Departure

At this, Yao Chen nodded as well, accepting Xiao Kun's explanation. Then he said politely:

"Little friend Xiao Kun, you flatter this old man. When I was your age, I had not achieved anything close to what you have. You may call me Yao Lao from now on."

Seeing Yao Chen say this, Xiao Kun smiled. "Yao Lao, then this junior will shamelessly address you that way from now on."

"Good, good, good!" Xiao Kun's immediate decision to call him Yao Lao delighted Yao Chen immensely.

After all, Xiao Kun was Xiao Yan's blood brother and had achieved so much. It was naturally a joyful matter for Yao Lao to receive his goodwill.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yan's heart surged with emotion upon hearing everything Xiao Kun had said about Yao Lao. He had never imagined that Yao Lao had once been so formidable, that he had actually been a Venerable.

One had to know that even Dou Emperors were few and far between in the Jia Ma Empire, while Dou Zongs were unheard of. Let alone Dou Zuns, who stood above Dou Zongs—they could be considered peak experts of the Dou Qi Continent.

"Third Brother, since you know Teacher's former cultivation level, why didn't you ask him to help you?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

Xiao Kun released a trace of his aura and said, "I am already an eight-star Dou Emperor. Although I am still somewhat below Medusa at the peak of the Dou Emperor realm, in terms of actual combat strength, she is no match for me.

Yao Lao has not fully recovered either. The less he acts, the better."

Xiao Yan and Yao Lao were both stunned by Xiao Kun's words. They had not expected that in just half a year, Xiao Kun's cultivation had surged from a three-star Dou Emperor to an eight-star Dou Emperor—a full five stars.

If others heard of such speed, they would probably call it a daytime fantasy. Yet they had watched Xiao Kun cultivate over the years and could only silently say in their hearts, What a freak!

With Xiao Kun possessing such cultivation, Xiao Yan's hopes of obtaining the Heavenly Flame rose greatly, so he said nothing further.

Seeing that Xiao Yan agreed with his plan to go alone, Xiao Kun assured him, "Rest easy, Fourth Brother. I will definitely bring back the Green Lotus Core Flame for you!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled and nodded. "Mm-hm, mm-hm. I wish Third Brother swift success."

In truth, Xiao Kun had selfish reasons for not taking Xiao Yan along this time. After all, when Medusa used the Heavenly Flame to evolve, her clothes would explode. If Xiao Yan saw that, wouldn't Xiao Kun be suffering a huge loss?

Half an hour later, after bidding Xiao Yan farewell, Xiao Kun returned to his room and prepared to pack a few daily necessities before setting off.

The lotus seat and lotus seeds he had given Xiao Yan this time had also triggered a ten-thousandfold critical reward, granting him the Green Lotus Saint Seat and Earth Spirit Marrow.

The Green Lotus Saint Seat was essentially a vastly enhanced version of the lotus seat. Cultivating while seated on it not only increased one's cultivation speed tenfold, but also had no attribute restrictions.

As for the Earth Spirit Marrow, consuming it could double the physical strength of someone at the Dou Zun realm or below, though there was only enough for one person.

Qing Lin was obediently waiting in Xiao Kun's courtyard for his instructions.

When she saw Xiao Kun packing his things, panic appeared on her little face. "Young Master, are you preparing to leave? How long will you be gone? Can you take Qing Lin with you?"

Xiao Kun, who was packing, was startled by Qing Lin's string of questions. It seemed he had not told this girl who followed him around all day that he was leaving!

Xiao Kun immediately stopped what he was doing and said apologetically, "I do plan to go out for a while, probably for more than a month. Qing Lin, can you wait for me here?"

At this, Qing Lin's jade-green eyes became slightly moist. She sniffled twice before recovering, then said firmly, "I will definitely wait here for Young Master to return."

Seeing this, Xiao Kun walked over to Qing Lin's side and used his broad hand, nearly as large as her face, to wipe away her tears.

"While I'm gone, make sure to cultivate properly. If you haven't improved by the time I return, you'll be scolded."

Feeling the warm hand on her face, Qing Lin promised, "Don't worry, Young Master."

Speaking of cultivation, with the Jade-Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils, Qing Lin had gone from someone who had never cultivated to a Dou Zhe in only a few months.

Even Xiao Kun could not help sighing at the sight. With such cultivation speed, it was no wonder the Jade-Green Snake Three-Flower Pupils were the only remaining physique of their kind on the continent!

Looking at Qing Lin, Xiao Kun suddenly recalled that in the original story, Qing Lin seemed to have been captured by Mo Cheng when Xiao Yan went to the Snake People Tribe to seize the Heavenly Flame. Mo Cheng had intended to transplant Qing Lin's Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils onto himself.

Remembering this, Xiao Kun decided that before heading to the Snake People Tribe, he should deal with Mo Cheng first.

Given Mo Cheng's conduct, who knew how many innocent people he had secretly harmed? Killing him would count as upholding justice for Heaven.

After comforting Qing Lin, Xiao Kun did not take long to finish packing. Then, beneath Qing Lin's reluctant gaze, he gradually walked away.

A faint streak of light shot across the sky like a meteor and vanished beyond the horizon in the blink of an eye.

After leaving Shimo City, Xiao Kun flew for nearly two hours toward Yan City, where the Mo Family was located. By his estimate, he was not far from the Mo Family now.

Considering that Mo Cheng was, after all, an outer deacon of the Misty Cloud Sect, with the Misty Cloud Sect behind him, it would be unwise to make too much of a display and affect Xiao Yan's future duel.

Moreover, if he alerted the Soul Hall protector within the Misty Cloud Sect, the loss would outweigh the gain. Xiao Kun decided to disguise himself.

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Xiao Kun spread the slightly illusory Golden Wings formed from Dou Qi, then put away the Peng Wings, which had seemed almost tangible and rather extraordinary.

He then changed into a loose black hooded robe. The spacious garment completely concealed Xiao Kun's body, while the black hood hanging over his head made it impossible to see his face beneath it.

This way, no one would be able to identify him.

Half an hour later, the outline of a vast city radiating a faintly fierce aura finally appeared in Xiao Kun's field of vision.

Yan City was situated in the eastern provinces of the Jia Ma Empire. Its broad roads made it a necessary passage for travel from within the empire to the eastern provinces.

Its strategic location was exceptionally favorable. Therefore, this city, known as the largest in the eastern provinces of the Jia Ma Empire, had been guarded year-round by heavy imperial forces.

Within Yan City, aside from the empire's forces, the strongest power was the target of Xiao Kun's journey: the Mo Family.

Backed by the Misty Cloud Sect, the Mo Family had long ruled Yan City with tyranny, controlling sixty percent of the city's industries.

Of course, none of this posed any threat to Xiao Kun, who already possessed the strength of a Dou Emperor.

Before the horrified gazes of the dozens of elite soldiers at the city gate, Xiao Kun flew directly into the city.

After watching Xiao Kun fly past, the soldiers guarding the gate exchanged uncertain looks, unsure whether they should sound the alarm.

After all, that mysterious figure had concealed himself so thoroughly that he clearly did not look like he was there for honest business. If he charged straight into the City Lord's Manor and caused destruction, they would have neglected their duty.

However, anyone capable of flight was at least a Dou Wang. The man had merely dressed a little more tightly; if they sounded the alarm and it turned out to be a false alarm, offending a Dou Wang could very well cost them their lives.

Choosing the lesser of two evils, the group ultimately decided not to sound the alarm after much deliberation.

Flying through the air, Xiao Kun had not expected that such a minor action on his part would leave the city guards so terrified.

As Yan City's overlord, the Mo Family's residence naturally stood at the city center. Having considered this, Xiao Kun flew directly toward the center of the city after entering.