People in Doupo: The beginning of the game intercepts the rich woman Xun'er

"Young friend Xiao Ling, your cultivation must have made further progress during your seclusion, right?"

Elder Qingmu stepped forward first, his gaze falling on Xiao Ling, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration, his aged face beaming with a gentle smile, and his tone brimming with genuine joy.

"The extraordinary energy phenomenon that swept across the heavens and earth just now is the best proof. Congratulations, congratulations!"

Elder Qingshan beside him nodded in agreement, stroking his long, white beard, his eyes gleaming: "With your cultivation speed, young friend, in time, I'm afraid even we old folks will be left far behind."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling's smile softened even more. He bowed to the two elders with a humble demeanor, showing no trace of arrogance: "Hehe, you two elders are too kind."

"It was just a coincidence, a small stroke of luck, that allowed me to break through the bottleneck. It's really nothing to mention."

"It seems that the essence blood left behind by the Yellow Spring Demon Saint has indeed brought you a lot of benefits." Zi Yan moved lightly forward and arrived at Xiao Ling's side in a few steps. Her phoenix eyes curved into a smile, and her tone carried a hint of knowing teasing. "As expected of a treasure of the Demon Saint level, it is indeed extraordinary."

Xiao Ling chuckled upon hearing this, turned to look at the pretty girl beside him, and nodded: "Indeed, the power of this essence blood is indeed beyond expectations."

He changed the subject, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and deliberately sighed, "It's a pity I didn't save any for you. I was going to share some with you to see how it goes, but you flatly refused. Now it's too late to back out."

Xiao Ling had already meticulously divided the essence blood of the Yellow Spring Demon Saint into five parts. He took only one-third of it for his own refinement and breakthrough, while the remaining two-thirds were evenly divided into four parts, each accounting for one-sixth of the total.

Qinglin, Xiaoyixian, and Medusa each received one-sixth of the essence blood, a supreme opportunity that could help them solidify their foundation and reach higher realms. As for the last one-sixth of the essence blood, Xiao Ling specially reserved it for Xiao Xun'er.

Even with Xun'er's divine bloodline talent, reaching the Dou Sheng realm was only a matter of time, not to mention that her current cultivation level was already not far from that threshold. However, Xiao Ling still harbored a selfish thought, believing that with the help of this Demon Saint's essence blood, her cultivation path would definitely be further aided, allowing that final breakthrough to come sooner.

He was waiting for the right opportunity to personally deliver this heartfelt chance to Xun'er.

Faced with Xiao Ling's teasing, Zi Yan immediately pouted, crossed her arms, raised her chin, and spoke with an air of spoiled arrogance.
"Tch, I don't care about such things! You should focus on your cultivation, improve your level as soon as possible, and try to catch up with me."

"Alright, alright, Miss Ziyan's cultivation is profound, far beyond our reach." Xiao Ling couldn't help but chuckle and echoed her words with a smile, "In the future, I will devote myself to diligent cultivation and catch up with Miss Ziyan's pace as soon as possible."

"Hmph." Zi Yan snorted lightly, knowing he was teasing her, but a smug look still appeared on her pretty face. Her chin was slightly raised, and her tone carried a hint of spoiled confidence.
"I'm glad you're aware of that. But you don't need to rush to catch up. In the future, if anyone bullies you, just mention my name and I'll stand up for you."

The two bantered and joked back and forth, creating a relaxed and harmonious atmosphere. Seeing this, the two elders, Aoki and Aoyama, exchanged a glance, shook their heads with a helpless yet amused smile.

Their eyes met, both understanding each other. In front of the clansmen of Ancient Dragon Island, Zi Yan always maintained the majestic and composed demeanor of a dragon emperor. Only in front of Xiao Ling would she shed all her airs and reveal such a casual and charming girlish appearance.

After offering their congratulations, the two elders did not linger any longer. Knowing that Xiao Ling had just emerged from seclusion and must have much to say to Zi Yan, they smiled and nodded to the two of them before taking their leave, thus giving the young couple some space to be alone.

After the two elders had completely disappeared from sight, Xiao Ling and Zi Yan smiled at each other before walking side by side along the winding stone path on Gulong Island, chatting as they slowly made their way towards Zi Yan's residence.

However, the two had not gone far when a dark shadow, accompanied by the sound of something cutting through the air, flew towards them from afar, instantly attracting Xiao Ling and Zi Yan's attention.

The two looked up and saw that the dark figure was actually a powerful and agile ancient dragon. Its scales gleamed with a dark luster in the sunlight, and its wings created gusts of wind as it flapped. What warmed their hearts even more was that atop the ancient dragon's broad head sat a delicately beautiful little girl.

Looking across the entire Taixu Ancient Dragon Island, the only child who could sit so brazenly on the head of the dignified Taixu Ancient Dragon Clan's main body was Xiao Xi'er, whom Zi Yan treated like her own daughter.

As the distance closed, Xiao Xi'er, sitting atop the head of the Ancient Void Dragon, finally saw the two figures walking side by side. She excitedly opened her two small, white hands and waved them vigorously at Xiao Ling and Zi Yan, calling out in her clear voice, "Daddy! Aunt Zi Yan!"

Unfortunately, the Ancient Dragon of the Void was flying too fast, and the howling wind completely swallowed the soft, childlike voice, preventing it from carrying far. Fortunately, both Xiao Ling and Zi Yan were highly perceptive, and even the faint sounds masked by the wind were clearly heard by them.

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged a warm smile. Xiao Ling even waved and smiled in the direction of the little one.

Seeing her father's response, Xiao Xi'er's smile grew even brighter. Her little legs kicked happily on the dragon's head, and her eyebrows curved into two beautiful crescent moons. She was so happy that she almost jumped off the dragon's head.

However, seeing the little ancestor's reckless actions, the black dragon carrying her was startled. Its body froze, and alarm bells immediately went off in its mind.

He dared not be negligent in the slightest. If the little ancestor lost his footing and fell, even if he could catch him in an instant, if the little ancestor was frightened in the slightest or shed a single tear, the Dragon Emperor's wrath would be beyond his ability to bear, and he would definitely suffer a terrible fate.

Fortunately, Xiao Xi'er was only excited for a moment and did not cause too much trouble. Hei Qing did not dare to delay and gradually slowed down its flying speed. Its huge dragon body drew a gentle arc in the air and landed steadily on the open ground in front of Xiao Ling and Zi Yan after a moment.

Before the dragon's body had fully come to a stop, Xiao Xi'er, perched on its head, eagerly arched her small body and leaped up like a nimble little dumpling, opening her arms and rushing towards Xiao Ling. Her soft, sweet voice pierced the wind, calling out clearly, "Daddy!" Xiao Ling was prepared. Seeing this, he quickly stepped forward, stretched out his long arm, and steadily caught the little one in his arms. He then gently stroked her soft hair, lowered his head to lightly nuzzle her delicate, sculpted face, and placed a soft kiss on her smooth forehead.
"Slow down, what if you fall?"

"Hehe, with Daddy here, Xi'er isn't afraid of falling!" The little one nestled in Xiao Ling's arms, rubbing her head against his neck, her eyes crinkling with laughter. Then she turned to look at Zi Yan, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And Aunt Zi Yan will protect Xi'er too, so she won't let Xi'er get hurt!"

Zi Yan was amused by her clever appearance and gently rubbed the little girl's neatly combed bun with her slender fingers, saying in a doting tone, "Our Xi'er is right. Your aunt will definitely protect you and not let you suffer any grievances."

Seeing this, Xiao Ling could only shake his head helplessly, gently stroking his daughter's pert little nose with his fingertips, his tone full of indulgence: "You little rascal, you're really good at patting yourself on the back, and you're getting more and more reckless."

After saying that, he looked up at Hei Qing, who had already returned to human form. Hei Qing was dressed in a black outfit, with a resolute face and a faint dragon aura still lingering around him.

Xiao Ling nodded slightly to Hei Qing, her tone sincere: "Thank you very much for taking care of my daughter, Lord Hei Qing. I'm very grateful for your help."

Hei Qing quickly waved his hand, his expression humble and his tone respectful: "Your Excellency Xiao Ling is too kind. Taking care of Miss Xi'er is simply my duty. It is my honor to serve her, and it is really nothing to mention."

Before Xiao Ling could reply, Hei Qing remembered the important matter and quickly added, "By the way, Lord Xiao Ling, the Space Trade Fair that you specifically instructed us to keep an eye on is just around the corner."

He spoke calmly and clearly, stating the key information: "The opening date of this trade fair is seven days from now. Fortunately, you emerged from seclusion in time; otherwise, if you had been delayed for a few more days, you might have missed it."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling's smile faded slightly. The gentle emotions that had arisen because of his daughter gradually subsided, replaced by a sense of understanding and anticipation. He nodded to Hei Qing in thanks: "Thank you for informing me, Brother Hei Qing. This is quite a fortunate coincidence."

At this moment, Zi Yan, who was listening from the side, raised her eyebrows slightly, her tone filled with confusion: "You specifically inquired about this Space Trade Fair, could it be that you have some kind of plan?"

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Xiao Ling's unfathomable aura, and continued, "With your current cultivation level of mid-stage two-star Dou Sheng, you should logically look down on this kind of trade fair. Although this trade fair has some reputation in Zhongzhou, most of the items circulating there are only usable at the Dou Zun level. Even if there are a few top-tier treasures that are close to half-saint level, they may not be of interest to you."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ling smiled knowingly, glanced down at Xi'er who was blinking curiously in his arms, and then looked up at Zi Yan to explain, "You don't know this." His tone was certain, and a hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes. "I had secretly inquired beforehand and learned that items related to the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame would appear at this Space Trade Fair."

"Purifying Lotus Demon Flame?" Upon hearing this, Zi Yan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, clearly aware of the significance of this strange flame. It was a peerless strange flame ranked third on the Strange Flame Ranking, possessing boundless power.

“Exactly.” Xiao Ling nodded, his tone becoming increasingly solemn. “Even a little bit of information or a token related to such a top-ranking exotic fire is an opportunity I cannot miss. To be honest, I have long coveted this Pure Lotus Demon Fire and have been quite eager to have it for a long time. Even if the chance is slim, I will not miss it.”

Xiao Ling now possesses three fragments of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame map, and only one more fragment is needed to complete the whole map. This crucial final fragment will appear at this spatial trading fair, so there's no reason for him to miss it.

If he can gather all four fragments of the map together and summon the remnant soul of the Pure Lotus Demon Saint to help him, his success rate in subduing the Pure Lotus Demon Flame will increase dramatically.

Although with his current strength as a mid-stage two-star Dou Sheng, most of the treasures at this trade fair wouldn't catch his eye—even the fragment of the Pure Lotus Demon Flame map—he could easily send people to compete for it. However, since it concerned such a tremendous opportunity as subduing a strange flame, Xiao Ling was determined to go in person to ensure his peace of mind.

Moreover, he vaguely remembered that there seemed to be a nine-colored raw stone hidden in this space trading fair, which was a rare opportunity to find a bargain.

The seven-colored primordial stone he had obtained by chance in the alchemy world was later confirmed to be a genuine nine-colored primordial stone after he gifted it to Medusa. With the help of this nine-colored primordial stone, Medusa will be able to naturally evolve her bloodline into a nine-colored Devouring Python when she receives the inheritance in the Seven-Colored Devouring Python's nest.

However, this does not mean that the nine-colored raw stone at the trade fair is useless.

After all, Xi'er was conceived when Medusa was still a Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python. The part of the Sky-Swallowing Python bloodline inherited by the little one, as well as the little Seven-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python that she was born with, were limited by their innate nature and could not naturally evolve into a Nine-Colored Sky-Swallowing Python.

The nine-colored raw stone at the trade fair could just make up for this congenital deficiency. The pure nine-colored Devouring Python's original power contained within it could not only nourish Xi'er's Devouring Python bloodline, helping her break through the shackles and complete the leap, but also allow the little seven-colored Devouring Python that was born with her to have an opportunity to embark on the path of bloodline evolution together.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ling felt a surge of warmth in his heart and couldn't help but look down at his precious daughter in his arms.

Xiao Xi'er seemed to notice Xiao Ling's gaze, and immediately looked up at him with a sweet smile. Her chubby little hands playfully reached out and pinched Xiao Ling's cheek, the soft touch carrying the unique charm of a child.

As if sensing something, the small seven-colored python from Xiao Xi'er's sleeve slowly emerged. Its slender body nimbly protruded, flicked its tongue, and first gently rubbed against Xiao Ling's palm before affectionately wrapping around his neck. The cool touch carried a hint of dependence, and its expression was extremely intimate.

“That makes sense.” After hearing Xiao Ling’s reason, Zi Yan’s eyes flashed with understanding. She nodded and said, “The cultivation technique you practice is closely related to strange fires. The Pure Lotus Demon Fire is one of the top three strange fires on the list. Such information is indeed not to be lost.”

She paused, her gaze falling on Xi'er in Xiao Ling's arms, her tone tinged with a hint of probing, "So, you're going to that trade fair soon?"

"There's no rush." ​​Xiao Ling looked down at his daughter, whose eyes were crinkling with laughter, and gently scratched her chin with his fingertips. "I'll spend some quality time with my precious daughter first, and it won't be too late to head to the space trade fair in a few days..." (End of Chapter)