Departure

The next morning.

Xiao Peng bade farewell to Xiao Yan and the others, then left the Xiao Family alone.

"Hmm... I should say goodbye to Ya Fei while I'm at it. We've known each other for so long. It wouldn't feel right to leave without telling her."

Having just left the Xiao Family, Xiao Peng considered it for a moment before heading to the auction house to find Ya Fei.

A short while later, at the Mite'er Family Auction House.

There were not many customers in the hall yet. Only a few attendants were cleaning. The air was filled with a faint sandalwood fragrance, mixed with a barely perceptible hint of powder and perfume.

"Young Master Xiao Peng?" A sharp-eyed steward recognized him and hurried forward to bow. "Why have you come today? My lady is handling some matters in the inner hall. Shall I fetch her at once?"

Xiao Peng quickly raised a hand to stop him. "No need to trouble yourself. I only came to say goodbye."

His gaze swept across the empty hall. "If Sister Ya Fei is busy, I won't disturb her. Please pass on a message for me: Xiao Peng is leaving the city today. Thank you for looking after me all these years."

Just as he finished speaking, a series of soft footsteps sounded. Ya Fei emerged, dressed in a lake-blue casual gown.

There were no elaborate ornaments in her hair, only a jade hairpin holding up her dark locks. Her simple appearance lacked some of the sharpness she displayed while presiding over auctions, replacing it with a softer air.

"I was just about to head out when I heard your voice." Ya Fei walked up to him, her gaze settling on Xiao Peng with a trace of understanding. "You're leaving already?"

Xiao Peng nodded. "I plan to travel and gain experience for a while, then attend Jia Nan Academy."

Upon hearing this, Ya Fei gestured for him to follow and turned toward the VIP room.

Before entering the VIP room, she signaled for the steward to fetch something.

The steward indicated that he understood, then turned and left to retrieve it.

Though somewhat puzzled, Xiao Peng followed her as instructed.

The VIP room was elegantly furnished. Several ink-wash landscapes hung on the walls, while wisps of smoke curled up from the incense burner in the corner, making that familiar sandalwood scent seem all the more tranquil.

Ya Fei sat beside a pearwood table and gestured for him to sit as well. Then she personally poured him a cup of tea and pushed it before him. "Jia Nan Academy is one of the foremost places of cultivation on the continent. Being admitted is proof of your ability."

She lifted her own teacup, lightly tapping its rim with her fingertips. "But that place is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. It is nothing like Wu Tan City. You must be more careful in all things."

Though she knew Xiao Peng was a monstrous genius, she still had to say this to him.

She had once heard of arrogant geniuses who went to Jia Nan Academy, only to discover that they were merely ordinary there. Unable to accept it, they suffered a severe blow to their confidence.

Xiao Peng accepted the teacup, warmth flowing through his fingertips. "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Sister Ya Fei."

"You're steady by nature, so I needn't say much," Ya Fei said with a smile, though her eyes grew more serious. "But some things still need to be said. Jia Nan Academy is not merely a place of cultivation. It is also a place where various factions secretly contend with one another. Do not become entangled in conflicts too easily. Your foremost task is to improve your strength."

Xiao Peng nodded in agreement. "I'll remember it."

"My lady, I've brought the items."

"Come in."

The steward entered, approached Ya Fei, handed her a Storage Ring, then took his leave from the VIP room.

Ya Fei held the Storage Ring, her fingertips gently brushing its smooth surface for a moment before she pushed it toward Xiao Peng. "There are some ordinary things inside. They may prove useful."

Xiao Peng looked at the Storage Ring and hurriedly declined. "Sister Ya Fei, there's no need for this..."

"Take it." Ya Fei interrupted him, her tone gentle yet leaving no room for refusal. "You gave me a Fourth-grade Pill before. This older sister has nothing particularly valuable to offer, so I can only give you these things."

Seeing the sincere determination in Ya Fei's eyes, Xiao Peng ultimately swallowed the refusal that had reached his lips.

He knew that if he kept declining, it would only make them seem distant.

"Then... thank you, Sister Ya Fei." Xiao Peng reached out and took the Storage Ring.

Seeing that Xiao Peng had accepted it, Ya Fei raised her teacup and took a sip, as though a weight had been lifted from her mind. "There are several sets of durable clothes inside, as well as some pills for healing injuries and restoring Dou Qi. They're all practical items. I also prepared some maps for you. They may come in handy."

Xiao Peng's grip around the Storage Ring tightened as warmth welled up within him.

When Xiao Peng rose to say goodbye, his fingertips had just touched the door handle.

"Wait."

Ya Fei's voice suddenly came from behind him.

Xiao Peng turned around, only to see Ya Fei quickly step forward and gently pull him into her embrace before he could react.

Xiao Peng's body stiffened slightly, while Ya Fei's faint fragrance lingered around his nose.

"Once you're out there, don't push yourself too hard." Ya Fei's voice came from above him, carrying a nearly imperceptible hoarseness. "There are plenty of geniuses in the world, but those who can smile all the way to the end are often the ones who know how to cherish their own lives."

Xiao Peng could feel the faint rise and fall of her chest, and his face gradually turned a little red.

Only after a moment did Xiao Peng recover. He raised a hand and gently patted Ya Fei's shoulder. "I understand, Sister Ya Fei. You too... take good care of yourself."

Ya Fei released him and stepped back half a pace. Her face had regained its usual composure, though the faint redness at the corners of her eyes had yet to completely fade.

Ya Fei raised a hand to straighten his collar, her movements as natural as if she had reminded a younger member of the family countless times. "Go on. Keep an eye on your direction and don't take the wrong road."

She had always thought rather well of Xiao Peng, especially after he gave her the pill. Her favor toward him had increased greatly.

Xiao Peng nodded heavily, gave Ya Fei one final look, then turned and pulled open the door.

"I'm off, Sister Ya Fei." Xiao Peng raised the Storage Ring in his hand.

Ya Fei smiled and nodded without saying anything more, merely raising her hand in farewell.

Only after the door slowly closed, cutting off her view, did she turn and walk to the window, watching Xiao Peng's figure disappear around the street corner.

After leaving Wu Tan City, Xiao Peng took out the Qingping Sword and lightly pressed a fingertip against its hilt.

The Qingping Sword let out a clear hum, then rose into the air and hovered half a foot before him.

With a light tap of his toes, Xiao Peng landed gracefully atop the sword, his robes fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

The Qingping Sword flashed faintly and carried him forward like a streak of light, rapidly flying toward Qing Shan Town.

Qing Shan Town was located near the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Because of its proximity to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, it was also known as Magical Beast Town.

Naturally, the largest group in the town consisted of mercenaries who lived each day with their lives on the line.

The Qingping Sword pierced through the clouds. In less than half a day, the outline of Qing Shan Town had become clear below.

Looking down at Qing Shan Town, Xiao Peng thought of someone famous here.

That person was Xiao Yi Xian.

The Qingping Sword carried Xiao Peng down slowly, finally stopping in a relatively secluded patch of woodland outside the town.

After putting away the Qingping Sword, Xiao Yan walked toward Qing Shan Town.

Upon arriving in Qing Shan Town, Xiao Peng thought of the famous Wan Yao Zhai here.

Xiao Yan had bought Blood Lotus Essence here. He could go and buy that Blood Lotus Essence first.

Although he had no need for it, he could make Xiao Yan owe him a favor.

Blood Lotus Essence was an exceedingly rare high-grade medicinal herb. It generally grew alongside Yellow Lotus Essence, and its quantity was extremely scarce. In appearance, it was almost completely identical to Yellow Lotus Essence.