Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

(Note: There is a slight downward shift in the plot in this chapter, but in the next chapter, Xi'er will actively pursue Yang Xian.)

"Finally, I can go back!"

"I miss the king-size bed at the hotel!"

Yang Xian stretched out a big yawn, feeling a satisfied groan emanating from every bone in his body.

He led Zhou Xier out of the magnificent martial arts association building with the flow of people.

In the following days, a brutal elimination round of 56 to 8 will take place.

But that was no longer relevant to Yang Xian.

As the undisputed number one in Group Six, he has already been guaranteed admission and has precious time to rest.

Next, all you need to do is win first place in the exhibition match to set off for Secret Realm 121.

It was just an exhibition match.

Even without revealing the divine-level technique "Thunder Prison Demon Suppression Technique," the Heaven-level top-grade "Ice Soul Divine Art" alone is enough to make him stand out from the crowd.

Moreover, his current points are enough to raise his understanding of the "Ice Soul Divine Technique" to another level, reaching the legendary "Return to Simplicity"!

As long as there's no behind-the-scenes manipulation, Yang Xian is determined to take first place!

But what he didn't know was that the "behind-the-scenes maneuver" was on his side...

"But……"

Zhou Xi'er raised her clear eyes and asked expectantly, "After we go back, will Xi'er still be able to sleep with Brother Yang?"

"No, Xi'er," Yang Xian said gently. "We were forced to sleep together in the secret realm because of limited conditions."

"Aww..." Zhou Xier lowered her head, and even the single hair on her head drooped limply.

"But Brother Yang, why...why are the other adults allowed to sleep together?"

"What if it's not okay for me and you?"

[Disappointed: Xi'er wants to sleep with Brother Yang... +100 points!]

Yang Xian felt a headache coming on and simply explained:

"Because they are husband and wife."

"Husband and wife have the most intimate relationship in the world, so they can sleep in the same bed."

"Husband and wife..." Zhou Xier murmured, repeating the word, then smiled and said:

"Brother Yang, shall we become husband and wife?"

"That way we can sleep together every day!"

Legally, martial artists can also marry each other.

If they did not leave any bloodline before practicing martial arts, they can also choose to adopt a child and form a complete family.

In Zhou Xier's naive worldview, this seemed to be the best solution to the problem.

But Yang Xian knew that he had to make things clear now.

"No, Xi'er."

"To become husband and wife, both people need to like each other. Besides..."

"Besides, I already have a wife."

"Wh...what..." Zhou Xier's pupils dilated in shock.

Does Brother Yang already have a wife?

No wonder he always deliberately keeps his distance from me.

So that's how it is...?

[Sadness: Why, why does Xi'er's heart ache so much... +300 points!]

Zhou Xier felt her breathing become difficult, her eyes welled up with tears uncontrollably.

"I'm sorry, Xi'er, Brother Yang didn't mean to keep it from you."

Yang Xian felt deeply apologetic.

He quite liked this simple and kind girl, but that liking was more like an older brother's affection and protection for his younger sister, and had nothing to do with romantic love.

He didn't want to keep her hanging on, and he certainly didn't want to hurt her.

Xi'er is so innocent, perhaps... this is just a child's dependence on her older brother?

She'll figure it out in time.

Just then, Yang Xian's phone vibrated slightly in his pocket.

He took out his phone and glanced at it; it was a message from Jiang Mengyun.

"Xi'er, calm down first, I'll go reply to a message."

Yang Xian walked to a corner and tapped the screen with his two thumbs: "Mengyun, are you done with your work?"

[How can I compare to you, Mr. Busy Yang! You're always busy with competitions and spending time with young girls.]

What? You've taken a fancy to that little girl named Zhou Xier?

Yang Xian sighed.

I knew things would turn out this way.

"How could that be? We're just friends. Without her, I might not have even made it to the next round."

[I've investigated; she's from the "Water Moon Sect," and the cultivation technique she practices is called the "Water Moon True Technique," which greatly enhances ice-attribute techniques.]

[She's approaching you, most likely because she's interested in your ice-based martial arts and wants to use your power to go further in the competition.]

Upon seeing this message, Yang Xian could only smile faintly.

That girl doesn't have so many tricks up her sleeve.

It was purely by chance that we met.

However, since Jiang Mengyun thought that way, going along with her words would actually put her at ease.

"It was just a matter of mutual benefit; in the end, we both successfully advanced, didn't we?"

Regardless of whether you both got what you wanted, she can no longer stay by your side.

Without your ice-based techniques, she probably wouldn't even be able to win the first match of tomorrow's elimination rounds on her own.

I've already sent someone to contact her master; she'll be leaving the core area first thing tomorrow morning.

So, you should properly say goodbye to your "good friend."

Don't get any funny ideas, honey~

Yang Xian put away his phone and turned back to Zhou Xier's side.

Zhou Xier remained standing in the same spot, head down, a cell phone now in her small hand.

She received a notification from her master.

Tomorrow, the girl who has always been clinging to Yang Xian will leave...

"Xi'er, are you... alright?" Yang Xian's voice became even softer.

"I'm sorry, Brother Yang..." Zhou Xi'er quickly wiped her eyes.

"Xi'er is alright...she's really alright..."

She instinctively reached out and grabbed Yang Xian's hand, seeking a bit of comfort as she had done before.

But halfway through his outstretched hand, he slowly withdrew it.

Brother Yang already has a wife; I can't continue like this.

"It's okay, let's hold hands, it's not like it's the first time."

This time, Yang Xian took the initiative to hold the girl's cold little hand. "We can't be husband and wife, but at least we can still be friends, right?"

Some things are fine once you talk them out and straighten out the relationship.

Between friends, holding hands should be...no problem, right?

Feeling the warmth from his palm, Zhou Xier looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Brother Yang..."

"We...are still good friends...?"

"Of course." Yang Xian nodded with a smile. "Little sister Xi'er, we will always be good friends."

It's good that Xi'er can think things through.

Actually, she has always been a smart child.

[Happy: Brother Yang doesn't dislike Xi'er... +300 points!]

"Brother Yang..." Zhou Xier sniffed, her emotions calming down considerably.

"Tomorrow afternoon, Xi'er's master will come to pick me up."

"Before you leave, could you... could you spend a little more time with Xi'er?"

Her voice was soft, filled with deep reluctance.

The girl's eyes were full of pleading as she continued:

"Just one day!"

"The kind of companionship that comes from...good friends."