After spending a period of peaceful and sweet days with Xiao Yixian in the secluded valley, Xiao Yan noticed that her mental state had calmed significantly. At that point, he brought up the idea of returning to Wu Tan City. This time, Xiao Yixian didn't refuse—in fact, she looked forward to it. In her heart, she already saw herself as Xiao Yan's woman, and naturally, his home was now her home too.
"I'll have Xiao Lan take us out," Xiao Yixian said, referring to the blue eagle she had raised years ago. The eagle had now matured and was large enough to serve as her flying mount. It was thanks to the blue eagle that she'd been able to enter the valley in the first place.
She pulled a short bamboo flute from her sleeve, ready to summon her companion, but Xiao Yan shook his head with a smile and stopped her.
"No need for all that. I've got it covered."
As soon as he finished speaking, a pair of dazzling, deep-blue flame wings burst out from his back. The brilliant glow stunned Xiao Yixian, who instinctively covered her mouth, her face full of astonishment. Though she'd always known Xiao Yan was talented and powerful, she hadn't expected him to already be at the Dou Wang level at such a young age.
Of course, Xiao Yan had even quicker ways to return to Wu Tan City—he could simply tap into his control over space and be at the Xiao Family gates in the blink of an eye. But he understood that when spending time with a girl, romance often mattered more than practicality.
"Come on, let me show you some sights you've never seen." Xiao Yan smiled and swept Xiao Yixian into his arms like a princess. With a flap of his flame wings, the two of them soared into the sky.
Though Xiao Yixian had flown on her blue eagle before, nothing compared to this. Nestled in Xiao Yan's arms, soaring through the clouds, she finally understood what it meant to chase the stars and moon.
At his current level, flying from the Magical Beast Mountain Range to Wu Tan City would have taken him mere moments, but Xiao Yan deliberately slowed his speed for Xiao Yixian's comfort. Even at that reduced pace, the sensation was exhilarating for her.
Before long, the outline of Wu Tan City appeared. They landed in a quiet area outside the city and began walking toward the Xiao residence. Though Xiao Yan had been away for a while, he had previously entrusted Qing Lin with relocating members of the Xiao Family. Thanks to her efforts, many had already begun migrating to the Black-Corner Region—with their consent, of course.
Sensing that the manor felt somewhat emptier, Xiao Yan silently nodded in approval. Qing Lin really was becoming more reliable.
But as he led Xiao Yixian into the Xiao residence's backyard, he was stunned by what he saw: a ceremonial incense table had been set up, and in front of it stood Xun'er, Zi Yan, and Qing Lin—each holding a stick of incense with solemn expressions.
"I, Xiao Xun'er, Zi Yan, and Qing Lin, swear today to become sworn sisters. From now on, we share fortune and hardship together…"
Xiao Yan's mouth twitched involuntarily at the sight.
Zi Yan and Qing Lin swearing sisterhood made some sense—Qing Lin had always been easy to convince. She'd already been persuaded into calling others "big sis" before. But how had these two managed to rope in someone like Xun'er? With her intellect, it didn't seem possible she'd be fooled into this.
Just as the ritual reached its midpoint, the three girls spotted Xiao Yan approaching. Instantly, they tossed the incense aside and ran over joyfully.
"Xiao Yan gege, you're back!"
"Why are you calling me that too?" Xiao Yan rubbed Zi Yan's head with a helpless smile. He'd long had a mild trauma from hearing that particular nickname, especially now that even Zi Yan had joined in.
"Hehe, I thought it sounded cute when Xun'er said it, so I copied her. But I think calling you just Xiao Yan sounds more grown-up. After all, I'm a grown-up now!" Zi Yan puffed her chest out proudly.
"Grown-up? Where exactly are you grown-up?" Xiao Yan chuckled and shook his head. He glanced at the incense she'd flung to the ground, and with a casual flick of Dou Qi, snuffed out a small flame that had almost caught. This little one always started something without thinking of the consequences. If he wasn't careful, she might burn down the house one day...
"You don't know where I'm grown-up?" Zi Yan leaned in close with a cheeky grin.
Cough, cough—Xiao Yan choked slightly in embarrassment. He was the only one who had seen her mature form, which could rival even the famously seductive Queen Medusa. That scene of Zi Yan pinning him down still lingered fresh in his memory…
"Eh? Who's that?" Zi Yan finally noticed Xiao Yixian and blinked curiously.
"Oh, that's Xiao Yixian. She's my—"
Before he could finish, Zi Yan grabbed Xiao Yixian's hand and dragged her over. "You're just in time! We're forming a sworn sisterhood. Let's go!"
"Eh?" Xiao Yixian hadn't even figured out what was going on before she was forced into holding incense. Moments later, she found herself swearing sisterhood with everyone else—utterly bewildered.
"Now we're truly sisters!" Xun'er smiled and took Xiao Yixian's hand.
Catching the deeper meaning behind Xun'er's words, Xiao Yixian shyly looked down. She still remembered some of the things they'd talked about when they had bonded before. And now, after everything she had done with Xiao Yan... she couldn't help but feel a little guilty toward Xun'er.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan stared at the wooden statue on the incense table, frowning. For some reason, it looked oddly familiar. Was it just his imagination, or had these girls used his likeness for their ceremony?
"Xiao Yan gege…" Xun'er's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He turned around to find her standing behind him with a serene smile.
"Looks like during your little trip, you've met plenty of lovely sisters. Is there anyone else you forgot to bring back? Do let me know, hmm?"
For some reason, Xiao Yan felt a sudden chill in the air.
'Was that just my imagination?'
(End of Chapter)
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