People fight and become emperors in advance

Chapter 158 Cai Lin Takes the Lead
Late at night.

Hai Bodong, who was in full charge of the cooperation, was still discussing the details with the leaders of various factions and handing over the first batch of resources.

Meanwhile, Chen Xiao had finished his cultivation for the day and stepped into Cai Lin's room.

Compared to the hustle and bustle of other places, this place is incredibly quiet and peaceful.

Cai Lin leaned lazily against the carved headboard, her bare feet casually draped over the soft quilt, exuding irresistible allure.

In her hands, she held an ancient book, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the yellowed edges. Her silk nightgown slipped down one shoulder, making her snow-white skin appear even more radiant, creating a strange harmony with the simple, thread-bound book in her hands.

In previous years, she had no interest in this. The burden of the snake people weighed heavily on her shoulders, and she had no leisure to sit down and peruse ancient books. These days, however, she was able to pass the time by taking advantage of the time she was recuperating.

Perhaps it was a change in mindset; these ancient books that she used to find boring and tedious were now something she enjoyed reading, which made her understand why Chen Xiao liked to read so much.

The sound of fingertips lightly tapping mingled with the creaking of the door opening. Cai Lin's eyelashes didn't tremble; she stubbornly continued to caress the slightly raised creases between the pages of the book.

Normally, only two people come to her room.

Zi Yan never knocks on the door, nor does she use the front door. She comes and goes without a trace, just like a ghost.

Apart from Zi Yan, only Chen Xiao, who was becoming increasingly casual and natural, remained.

"Is it done?"

Cai Lin turned a page of the book with her fingertips, and the scent of ink mingled with the faint, cool fragrance of her hair wafted over.

Chen Xiao dragged over a rosewood chair and sat down by the bed, his knees brushing against the tassels hanging from the edge of the bed: "That's about it. We can leave the rest to Elder Hai."

Cai Lin responded softly, her fair wrist rising slightly and hovering in mid-air.

Chen Xiao picked up the celadon teacup from the table and placed it in her palm. Their movements were so synchronized, like gears meshing, that it was clear this wasn't the first time she'd been ordered around like this.

The moment the teacup touched Cai Lin's palm, Chen Xiao had already snatched the ancient book from her left hand.

The yellowed pages rustled softly between his fingers. Cai Lin raised an eyebrow and looked up, his eyes, like autumn water, reflecting his gentle smile.

This person has become increasingly audacious lately, even daring to steal the book she was reading.

"We'll look at it later, let's get down to business first."

Upon hearing this, Cai Lin did not respond. She sipped her teacup lightly, a clear sound rolling in her throat. Steam rose between her eyebrows and eyes, but it could not hide the scrutinizing look in her eyes.

"I plan to send someone back to the Gama Empire to find the four elders of the Tagor Snake-People tribe and inquire about some things. Is there anything you need me to bring back, or anything to tell you? You can write a letter and send it back with it," Chen Xiao asked.

"What do you want with them?"

Cai Lin looked puzzled, curious about Chen Xiao's purpose in seeking out the four elders.

Why go to such lengths when there is a snake-woman queen lying right in front of you? Is there something about the snake-woman race that she, as queen, doesn't know?

Chen Xiao smiled slightly but did not answer her question.

Although Cai Lin is the queen of the snake people, she does not know all the secrets of the snake people.

Just like the third-grade secret method for nourishing Medusa's bloodline, the specific pills are in the hands of the four elders.

Chen Xiao was able to advance the Heavenly Soul Blood Fusion Pill, but to complete the subsequent tasks, he would need to refine another Heavenly Soul Blood Fusion Pill to 'repay the loan'.

Therefore, we must obtain the prescription.

"I guess it's a precautionary measure. How's your recovery going these days?"

"Not good, not bad. I should be able to recover to my peak condition in about twenty days."

Cai Lin smiled slightly, speaking as if it were the truth.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, got up and locked the door.

"I only just realized what you meant by 'I've figured it out' these past two days. So, this month is actually my opportunity, right?"

Chen Xiao's intense gaze fell on her face as if it were a physical object. Cai Lin's fingers, which were gripping the teacup, tightened suddenly, and fine water droplets seeped from the celadon surface. She turned her head slightly, avoiding his burning gaze, but the tips of her ears involuntarily flushed red. The usually cold and decisive snake-woman queen was now like a girl whose disguise had been exposed, and even her breathing became a little disordered.

"My injuries have indeed not yet healed..."

Cai Lin's voice trembled slightly, but even she herself found her words unbelievable.

Just as she said when she was frank last time, since she couldn't kill Chen Xiao, she was already mentally prepared for a lifetime of entanglement with him.

That's why she made a deal with Chen Xiao that they would talk about other things after he defeated her.

However, when the local demon began to self-destruct, intending to take Chen Xiao down with him, she suddenly realized that whether Chen Xiao was stronger than her didn't seem to matter that much anymore.

Since we've already decided on this person, what difference does it make if it's two years earlier or later?

Moreover, with Chen Xiao's talent and the resources he currently has at his disposal, advancing to the Dou Zong realm, or even catching up with her in terms of cultivation level, is only a matter of time, so there's no need to dwell on it any longer.

However, although she had come to a realization, her personality made it difficult for her to say something like, "I have changed my mind."

Therefore, Cai Lin used the excuse of recuperation to give Chen Xiao a month.

If he realizes it, then let nature take its course.

Conversely, delaying it for a while longer won't have much of an impact.

Looking at her appearance, Chen Xiao finally confirmed his guess.

He sat down next to her on the bedside, took the teacup from her hand and put it aside. He reached out and gently turned her face back to the side. When his fingertips brushed against her earlobe, he could feel the soft tremor in her ear.

Meeting Chen Xiao's aggressive gaze, Cai Lin was somewhat nervous, but she no longer backed down.

When the warm touch landed, she was no longer as stiff as before. Instead, she instinctively tilted her head back slightly, letting the person melt the trembling that was gradually spreading over her into his increasingly hot breath.

After a long while, Chen Xiao straightened up, a hint of restraint in his fiery eyes.

"From this day forward, I will share the responsibilities of the Snake People with you."

Looking directly into those captivating eyes, Chen Xiao spoke with a resounding voice.

The self-destruction of the Earth Demon Old Ghost not only changed Cai Lin's mind and made her truly understand, but also changed Chen Xiao.

In the past, although he had always had feelings for Cai Lin, it was mostly driven by self-interest and greed.

Even after spending so much time together, the genuine feelings she had for each other still couldn't reach the level of lovers. Cai Lin's place in her heart was far less than that of Zi Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

But when Cai Lin selflessly transformed back into her original form to shield her from all danger, Chen Xiao's thoughts quietly changed.

Since then, their interactions have been entirely genuine. He was willing to share his future plans and intentions with her without reservation, and he was also happy to take care of her.

Sensing Chen Xiao's seriousness, Cai Lin's eyes slightly lifted, and the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile. Her fingertips gently tugged at his clothes, silently absorbing this tenderness into her heart.

The old demon is indeed a hero!
"That's enough for today. You rest first, and I'll see those guests off first."

Just as Chen Xiao was about to get up, Cai Lin raised her hand and waved it. A barrier suddenly appeared, enveloping the entire room and blocking out all external sights and sounds, preventing any investigation.

"I'm in high spirits, why should I care about them?"

Cai Lin chuckled softly, reached out and pulled Chen Xiao, who then fell onto the bed.

It's confirmed, she recovered a long time ago!

As everyone knows, Chen Xiao is only a three-star Dou Huang, and he is no match for the methods of a Dou Zong powerhouse.

So I simply let it be.

Night fell over the windowpane, and suddenly, the candle wick popped open, and in the halo of light, the semi-transparent curtains rippled as if they were alive.

(End of this chapter)