Before Departure

The next day.

"Big Sis Ya Fei, I'm planning to leave Wutan City for a while. I'll return when Jia Nan Academy begins its recruitment."

Inside Ya Fei's office at the Mittel Auction House, Xiao Yuan skillfully handed over a list.

"Oh? You're leaving so soon?"

Ya Fei asked curiously.

"I can cultivate in Wutan City too, but the Xiao Clan doesn't need me to do anything for the time being. One can't cultivate Dou Qi by shutting oneself away; testing what one has learned through battles with others is equally important."

Xiao Yuan nodded and spoke seriously.

More importantly, Wutan City's resources were rather limited. If he stayed in the clan, he would have to consume the clan's resources. If he went outside, he could strive for more cultivation resources. That way, the clan could develop faster, and he could speed up his own cultivation as well.

Although the Monster Mountain Range was dangerous, both Medicinal Herbs and monster cores would be of great benefit to Xiao Yuan's cultivation.

Fortune was found amid danger!

Seeing the determination in Xiao Yuan's eyes, Ya Fei nodded slightly.

"I'll remain in Wutan City and wait for you to return for Jia Nan Academy's recruitment. After that, I should return to the Imperial Capital."

Ya Fei put away the list and spoke seriously.

"Alright."

Xiao Yuan smiled.

He had been in this world for over ten years. Ever since his clan moved to Wutan City when he was young, he had never left the city. Now that he was finally going out to make his way in the world, he could not help feeling a little excited.

"By the way, I haven't congratulated you yet. I heard you were the one who killed Gale Bi yesterday?"

Ya Fei suddenly blinked and teased him.

"Heh, I merely picked up the leftovers. That old dog lost his mind and actually tried to attack me, so I happened to use his life to test the power of that Profound Rank High Level Dou Skill Teng Shan Great Elder gave me."

Xiao Yuan chuckled.

"Well, no matter what, you possess combat strength far beyond opponents of the same level, which does make me feel more at ease. Be careful once you leave Wutan City. After all, once you're outside, the only person you can rely on is yourself. Don't adapt to circumstances so recklessly like you did yesterday. If anything goes wrong, it'll be far too dangerous. Your big sister is still waiting for you in the Imperial Capital!"

As Ya Fei spoke, she walked over to Xiao Yuan's side. Looking into his eyes, she earnestly reminded him.

"Don't worry. By then, I'll at least be a Da Dou Shi!"

Xiao Yuan said softly with a smile.

"Alright, Big Sis will be waiting for you~"

Ya Fei nodded, a charming and captivating smile blooming across her mature, lovely face.

Seeing Ya Fei's crescent-shaped eyes and her beautiful, alluring face as she smiled, Xiao Yuan's heart stirred slightly.

"Big Sis Ya Fei."

Xiao Yuan called softly, reaching out to wrap an arm around Ya Fei's soft waist and pull her into his embrace, holding her tightly.

The two soft mounds were squeezed slightly out of shape, bringing an intoxicating sensation.

Caught off guard by Xiao Yuan's embrace, Ya Fei's lovely face immediately flushed. Their hearts beat faster, gradually falling into the same rhythm.

Within his warm embrace, Ya Fei's expression gradually became more alluring.

A pleasant fragrance drifted into Xiao Yuan's nose, while the soft sensation in his arms made him feel extraordinarily content. He slowly closed his eyes.

This was so healing!

After a long while, Xiao Yuan reluctantly withdrew his hands from her soft body, and their perfectly pressed-together bodies finally separated.

Their eyes met, and both of them had a hint of heat in their gazes.

Xiao Yuan's lips moved slightly before he slowly leaned toward Ya Fei's delicate red lips.

But in the next instant, Ya Fei raised a hand and pressed a finger against his lips.

"Little Brother Xiao Yuan can't be too greedy. Let's save this kiss for later."

Ya Fei smiled and blinked, her long lashes trembling slightly.

"Mm."

Xiao Yuan pursed his lips and nodded.

"Alright, sit here for a while. Big Sis will go prepare these things for you. It won't take long."

Ya Fei reached out with her jade-like hand and gently pinched Xiao Yuan's cheek. After saying that with a smile, she quickly left.

Watching Ya Fei's departing figure, Xiao Yuan touched the cheek she had pinched and shook his head with a smile.

"You're leaving?"

Within the Xiao Clan's main hall, Xiao Zhan and the three elders all looked stunned upon hearing this.

"Mm. I originally planned to leave after gradually devouring the Gale Family and the Oba Family, but since everything has already been settled, there's no need for me to remain in the clan. I'll go to the Monster Mountain Range to train for a while and return before Jia Nan Academy begins recruitment. Father and the three elders needn't worry."

Xiao Yuan nodded, his expression relaxed.

"Will that teacher of yours go with you?"

Xiao Zhan frowned and asked.

"Heh, I'll only be dealing with some Dou Zhes and Dou Shis. There's no need to trouble his old self. Xiao Yan needs Teacher's guidance more than I do. I believe that in the future, he'll become the continent's greatest alchemist."

Xiao Yuan said with a smile.

Hearing Xiao Yuan's "exaggerated" praise, Xiao Zhan helplessly shook his head.

Ever since he was young, Xiao Yuan had always said that his younger brother Xiao Yan possessed Dou Emperor potential. Now he was talking about the continent's greatest alchemist. This brat really dared to boast. "You... if Yan'er knew you held such high expectations for him, he would probably cultivate even in his sleep from now on."

Xiao Zhan sighed.

"Heh, I believe in my own judgment, and I believe in Xiao Yan's talent and perseverance. As his elder brother, I naturally have to work even harder and set a good example for him."

Xiao Yuan's tone was filled with confidence.

"Fine. Be careful out there. With your wits, I'm not worried that you'll suffer losses, but you're sometimes too confident. Watch yourself. Too much confidence isn't a good thing!"

Xiao Zhan naturally understood Xiao Yuan's thoughts. After nodding, he solemnly reminded him.

Outside the hall, Xiao Yan listened to Xiao Yuan's words with his head slightly lowered. His lips were pressed together, his eyes downcast, and his emotions were complicated.

"Your Third Brother truly treats you well. Even I'm a little envious."

Yao Lao's voice sounded within Xiao Yan's heart.

"Teacher, I want to cultivate faster. Is there a way?"

After a moment of silence, Xiao Yan asked in a deep voice.

"There is, but I'm afraid you'll have to suffer a little."

Yao Lao said meaningfully.

"It's fine. No matter what cultivation method it is, as long as it doesn't harm my foundation, Teacher can use it without restraint. I can endure it!"

Xiao Yan replied firmly in his heart.

Yao Lao smiled with satisfaction. "Good, that's the spirit!"

"Don't worry, Father. I won't be careless. This trip to the Monster Mountain Range may even allow me to lay some foundations for the expansion of the Xiao Clan's influence.

"However, Father and the three elders will still have to pay more attention to matters in Wutan City. Overall, more than half of Wutan City's Da Dou Shi experts are gone. Such a situation will inevitably attract covetous eyes.

"Fortunately, I have some ties with the Mite'er Family, and the Mittel Auction House will help the Xiao Clan. As for how to proceed, that will depend entirely on Father and the three elders!"

Xiao Yuan responded before offering another reminder.

Xiao Zhan and the three elders nodded, their faces thoughtful.

However, they were not worried. They had managed to endure all these years without so much help and so many resources. There was no way that, now that they possessed a city's worth of resources and the Mittel Auction House's assistance, they could develop worse than before.