Departure Imminent

Departure Imminent

She had seen the mess and had her fun, so naturally Yao Wan did not linger long in the Guest Hall and left early as well.

Xiao Yan used the excuse of seeing Wan Guniang off and walked out of the Guest Hall with her.

"The Three-Year Agreement... are you sure it'll be all right?"

After they left the Guest Hall, Yao Wan paused on the small path, lifted her bamboo hat slightly, and asked.

"It'll be fine. I'm already a Dou Zhe now, and with you and Teacher here, there's no reason I won't be able to beat her in three years."

Xiao Yan said.

"...That may be true, but hearing you say it like that, you still sound a little lacking in confidence."

Yao Wan turned her head and glanced at Xiao Yan as she spoke.

"..."

Xiao Yan pressed his lips together. Though he felt unwilling, he did not refute her.

Seeing Xiao Yan's attitude, Yao Wan turned around and continued walking forward.

"...What's wrong?"

Xiao Yan asked subconsciously.

"What else could it be? Naturally, we're thinking of ways to raise your strength. I imagine Elder Yao is thinking the same thing, isn't he?"

Yao Wan suddenly smiled.

"The Girl is indeed right. The Yun Lan Sect can be considered one of the Local Bullies of this Gama Empire at any rate, and as the Young Sect Master, Nalan Yanran will naturally be nurtured with the best resources."

"If you don't put in extra effort, I'm afraid you won't be her match."

Yao Lao said.

"Even Teacher says so...?"

"After all, cultivation isn't something that can be achieved purely through hard work. It requires luck, resources, fortuitous encounters, and piles upon piles of countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures."

Yao Lao continued, "Since the Girl is willing to help you, you don't need to worry too much about resources. But as for the rest, you'll need to fight for them yourself."

"Fortuitous encounters and luck... Teacher, you mean Strange Flames?"

"That's right. Strange Flames."

"If you want to raise your strength, the fastest way is naturally to devour Strange Flames."

"But where am I supposed to find something like a Strange Flame?"

"I've heard that Canaan Academy possesses a Strange Flame called the Fallen Heart Flame. After you come of age, you can probably go take a look around Canaan Academy."

Hearing the conversation between Yao Lao and Xiao Yan, Yao Wan stopped as well.

"...There is also an Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame ranked nineteenth on the Strange Fire Ranking in the Tagor Desert. In addition, within the ruins of the Ancient Netherworld Poison Swamp in the Chu Yun Empire, there is also a Netherworld Poison Flame."

"Wan Guniang knows where Strange Flames are too?"

"Not counting the year I spent in the Xiao Clan, I've been wandering outside for two years at any rate. How could I possibly know nothing at all?"

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Yao Wan's mouth.

"In any case, you're already a Dou Zhe. Make some preparations, then come with me on a long trip."

"A long trip? Where to?"

"What do you think? Naturally, to find you a Strange Flame."

Yao Wan looked back, a smile on her face.

"Eh? Find a Strange Flame?"

Xiao Yan froze for a moment, then could not help saying, "Wan Guniang, you aren't joking, are you? We're going to look for a Strange Flame just like that?"

"If we don't go now, are we supposed to drag it out for another two or three years?"

Yao Wan said, "As for strength and the like, you can slowly cultivate and improve bit by bit along the way."

Yao Lao frowned. That might be true, but this girl deciding to leave the moment she said so was a little too hasty.

"Then which Strange Flame are we going to look for first?"

"Of course we'll go by ranking. The Fallen Heart Flame is ranked fourteenth, and it essentially belongs to Canaan Academy. Running over there now would be seeking death. As for the nineteenth-ranked Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame, if we can't pin down the timing, going there will be useless too."

"Then we'll go to the Chu Yun Empire and obtain the twentieth-ranked Netherworld Poison Flame."

Yao Wan took a step forward and said, "However, the choice is yours. If you're not in a hurry to go now, then I'll go alone."

"Eh?"

Xiao Yan paused, and even Yao Lao sighed along with him.

He seemed to have guessed what this girl wanted to do.

Thinking about it, she was a favored daughter of heaven from that place. What ordinary thing could possibly enter her discerning eyes?

Most likely, she had simply stayed in the Xiao Clan for a whole year until she could no longer endure it and wanted to go out for a walk.

After all, she was someone who dared to run straight out on her own. Her nature was too wild.

Sigh... this really was something.

It had been a long time since he had seen a junior with such a fiery temper.

Compared with the more restrained and steady Xiao Yan, perhaps this girl was actually closer to the essence of fire.

She looked gentle and graceful, but in truth, she burned like a blazing fire.

A woman like this was the hardest to deal with.

The next day, Xiao Yan still packed his luggage and prepared to set out for the Chu Yun Empire.

Before leaving, he went to bid farewell to Xiao Zhan and Xun'er.

"Leave? Why are you leaving so suddenly?"

Faced with the sudden news that Xiao Yan was about to leave and go out to train, Xiao Zhan was greatly puzzled.

"Mm, actually, I've long had the idea of going out to train. It's just that I hadn't been able to break through to Dou Zhe a few days ago, so I pushed the date for going out to train back a little."

Xiao Zhan's expression changed slightly. In truth, he knew very well that Nalan Yanran had come yesterday to annul the engagement, and today Yan'er was leaving. It was hard to say there wasn't some influence from Nalan Yanran's forceful attempt to annul the engagement yesterday.

It was just that Yan'er had grown up after all. Perhaps even he could no longer stop him.

"Mm. If Yan'er wants to go out and train, as your father, I naturally understand. It's just that the outside world is dangerous. Yan'er, you must be careful."

Xiao Zhan frowned slightly and said.

"Don't worry, Father. This time, Wan Guniang will be accompanying me. I'll definitely be fine."

Facing the Father who had still given him love and care even during his years of loneliness and disappointment, Xiao Yan always wore a smile on his face. Something that should not have been let slip ended up slipping out.

"Wan'er Guniang...?"

Xiao Zhan was stunned, then came to an understanding.

"...So that's how it is. I understand. Since Wan'er Guniang is accompanying you on this trip, I can feel quite a bit more at ease."

Though he said that, Xiao Zhan still uneasily patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder.

"Father, just rest assured. Yan'er won't be away for too long on this trip. At next year's Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Yan'er will definitely return."

Xiao Yan naturally understood what Xiao Zhan was worried about, but in order to become stronger, a young eagle had to spread its wings. This step had to be taken no matter what.

Xiao Zhan nodded slightly and said no more, merely waving his hand.

Xiao Yan cupped his hands, turned, and left Father's room.

After seeing Father, it was time to go find Xun'er.

March, the ninth. Xiao Yan Gege went to find that woman.

March, the twelfth. Xiao Yan Gege went to find that woman again.

June, the twenty-seventh. The Dou Qi on Xiao Yan Gege had grown stronger by a few degrees again. Was that woman the one who did it?

...That woman was so hateful. With her around, Xiao Yan Gege either cultivated every day or went to find her. Over the course of a year, even the time he spent with me had decreased...