CHAPTER 549: CHAPTER 549: BREAKTHROUGH TO SIXTH GRADE

Xiao Zhan returned to his chair and took a sip of tea to calm his shock.

He had never thought that his original idea would actually come true, that someone would appear who could solve this problem.

And he’d never thought that the one to solve it would be Jiang Xian’er.

He looked at Jiang Xian’er, who was leisurely sipping her tea, not even inclining an ear toward Xiao Zhan, as if the matter had nothing to do with her.

"Have you told Ye Youlong about this?" Xiao Zhan quietly asked.

Liu Xin replied, "Not yet."

"That’s good, you mustn’t tell her."

Xiao Zhan sighed in relief.

He was worried that, if Liu Xin told Ye Youlong, with Ye Youlong’s temper, he couldn’t be sure how things would develop knowing about this matter.

He could distinctly feel that Ye Youlong had changed.

The old her loved very selfishly, only caring about herself; the her now had come to understand what true love is.

Liu Xin smiled without a word.

She knew that if both Xiao Zhan and Ye Youlong were aware of this matter, they would definitely sit down face to face and have a serious talk. And based on their emotional foundation, they would certainly come to a mutual decision.

And this decision, in all likelihood, would be to face death together.

Liu Xin didn’t want to see such an answer.

What she wanted was for Xiao Zhan to survive, and for her to be with Xiao Zhan.

So, she deliberately told the news to each of them separately.

Under the circumstances where both were unaware of the other knowing, they would engage in more mental deliberations, and once they faltered, generating a consciousness of sacrifice, these mental activities would reinforce such consciousness.

Eventually, they would compromise, Xiao Zhan and Jiang Xian’er entering a Contract.

As for men, once there’s a first, there will be a second; with Jiang Xian’er added to the picture, adding her Liu Xin into the mix would seem only natural.

After seeing Liu Xin and the others off, Xiao Zhan returned to his room.

These past few days, Ye Youlong had been running to the positions on the defense lines consistently. With Ye Wudi gone, all matters of the Northern Defense Line weighed heavily on Ye Anu, and Ye Youlong had to help share some of the burden.

Come evening.

Ye Youlong returned.

Xiao Zhan watched Ye Youlong’s tired demeanor and couldn’t help but recall Liu Xin’s words from the day, quickly stepping forward to massage Ye Youlong’s shoulders, "You’re working too hard, I’ve ordered Hose and the others to come back, so you won’t need to go tomorrow."

"If Hose and the others are back, what about the Secret Realm?"

Ye Youlong took off her coat and sat down to make it more comfortable for Xiao Zhan to massage her.

Running around for two days, she was indeed exhausted.

"There’s no problem with the Secret Realm for now; the Northern Bear Federation is too preoccupied to care about the Secret Realm. Plus, the defenses of the Secret Realm can be rebuilt soon. By then, even if the Northern Bear Federation acts against us, we’ll be able to hold them off."

With that said, Ye Youlong did not refuse.

She understood some military affairs but not much. Helping Ye Anu was a bit chaotic; having Hose and the others return could indeed relieve a large part of the burden.

"Tired?" Xiao Zhan saw Ye Youlong enjoying the shoulder massage and asked again.

"Mm," Ye Youlong nodded.

"Then I’ll help you bathe."

"Mm. Hmm?"

...

Two hours later.

Xiao Zhan lay on the bed feeling relaxed all over, with Ye Youlong nestled in his arms.

"I’ve agreed to the matter of the Holy Snow Lotus with Jiang Xian’er."

"Just agree to it then."

Ye Youlong had no objections; Jiang Xian’er could also be considered their lifesaver, and it wasn’t too much to use the affair of the Holy Snow Lotus to repay her.

Of course, besides that, Ye Youlong had actually inclined toward Xiao Zhan helping Jiang Xian’er to obtain the Holy Snow Lotus before this.

It is precisely because Jiang Xian’er can solve the Death Erosion issue.

However, Ye Youlong always hesitated in her heart, whether she should let Xiao Zhan go or not. Because this choice isn’t merely a simple one, it also represents which path she should take in the future.

Now that Xiao Zhan has proactively taken the liberty to choose for her, she felt a relief in her heart.

Not sure if this choice is the right one, but let’s just go with the flow.

Seeing that Ye Youlong had no objections, Xiao Zhan breathed a sigh of relief.

He thought his wife might be jealous, what a waste of his eager performance just now.

Forget it, a good man doesn’t quarrel with women, and he feels more comfortable that way.

"What are your thoughts on the Contract issue?"

Xiao Zhan asked again.

After asking this question, for some reason, Xiao Zhan felt a bit uneasy.

They’ve been married for so long, yet he felt like a newlywed husband.

"I thought you decided not to form a Contract anymore."

Ye Youlong’s tone seemed somewhat complaining.

It had been two or three days, and only now Xiao Zhan brought up the topic.

"How could that be, you’re my wife; I wouldn’t feel at ease without a Contract."

"Not at ease about what? Afraid I would run off with someone?"

"I’m not afraid of you running away, I’m afraid of you being taken away."

Xiao Zhan lowered his head to gaze into Ye Youlong’s eyes, there was sincerity in his words, he was truly afraid that someone like Long Hai would appear again and take Ye Youlong away.

Ye Youlong’s soul trembled; she felt Xiao Zhan’s most genuine emotions.

"Are we going to form the Life and Death Contract or not?" Ye Youlong looked straight into Xiao Zhan’s eyes and asked directly.

Before this, she had thought a lot and was planning to form an equal Contract with Xiao Zhan considering various factors.

That way, if there was any problem in the future, she could dissolve the Contract.

But now, seeing the emotions flowing in Xiao Zhan’s eyes, she couldn’t help but want to face life and death with Xiao Zhan.

"Contract!"

Just one word.

Firm and resounding!

The two exchanged glances, sparks of love fiercely igniting.

Ye Youlong flipped onto the horse, pressing down on Xiao Zhan.

...

The next day.

After the two woke up, they reformed the Contract.

When the Contract was being signed, that strange spiritual connection made Xiao Zhan feel Ye Youlong’s return once again, truly and earnestly.

Ye Youlong hadn’t left and belonged to him during these past two or three days, but the feeling was different now.

His heart inexplicably warmed, and even the tough man’s eyes became somewhat moist.

Suddenly, Xiao Zhan’s expression changed, his eyes looking at Ye Youlong, instantly filled with surprise.

"I’m going to make a breakthrough!"

Xiao Zhan exclaimed in astonishment.

Ye Youlong’s surprised gaze was also fixed on Xiao Zhan; she too felt it and hadn’t expected to make a breakthrough at this very moment.

"Without upheaval, there can be no progress; this could also be considered a tribulation we’ve faced." Xiao Zhan remarked.

Immediately, Xiao Zhan and Ye Youlong sat down cross-legged, then began to attempt the breakthrough.

Previously, their strength was about to break through to Sixth Grade but was just lacking the right opportunity.

Now that the opportunity had arrived, there was no reason not to seize it.

Both focused their minds, mobilizing the power within their bodies to initiate the breakthrough.