Xin Yun knew that if he really wanted to do something, Yan Qingying would not refuse, she wouldn''t even be displeased. Instead, she would secretly rejoice. In his previous life, Xin Yun would have pounced without hesitation, but now he couldn''t do that.

    Not to mention whether it was fair to Yi Luo Xiang, the consequences alone were not something Xin Yun could bear. Although there were no complete statistics, in his previous life, the Nine Great Experts were all virgins when they reached the Dragon King realm, men and women alike. Therefore... no matter how much they yearned, they had to restrain themselves. Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire

    While he pondered, Xin Yun cleared his throat and assumed a serious expression. He said earnestly, "Qingying, you are eighteen this year, aren''t you?"

    "Mm…" Blushing and lowering her head shyly, Yan Qingying felt her face and ears burn, her heart racing as if it might leap from her chest at any moment.

    Eighteen, a wonderful age. If she had not been chosen by the Demon Dragon Clan and had stayed in the brothel, this would have been the year she offered the Red Pill.

    According to the brothel''s custom, girls could debut at twelve, but they were only allowed to accompany dances or songs. Only at sixteen could they perform on stage, singing or dancing as so-called Pure Officials, where men couldn''t even touch their hands, let alone indulge in pleasures.

    Once they reached eighteen, they would be listed, and anyone who could afford the high price could buy their first night rights. In years past... Ah Da had not refrained from doing such things. In the last five or six years, he must have corrupted dozens of innocent girls.

    Bashfully lowering her head, Yan Qingying thought that Xin Yun, after holding back for so long, was finally ready to enjoy her. Thankfully... after all these years, she had not abandoned her training. The skills taught to her by the madams had been perfected, and she believed she could definitely satisfy Xin Yun.

    Caught in her shy reverie, Xin Yun''s voice continued, "This trip will take more than half a year, and Yi Luo Xiang won''t be by your side; everything will depend on you alone."

    "Mm…" Yan Qingying responded with a soft hum, nervously twisting the hem of her clothing and blushing without saying anything more.

    Looking at Yan Qingying quizzically, Xin Yun shook his head and continued, "This... You know your own situation very well, you''re extremely beautiful, and you possess a deadly attraction to any man."

    Hearing Xin Yun''s words, Yan Qingying''s head drooped even lower, her lovely face blushing so deeply it seemed blood might drip from it. She thought, next, Xin Yun would...

    While she speculated, Xin Yun said earnestly, "So, during the time we''re away, you must protect yourself very carefully. Do you understand what I mean? I don''t want you to get hurt." Sёarch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Feeling a shiver at Xin Yun''s words, Yan Qingying nodded silently, pondering within. So... he didn''t intend to take her now; he was just worried she might be taken advantage of by other men.

    This wasn''t a problem before. Everyone had been thirteen or fourteen-year-old kids, ignorant of the pleasures between men and women. But once they ascended to the Third-year Phase, most were over sixteen, and the average age was around twenty—the peak of youthful vigor and energy.

    Girls were still manageable, but the boys were like bulls in rut, excited at the sight of a woman. Especially a beautiful girl like Yan Qingying, she was the target of everyone''s pursuit.

    However, how could Yan Qingying let any other man take advantage of her? Let alone the fact that Xin Yun had been so good to her, in truth, from the moment Xin Yun bought her, she belonged to him.

    Pondering this, Yan Qingying nodded and said, "Don''t worry, I will take good care of myself, and I won''t let anyone bully me. I... I will definitely protect myself."

    Hearing Yan Qingying''s assurance, Xin Yun breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, his main fear was that her guard was too low. As long as she was vigilant, no one could bully her.

    Inhaling the enchanting scent emanating from Yan Qingying''s body, Xin Yun sighed and continued, "Alright, that''s what I wanted to discuss with you today. If you''re busy, go ahead."

    Hearing Xin Yun''s words, Yan Qingying gracefully stood up, her cheeks flushed with shyness as she left quickly, worried others might see her bashful demeanor. She hurried into her room and swiftly closed the door, finally feeling at ease.

    Leaning against the wooden door, Yan Qingying spaced out for quite a while before breaking into a foolish smile. In her view... Xin Yun''s motive for the talk today was quite clear, though he had camouflaged it with twists and turns. His real intention was to keep her close, fearing that she might fall for someone else while he was away and be taken advantage of by others.

    In a way, Xin Yun''s actions were a confession. But... Yan Qingying also understood Xin Yun. The one he truly loved was Yi Luo Xiang, yet he liked her too. Thus, he could not give her a promise of love, but he also couldn''t tolerate her being touched by another.

    "Fool..." With a graceful smile, Yan Qingying leaped onto the bed, hugging the soft quilt and giggling to herself. He really is silly, she thought. How could she be foolish enough to let others take advantage? From the moment she was bought by him, she wholly became his private property.

    After basking in her happiness for a while, Yan Qingying finally turned over, lay on her back, staring at the white ceiling blankly. After some time... she suddenly remembered something, turned her body, and fumbled under the pillow, pulling out a small wooden box from beneath the bedding.