When Xia Feng woke up dazed in the morning, Qiao Shuang was already gone from the room, and he was lying on the floor.
But the bloodstains on the soft couch seemed to testify to last night's revelry.
Yet…
Quite inexplicably, looking at his neatly arranged clothes, Xia Feng felt things seemed… a bit off?
Did I do it?
Probably did! My waist still hurts!
But why does it feel somewhat… unreal?!
Actually, it's not that it's unreal, it's just… why did Qiao Shuang's sounds seem to keep ringing in my ears even after I stopped?
It was like… it went on all night?
Forget it!
Probably too tired, started hearing things.
---
Meanwhile, outside the Grand Tutor's residence.
Qiao Shuang walked to the front gate, deliberately tugging at her hair and clothes, her face wearing a look of hopeless desolation.
"Young Mistress?!"
The two guards outside narrowed their eyes, especially seeing the young lady's current expression and state…
Could it be the Eldest Prince… really…
"Don't speak of this. Don't… tell Grandfather. And… it's getting cold. Remember to dress warmly for your night shifts…"
Tears welled in Qiao Shuang's eyes, her voice weary. She stepped into the residence and headed straight for her own quarters.
Servants, give them some worthless concern, and they should be willing to die for you!
"Young Mistress… is truly kind and benevolent… so considerate of her subordinates!"
"To be able to protect the Young Lady's safety in this lifetime, I would die without regret!"
"But… should we report this to the Grand Tutor? The Young Mistress must have been wronged!"
"The Grand Tutor is at a critical moment in his secluded cultivation. If we disturb him now…"
"But the Young Mistress…"
"Ah! She's going to marry into the Xia family anyway. If that Eldest Prince dares to mistreat the Young Lady in the future… Hmph! Does he really think we don't know that the so-called demonic Jiao was staged by Xia Sheng himself?"
---
Domain World.
Ling Xiao stood atop the Heavenly Hall. Before him, Ning'er was meticulously practicing a set of fist techniques.
In just half a month, this little girl's realm had actually reached the Sea of Consciousness level, and her Luck Points had increased to one thousand five hundred.
Truly worthy of a Daughter of Fate, extraordinary from birth. As long as she cultivated step by step, she would always stand out among her peers.
The spiritual energy in this world had now reached a terrifying level of concentration.
Several Divine Emperors and Divine Kings from the Punishment Clan and Fire Clan had also made breakthroughs recently.
"Ning'er, do you have a favorite type of spiritual treasure? Like… swords, blades, or something? Never mind, choose for yourself."
Ling Xiao took out the Qiankun Ring, casually waved his hand, and instantly, flashes of spiritual light filled the air as piles of spiritual treasures appeared before them.
Rich spiritual energy misted out, creating rippling layers in the air.
"Roar!"
Hua Hua's figure instantly appeared from the horizon, his dog eyes sparkling with unusual brilliance, something glistening at the corner of his mouth.
"Ah!"
Ning'er was startled. Ling Xiao frowned slightly and sent a palm strike through the air, directly sending Hua Hua flying a hundred zhang away.
"Scare my Ning'er, and I'll eat you!"
"It's alright, Ning'er. It's a pet your brother keeps. In this Domain World, you are the master. If you dislike anyone, just draw your blade. Take your time choosing, no hurry. Pick up any you like."
Ling Xiao smiled faintly, turned, and walked into the hall. Ye Qingchan was sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed, seemingly cultivating.
An extremely terrifying coldness spread around her.
The entire hall felt like deep winter, piercingly cold.
Suddenly, thunderclouds seemed to gather above the hall.
Countless black lightning bolts snaked across the sky, wanting to tear the young girl below to pieces.
"Breaking through?"
Ling Xiao raised an eyebrow slightly, brilliant thunder radiance swirling around him.
But the next instant, the descending tribulation lightning suddenly froze.
Looking closer, frost seemed to be forming on it, and in just half a breath, it shattered on its own.
Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly; his understanding of Ye Qingchan's strength deepened.
This girl usually didn't show off, but her true combat power probably exceeded the Divine General scope.
Just that Extreme Ice power from a moment ago made Ling Xiao, at the Divine Marquis realm, feel somewhat… wary.
"Buzz."
Ye Qingchan opened her beautiful eyes, a flash of dark blue vanishing instantly.
But at this moment, she didn't seem very happy; a trace of loss was hidden deep in her eyes.
"Young Master!"
But upon seeing the figure before her, a brilliant smile instantly bloomed on Ye Qingchan's pretty face. She turned into an afterimage and threw herself into Ling Xiao's arms.
"What's wrong? You broke through, so why are you crying?"
Ling Xiao looked down at Ye Qingchan's red-rimmed eyes, his expression always calm.
"Nothing! It's just… seeing the Young Master makes me very happy… Young Master, Qingchan doesn't want to be apart from you for a single moment…"
"As long as you don't want to, no one can make you leave."
Ling Xiao spoke indifferently. Ye Qingchan, however, looked up at him somewhat surprised.
Really?
Is there really no one who can make Qingchan leave?
But… why do I always feel a sorrow of impending separation?
Young Master, ah.
If one day, Qingchan forgets you, you must not be angry, alright?
I'm not afraid of the Heavenly Dao's cycle of reincarnation, nor am I afraid of my soul scattering and my spirit perishing. A memory without you—that would be truly tragic.
"Mhmm! I won't leave the Young Master!"
Ye Qingchan forced a smile onto her pretty face, but her arms holding Ling Xiao tightened even more.
"Brother… I… Ah…"
Clatter!
A sound of something heavy falling came from the hall entrance.
Ling Xiao and Ye Qingchan turned to look and saw Ning'er covering her eyes with her small hands. Before her lay a fallen white lotus—the very inheritance Dao Artifact from Hua Yang's hands, the Great Void White Lotus!
Probably worried about damaging the spiritual treasure, Ning'er, with one hand still covering her eyes, quickly crouched down, picked up the white lotus, and covered her eyes again.
Pfft!
Ye Qingchan burst into laughter through her tears, and Ling Xiao also shook his head with a wry smile.
This girl was utterly adorable.
"Finished choosing?"
Only when Ling Xiao and the other walked over hand in hand did Ning'er part her little fingers, nodding somewhat shyly.
"This Great Void White Lotus is good. But, Ning'er, why did you only pick one item?"
"Brother! One is enough. Ning'er doesn't need many spiritual treasures right now."
Ning'er bit her red lips tightly, looking very obedient.
"Come on, let me pick a few more suitable ones for you."
Finally, at Ling Xiao's insistence, Ning'er ended up with three more spiritual treasures in her hands.
They were a Dao Artifact long robe, an octagonal ancient pagoda, and a green jade pendant.
"Alright, these three are all supreme defensive treasures. I'll feel more at ease if you carry them with you."
Ling Xiao smiled and ruffled Ning'er's small head. A smile instantly bloomed on her face. "Anyway, I'm not leaving Brother. With Brother here, who would dare bully me?"
"Heh, one day, you will grow up and go seek your own opportunities."
Ling Xiao shook his head, gazing at the sky. But Ning'er puffed her cheeks and muttered softly, "I don't want to. I just want to follow Brother…"
---
Dragon Fortune City, Eldest Prince's residence.
Sikong Hun looked coldly at Xia Feng before him, the past reverence completely gone from his face.
He was a demon!
That alone was enough for Sikong Hun to break ties with him completely.
Fine, let's conveniently invite you for a spar and expose your hypocritical face on the spot!!
"Brother Hun, I called you here because there's something I want to discuss with you."
Xia Feng forced a bitter smile and sighed softly.
"Just say what you want. Coincidentally, I also have something to tell you."
Sikong Hun's expression remained aloof. He hated it!
Hated that he spent three years at the border, not accompanying Qiao Shuang.
One could imagine how Shuang'er spent those three years.
Being with a demon every day must have been… like a year felt like a day!
A demon!! Deserves to be killed by everyone!!
"Oh? Alright, then I'll speak first. Brother Hun, after much consideration, I think… actually, you and Shuang'er are the most well-matched."
Boom!!
The fluctuations around Sikong Hun surged inexplicably for a moment.
Then, he looked at Xia Feng with a nearly dumbfounded gaze?
What sinister scheme was he plotting now?
Giving Qiao Shuang… to me?
"You… what do you mean by that?"
Sikong Hun was bewildered, excited, but reason told him to restrain himself!
After all, a demon's mind was truly sinister; a slight misstep could land him in a trap.
"Brother Hun, I know you think I'm cowardly, spineless, not like a man. But have you really considered my feelings?"
Xia Feng looked up towards outside the hall, tears actually appearing in his eyes.