The incense burner in the corner of the room sent up thin wisps of smoke, filling the air with the faint scent of dragon's-breath incense as the two gazed into each other's eyes.
Xiao Yi Xian slowly opened her eyes and spread her arms wide.
"I want a hug, Brother Xiao Fan."
Her voice carried a hint of sleepiness and playfulness, making her impossible to refuse.
She seemed to like this, as if it reassured her of his affection.
Xiao Fan smiled helplessly and gave her a gentle hug, feeling her warmth and the softness of her body.
The young man and young woman nestled close together, their arms gently wrapped around each other.
Time seemed to stop flowing in that instant. Who knew how long they stayed like that?
Xiao Fan raised his head slightly.
Mm...
At an age when his blood was apt to run hot, his body inevitably reacted a little.
Xiao Yi Xian naturally felt it too. Her face turned pink, like a ripe apple.
Still, she gave him a mischievous wink and spoke with a hint of seduction.
"Brother Xiao Fan, I heard doing that makes the poison erupt even more violently~"
A sly glint shone in her eyes.
"Want to try? It's about to happen again, anyway~"
Don't get the wrong idea—she meant that her Woeful Poison Body was about to erupt again.
Xiao Fan's vision went dark. He pinched her cheek.
"What are you thinking?!"
His tone held a hint of reproach.
"You're still too young..."
Xiao Fan shook his head helplessly.
Xiao Yi Xian's body hadn't fully matured yet, and she was weak. His own physique was far too powerful, more terrifying than a magical beast's. An ordinary person simply couldn't withstand it.
"Humph~ So you really do like that big sister more, huh?"
Xiao Yi Xian pouted, looking thoroughly displeased.
"Of course. I'm just a poor little girl. No one cares about me or likes me."
Xiao Yi Xian lamented, looking so pitiful that anyone would feel for her.
Xiao Fan had no choice but to promise, "When you become a Dou Zong..."
"Hehe, okay..."
Having received Xiao Fan's promise, Xiao Yi Xian smiled.
It was as if she had received the most precious gift in the world. Her smile shone brighter than the most dazzling star in the night sky.
Having never felt such a sense of security in her life, all she wanted was to hold on tightly to this young man.
Even if it was only a moment of peace, even if she had to give her life for him...
Xiao Fan lay down beside her. Breathing in the girl's sweet fragrance, he said,
"Time to sleep..."
His voice was soft and soothing.
"Mm, good night, Brother Xiao Fan~"
As she spoke, she kissed him on the lips with lightning speed.
Feeling the sweetness of her lips, Xiao Fan smiled, turned onto his side, and held Xiao Yi Xian as he slowly closed his eyes.
In the darkness, Xiao Yi Xian, nestled in Xiao Fan's arms, blinked her lively eyes.
Her heart was full of joy and contentment. Before long, she drifted into a deep sleep.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the window and dappled the floor.
Xiao Fan stretched widely, yawned, and slowly walked out of his room.
In his haste to leave, he failed to notice Xiao Xun'er standing expressionlessly in the corner.
Xiao Xun'er stood there, her beautiful face now tinged with coldness.
Her exquisite features seemed covered in frost, and a golden flame slowly rose in her autumn-clear eyes.
Yesterday, she had seen Xiao Yi Xian slip into Brother Xiao Fan's room with her own eyes. The thought of Xiao Yi Xian clinging to his side every day, sweetly calling him Brother Xiao Fan, made her feel a pang of irritation.
What's that supposed to mean?! I was here first! Brother Xiao Fan and I have known each other longer. Why does she get to be so close to him?
She felt that if she didn't do something soon, she might lose Brother Xiao Fan.
Xiao Fan made his way to the back mountain. Trees shaded the slopes, and a breeze rustled through the leaves.
Just then, he felt something stirring in his sleeve. The Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python had woken up.
Its body was small and delicate, yet it carried an air of mystery and liveliness.
Its head was round and adorable, and its clear, crystalline eyes gleamed like precious stones.
Neat rows of seven-colored scales covered its body. Under the sunlight, their colors shimmered together in a dazzling display.
The moment it woke, it affectionately rubbed against Xiao Fan's finger, its movement gentle and warm, as if it were acting spoiled.
Xiao Fan smiled, his eyes full of affection. He took some food from his Storage Ring—a kind of magical beast meat fit for eating—and offered it to her. "You must be starving. Eat up."
"Hiss, hiss~"
Xiao Cai made a cheerful sound, clearly delighted and certain she had chosen the right person to follow.
She began to eat. Though she was tiny, she had an astonishing appetite.
The mountain-sized magical beast meat dwindled rapidly beneath her ravenous assault, until she had devoured every last bit.
Once full, she lay lazily on the ground. Apart from her slightly swollen belly, there was no sign that anything was different.
And... Xiao Fan keenly sensed that her aura had grown a little stronger.
Xiao Fan watched in amazement, then smiled with satisfaction. "You're growing pretty fast, little one."
If the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python was already this impressive, just how extraordinary was the Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python in the Great Thousand World?
This kind of magical beast was quite suited to following him.
Perhaps he could teach her the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art someday. Then she would grow even stronger.
"Not bad. Follow me from now on, and I'll make sure you become a demon emperor in your own right." Xiao Fan stroked the little snake's head and spoke with confidence.
"Hiss, hiss!"
The little snake nodded cheerfully, seeming to believe every word he said.
[Ping! Xiao Cai trusts what you say completely. You have gained 3000 Bragging Points!]
Xiao Fan smiled, feeling pleased.
"Now, I should continue deducing the cultivation art."
Xiao Fan murmured to himself.
He sat cross-legged as strands of Dao rhythm drifted around him, dreamlike and illusory. He had made some progress in the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art a while ago, and the formidable comprehension of his Innate Sacred Body Dao Fetus had given him some insights. He had already deduced most of a lower-tier cultivation art based on the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art. He would work on it some more over the next couple of days.
After all, not everyone could comprehend the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art.
It was a deeply sinister cultivation art with demanding requirements. Its nature was far too domineering and wicked, so it placed great demands on the practitioner's constitution, will, and other qualities.
Xiao Fan pondered.
It wouldn't be appropriate to simply hand it to the women around him, so he decided to create an art suited to them instead.
Xiao Cai imitated him, coiling up her body. Her clear, crystalline eyes watched the Dao rhythm around Xiao Fan.
She seemed to gain some insight and gradually became absorbed in it. The aura around her slowly grew stronger...
Central Plains, a branch of the Soul Hall.
The hall was dimly lit. Eerie green flames flickered and danced on the walls and stone pillars, as though countless wronged souls were whispering and weeping.
The floor was laid with cold black stone, its chill sinking into the bones. Here and there, dried blood had left mottled, dark-red stains.
Black iron chains crisscrossed overhead, their dangling ends swaying slightly with a bone-chilling clank.
Venerable Mu Gu received a mission from the Hall Master and smiled.
"How interesting. Someone from the Ancient Clan went to that remote place again..."
"In that case, send a few protectors to take a look..."
To be safe, he sent ten protectors this time. Two were Nine-Star Dou Zongs, and the rest were mid- to high-Rank Dou Zongs...
As for their safety—whether they might be discovered and killed by an Ancient Clan expert?
It didn't matter. The Soul Hall had countless protectors like them. If they died, they died.
Anyway, once he finished what he was working on, he would make the trip there himself...