Xiao Zhan Lectures Xiao Yan, Hun Cang Returns to Wutan City

Wutan City lay on the border of the Jia Ma Empire, and most of the people passing through were mercenaries looking for jobs.

These people often traveled from place to place, and injuries were inevitable. They needed all kinds of healing medicine, and alchemists happened to meet that demand.

Although medicines refined by alchemists were more expensive than those made through ordinary means, their effects were also much better.

Jia Liebi had seized upon this point and spared no expense to hire a First Grade Alchemist.

After listening to Xiao Zhan's account, Xiao Yan thought for a moment and said, "Father, you actually don't need to worry. Our Xiao Family will soon have an alchemist as well."

Xiao Zhan gave a wry smile. "Yan'er, do you think alchemists are everywhere?"

"Because I'm that alchemist, Father." Xiao Yan said smugly.

He had spent a year learning the basics from Yao Chen. As soon as he advanced to the Dou Zhe realm, he could begin trying his hand at alchemy.

Now, everything was ready. All he lacked was his eldest brother's Heavenly Rank Technique.

Xiao Zhan's eyes widened in disbelief, and he hurriedly asked what had happened.

When he learned that Hun Cang had specifically arranged for an alchemist teacher for Xiao Yan before leaving, Xiao Zhan could not help smiling. "Yan'er, recognizing him as your eldest brother was a fine move."

Xiao Yan smiled and boasted, "There's more, Father. Eldest Brother also said that once I become a Dou Zhe, he'll give me a Heavenly Rank Top Grade technique. One day, I'll lead the Xiao Family to soar to great heights, leave Wutan City, and go to an even larger city!"

However, Xiao Yan saw Xiao Zhan's expression darken. Confused, he asked, "Father, what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"

Xiao Zhan said seriously, "Yan'er, you cannot accept that Heavenly Rank Technique. Do you understand?"

"Why?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

Xiao Zhan explained, "Think carefully. How many benefits have you received from your eldest brother? And what have you given him in return? Even if King Cang offered them willingly, if you only keep accepting them, people will eventually see you as greedy and insatiable."

"Father, I understand." Xiao Yan suddenly came to his senses. He was no longer a child, so how had he forgotten the principle of reciprocating kindness?

But what did the Xiao Family have that Eldest Brother might value enough to accept as a gift?

Eldest Brother was not young anymore and was still unmarried. Perhaps... it really could work. They could become even closer through marriage.

Seeing Xiao Yan fall into thought, Xiao Zhan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had truly been worried that his son would be unable to resist the temptation of a Heavenly Rank Technique.

"Jia Ma Empire, I've finally returned." Hun Cang stretched his body, an expectant smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

"Vice Hall Master Hun Xiaoqiang of the Jia Ma Empire Branch Hall greets the Hall Master."

Before the entrance of a pitch-black hall, several figures rushed before Hun Cang and respectfully knelt. The burly man at the front spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Mm. Rise." Hun Cang raised his hand.

The group stood, and Hun Xiaoqiang stepped forward to brief Hun Cang on the situation in the Jia Ma Empire region.

After listening for a while, Hun Cang found it was more or less as he had expected. The Soul Hall had already put down deep roots here. Even Yun Shan, the former sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, had been developed into an external member of the hall.

"Fine. Continue overseeing the affairs within the hall. Also, while searching for the relevant information, gather intelligence on Heavenly Flames for me," Hun Cang ordered.

Hun Xiaoqiang froze slightly and turned his head. "Hall Master, why are we investigating Heavenly Flames?"

"Is that something you should be asking?" Hun Cang's expression turned cold.

Although he was only a Dou Emperor, he frightened Hun Xiaoqiang, a Dou Zong, into trembling. Hun Xiaoqiang immediately knelt to admit his mistake, and the other Dou Emperors did the same.

That was the advantage of the difference in status!

"There won't be a next time. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind replacing the Vice Hall Master!" Hun Cang swept a cold gaze over them, snorted, and tossed out a Jade Talisman. "Notify me when you have news."

Afterward, Hun Cang did not enter the Soul Hall and instead left directly.

On the way to Wutan City, Hun Cang recalled the Vice Hall Master's question and could not help smiling.

Why search for Heavenly Flames?

Of course, in the current Dou Qi Continent, there were only two paths to becoming a Dou Emperor. One was the Emperor Pill within Tou She Ancient God's Cave Mansion.

The other was to devour Heavenly Flames, accept the origin left behind by Tou She Ancient God, and advance to become a Dou Emperor.

There was no need to say more—Hun Cang had unquestionably chosen the second path.

After all, to become an emperor through the Emperor Pill, his useless father Hun Tiandi had ultimately needed to nearly sacrifice the entire Central Continent and the Hun Clan just to barely succeed.

"Judging by the time, Xiao Yan should be about to break through to Dou Zhe. I can give him the Burning Art as well." Hun Cang was already looking forward to what reward the system would return then.

Would it be an entirely new technique, allowing him to walk another path to becoming an emperor?

Or would it be the complete Burning Art?

Back then, Tou She Ancient God had personally told Xiao Yan that he too cultivated the Burning Art, and that it was not even the complete version.

In the blink of an eye, a long time passed.

Hun Cang, speeding through the air, finally saw the outline of Wutan City once more.

"Now that I have the Spatial Jade Slip, no matter what, I have to leave one for Xiao Yan. Flying everywhere every time may offer beautiful scenery, but it's still rather tiring," he muttered to himself.

At the same time.

Xiao Family marketplace.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er walked together, occasionally stopping at stalls to buy a few things.

For the past few days, Xiao Yan had been preparing to break through to the Dou Zhe realm. Busy cultivating every day, he had neglected to spend time with Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er had come looking for him that day. Since he was only one final step away, he no longer avoided her and agreed to her request to go shopping.

Xiao Xun'er held Xiao Yan's arm, occasionally picking up pieces of jewelry and asking for his opinion.

After Xiao Yan got distracted several times, Xiao Xun'er finally puffed up her cheeks and said, "Brother Xiao Yan, can you be more attentive? Don't you know that being distracted while shopping with a girl is very irritating?"

"Yes, yes, I was wrong. Don't be angry, little Xun'er." Xiao Yan subconsciously rubbed his nose and apologized with a smile.

Xiao Xun'er snorted. After taking a few steps, she said, "Brother Xiao Yan, are you troubled over a cultivation technique? If you need one, I have some here. Brother Xiao Yan, feel free to take them."

"No need. The Xiao Family has cultivation techniques." Xiao Yan refused without hesitation.

As the two spoke, they unknowingly reached the entrance of the Xiao Family market, where they were suddenly blocked by a group approaching from ahead.

"Well, if it isn't the Xiao Family's worthless Third Young Master?"

Within the crowd, a richly dressed young man was surrounded like the stars around the moon, a mocking expression on his face.

"Jia Lie'ao..." Recognizing him, Xiao Yan frowned slightly.

The two great families were competing for the market's business. Whenever their young patriarchs met, sparks flew.

Then, as a pale-faced young man in white beside Jia Lie'ao spoke, the tension between the two sides grew even thicker.

"Brother Liu Xi, the Xiao Family isn't someone we can provoke. They have a Dou Emperor behind them," Jia Lie'ao advised, while inwardly cursing Liu Xi, whose mind was full of lust, to the heavens.

Other than refining medicine and women, couldn't he think about anything else all day?

Liu Xi paid no attention to the warning. Doubt filled his eyes; he did not believe a Dou Emperor would appear in a place like this.

Seeing that the other side had not only flirted with Xiao Xun'er but had also insulted his elder brother, Xiao Yan immediately called for help.

In an instant, all the Xiao Family guards gathered around with weapons in hand. Seeing that things were going badly, the Jia Lie Family members also went back to summon reinforcements.