Deep into the night.
Hai Bo Dong, who was fully in charge of the cooperation matters, was still discussing details with the leaders of various factions, handling the first batch of resources.
Meanwhile, Chen Xiao, on the other side, had already finished his cultivation for the day and walked into Cai Lin's room.
Compared to the busyness elsewhere, this place was incredibly quiet and peaceful.
Cai Lin was leaning languidly against the carved headboard, her bare feet resting casually on the soft quilt, infinitely alluring.
In her hand, she held an ancient book, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the yellowed edges of the pages. Her silk sleepwear had slipped off one shoulder, making her fair skin appear even more radiant, forming a strange harmony with the simple thread-bound book in her hand.
In previous years, she didn't have such hobbies. The heavy burden of the Snake-People Race on her shoulders left her no leisure time to quietly read ancient books. These past few days, taking advantage of the time spent recuperating, she was able to pass the time with them.
Perhaps her mindset had changed, as these ancient books that she used to find boring were now fascinating to her. She finally understood why Chen Xiao liked to read whenever he had nothing else to do.
The light tapping of her fingertips mixed with the creak of the door opening. Cai Lin's eyelashes didn't even flutter; she continued to persistently stroke the slightly raised creases between the book pages.
Only two people usually came to her room.
Zi Yan never knocked and didn't use the front door. She came and went without a trace, like a ghost.
Besides Zi Yan, the only other person was the increasingly casual and natural Chen Xiao.
"Done?"
Cai Lin's fingertip turned a page. The scent of ink mixed with the faint, elusive cool fragrance from her hair wafted over.
Chen Xiao dragged a rosewood chair and sat down by the bed, his knee brushing against the tassels hanging from the bed skirt. "More or less. The rest can be handled by Elder Hai for the handover."
Cai Lin softly acknowledged, her fair wrist slightly raised in the air.
Chen Xiao picked up the celadon tea cup from the table and placed it in her palm. Their movements were so coordinated, like gears meshing, clearly indicating this wasn't the first time he had been ordered around like this.
As soon as the tea cup touched Cai Lin's palm, Chen Xiao had already taken the ancient book from her left hand.
The yellowed pages rustled softly between his fingers. Cai Lin raised an eyebrow and looked up, her autumn-water-like eyes reflecting his faint smile.
This man was getting bolder lately, daring to even snatch the book she was reading.
"You can read it later. Let's talk about important matters first."
Hearing this, Cai Lin didn't reply. She pursed her red lips and sipped the tea cup, a clear, moist sound rolling in her throat. The rising steam misted around her eyes, but it couldn't hide the hint of scrutiny in their depths.
"I plan to send someone back to the Jia Ma Empire, to the Tagor Snake-People Race, to find the Four Elders and inquire about some things. Do you have anything you need to convey or instruct? You can write a letter, and it will be sent back along with them," Chen Xiao asked.
"What do you need to find them for?"
Cai Lin looked puzzled, curious about Chen Xiao's purpose in seeking the Four Great Elders.
There was clearly a queen of the Snake-People Race right in front of him, so why go to such lengths? Could it be that there were things within the Snake-People Race that she, as the queen, didn't know?
Chen Xiao smiled slightly but didn't answer her question.
Although Cai Lin was the queen of the Snake-People Race, she didn't know all their secrets.
For example, the three levels of the secret technique that nourished Medusa's bloodline – the specific pill formula was held by the Four Great Elders.
Chen Xiao could pre-pay the Heaven Soul Blood Fusion Pill, but to complete the subsequent steps, he would need to refine another Heaven Soul Blood Fusion Pill later to 'repay the loan'.
Therefore, the pill formula had to be obtained.
"Consider it preparing for a rainy day. How has your recovery been these past few days?"
"Not bad, not good. I should be able to recover to my peak in about twenty days."
Cai Lin's lips curved slightly, speaking as if it were true.
Chen Xiao nodded slightly, got up, and locked the door.
"I only figured out what you meant by 'thinking it through' these past two days. So, this month is actually my chance, right?"
Chen Xiao's burning gaze landed on her face like a tangible force. Cai Lin's fingers holding the tea cup suddenly tightened, and fine beads of water seeped onto the surface of the celadon.
She slightly and unnaturally turned her head to avoid his intense gaze, but the tips of her ears uncontrollably flushed crimson. The usually cold and decisive Snake-People Race queen now seemed like a young girl whose disguise had been seen through, her breathing even becoming slightly disordered.
"This Queen's injuries are indeed not yet healed..."
Cai Lin's voice trembled slightly, but even she found her words unbelievable.
Just as she had said during their previous frank conversation, since she couldn't kill Chen Xiao, she had already prepared herself for a lifetime of entanglement with him.
It was because of this that she had made the agreement with Chen Xiao to defeat her before discussing anything else.
However, when the Earth Demon Old Ghost began to self-destruct, intending to drag Chen Xiao down with him, she suddenly realized that whether Chen Xiao was stronger than her didn't seem that important anymore.
Since she had already acknowledged this person, what difference did a couple of years make?
Moreover, with Chen Xiao's talent and the resources he could now utilize, reaching Dou Zong, and even catching up to her in realm, was just a matter of time. There was no need to continue dwelling on this.
However, although she had thought it through, due to her personality, it was difficult for her to say something like, This Queen has changed her mind.
Thus, Cai Lin used the excuse of recuperating to give Chen Xiao a month's time.
If he reacted, then things would naturally progress.
Conversely, delaying for a while longer wouldn't have much impact either.
Seeing her appearance, Chen Xiao finally completely confirmed the speculation in his heart.
Seeing her reaction, Chen Xiao finally confirmed his suspicions.
He came to the side of the bed and sat down close to her, taking the teacup from her hand and setting it aside. He reached out and gently turned her face back towards him. As his fingertip brushed her earlobe, he could feel a soft tremor.
Facing Chen Xiao's intense gaze, Cai Lin was a little nervous but no longer avoided him.
When the warm touch descended, she no longer stiffened as she had at first. Instead, she tilted her head slightly according to instinct, letting him melt the gradually rising tremor within her into his increasingly heated breath.
After a long while, Chen Xiao straightened up, a hint of restraint in his fiery eyes.
"From now on, the responsibility of the Snake-People Race, I will bear it with you."
Looking directly into those enchanting eyes, Chen Xiao spoke with conviction.
The Earth Demon Old Ghost's self-detonation not only changed Cai Lin's mind and made her truly understand, but it also changed Chen Xiao.
Before, although he had always had thoughts about Cai Lin, it was mostly driven by greed for profit and desire.
Even after spending so much time together and developing genuine feelings from the heart, it still didn't reach the level of lovers. Cai Lin's position in his heart was far less than Zi Yan and the Little Fairy Doctor.
But when Cai Lin transformed back into her true form without hesitation and shielded him from all danger, Chen Xiao's feelings quietly changed.
Since then, when they were together, it was all genuine emotion. He was willing to tell her his future plans and intentions without reservation, and was also willing to take care of her.
Feeling Chen Xiao's sincerity, Cai Lin's eyes curved slightly at the corners, and a faint smile appeared on her lips. Her fingertips gently tugged at his clothes, silently accepting this comfort into her heart.
The Earth Demon Old Ghost was indeed a great contributor!
"Let's stop here for today. You rest first. I'll go send those guests away."
Just as Chen Xiao was about to get up, Cai Lin waved her hand. A barrier descended with a boom, enveloping the entire room, isolating it from outside sight, sound, and all probing.
"This King is in high spirits. Why bother with them?"
Cai Lin chuckled softly, reached out and pulled, and Chen Xiao was thrown onto the bed.
It was confirmed, she had recovered long ago!
As everyone knew, Chen Xiao was only a Three-Star Dou Huang. Facing the methods of a Dou Zong expert, he couldn't resist at all.
So, he simply let her have her way.
The night seeped through the window lattice. Suddenly, the candlewick flickered, and within the hazy light, the semi-transparent window curtains rippled like living things.
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