Chapter 223 – Yafei's Words of Wolf and Tiger
As the waves of power slowly receded, Xiao Yuan, feeling the exhaustion coursing through his body, shoved another handful of pills into his mouth. With the remaining Dou Qi, he stabilized his Dou Qi wings and slowly descended from the sky.
The gazes of everyone present were filled with deep complexity.
No one could have expected that this man—Xiao Yuan—would defeat and kill two Dou Zong experts in succession.
Regardless of what methods he'd used, the fact remained: they'd died by his hand.
A peak Dou Wang slaying two Dou Zongs—such an accomplishment was nothing short of jaw-dropping.
Yun Yun's figure flashed the moment Xiao Yuan landed, arriving by his side in an instant.
"Sorry… I didn't think things would get so out of hand."
Sweeping a glance over the devastated Misty Cloud Sect, Xiao Yuan spoke with a hint of guilt.
"It's fine. What matters is that you're okay. I'll take care of things here. You just focus on resting for now."
Yun Yun did not blame him. Her voice was gentle as she reassured him. She then called for a disciple to escort Xiao Yuan to rest while she stayed to take charge of the situation.
Xiao Yuan followed the disciple to Yun Yun's quarters.
Without ceremony, he helped himself to tea from the pot on the table, drinking a cup before sitting down to begin recovering.
"Teacher, how are you feeling now?"
Xiao Yuan asked, still concerned for Yao Lao's condition. After all, their opponent had been someone from the Soul Hall—caution was warranted.
"Don't worry. A mere Dou Zong can't do anything to me."
Yao Lao chuckled. Even in his weakened state in the past, he had managed to escape from three Protectors of the Soul Hall. Now, with his origin soul essence partially restored, his soul power had significantly recovered. While not yet at his peak, he wasn't worried about clashing with a Dou Zong.
"But you do need to find a method to refine your body further. You've always had decent physique, but it's not enough anymore."
Yao Lao reminded him.
Xiao Yuan nodded thoughtfully. Among the three Dou Techniques left to him by Mang Tianchi, there were two he had yet to learn—an intermediate Earth-tier movement technique and an advanced Earth-tier combat skill, both complementary to one another.
If mastered, they would provide a considerable boost to his combat power.
He also needed to cultivate the Flame Splitting Tsunami Ruler. Yao Lao didn't have many suitable techniques for him, but this one was well-suited.
Besides, once he'd learned it, he could even dig a pit or two for Xiao Yan.
After all, as the older brother, it was his duty to push his little brother to grow quickly.
(Xiao Yan: Thanks a lot, bro!)
Three hours later, Yun Yun entered with a tired expression. Xiao Yuan opened his eyes as if sensing her arrival. Seeing her weary, disheveled appearance, his heart ached.
"You've worked hard. Have some water."
He poured her a cup and handed it to her.
Yun Yun didn't stand on ceremony. She drank it in one go, then sat on the bed, her composure collapsing as sorrow washed over her.
"Xiao Yuan… Misty Cloud Sect has truly been dealt a heavy blow this time."
She whispered.
"This wasn't your fault. The Soul Hall was too cunning."
Of course Xiao Yuan wouldn't bring up Yun Shan's or the elders' greed. He simply sat beside her and gently drew her into his arms.
"I never imagined that the teacher I once respected so deeply… would bring a wolf into the fold. If you hadn't shown up, marrying Gu He would've been the least of it—if you'd died, and the sect destroyed, I wouldn't know how to keep on living."
Yun Yun rested her head on his shoulder, her voice filled with sorrow and regret.
"The purpose of my cultivation has always been to protect the people I love. If you dared to marry Gu He, I'd have killed both him and Yun Shan."
Xiao Yuan frowned, his voice laced with an icy chill.
"Teacher was just confused for a moment… it's over now. Honestly, if you hadn't come today, I'd already made up my mind to take my own life. I couldn't disobey him, but I could at least choose death."
Yun Yun tried to defend Yun Shan, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she shifted her tone with resolve.
This time, Xiao Yuan couldn't hold back—he slapped her firmly on her round, perky backside.
"Don't talk nonsense. If you die, I'll bury the whole Misty Cloud Sect with you."
"You—!"
Yun Yun's face turned red. She didn't even scold him for the slap—just glared at him in disbelief.
"I wouldn't let you die. That's why I came."
Xiao Yuan smiled warmly, brushing her bangs behind her ear.
Even with her experience, Yun Yun blushed from his sudden affection. She shyly nudged him with her shoulder and turned away.
"This is my insight into Wind's Limit. Take it and study it later. The sect's current crisis needs your leadership. The fallen need to be honored. I'll stay for a few days to help. If anyone objects to your decisions, I'll deal with them. You must be decisive—if you keep retreating, they'll just think you're weak."
Xiao Yuan handed her a small booklet and said solemnly.
"Thank you, Xiao Yuan."
Yun Yun smiled gently and rested her head on his chest.
"Don't be formal with me."
Xiao Yuan chuckled and lightly slapped her backside again.
"Pervert…"
Yun Yun muttered, cheeks flushed, but didn't push him away. Instead, she leaned in closer, inhaling his familiar scent—then gradually fell asleep in his arms.
Xiao Yuan smiled, holding her sleeping form. After a year apart, their bond hadn't faded—it had deepened.
But… how would he explain this to Yafei and Xiao Yu?
He rubbed his temples. Those two were generous, but not without jealousy. Yun Yun was more powerful and prestigious, and that might create tension.
Still, they were all kind-hearted women… hopefully no one would start a catfight?
Yun Yun didn't sleep long. As Xiao Yuan was reviewing a thunder-type Earth-tier Dou Technique, she stirred awake.
"You're up? I had some congee made. Drink it while it's hot."
With a flicker of flame, Xiao Yuan reheated the bowl perfectly.
"Xiao Yuan… I kind of miss the congee you used to make."
Yun Yun sipped and said softly.
"I'll make it for you next time."
He nodded with a smile.
"Mm."
Her eyes brightened at the memory of their little cabin in the mountains.
"I'll go home for a bit, explain things to the family. Take your time with breakfast."
He stood and smiled.
"Hurry back. Yanran went through the Gate of Life and Death a year ago… and I haven't had anyone to talk to since."
She looked down, voice quiet with loneliness.
"I'll be back soon."
Xiao Yuan smiled and vanished in a flash of lightning.
Seeing his speed, Yun Yun sighed in relief. His condition seemed fine—not the result of any forbidden secret arts.
Xiao Estate
Xiao Yu and Yafei sat together in the main hall. With Yafei present, the atmosphere wasn't awkward. Xiao Yu was no fool, and Yafei wasn't trying to compete with her. They got along reasonably well.
Though news had already reached them about Xiao Yuan single-handedly taking down two Dou Zongs, they were still worried.
Hai Bodong, on the other hand, was furious—not because Xiao Yuan was reckless, but because the old man hadn't been invited to watch the show!
And to hear that Xiao Yuan had even used Frost Dragon Soar, Hai Bodong was downright heartbroken.
It was his signature technique! And he missed the performance!
Yafei and Xiao Yu, not being as martial-focused, simply shook their heads in resignation.
"You two seem to be getting along well."
Lightning flickered as Xiao Yuan appeared, smiling brightly.
"Hmph! If you hadn't come back soon, Yafei-jie and I were going to stop talking to you!"
Xiao Yu huffed.
She had turned a blind eye to Xiao Yuan's other "private relationships", but what happened at Misty Cloud Sect today had effectively made things official. Everyone in the Jia Ma Empire now knew Xiao Yuan had "taken" Yun Yun.
That… was a bit much.
Not even the royal family had done anything like this: charging into Misty Cloud Sect, breaking a wedding, and walking away with their current sect master. Oh, and also kind of killing the last one.
That was absolutely going in the empire's history books.
"You're both the people I love. If it had been either of you in Yun Yun's place, I'd have done the same thing. Everything I've cultivated for—was to protect you."
Xiao Yuan smiled.
"Hmph."
Xiao Yu looked away, but her heart warmed.
"Yafei-jie, does the Miteer family have any intelligence from the Chu Yun Empire?"
Xiao Yuan asked abruptly.
Back at Misty Cloud Sect, when Yun Yun mentioned his cooking, he'd thought of the girl who used to cook with him—the Xiao Yi Xian.
"I have a friend there. She's always been sickly. I've improved at alchemy, so I want to see if I can help her."
Xiao Yuan scratched his chin.
Yafei raised an eyebrow at his tone.
"A female friend, I assume?"
"Yes. Met her during my training. She's… had a hard life."
He thought of her cursed Constitution and sighed.
"I might have something relevant. In the Chu Yun Empire, a young female Dou Huang specializing in poisons has appeared recently. She's just reached that level, but even seasoned veterans avoid her. They call her the 'Heavenly Poison Maiden.'"
Yafei had access to Miteer's shadow guard network, and such intelligence was no secret to Xiao Yuan.
In fact, if he didn't already have a clan, the Miteers might've handed their next patriarch role to him outright.
Though giving it to Yafei worked just as well.
Some elders disagreed—but it didn't matter. Hai Bodong and Miteer Tengshan had the final say.
"Heavenly Poison Maiden, huh… looks like I'm making a trip to Chu Yun Empire."
Xiao Yuan nodded, scratching his head apologetically.
"I'll be staying with Yun Yun a few more days. After all, she lost Yun Shan because of me—can't just leave her like that."
"Hmph."
Xiao Yu didn't argue. But that didn't mean she was thrilled about it either.
"Xiao Yuan-didi, you just got back… rushing off again isn't very nice."
Yafei stood, hips swaying, and approached with a teasing smile. As she leaned close, the cut of her qipao revealed far too much for a man to handle.
"Ahem… Yafei-jie, this isn't appropriate…"
Xiao Yuan's expression stiffened.
"Hmph! I've been holding back for a year. You're not leaving tonight!"
As Yafei declared with her predatory smile, Xiao Yu's face turned crimson. Realizing what was about to happen, she quietly tried to sneak away.
"Nope! No one's leaving tonight!"
Xiao Yuan laughed, hoisting Yafei over his shoulder and pulling Xiao Yu into his arms as he walked toward the bedroom.
(END CHAPTER)
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