His voice was gentle, but there was an icy sharpness beneath it that made the stall owner's smile falter.
"I—Sir, that would be a loss. These are—fine quality goods. Rare, even." The merchant licked his lips and tried again, "What about eight hundred gold coins, and I'll even throw in this ring?"
Xiao Yao didn't even glance at the ring. Instead, he smiled slightly—a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Cold and effortless, a look that unsettled the merchant more than any words could.
He turned as if to walk away, only to pause for a moment, like he was rethinking it. "Guess I'll have to look elsewhere then," he said softly.
The stall owner panicked. "W-Wait! Fine! Seven hundred! Even though it's a loss!"
Xiao Yao turned back, expression unchanged. He reached into his spatial ring and took out a small pouch, tossing it lightly onto the table.
The coins jingled. Exactly seven hundred gold coins.
"Pleasure doing business," he said as he swept the items into his Dimensional Space with a flick of his fingers.
The robe alone would help absorb low-level Dou Qi impacts, and the necklace… it wasn't just pretty. It had a faint ripple of warmth—perhaps a hidden enchantment or passive boost. Either way, it was suitable for Xun'er.
As he turned and walked away, the merchant slumped behind the stall, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
"…Who the hell is that kid…?" he whispered to himself.
But Xiao Yao didn't look back. With the crowd parting around him and the weight of fresh gear in his ring, he walked deeper into the market streets.
His journey was just beginning. But now, he had what he needed—both for battle… and for peace offerings.
"Xun'er better like that necklace," he muttered, a faint smile on his lips. "Otherwise, I'm dragging her here next time."
By the time Xiao Yao returned home, the sky had already begun to turn a soft orange hue, signaling the approach of dusk. As he stepped inside, the faint scent of incense greeted him—familiar, calming. But what caught his attention more than the smell was the presence standing in the middle of his living room.
Xun'er.
She was waiting for him, arms crossed loosely, her eyes sparkling like twin emeralds. Her long black hair fell down her shoulders in a silky cascade, her expression a mix of worry and quiet joy.
"Brother Xiao Yao, where did you go?!" she asked with a soft but questioning tone, the corners of her lips pulling into a half-smile. Of course, she already knew. Ling Ying had long reported his whereabouts. But still—hearing it from him mattered more.
Xiao Yao gave her a warm smile and walked forward, gently patting her head with affection. "I just went to the outskirts of the Magical Beast Mountain Range near Wu Tan City. Needed to train… and test a few things."
"Mhhhh~!" Xun'er let out a soft, almost musical moan, her face brushing against his palm like a pampered cat.
Seeing her like this, Xiao Yao couldn't help but chuckle. "You're hopeless," he muttered under his breath, but there was only warmth in his tone.
Without another word, he reached into his Dimensional Space, a ripple of invisible energy flickering through his fingers. With practiced ease, he withdrew the necklace he had bought from the market. Gently, carefully, he reached around and clasped it around her slender neck.
The silver thread shimmered against her fair skin, the faint energy it exuded wrapping around her body like a second layer of protection. Unknown to most, the necklace was far from ordinary. It wasn't just a pretty trinket—it was a concealed treasure, capable of forming a barrier strong enough to defend against a full-strength blow from a Dou Shi.
Xun'er blinked, her hand rising to touch the cool pendant resting against her collarbone. "Brother Xiao Yao… this is…?"
"A gift," he said simply, his voice soft and steady. "For always being there."
Her eyes widened for a moment before narrowing playfully. "You're hiding something from me, aren't you?" she asked, tilting her head. "You don't have a storage ring… but you just pulled this out of thin air. Care to explain, hmm?"
Xiao Yao grinned, ruffling her hair again. "You really are worthy of being my girlfriend. Nothing gets past your eyes."
"Hehehe~!" she giggled mischievously, puffing her cheeks with pride. "Of course!"
He stepped back slightly and sat down on the edge of the bed, motioning for her to sit beside him. "I found something in a cave. At first, I lost consciousness… but when I woke up, I felt a strange warmth—right here." He pointed between his eyebrows.
"It was like a spark of mental energy. When I focused on it, I realized I could store things… in some kind of space. Not a ring, not a bag, just… within me."
Xun'er's expression changed, surprise flickering in her gaze. "A mental storage technique…? Those are beyond rare. Even the clan doesn't have anything like that."
Xiao Yao nodded, his tone calm. "I don't fully understand it yet, but it's not hurting me. In fact, it feels natural."
Xun'er leaned a little closer, her fingers lightly touching his forehead, as if to sense the energy herself. After a few seconds, she pulled back with a thoughtful look. "It's faint… but it's definitely there. Brother Xiao Yao… you keep surprising me."
He laughed quietly. "Better than disappointing you, right?"
She gave him a bright, sincere smile—the kind that made all the fatigue and hardship worth it. "Always."
As the sun dipped below the horizon and the city slowly settled into night, the two sat quietly, the soft glow of the necklace between them a silent promise of strength, protection, and something slowly blossoming—deeper than friendship, more lasting than a passing crush.
And in Xiao Yao's heart, a silent vow formed.
One day, he'd give her more than just trinkets.
He'd give her a world where she could smile with
"Xun'er," Xiao Yao called softly, his breath uneven. There was hesitation in his eyes, but also resolve—as if he had finally come to a decision.