In Wu Tan City, within the Xiao Clan, Xiao Bai's courtyard.
The golden fire peach tree in the courtyard was in bloom again, its branches laden with crimson-gold petals. A gentle breeze stirred the boughs, sending a few petals drifting softly onto the stone table beneath.
At the table sat a young girl in a pale cyan dress, pure and untainted as a lotus untouched by the world's dust. She was engrossed in an ancient tome, a cup of fragrant tea steaming gently beside her, its aroma wafting through the air.
"Come out," she said suddenly, her calm eyes flickering, her voice ethereal and soothing, as if it could cleanse the soul.
At her words, a green shadow appeared nearby, gazing respectfully at the girl, who kept her eyes on the book. "Miss," the figure said, bowing.
The girl looked up, revealing a refined, jade-like face—it was Xiao Xun'er.
"What is it, to disturb me now?" Xun'er asked after a long pause, her tone faint as she fixed her gaze on the green figure.
The figure gave a wry smile. She wouldn't have come to this courtyard to interrupt her miss if it weren't about that person.
"Miss, Master Ling sent word. Young Master Xiao Bai is on his way back!" the green figure said hurriedly.
Xun'er's serene, autumn-water eyes sparkled with delight, a heartfelt smile spreading across her delicate, elegant face. "He's finally coming back," she murmured softly.
"Did Ling Lao say anything else?" she asked, barely containing her eagerness.
Since Ling Ying's last message revealed that Brother Xiao Bai had long known of his presence, she'd stopped having him report monthly. She didn't want that flirtatious man to misunderstand her intentions.
Hmph. Thinking of it, Xun'er ground her teeth. Ling Ying's final report mentioned Brother Xiao Bai taking in a little maid. Though initially miffed, she'd softened upon learning the full story—a mere girl, after all.
The green figure recounted Xiao Bai's recent exploits.
"So, that night Brother Xiao Bai exposed Ling Lao to break through to Da Dou Shi? He's progressing so fast," Xun'er mused, nodding thoughtfully.
Ling Ying hadn't witnessed it, but noticing Xiao Bai's Da Dou Shi aura afterward, he'd pieced together the reason for that night's confrontation.
"Queen Medusa?" Xun'er's brows furrowed at the mention of a peak Dou Huang, a flicker of worry crossing her face.
"Snake Spirit Lu Man, the Eight-Winged Black Serpent Emperor, Heavenly Snake Mansion?" Xun'er sipped her tea, her voice calm but her eyes glinting coldly.
"What about that ice-attribute Dou Huang? Have you uncovered his background?" she asked, glancing at the green figure, her willow brows knitting.
"After investigation, his name is Hai Bo Dong, once among the Jia Ma Empire's ten strongest, known as the Ice Emperor. He wields ice-attribute Dou Qi and has deep ties to the Miteer Auction House. Over twenty years ago, he was sealed by Queen Medusa in the Tagore Desert, living in seclusion in Desert City until Young Master Xiao Bai appeared. He's been following him since, for… unclear reasons."
"Unclear reasons?" Xun'er's tone hinted at dissatisfaction. Anything involving him made her fiercely protective, intolerant of any vague threats lurking near him.
"My apologies, Miss," the green figure said with a bitter smile. "When they met, Master Ling only knew Young Master Xiao Bai fought him. What happened inside the house afterward, no one knows. Master Ling suspects they struck some deal. After learning of Young Master Xiao Bai's formidable soul force, Master Ling kept his distance, so many details remain unclear."
Sigh. Xun'er's lovely face clouded with worry. Does Brother Xiao Bai think I sent Ling Lao to spy on him?
She hadn't known her Brother Xiao Bai would surprise her like this—late Mortal Realm soul force! She'd assumed he'd never notice her envoy, but he'd known all along, that infuriating scoundrel, hiding it so well. Perhaps even back in the Xiao Clan, Ling Ying had been exposed, and he'd just never called it out.
"No need to worry, Miss. Young Master Xiao Bai knew of Master Ling when he left and likely didn't overthink it. Your intentions were pure, to protect him, nothing more," the green figure said with a reassuring smile.
She understood her miss's heart well. Normally calm and wise, Xun'er shed her cool reserve the moment his name came up, slipping into the throes of love—rejoicing for him, fretting for him.
Thinking of Xiao Bai, the green figure couldn't help but inwardly grumble. That lucky guy, winning Miss's favor—what a blessing earned over lifetimes. Yet, unbelievably, despite her miss's lofty pride, she remained devoted even after learning certain things, her longing only growing. Lately, she visited this courtyard daily, lingering alone, as if his lingering presence eased her yearning.
"So, Brother Xiao Bai stayed with the Snake-People this whole time, until he set out for Wu Tan City?" Xun'er asked softly, refocusing.
The green figure's breath hitched. Bracing herself, she continued, "Yes, Miss. Young Master Xiao Bai likely made a deal with Queen Medusa. Master Ling sensed a strange fire's aura and an unusual heavenly phenomenon, likely tied to her evolution."
"Another deal?" Xun'er was at a loss. Does Brother Xiao Bai make a deal with everyone? With Yao Lao, Hai Bo Dong, and now Queen Medusa—all transactions.
"Miss…" the green figure ventured cautiously.
"Anything else?" Xun'er asked, puzzled. Wasn't that everything?
"Miss, according to Master Ling, it seemed like Queen Medusa and Young Master Xiao Bai…" The green figure hesitated, trailing off as Xun'er's face darkened. She swallowed the rest of her words.
"He must be mistaken," Xun'er said flatly, a faint trace of resentment in her voice. She no longer flared up as she had upon hearing about Xiao Yi Xian, but inwardly, she seethed. Another one? Does everyone think they can steal from my house?
"Yes, yes!" The green figure wiped a bead of sweat, dropping the topic. Despite her miss's exalted status, she was still a woman, and jealousy was an instinct no woman needed to learn.
"You may leave," Xun'er said coolly.
"Yes!" The green figure bowed and vanished into the courtyard as a shadow.
Once alone, Xun'er picked up a crimson-gold peach petal, thinking of that infuriating man, her teeth clenching slightly.