Chapter 28: Xun'er’s Gift

"You're so heavy!" Xiao Yu gasped for breath, struggling under Xiao Yan's weight. For a moment, she forgot about the supposed magical beast and pushed Xiao Yan with all her might.

But with the heavy Xuan Ruler on his back, Xiao Yan wasn't someone she could move easily.

Fortunately, the hot spring pool wasn't too deep; otherwise, they would have sunk straight to the bottom.

"Don't move! You'll alert the beast," Xiao Yan whispered.

Seeing his serious demeanor, Xiao Yu froze. Could there really be a magical beast?

A moment later, Xiao Yu still wasn't sure if there was a beast. However, if they stayed this close, things might turn out far worse.

"You little scoundrel! Such wicked thoughts at your age!" Xiao Yu suddenly shoved Xiao Yan away, her face flushing as she rolled her eyes at him.

"Ahem... I'm innocent," Xiao Yan coughed awkwardly, his cheeks turning a bit red.

Looking around, he let out a sigh of relief and explained to Xiao Yu, "I really was being chased by a magical beast. I had no choice but to run here."

Xiao Yu leaped out of the hot spring, ignoring the water dripping off her body. She quickly slipped into a set of water-blue clothing, her jade-like legs now showing a few faint red marks.

With a sudden cry, Xiao Yu aimed a kick at Xiao Yan.

Pushing off the bottom of the pool, Xiao Yan lunged forward, using his shoulder to block the kick while closing in on Xiao Yu.

In a split second, he had neutralized Xiao Yu's attack, the two of them now so close they could feel each other's breath.

Instantly, Xiao Yu's cheeks blushed even more, her beauty further heightened by her embarrassment.

"You rogue! Let me go!" Xiao Yu stammered in shame, struggling to stand if not for Xiao Yan's support.

With a light scratch on her jade-like foot, Xiao Yan smiled, "I'll let you go, but you have to promise not to attack again."

With a sound resembling a cat's mewl, Xiao Yu nodded hastily.

Stepping back, Xiao Yan gently helped her steady herself before shaking the water off his head.

"You scoundrel! You think I'm foolish? For years now, someone sneaks into my room every night to nurture my bones and meridians. That's also a little rogue!" Xiao Yu pouted, her lips tightening. "I'll discipline you after I become a Dou Zhe, then I'll teach him a lesson too!"

Xiao Yan's lips twitched with some guilt and confusion. How did she know? He had been so gentle with his methods. Could it be... that time he secretly tasted her lip balm?

Glancing at her glistening lips, he coughed lightly. "I don't know about anything else, but I really was chased by a wild black eagle just now."

With a light snort, Xiao Yu turned and left, her bare jade feet moving down the mountain to continue her training.

Watching her leave, Xiao Yan muttered, "Did she believe me or not?"

Given Xiao Yu's fiery temper, he expected her to fight him. Yet now, though she seemed angry, she hadn't actually made a move.

"No matter how clever one is, women are still a mystery," Xiao Yan sighed. Using the hot spring, he washed himself and his clothes. With a burst of Dou Qi, his clothes quickly dried.

Walking in the direction Xiao Yu had left, he soon arrived at the cliff he often visited.

As he approached, a girl in a green dress emerged from a nearby path and gracefully stood before him.

"Brother Xiao Yan, have you been practicing your cultivation techniques?" Her eyes scanned him, a hint of confusion flashing across her delicate face. With her hands behind her back, she leaned forward, bringing their faces only a centimeter apart, and asked teasingly.

Xun'er's soul power had always been exceptionally strong. She could easily gauge the strength of anyone at the Dou Qi stage within the Xiao family—except for the one closest to her.

She thought that once Brother Xiao Yan broke through to Dou Zhe, his strength would become more apparent, revealing itself to her. Yet she still couldn't discern his power.

Since childhood, Xiao Yan had trained his soul power, making it far superior to Xun'er's. Concealing his strength had become second nature.

Recently, after grasping the "Concealment Technique," his aura became even more elusive.

With the warm, fragrant breath brushing against his face, Xiao Yan found himself momentarily dazed. He quickly suppressed the burgeoning thoughts in his heart, raised a hand, and patted the head of the girl standing almost at eye level with him, nodding gently.

Xun'er's eyes curved into beautiful crescent moons as she reached out her delicate hand to smooth the wrinkles on Xiao Yan's clothes, just as she always did.

Looking down at her flawless face, a wisp of hair fell across her smooth forehead. Occasionally lifted by a gentle breeze, it revealed her bright, watery eyes, sparkling with a mesmerizing charm.

Xiao Yan stared blankly at her, his breathing gradually becoming more rapid, his gaze growing heated.

"Brother Xiao Yan... what are you looking at?" Xun'er finally noticed his fiery eyes after finishing tidying his clothes. Her cheeks turned red, and she spoke softly.

"Ah? Uh..." Xiao Yan snapped back to reality, his own face reddening slightly. However, his skin was thicker than Xun'er's. After a couple of dry coughs, he said nonchalantly, "Nothing, just thinking that Xun'er is becoming more and more beautiful."

Hearing his words, Xun'er huffed lightly, yet the corners of her rosy lips lifted into a pleased smile.

"The clan's top-tier fire attribute techniques are good, but when starting Dou Qi cultivation, the higher the technique's rank, the greater the benefit in the future. A Huang-level high-tier technique... is a bit low," Xun'er remarked as she observed Xiao Yan's calm expression, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. With a flick of her slender finger, an ancient scroll, glowing with a fiery hue, appeared in her hand.

Even though she knew Xiao Yan's brother had a mysterious master backing him, she couldn't be sure if that master—reduced to a mere soul—could still provide suitable fire attribute techniques. Thus, she decided to check for herself.

"This is a fire attribute Xuan-level high-tier technique: Flame Manipulation Technique!" Xun'er gently caressed the scroll. "Brother Xiao Yan, please don't let pride stop you from accepting it. I know you aren't a stubborn person. A higher-level technique will benefit you greatly in the future, so..."

"Little girl, you're quite the wealthy one. A Xuan-level high-tier technique is worth at least several hundred thousand gold coins!" Xiao Yan grinned, taking the technique scroll without any hesitation.

Though one could devise techniques, skills, and secret arts through sheer talent, having past knowledge to build on could accelerate and maximize one's gains.

Xun'er's face blushed as she listened to him. "Brother Xiao Yan, you should switch techniques here. I'll stand guard for you."

Xiao Yan was stunned by her straightforwardness.

Though the "Burning Flame Technique" was looked down upon by many, it was one of the two possible ways to break through to Dou Di. How could he possibly change it?

"Hehe, thank you, Xun'er. But I've already cultivated a technique," Xiao Yan replied softly. Leaning close to Xun'er's ear, he whispered, "Brother Xiao Yan can obtain an even better one."

(End of Chapter)