No Next Time

Wutan City, Xiao Family.

Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders stood there with full faces of blank astonishment, dazed as they looked at the more than twenty ragged Xiao Family Disciples who had just returned from the Back Mountain. Their already-aged minds had completely stopped working.

What was going on? What had happened?

Xiao Yan had taken this group of juniors to the Back Mountain for three months of training, and they had all become Dou Zhe???

Was he dreaming? Or had he not woken up yet?

"Father, the three-month deadline has arrived. I have brought all the Xiao Family Disciples back safely."

Xiao Yan clasped his hands and solemnly reported to Xiao Zhan.

"Huh? Ah!"

Only then did Xiao Zhan come back to his senses. Realizing his lapse in composure, he lightly clenched his broad hand into a fist and held it before his mouth.

"Cough, cough. You have all worked hard over these three months of training. Go home and rest first."

"Yes!"

The Xiao Family Disciples answered firmly before heading back to their respective homes. Even the two little girls, Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er, did not stay behind to cling to Xiao Yan.

The three months of Back Mountain training had cost them many things that were extremely important to girls. Thus, they decided to do absolutely nothing for the next few days and focus wholeheartedly on caring for their skin, determined to restore their former dazzling beauty!

"Yan'er, go change your clothes first. Come to the Council Hall later. I have something to tell you."

"Mm."

Xiao Yan nodded, turned, and headed toward his room.

Gazing at Xiao Yan's back view, Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders exchanged glances. None of them spoke, but their eyes already revealed a shared understanding.

They would absolutely not ask how Xiao Yan had made all the Xiao Family Disciples advance to Dou Zhe within three months.

They believed in Xiao Yan.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan returned to his room and removed his torn clothes. As he searched through his wardrobe, Yao Chen appeared, gazing helplessly at her disciple.

If it had only been Xiao Yan, he could have come down from the mountain in one month.

Yet for the sake of those Xiao Family Disciples, he had stubbornly stayed with them for three whole months.

Xiao Yan's harshness was not directed solely at the Xiao Family Disciples. He did not spare himself either.

Compared to the Xiao Family Disciples' training, Xiao Yan's own training intensity was undoubtedly even greater.

Because he was their leader, he had to lead by example. Otherwise, it would be difficult to convince the others.

That said, everyone understood the principle.

But how many people could truly achieve what Xiao Yan had done?

The respect the Xiao Family Disciples held for Xiao Yan, even treating him as their leader, was entirely deserved. He had earned it.

While Yao Chen was lost in thought, Xiao Yan finished dressing. As he adjusted his collar, he glanced sideways at Yao Chen and spoke.

"Elder Yao, didn't you say before that once I became a Dou Zhe, you hoped I would cultivate a technique?"

"Huh? You mean that?"

Yao Chen was slightly stunned, her ruby-red eyes overflowing with hesitation.

Gazing at Xiao Yan's still somewhat youthful face, Yao Chen's heart slowly sank.

Was Yao Chen truly going to gamble the future of this child before her for her own selfish desires?

Their time together had made Yao Chen deeply understand that even without her help, Xiao Yan's future would certainly go farther, perhaps even surpassing her.

Most importantly, Yao Chen could not bear to destroy the Righteous Path Xiao Yan followed, the Righteous Path he wished to promote.

Yao Chen knew well that while she could not be considered evil, she was still far removed from Xiao Yan's Righteous Path.

To put it more harshly, even if this continent lost her, it would not change in the slightest.

In the end, she was merely someone with considerable renown in alchemy.

But Xiao Yan was different.

His Righteous Path could truly change this continent in the future!

Yao Chen wanted to see it. She wanted to see the day Xiao Yan achieved his dream! She hoped this continent could truly be changed by Xiao Yan's Righteous Path!

But was she really willing to accept that?

Yao Chen lowered her head and looked at her illusory form. A trace of sorrow appeared in her eyes as she spoke softly.

"We'll talk about that later."

After saying that, a self-mocking bitter smile could not help but rise on Yao Chen's lips.

Heh... Yao Chen, Yao Chen.

It seems that deep down, you are still a selfish person after all.

Anyone who understood right and wrong, who knew what truly mattered, would not hesitate in the slightest between these two choices, would they?

Does your existence really have any value?

"I'm tired. I'll rest for a while."

Yao Chen disappeared into the Ring and made no further sound, leaving only a stunned Xiao Yan standing in the room.

Just then, Xiao Yan had clearly seen the hesitation, sorrow, and self-reproach on Yao Chen's face.

Hesitation? Why was she hesitating?

Sorrow? Why was she sad?

Self-reproach? Why was she blaming herself?

Still dazed, Xiao Yan left his room and headed for the Council Hall, repeatedly recalling the desolation that had appeared on Yao Chen's beautiful face.

Xiao Yan's heart could not help but ache.

Did I do something wrong?

Troubled, Xiao Yan arrived at the Council Hall. Xiao Yu, who had been sitting in a chair, was about to greet him when she suddenly noticed his somewhat sorrowful expression and rose to walk over to him.

"Xiao Yan, what's wrong?"

"Mm?"

Xiao Yan came back to his senses, immediately adjusted his emotions, and smiled as he waved his hand at Xiao Yu.

"It's nothing, it's nothing~ Don't worry~"

"..."

Seeing this, Xiao Yu did not ask further, because she knew Xiao Yan would not say anything even if she asked.

Xiao Yan looked towards Xiao Zhan and asked softly.

"Father, you said you had something to discuss with me?"

"Ah." Xiao Zhan lightly scratched his hair and slowly said, "You haven't come down from the mountain lately, so you don't know. Over the past few days, the merchants and customers at Xiao Family Market have been leaving in large numbers. They have all gone to the Gale Family's market."

"Why?"

Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow in confusion, and Xiao Zhan immediately explained.

"The Gale Family somehow found a first-tier alchemist who refined a healing medicine called Hui Chun San, drawing all the mercenaries over there."

Xiao Zhan sighed deeply as he spoke, and Xiao Yan nodded in understanding.

Most of Xiao Family Market's income came from mercenaries. Once the mercenaries stopped coming, the merchants could no longer make money. And if they could not make money, naturally they would leave the market. It was only logical.

But at that moment, Xiao Yu suddenly slammed a fist into her palm.

"Ah! I was planning to tell the Clan Leader about it then, but I was busy going to the Back Mountain to find you all and forgot." Xiao Yu said this to Xiao Yan before looking at Xiao Zhan. "Clan Leader, was the alchemist the Gale Family found named Liu Xi?"

"Hm? You've met him?"

Xiao Zhan was slightly stunned. Xiao Yu nodded lightly, then told them what had happened when she returned to Xiao Family Market.

Bang!!!

"That bastard! He dared set his sights on my granddaughter?!!"

The Great Elder slammed his hand against the table and sprang to his feet, trembling with rage. Xiao Zhan, seated beside him, also wore an extremely ugly expression.

"The Gale Family has truly no shame! Causing trouble at Xiao Family Market was bad enough, but they even wanted to snatch someone off the street?!"

"Grandfather, you don't need to be so angry." Xiao Yu raised her hand slightly and soothed the Great Elder. "I already dealt with all those Gale Family Guards. Naturally, I did not spare Gale Ao either. As for that alchemist, before leaving, I instructed the Xiao Family Guards to beat him half to death before throwing him out. They probably will not dare cause trouble at Xiao Family Market again."

Hearing Xiao Yu's words, the Great Elder's anger subsided considerably, and Xiao Zhan's expression improved slightly as well.

"Since you have already taught him a lesson, let him off this time. If he dares come again next time—"

"There will be no next time."

Before Xiao Zhan could finish, a cold voice came from Xiao Yan beside Xiao Yu, cutting him off and instantly stunning Xiao Zhan.

His son had never before committed such a rude act as interrupting an elder!

Xiao Yu also heard that something was wrong with Xiao Yan's words. She turned her head slightly to look at him, and her pupils suddenly constricted.

Xiao Yan?!