Conflict Erupts in Qingshan Town

The moon began to fade from the sky, and the first light of dawn descended.

Just as day broke, a figure appeared within the Xiao Family compound.

He silently passed through most of the Xiao Family grounds, heading toward the gate leading out.

At the gate, he encountered the Xiao Family guards. After greeting them, he walked out and left the place where he had stayed for several years.

Xiao Bai's departure did not alarm many people.

Only a handful knew about it. In his own view, it was probably just those gate guards. Even Xiao Zhan and the several elders only knew that he was leaving, not the exact time.

For some reason, after walking out of the Xiao Family, Xiao Bai felt incredibly comfortable and relaxed, his mood bright.

The sky was so blue, the water so green, and the air so fresh. Even the breeze carried the scent of freedom.

"I am free like the wind, just as your tenderness cannot make me stay. You pushed away the hands I reached out to you. Go on, and you'd better not look back. Endless drifting, the longing for freedom, all life's hardships borne alone..."

Humming a little tune, no longer concealing the joy in his heart, he strode forward and disappeared into Wutan City.

By the time the Xiao Family Clan Leader and the others learned of the news, several hours had already passed. As for everyone else, they knew even less.

The other factions in Wutan City had only heard that someone had reached the Dou Zhe realm. But when they tried to investigate, they could not find that person at all.

Some of those factions even believed that no such person existed, that the Xiao Family had fabricated him after losing Xiao Yan, their Dou Zhe.

They believed it was only meant to tell them that the Xiao Family had not fallen, that fresh blood still flowed among its younger generation.

Those people simply did not believe the Xiao Family's claims and began mocking their actions.

After hearing those remarks, the younger members of the Xiao Family were furious. They went looking for Xiao Bai, hoping he would step forward and silence those claims.

But when they arrived at Xiao Bai's residence, they learned that he had already gone out to gain experience.

This left them helpless, but there was nothing they could do. They had no idea where Xiao Bai had gone, much less how to find him.

And so, the youth who had appeared in the Xiao Family like a fleeting flower departed, setting out to witness the vastness of Dou Qi Continent and the warmth, coldness, and cruelty of the world.

Perhaps, as time passed, they would forget that such a youth had ever appeared.

The blazing sun hung high in the sky, its scorching rays baking the earth until the whole land seemed listless. Most travelers crouched or sat beneath the shade of trees to escape the heat and enjoy a rare moment of rest.

On a broad road, a youth in white walked forward slowly, looking utterly uninterested. He was none other than Xiao Bai, who had left the Xiao Family.

The heat made him reluctant to move his feet, but in order to reach his destination sooner, he continued onward.

He looked up at the glaring sun and felt somewhat fortunate that he was wearing white.

White could reflect nearly all sunlight. Other colors could reflect light as well, but they still absorbed heat, making the wearer feel hotter.

Those dressed in black had it the worst. Black absorbed every kind of light in sunlight and was the hottest.

Xiao Bai continued onward, one step at a time.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, he vaguely spotted a small town in the distance. This delighted him. It seemed he was not far from his destination.

Several towns had been built around the Monster Mountain Range, and the town before Xiao Bai was one of them.

According to Xiao Bai's memories, this town seemed to be called Qingshan Town.

At that thought, Xiao Bai quickened his pace. He wanted to meet that kind, adorable, and somewhat clever girl from the original story, known as Xiao Yi Xian.

Upon entering the town, everything around him felt novel. Pedestrians hurried along the streets, while many vendors dressed as mercenaries sold the goods they had obtained along the roadside.

The moment Xiao Bai walked down the street, he attracted many gazes.

He looked far too young, only thirteen years old. In the eyes of those mercenaries, he was merely a child.

Soon, some mercenaries began jeering.

"Hey, kid! This isn't a place for you. Hurry home and cling to your mother, or don't go crying when you get scared!"

A burly man shouted at Xiao Bai. He wore crude armor that left most of his skin exposed and carried a greatsword on his back.

His laughter and words drew a burst of laughter from the people around him, and they all began egging him on.

Hearing the burly man's words, Xiao Bai could not help frowning.

"Do you want to die?"

Some mercenaries were simply that detestable. They loved stirring up trouble for no reason, especially by bullying the weak.

The burly man was immediately taken aback by Xiao Bai's words.

This brat was so arrogant. Could he be from some great clan?

But he did not look like it!

Xiao Bai's white robes had originally been spotless, but they had become somewhat discolored.

He had been traveling without rest, and he now looked dusty and road-worn, nothing like someone from a clan.

At that thought, the burly man grew bolder. With the provocations of several troublemakers nearby, he could no longer hold himself back.

"You little bastard, don't be so arrogant! Today, I'll teach you the rules of Dou Qi Continent!"

With a furious roar, the burly man stomped the ground and lunged at Xiao Bai's seemingly small body.

His massive frame tore through the air with a whistling sound, adding to his imposing presence and creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.

The surrounding crowd cried out in alarm, many of them pitying the youth. He just had to run his mouth and provoke that burly man.

Xiao Bai showed no particular expression at the sight. Just as the burly man was about to touch him, he shifted slightly to the side, avoiding the large hand reaching for him. Then he raised his palm lightly and struck the burly man's chest.

Bang!

"Ah..."

A muffled impact sounded, followed shortly by a scream. The onlookers were all stunned.

The burly man's body flew backward and smashed heavily into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Before he could even get up, he spat out a mouthful of blood. It fell onto the ground, bright red and striking.

"You..."

The burly man wanted to say something, but when he saw those cold, indifferent eyes, he swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

He had never expected that this youth, whom he had thought easy to bully, would actually be stronger than him. Fear rose in his heart.

Watching the youth slowly approach him, the burly man grew even more terrified. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his face.

"You, you... you can't kill me! I'm from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Our mercenary group is fairly well-known in Qingshan Town."

Seeing that the youth seemed to know of his mercenary group, the burly man felt greatly reassured and continued, "I advise you to let me go, then apologize and compensate me. Otherwise, you'll bring great trouble upon yourself. Both you and your family will suffer the harshest retaliation!"

The burly man even seemed kind enough to offer a reminder.

"Think it over carefully. Is it really worth it?"