"Of course you can go if you want to!" Xiao Tianyu nodded.
Long Ling'Er pouted, "Then I'll see if she's prettier than me!"
"By the way, Brother Xiao, with someone as shameless, boasting without a care, and utterly brazen as you, how did you ever find a girlfriend?" Long Ling'Er looked at Xiao Tianyu with a playful smile. Could a person who boasts so much really have girls like him?
"By trickery and deceit!" Xiao Tianyu chuckled lightly, amused by Long Ling'Er's words, and continued, "Then I would boldly conquer them!"
"..." Upon hearing this, Long Ling'Er's beautiful eyes glared at Xiao Tianyu, "Alright, you win!"
Having said that, Long Ling'Er lifted the wine jar again, but Xiao Tianyu snatched it away, "Don't drink anymore!"
"What gives you the right to control me?"
"I'm your big brother!"
"..." Long Ling'Er's beautiful eyes sparkled, "Then let's become sworn siblings!"
"Sworn siblings?"
"Hmm?"
"You used the wrong idiom, it's 'become sworn brothers!' Xiao Tianyu rolled his eyes at Long Ling'Er. Has this girl even gone to school? Even if she hasn't, she should have watched enough TV dramas. 'Sworn siblings,' seriously?"
"It's all the same!" Long Ling'Er grabbed Xiao Tianyu's hand and led him to the gazebo. As they knelt to the sky, Xiao Tianyu said, "You're really doing this?"
"Yes!"
"In this day and age, it's already 2018!"
"I don't care!" Long Ling'Er shook her head.
"Fine then!" Xiao Tianyu looked at Long Ling'Er with a face full of frustration, admiring her innocence. Then Long Ling'Er said to Xiao Tianyu, "Who's going to swear first, you or me?"
"Doesn't matter!"
"Then you go first!" Long Ling'Er said.
"Alright then!" Xiao Tianyu nodded, standing straight as a ramrod, "I, Xiao Tianyu, today wish to become sworn siblings with Long Ling'Er, with the heavens as witness. If heaven has any objections, I'll step over it and...listen..."
"Stop..." Long Ling'Er immediately interrupted, "Is that how you become sworn siblings? Aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning by saying you'll step over heaven? You sure have guts! Also, you're standing straight while swearing to the heavens; is that really sincere? Aren't you afraid of divine retribution?"
"He doesn't dare!" Xiao Tianyu said seriously.
Upon hearing this, Long Ling'Er was convinced. This... This boasting is getting more and more outlandish. Alright, for your own safety from lightning, we won't swear to be siblings.
After chatting for a while longer, night gradually enveloped the entire Dragon Garden. Xiao Tianyu was arranged by Long Ling'Er to rest in another courtyard, while Long Ling'Er began her practice under the stars.
What she was practicing was none other than the Nine Transformations of the Stars that Xiao Tianyu had given her during the day.
As soon as her perception touched the Golden Ancient Page, a faint starlight began to emanate from her body. After resting for two hours, she found herself gradually getting the hang of it.
Whoosh~
Suddenly, a brilliant starlight erupted from Long Ling'Er's body, shooting straight into the sky and connecting with the heavens. It was unclear if this resonance with the stars was triggered by practicing under starlight or if the cultivation technique itself was exceptionally powerful, but Long Ling'Er broke through the cultivation shackles and stepped into the Early Stage of the Profound Level.
Not only that, but the starlight on Long Ling'Er's body grew more radiant and dazzling, as if she had turned into a shining star. An endless surge of Star Elemental Power poured into her.
What's happening?
At that moment, the starlight on Long Ling'Er's body caught the attention of the master of the Dragon Garden, none other than Long Ling'Er's grand-uncle, Long Tianxiang. He left the ancient pavilion and headed towards Long Ling'Er.
Moments later, he appeared before Long Ling'Er, his deep gaze fixed on the radiance surrounding her with amazement. What technique was she practicing? The Library Pavilion seemingly didn't have such an advanced Secret Manual.
Long Tianxiang was puzzled. Not only puzzled, but he could also sense that the Secret Manual Long Ling'Er was practicing was extremely formidable.
"Everyone, retreat!" The elder instructed the several guards.
"Yes!" The middle-aged guards nodded, about to leave when the elder added, "Stop!"
"Does the master have other orders?"
"No word of what happened today must be leaked outside, or I won't forgive you, understand?"
"Understood!"
"Go!" Long Tianxiang nodded.
The guards respectfully retreated, while Long Tianxiang kept his gaze on Long Ling'Er, personally acting as her Guardian to prevent any disturbances.
Near midnight, Long Ling'Er finally restrained her aura. As she felt the Primordial Power within her body, she frowned, "Was it that easy to break through? Looks like that guy's Secret Manual is quite useful!"
Just as Long Ling'Er was feeling satisfied, a voice called out, "Ling'Er!"
Startled, Long Ling'Er turned her gaze and exclaimed, "Grand-Uncle, when did you get here?"
"A while ago!" Long Tianxiang looked at Long Ling'Er and continued, "What cultivation technique are you practicing?"
"Which technique?" Long Ling'Er was confused.
"The one you were just practicing!" Long Tianxiang clarified.
"Are you referring to the Nine Transformations of the Stars, Grand-Uncle?" Long Ling'Er asked.
"The Nine Transformations of the Stars?"
"Yes!"
"May I take a look?" Long Tianxiang's eyes gleamed with curiosity. Long Ling'Er nodded, "Sure!"
So Long Ling'Er took out the Golden Ancient Page that Xiao Tianyu had given her from her bosom and handed it to Long Tianxiang. Long Tianxiang received it, his Divine Thought infiltrating it. Whoosh~ Instantly, he felt an overwhelming Primordial Power rushing towards him, leaving him astonished, and words couldn't describe the shock in his expression.
Moments later, Long Tianxiang spoke to Long Ling'Er, "Who gave you this Golden Ancient Page?"
"Is there something special about it?" Long Ling'Er's beautiful eyes flickered.
"Of course!"
"Brother Xiao!" Long Ling'Er confessed without hesitation, which puzzled Long Tianxiang, "Brother Xiao?"
"Yes!" Long Ling'Er nodded, "The man I brought in earlier today, Grand-Uncle, you've seen him!"
Him?
Upon hearing this, a figure surfaced in Long Tianxiang's mind. Earlier in the day, when Long Ling'Er brought Xiao Tianyu in, Long Tianxiang had noticed but didn't pay much attention. However, now, he had casually gifted such an astounding cultivation technique.
Could it be that Ling'Er has met a benefactor?
With this thought, Long Tianxiang returned the Golden Ancient Page to Long Ling'Er and said, "Treat your friend well. He's worth befriending, and you'll likely need his guidance in your Martial Arts journey in the future, understand?"
"Grand-Uncle, why are you saying this? He only gave me a cultivation technique!"
"Just remember what I've said. You must treat your Brother Xiao well!" Long Tianxiang didn't reveal much, nor did he disclose the Cultivation Technique Level, because he knew that with just the cultivation technique in Long Ling'Er's possession, it could trigger a bloody storm in the Ancient Martial Realm.