Feelings Deepen, and Names for the Two Sisters

Medusa blushed scarlet at her younger sister's bright, clear "brother-in-law" and hurriedly reached out to cover her unguarded mouth.

Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment by the title too.

Though it caught him off guard, he quickly recovered. Rather than correct her, he smiled, nodded, and accepted it openly.

Seeing Xiao Yan actually acknowledge the title, Medusa blushed so hard she wanted to crawl into a hole. Even her ears burned red.

She could no longer bring herself to meet Xiao Yan's eyes. All she wanted was to drag her sister away.

Her sister wanted to stay and get to know Xiao Yan better, but she was no match for Medusa, who hauled her out half by force.

On her way out, her sister turned and winked at Xiao Yan. Her mischievous expression made him laugh.

Xiao Yan watched the sisters disappear through the door, unable to stop smiling.

Inside the ring, however, Yao Lao had been baffled from start to finish.

He distinctly remembered Xiao Yan spending all this time cultivating quietly indoors, without setting a foot outside. How had he suddenly saved Medusa's twin sister and become her "brother-in-law" on top of that?

Things were moving a little too fast.

"Ah, this disciple of mine grows more mysterious by the day. Perhaps before long, he won't need this old man anymore..." Yao Lao knew Xiao Yan had many secrets. He did not press him for answers, merely sighing softly to himself inside the ring.

After spending so much time together, he might still call Xiao Yan a brat at every turn, but deep down, he had long since come to regard him as a disciple he truly cared about.

Bickering with the boy and watching his smugness turn to embarrassment always reminded Yao Lao of his own youth.

If he had his way, Xiao Yan would trouble him more often, so he could still feel needed as his teacher.

The days passed. Xiao Yan spent them steadily refining medicine and cultivating, with the two sisters keeping him company in his spare time. Life was rather pleasant.

Over those few days, his relationship with the sisters grew increasingly easy and natural.

The younger sister in particular came to play with Xiao Yan almost every day. He was fond of her lively, carefree nature, and "brother-in-law" rolled off her tongue more readily each time.

As they spent time together, Xiao Yan learned that neither sister had ever had a name. The tribe called Medusa only "Queen," while referring to her younger sister even more vaguely.

To make it easier to address them, and to give each something uniquely her own, Xiao Yan decided to name them both.

The elder sister would be Cai Lin, and the younger Cai Die.

Delighted to have a name of her own, Cai Die clung to Xiao Yan's arm and swung it back and forth like a child who had been given candy, thanking her "brother-in-law" again and again in a bright, ringing voice.

Cai Lin was far more composed, maintaining her usual queenly poise and reserve. Yet the slight curve of her lips and the light flickering in her eyes gave away her joy completely.

While the mood was right, Xiao Yan brought up a plan he had been considering for some time: he would help both sisters evolve their bloodlines at once.

"But... will that work?" Worry clouded Cai Lin's brow.

The secret technique was perilous enough as it was. She would not have feared facing it alone.

But her sister had only just awakened, and Cai Lin could not bear to put her through such danger again.

"Sister, don't underestimate me. I'm really strong." Seeing Cai Lin hesitate, Cai Die promptly showed off the tiny bit of muscle on her arm and struck a solemn pose, her cheeks puffed out.

After that long slumber, she knew better than anyone how important strength was.

She wanted to grow stronger.

Strong enough that her sister would no longer have to worry about her. Strong enough to protect the people she cared about.

Most importantly, she trusted her brother-in-law with all her heart.

She believed he would never let anything happen to her.

Yet Cai Die's endearing declaration did not seem to dispel all of Cai Lin's doubts. She remained silent, the worry still plain on her face.

"Don't worry. I wouldn't suggest it if I weren't sure. Otherwise, I'd be putting my own sister-in-law in danger, wouldn't I?" Xiao Yan teased with a smile, his timely joke easing the tension.

He had good reason to be so certain.

With the Dog Talisman and Horse Talisman, he truly was one hundred percent confident.

The Snake-People Tribe's secret technique normally offered a chance of success only to someone at the Peak Dou Emperor level, but that was under ordinary circumstances.

Without outside help, anyone lacking the Dou Qi reserves of a Peak Dou Emperor simply could not endure until their bloodline finished evolving.

But Xiao Yan, with the Dog Talisman's power of immortality, was an exception.

The Dog Talisman could keep both sisters alive, while the Horse Talisman's healing power served as a safeguard. Together, they could hold on until their bloodlines fully awakened.

And with Xiao Yan personally controlling the Heavenly Flames, there was no chance of even the slightest mistake.

However Xiao Yan looked at it, he could see no way for the attempt to fail.

The one thing the sisters would have to endure themselves was the searing pain of the Heavenly Flames burning through them.

That was something Xiao Yan could not bear for them, no matter what he did.

There was no helping it. To go far and gain true power, some trials had to be faced firsthand.

After all their time together, Cai Lin had gradually grown used to Xiao Yan calling Cai Die his "sister-in-law." She had even begun, however faintly, to grow comfortable with the hazy notion of being Xiao Yan's wife.

With Xiao Yan giving her his assurance, and trusting him from the bottom of her heart, Cai Lin finally nodded solemnly and agreed.

By the following day, every preparation for the evolution ceremony was complete.

To show their sincerity, the Four Great Elders came to Xiao Yan's residence in person and respectfully asked for his help.

Ever since Xiao Yan had put the inflexible First Elder in his place and then personally saved Cai Die, the Four Great Elders had treated him with the utmost respect, not daring to slight him in the least.

Guided by the elders, Xiao Yan passed through checkpoint after checkpoint and followed a winding route until he reached the site of the evolution ceremony.

It was an immense, open chamber. At its center lay a pool of clear, still water, with a small stone island in the middle.

Two breathtaking figures stood quietly upon that island, like figures in a painting.

After escorting Xiao Yan there, the four elders bowed together. "My lord, we shall take our leave. We entrust the two queens to you."

"Leave them to me," Xiao Yan said with a solemn nod.

At his words, the four elders bowed deeply once more before slowly withdrawing.