It would be a lie to say that Xiao Feng didn't like Xiao Xun'er, but the pressure from the Soul Emperor was too great. In a world where a Dou Sheng could live for thousands of years, forty-odd years was simply too short.
To enjoy over thirty years of a carefree life just to date, only to be refined into nourishment by the Soul Emperor?
That was terrifying.
Xiao Feng gently rubbed the girl's head; her hair was so soft and comfortable to touch, but he was struggling to figure out how to start the conversation.
Finally, Xiao Xun'er mustered her courage and broke the silence.
"Brother Xiao Feng, can you tell Xun'er what you really think?"
His hand paused, and Xiao Feng sighed, asking, "Speaking of which, why do you like me?"
Since Xiao Xun'er realized he didn't dislike her, Xiao Feng's cultivation time had been reduced by almost half, naturally causing his cultivation progress to fall behind. He really didn't understand how Xiao Yan in the original story could level up while dating.
Dating would only waste time!
Xiao Xun'er raised her head, staring intently at Xiao Feng, her face flushed with shyness but her gaze unwavering. Her tone was firm. "When Xun'er first arrived, during my most heartbreaking and difficult time, it was Brother Xiao Feng who stayed by my side. When Xun'er was in danger, it was Brother Xiao Feng who risked his life to save me. Without Brother Xiao Feng, Xun'er wouldn't even be alive. Why shouldn't Xun'er like Brother Xiao Feng?"
Xiao Feng scratched his head, unsure how to answer.
"Is Xun'er too foolish, unworthy of Brother Xiao Feng?" The girl's voice held a hint of disappointment.
The number one rich and beautiful girl in Doupo, it was impossible for her not to be worthy.
Xiao Feng instinctively shook his head.
"Then does Brother Xiao Feng like other girls?"
"No."
"Is it because Brother Xiao Feng is engrossed in cultivation and unwilling to focus on relationships?" Xiao Xun'er asked again.
"Yes and no." Xiao Feng smacked his lips. "If I were to die from not becoming stronger in time, what would you do, Xun'er?"
Xiao Xun'er looked serious. "Is there some hidden illness in Brother Xiao Feng's body?"
Xiao Feng's lips twitched. How could he possibly have a hidden illness!
"No, I'm perfectly healthy. Don't overthink it."
"Then what could be the reason? Xun'er might be able to help." "
Of course I can help." Xiao Feng smiled. Wasn't this back on track?
He quickly said, "All you need to do is cultivate diligently, Xun'er!"
"Me?" Xiao Xun'er was completely confused. She couldn't help but think of how Xiao Feng always urged her to cultivate, but... what did this have to do with what he had just said?
"Alright, don't be sad. There's no such thing as me hating you. If you ask me if I like you, I can tell you, yes. But right now, the most important thing isn't dating, it's cultivation, it's strength..." Xiao Feng looked at Xiao Xun'er, who was in a daze, and raised his voice, "Xun'er, are you listening? Did you hear me?"
Xiao Xun'er smiled, her mind filled with Xiao Feng's words.
If you ask me if I like you, I can tell you, yes.
I can tell you, yes.
Yes.
"Hello? Xun'er? Hello? Did you hear me?"
"Brother Xiao Feng, Xun'er heard you."
Xiao Xun'er's cheeks were as red as if they were about to bleed. She nodded slightly, her voice barely a whisper, her gaze darting around, not daring to meet Xiao Feng's eyes.
Looking at the girl's expression, Xiao Feng slapped his head, only four words echoing in his mind. * Slap
!* Oh no, I'm doomed! Perhaps the embarrassment was growing stronger, Xiao Xun'er's ears turned red, and she ran outside with her head down, somewhat afraid to face Xiao Feng. Xiao Yan, who happened to be passing by, saw Xiao Xun'er in this state and was stunned: the cabbage in the neighbor's yard had been eaten by the pig in the yard across the street! ... In the evening, Xiao Feng knocked on Xiao Xun'er's door. The door creaked open. As soon as the door opened, Xiao Xun'er let go of his hand as if she had been electrocuted, and quickly walked into the house, leaving only her back view. Xiao Feng shook his head helplessly. Today, even if he had to use some force, he had to get this girl back on track. "Xun'er." "Hmm." "You haven't been cultivating since you came back today, have you?" ???
"Brother Xiao Feng, did you come here just to ask this?"
"Otherwise?"
"You...you don't miss Xun'er at all..." Xiao Xun'er's voice lowered even further.
Who's that guy who said the divine bloodline is precocious? Come here!
What kind of precociousness is this?
"Xun'er, do you know how old you are this year?"
"Xun'er is nine years old this year."
"Then do you know that dating a little girl is illegal?"
"Huh? What little girl?"
"How about this, when you turn fourteen, we'll have a fight. If you can beat me, I'll acknowledge you as my wife." Xiao Feng decided to offer himself as bait; without some enticement, this girl might become the lazy bum next door.
But the lazy bum's story hasn't even started yet. Fine, be lazy. But you can't be lazy too.
"Xiao Feng...brother...what nonsense are you talking about..."
When Xiao Xun'er heard the word "wife," her little hands clasped together, her eyes fixed on her toes, and she involuntarily swayed her hips, her black hair moving with her.
"So, for our bright future, Xun'er, you'd better work hard at your cultivation," Xiao Feng continued, enticing her.
Seemingly remembering something, Xiao Xun'er suddenly looked up. "Brother Xiao Feng, your Qi vortex isn't already..."
"Then why don't you try and see who's stronger now? If you can beat me now, I'll accept you as my fiancée!"
"Okay!"
Almost a preemptive answer, her response was crisp and decisive!
Xiao Xun'er didn't feel this was taking advantage of her misfortune or kicking her while she was down.
"Let's go to the back mountain."
Xiao Feng didn't want to disturb anyone, so he and Xiao Xun'er quietly left the courtyard and headed towards the back mountain.
An hour later, the two returned.
Xiao Xun'er looked dejected.
Clearly, her battle qi was stronger
. Clearly, her cultivation techniques were more powerful.
But why?
Why did she lose?
They fought three times, each time overwhelming Xiao Feng, dominating the fight, but the wins and losses happened in an instant, leaving no chance to recover.
How did Brother Xiao Feng use that sword-like qi? There wasn't much fluctuation in battle aura, so why was the power so great? When did the Xiao family acquire such profound battle techniques?
"Alright, stop thinking nonsense. Focus on your cultivation. With your talent, I'll lose to you one day." Xiao Feng comforted her with a smile.
"Mm!" Xiao Xun'er nodded confidently.
For Brother Xiao Feng, Xiao Xun'er would definitely cultivate diligently!
From that day on, Xiao Xun'er visited Xiao Feng much less often, spending almost all her time cultivating except for eating and sleeping.
"Has Miss suffered some kind of shock?"
Ling Ying, who wasn't always online, noticed her young mistress's change and wondered if she had taken the wrong medicine.
...
Time flies, and another year passed.
"Xiao Yan."
"Battle Master! One Star!"
"Ahhhhhh!"
"Ahhhhhh!"
The entire square erupted in cheers!
They witnessed the birth of the youngest Battle Master in a hundred years!
"Xiao Feng."
The crowd parted, revealing Xiao Feng standing at the back. Living in the same compound and addressing each other as brothers, the two men's talents were so vastly different that they became a laughingstock of the Xiao clan.
Even people going out to buy supplies would hear rumors like, "I heard your family has a genius who's only reached the first level of Dou Qi after eight years of cultivation? Hahaha, your clan leader is really merciful. What is he expecting? "
Xiao Feng remained unmoved by the mockery in the eyes and the sneers on the lips of the crowd. He quietly walked onto the stage.
"Xiao Feng: Dou Qi, First Level! Level: Low!"
Then he silently stepped off the stage.
"Truly impressive, seven consecutive years as number one."
"I wonder what he did wrong; he'll probably be like this for the rest of his life?"
"What a lack of sincerity. I thought there might be some changes, but it's still the same old story."
Hearing these mocking voices and seeing those sarcastic faces, Xiao Xun'er couldn't help but think: What would you think if you ever saw Xiao Feng's true self? But Xiao Feng probably never cared about such things.
Xiao Yan took advantage of the break to walk to Xiao Xun'er's side. "Xun'er, it's your turn."
"Oh, thank you, Brother Xiao Yan." Realizing she had been lost in thought, Xiao Xun'er smiled apologetically and gracefully landed on the stage.
At this moment, Xiao Feng had also returned. Xiao Yan looked at him. "Brother Feng, don't be too sad. As long as I'm here, no one will dare bully you!"
Xiao Feng smiled. Xiao Huohuo was quite righteous; even after winning seven consecutive championships, he still called him Brother Feng. He really didn't understand why all the other families raised such snobbish children.
"Xiao Xun'er: Battle Qi, Eighth Stage! Level: Advanced!"
As the words fell, the girl's figure appeared before the two of them.
"Brother Xiao Feng, Brother Xiao Yan, let's go back,"
Xiao Xun'er said with a smile.
Those nearby were stunned by the girl's smile, their eyes blazing with jealousy.
It was an expression Xiao Xun'er rarely showed; most of the time, she was indifferent, like a lotus in the center of a lake, only to be admired from afar.
Why would such a beautiful person smile at a fool like Xiao Feng?
He wasn't worthy!
Of course, no one would say this aloud; the number one young Dou Zhe of the century was protecting him.
"Aren't we going out to play today?" Xiao Feng asked, somewhat puzzled.
In previous years, after each test, Xiao Yan would take a group out to have some fun. Today, the test result was Dou Zhe, but no one had come along—something was wrong.
"The clan is having a banquet today; we need to go back and prepare," Xiao Yan chuckled softly. "Brother Feng, if anyone tries to get me drunk, you'll have to protect me."
"No problem," Xiao Feng nodded.
"Then let's go," Xiao Yan led the way back.
"Oh, I'm going to the Arena today. You guys go back first." Xiao Feng gave Xiao Xun'er a special look. "The banquet hasn't started yet, there's still time to cultivate."
Xiao Xun'er wanted to pinch him. It's always the same old story: cultivation, cultivation, cultivation! So annoying! If I could beat him, I'd definitely pin him down and bully him!
"Xun'er will accompany Brother Xiao Feng." The girl's eyes were bright. Before Xiao Feng could speak, she grabbed his hand and headed towards the Arena.
Xiao Yan: I'm overwhelmed by this dog food!
No one noticed that a pair of resentful and jealous eyes lingered here before quickly looking away.
"Why does Brother Xiao Feng want to go to the Arena?" The girl had a faint smile on her face and walked with a lively gait. As long as she was with Xiao Feng, she was happy, excluding cultivation.
"Curious."
"Curious?"
"I used to focus on cultivation and only heard about fighting techniques. Today, I suddenly had a whim and wanted to see it for myself."
Xiao Xun'er looked suspicious. Since she met Xiao Feng, he had always been a mature and steady person. Could he really have a whim?
As for that claim that he'd only heard about fighting techniques, that's a load of rubbish! There are clearly such powerful fighting techniques!
(End of Chapter)