Tch, these two really know how to play.
If Xiao Ting didn't possess the perspective of an omniscient observer and didn't already know these women had copies of the Journal, he would never have realized Huo Zhi was acting.
Even knowing she was acting and that the scene was plausible, he still felt extremely displeased.
Xun Er hadn't said a single word, so why was a member of the Yan clan acting so arrogant?!
Since this was all a performance, Xiao Ting decided he wouldn't hold back either.
If she could act, so could he.
"Dou Venerate?" Xiao Ting's expression turned serious. "I will definitely reach that level."
"Easy to say," Huo Zhi scoffed lightly. "Even if you become a Dou Venerate right now, you still won't earn my approval. The wall between Dou Venerate 9-star and the peak of Dou Venerate is an uncrossable abyss. Even members of Xun Er's ancient clan cannot break through without top-tier cultivation resources, heaven-tier methods, sufficient talent, and other factors."
"Without reaching the peak of Dou Venerate, you don't even qualify to be formally acknowledged by Xun Er's family. And you still dare to dream of staying by her side?"
"Whatever deep love or affection you speak of is nothing but a burden to her."
"In the near future, I will stand at the peak of Dou Venerate — no, the peak of Dou Saint!" Xiao Ting declared confidently.
Huo Zhi chuckled and shook her head. "The way you talk, it sounds like you're ignorant of the world and don't truly care about Xun Er. Who would believe you can reach the peak of Dou Venerate, let alone Dou Saint?"
"I believe you!" Xun Er tightly gripped Xiao Ting's hand, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. "Huo Zhi, I thought we could be good friends since we had such pleasant conversations. But seeing how you look down on Brother Xiao Ting, I realize we're not suited to be friends."
"Xun Er!" Huo Zhi's expression darkened slightly. "I'm doing this for your sake — for your future and prospects!"
"You've lived in this clan for years but haven't seen many true geniuses, so you think Xiao Ting is excellent."
"But once you return to the ancient clan, you'll realize that among true geniuses, Xiao Ting's achievements are utterly ordinary!"
Huo Zhi spoke earnestly, as if genuinely worried for her best friend's future.
Xiao Ting felt the strength in Xun Er's grip and smiled. "Huo Zhi, I originally held some resentment toward you, but your words have changed my impression. In any case, your actions were indeed for Xun Er's sake, even if they were very unpleasant for me."
"Your opinion doesn't matter," Huo Zhi raised her chin arrogantly. "It's only a matter of time before Xun Er returns to the ancient clan. You may have talent and the chance to adventure in the Central Plains, but when that time comes, you'll finally understand that before true geniuses, you are nothing."
"Once Xun Er returns, the two of you will separate sooner or later."
"I will prove with facts that you are wrong," Xiao Ting said firmly.
"You're an incredibly arrogant person," Huo Zhi crossed one leg over the other and suddenly laughed. "I can't suppress the urge to teach you a lesson, but for Xun Er's sake I'll let it slide this time. Want to make a bet?"
"A bet?" Xiao Ting's eyes twitched slightly.
So this was the method she had devised to approach him?
"That's right. It must be." Huo Zhi's eyes sparkled as if she had thought of something fun. "Xun Er is deeply in love with you, but as her best friend, I must say that the two of you have zero chance of ending up together in the future."
"Don't bother with the truth. As Xun Er's best friend, I'm not just talking. I'll help you — give you a real chance to stay with her. But you have to win the bet against me first."
"How do you want to bet?" Xiao Ting asked with interest, curious about this woman's plan.
Xun Er's beautiful eyes blinked, her face full of curiosity.
All she knew was that Huo Zhi had planned a scenario where the best friend was dissatisfied with her boyfriend.
In reality, what Huo Zhi truly wanted was to become friends with Xiao Ting, deepen their relationship, appear more frequently in his Journal, and receive blessings from multiple dimensions.
'I still haven't explained the specific details to her.'
"You're not even sixteen yet." Huo Zhi rested her chin on her hand and held up four fingers. "I'll give you four years. If you reach the Dou Ancestor realm before you turn twenty, I'll grant you quasi-heaven-tier Dou Techniques, cultivation methods, and secret arts of the lightning and fire attributes."
"Xun Er's coming-of-age ceremony is still ten years away. If you reach the Dou Venerate realm by then, I'll give you low-tier heaven-grade cultivation methods, battle techniques, and secret arts of the lightning and fire attributes."
"My clan possesses many treasures, but the most abundant are fire-attribute battle techniques, cultivation methods, secret arts, and even soul secret arts."
"If you reach the peak of Dou Venerate before the age of thirty, I'll also teach you mid-tier heaven-grade cultivation methods and battle techniques."
"See? I'm very sincere, right? I said it directly in front of Xun Er herself, so you can trust me completely!"
Xiao Ting: !
So this woman also came here to mooch off him.
After all that effort, he first had to express his anger outwardly.
If he had known she came to give him free resources, he would have been much gentler.
"Since it's a bet, there's always a chance of losing. You've offered excellent terms, but if I lose, what do I have to give up?" Xiao Ting asked seriously.
"Hahaha." Huo Zhi suddenly burst out laughing. "Xiao Ting, you really are confident. That's the quality a strong person needs. I don't even know what to say about you."
"To be honest, I think it's impossible for you. Even if you promised me the peak of Dou Venerate and the inheritance rights of a Dou God before thirty, I would still accept."
"In my heart, the conditions you offered will never be fulfilled, so it doesn't matter."
At this point, Huo Zhi straightened her posture. "But since you asked what you should offer me if you lose… if you can't do it, then become my bodyguard or my little attendant."
"Don't think this is a good thing. I'm very cruel. I'll make you watch Xun Er shine brighter and brighter, letting you understand that you are unworthy of her and how outstanding the people around her truly are."
Xun Er: "…"
Sister, don't get too immersed in the role.
"Do you think this bet is fair for both sides?" Xiao Ting showed no displeasure at being looked down upon.
"I think it's reasonable," Huo Zhi nodded.
"Very well. Then I have no objections." Xiao Ting said seriously. "If I lose once, I'll become your bodyguard. But I want to add one condition. If I reach the Dou Saint realm before I turn thirty, then you will become my maid. That should be fair, right?"
"Since you look down on me so much, you must be willing to bet with me, right?"
"Of course!" Huo Zhi replied, showing she couldn't tolerate this provocation.
Thus, both parties agreed to the bet.
Huo Zhi took out a scroll and jade slip, drew up the contract, wrote both her and Xiao Ting's names, left soul imprints, and asked Xun Er to act as witness.
Afterward, Xiao Ting called Qing Lin and Little Fairy Doctor to the small kitchen set up in the courtyard and personally cooked.
"I will cook a heartfelt delicious meal for you. I wish you the best of luck at tomorrow's Inner Court selection competition. May you achieve great success."
Xiao Ting raised a glass of fruit juice mixed with wine. "Cheers!"
…
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