It had already been a week since Qing Lin arrived at the Inner Academy of Canaan Academy.
Although everyone in the Fire Faction treated her warmly, she was still somewhat unfamiliar with the environment and the busy atmosphere of the Inner Academy.
Most of the students here were older than her and possessed strong cultivations, making the timid Qing Lin feel slightly nervous whenever she walked outside alone.
Because of this—
She would often quietly sneak into Xiao Feng's courtyard during the night.
At first, she only came to talk for a while before returning to her own room.
However, after seeing Xiao Yi Xian, Xiao Qiao Lin, and Zi Yan all sleeping inside Xiao Feng's room without restraint, Qing Lin gradually became bolder as well.
Now—
She directly carried her blanket every night and silently occupied a corner of Xiao Feng's bed.
At first Xiao Feng tried to object slightly.
But every time Qing Lin lowered her head with watery eyes and softly called him "Brother Xiao Feng…"
His resistance instantly collapsed.
Thus—
His room gradually became more and more lively each night.
Sometimes Xiao Yi Xian would lean against his shoulder while reading pill formulas.
Zi Yan would roll around while hugging pillows and mumbling about medicinal pills in her sleep.
Qing Lin usually stayed quietly beside him like a small kitten.
And Xiao Qiao Lin—
The former Qilin Queen—
Would calmly sit near the window while watching over everyone with a gentle smile.
Even Xiao Feng himself slowly became accustomed to this warm atmosphere.
At noon that day, everyone was gathered together eating lunch inside the courtyard.
Qing Lin was happily eating the sweet spirit fruit Xiao Feng prepared for her while Zi Yan fought with Xiao Yi Xian over the last roasted beast meat piece.
Seeing this chaotic but lively scene, Xiao Feng suddenly remembered something important.
He looked toward the Qilin Queen and spoke thoughtfully.
"Now that I think about it…"
"I've been calling you 'Qilin Queen' every day."
"It feels somewhat strange."
The Qilin Queen elegantly placed down her teacup before slowly raising her beautiful phoenix-like eyes toward him.
Then—
She suddenly puffed out her chest slightly and revealed a teasing smile.
"Oh?"
"So Young Master finally remembered?"
"It has already been over two months since I transformed into human form…"
"And only now do you realize I need a proper name?"
Hearing the faint grievance in her voice, Xiao Feng instantly coughed awkwardly.
Even Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan began secretly laughing nearby.
Xiao Feng rubbed his nose helplessly.
"I was just… busy recently."
The Qilin Queen narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Busy enough to forget your own woman's name?"
"Seems my position in Young Master's heart is not very high after all."
Her tone sounded calm, but the teasing expression on her face made Xiao Feng feel even more awkward.
Meanwhile, Qing Lin curiously blinked her eyes.
"Big Sister doesn't have a name?"
The Qilin Queen gently shook her head.
"Magical beasts rarely care about such things."
"Most only use titles based on bloodline or strength."
Then—
She slowly looked toward Xiao Feng again.
"But…"
"I want Young Master to give me one."
Unexpectedly receiving such a direct request, Xiao Feng became slightly stunned.
Even the usually calm Xiao Yi Xian looked at him curiously now.
Zi Yan immediately shouted excitedly.
"Yes! Yes! Quickly give her one!"
"If you give a bad name, I'll laugh at you forever!"
Hearing this, Xiao Feng helplessly sighed before lowering his head into deep thought.
The courtyard gradually became quiet.
Everyone silently waited for his answer.
After a long while—
Xiao Feng finally looked up.
"I thought of one."
The Qilin Queen's beautiful eyes instantly brightened slightly.
"What is it?"
Xiao Feng slowly smiled.
"Xiao Qiao Lin."
"Qiao means fine jade and beauty."
"And Lin represents the Qilin bloodline."
"It suits you perfectly."
The moment those words entered her ears—
The Qilin Queen completely froze.
"Xiao…"
"Qiao Lin…"
She softly repeated the name several times.
The more she spoke it—
The gentler her expression became.
For magical beasts, names were not merely titles.
Especially the surname "Xiao."
That represented acceptance.
Recognition.
Family.
It meant Xiao Feng truly considered her one of his own.
Her usually noble and composed expression instantly softened completely.
Then—
Without warning—
She suddenly stood up and walked directly toward Xiao Feng.
Before he could react, Xiao Qiao Lin gently held his face with both hands and directly kissed him deeply in front of everyone.
Their lips pressed together firmly as her fiery fragrance instantly surrounded him.
The kiss was passionate yet filled with genuine happiness.
Even though Xiao Yi Xian, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan were all watching nearby—
She did not care at all.
Instead, she kissed him even more boldly.
The courtyard instantly became silent.
Zi Yan's eyes widened greatly.
"Wah…"
"Big Sister is attacking directly…"
Qing Lin's face turned completely red as she quickly covered her eyes—
Though small gaps still remained between her fingers.
Even Xiao Yi Xian could not help laughing softly while shaking her head helplessly.
Meanwhile—
Xiao Feng himself was completely caught off guard.
By the time he recovered his senses, nearly two whole minutes had already passed.
Only then did Xiao Qiao Lin slowly part her lips.
A faint silver thread briefly connected them before disappearing.
Seeing Xiao Feng's completely dazed expression, she could no longer hold back her laughter.
Her beautiful face carried rare happiness and satisfaction.
"So this is how Young Master looks when stunned…"
"Quite cute."
Before Xiao Feng could answer—
She directly lifted him effortlessly into her arms.
Although Xiao Feng was already nearing adulthood at fifteen years old and possessed a physique comparable to low-level Rank 6 magical beasts—
In front of Xiao Qiao Lin's tall and mature figure, he still appeared somewhat smaller than her.
She gracefully sat back down before placing Xiao Feng sideways onto her lap.
His head naturally rested against her soft chest while her long crimson hair draped around him like flowing silk.
The faint warmth and fragrance surrounding her body made Xiao Feng's heart beat slightly faster.
Then Xiao Qiao Lin lowered her head slightly and softly whispered near his ear.
"Thank you…"
"For giving me a name."
Her usually noble voice now carried unmistakable tenderness.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi Xian smiled softly from nearby before teasing lightly.
"Looks like someone completely stole Xiao Feng away today."
Zi Yan immediately jumped over while protesting loudly.
"No fair!"
"I also want a special name meaning!"
Hearing Xiao Yi Xian's teasing tone and seeing the faint jealous look hidden inside her beautiful silver eyes, Xiao Feng suddenly paused for a moment.
Only then did he realize something important.
No matter how close he had become with Xiao Qiao Lin later—
Xiao Yi Xian was still the very first girl he had ever truly loved across both his lifetimes.
The first girl who entered his heart.
The first person who stayed beside him during his weakest days.
And yet—
Just now, because of Xiao Qiao Lin suddenly kissing him openly, he had completely forgotten about Xiao Yi Xian's feelings.
Seeing the playful smile on her face, Xiao Feng could still notice the tiny trace of grievance hidden beneath it.
That instantly made him feel slightly guilty.
Without hesitation—
Xiao Feng directly stood up from Xiao Qiao Lin's lap and walked toward Xiao Yi Xian.
"Xiao Feng?"
Before she could react, he gently sat beside her and softly rubbed her silver hair.
His movements were careful and warm.
Xiao Yi Xian's originally teasing expression slowly weakened slightly.
Then Xiao Feng leaned closer.
And gently kissed her lips.
Unlike Xiao Qiao Lin's passionate and bold kiss—
This one was gentle.
Warm.
Yet filled with deep affection.
It was not rough or hurried.
Instead, it felt as though he was quietly apologizing and comforting her at the same time.
Xiao Yi Xian's silver eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Then slowly—
Her long eyelashes trembled as she closed her eyes shyly.
The small jealousy she felt earlier instantly disappeared completely.
After a few moments, Xiao Feng slowly pulled away.
Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's slightly red cheeks and shy expression, even Xiao Qiao Lin softly smiled from the side instead of becoming jealous.
Because she clearly knew—
Xiao Yi Xian held a very special position inside Xiao Feng's heart.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi Xian herself became completely flustered after realizing everyone was staring at her.
Especially Qing Lin and Zi Yan.
"B-Big Sister Xiao Yi Xian's face is red!"
Zi Yan shouted loudly without mercy.
Instantly—
Xiao Yi Xian's embarrassment exploded.
"You little brat!"
In her panic and excitement, she directly punched Xiao Feng lightly on the stomach.
Normally, she would never hit him hard.
But because she was too flustered—
She unconsciously used far more strength than intended.
Bang!
A muffled sound echoed out.
Xiao Feng's expression instantly twisted slightly.
"Ugh—!"
He directly bent forward while holding his stomach.
Seeing this, everyone froze.
Even Xiao Yi Xian herself became stunned.
Because she suddenly remembered—
Although Xiao Feng's physique was extremely strong and comparable to a low-level Rank 6 Magical Beast…
Her own body had also become terrifyingly powerful after resolving part of the Woeful Poison Body and constantly tempering herself with medicinal baths and Dou Qi.
At this point—
Her physical strength was already comparable to some low-level Rank 5 Magical Beasts.
And just now—
Xiao Feng had completely lowered his guard because he was with the people he trusted the most.
He did not even use Dou Qi to protect himself.
Thus the punch directly landed on his unprotected body.
Although it was not a serious injury—
The pain was absolutely real.
Xiao Feng's face slightly twitched while taking deep breaths.
"Xiao Yi Xian…"
"That almost sent me to meet my ancestors…"
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian instantly panicked.
"I-I didn't mean to!"
She hurriedly moved closer and tried checking his condition.
Meanwhile, Xiao Qiao Lin directly burst into laughter from the side.
"Hahaha…"
"As expected of Sister Xiao Yi Xian."
"One punch nearly crippled our Young Master."
Even Qing Lin looked worried.
"Brother Xiao Feng… are you okay?"
Zi Yan, however, shamelessly laughed while rolling around.
"Hahaha! Deserved!"
"Who told you to act cool!"
Xiao Feng painfully pointed at her.
"You little traitor…"
Then he quietly took out a medicinal pill from his storage ring while wearing a suffering expression.
Seeing this, Xiao Yi Xian immediately grabbed his wrist.
"Stop being stubborn and take the pill properly if it hurts that much."
Her silver eyes were filled with guilt and concern.
Xiao Feng helplessly sighed dramatically.
"I originally thought having several beautiful girls around me was a blessing…"
"But now I suddenly feel my life expectancy shortening…"
Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian immediately glared at him with reddened cheeks.
"You still dare to joke!?"
Meanwhile, Xiao Qiao Lin calmly hugged Xiao Feng from behind while smiling teasingly.
"Seems Young Master needs more body training."
"At this rate, you won't survive your future married life."
The moment those words landed—
Even Xiao Feng nearly choked on the medicinal pill.
"H-Hey! What are you even talking about!?"
Xiao Feng immediately became embarrassed after hearing Xiao Qiao Lin's words about the future.
His face instantly turned slightly red as he hurriedly tried defending himself.
Seeing his rare flustered expression, Xiao Qiao Lin's beautiful crimson eyes curved into a teasing smile.
"Oh?"
"It seems our Young Master becomes very shy whenever this topic comes up."
Then she slowly leaned against Xiao Yi Xian's shoulder while speaking leisurely.
"Still…"
"Looking at Young Master like this…"
"I feel we sisters will probably gain many more companions in the future."
Hearing this, Xiao Feng nearly choked again.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yi Xian covered her lips while laughing softly.
Qiao Lin continued speaking with a calm teasing tone.
"Right now Young Master already has me…"
"Sister Xiao Yi Xian…"
"And at the Outer Academy, there is also Sister Xiao Yu, correct?"
She tilted her head slightly while pretending to think seriously.
"I wonder how many confidantes Young Master will have after a few more years…"
Then—
She suddenly looked directly at Xiao Feng with an innocent smile.
"Do you want me to help find a few beautiful maidens for you?"
The entire courtyard instantly became quiet.
Xiao Feng's eyes widened.
"What nonsense are you saying!?"
"You three are already more than enough for me!"
The moment those words came out—
Xiao Qiao Lin and Xiao Yi Xian instantly looked at each other.
Then both of them slowly smiled.
A dangerous smile.
"Oh…"
Qiao Lin gently nodded.
"For now?"
Xiao Yi Xian crossed her arms while narrowing her silver eyes.
"So that means Young Master still plans to add more later?"
Even Qing Lin blinked curiously.
"Brother Xiao Feng wants more sisters?"
Only Zi Yan shamelessly added fuel to the fire.
"Hmph! I knew it!"
"Big pervert!"
Hearing the girls speak one after another, Xiao Feng instantly felt a chill run down his spine.
Especially after noticing all four girls staring directly at him with strange smiles.
Even Qing Lin's innocent expression somehow carried hidden danger now.
Xiao Feng immediately waved both hands desperately.
"H-Hey, wait!"
"That was just a slip of the tongue!"
"It doesn't mean anything!"
Qiao Lin slowly approached him while smiling elegantly.
"But Young Master said 'for now' very naturally."
"That sounds quite practiced."
Xiao Yi Xian nodded seriously beside her.
"Indeed."
"Almost like he already thought about it before."
Seeing the two girls cooperate perfectly against him, Xiao Feng felt a headache forming instantly.
Meanwhile, Zi Yan directly climbed onto the table dramatically.
"I announce that Xiao Feng is guilty!"
"Punishment needed!"
Qing Lin timidly raised her small hand.
"…Guilty?"
Xiao Feng stared at the group in disbelief.
"You all turned against me this quickly!?"
The girls immediately burst into laughter after seeing his wronged expression.
Even Xiao Qiao Lin could no longer maintain her teasing composure and softly laughed while covering her lips.
For a moment—
The entire courtyard became filled with warmth, laughter, and playful noise.