Instant Sisters!

Xiao Ze waded back to shore. Xiao Yi Xian was still staring blankly.

"What's wrong? Did I miss a spot when I washed my face?"

Xiao Ze touched his cheek. It was as clean as ever!

"Nothing. I just didn't expect that beneath the disguise, you'd be so handsome."

Xiao Yi Xian said it sincerely.

"Haha, keep the compliments coming. I like hearing them!"

Xiao Ze laughed and changed into fresh clothes.

Xiao Yi Xian rolled her eyes, suddenly curious.

"Xiao Ze, with your looks, you must have plenty of admirers around you, right?"

"Unfortunately, no. I'm usually pretty low-key. There's only one childhood sweetheart in my family."

Hearing that Xiao Ze had only one childhood sweetheart, Xiao Yi Xian felt a little pleased.

She could certainly relate to him calling himself low-key.

Xiao Ze was more than low-key!

All the way back to Wutan City, whenever they came across a town and went in to rest, Xiao Ze would always pull on his cloak!

From what Xiao Ze had told her, on the way to Green Mountain Town, he hadn't entered a single town. He'd stayed outside the crowds the whole time!

"Low-key" didn't even begin to describe it!

"Let's go. I'll take you to the Xiao Clan!"

Xiao Ze had straightened his clothes and used a little Dou Qi to dry his hair.

He brought Xiao Yi Xian back to the Xiao Clan estate.

The two Xiao Clan guards at the gate froze when they saw Xiao Ze.

But they quickly recovered and greeted him in unison.

"Young Master Xiao Ze!"

"Mm, thanks for your hard work!"

Xiao Ze smiled and led Xiao Yi Xian into the Xiao Clan.

Only after Xiao Ze had left did the two clansmen begin to whisper.

"Has Young Master Xiao Ze been away?"

"Not that I remember. I haven't heard anything!"

"Who's that young woman? Young Master Xiao Ze went out and came back with a girl?"

"You're asking me? Who am I supposed to ask? This isn't something people like us should be worrying about!"

After gossiping for a while, the two guards returned to their usual boredom.

Xiao Ze held Xiao Yi Xian's hand, planning to pay his respects to Xiao Zhan first.

Meanwhile, at the back mountain, Xiao Xun'er slowly steadied her breathing and looked at Ling Ying, who had appeared before her.

"Brother Xiao Ze has been through so much lately? And it seems he's even awakened the Woeful Poison Body?!!"

Xiao Xun'er furrowed her brows. The thought of someone else possessing the Woeful Poison Body made her feel a little uneasy.

According to Ling Ying's report, Xiao Ze had brought Xiao Yi Xian back to use the deadly poison of her Woeful Poison Body to cultivate.

Yet Xiao Xun'er still couldn't shake the unpleasant feeling!

Xiao Ze and Xiao Yi Xian both had the Woeful Poison Body. It was almost as if the two of them were made for each other!

Her good mood from her recent breakthroughs vanished without a trace.

"By the way, how many stars is Brother Xiao Ze at now?"

"Ahem." Ling Ying cleared his throat. He knew his young lady had a competitive streak.

Seeing him hesitate, Xiao Xun'er immediately sensed something was wrong.

"Has he already become a Da Dou Shi?"

"No, not yet!"

Ling Ying hurried to answer, but before Xiao Xun'er could breathe a sigh of relief, his next words made her eyes widen.

"Young Master Xiao Ze is already a nine-star Dou Master, and it seems he's been holding back from breaking through."

"Elder Ling, you might as well not have explained."

"How could Brother Xiao Ze be unable to break through to Da Dou Shi? He must be waiting until he returns to the Xiao Clan!"

Xiao Xun'er recalled the last time Xiao Ze had broken through to Dou Master in front of her!

"Ha, I'm only telling it like it is."

"Still, the Woeful Poison Body does develop at an extraordinary pace in its early stages. After awakening it, Young Master Xiao Ze broke through six stars in a row!"

"But his progress should slow later on, and he won't be able to match you, miss! You possess the Ancient Clan's God-Grade Bloodline!"

Xiao Xun'er fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "In its later stages, can the Woeful Poison Body no longer suppress its poison, forcing its bearer to endure the agony of a thousand poisons devouring them?"

"Miss, don't worry. Though the Woeful Poison Body is rare, the Ancient Clan has preserved a way to resolve it."

Only after hearing Ling Ying's explanation did Xiao Xun'er relax.

"I hope Brother Xiao Ze doesn't let the power go to his head and devour poison recklessly..."

Xiao Xun'er murmured.

The Ancient Clan had preserved a way to resolve the Woeful Poison Body.

But it wouldn't be easy to obtain!

The price might well be that she'd have to return to the Ancient Realm!

At least until she came of age, she still wanted to stay by Brother Xiao Ze's side.

"Miss, Young Master Xiao Ze is here! He brought that young woman with him!"

After delivering those final words, Ling Ying faded into the darkness and vanished without a trace.

After reporting his safe return to Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ze immediately took Xiao Yi Xian to the back mountain.

"Xun Er! It's been so long. I've missed you terribly!"

Xiao Ze hurried over to Xun Er. She, too, looked delighted.

Behind Xiao Ze, Xiao Yi Xian saw Xiao Xun'er's face and froze!

This was the childhood sweetheart Xiao Ze had mentioned?

She hadn't fully grown into her features yet, but she already had the makings of a peerless beauty!

And she had an air of mystery and nobility about her.

To any man, that would be an irresistible temptation.

That one childhood sweetheart was worth a dozen other admirers.

Xiao Yi Xian had been happy that Xiao Ze had only one childhood sweetheart, figuring that meant less competition.

But now she felt she might not stand a chance!

After Xiao Ze and Xiao Xun'er had caught up for a while, he led her over to Xiao Yi Xian and introduced them to each other.

"This is my friend, Xiao Yi Xian. I met her while adventuring outside. She's beautiful and kind-hearted, and she's a healer who saves lives."

"This is my childhood sweetheart, Xiao Xun'er. We grew up together. She's naturally beautiful and a genius at cultivation!"

After Xiao Ze's brief introduction, the two got along a little better—or at least, it looked that way on the surface.

Xiao Xun'er knew Xiao Yi Xian's situation well.

After all, a high-ranked Dou Emperor had been gathering intelligence for her.

Though she felt a little jealous of Xiao Ze's actions, Xiao Xun'er also knew his choice was perfectly understandable.

This was a golden opportunity to improve his strength!

No one with ambition would let such an opportunity pass by.

Since she couldn't change what had happened, she could only try to accept it.

Xiao Yi Xian's first impression of Xiao Xun'er was that she had a slender waist!

Her willow waist was so slim it looked like it could be circled with one hand. Paired with her lovely face, it gave her the air of a delicate beauty.

But this delicate beauty before her possessed the Woeful Poison Body that everyone on the Dou Qi Continent feared like a tiger!

Xiao Yi Xian didn't know much about Xiao Xun'er.

Besides her peerless beauty, even Xiao Yi Xian found herself drawn to that mysterious, noble air about her!

Though both women had plenty on their minds, in front of Xiao Ze they still acted as if they were "very happy to meet each other."

"Seeing you two get along so harmoniously puts my mind at ease," Xiao Ze said with a smile. He couldn't read minds, after all. If they seemed to get along on the surface, that was good enough for him.

"Big Sister Xiao Yi Xian, you look like you've been on a long journey. Why don't I take you to freshen up?"

"Sure. Sorry for the trouble, little sister Xun Er."

As they talked, they both ignored Xiao Ze and headed toward the hot spring.

Xiao Ze shrugged and silently followed behind them.

Their relationship had suddenly taken a huge leap forward. They were already calling each other sisters.

Xiao Ze could only marvel at how mysterious the bonds between women could be.