Chapter 4: Shopping.
Feeling a little hungry, Xiao Ling decided to go to the cafeteria for breakfast. A smile crossed his face as he remembered Xiao Xun'er's words yesterday about going to the market together.
Ever since he'd first visited Xiao Xun'er's room to nourish her meridians, Xiao Ling had made the same visit almost every night until he was seven. While the results might not have been particularly good, Xiao Xun'er had sensed his persistence, and their relationship grew stronger. They often chatted together as a couple in the family.
After leaving the courtyard, he headed towards the intersection he'd agreed to meet with Xiao Xun'er. Sure enough, he saw a pretty young woman waiting there.
She was dressed in a purple dress, her aura as cool and detached as a worldly lotus. Her waist was as slender as a willow leaf, barely manageable. Her long, black hair, tied casually with a lavender satin ribbon, flowed softly down her curves. Two tiny green bells dangled from her fair wrists, making her look like a figure in a painting. On that slightly childish face, every frown and smile could move the hearts of the young people.
Seeing Xiao Ling approaching, Xiao Xun'er blinked her bright eyes and greeted him with a smile, "Brother Xiao Ling, have you finished your training? Your aura has become much stronger. You are indeed the Xiao family's number one genius."
Scratching Xiao Xun'er's nose, Xiao Ling smiled and said, "Girl, you're teasing me again."
Xiao Ling was a time traveler and knew that Xiao Xun'er possessed the most perfect divine bloodline in the ancient clan in thousands of years, with an absurdly high talent. Although he didn't know what her current level of cultivation was before her bloodline was activated, if she practiced diligently, it would definitely be higher than her current level.
The two chatted and laughed as they walked into the cafeteria together. The surrounding clansmen cast envious glances at them, but seeing the intimacy between Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er, they felt no jealousy at all.
"Cousin Xiao Ling and Cousin Xun'er are truly a match made in heaven!"
"That's right, they've been childhood sweethearts, and both are talented and beautiful, with each possessing a stronger cultivation talent than the other!"
"I'm so envious!"
Overhearing the conversations of the surrounding clansmen, Xiao Xun'er glanced at Xiao Ling's profile, her pretty face flushing, her thoughts unknown.
Xiao Ling simply smiled. Their relationship hadn't yet revealed its true feelings; it was still more than friends, but less than romantic.
While they were eating and chatting at the table, Xiao Xun'er suddenly asked, "Where are you planning on training, Brother Xiao Ling? Are you thinking of going to the Yunlan Sect?"
Xiao Ling rubbed his chin, thought for a moment, and replied, "Probably Canaan Academy. Once I reach the Douzhe level, I'll enroll. Canaan Academy's annual enrollment is coming up soon."
Although Xiao Ling was exceptionally talented and might be accepted as a disciple by Yun Yun if he went to the Yunlan Sect, Xiao Ling knew that the Yunlan Sect and Soul Palace were colluding, and he didn't know if Yun Shan had reached the Douzhe level yet. To avoid drawing attention to his talent, Xiao Ling had specifically mentioned it to the family elders, asking them not to disclose it.
Furthermore, the talent at Canaan Academy was undoubtedly higher than that of the Yunlan Sect. There were also many students from Zhongzhou in the inner courtyard, and they could potentially gather valuable information. The Yunlan Sect's pedigree wasn't even one-tenth as strong as Canaan Academy's. The original novels never saw Yun Shan use an Earth-level Dou Skill; his strongest skill was still the high-level Xuan-level Dou Skill, the Wind of Extreme Meteoric Slaying. Even the Yunlan Sect's Gate of Life and Death couldn't compare to Canaan Academy's Heavenly Burning Qi Training Tower.
While being a disciple of Yun Yun might offer more resources than a student, Xiao Ling, with his own talent, felt that the chance of being valued by the academy's leadership and building a good relationship with the little female dragon was a win-win.
Shaking his head, he put these thoughts aside and began to eat. Chatting and laughing, they finished their breakfast and walked out of the Xiao residence together, heading towards the market.
Xiao Ling and Xiao Xun'er walked side by side on the spacious road, taking in the surroundings. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly,
"The Dou Qi Continent truly lives up to its name as a fantasy world. Even the tiny city of Wutan, in its grandeur, is more prosperous than even the largest cities."
Xiao Xun'er gazed at the young man beside her, lost in thought. She remembered the time when she first arrived at the Xiao residence. At night, suffering from the backlash of the strange fire, his muscles and veins ached and swollen, the young man would sneak in to nourish his veins with Dou Qi, sweating profusely each time. It felt as if it had just happened last night.
Looking at the boy now, the young boy has grown up a lot. Not only is he half a head taller than her, but his appearance has also become more and more outstanding.
His fair face, with its slightly angular features, was childish and delicate, drawing a long, drawn-out gaze.
"Xun'er, why are you staring at me like that?" Xiao Ling couldn't help but laugh.
"Brother Xiao Ling, you're getting more and more beautiful." Xun'er covered her mouth mid-sentence, turned her face away, and hurriedly explained, "Nothing, you misheard."
Hearing these words, Xiao Ling smiled and gently stroked Xiao Xun'er's head. "Xun'er is becoming more and more beautiful too. She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."
Feeling Xiao Ling's warm hand caressing her head, Xiao Xun'er didn't flinch, a faint blush spreading across her pretty face.
After Xiao Ling withdrew his hand, Xiao Xun'er tucked her hair behind her ears, walked over to Xiao Ling, clasped her hands behind her back, leaned forward slightly, and offered a charming smile. "Brother Xiao Ling, you're so mean! You've even messed up Xun'er's hair!" Without waiting for Xiao Ling to react, she sprinted towards the market.
Xiao Ling was stunned by this smile, his heartbeat quickening and his breathing slowing. Placing his hand on his left chest, feeling the sudden acceleration of his heartbeat, he sighed, "Is this what it feels like to be in love?" Watching Xiao Xun'er run away, Xiao Ling took a step and chased after her.
Once inside the market, the two began to wander around, Xiao Ling spreading his soul power to investigate, particularly on older tiles and the like. If memory serves, the piece of jade that contained the 13th Divine Skill, the low-level Xuan-level fighting skill, the Suction Palm, was found at a market stall.
Unable to locate the Suction Palm, Xiao Ling glanced sideways at Xiao Xun'er and noticed her eyes darting back and forth among the jewelry shops
, a look of intense interest. Touching his chin, Xiao Ling pondered for a moment, then formed a plan. He led Xiao Xun'er to a shop where the bracelet she had been most interested in was located.
Xiao Ling pointed at the bracelet and asked, "Boss, how much is this bracelet?"
The merchant, noticing a customer, glanced at Xiao Ling and the other man. Seeing both of them possessed remarkable presence, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He quickly said, "Young master, are you buying a bracelet for your girlfriend? This bracelet would be perfect for her, and the price is very reasonable: only 200 gold coins."
Xiao Ling's expression remained unchanged. Xiao Xun'er blushed slightly. Seeing that the bracelet Xiao Ling had chosen for her was the one she had been eyeing, her gaze towards Xiao Ling softened. She
quickly withdrew 200 gold coins from the Twenty-Four Bridges Moonlit Night and handed them to the merchant. While it might not be cheap for an average child, it was a piece of cake for Xiao Ling, having inherited Yu Xiaogang's fortune.
He took the bracelet and looked at Xiao Xun'er. Seeing her gaze fixed on him, Xiao Ling said, "Xun'er, this bracelet suits you perfectly. Let me put it on you."
Xiao Xun'er tilted her head slightly, feeling a slight heat in her face, and held out her left hand to Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling didn't hesitate and put the bracelet on Xiao Xun'er's hand.
Xiao Xun'er looked at the bracelet and was very satisfied. She smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Xiao Ling."
Seeing Xiao Xun'er's satisfaction, Xiao Ling also smiled. The two walked out of the shop, and as they walked, they held hands, and the distance between their hearts was shortened.
(End of this chapter)