"No way. I absolutely have to keep this thing safe and tell no one. Otherwise, I'll lose my life!"
The instant his fingertips touched the ancient wooden box, its lid suddenly opened by itself.
A mass of energy surged out and plunged straight into Xiao Yuan's body.
"Holy crap!"
Xiao Yuan was startled and hurriedly checked his body.
But he found that nothing had changed—not even his Dou Qi had increased or decreased in the slightest.
[Ding! Source Qi fusion successful. Congratulations, you have obtained a Flawless Body.]
Xiao Yuan: "..."
What the heck?
He'd only wanted to put the box away, but ended up fusing with the Source Qi?
And then, out of nowhere, he'd obtained a Flawless Body?
[Flawless Body] [A special constitution mutated after its foundations were repeatedly cleansed by Marrow Cleansing Powder and Foundation Building Spirit Liquid, then baptized by Source Qi.] [Effect: A flawless body capable of containing Myriad Manifestations.]
Just from reading this description, Xiao Yuan sank into thought.
First, he'd had an innate Fire Spirit Body, then there had been Marrow Cleansing Powder and the Ten Thousand Soul Banner, and now he had a Flawless Body.
He was starting to wonder whether the place he lived in was really the Dou Qi Continent.
It wasn't until he saw the Life Spirit Flame that he finally found the answer he could believe in.
"Mm, this is definitely the Dou Qi Continent."
Xiao Yuan immediately began fusing with the Life Spirit Flame.
Since it was a reward from the system, the system itself helped him with the fusion.
[Ding! Beginning fusion with the Life Spirit Flame.]
As the notification rang out, Xiao Yuan felt as though he were nestled in a warm embrace.
Then a wave of drowsiness washed over him. He was so sleepy he couldn't keep his eyes open, and before long, he drifted off.
He slept comfortably and peacefully.
When he woke again, it was already the next morning.
Today, Xiao Yuan felt especially alert, with far more energy than usual. When he examined himself internally, he found that the Life Spirit Flame had completely merged with his body.
It flowed through his meridians alongside his Dou Qi, continuously spreading to every corner of his body.
He could even clearly feel a surging vitality nourishing every one of his cells.
"No wonder it's called the Longevity Flame."
Xiao Yuan cheerfully climbed out of bed, got dressed, and began washing up.
He had just finished when a man's voice came from outside the door.
"Cousin Xiao Yuan, are you up?"
The voice was somewhat hesitant and youthful, but most importantly, it sounded awfully familiar!
Hm? Isn't that Xiao Yan's voice? What's he doing coming to see me so early?
For no reason, Xiao Yuan felt his backside tighten.
After all, at this time of day, it was usually Xun'er who came to see him. This was the first time Xiao Yan had...
Perhaps the person outside had heard his thoughts, because another lovely, lilting voice rang out.
"Brother Xiao Yuan, are you still asleep?"
This time, it was Xun'er's voice.
Knowing Xun'er was outside too, Xiao Yuan finally put those thoughts aside. He opened the door for them and welcomed them in.
"Well, good morning, you two. What an honor to have you visit my humble courtyard so early. You've truly brought light to this shabby little place."
Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
It had been three years since anyone had joked around with him like this.
When he faced the other Xiao Clan disciples, they either ignored him coldly or mocked and sneered at him.
For a moment, Xiao Yan wasn't quite used to it.
The instant Xun'er stepped into the room, she felt a fresh, invigorating aura pour into her body, leaving her feeling wonderfully comfortable.
Her body seemed to yearn for the source of that aura.
She understood that Brother Xiao Yuan must have successfully absorbed the Life Spirit Flame.
The girl was delighted for him, but discreetly composed herself before giving Xiao Yuan a sweet smile and replying:
"Brother Xiao Yuan, don't tease Xun'er."
"Hehe."
Xiao Yuan chuckled. Then, as he looked Xun'er over again, he gave a playful whistle.
"You look lovely today. Got a date with someone?"
Today, Xun'er had changed into a tasteful, pale-green outfit. Its soft color lent her an even purer air, while her tight pants wrapped around her slender, long legs, accentuating their smooth curves.
Long legs, a shapely backside, and a still-developing chest—she brimmed with youthful energy and allure, enhanced by her uniquely elegant air.
There was no denying it: she was a feast for the eyes.
"I told you not to tease Xun'er."
This time, Xun'er rolled her eyes at him and said softly, "Are you saying I don't look lovely on ordinary days?"
After speaking, the girl stepped in front of him and habitually reached out to smooth the wrinkles in his clothes.
Her movements were so practiced they were like those of an old married couple, yet they also carried the sweetness of a young couple in love.
Their interaction fed Xiao Yan a heaping mouthful of dog food.
Even without breakfast, he was stuffed full of it.
At last, unable to bear it any longer, Xiao Yan gave a light cough and spoke:
"Ahem... Cousin Xiao Yuan, I came to visit you today because there's something I'd like to ask you."
"Oh?"
Xiao Yuan looked surprised. "What is it? If it's something I can help with, I'll do everything I can."
Faced with Xiao Yuan's warmth, Xiao Yan grew even more embarrassed. He chuckled awkwardly and stammered, "It's... it's just... Cousin Xiao Yuan, could you lend me some money?"
"..."
Xiao Yuan was at a loss for words.
He'd thought it was something difficult to bring up, and had half expected a confession.
So it was just a loan?
No, thank goodness it wasn't a confession.
But when he fell silent, Xiao Yan only grew more embarrassed. He spoke again: "If you can't, forget it... I'll go ask Father."
"Wait!"
Xiao Yuan immediately called out to Xiao Yan, who had started to leave, then took a black card from his Storage Ring and held it out to him.
"There are three thousand gold coins here. Is that enough?"
He'd gotten this black card at the Mittal Auction House several years ago. Back then, he'd wanted to see the legendary Empress of Gold, Ya Fei Mittal, and happened to have a few healing pills on hand, so he'd secretly gone to the Auction House.
But Ya Fei hadn't come to Wutan City yet, so he'd ended up with this black card.
"That's enough, that's enough..."
Xiao Yan nodded excitedly, but when he took the card, he asked with a complicated expression, "Aren't you going to ask what I'm using the money for?"
"Why should I?"
Xiao Yuan countered, "It's not every day a brother asks me for help. If I start digging into the details, wouldn't that be tactless?"
It's obviously for buying medicinal ingredients to make pills. If I ask, won't you have to make up some other excuse on the spot?
[Ding! Congratulations, you have obtained one Tier 7 Heaven Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast Core.]
Hearing the notification, Xiao Yuan's smile grew even wider.
Good grief, even the materials for refining a Poison Pill have appeared. Is this a hint that I should set out to find Xiao Yi Xian?