"I can give Your Majesty two choices regarding this issue." A mysterious glint flashed deep in his eyes as Xiao Ting smiled and offered a solution. "My method requires me to break through to Dou King first."
"If Your Majesty is not busy in the tribe, you can stay by my side for a period of time. Once I break through to Dou King, I will help you evolve immediately and complete our deal."
"If Your Majesty is busy, then wait inside the Snake-People Tribe. Once I break through to Dou King and have free time, I will immediately come to the Snake-People Tribe to find you. I wouldn't want to miss out on a favor from a future Dou Ancestor—or even Dou Venerate—expert." "
Otherwise, we don't have a good way to contact each other."
Upon hearing this, Medusa showed a thoughtful expression. After a moment, she asked, "Where do you usually operate?"
"I come from the Xiao Family in Wu Tan City, Northeast Province." Xiao Ting introduced himself, then added, "However, I will soon participate in the Jia Nan Academy recruitment assessment and head to the Black-Corner Region's Jia Nan Academy. I'll probably be there for a long time afterward."
"The Black-Corner Region? That's not too far." After a brief deliberation, Queen Medusa nodded. A relaxed expression appeared on her breathtakingly beautiful face. "Then this Queen can stay by your side for a while. If needed, I can protect you as well, so you don't fall before breaking through to Dou King and delay this Queen's evolution."
This tsundere, arrogant tone was very much like Queen Medusa. Geographically, the Black-Corner Region belonged to the northwestern part of the continent and was the most chaotic area there, following pure jungle law. The chaos of the Black-Corner Region was famous across the entire continent. It also served as the northwestern continent's window to the outside world, becoming a crossroads for intelligence. Countless pieces of information flowed in and out every day, along with high-level cultivation methods, Dou Techniques, divine weapons, armors, medicinal cauldrons, herbs, and high-grade pills appearing from time to time. The northernmost part of the Black-Corner Region bordered the southern frontier of the Jia Ma Empire, while the Tager Desert was located in the eastern province. For Dou Emperor experts who could fly freely, it really wasn't far. Precisely because of the proximity, the Jia Ma Empire had always been a hotspot for Jia Nan Academy recruitment, which was why the Xiao Family had so many disciples going there to study.
"That's great. I've gained a free bodyguard." Xiao Ting accepted gladly and even seemed quite happy. However, no one noticed the profound meaning that flashed deep in his eyes.
"This Queen will only act when you face life-threatening danger. Don't even think about turning this king into your thug." Queen Medusa snorted coldly, crossing her arms and slightly raising her chin. "This Queen is doing this for herself."
"Understood, understood. You're not protecting me—you're protecting your own future of safe evolution." Xiao Ting nodded with a cheerful smile. His expression and tone made Medusa feel the urge to punch him hard.
…
[Medusa]: Xun Er, control your man.
[Xun Er]: I can't help you. Big Brother Xiao Ting is just like that.
[Medusa]: He's just a freeloader. Why give him any face?
[Xun Er]: But to me, Big Brother Xiao Ting is wonderful.
[Medusa]: ...
[Yun Yun]: I somehow feel like I just watched a big drama.
…
"This Queen will make some arrangements in the tribe, then head to Wu Tan City's Xiao Family to find you." Having successfully obtained a reasonable excuse to stay by Xiao Ting's side, Medusa acted decisively and prepared to leave.
"Wait a moment, Your Majesty." Xiao Ting called out to stop her. Meeting Medusa's puzzled gaze, he smiled and rubbed his hands together. "Your Majesty is preparing to use a Heavenly Flame for evolution, so you must have made plenty of preliminary preparations. You should have collected heavenly materials and earthly treasures like the Ice Spirit Cold Fountain, right?"
"I do, and quite a few." Medusa understood Xiao Ting's meaning and smiled ambiguously. "What do you plan to trade for them?"
"Saying 'trade' hurts the friendly feelings we've built through fair dealings." Xiao Ting grinned. "I won't use much—just give me ten or twenty bottles."
The Little Fairy Doctor and the other girls: "..."
"I'll bring ten or twenty bottles when the time comes, but whether I give them to you depends on your sincerity." Medusa waved her hand and turned into a streak of blood-red light, flying toward the Snake-People Tribe. She had to complete the act fully; otherwise, she could have followed Medusa and left right now.
"Not bad, not bad." Looking at the spot where Medusa had disappeared, Xiao Ting reached out and wrapped an arm around Xun Er's waist. "I didn't expect that finding one Heavenly Flame wouldn't be enough—I even managed to trick a peak Dou Emperor into being my bodyguard."
"Trick?" Feeling the warmth at her waist, a blush rose on Xun Er's earlobes, but she didn't pull away. Only toward Xiao Ting did she not mind any intimate behavior.
Ling Yue: I am is still standing right here!
"It should be called 'persuasion.' After all, I didn't lie to her." Xiao Ting nodded with a smile and looked up at Ling Yue. "Aunt Ling, could I trouble you to leave another spatial barrier so no one discovers us?"
Ling Yue: He's even calling me "Aunt Ling" so naturally now. And ordering me around so matter-of-factly. Is this tolerable?
Absolutely not!
So she had to tolerate it!
"Seal!" Ling Yue didn't ask Xun Er again. She knew the latter would brainlessly side with Xiao Ting anyway, so there was no need to go in circles. After setting up the spatial barrier, Ling Yue tore open a spatial rift and stepped inside. "Young Miss, if you need anything, just give the order."
The implication was clear: some people should shut their mouths and stop thinking about ordering her around.
"Big Brother Xiao Ting, you scared Aunt Ling away." Xun Er lowered her gaze and smiled faintly. The Little Fairy Doctor and Qing Lin covered their mouths and laughed softly, finding the scene quite amusing. A dignified Dou Ancestor expert had been scared off by a mere Dou Grandmaster and didn't dare show her face.
"What's the big deal?" Xiao Ting didn't think there was any problem at all and spoke as if it were only natural. "No matter how long it takes, I will definitely be with Xun Er in the future. Since she is your young miss's guard, she is also my guard."
"At worst, when Xun Er and I get married in the future, let her sit at the main table."
"You're getting more and more improper." Xun Er's face turned red from embarrassment. She pretended to pinch Xiao Ting's hand. She didn't understand why Xiao Ting had suddenly become so bold, but she didn't dislike it in her heart.
Ling Yue: It's over. The Ancient Clan's most precious little cabbage is really going to be stolen. Why did the Clan Leader let Young Miss grow up in the Xiao Family?
Xiao Ting was also ridiculous. He even said that when he married the young miss, he would let her sit at the main table. He still had no idea about the Ancient Clan's true power. If that day really came, the ones sitting at the front would definitely be the Dou Saint Clan Leaders and high-level Dou Saint elders from various clans.
Someone like her—a Dou Ancestor—wouldn't even make it into the third circle.
"Wait." Ling Yue suddenly spotted a loophole. If Xiao Ting requested it, could she actually sit at the main table with the Clan Leader and the others?
At that time, the Dou Saint elders would be sitting below her, and they might even have to toast her? Hiss!
Rounding it up, I'd basically be a Dou Saint!?
"Can't think about it, can't think about it." Ling Yue wiped away the nonexistent drool at the corner of her mouth and smoothed out the upward curve of her lips. In the future, she would definitely protect Xiao Ting well and do some things for him. Not for any other reason—just strictly following Young Miss's orders. It definitely wasn't because she wanted to sit at the main table on the day the two of them got married!
…
…
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