Familiar Swallows Return

Looking at the people curled up on the ground like prawns beneath his feet, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly.

"Honestly, I told you not to make a move, but you just wouldn't listen. Happy now?"

In contrast to Xiao Yan's helpless expression, the mercenaries who had been so aggressive moments ago could not help but take a step back. They looked at Xiao Yan with both wariness and shock.

After all, the mercenaries who had attacked Xiao Yan were all genuine Dou Zhes. Though none of them had surpassed Five Star Dou Zhe, each of them possessed combat strength far beyond that of ordinary people.

Yet this young man had knocked them down one punch at a time with ease, his face unflushed and his breathing steady, as if it had taken no effort at all.

If Xiao Yan had merely been frighteningly strong, they could have accepted it. But the crucial point was, how old was this guy?

Judging by his appearance, he could not have been over sixteen. Yet at such an age, he could effortlessly bring down five or six Dou Zhes.

If this was truly his age, then his talent was simply too terrifying.

Ignoring the mercenaries on the ground, Xiao Yan moved toward Xiao Yi Xian, who was hiding behind the crowd.

As they watched Xiao Yan slowly approach, the mercenaries exchanged glances and involuntarily retreated another step.

Given the strength Xiao Yan had displayed earlier, no one present could likely defeat him in a one-on-one fight.

Yet as Xiao Yan drew closer and closer to Xiao Yi Xian, several mercenaries with some courage still stepped forward.

"Please move aside. I really don't like fighting."

Xiao Yan's gaze swept over the mercenaries, and the gentle smile remained on his lips. But when his pitch-black eyes met theirs, their legs inexplicably went weak. As if possessed, they retreated two steps with fear in their eyes.

It was not that they were cowardly. Xiao Yan had released a trace of Soul Power pressure just then, and at the instant their gazes met, it had stripped them of all courage to fight.

Although his current Soul Power was only comparable to that of a Fourth Grade Alchemist, Xiao Yan's terrifying will was such that even a Dou Emperor would feel fear before fighting him after meeting his gaze, much less a group of Dou Zhes.

However, just as Xiao Yan was getting closer and closer to Xiao Yi Xian, a fierce whistle of wind suddenly sounded from behind him.

The sound of force tearing through the air made several mercenaries change expression. Based on their years of combat experience, they could roughly judge that if this blow landed, even a Nine Star Dou Zhe would be injured if caught unprepared.

Yet Xiao Yan's expression did not change in the face of this sneak attack. He shifted sideways, dodging the iron rod carrying tremendous force, then drove his right elbow backward into the attacker's chest.

With a dull thud, Xiao Yan remained completely still, while the figure was sent flying several meters. He spat out a mouthful of blood when he landed and collapsed to the ground, unable to get back up.

"Young Commander!"

"Young Commander!"

Two mercenaries wearing Wolf Head Emblems hurried over from the crowd and carefully helped the bleeding young man up.

This scene made everyone present even more wary of Xiao Yan.

Mu Li, who had just tried to ambush Xiao Yan, was a genuine Five Star Dou Zhe. Yet that youth had knocked him down without even turning his head.

With Xiao Yan's Soul Power, he had recognized Mu Li hiding among the crowd the moment the man stepped out.

Though he did not turn around, he sighed helplessly in his heart once more.

I wasn't even planning to hold anything against trash like you in this life, yet you keep lining up to throw yourselves at me.

Without turning back to acknowledge Mu Li, who lay on the ground glaring at him resentfully, Xiao Yan finally reached Xiao Yi Xian after all those twists and turns.

"Y-you, what are you going to do?"

Having witnessed Xiao Yan effortlessly defeat so many Dou Zhes, even Xiao Yi Xian's face had gone slightly pale with fright.

When she saw Xiao Yan approach, she unconsciously took two steps back, her beautiful eyes watching him with fear.

"What could I possibly do to you?"

Xiao Yan smiled and reached out, intending to smooth the hair before her forehead. But Xiao Yi Xian retreated another step, avoiding his hand.

Seeing her frightened appearance, Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile. He suddenly remembered that she was not the Xiao Yi Xian from his previous life, then shook his head helplessly.

"Sorry, I was too hasty. But fortunately, I still found you!"

Hearing Xiao Yan mutter to himself like a madman, Xiao Yi Xian's pretty face showed a strange expression. Yet when her beautiful eyes met those dark eyes, she somehow felt that the man before her bore her no ill will.

"Um, is it possible that you've got the wrong person?"

After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Yi Xian asked timidly.

Seeing her timid appearance, Xiao Yan let out a soft breath and said gently, "There are some things I can't explain clearly to you right now.

Once we spend more time together, you'll naturally understand."

"Spend more time together?"

Upon hearing that, not only Xiao Yi Xian, but even several mercenaries nearby were left staring in astonishment.

Xiao Yan did not care much about the looks from those around him. His eyes remained fixed on Xiao Yi Xian, and seeing her grow wary once more, he smiled helplessly.

"Take me to meet your Boss Yao later. I'd like to stay at the Ten Thousand Medicines Shop for a few days."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Yi Xian's expression changed again, and she could not help revealing a bitter smile.

"Can you not stay?"

Xiao Yan shook his head lightly, a smile curling on his lips. "What are you afraid of? It's not like I'm going to eat you."

"Looking at you like this, I really am scared."

Xiao Yi Xian muttered softly, but seeing that Xiao Yan remained unmoved, she thought for a moment before saying helplessly, "If Boss Yao doesn't agree, there's nothing I can do."

Though she said that, she knew Xiao Yan would likely really stay here.

With the strength Xiao Yan had shown, even if the Ten Thousand Medicines Shop was no weak force, it would be difficult for them to refuse his request.

For some reason, though Xiao Yan's actions were domineering and overbearing, like those of a bandit, whenever she met his gentle eyes, she found it difficult to feel disgusted by him.

After looking into his eyes for a long while, she even began to wonder whether she had truly known Xiao Yan before.

After chatting briefly and seeing that Xiao Yan truly showed no malicious intent, Xiao Yi Xian relaxed slightly. Then, with graceful steps, she walked over to the mercenaries lying on the ground.

"Sorry. You got beaten up for nothing because of me."

After apologizing to the mercenaries, Xiao Yi Xian was about to take some medicine from her medical pouch and give it to them when several whistles of wind rang out.

In the next instant, several palm-sized Jade Bottles landed steadily before the mercenaries lying on the ground.

"Everyone, I was indeed somewhat discourteous just now. But then again, you were the ones who attacked first."

Xiao Yan had somehow appeared beside Xiao Yi Xian. Spreading his hands helplessly, he said, "Each Jade Bottle contains three First Grade Pills, Spring Return Powder. Consider it a small compensation from me, Xiao Yan."

After hearing Xiao Yan's words, many of the mercenaries around them froze for a moment, then suddenly regretted that they had not been the ones beaten up.

The young man had actually given out genuine pills, three at a time.

Such compensation was probably worth several months of their income.

Xiao Yi Xian also raised her pretty face slightly and stared in astonishment at Xiao Yan, who stood beside her smiling.

"You're an alchemist?"

Everyone's reaction to the latest chapter yesterday was a little intense. I was seriously stunned by all the criticism.

I hurried back and reread the plot, and I found that it really was a bit too cheesy. But I had already written twenty thousand words of drafts for the later parts, so it was too late for major changes. Donkey sat in front of the computer all afternoon and could only figure out ways to revise some details. I hope everyone can forgive me.

I won't say anything more. There are only a few days left until it goes premium. On the day it does, I'll release all twenty thousand words of saved drafts. So during these last few days, I hope the follow-up readership won't drop.

Donkey offers all you esteemed readers a respectful salute.