"Ladies first, Xun Er can go first," Chu Xiao said, reaching out to pat Xun Er's head.
This intimate gesture made every cell in Xun Er's body feel joyful.
She didn't want to hide anything from Chu Xiao, and with her eyes curved into crescents, she began, "Brother Chu Xiao, are you—"
Xun Er was about to mention the notebook when her heart suddenly clenched violently, as if someone had grabbed it.
Immediately after, a sense of taboo emanated from the depths of her Soul, telling her not to tell Chu Xiao about the copy.
Otherwise, she would not only lose her memory but her Soul would shatter, and Chu Xiao would also be affected in some way.
This feeling came and went quickly, as if nothing had happened.
Meeting Chu Xiao's eyes, Xun Er naturally changed the subject: "...falling in love with Xun Er?"
"I've always liked Xun Er," Chu Xiao replied openly. "It's just that before, it was like a younger sister, but now it's different. I want to treat you well and protect you for a lifetime."
Xun Er was now completely convinced of the notebook's power and the truthfulness of its information.
If it were before, Chu Xiao would only have said he treated her like a younger sister.
But if he had undergone Rebirth, the Chu Xiao who would make her empress in the future could be understood.
"Then Brother Chu Xiao, you also know that Xun Er's identity is not ordinary, right?" Xun Er asked, her hands clasped behind her back, looking down at her faintly visible toes.
"I know!" Chu Xiao's eyes became firm. "This is also what I want to tell you, Xun Er. No matter what your identity is, what power you come from, or what pressure there is in being with you, please believe me."
"If a Dou Huang isn't enough, then a Dou Zong. If a Dou Zong isn't enough, then a Dou Zun. One day, I will definitely become strong enough that no one can object to you and me being together. You can trust me!"
These sincere words moved Xun Er deeply, and her heart felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey.
Before today, she would only have been happy with Chu Xiao's feelings, but she would have had to bear the pressure herself.
Because in front of the ancient clan, Chu Xiao's only impressive talent now was nothing.
As the daughter of the ancient Clan Chief, she was even more likely to reach a level that the clan could not refute.
But after reading the notebook, she knew she only needed to wait; Chu Xiao would surely achieve it.
"Then let's pinky swear," Xun Er said, extending her pinky finger. "With the way you taught me to make a promise."
Chu Xiao linked pinkies with her and said seriously, "Pinky swear, hang yourself, one hundred years, no changing. Whoever changes is a puppy."
A beautiful smile bloomed on Xun Er's face. After retracting her hand, she gracefully walked into the courtyard, then turned to look at Chu Xiao: "Brother Chu Xiao, Xun Er believes you."
Chu Xiao, his eyes full of affection, asked, "Xun Er, can you tell me what your surname is?"
Xun Er's eyes flickered, and she parted her red lips: "Gu!"
They looked at each other, everything unspoken.
A few breaths later, after Xun Er's figure disappeared around the courtyard corner, Chu Xiao turned and left.
As he was about to reach his own courtyard, he met a girl at the corner, dressed in a white long dress, with a graceful figure, and a hint of charm amidst her purity, around fourteen years old.
Compared to Xun Er, the girl could only be considered a small beauty, but if photographed and put on the internet in his previous life, she could instantly become a big internet celebrity, earning titles like "Pure Desire Ceiling," "White Moonlight Incarnate," or "Ideal First Love."
"Cousin~"
The girl also saw Chu Xiao and immediately ran towards him, like a joyful butterfly.
"Mei'er, I heard that in the test a few days ago, your Dou Qi reached the seventh stage. Congratulations," Chu Xiao said with a gentle smile on his face, but with a probing look in his eyes.
Based on his understanding of Xun Er, she wouldn't have dinner at Fang Yi's tonight, because Xiao Yan had just suffered a broken engagement, and it wasn't appropriate for her to appear there.
As for celebrating his birthday, she could simply make a special trip to his courtyard later.
This unusual behavior must have been influenced by an external force, most likely obtaining a copy of the notebook.
And the previous conversation made him confident that Xun Er indeed had a copy and had already believed his nonsense.
Now, encountering Xiao Mei in front of the courtyard, he couldn't help but wonder if this little cousin also had a copy.
"I can't compare to you, Cousin," Xiao Mei said, a blush appearing on her fair face. She gazed directly at Chu Xiao, her dark eyes shining like stars: "You're already a Dou Shi strong practitioner. When I turn eighteen, I'll have to thank my ancestors for their blessings if I can even reach Three-Star Dou Zhe~"
Chu Xiao's mouth twitched slightly.
If Xiao Xuan in the Tian Tomb heard this, he might be so angry he'd self-detonate on the spot.
The former Imperial Clan now only had one Dou Ling, and he wasn't even surnamed Xiao. What did the ancestors bless?
"You need to be more confident," Chu Xiao said in an educational tone. "If you encounter anything you don't understand in Cultivation, you can ask me. Strive to Breakthrough to Dou Zhe before the coming-of-age ceremony."
"How is that possible?" Xiao Mei boldly hugged Chu Xiao's arm, her eyes curved in a smile, and she softly whined, "I'm not a Genius like you, Cousin. There's less than ten months left; it would be great if I could even improve one stage of Dou Qi."
"Then it depends on whether you trust me," Chu Xiao said, reaching out to tap Xiao Mei's forehead. "As long as you listen to me, I guarantee you can do it."
In the Gama Empire, there was no shortcut to Cultivate in the Dou Qi condensation stage.
However, Xiao Yan was now apprenticed to Yao Chen, and he would refine Medicinal Pills like the Foundation Establishment Spirit Liquid, which could assist in Dou Qi Cultivation.
At that time, he would naturally find a way to get a few bottles for Xiao Mei and other younger members of the Xiao Family.
Once he and Xiao Yan became Dou Emperors, these people's Dou Emperor Bloodline would undergo two Awakenings.
By then, everyone in the Xiao Family would be among the most talented individuals on this continent.
When they went to the Major Thousand Worlds, each of them would possess the bearing of a Supreme, serving as pillars even in first-rate powers.
A little initial investment could build good relationships, and he was very willing to do it.
Moreover, he genuinely cared for the Xiao Family and wasn't doing it out of much calculation.
"Of course, I trust you, Cousin! Then Mei'er won't be shy about bothering you when the time comes~" Xiao Mei secretly rejoiced.
She didn't care if it was possible; having a reason to spend more time with Chu Xiao was a gain.
When Cousin Xiao Yu returned, she would find that she was already a lost cause. What good were long legs anyway?
"This is my birthday gift for Brother Chu Xiao," Xiao Mei said, taking out a handmade jade pendant.
"Thank you," Chu Xiao said, taking the jade pendant and keeping it close to him.
After they exchanged a few more words, Xiao Mei reluctantly left, looking back three times with every step.
"Mei'er probably doesn't have a copy."
Chu Xiao thought to himself, communicating with the notebook: "Bind Xun Er for me."
The notebook immediately sent a message: Binding must be done face-to-face.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Chu Xiao asked, his eyes full of disdain.
The notebook fell silent again.
"Indeed, it's unlikable."
Chu Xiao pouted slightly and chose to bind Xiao Mei.
He wasn't in a hurry to find Xun Er again tonight; he could bind her when they met tomorrow.
Xun Er had many good things on her; he had to pray for good luck.
[Binding Failed] The notebook provided feedback.
"As expected, she doesn't have it," Chu Xiao thought, his heart calm.
After Xiao Mei left, he walked into his own courtyard, took a bath, and lay down on the bed.
With his hands behind his head, he closed his eyes and began writing in the notebook.
Why sleep in the middle of the night?
Owners of the notebook copies, let's get hyped.
And subtly manipulate Xun Er.
[I'm completely convinced I've undergone Rebirth, and I couldn't resist doing some things. Now I have a bit of a headache.]
All the girls: Stare!
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