Such a Valuable Inner Core, Could It Be a Betrothal Gift?

The next day.

Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling both felt that Lin Xiao was different.

But they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

It seemed like his eyes had changed? They had become more resolute and decisive.

Like an innocent wolf cub transforming into a meat-eating wolf king.

...

Dugu Bo received the news and rushed back overnight.

"Kid Lin Xiao, you finished your training so quickly? Heh heh, don't tell me you got bullied outside and want this old man to stick up for you."

Lin Xiao had no reaction to his words.

But the thousand-plus souls remaining in that Million Year Soul Ring would probably break down on the spot if they heard him.

Lin Xiao smiled reservedly.

He silently released his Phoenix Martial Soul, accompanied by six rising black Soul Rings.

Dugu Bo was finally back!

Coming back rich without returning to your hometown was like wearing embroidered clothes at night.

Lin Xiao had wanted to make a big show of it for a long time, but because Dugu Bo was absent, he had kept it hidden until now, when he revealed this terrifying Soul Ring configuration.

Six black Soul Rings quietly floated in the air.

Even though the dark gold of the sixth Soul Ring was disguised.

But this exaggerated sight still left everyone present with eyes full of shock.

Dugu Bo's smile froze, a strange light flashed in the eyes of the usually calm and composed Ye Qingxian, and Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan's faces turned red with astonishment, exclaiming:

"Lin Xiao, what's going on with your Soul Rings?!"

Everyone present was family.

Lin Xiao didn't hide anything and told everyone about obtaining the Asura God's Trial.

The scene fell silent for a while.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan exchanged glances, then suddenly their eyes lit up with excitement. They surrounded Lin Xiao, touching and poking him all over, full of curiosity and a desire to explore.

Lin Xiao would usually avoid their overly intimate hands, but this time he countered by holding Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan's hands. He didn't push them away, but held them in his own, saying half-jokingly, half-seriously:

"I promised Senior Dugu and Aunt Qingxian that I would protect Sister Ling Ling and Sister Yanyan for a lifetime. You two sisters are so beautiful, how can I protect you without some skill?"

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan were stunned!

A pink blush appeared on each of their faces.

Ye Lingling's face turned bright red, and she lowered her head shyly, looking like a quail.

Dugu Yan's face was cold and proud, but her eyes were shy and dared not look directly at Lin Xiao. Thinking that Dugu Bo was still nearby made her even more embarrassed, and her body felt mostly soft.

Dugu Bo was startled, his eyes blank.

After a moment, he reacted and suddenly clapped his hands and laughed heartily, pointing at Lin Xiao and saying:

"The blockhead has finally opened up!"

"You rascal! I hinted at you again and again before, but you pretended not to understand. After training for half a year, it's like you've unblocked your meridians."

"Remember your promise!"

However, Dugu Bo didn't know that this had nothing to do with Lin Xiao's training outside, but was mainly due to Ye Qingxian's good guidance.

A man's nature is like a boy's.

No matter how stubborn, with enough grinding, they will soften.

Dugu Bo's face showed joy. It seemed that Lin Xiao's current actions made him feel even happier than hearing about him obtaining the Asura God's Trial. He said proudly:

"But considering you were young before, it's a natural progression. How could my Yan Yan's charm be something you could resist?"

Dugu Yan stamped her foot, embarrassed and annoyed:

"Grandpa!"

Lin Xiao held Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan's hands, showing his attitude, but then felt too embarrassed to act like a rogue in front of the elders, so he let go and started discussing serious matters.

First was the matter of Xue Beng wanting to become Dugu Bo's disciple.

Dugu Bo snorted unhappily.

"If this Xue Beng was even one-tenth as outstanding as Lin Xiao, this old man might reluctantly take him in, but what's the meaning of shoving a good-for-nothing at me?"

Ye Qingxian frowned and said:

"Besides, Xue Beng has always had a bad reputation. He plays with women and even forcefully snatches young women in the street. If the woman's husband or family dares to express dissatisfaction, they will also be humiliated."

Lin Xiao reminded them:

"Although Xue Beng is lustful, he may not be a good-for-nothing. He might be very cunning."

Dugu Bo waved his hand. "I don't care how cunning he is. Just tell him to stay away. Out of sight, out of mind. I'll make it clear to Emperor Xue Ye myself in a while."

Dugu Yan breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Having one junior like Lin Xiao was more than enough for her. What was Xue Beng anyway?

And so, the matter of Xue Beng becoming a disciple was rejected.

Next came the second matter.

Ye Qingxian glanced at Lin Xiao and said,

"Spirit Hall is successively pressuring various Sects and Academies, gradually expanding its influence. Even the Five Element Academies are subtly being targeted for annexation. If they don't comply, they might face suppression."

"Heaven Water Academy is in Heaven Water City."

"And Heaven Water City... that's where that girl Shui Bing'er is from, right?"

Lin Xiao looked thoughtful, then said,

"It's still too early to talk about this. Spirit Hall's actions won't be that fast. When the Shui Family is truly struggling to survive, do you think I wouldn't help Binger?"

In the original story, in a few years, the Five Great Element Academies would be forced to come to Heaven Dou City seeking refuge under pressure from Spirit Hall. At that time, he could contact the Shui Family and have them relocate to Heaven Dou City.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiao's relaxed mood was replaced by a slight feeling of pressure.

Then there was Emperor Xue Ye probing Dugu Bo's stance. He had previously helped Dugu Bo suppress the Clear Sky Sect, but now that Spirit Hall was powerful, he wanted to form an alliance with the Clear Sky Sect again.

Dugu Bo's expression changed with displeasure.

"Inconsistent? Is this how the imperial family acts?"

Ye Qingxian, however, sighed,

"Times and circumstances are different, so positions change."

Lin Xiao wasn't surprised.

"There are no eternal enemies or friends, only eternal interests."

"When the Clear Sky Sect is needed as cannon fodder, what does it matter if they are released? Emperor Xue Ye is just probing now. When the situation is truly urgent, it will also align with our interests."

This matter was still up in the air and would be put aside for now.

Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan couldn't interject and had been quietly listening to the conversation between the three. A sense of urgency involuntarily arose in their hearts, and their mood became a little clouded.

It seemed the carefree time they had left wasn't much.

Lin Xiao was perceptive. He took Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan's delicate hands and spoke with a bold tone.

"Meet force with force, and overcome obstacles as they arise."

"Sister Ling Ling and Sister Yanyan just need to be happy. With me here, even if the sky falls, only others will be crushed!"

Lin Xiao's ability was limited, but he was confident he could protect the people around him.

"Besides, Senior Dugu is still here!"

Saying this, Lin Xiao took out a golden-red Inner Core from his Storage Soul Tool and said with a smile,

"Senior Dugu, look what gift I brought you?"

As soon as the Inner Core was taken out, both Dugu Bo and Dugu Yan felt a tremor, and their Martial Souls subtly expressed joy.

"This is the Inner Core of the Primordial Exotic Beast, the Ten-Headed Fiery Sun Serpent. It contains its Fire Poison essence. This serpent is the supreme among snakes; when its Inner Core is unleashed, all snakes will flee. This core has a peculiar structure and can be manipulated to explode with astonishing power."

Dugu Bo reached out and took it, examining it carefully. He exclaimed in surprise,

"It really is a good thing!"

"This Fire Poison is overbearing and fierce, and the power of the Inner Core's explosion is much stronger than my Poison Blast!"

"Lin Xiao, boy, are you giving such a precious gift as a betrothal gift?"

At these words, Dugu Yan's face flushed with embarrassment and she said angrily,

"Grandpa! Stop talking nonsense!"

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