Chapter 751

The moonlight, like water, poured down from the sky, like a layer of cool silver gauze, gently shrouding this lush mountain range deep in the ancient tribe.

Ancient trees stand tall and strong in the forest, their branches intertwining to let in sparse moonlight that weaves dappled light and shadow on the bluestone path. Occasionally, night dew slips from the veins of the leaves and drips into the jade lamps by the roadside, splashing up tiny silver sparkles.

Deep in the mountains, a refined and elegant courtyard stands quietly, contrasting beautifully with the surrounding vast forest.

The courtyard wall is built of warm, bluish-white jade, and the top of the wall is covered with pale purple moon vines. The vines are dotted with tiny white flower buds, which shimmer in the moonlight. When a gentle breeze blows, a delicate fragrance spreads and is refreshing.

Deep within the courtyard, an elegant bamboo house is built against the mountain. The bamboo curtain is half-rolled up, and warm yellow light shines from inside, intertwining with the moonlight in the sky, making the courtyard bright and clear.

Several bronze palace lanterns were scattered around the bamboo house, their wicks burning with specially made spiritual oil. The flames were steady and gentle, and the orange glow spread out, dispelling the chill of the night and casting a warm, soft light over the courtyard.

Beside the palace lanterns, several neatly trimmed clumps of orchids stood, their leaves lush and green, gleaming with a lustrous sheen under the lamplight and moonlight. Occasionally, a gentle evening breeze would blow, causing the orchids to sway and release a delicate fragrance.

The interior furnishings are simple yet elegant. A rosewood bookshelf stands in the corner, neatly displaying ancient books and illustrations of spiritual plants. On the table sits an inkstone and several writing brushes, next to which is a glass lamp. Warm yellow light spills from the lampshade, gently filling the entire room and dispelling the chill of the night.

The bed was covered with a soft cloud silk quilt, embroidered with pink and white peach blossom patterns, and felt warm and smooth to the touch.

The petite Xiao Yan Ji lay quietly on the couch, her fiery red dress draped loosely over her body, revealing her lotus-root-like white forearms.

Her eyes were gently closed, her long eyelashes drooping like butterfly wings, casting a light shadow under her eyelids. Her small nose twitched slightly, her breathing even and long, clearly indicating that she had fallen into a sweet dream. A faint smile lingered at the corner of her mouth, as if she were dreaming of something happy and interesting.

On the chairs beside the bed, Xiao Ling and Xun'er sat side by side, their fingertips intertwined, the warmth of their palms passing between them, a feeling of tenderness washing over them.

Their gazes fell on Xiao Yan Ji's peaceful sleeping face, their eyes filled with tenderness.

Seeing that Xiao Yanji was still unconsciously smacking her lips in her sleep, and gently rubbing her little head against the quilt, looking adorable, Xun'er couldn't help but smile, a faint smile appearing in her eyes. When she turned her head to look at Xiao Ling, her eyes were full of tenderness.

Xiao Ling felt her gaze, turned to meet her eyes, tightened his grip on her hand with a slight force, and a gentle smile curved his lips.

"It seems Ling'er really went crazy earlier. She's so tired now that she fell asleep as soon as she got into bed." Xiao Ling smiled gently, her voice very soft, as if afraid of disturbing the little one on the bed, her eyes filled with a doting smile.

"After all, it's been half a year since we last met, and this is the first time I've been separated from her for so long. Naturally, she was very excited to be reunited with us. Just now, she was chattering away outside the palace, not even having time to catch her breath."

Xun'er gently brushed her fingertips across Xiao Yanji's soft hair, her movements so delicate as if she were afraid of breaking a precious gem. Her tone carried a hint of melancholy and relief.
"When I first set off for the Heavenly Tomb, I hesitated for a long time. If it weren't for the fact that the Heavenly Tomb was full of unpredictable dangers and it would be difficult to take care of this little one, and that I could focus on consuming the Fire Seed to improve my origin, I would have wanted to keep her by my side at all times. Fortunately, my father has been taking care of her for the past six months. He is always very meticulous and has raised Ling'er to be more and more energetic. Even her cultivation has improved a lot, and her aura looks much more stable than before."

"To have made such progress in just half a year, this little one's potential has exceeded my expectations. I imagine my father-in-law must have put in a lot of effort these days, and must have used many rare and precious materials from the ancient clan to help her cultivate."

Xiao Ling's gaze fell on Xiao Yanji's radiant face, his fingertips gently stroking Xun'er's hand, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

"When Ling'er grows up, she will definitely be a great help to you. With her by your side, I can feel more at ease."

"Brother Xiao Ling, Xun'er is very strong too, okay?" Xun'er suddenly pouted, her eyes filled with a charming complaint, her tone soft but unconvinced, "It's just that your cultivation has improved too irrationally, Brother Xiao Ling, otherwise Xun'er wouldn't be lagging behind you by even a little bit!"

As she spoke, she slightly raised her chin, her expression showing a hint of stubbornness, yet her fingertips remained tightly clasped around Xiao Ling's hand, unwilling to let go.

Recalling the past, a trace of nostalgia and helplessness flashed in her eyes: "Since I was a child, I have been by Brother Xiao Ling's side. After witnessing your amazing talent, I have never dared to slack off in the slightest. Having divine bloodline is already a blessing from heaven. The clan has spared no effort to provide all kinds of rare spiritual materials and top-level cultivation techniques. My father and the elders of the clan also often personally guide my cultivation. I have worked diligently day and night and dared not waste a single moment."

She sighed softly, her gaze falling on Xiao Ling's sharply defined profile. The complaint in her tone gradually transformed into admiration and appreciation.
"Even so, I still can't keep up with you, Brother Xiao Ling. You have already gone from the peak of the Half-Saint to the Dou Sheng in just three years of the Heavenly Tomb. This speed has broken all the common sense of cultivation on the continent. The realm that others may not be able to reach even after a hundred years of hard work, you have crossed it as if walking on flat ground. It makes people both envious and helpless."

Hearing Xun'er's earnest words tinged with a touch of naivety, Xiao Ling felt a warm glow in his heart. He couldn't help but smile and shake his head without saying anything more.

Although Xun'er's words carried a hint of reproach, there was not a trace of jealousy in her eyes, only overflowing pride and tenderness. She raised her hand and gently poked Xiao Ling's palm, her voice softening further.

"But it's good that Brother Xiao Ling is becoming stronger. In the future, he will be able to protect Xun'er, Ling'er, and the people we want to protect. But Brother Xiao Ling must not look down on Xun'er because of this. After I have digested what I have gained from the Heavenly Tomb and devoted myself to cultivation for a period of time, I will definitely be able to try to break through the bottleneck of Dou Sheng and catch up with your pace. At that time, it will not be you alone, but us fighting side by side to resist the storms of the chaotic world."

Of course, although Xun'er spoke lightly, there was a clear understanding hidden in her eyes.

Breaking through to the Dou Sheng realm is incomparable to ordinary realms. Previous cultivation was merely about honing one's foundation and accumulating Dou Qi, but the Dou Sheng realm requires understanding the laws of heaven and earth and accumulating one's own Dou Qi foundation. The two are not comparable.

Even with divine bloodline and ancient clan resources, she still needs to refine and hone her skills. It will take her at least one or two years of dedicated accumulation to integrate her cultivation before she can safely attempt to break through that crucial barrier.

As Xiao Ling listened to her sweet yet earnest words and saw the stubbornness and longing sparkling in her eyes, his heart softened.

He took her fingertips in his hand and gently stroked them, a doting smile playing on his lips.

"Of course I won't underestimate Xun'er. I've always seen your talent and diligence. With the blessing of a divine bloodline and the ancient clan's abundant resources to nurture you, your potential is equally unfathomable. It's just that I was fortunate enough to achieve this breakthrough. From now on, we'll support each other and encourage one another. I believe it won't be long before you catch up with or even surpass me." He leaned close to Xun'er's ear, his voice deep and gentle, carrying a hint of teasing and certainty: "Besides, with such an outstanding Xun'er chasing after me, I dare not slack off in the slightest. From now on, we'll walk together. You won't fall behind, and I won't stop, okay?"

Xun'er's ears flushed slightly from his warm breath, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks. She nodded firmly, her eyes brimming with joy: "Yes! It's a deal!"

Their eyes met unconsciously, their pupils clearly reflecting each other's figures, with no other thoughts in sight.

Xiao Ling's eyes were filled with an unyielding tenderness, as if the moonlight of the entire sky had been crushed into them; Xun'er's eyes were flushed with a light blush, her previous coquettishness had long since turned into tender affection, her eyelashes trembled slightly, carrying a hint of shyness and anticipation.

Without needing many words, the feelings that had been building up over the years quietly permeated the air, drawing their hearts closer together.

Xiao Ling leaned forward slightly, and Xun'er obediently tiptoed as well. Their warm breaths mingled, carrying the fragrance of orchids and the warmth of spiritual energy. Their fingertips remained tightly intertwined, their palms burning hot, as if they wanted to imprint their feelings into each other's very bones.

The next moment, their lips gently touched. There was no fierce entanglement, only tender caresses, filled with careful cherishing and unforgettable longing.

Xiao Ling's kiss was gentle yet firm, as if afraid of disturbing the sound sleep on the bed. Xun'er's response was soft and tender. Her eyelashes trembled and closed, and the blush on her cheeks spread to the tips of her ears. Her whole heart felt as if it were immersed in warm water, so soft and tender.

The warm yellow light from the glass lamps slowly spilled out, casting long shadows of the two people embracing and kissing, reflected on the plain brocade curtains and the warm bamboo wall.

Little Flame Princess on the couch seemed to sense the slight movement. She gently turned over, and her fiery red skirt swayed, revealing a section of her fair legs.

She smacked her rosy lips, as if she had tasted something sweet in her dream. Her little brows relaxed, and she uttered almost inaudible murmurs before falling into a deep sleep again, her breathing still even and long, completely unaware of the tender scene unfolding around her.

Xiao Ling and Xun'er slowly separated, exchanged a glance, and both saw a tender smile in each other's eyes. Their movements became even gentler, as if afraid of disturbing this rare peace.

A moment later, the glass lamp inside the bamboo house was extinguished by the airflow quietly stirred by the two people, and the warm yellow halo gradually faded away, leaving only the moonlight pouring in from outside the window, enveloping the room like a silver veil.

The tea on the table had long since cooled, and the fragrance of orchids became even more refreshing in the night. Little Flame Princess's sleeping face on the couch looked even more serene under the moonlight.

Xiao Ling and Xun'er had already quietly left the bedroom and walked side by side toward the wing room on the other side of the courtyard.

Their fingers remained intertwined, their footsteps so soft as if afraid to shatter the tranquility of the night. Their figures intertwined in the moonlight and the shadows of the trees, gradually merging into the night deep within the courtyard, leaving only the room filled with peace and quiet and the small figure sleeping soundly on the couch.

……

For the next few days, Xiao Ling and Xun'er remained in the elegant courtyard of the ancient clan.

Without the relentless cultivation day and night in the Heavenly Tomb, without the entanglements of clan affairs, and without the undercurrents of conflict disturbing their minds, the two temporarily put aside their cultivation, mission, and the gloom of the chaotic world, immersing themselves solely in each other's company.

During the three years in the Heavenly Tomb, although the two were in the same place, they were both devoted to cultivating and refining their skills in order to break through their cultivation levels. They had very few moments when they could truly calm down and spend time together.

Now, with such a rare opportunity to relax completely, and knowing that Xiao Ling would soon be leaving the ancient clan, the two cherished this moment of warmth even more.

They no longer focused on their cultivation progress, nor did they need to worry about trivial matters within the clan; they simply stayed together like ordinary children.

During the day, they might stroll side by side through the green hills and clear waters of the ancient village, watching the clouds drift by and listening to the wind rustling through the leaves, or sit quietly in the courtyard, brewing a pot of tea and chatting about past anecdotes and future hopes. Their words are not filled with grand vows, but with tender affection flowing like a gentle stream.

These moments of tender companionship, though ordinary, are incredibly precious. On the eve of a turbulent world, at a time when everyone is insecure and the strong are preparing for the future, they are able to shed all their burdens and purely enjoy the peace that belongs to each other, as if they want to make up for any future lack of companionship in these few days together.

Meanwhile, inside the ancient clan's council hall, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, creating a solemn atmosphere.

Gu Yuan sat upright on the warm jade chair in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the Dou Sheng elders seated below. He slowly announced to the public that Xiao Ling and Xun'er had been engaged, stating that when the chaos subsided and the time was right, a formal ceremony would be held for the two of them to announce it to the continent.

Upon hearing the news, there was a brief silence in the hall, followed by several older elders looking troubled.

They did not deny Xiao Ling's excellence. After all, this young man was exceptionally talented, had a deep bond with Xun'er, and his many achievements on the continent over the years had already reached the ears of the ancient clans.

In their eyes, Xun'er possesses divine bloodline and is the future hope of the ancient clan, shouldering the heavy responsibility of inheriting the clan and strengthening the ancient clan.

Right now is a critical juncture where undercurrents are surging across the continent and chaos is imminent. The most important thing to do is to concentrate on cultivation and realize the supreme potential of the divine bloodline as soon as possible to reach a higher realm, rather than being entangled in personal feelings and delaying the progress of cultivation.

However, this marriage was personally arranged by the clan chief, Gu Yuan. Gu Yuan held great prestige in the clan and had become the pillar of the clan after hundreds of years of trials and tribulations. Even if the elders had objections, they knew the importance of the matter and did not directly refute him on the spot. However, the concerns between their brows were hard to hide.

Just then, Gu Yuan seemed to see through the elders' thoughts, and slowly added in a calm yet undeniably authoritative tone,
"Elders, you may not know this, but Xiao Ling has returned from the Heavenly Tomb with a further advancement in his cultivation. He is now a genuine Dou Sheng. You elders should know the true significance of such a young Dou Sheng." (End of Chapter)