They walked out of the Dou Technique Hall.
Xiao Xun'er blinked and asked, "Brother Xiao Yan, what level has your cultivation reached now?"
"Take a guess." He did not answer the girl's question directly. It was not that Xiao Yan distrusted her, but that the current situation did not allow it.
He stood in the light while his enemies lurked in the dark. His cultivation was the trump card he could least afford to reveal.
Once word got out, those enemies hiding in the shadows would certainly become more cautious, adding another measure of danger to his situation.
The girl was understanding and gave a huff of feigned anger.
Then she raised her little fist and declared indignantly, "No matter how strong you are, Brother Xiao Yan, if Cousin Xiao Ning really dares to do anything to you a year from now, I certainly won't let him off lightly."
Warmth filled his heart. So this was what it felt like to have someone look out for you.
The former Xiao Yan had owed the girl before him far, far too much. The Xiao Yan of today would never allow that to happen again.
When feelings ran deep, affection naturally overflowed. Xiao Yan took the girl's little fist in his hand and said with firm sincerity, "Xun'er, from today onward, I'll be the one protecting you."
Such heartfelt words brought an unusual crimson flush to the girl's pretty face. Flustered, she pulled her hand free and could not help chiding him. "Brother Xiao Yan, you're so cheesy. If you really want to protect me, make sure no one beats you into a cripple at next year's coming-of-age ceremony."
"Haha, that won't happen. I think certain people should be the ones worrying about getting beaten into cripples by me." Looking at the resolute young man before her, Xiao Xun'er could not help breaking into a smile as lovely as a blue lotus.
As the sky darkened, Xiao Yan once again escorted the girl back to her room.
Before they parted, Xiao Xun'er seemed to remember something. She suddenly turned and said, "Brother Xiao Yan, that thing called a game console is so much fun. Remember to give it a try when you get back!"
"All right. Hurry inside and get some rest." He waved, waiting until her door had closed completely before leaving the courtyard.
He had little interest in the girl's final suggestion to give it a try-or rather, he had already played until he was sick of it.
In his previous life, had he not been addicted to games, he would not have managed to earn only a doctorate from Huaqing and a master's degree from DabeI, eventually sinking to the point of baking for a living.
It was precisely because of that tragic experience that he had sworn never again to touch those games that sapped ambition through idle pleasure...
Idle pleasures sapping ambition?
A flash of inspiration struck him, and he suddenly stopped in his tracks. He seemed to have figured something out: why everything in the jars he had opened today had been meant for entertainment.
Instinctively, he turned to look toward Xiao Xun'er's room.
In the candlelight, he could faintly make out the silhouette of the girl sitting on her bed, playing games.
Idle pleasures sapping ambition, idle pleasures sapping ambition...
This Immortal Chen really had made a brilliant move in a far-reaching game of chess.
The western courtyard, Xiao Ning's room.
"You little bastard, just you wait. See how I beat you into a cripple at the coming-of-age ceremony. Once you're sent away from the clan and no longer have your father's protection, see how I torment you."
Whenever he thought of what had happened at the training grounds, Xiao Ning's teeth ached with hatred. Gritting them, he struck the bed with a backhanded palm.
Just then, the snow-white Storage Ring on his hand gave off a faint glow.
Immediately afterward, a remnant soul floated out into the room.
The instant the remnant soul appeared, Xiao Ning dropped to one knee and cupped his hands respectfully. "Master."
"Do not call me that. I have never agreed to take you as my disciple." The voice was pleasing to the ear. As though deliberately concealed, the remnant soul's true appearance could not be seen clearly, and a mist that would not disperse always surrounded her.
Despite the thorough concealment, it was not hard to tell that she was a graceful woman of captivating charm, full where she should be full and slender where she should be slender.
Xiao Ning raised his eyes toward her, his gaze burning with desire.
"Whether you acknowledge me or not, you will always be my master." Ever since he had obtained this item by chance, he had received a little guidance from her.
It was precisely that small amount of guidance that had raised his cultivation straight from the eighth stage of Dou Qi to the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi.
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