Chapter 87

The sunlight was warm, a gentle breeze brushed the leaves, the leaves rustled, and ripples spread across the lake surface. Lush grass was dotted with small flowers, and in the distance stood rows of towering pines with dense foliage.

A few small birds flew over, they paused on the branches for a moment, then flew off into the distance. The lake's water sparkled, a few white clouds drifted in the sky, occasionally blocking the sun, making the whole scene especially beautiful. (Don't doubt, this passage is just elementary school essay padding for word count (dog head))

After asking Yao Lao, Xiao Li prepared to leave, after all there was still about one year and ten months left until Xiao Yan's three-year agreement, and he needed to make more preparations.

Having developed his power to this point, Xiao Li was no longer satisfied with merely unifying the northwestern region; he wanted the entire Heijiao Yu.

As a cautious person who must leave no future trouble, Xiao Li had no intention of messing around with the Yunlan Sect; he wanted to wipe them out in one go, especially not allowing the Hall of Souls to send news of the Xiao family and Yao Lao back to Zhongzhou.

And to completely annihilate the Yunlan Sect, which possesses a Fighting Sect, and its closely allied subordinate forces, Xiao Li at least still needed to find a stable combat force other than Yao Lao.

Win over the Black Emperor Sect? Or make peace with the Magic Flame Valley? Or perhaps seek out the Eagle Mountain Old Man?

Xiao Li considered many possibilities, but still felt that joining forces with the Black Emperor Sect and the Eagle Mountain Old Man was more reliable.

"Brother Xiao Li!"

Just as Xiao Li was lost in thought, a sweet voice rang out in the outer courtyard of Jia Nan Academy; his body jerked as if shocked, and he saw in the distant crowd Xiao Yixian break free from the person who had been hitting on her and run straight over.

A silver-haired figure like snow plunged into his embrace, and Xiao Li seemed to hear the sound of several youths' hearts breaking in the distance.

"Xian'er, how did you come?" Xiao Li exclaimed.

Xiao Yixian lifted her head in Xiao Li's arms, smiled faintly, and said, "I didn't say I would come find you, but Brother Xiao Li, I inquired a bit and only then learned that you had already left Jia Nan Academy."

Seeing Xiao Yixian's resentful gaze, Xiao Li embarrassedly rubbed his nose; it wasn't really his fault—who let the students of Jia Nan Academy be so weak that he cleared it in just a year?

Because Xiao Yan entered the inner court directly, he missed Xiao Yixian, and consequently, although he knew she was there, he couldn't meet her.

Xiao Yixian had originally thought she would need to enter the inner court to see Xiao Li and Xiao Yan, but she didn't expect to see them today.

On another note, Hu Qian happened to be there as well; Xiao Yixian, as a promising new student at the peak of the Dou Shi level, obviously also attracted Hu Qian's attention.

"Xiao Li, is this your sister?"

Hu Qian was a bit curious; these two don't resemble each other at all, and they don't even share the same surname.

Xiao Li shook his head, didn't hide it, and openly said, "This is my lover, Xiao Yixian."

Xiao Yixian's pretty face blushed slightly, and the gazes of those around made her a bit shy.

Hu Qian's face stiffened; he clenched the paper in his hand about Xiao Yixian, which clearly stated that she was only thirteen years old this year.

"Good, good, good!"

Hu Qian said "good" three times; all the talents he'd gathered these years were from your Xiao family, so he might as well stop bothering with recruitment and just enroll directly at your Xiao family.

"Brother Xiao Li, are you going to the Lei Sect now? I can..."

Obviously, Xiao Yixian already knew about the Lei Sect and intended to go with him.

Xiao Li gave Hu Qian a troubled glance; the latter helplessly waved his hand, thinking it wasn't a good idea to forcibly separate the young couple.

Seeing this, Xiao Yixian smiled, grabbed Xiao Li's hand, and looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Xiao Li was amused by the little girl's cute appearance, about to speak, but then noticed Xiao Yixian's current figure.

Damn, are the people of the Dou Qi Continent all early-maturing, or is Xiao Yixian a prodigy, how is she already at least a C-cup before she's even fourteen?

Xiao Li feared leaving a lecherous impression in Xiao Yixian's heart, so he quickly averted his gaze, unaware that his own appearance had already been etched in her eyes.

From the moment she saw Xiao Li until now, Xiao Yixian's gaze had never left him; how could she have missed this little detail?

However, Xiao Yixian didn't think Xiao Li was lecherous; instead, she felt a bit more delighted, and a thought that might scare Xiao Li if spoken aloud welled up in her heart.

Xiao Li and Xiao Yixian left Jia Nan Academy and headed straight for the Lei Sect; upon arriving at the hall, they saw the person Xiao Li least expected to see at this moment.

Qing Lin!

Originally, Qing Lin was brought by Xiao Li; due to her lack of strength, she had merely been cultivated, with little presence, and after finding a few snakes, he let her train on her own.

But unexpectedly, today Qing Lin broke through to the Dou Zhe level, came to Xiao Li asking for a cultivation technique; the timid little girl didn't dare to ask anyone else, so she had to come beg the Xiao Li who had brought her here.

It's not Qing Lin's fault; what kind of people are in the Lei Sect anyway?

The expressionless Yao brothers, the rough-mouthed Iron Crow, the gloomy and vicious Yin Gu Lao, the lecherous, plump, smooth Yuan Yi, and the ferocious-looking Chen Long.

Apart from Su Mei, they are practically more villainous than villains; at least Han Feng's image is that of a graceful gentleman, whereas the Lei Sect... better not say.

If she had come under normal circumstances, it would have been fine; Xiao Li might even have been happy to give her some pointers, but now...

Looking at Xiao Yixian's strange expression, cold sweat broke out on Xiao Li's forehead.

"Brother Xiao Li, how old is this girl now?" Xiao Yixian asked softly, her tone giving no hint of approval or disapproval.

Xiao Li wiped the sweat from his forehead, "Probably around ten years old."

"Hmm, when I first met Brother Xiao Li, I seemed to be about that age as well." Xiao Yixian said wistfully.

Oh no, I hope I don't leave a copper-smelting fetish in Xiao Yixian's heart.

Xiao Li's mouth twitched; understanding Qing Lin's intent, he quickly produced a suitable cultivation manual for her and sent the little girl away.

After Qing Lin left, only Xiao Li and Xiao Yixian remained in the hall; he hastily explained Qing Lin's background, and only when the strangeness in Xiao Yixian's eyes turned to pity did he breathe a sigh of relief.

Xiao Yixian also hadn't expected Qing Lin's background to be so tragic; although the misunderstanding was cleared, her bold idea in her heart only grew firmer.

"Xian'er, have you activated the Heavenly Poison Body?" Xiao Li suddenly asked, interrupting Xiao Yixian's unhealthy thoughts.

Xiao Yixian blinked, then lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong, waiting for Xiao Li's criticism.

But after waiting a while, Xiao Yixian only received Xiao Li's gentle, broad palm.

Xiao Yixian's fidgeting fingers paused, and she pursed her lips as she looked at Xiao Li.

"I will help you resolve the Heavenly Poison Body," Xiao Li said softly.

Xiao Yixian nodded heavily; she had never doubted Xiao Li's ability, just as she had trusted him in the Magic Beast Mountains, and was willing to venture with him into the depths of the Magic Beast Mountains.

Thanks to Ling*hai for the reward.

Next chapter I plan to write something exciting, which might get blocked or deleted; if you see any incoherent preceding and following text, please understand (laughs).

(End of chapter)