Return Ten Thousand Times, I Became a Dog Licker in My Final Days

Chapter 9: Lin Yan’er Arrives:

Hearing Xu Xiao’s gentle voice, Lin Yan’er’s delicate body trembled slightly. Taking a deep breath, she cautiously pushed open the low courtyard door and stepped inside.

The courtyard was simple yet serene, containing three wooden houses. Elder Xu, dressed in his gray robe, was seated on an old chair beside a wooden table, his kind smile making him appear approachable and warm.

Lin Yan’er hurried forward, holding the beautifully wrapped box of shortbread with both hands. Kneeling on one knee, she stammered nervously, “Elder… disciple has come to express my gratitude for your kindness yesterday… This is some shortbread from my hometown… I hope it pleases you.”

Her voice quivered, and she kept her head bowed, not daring to meet Xu Xiao’s gaze. She felt the immense gap between them. Xu Xiao was a highly respected inner sect elder and the senior brother of the sect leader, while she was merely an outer disciple, unremarkable and insignificant.

She worried that her humble offering might seem disrespectful or insufficient in Elder Xu’s eyes.

“Haha, get up and place it on the table,” Xu Xiao said, sitting upright as his aging body adjusted in the chair.

Relieved by his warm tone, Lin Yan’er quickly stood and carefully placed the box of shortbread on the wooden table. The mahogany box, adorned with intricate gold patterns, exuded elegance and hinted at the effort she had put into this gesture.

“Sit down, Xiao Lin. There’s no need to be so formal,” Xu Xiao said with a comforting smile. “Just think of me as an ordinary old man, living out his last days.”

Lin Yan’er’s eyes widened with worry, and she quickly responded, “No, Elder Xu, you’ll surely live a long and prosperous life!”

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them, fearing they might touch on a sensitive topic. Her nervousness grew, and she didn’t dare to sit near him.

“Elder Xu… I… I don’t want to disturb you further… I should take my leave…” she stammered, flustered and overwhelmed.

Xu Xiao raised his white eyebrows slightly. Leave? He couldn’t let her go just yet; he needed a reason to continue gifting her. His eyes flickered with thought before he spoke.

“Don’t be in such a hurry, Xiao Lin,” he said gently. “Tell me, do you have a master in the outer sect?”

Lin Yan’er blinked her bright, watery eyes and shook her head. “No, Elder Xu. I’m only at the Ninth Layer of Qi Training and haven’t yet reached the Foundation Establishment stage.”

Xu Xiao nodded in understanding. Outer disciples were managed collectively and only became eligible for personal mentorship after advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage.

“Well, little friend Lin, I see you have great potential,” Xu Xiao said with a smile. “With those ten Foundation Establishment Pills, you should reach the Foundation Establishment stage soon. If you encounter any difficulties, don’t hesitate to come to me for guidance.”

Lin Yan’er’s heart raced with excitement. Elder Xu had repeated his offer to help her. This couldn’t just be a casual remark—it had to be genuine!

She immediately knelt before him, kowtowing deeply. “This disciple… thank you, Elder Xu… thank you for your kindness…”

Xu Xiao waved dismissively. “It’s nothing. As I said, you and I are fated to meet. Now, would you do me a small favor?”

Lin Yan’er stood quickly, her face glowing with determination. “Elder Xu, please tell me! I will do anything within my power to help you!”

Xu Xiao sighed theatrically and smiled. “As I grow older, my shoulders often ache. Could you help massage them for a while? My old bones can hardly bear it anymore.”

Lin Yan’er was momentarily stunned. That’s all?

She nodded eagerly. “Of course, Elder Xu!”

Rolling up her sleeves to reveal her slender, fair arms, she walked behind Xu Xiao’s rocking chair, carrying a subtle fragrance with her. She began gently massaging his shoulders, her movements careful and light.

“Elder Xu, let me know if the pressure is too much,” she said softly, her focus entirely on ensuring his comfort.

Xu Xiao leaned back, a contented expression spreading across his face. “Perfect, right there… yes, that’s good. Continue.”

As Lin Yan’er worked diligently, Xu Xiao opened the mahogany box on the table and took a bite of the shortbread.

“This is delicious, Xiao Lin,” he said with a smile. “Your hometown shortbread is far better than the pastries in the cafeteria.”

Hearing his praise, Lin Yan’er’s heart swelled with joy. “If Elder Xu likes it, I’ll ask my mother to send more so you can enjoy it often!”

Xu Xiao nodded, sipping his tea and savoring the pastries as Lin Yan’er massaged his shoulders tirelessly.

By noon, Xu Xiao decided to release her from her task. “That’s enough, little friend Lin. Thank you for your help.”

Lin Yan’er stepped aside quickly. “It’s nothing, Elder Xu! You’ve been so kind to me. If you’d like, I can come every day to massage your shoulders!”

“Haha, no need for that,” Xu Xiao said with a chuckle. “Focus on reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm first.”

He stood up, his tall figure still carrying an air of dignity despite his old age. Glancing at Lin Yan’er, he asked, “Do you have a Law Weapon for protection?”

Lin Yan’er hesitated. “No… I don’t have enough spiritual stones to buy one…”

Xu Xiao smiled knowingly and took out three Low-Grade Law Weapons from his space library: a jade hairpin, a ring, and a magic sword.

“These are for you,” he said. “The jade hairpin is an attack weapon, the ring provides defense, and the sword is for combat. I no longer have any use for them. Consider them a token of my appreciation for your help today.”

Lin Yan’er’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Elder Xu, these are too precious… I can’t…”

Xu Xiao gently placed the items in her hands. “Take them. With these, no one in the outer sect will dare bully you.”

Tears welled up in Lin Yan’er’s eyes, and she knelt once more, her voice choked with emotion. “Disciple… I’m eternally grateful for Elder Xu’s kindness. I will never forget this and will always be at your service!”

As Lin Yan’er expressed her heartfelt gratitude, the system chimed in Xu Xiao’s mind.

[Congratulations to the host for successfully gifting three Low-Grade Law Weapons. A tenfold return has been triggered, granting Middle-Grade Law Weapon Jasper Gold Hairpin, Middle-Grade Law Weapon Mysterious Light Ring, and Middle-Grade Law Weapon Meteor Sword.]

[All items have been stored in the space library.]

Xu Xiao smiled inwardly. While there was no critical hit this time, the tenfold return was still a significant gain.

Steady profit. Good.

…

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