Fooling Little Flame (Revised)

At this moment, Xun Er, lying on the bed, opened her eyes. Looking at the necklace around her neck, she turned toward the corner of the room and called, "Elder Ling, are you there?"

A shadow appeared in the corner of the room, gradually taking the form of a man in black robes. He replied, "Reporting to Miss, I saw Young Master Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan sneaking in earlier. I had intended to stop him, but then I saw Young Master Xiao Yao following him, so I wanted to see what they had come here for. In the end, when I saw Xiao Yan trying to touch you, I was about to intervene when I discovered that Young Master Xiao Yao had already knocked him out. So I remained hidden and did not stop them."

Xun Er pointed at the icy-blue necklace around her neck and asked, "Is this from Brother Xiao Yao?"

Elder Ling smiled. "Yes, Miss. I was puzzled as well. That necklace appeared in his hand out of nowhere. He probably took it out of the Storage Ring he wears."

After hearing Elder Ling's words, Xun Er removed the necklace from her neck and examined it. With a puzzled expression, she handed it to him. "Elder Ling, what grade is this necklace? When I wear it, the side effects from absorbing Heavenly Flames seem to lessen."

Elder Ling took the necklace from his young mistress with both hands, examining it carefully as he poured a trace of Dou Qi into it. At once, the necklace emitted a faint, icy aura.

Elder Ling said awkwardly, "Miss, from my estimate, this necklace is at least Earth Tier. As for its exact grade, I cannot tell. I never expected the Xiao Clan to possess an Earth Tier item."

"Miss, keep wearing this necklace. Within a few months, the lingering side effects of absorbing Heavenly Flames will be eliminated. Still, I never expected Young Master Xiao Yao to be willing to give away an Earth Tier necklace. Could he have some ulterior motive?"

Xun Er recalled hearing Brother Xiao Yao mutter that it was wasted on her, the reluctance clear in his voice. She could not help but laugh. "He is not nearly as generous as Elder Ling says. Elder Ling, do not let people casually enter my room again in the future—except Brother Xiao Yao."

Elder Ling looked utterly bewildered. "Yes, Miss." With that, his entire body vanished into the darkness.

Xun Er gazed gently at the necklace and smiled as she murmured to herself, "Other than Father, few people have ever truly cared about me. Thank you, Brother Xiao Yao."

At that moment, Xiao Yao carried Xiao Yan on his back to his room. He pushed open the door, tossed Xiao Yan onto the bed, tucked him under the covers, then sat beside him and resumed cultivating.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yan woke from his sleep. Opening his eyes and seeing the unfamiliar surroundings, he realized he was not in his own room. Xiao Yao could not help laughing. "No need to look around. This is my room."

"Xiao Yao, why was I here last night? Hiss, why does the back of my neck hurt so much? Don't tell me you knocked me out?" Xiao Yan froze for a moment, then stared blankly at Xiao Yao.

Xiao Yao smiled and shook his head. "Little Flame, I caught you trying to sneak into a girl's room last night. Of course I had to stop you. So yes, it was just as you thought."

Hearing that, Xiao Yan retorted indignantly, "What are you talking about? Xun Er hasn't looked well these past few days. As her friend, of course I went to check on her. It was absolutely not what you think. And don't call me Little Flame."

Xiao Yao looked at him and shook his head helplessly. "Little Flame, we're twins. I was born before you, and even our parents agree that I'm your older brother. Who sneaks into a girl's room in the middle of the night? If we did not look alike, I could not be bothered with you. But you are using my face to do this sort of thing, and I will not allow it."

After hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xiao Yan's expression became somewhat awkward. He glared at Xiao Yao, then turned away and said nothing more.

Xiao Yao knew Xiao Yan must be feeling terrible, but he could not let him continue acting so recklessly.

Xiao Yao walked over, gently patted his shoulder, and said, "Little Flame, I know you feel bad, but you need to understand that what you did was truly wrong. Xun Er is your friend. You should respect her, not secretly approach her. If you truly care about her, then go see her openly instead of acting like a thief."

Xiao Yan's expression eased slightly upon hearing that.

He turned to look at Xiao Yao, his eyes somewhat lost.

Xiao Yao continued, "Little Flame, remember this: as a member of the Xiao Clan, you should not do such sneaky things. You are still young. There is much you need to learn and grow through."

After hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xiao Yan fell silent for a while before nodding.

A trace of determination appeared in Xiao Yan's eyes, as though he understood what Xiao Yao meant.

Xiao Yao smiled and patted his shoulder. "All right, Little Flame. Let's work hard and cultivate together. I believe you will become a strong person."

Xiao Yan nodded and revealed an embarrassed smile.

He lowered his head and said softly, "Thank you, Brother Yao. I'll remember what you said."

Looking at him, Xiao Yao laughed inwardly. Little Flame was persuaded by my little bowl of chicken soup so easily? Is this really the Flame Emperor everyone talks about? He really is still just a kid—not mature yet.

Then Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Yao with a grin. "Um, Brother Yao, you..."

Seeing Xiao Yan hesitate, Xiao Yao covered his forehead and said irritably, "If you have something to say, say it. Why are you, a grown man, acting as coy as a little girl?"

Xiao Yan laughed awkwardly after hearing that. "Brother Yao, then I'll be direct. When you knocked me out at Xun Er's place, I sensed a wisp of Dou Qi. Have you already begun cultivating? Um... could you teach me? I'm too embarrassed to ask our parents."

Xiao Yao circled Xiao Yan, looking him over as he wondered whether Xiao Yan was pretending to be a foolish child. What was there to be embarrassed about? They were both adults.

So Xiao Yao said calmly, "Yes. Since you noticed, I'll tell you. I have indeed started cultivating. Come with me."

The two of them pushed open the door and stepped into the courtyard. Sunlight spilled over the bluestone slabs, while a gentle breeze brought a hint of coolness.

Xiao Yao and Xiao Yan casually found a place to sit and prepared to begin cultivating.

Xiao Yao looked at Xiao Yan, who was watching him with eager anticipation, as if waiting for him to demonstrate how to cultivate.

Xiao Yao smiled faintly and began demonstrating how to draw Dou Qi into the body. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, followed the guidance of the Myriad Devouring Art in his mind, then opened his eyes and began forming hand seals.

As Xiao Yao formed the seals, streams of multicolored Dou Qi gathered toward him from all directions.

The Dou Qi flowed into Xiao Yao's body like water. He could clearly feel it traveling through his meridians and converging in his dantian.

After a while, Xiao Yao exhaled a stream of golden air. It contained powerful energy, as though it were proof of his own cultivation.

Xiao Yao opened his eyes and looked calmly at Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan stared at Xiao Yao in astonishment, clearly shaken by his cultivation.

"Did you understand that, Little Flame?" Xiao Yao asked with a smile.

Xiao Yan shook his head and said with a puzzled look, "What were those hand seals you made? I couldn't understand them."

Xiao Yao explained with a smile, "You cultivate according to a cultivation method. Once you become a Dou Zhe, you can ask Father for a cultivation method. You can still devour Dou Qi without one, but you will absorb it much more slowly."

After hearing this, a trace of determination flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes. He nodded, indicating that he would seek out his father for a cultivation method.

The two smiled at each other, their hearts filled with anticipation and hope for the future.