"What is it?"
Hearing Gu Qing's words, Gu Feng couldn't help but ask curiously.
"If the people of the Gu Clan saw Miss Xun'er today—seeing how happily she is being held in someone's arms—they would probably go crazy."
Gu Qing laughed heartily.
One had to know that within the Ancient Clan, almost every outstanding young genius was deeply infatuated with Xun'er.
"Haha, that's true."
Gu Feng stroked his graying beard and smiled.
"Ever since Miss returned to the clan, she has always been cold and distant toward everyone. We've never seen her smile so genuinely before, let alone see her willingly being held in someone's arms."
He shook his head with a chuckle.
"If any of those young geniuses could even get within three meters of Xun'er, they would probably be happy for several days."
"However, I think Miss has excellent taste."
Gu Qing smiled meaningfully.
"With his current strength, I'm afraid most of those fellows wouldn't be his match."
Gu Feng nodded in agreement.
"Then there's going to be quite a show from now on."
The two elders looked at each other and laughed.
Neither of them could imagine just how lively things would become once the young geniuses of the Ancient Clan learned that Xun'er already had someone she loved.
...
That Night
Inside Xiao Tian's bedchamber, Xiao Tian reclined lazily against the bed.
A playful smile lingered on her lips as she stared toward the closed door.
She had already sensed the person standing outside.
After waiting for a while, Xiao Tian finally chuckled.
"You're already here, yet you're refusing to come inside. What are you doing hiding out there?"
As soon as her voice fell, the door slowly opened.
A slender figure dressed in blue leaned against the doorframe.
Xun'er looked at Xiao Tian with a faint smile.
"Our Xiao Tian already has so many beautiful women around him. If I suddenly barged in, wouldn't I be disturbing your enjoyment?"
She paused deliberately.
"And what if I happened to see something I shouldn't?"
Her voice carried a faint trace of jealousy.
Xiao Tian immediately understood.
Among the women, everyone tacitly understood that this palace chamber belonged to Xiao Tian and Xun'er.
Hearing the jealousy hidden in Xun'er's words, Xiao Tian's smile widened.
In the blink of an eye, she appeared directly in front of Xun'er.
Her arm wrapped around Xun'er's slender waist, pulling her closer.
Xiao Tian leaned toward her ear and whispered teasingly.
"Oh? What's this?"
She took a deliberate breath.
"Why do I smell something sour?"
Xun'er's ears instantly turned bright red.
A beautiful blush spread across her cheeks.
She instinctively tried to retreat, but Xiao Tian's arm was already around her waist. Instead of moving away, she was pulled even closer.
"Xun'er," Xiao Tian teased with a smile, "why does your body feel warmer and warmer?"
Her hand rested lightly against Xun'er's waist, and she could clearly feel the increasing warmth through her clothes.
Xun'er immediately grabbed Xiao Tian's hand and glared at her with embarrassment.
She knew very well that Xiao Tian was deliberately teasing her.
Xiao Tian couldn't help laughing softly.
Then, without warning, she lifted Xun'er into her arms.
Xun'er let out a soft gasp of surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms around Xiao Tian's neck.
"I think I need to check your temperature properly."
Xiao Tian leaned closer and kissed Xun'er.
The sudden intimacy left Xun'er momentarily flustered.
After a while, the two finally separated.
Xun'er's beautiful eyes were slightly unfocused, and her cheeks remained flushed.
Xiao Tian looked at her seriously for a moment before smiling.
"I've figured it out."
She nodded solemnly.
"Unfortunately, there's no cure for this."
Xun'er blinked.
"What should we do, then?"
"We'll have to wait until later."
Xun'er lowered her head shyly.
"Then... wait until after the next clan ceremony."
Her voice gradually became softer.
"Once Xun'er's bloodline has completely awakened, you can help me then. For now, just wait a little longer, okay?"
As she spoke, her face became increasingly red.
Xiao Tian could clearly feel her body growing warmer and her heartbeat accelerating.
"Alright."
Xiao Tian smiled.
"Then I'll wait until that day. I want to see Xun'er shine."
The awakening of her divine bloodline would undoubtedly become one of the most glorious moments of Xun'er's life.
"Then I'll send you an invitation when the ceremony approaches."
Xun'er leaned against Xiao Tian's shoulder.
"Otherwise, those old fellows will definitely make things difficult for you."
"I'll deal with anyone who dares to make things difficult for me."
Xiao Tian's expression became serious.
"I'll make sure they understand that Xun'er made the right choice."
A sweet smile appeared on Xun'er's face.
"Xun'er naturally believes in Brother Xiao Tian."
She looked up at him.
"In Xun'er's heart, Brother Xiao Tian is the best."
She leaned closer to his ear and whispered softly,
"Brother Xiao Tian... put me down. Xun'er can walk."
Her voice became so quiet that it was almost inaudible.
Xiao Tian smiled and gently put her down.
Xun'er took a deep breath and tried to stand properly.
However, after being carried for so long, her legs had become numb.
She barely took a step before her legs gave way, forcing her to crouch down.
Seeing the uncomfortable expression on Xun'er's face, Xiao Tian gently patted her head.
"Rub your legs for a little while. They'll recover soon."
Perhaps because of Xiao Tian's gentle massage—or perhaps because Xun'er gradually found the right way to move her legs—the numbness soon began to fade.
...
The night was tranquil.
After dinner, Xun'er nestled comfortably against Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian was half-reclining against the edge of the bed, one arm wrapped around Xun'er's slender waist while her other hand gently massaged Xun'er's slightly rounded abdomen, helping her digest her meal.
Xun'er had an unusually relaxed expression on her face.
She quietly rested against Xiao Tian's chest.
Neither of them spoke.
They simply gazed at the endless starry sky above them.
The ceiling of the palace had disappeared entirely.
Of course, that was Xiao Tian's doing.
Many of the palaces within the Divine Emperor Imperial Palace and the Primordial Heaven Realm had been created through Xiao Tian's will.
As the master of these places, she could alter their structure however she pleased.
Xiao Tian reached out and gently stroked Xun'er's long, soft hair.
"Xun'er, are you upset that I didn't go to the Gu Realm to find you when I first arrived in Central Plains?"
Xun'er gently shook her head.
"How could I be?"
She smiled softly.
"It's just that Xun'er wanted to tease Brother Xiao Tian this time, so I secretly left."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"Besides, Xun'er wanted to wait until Brother Xiao Tian became stronger before returning to the Gu Realm."
"That way, when you eventually come for me, I can leave with you and never be separated again."
"A temporary separation in exchange for a lifetime together..."
Xun'er smiled.
"Xun'er thinks it's worth it."
She turned her head and looked at Xiao Tian.
"Besides, Xun'er trusts Brother Xiao Tian. You would never lie to me."
Her voice was gentle and sincere.
"Xun'er has always believed that Brother Xiao Tian's love for me will never change."
"And Xun'er's love for Brother Xiao Tian will never change either."
After saying this, Xun'er slowly sat up.
She placed her palm against Xiao Tian's chest and quietly felt the steady beating of her lover's heart.
"Besides, I can't leave the Gu Realm whenever I want right now."
"Xun'er still needs to awaken the power of her bloodline."
Deep inside, however, she had another reason.
Only after awakening my bloodline can I obtain an even greater talent.
Then, in the future, I'll be able to keep up with Brother Xiao Tian.
Perhaps one day, I might even surpass him.
A faint smile appeared in her heart.
Then I can finally make him live off me, just like we joked about when we were children.
Xiao Tian immediately understood what Xun'er was thinking.
After all, they had grown up together.
No one understood Xun'er better than she did.
Xiao Tian tightened her arms around Xun'er and gently held her close.
"Xun'er, I'll be going to the Gu Realm soon."
"Wait for me."
"When the time comes, I'll personally come and bring you back."
Xiao Tian already had a plan for how she would take Xun'er away from the Ancient Clan.
However, it wasn't the right time yet.
She still needed to wait for someone to return.
She also needed her own strength to reach a certain level.
Only then could she put her plan into action.
Xun'er smiled gently.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with affection as she looked at Xiao Tian.
"Then Xun'er will wait."
"I'll wait for the day when Brother Xiao Tian comes to take me away."
Under the tranquil night sky, the two remained quietly together, their hearts already connected by a bond that neither time nor distance could break.