Let's Go Together

As time passed, the Xiao Family gradually faded from the spotlight.

During this period, knowing he would soon be leaving, Lin Feng had been helping the Xiao Family refine many low-grade pills. He had also refined some Third Grade High Level Pills, though only a small number, keeping them as reserves for emergencies.

Even Xiao Yan had helped refine plenty of First Grade pills, so that after they left, the Xiao Family's stock would not run dry.

At first, everyone had been surprised that Xiao Yan was also an alchemist. However, this fellow pushed everything onto Yao Lao. "My mysterious teacher taught me all of it. I've only just gotten started myself."

Though everyone was astonished, they were naturally delighted that the Xiao Family had gained another alchemist. Once the news spread, the Xiao Family became the talk of the town again. People said that two alchemists had appeared in the Xiao Family at once, both astonishingly gifted members of the younger generation. The Xiao Family's future glory was within reach.

However, with Lin Feng having come first, Xiao Yan did not attract quite as much attention. The buzz faded after only a few days.

Fickle as they were, people soon turned their attention to Jia Nan Academy's upcoming recruitment.

Whether they belonged to powerful clans or were ordinary people, everyone hoped to be chosen by Jia Nan Academy and soar to greatness from then on.

But Lin Feng truly had no interest in such matters. He had been cultivating constantly over the past few months. To be honest, without completing his check-ins, the system offered no rewards, and his cultivation speed had slowed as well. In nearly three months, he had only broken through to Dou Zhe Eight Star.

At other times, he still had to refine pills for the family. More recently, he had also been preparing things for his journey.

During this time, Xiao Yan had asked Lin Feng whether he intended to join Jia Nan Academy.

Lin Feng had asked him, "Are you joining?"

Xiao Yan nodded. "I will, but afterward, I'm going out to train. Feng Ge, you should know about the Three-Year Agreement. I have to crush her pride, along with the pride of the Misty Cloud Sect. And for what they did to you, I'll make them pay the price too."

Hearing that, Lin Feng smiled and patted his shoulder. "It's good that you feel that way. But for what Ge Ye did to me, I'll make him pay sooner or later. The Misty Cloud Sect isn't untouchable in the Jia Ma Empire."

"So what are you planning to do next, Feng Ge? Go to Jia Nan Academy with Sister Xiao Yu?"

Lin Feng shook his head. "Probably not. I agreed to stay a while longer because I wanted to spend more time with all of you. I wanted to see you enter the academy before leaving. I need to travel around and gain some experience too."

Xiao Yan and Lin Feng sat together on a rock at the Back Mountain. Over the years, this rock had been a place where they often lay down to relax. Back when they had been considered "trash," the two of them would often come here to stare blankly into space, lying side by side and gazing at the sky.

The moment Xiao Yan heard this, his eyes lit up. "Where are you planning to go, Feng Ge?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's excited expression, Lin Feng knew exactly what he was thinking. Pretending not to understand, he said, "I'm planning to go to the Monster Mountain Range."

Xiao Yan's face filled with excitement. "That's perfect! I was planning to go there to train too. We can go together."

Lin Feng remained calm and deliberately asked, "Your teacher told you to go there?"

Xiao Yan nodded, and Lin Feng said evenly, "That works. If we go together, we can look after each other."

"But aren't you going to take part in Jia Nan Academy's recruitment? Xun Er is going too. Can you really bear to leave Xun Er?"

Lin Feng wore a teasing expression. Xiao Yan chuckled. "A brief separation is for the sake of being together longer."

"Ugh."

Goosebumps rose all over Lin Feng's skin. He looked at Xiao Yan with blatant disgust. "So sappy."

Xiao Yan paid that no mind. Thinking of something, he instead asked Lin Feng with a gossipy look, "Feng Ge, why is Sister Xiao Yu so special toward you?"

"It was understandable when we were kids. She probably helped you because she felt sorry for you. But why does she keep running to your courtyard every day now? She even keeps asking Xun Er and me to talk you into going to Jia Nan Academy. Tsk, tsk. What do you think that means?"

Xiao Yan wore an ambiguous grin. Lin Feng merely coughed, having noticed the figure behind him, and said with righteous solemnity, "Don't misunderstand. Sister Xiao Yu is simply concerned about me as her younger brother."

Xiao Yan looked utterly unconvinced. "Really? Why don't I believe that?"

Lin Feng suddenly called out, "Sister Xiao Yu."

Xiao Yan thought he was joking. "Hah, stop talking nonsense..."

"Ah, ow, ow, ow!"

A sharp pain flared from the flesh of Xiao Yan's arm. Turning around, he found Xiao Yu glaring at him with her beautiful eyes.

"Xiao Yanzi, what were you saying? What's wrong with me, hmm?"

Xiao Yan immediately begged for mercy. "Sister Xiao Yu, I didn't say anything! I was just saying how much you care about Feng Ge. We're all so touched."

"We're so lucky to have such a wonderful older sister, right, Feng Ge?"

Xiao Yan cast Lin Feng a pleading look. Lin Feng pretended not to see it and instead said to the Xun Er who had arrived afterward, "Xun Er, this brat needs to be taught a proper lesson."

Xun Er smiled sweetly as she watched Xiao Yan being bullied by Xiao Yu. "I think so too. Brother Xiao Yan really does need to be properly disciplined."

Xiao Yan's heart ached. In the end, he had placed his trust in the wrong people. What kind of brother was this? Sigh.

Xiao Yu clapped her hands, then snorted and warned Xiao Yan, "That's what you get for talking nonsense, brat."

She then glanced at Lin Feng and added, "You're all my younger brothers and sister. What's wrong with caring about you?"

Xiao Yan muttered inwardly, As if we don't know what you're really thinking.

But he did not dare say it aloud. On the surface, he could only submit to a woman's tyranny. "Yes, yes, Sister Xiao Yu is right. We're very happy to have a cousin like you."

Lin Feng found it amusing but said nothing. Estimating the time, he knew that the two girls had come to call him and Xiao Yan back for dinner.

"Let's go. I'm hungry anyway."

On the path down the mountain, Xun Er clung sweetly to Xiao Yan's arm, making many people envious. Lin Feng and Xiao Yu, on the other hand, seemed somewhat distant. Lin Feng walked in front while Xiao Yu lagged behind, with a certain distance always between them.

Xun Er brought up Xiao Yan's impending departure, her eyes showing a trace of sadness. "Brother Xiao Yan can become stronger by staying with Xun Er too."

Xiao Yan pinched the girl's cheek. "I have my own path to walk. I have to go because of the Three-Year Agreement. Besides, don't worry about me. Feng Ge is going with me too. We'll take care of each other."

Though Xun Er was unwilling in her heart after hearing that, she still supported Xiao Yan's decision.

"Feng Ge, you have to keep a close eye on him."

Lin Feng smiled. "Don't worry. I definitely won't let him flirt with other women."

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose. Was he really that kind of person?

Xun Er clenched her Pink Fist and warned, "If Xun Er finds out that Brother Xiao Yan is being dishonest, I'll have Feng Ge deal with you."

Xiao Yan felt embarrassed. Why did they distrust him so much? He was very devoted, okay?

As for Xiao Yu, when she heard that Lin Feng would be going out to train with Xiao Yan, her expression dimmed slightly.

He still wouldn't be going to the academy with her.