A Formal Meeting

Xiao Yan was nearly fifteen, while Wei Yang was approaching eighteen.

The two were about three years apart in age, perhaps with an extra month or two.

This was their first formal meeting. The last time, when Wei Yang had still been a Dou Shi, he had merely caught sight of Xiao Yan from afar.

Nearly three years had passed since he had last seen that high-spirited youth who had once been the center of attention, and Xiao Yan had changed greatly.

Though Xiao Yan's expression appeared calm and a faint smile rested on his lips, Wei Yang still caught the trace of frustration and bitterness hidden between his brows.

But Wei Yang felt no sympathy or pity for him at all.

Because this guy was about to get a cheat!

Nalan Yanran's visit to break off the engagement was no more than three months away, right?

He was about to get his cheat!

His golden finger—the Ring Elder—was about to come online.

How enviable!

"Physician Wei, we have arrived. Ahead are our Patriarch and the three elders," Xiao Feng said respectfully.

"Mm." Wei Yang nodded, a gentle smile on his lips as he stepped forward.

"Physician Wei, welcome to the Xiao family." The middle-aged man at the front wore luxurious gray robes. He carried himself with the majesty of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, while his thick brows lent him an air of boldness. He was the current patriarch of the Xiao family, Xiao Zhan. Taking the first step forward, he spoke with a warm smile.

"Physician Wei..." The other three elders and the Xiao family members present also spoke up.

Some were friendly, some respectful, and some flattering.

Only Gu Xun'er wore a faint smile, her expression calm.

The instant she saw Wei Yang, she felt that he looked somewhat familiar. After thinking briefly, realization dawned on her. It's him!

She remembered the youth she had glimpsed from afar at the entrance to the Xiao Family Market more than two years ago. They had not even exchanged a nod.

The only reason Gu Xun'er remembered Wei Yang was that not much time had passed, and the youth's powerful Soul Power and talent had slightly surprised her at the time.

Now that she saw Wei Yang again, her surprise deepened further.

Although Wei Yang had restrained his aura well, when a wisp of golden flame flickered faintly in the depths of her eyes—

She was startled to discover that the Soul Power of the youth before her was several times stronger than it had been over two years ago!

Moreover, his cultivation had already reached the high-tier Dou Ling Realm.

Compared with his Dou Ling Realm cultivation, what caught her attention more was the youth's extraordinary and powerful Soul Power.

This made her truly begin to take him somewhat seriously.

The strength of his Soul Power is probably comparable to that of an ordinary Dou Zong! Gu Xun'er thought in surprise.

But that was all.

She merely smiled with reserved grace, neither appearing close nor distant, which counted as a greeting. For most of the time, her gaze remained fixed on Xiao Yan at her side.

Wei Yang noticed all this from the corner of his eye, and the smile on his lips deepened slightly.

Sure enough, to Gu Xun'er, throughout the entire Xiao family—no, throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire—only Xiao Yan could truly draw her gaze.

Everyone else?

Sorry, but to the young mistress of the Ancient Clan, they were all roadside weeds, not worth mentioning at all.

He had no intention of pressing his warm face against her cold backside. His gaze swept past her only briefly before he ignored her.

Gu Xun'er?

To be honest, whether after coming to this world or when he had read the original novel, Wei Yang had never felt much for Gu Xun'er.

Among all the female characters, even Medusa had left a deeper impression on him than Gu Xun'er.

It was not that Gu Xun'er was unattractive, poorly built, or lacking in talent.

After all, she possessed the Ancient Clan's Divine Grade Bloodline and had a Nine-star Dou Sheng for a father. Whether in family background, status, talent, intellect, beauty, or anything else, she undoubtedly stood among the continent's very best.

Logically speaking, a woman like that would be difficult for any man to resist.

Yet Wei Yang simply did not feel much about this character. It was rather strange.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

Faced with the Xiao family's greetings, Wei Yang smiled and nodded in response. "Everyone, pardon the intrusion."

"Physician Wei, you are too polite. It is no intrusion..." Patriarch Xiao Zhan began.

Before he could finish—

"Hahaha, Physician Wei, that is not right. Your visit to our Xiao family is most welcome to every member of the family. How could it possibly be called an intrusion?" the Xiao family's Great Elder cut in from the side.

Such behavior was actually somewhat discourteous before a guest.

After all, Xiao Zhan was the patriarch and was speaking to the guest.

For a Great Elder like him to abruptly interrupt before the patriarch had finished speaking—what was that supposed to mean?

Yet the Xiao family's Great Elder had done exactly that.

The other two elders also wore calm expressions, showing no embarrassment whatsoever.

Xiao Zhan's brows furrowed slightly, but he said nothing more. Instead, he gestured ahead. "Physician Wei, this way, please."

Wei Yang merely watched in silence. He knew full well about the Xiao family's internal mess, but had no interest in meddling in another family's affairs. He nodded and followed Xiao Zhan into the Xiao residence.

Upon entering the Xiao residence—

Led by Xiao Zhan, the group passed straight through the front courtyard before arriving at the solemn reception hall.

Inside, numerous servants moved about busily, arranging tea, fruit platters, snacks, and other refreshments.

When they saw the group arrive, an elderly steward with white hair and beard immediately led the servants swiftly out through the rear hall.

"Physician Wei, please enter." Xiao Zhan extended a hand from the front in invitation.

Wei Yang nodded and stepped inside.

The hall was quite spacious.

The guests and hosts all took their seats.

At the highest seats sat Xiao Zhan and the three elders.

Wei Yang was seated first on the left.

The other Xiao family members took their seats on the right.

Those seated at the front were older members of the Xiao family with influence and considerable strength.

Only behind them or in the lower seats did the outstanding younger generation of the Xiao family take their places.

"Physician Wei, please have some tea." Xiao Zhan raised his teacup in invitation, and the other Xiao family members followed suit.

"Please." Wei Yang lifted his teacup and took a small sip.

After the tea, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

"Physician Wei, not long ago, you purchased a large batch of medicinal ingredients from our Xiao Family Market. You left in such a hurry last time that our Xiao family never had the chance to properly receive you. Thank you for your support and trust in our Xiao family..." Xiao Zhan said with a smile.

"Patriarch Xiao, you are too kind."

After both sides exchanged another round of pleasantries—

Xiao Zhan finally asked tentatively, "Physician Wei once said that you had a major deal you wished to cooperate with our Xiao family on. May I ask what it is?"

"Please have someone prepare a large table, Patriarch Xiao," Wei Yang said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan immediately waved his hand, and a family member promptly rose to make the arrangements.

Wei Yang looked toward Xiao Yan, who sat with Gu Xun'er in a corner of the hall, and spoke seemingly casually. "Come to think of it, I have always held the Xiao family in high regard. The reason I chose to trade with the Xiao family, aside from trust, is partly because of Brother Xiao Yan."

Whoosh—

All the Xiao family members looked astonished.

Xiao Yan, seated in the corner and acting like an unnoticed bystander while secretly whispering with Gu Xun'er, also raised his head in surprise. His mouth fell slightly open as he froze. "Me?"

The three elders frowned slightly.

A flash of delight crossed Xiao Zhan's face. He first glanced at the dumbfounded Xiao Yan, then looked back at Wei Yang, his voice growing even warmer. "Oh? Could it be that Physician Wei knows my Yan'er?"

Wei Yang smiled and waved his hand. "Know him? Not exactly. To be honest, I am also a native of Wu Tan City, so I could say that I grew up hearing the legends of Brother Xiao Yan. I have long admired Brother Xiao Yan, but unfortunately, I never had the chance to truly make his acquaintance."

At this point, Wei Yang looked at Xiao Yan and smiled amiably. "Only today have I finally had the opportunity to formally meet Brother Xiao Yan in person. It can be considered the fulfillment of a wish."