"Drop a drop of your blood," Xiao Jietian's gentle voice sounded beside her ear.
Xuan Yi didn't hesitate. She forced a drop of blood from her fingertip onto the ring.
The moment the blood touched the ring made of Cloud Dream Phoenix Metal, it was instantly absorbed.
Xuan Yi immediately felt a connection form with the ring, allowing her to control it freely.
After everything was done, she brought the hand wearing the ring close to her eyes and examined it repeatedly.
Upon closer inspection, one could see her well-proportioned, jade-like hands trembling slightly.
"This is also the best and most beautiful gift I have ever received in my life." Ever since she had given herself to Xiao Jietian, she had been quietly waiting for this moment. She would never ask for it, because she wanted him to give it to her proactively. The emotional value of a gift given willingly was completely different from one that was requested.
Now she had finally received it, and earlier than she had expected. This item had nothing to do with whether it was a treasure or not. Even if it were a ring made of grass, it would still be the most precious treasure to her.
The main reason was that this ring symbolized her officially becoming Xiao Jietian's woman—it was also a status.
Her fingertip gently traced the patterns on the ring's surface, as if she could feel Xiao Jietian's love for her within them.
Xuan Yi's eyelashes fluttered slightly. She raised her hand a little, and the golden-red ring sparkled in the sunlight, as if flowing light was turning within it, mirroring the surging emotions in her heart. "Does it look good?"
"It's beautiful!" Xiao Jietian came to her side, gently cupped her cheeks with both hands, and tenderly wiped away the slight moisture at the corner of her eye with his thumb. "As beautiful as you."
Xuan Yi's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Thank you, Xiao Jietian." There was a softness in her voice that Xiao Jietian had never heard before, but even more so, there was a sense of peace and belonging.
Xiao Jietian chuckled softly, picked up a wooden comb from the dressing table, and stood behind her. He gently combed her soft, smooth black hair.
Xuan Yi looked at Xiao Jietian's serious profile in the mirror. His focused expression moved her more than any elaborate words. For a moment, she felt like she was the happiest person in the world.
...
Inside the room, after finishing breakfast, Xuan Yi picked up a handkerchief to wipe the remnants from her mouth and hands, then took the water glass from the table to rinse her mouth.
It was good to rinse thoroughly after eating in the morning to maintain oral hygiene, especially after eating eggs, which could leave a slight fishy smell.
With a wave of her hand, she opened all the windows in the room.
"Dong dong!!"
Just as she finished, a knock sounded on the door, followed by the clear, oriole-like voices of Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng.
"Mother Xuan Yi, are you awake?"
Xuan Yi waved her hand, and the door opened. Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng walked in and saw Xiao Jietian sitting in a chair, looking refreshed.
"Huh? Daddy, why are you up so early today, and here with Mother Xuan Yi?"
"Daddy is not right. Twelve parts out of ten, he's not right."
The two little girls stroked their chins, looking at Xiao Jietian with suspicion.
Suddenly, Xiao Ling jumped onto his lap and pinched his face. "I don't care who you are, get off my daddy right now!!"
Xiao Jietian's forehead instantly broke out in black lines. He secretly comforted himself, She's my biological daughter… my biological daughter. I just have to endure it.
"Pfft! Hahaha!" Xuan Yi couldn't help but burst out laughing, her body shaking slightly as she watched Xiao Jietian's face constantly changing shape in Xiao Ling's hands.
She had also been tormented like that before—her face constantly changing. The only difference was that one was caused externally, and the other internally.
Xiao Jietian flicked Xiao Ling's little forehead.
"Ah~ It hurts, it hurts! It's going to crack! Daddy is going to kill his cute daughter!" Xiao Ling desperately covered her forehead and bumped wildly into Xiao Jietian.
Hearing Xiao Ling's "screams," Xiao Meng immediately ran to Xuan Yi and reached out her hands, clearly wanting a hug.
After all, if one was disciplined, the other would be too. As "Bad Daddy" would say—if you want everything to be fair, then you should get beaten together.
Xuan Yi was instantly melted by Xiao Meng's cute appearance. She squatted down, gently pinched the other girl's chubby, baby-fat cheeks, and then picked her up.
Xiao Meng, seeing Xuan Yi, also reached out and pinched her face, giggling a few times. "Mother Xuan Yi, why do your lips look a little swollen?"
"Perhaps I accidentally burned them while eating just now," Xuan Yi said casually, a trace of unnaturalness flashing in her eyes.
Xiao Meng knew immediately that Mother Xuan Yi was lying. What kind of Dou Zun could be burned by ordinary food?
Xuan Yi secretly stepped on Xiao Jietian's foot to prevent Xiao Meng from asking more questions. "Let's go. Today, I'll take you to see where the Pill Tower tests alchemist ranks."
"Oh yeah! Let's go, let's go!" Hearing Xuan Yi's words, Xiao Ling stood directly on Xiao Jietian's lap and clapped her hands in excitement.
And so, the two adults, each holding one child, walked out of the room together.
...
About half an hour later, the group stepped into a halo-like entrance.
"This is where they test Grade 8 alchemists," Xuan Yi said to Xiao Jietian beside her.
Xiao Jietian surveyed the area in front of him. It was a huge, perfectly circular platform with a diameter of a hundred zhang, paved with thirty-six layers of profound crystal glazed bricks. Nine pillars made of special metal stood around the edge, and several figures were already present on the platform.
"Is this place a self-contained space?"
"That's right. This is a space specially opened by our predecessors for the Grade 8 alchemist assessment. It's also to prevent any disturbances during the test. During the assessment, even the slightest interference can cause all efforts to be wasted, and in severe cases, it can even lead to death. In this independent space, at least most external disturbances can be avoided."
Xuan Yi patiently explained to Xiao Jietian.
"Haha, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting for a long time!" A hearty voice sounded from the center of the stone platform. Then Tian Leizi's figure appeared before the group.
"President Tian Leizi." Xiao Jietian nodded slightly in greeting.
"Martial Uncle Tian Leizi!" ×2
Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng also called out sweetly.
"Good, good, good. Come, come, these are for you two little ones. They can enhance your physical fitness."
Looking at the two well-behaved and adorable little girls and hearing their greetings, even the usually serious Tian Leizi couldn't help but laugh out loud. He took out two jade bottles from his storage ring and handed them over.
The two girls looked at Xiao Jietian first. After he nodded, they reached out and accepted the bottles. "Thank you, Martial Uncle Tian Leizi. We wish Martial Uncle Tian Leizi an early breakthrough to Half-Saint and Level 9 Alchemist."