Yun Yun's Gift

Jia Ma Imperial Family.

"Great-Grandfather, why are you still awake?"

Passing by the study and seeing the light still on inside, Yaoye pushed open the door and entered, only to find that Jia Xing Tian had not gone to sleep yet.

"Yaoye, what brings you here?"

"I happened to pass by and saw that your light was still on, so I came in to check on you."

"Great-Grandfather, it's late. You should get some rest," Yaoye said.

Although Jia Xing Tian was a Dou Emperor powerhouse, he was advanced in years and nearing the end of his lifespan. He could not overexert himself.

"I was just thinking about something. I'll rest soon. You should hurry back too," Jia Xing Tian said with a smile, stroking his beard.

"Then it's settled. Great-Grandfather, you have to rest early too, understand?"

"You little girl, now you're trying to manage me? Hurry back," Jia Xing Tian said with a smile as he ushered Yaoye out.

The moment he shut the door, a cold, sinister voice suddenly rang out in the room.

"Hehehe..."

"Who's there?!"

Jia Xing Tian instantly became alert. Dou Qi circulated within his body, ready for him to strike at any moment.

A mass of black mist rose within the room, taking the shape of a human figure.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am a protector of the Soul Hall—Wu Protector."

"Soul Hall? Never heard of it." Jia Xing Tian dismissed him at once, his gaze never leaving Wu Protector vigilantly.

Anyone who could slip into his study without warning was certainly no ordinary person!

"It doesn't matter if you haven't heard of it. Now that you have, that's enough." Wu Protector smiled. "I came this time to make a deal with you."

"What deal?"

"You help me find a clan, and I'll help you break through to the Dou Sect realm."

Wu Protector's words made a gleam flash through Jia Xing Tian's eyes. Even his heart began to race uncontrollably.

The words "Dou Sect" were far too tempting for Jia Xing Tian!

He had remained at the peak of the Dou Emperor realm for many years, and the end of his lifespan was already approaching. If he did not break through to the Dou Sect realm, his life would come to an end.

Yet as the protector of the Jia Ma Imperial Family, he bore the fate and future of the entire Jia Ma Imperial Family on his shoulders.

At present, apart from him, the Jia Ma Imperial Family did not possess a second Dou Emperor. Thus, Jia Xing Tian did not dare rashly enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the Dou Sect realm.

Because if he failed, the Jia Ma Imperial Family would completely lose its pillar.

When that time came, the flourishing Misty Cloud Sect would surely take advantage of the opening and replace them!

But he did not readily believe the other man. "Why should I believe what you say?"

"You can decide for yourself whether to believe it or not. I am only here to propose a deal," Wu Protector said with a smile. "I know you have been stuck at the peak of the Dou Emperor realm for many years. And if you don't break through to the Dou Sect realm soon, when the end of your lifespan arrives, there will be no saving you."

"Now, the Misty Cloud Sect is growing stronger and stronger. If anything happens to you, they will surely overthrow your Jia Ma Imperial Family."

"Even if nothing happens to you, once the Misty Cloud Sect continues to grow, they will still surpass your Jia Ma Imperial Family."

"That is why I am willing to help you, on the condition that you can help me as well."

After being rejected by Yun Shan, Wu Protector could only come to Jia Xing Tian.

Originally, he had set his sights on the Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Imperial Family.

Since the Misty Cloud Sect would not help him, he came to the Jia Ma Imperial Family instead.

If the Jia Ma Imperial Family refused as well... then Wu Protector could only continue looking downward for smaller clans and factions.

Because he had to find the Xiao Clan. It was his mission.

But for now, he still chose to persuade Jia Xing Tian first.

"What do you want this old man to do for you?"

After a long silence, Jia Xing Tian finally spoke.

Wu Protector's words had struck directly at the most difficult predicament he currently faced.

First, the end of his lifespan was approaching. Second, the Misty Cloud Sect threatened the Jia Ma Imperial Family.

If he could become a Dou Sect, both of these problems would be resolved with ease!

"Very simple. I need you to use the power of your Jia Ma Imperial Family to help find a clan called the 'Xiao Clan' within the Jia Ma Empire."

"As payment, I can help you break through to the Dou Sect realm. Whether you agree or not, you may consider it carefully."

"I am not set on cooperating with you. If you refuse, I can also go to the Misty Cloud Sect." Although Yun Shan had rejected him, that did not stop him from using the Misty Cloud Sect to pressure Jia Xing Tian.

After all, Jia Xing Tian did not know that he had already sought out the Misty Cloud Sect. This was called an information gap.

"To me, whether it is the Misty Cloud Sect or your Jia Ma Imperial Family, both are merely tools to achieve my goal. It makes no difference whom I choose."

"But for you, it is quite different."

Wu Protector's words plunged Jia Xing Tian into deep thought.

He could refuse Wu Protector.

But what if Wu Protector turned around and went to the Misty Cloud Sect?

The Misty Cloud Sect was already developing rapidly. If it received Wu Protector's help as well... then the Jia Ma Imperial Family would never be able to suppress it again.

"Fine. This old man agrees!"

In the end, Jia Xing Tian gritted his teeth and agreed.

Wu Protector smiled as well. "Then may our cooperation be a pleasant one!"

These past few days, Yun Yun had not really dared to face Wu Changqing.

The things Wu Changqing had said to her a few days ago had left her feeling terribly embarrassed.

She believed that Yun Shan wanted to bring her and Wu Changqing together.

After all, Yun Shan had personally spoken to her about it.

But now that Wu Changqing knew about it too, she felt even more embarrassed about facing him.

Still, after hesitating for several days, she decided that she would go see Wu Changqing today.

In the courtyard, Little Fairy Doctor was cultivating. When she saw Yun Yun arrive, she hurriedly greeted her. "Greetings, Sect Master."

Yun Yun glanced at her.

Little Fairy Doctor had grown into a lovely young woman, with bright eyes, white teeth, and a gentle nature. She was a graceful beauty.

With such a beautiful girl by Wu Changqing's side... Yun Yun thought about it, and inexplicably found herself having other thoughts.

But when facing Little Fairy Doctor, she remained very proper. "Mm. Where is your teacher?"

"Teacher is in his room. Do you need me to call him?"

"No need. I'll go myself."

Yun Yun told her to continue cultivating, then headed to Wu Changqing's room herself.

Knock, permission, enter, close the door.

The movements flowed in one smooth motion.

"Why did you come today?" Wu Changqing looked at her with interest.

Ever since he had teased Yun Yun on the back mountain that day, she had been avoiding him these past few days.

"I... I came to give you something." Yun Yun felt herself growing a little nervous.

"What is it?"

"When we went shopping before, didn't you give me a hairpin? I said I would return the favor with a gift, but there wasn't time that day, so yesterday I went and found a gift to give you."

As she spoke, she held out her hand and opened her palm. Resting there was a light red wrist cord.

"A wrist cord?" Wu Changqing took it and examined it.

It was an extremely ordinary wrist cord, with two jade beads hanging from either end. It was plain and crude, with nothing exquisite about it.

"So ugly..."