The moon shone like a silver plate, its gentle light pouring down from the horizon, draping the entire inner courtyard in a soft, hazy veil of silver. On the bed, Xiao Yan sat cross-legged, continuously practicing his cultivation, energy flowing steadily from his body into the surrounding world and then steadily seeping into his very being. "Brother Xiao Yan, have you slept yet?" After the practice had lasted nearly an hour, a soft knock came at the door, followed by Xun'er's gentle voice entering the room. Slowly opening his eyes, Xiao Yan glanced toward the door with a look of curiosity and smiled, "Come in." The door opened smoothly, and the young girl in green robes stepped in. Under the soft reflection of the moonlight from the window, her refined and exceptionally beautiful face stirred a deep sense of enchantment in anyone who looked upon her. The young girl stood gracefully before Xiao Yan, her slender figure poised and elegant. The gentle, subtle fragrance that wafted toward him stirred a quiet stir within his heart. Unconsciously, he recalled how back then she had been nothing but a trailing, fawning follower—now, she had blossomed into a fresh, vibrant beauty. As Xiao Yan's eyes grew increasingly passionate, Xun'er's blush deepened. After a moment, she suddenly produced a black scroll from her storage ring, handed it to Xiao Yan, and then turned to flee. But Xiao Yan, swift in both action and movement, caught her delicate, jade-like wrist with one hand and gently pulled her into his arms, just as the young girl softly gasped in surprise. With her slender body pressing against Xiao Yan's chest, feeling the warm warmth seeping through her clothes, Xun'er's blush became so intense it seemed about to overflow. After a brief struggle, she finally gave up any futile resistance, her voice barely a whisper: "No." As Xiao Yan gently wrapped his arms around her delicate, fragile waist, the comfortable sensation brought a sense of ease to his heart. He looked down at the blushing girl and playfully asked, "Now, tell me, little one—why did you come to my room so late at night? What's your real intention?" "Badgering me first," Xun'er murmured, frowning slightly. Gazing at Xun, her lips pouting, her expression radiating a rare, delicate sense of wounded innocence, Xiao Yan's arms around her slender waist tightened instinctively. One hand gently lifted her smooth chin, his gaze lingering with a hint of longing on her vividly rosy lips and delicate features, his head slowly lowering. "Xiao, Xiao Yan, you must absolutely keep this." Understanding exactly what Xiao Yan intended, Xun's cheeks flushed deeper and her heartbeat quickened. Just as his breath began to brush against her face, she suddenly reached for the black scroll he had just handed her, swiftly lifting it to gently interpose between the two faces about to meet. Blocked by the scroll, Xiao Yan had no choice but to pause, reaching out to take the scroll from her hands. Feeling his actions, Xun finally exhaled in relief—yet even as she did, a subtle sense of both anticipation and uncertainty stirred within her. And as Xuanyi's gaze flickered, the one who had just taken the scroll casually slipped it into his storage amulet. With Xuanyi's hands, he firmly held her face, despite her stunned expression, and then, a face tinged with a mischievous smile swiftly expanded within his eyes. The faces—both shy and playful—quickly drew near, finally touching each other. Under the moonlight, the tall, graceful figures embraced tightly, pouring out their passionate emotions. Though their kisses were somewhat awkward and clumsy, for newly experiencing such intimacy, they were undoubtedly the most exhilarating moments of their lives. After a while, their faces, still flushed, parted with deep, heavy breaths. Xiao Yan gently licked his lips, gazing down at the girl in his arms. His previously calm heart suddenly began to race. At this moment, a strand of the girl's dark hair hangs loose across her forehead. The once-clear, refined gaze that had always carried a gentle smile now carries a subtle allure—like ripples in spring water, pure and fresh yet subtly seductive. Under this gentle charm, Xiao Yan begins to feel a growing warmth stirring in his abdomen. With their bodies pressed closely together, even the slightest movement from Xiao Yan causes Xun'er, who had been leaning helplessly against him, to leap as if startled, quickly breaking free from his embrace, her cheeks flushed and she exclaims, "Xiao Yan, don't be so stubborn!" Seeing Xun'er's reaction, Xiao Yan chuckles softly, gently suppressing his growing desire, and once again runs his tongue over his lips, savoring the lingering softness. The warmth in his heart only grows, spreading into a broad, satisfied smile. Witnessing Xiao Yan's proud expression, Xun'er's cheeks grow even redder, and she gives him a sharp, scolding look—though even this look now carries a touch of delicate charm, softened by the passionate moments just passed. With a fresh smile, Xiao Yan also decided to stop, knowing that the girl was rather shy when it came to matters of the heart. He thus ceased his teasing, settled lazily into a soft chair beside her, and casually took the black scroll that Xun'er had previously handed him. As he glanced at it, a growing sense of astonishment spread across his face. At that moment, the rosy hue on Xun'er's cheeks had faded somewhat, though she still carried a certain endearing shyness. With graceful steps, she approached Xiao Yan and smiled, saying, "A technique scroll requires the strength of a Battle King rank to be activated." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's hand trembled, nearly dropping the scroll. A technique that required Battle King-level strength? This was the first time he had encountered such a thing. "What level of technique is this?" Xiao Yan's smile gradually faded as he asked seriously. "Once Xiao Yan is able to activate it, he'll know," Xun'er shook her head, deliberately avoiding answering his question. "This thing... is rather expensive," Xiao Yan frowned. Yet before he could finish speaking, a pair of reproachful eyes from across the table made him hesitate and stop mid-sentence. "Since childhood, Xiao Yan has never received a single thing from Xun'er," Xun'er murmured, sighing lightly. "Alright, alright, I'll take it..." Seeing Xuanyi's pout, Xiao Yan chuckled, hesitated a moment, and finally nodded. He wasn't particularly masculine—he simply found it hard to accept such an extraordinary gift from Xuanyi all at once. "Remember, you must wait until you reach the Battle King rank before opening and studying it. Otherwise, it might actually be bad for you." As soon as Xiao Yan accepted the scroll, Xuanyi's pout softened into a sweet smile, and she gently reminded him. "Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded, his gaze steady and intense on the young green-robed girl. Xuanyi's eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yan, and then she spoke with serious weight: "Also, Xiao Yan, regarding the Jade of the Toshag Emperor—please remember my words. Never mention it to anyone. Otherwise, you'll face serious trouble. Right now, you simply don't have the strength to claim it. So, absolutely don't let it slip!" Seeing Xuanyi's serious expression, Xiao Yan couldn't help but take it seriously either, and gently nodded. "Hehe, then Xuanyi will go back to her room first. Xiao Yan will rest well—there's going to be a fierce battle tomorrow." As she spoke, Xuanyi smiled warmly at Xiao Yan and then turned toward the door. Watching Xuanyi's figure fade into the distance, Xiao Yan slightly furrowed his brows, feeling inexplicably that the past few days Xuanyi had been a bit unusual, constantly going through all these formalities. "Perhaps I'm just overthinking it?" Closing the door, Xiao Yan moved his hand, and the black scroll once again appeared in his hands. In a soft voice, he murmured, "Master, do you think you can identify what kind of technique this scroll contains?" "No," came the elder's voice shortly after, "the scroll is sealed with a special enchantment. Unless it's forcibly unsealed, no one will know what technique lies within. Given your young girlfriend's status and background, I'd say this technique is certainly no ordinary one." Xiao Yan nodded silently, his eyes flickering slightly, and then gently sighed. "...Madam, you gave that item to Master Xiao Yan, didn't you?" In the room, filled with a subtle, fragrant aroma, Ling Ying stared in surprise at the young woman holding her teacup, her delicate eyes still faintly shy, though barely noticeable. Faced with Ling Ying's question, Xun merely nodded casually, as if the item she had given away were nothing special. "But that was something the Clan Elder had finally managed to obtain..." Ling Ying chuckled, shaking her head at the gesture. "Master Xiao Yan is actually more suited for it than I am," Xun said calmly, then waved her hand. "Ling Elder, please don't let anyone else know about this—not even my father." "...Very well." After a moment of hesitation, Ling Ying sighed in resignation and then subtly shifted her form, dissolving into shadow and vanishing into the darkness. "Brother Xiao Yan, everything I can do has already been done. The path of true strength lies entirely with you now. I hope that when we meet again, you've become a true powerhouse—strong enough for me to look up to." Holding her warm cup of tea, Xun'er softly murmured, the words quietly echoing in her heart.