"No way, I have to go see."
Xu Yun's curiosity instantly overwhelmed her fear of her aunt. She grabbed the still bewildered Lan Susu and Lan Luoluo, then called over Dai Luoli.
"Quick, let's follow them and see what my aunt and Caelus are really up to."
... Outside the academy, Caelus followed Xu Jiujiu onto a carriage.
Inside the carriage, the refreshing fragrance was even more potent.
Caelus's gaze involuntarily fell upon Xu Jiujiu, who was sitting beside him, multiple times.
It had to be said that compared to the chattering young girls around him, a beautiful, elegant, intelligent, and highly respected woman like Xu Jiujiu was undoubtedly far more attractive to him, a being whose Soul was that of an adult.
Her beauty was not just physical appearance, but a comprehensive charm blended with power, wisdom, and grace.
Xu Jiujiu naturally noticed the occasional glances Caelus cast her way, but she didn't think much of it, as Caelus was still young.
She smiled faintly and said:
"I heard you beat up that brat Dai Huabin again? And showed off your thousand-year Second spirit ring?"
Her tone carried admiration:
"Dai Huabin is the most outstanding talent of this generation from the Duke of White Tiger's manor, even slightly more gifted than his elder brother who has already entered the Shrek Inner Court. I am very happy that you can consistently suppress him. This proves that my brother and I judged correctly, and the resources invested over the past two years were not wasted."
Caelus replied humbly, "It is all due to Elder Sister Jiu Jiu's Cultivation."
"Why are you being polite with me?"
Xu Jiujiu waved her hand, and then a light of curiosity and astonishment flickered in her purple eyes.
"However, your Second Spirit Skill, 'Me on the Other Side,' is truly eye-opening. When Grandma Man Yi returned and told me about it, I was still somewhat incredulous. The main body existing in a different time phase... this is simply unbelievable. Theoretically, as long as your Soul Power is sufficient, during the duration of the Spirit Ability, even a Titled Douluo wouldn't be able to directly harm you, right? This is countless times more brilliant than those so-called 'Paragon Golden Body' type defensive Spirit Abilities."
Her analysis was spot-on, and her evaluation of Caelus's Spirit Ability was extremely high.
Caelus nodded:
"Theoretically, yes, but the consumption is huge, and I cannot actively attack."
"Even so, it is Heaven-Defying enough," Xu Jiujiu sighed.
As they spoke, the carriage did not drive toward the Imperial City, but stopped in the most bustling commercial district of Star Luo City.
"Come on, I'm taking you to relax today. It must be boring always Cultivating at the academy."
Xu Jiujiu smiled as she stepped out of the carriage and naturally led Caelus into the bustling crowd.
She first took Caelus to several famous dessert shops, where they tasted several exquisitely shaped and sweet Soul Beast milk cakes and specialty juices.
Next, they strolled along the busy streets, stopping to look whenever they saw interesting trinkets or novel local products.
Afterward, Xu Jiujiu led Caelus into an exquisitely decorated clothing store that catered specifically to Soul Master nobles.
"Pick out a few sets of Body Integration clothes for him. The material must be the best, and the style... should be suitable for daily activities without losing dignity."
Xu Jiujiu instructed the respectfully approaching store owner, then immediately told Caelus to go try on the clothes.
When Caelus emerged wearing a tailored, luxurious black uniform trimmed with silver, a distinct brightness flashed in Xu Jiujiu's eyes, and she nodded in satisfaction:
"Not bad, very spirited. We'll take this set. Wrap it up, and wrap up the other few sets we liked as well."
"Elder Sister Jiu Jiu, this..."
Caelus was about to say something.
"Don't be polite with me."
Xu Jiujiu interrupted him, then decisively pulled out a crystal card and handed it to the owner.
"Check out."
Watching Xu Jiujiu pay a large sum of money for him without batting an eye, Caelus held the new clothes, and the sense of "living off a woman" grew stronger in his heart.
This shopping companion, eating companion, and paying the bill... no matter how he looked at it, it seemed like...
Meanwhile, in a hidden spot on the street corner, four small heads were stealthily peeking out.
It was Xu Yun, Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, and Dai Luoli, who had followed them.
They watched Caelus and Xu Jiujiu walk side-by-side on the street. Xu Jiujiu occasionally turned her head to laugh and talk with Caelus, and the atmosphere between the two was harmonious.
Watching Xu Jiujiu take Caelus into the store to buy clothes, personally selecting them for him, and even paying for them...
"Oh my god... the Princess... she's really buying clothes for Elder Brother Caelus."
Lan Susu covered her mouth, her eyes wide and round.
"And... and she paid for it."
Lan Luoluo was also stunned.
"The two of them together... they look... quite compatible?"
Dai Luoli blurted out foolishly.
Xu Yun looked at the handsome pair of young man and woman in the distance—although Caelus was only eight years old, his height was already close to that of some twelve or thirteen-year-olds. Coupled with his outstanding appearance and composed demeanor, standing next to the peerlessly graceful Xu Jiujiu, there was absolutely no sense of incongruity despite his slightly youthful face; instead, there was a strange harmony.
The thought of a future uncle-in-law became increasingly clear in her mind, causing her to shiver, while simultaneously fueling her fiercely burning Soul of gossip.
"It's over, it's over... I feel like I'm going to have a young uncle-in-law..."
Xu Yun muttered to herself, her expression extremely complex.
On the street, Caelus seemed to sense something and looked back at the corner, just catching sight of the small heads hurriedly retracting, causing him to shake his head helplessly.
This "living off a woman" situation was probably about to become known to everyone.
What level of Cultivation did Xu Jiujiu possess? As the Star Luo Princess with abundant resources, her Soul Power Rank was already close to Spirit Ancestor. How could her perception not be sharp?
If Caelus could detect the trailing youngsters, how could she be completely unaware?
She deliberately took Caelus around the commercial district a few extra times, even entering a shop specializing in female accessories. Sure enough, reflected clearly in the shop's polished crystal window, she saw the four sneaky little heads that thought they were well hidden.
The corner of Xu Jiujiu's mouth curved into an ambiguous smile, and she whispered to Caelus, who was admiring a jade ornament:
"It seems we have a few little tails that need to be dealt with."
Caelus nodded helplessly, knowing those youngsters were about to suffer.
Xu Jiujiu stopped delaying and deliberately led Caelus down a relatively quiet alley that was not a dead end.
Xu Yun and the others naturally suspected nothing and quickly followed them in.
Just as they were peeking around, searching for their targets, Xu Jiujiu's figure appeared silently at the mouth of the alley like Gui Mei, perfectly blocking their retreat.
"Are you having fun, Xu... Yun?"
Xu Jiujiu crossed her arms, looking at her instantly frozen niece with a noncommittal smile, drawing out her words.
"Ah, Au... Aunt!"
Xu Yun jumped in fright, nearly dropping the candied hawthorn stick in her hand.
Lan Susu, Lan Luoluo, and Dai Luoli were like startled quails, quickly lowering their heads, not daring to breathe loudly.