Yao Ye's Request

As the Miter Family Assembly came to an end, news of the matches spread far and wide. The names of the Twin Stars were being praised throughout the streets and alleys.

The moment Xiao Le stepped into the residence the Miter Family had prepared for him, the Mu Family, the Nalan Family, and several other family forces came one after another to visit him, leaving Xiao Le overwhelmed. Fortunately, when the Misty Cloud Sect elder arrived, everyone else tactfully withdrew.

The arrogant visitor from the Misty Cloud Sect disgusted Xiao Le at first sight.

The man was none other than the old Misty Cloud Sect elder from the platform. He introduced himself first. "I am Yun Leng, Grand Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect. You have decent talent and are qualified to become my disciple!"

His overbearing attitude made the veins on Xiao Le's forehead bulge. He wanted nothing more than to stamp his shoe on the old man's face.

Xiao Le forcibly suppressed his anger and said, "This junior is unworthy of an expert like you."

"Hmph!"

To his surprise, Yun Leng merely snorted coldly before suddenly attacking. His overwhelming aura, as heavy as a thousand jun, struck Xiao Le hard.

Xiao Le spat out blood, straightened his trembling legs, and stared directly at Yun Leng. "Is this how the Misty Cloud Sect conducts itself?"

Yun Leng raised a hand. Battle Qi gathered in his palm, radiating a chilling killing intent. He said coldly, "The Misty Cloud Sect is not something a mere Dou Zhe like you can criticize as you please. Since you refuse, then die!"

Death was so close.

Thinking back on the past fifteen years, Xiao Le was filled with unwillingness. He had yet to become a Dou Emperor. He had yet to live a life drunk in the laps of beauties. I hope Xiao Yan can avenge me!

"The Misty Cloud Sect is nothing more than this!" A disdainful voice came from outside the door.

Xiao Le felt no pain. Opening his eyes, he saw an old man in plain robes standing before him, his withered hand gripping Yun Leng's palm.

A mature and coldly beautiful figure entered from outside. It was none other than the eldest princess, Yao Ye, the future heir of the Jia Ma Empire.

"Your Highness?" Yun Leng showed not the slightest respect as he said disdainfully, "What, is Your Highness planning to protect this brat?"

Yao Ye's gaze gradually turned cold. The Misty Cloud Sect and the Jia Ma Empire's royal family had long been at odds, but she had not expected Yun Leng to bring the conflict into the open.

Yao Ye smiled faintly. "If I insist on protecting him today, what exactly do you intend to do?"

As she spoke, the imposing aura of one long accustomed to high authority pressed down upon him.

Yun Leng snorted angrily, flicked his sleeve, and turned to leave. Before departing, he left behind one sentence.

"I hope you can keep him safe!"

Strength. Xiao Le clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his flesh without him noticing.

Seeing the unwillingness written all over Xiao Le's face, Yao Ye's eyes lit up.

After composing himself, Xiao Le looked at Yao Ye, only for his attention to suddenly be drawn to the entry on her body.

Purple · [War God Empress (Upgradeable)]

An upgradeable entry—this was Xiao Le's first time encountering one, and it was even a luck-type entry. Unfortunately, it did not suit him. After all, he already had the protagonist's halo.

Still, upon encountering such a top-tier entry, Xiao Le decided to download it. Even if he could not use it himself, someone around him could.

In an instant, he was back to square one. Suppressing the ache in his heart, he sacrificed the depleted Heavenly Demon Sacred Blood he had obtained earlier.

Looking at the faint purple energy remaining in the entry, Xiao Le felt stifled.

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Xiao Le cupped his hands in salute.

Yao Ye waved her hand gracefully. "As a citizen of the Jia Ma Empire, how could I, Yao Ye, stand by and do nothing?"

Xiao Le inwardly complained, What a high-sounding speech. Isn't it just because I've shown enough value?

Yao Ye frowned and pleaded, "To be honest, I came to visit today to ask for Young Master Xiao Le's help!"

Being called "Young Master" made Xiao Le rather uncomfortable. His soul was nearly twenty years old. Although his mental age might not compare to Yao Ye's—someone from the Battle Qi Continent, where people generally matured early—his actual age was still there.

"If Your Highness does not mind, please just call me Xiao Le," Xiao Le said, scratching his head awkwardly.

"Alright, Xiao Le. Then don't call me princess either. Just call me Yao Ye," Yao Ye said without ceremony.

A silvery laugh came from outside, and Ya Fei walked in with graceful steps.

"It would be improper to call her Yao Ye directly. How about you follow our lead and address each other as elder sister and younger brother?" Ya Fei noticed the traces of blood at the corner of Xiao Le's mouth, and concern flashed through her eyes. She asked tentatively, "Did Elder Yun Leng make things difficult for you just now?"

Killing intent flashed through Xiao Le's eyes for an instant, and he nodded in admission.

Ya Fei was also indignant upon hearing this. Beside her, Yao Ye gave Ya Fei a grateful look.

"Xiao Le, little... little brother." This seemed to be Yao Ye's first time addressing a man so intimately, and she was clearly unpracticed.

"You should understand the significance of today's Miter Family Assembly. What I seek concerns the Jia Ma Assembly three days from now." Yao Ye's face filled with melancholy as she continued, "You also know the current situation in the Jia Ma Empire. The Misty Cloud Sect's ambitions are obvious to all, while the Jia Ma Empire has already begun to decline. At the Jia Ma Assembly three days from now, I hope that, as a member of the empire, Brother Xiao Le will stand with the empire and help us suppress the Misty Cloud Sect's arrogance."

Xiao Le understood that a tree that stood too rigidly would break easily. Today, he had already caught the attention of the empire's upper ranks and offended the Misty Cloud Sect because of it. If this continued, he might bring about a fatal disaster.

Yao Ye saw Xiao Le's concerns and promised, "Rest assured. With the royal family protecting you, the Misty Cloud Sect will not dare harm you or your family! Furthermore, I can guarantee in the name of the eldest princess that if you defeat the Misty Cloud Sect's prodigy at this assembly, I will let you choose any three treasures from the Jia Ma Treasury!"

"The Jia Ma Treasury?" Ya Fei was dumbfounded. The Jia Ma Treasury was the Jia Ma Empire's collection accumulated over hundreds of years. Every item within it could spark no small struggle.

Xiao Le's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "Alright. I only hope the royal family can protect me, my family, and my loved ones."

Having obtained Xiao Le's agreement, Yao Ye was overjoyed. Even her cold and beautiful expression no longer seemed so icy.

After Yao Ye left, only Xiao Le and Ya Fei remained in the room. Neither spoke.

"Ah... I wonder whether bringing you to the Imperial Capital was right or wrong," Ya Fei sighed as she looked at the young man before her.

Xiao Le caught a hint of meaning in Ya Fei's eyes. He stepped closer and smiled lightly. "Sister Ya Fei, do you remember our bet from this morning? You're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"

Xiao Le had already prepared for Ya Fei to renege, but what greeted him were two moist, sweet, delicate lips.

Xiao Le's eyes widened. Looking at the beauty who had taken the initiative, he responded in kind.

Ya Fei's hazy gaze greatly excited Xiao Le. He said gently, "Sister Ya Fei, do you want to become stronger?"

Become stronger? Ya Fei did not know how many years it had been since that thought had appeared in her mind. She sighed softly and shook her head in refusal.

Xiao Le pointed a finger, bestowing the Heavenly Demon Ancient Scripture entry upon Ya Fei.

"This cultivation method suits you perfectly, but you must never reveal it—not even to your father. Sister Ya Fei, I don't want you to be nearing the end of your years when I become powerful." His words were almost a confession, making Ya Fei's eyes redden.