't come back too late, I forgive you, but you have to compensate me for spending the night alone in my room..."

With a soft, fragrant body in his arms, and her taking the initiative to kiss him, Xiao Yan had no reason to be polite.

He lowered his head and captured those alluring lips, making this act of reconciliation deeper and more tender.

Ya Fei responded passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck, melting away all the lingering romance from the day in the office and the anticipation of the past few days into this deep affection.

The kiss had just ended, and both of them were a little out of breath.

Ya Fei's cheeks flushed, and she leaned against Xiao Yan's shoulder with seductive eyes.

"I'm a little curious," Ya Fei's voice was slightly hoarse with arousal, making it even more alluring, "What did you say to that 'ill-intentioned' cousin?"

Xiao Yan's fingers casually traced Ya Fei's smooth back, feeling the soft warmth beneath her silk nightgown. His eyes narrowed slightly as he lazily said:

"Because our feelings weren't that deep, I pointed her in a direction and gave her resources. I told her that if she could still keep up while I could stop and wait, and her feelings remained unchanged, then I would give her a formal status."

Ya Fei understood.

Xiao Yan neither accepted nor explicitly rejected her, but instead set up a long test that would give her a chance to regret it.

Given Ya Fei's understanding of Xiao Yan, she naturally understood why he did this.

His world is too vast, and his pace too fast. Romantic love cannot be a constraint. Only those who can keep up with his pace and remain by his side when he needs to stop can truly enter his future.

When did this "stop" occur? Was it Dou Zun? Dou Sheng? Or... Dou Emperor?

Ya Fei felt a slight chill in her heart, but at the same time, a surge of heroic spirit welled up within her. What she had to do was to become the person who could stand by his side no matter where he went!

For example, she had this awareness from the beginning and is working towards it.

In addition to several pleasant interactions and the strong support given to the Xiao Family over the years, we have achieved today's success.

But Xiao Yu's strength is too weak!

Ya Fei knew very well that the conditions Xiao Yan mentioned to Xiao Yu were most likely for becoming Dou Emperor a powerful figure in Chinese mythology).

Only when Xiao Yan reaches that level will he be able to stop for a long enough time to wait for Xiao Yu.

It doesn't mean that Xiao Yan won't cultivate at all by then.

Only at that time could Xiao Yan spare most of his attention to his sisters.

"You... really are..." After understanding what Xiao Yan was thinking, Ya Fei shook her head helplessly but with a touch of indulgence, burying her face in his chest and nuzzling him. "Fine, I can't be bothered with your romantic escapades. As long as you have me in your heart, that's enough."

"Of course, you're the first!" Xiao Yan lowered his head and kissed her forehead again. "It's late, go to sleep. Tomorrow we still need to discuss the Imperial Capital's plans with Father and Elder Hai."

"Um..."

Ya Fei responded lazily, like a satisfied cat, and nestled more comfortably in Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan waved his hand to extinguish the Zhu Huo, and the room fell into a warm darkness and tranquility, with only the two of them breathing softly together.

I slept soundly all night.

Outside the window, the night was fading, and a faint glimmer of dawn appeared on the eastern horizon. The soft light filtered through the window frame, casting a hazy outline in the room.

Xiao Yan, who woke up naturally, began to think.

We need to carefully plan our trip to the Snake-Person Tribe. Before we go, we also need to persuade that difficult-to-talk-to Medusa.

This requires sufficient strength.

Therefore, devouring the Heavenly Flames is the fastest way.

The Sea Heart Flame contains a considerable amount of energy. While it might not be enough to propel Xiao Yan to instant immortality, it would certainly guarantee his breakthrough to the Dou Huang Realm.

However, this means they will need to go into seclusion for a period of time, and then Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei will have no one to guide their cultivation.

However, he wasn't in such a hurry. He planned to break through to the second level of the Great Sun Separation Fire Body first. After Separation Fire Body, he would consider devouring Heavenly Flames, which would be easier.

Moreover, we also need to prepare some supplementary pills.

Since that's the case, let's make thorough preparations before attempting to break through to a higher realm.

As we all know, people make some subconscious movements when they are thinking.

At this moment, Xiao Yan was kneading and pinching.

The Ya Fei in his arms seemed to have been awakened by the unbridled attack. Her long eyelashes fluttered, and she lazily opened her eyes a crack, her face still damp with the mist of sleep.

She instinctively snuggled closer to Xiao Yan, rubbing her smooth cheek against his clothes and letting out a soft, satisfied moan.

"Hmm... is it dawn?"

Her voice was heavy with sleepiness, hoarse yet alluring.

"Mmm." Xiao Yan tightened his arms, lowered his head and kissed the corner of her lips, his voice soft as he said, "Want to sleep a little longer?"

Ya Fei shook her head slightly, and after circulating her ice-attribute Dou Qi for a moment, she regained her senses and looked up at him.

Even in the dim morning light, she could clearly see the flame leaping in his eyes.

"Thinking about what to do next?"

She asked softly. Although they had only shared a bed for two days, they had gotten to know each other quite a few times, and she could guess what Xiao Yan was thinking.

"Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded and said frankly, "Integrating the Jia Ma Empire is not something that can be accomplished overnight. The Imperial Capital, as the central hub, is the key. Sister Ya Fei, the core of our discussion today with Father and Elder Hai is how to weave a network covering the entire empire, with the Imperial Capital as the center. The supply of pills, intelligence sharing, resource allocation, and even the balance and deterrence of various forces... all require your personal assistance in managing these matters."

Upon hearing this, Ya Fei's eyes instantly sharpened, all sleepiness vanished, replaced by the shrewdness and enthusiasm of a business tycoon.

She sat up, her silky nightgown outlining her alluring curves, but exuding an aura of strategic brilliance.

"Don't worry, your sister will always be your support. Whatever you need, I'll build a stage for you in the Imperial Capital."

Seeing Ya Fei's radiant and confident appearance, Xiao Yan also smiled broadly. He felt proud that his woman was so outstanding.

Xiao Yan grasped Ya Fei's hand, which was resting on his chest, and said in a deep voice, "Alright, with you here, I feel at ease!"

Ya Fei grasped his hand in return, saying nothing more, her smile bright and firm.

The two exchanged a smile, needing no further words.

Xiao Yan threw off the covers and got up. With Ya Fei's help, they dressed and tidied themselves up before heading to the Xiao Family's Council Hall.