Heading Far Away to the Black Corner Region

Dou Qi Continent, Zhongzhou.

Pill Region, Saint Pill City.

A girl who looked twelve or thirteen, her face filled with worry, held Xuan Jin's hand and tried to keep him from leaving.

"Brother Xuan Jin, are you really leaving today?"

"Ying'er, how can one see a rainbow without weathering the storm?" Xuan Jin said calmly.

He gently pulled Cao Ying's hand away, then clasped her small hand in his own.

"This boy... sigh."

Xuan Yi wore a sorrowful expression, feeling utterly helpless.

Even she could do nothing about Jin'er's body. Perhaps he might encounter some opportunity if he went out into the world.

After comforting Cao Ying, Xuan Jin slowly walked up to Xuan Yi. He bowed slightly, cupped his hands, and solemnly said,

"Master, please take good care of yourself in the future."

Xuan Yi stepped forward and helped Xuan Jin up with both hands, placing a Storage Ring in his palm.

"Jin'er, this is the luggage I prepared for you. When traveling the world, remember that your own safety must come first."

Xuan Yi spoke softly, her tone full of reluctance.

After all, Xuan Jin had lived with her for fourteen years.

Xuan Jin nodded, his eyes full of reluctance, along with a trace of unusual emotion.

Cao Ying also stepped forward and placed a Storage Ring in Xuan Jin's palm.

"Brother Xuan Jin, I brought all of my father's treasured Seventh-grade Medicinal Materials. When you're away from home, remember to miss me."

"You silly girl." Xuan Jin rubbed Cao Ying's head, warmth filling his heart.

Looking at the childhood friend he had known for years, Xuan Jin felt warmth well up within him.

His thoughts unconsciously returned to the morning when they had first met.

Xuan Jin remembered it clearly. Not long after he had followed Master Xuan Yi to the Pill Tower, he had been in the medicinal herb garden, familiarizing himself with the characteristics of various spiritual herbs.

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother!"

A clear voice came from behind him. Xuan Jin turned around and saw a little girl around eight or nine years old running over, her hair tied into two braids and her cheeks flushed red.

"You are?" Xuan Jin asked in confusion.

"My name is Cao Ying. I just joined the Pill Tower, and I heard there's a very impressive senior brother here. Is that you?"

The little girl blinked her large eyes and curiously sized Xuan Jin up.

Xuan Jin shook his head. "Impressive is an overstatement. I'm merely Elder Xuan Yi's disciple."

After saying that, Xuan Jin began sizing up the little girl before him. Her name was Cao Ying, and she was in the Pill Tower. Then she should be Cao Ying, the Enchantress from the original story.

Except the current Cao Ying was still just a little girl.

"Wow, Elder Xuan Yi's disciple!" Cao Ying's eyes lit up.

"Then you really are amazing! Senior Brother, why do you give off such a comfortable feeling?"

Xuan Jin froze for a moment. This little girl's senses were quite sharp.

Because of his special physique, his body naturally emitted gentle fire-attributed energy. To those who also cultivated fire-attributed techniques, it truly gave off a sense of familiarity.

"Maybe it's because of the cultivation technique," Xuan Jin explained casually.

"It really feels so comfortable!" Cao Ying involuntarily moved a little closer. "Senior Brother, can I study with you?"

And just like that, the little girl latched onto Xuan Jin.

At first, Xuan Jin found her troublesome. But as time passed, he discovered that this childhood friend was indeed clever, had decent talent for alchemy, and possessed a cheerful personality that always brought some fun to the dull life of cultivation.

Later, Cao Ying took Xuan Kongzi as her master, but she still often ran over to Xuan Jin.

When the Cao Clan learned that Cao Ying's beloved was Xuan Yi's disciple, not only did they raise no objections, they even supported it. After all, Xuan Yi's status within the Pill Tower spoke for itself.

"Brother Xuan Jin, what are you thinking about?" Cao Ying's voice pulled Xuan Jin back to reality.

Xuan Jin smiled. "I was thinking about the first time I met you."

"Hmph, you thought I was annoying back then." Cao Ying pouted.

"I still do," Xuan Jin said deliberately.

"You!" Cao Ying stamped her foot in anger, but she quickly laughed again.

"But I don't believe you. If you really found me annoying, why did you keep all the candies I gave you?"

Xuan Jin was speechless. This little girl really remembered everything.

"It's getting late. I should leave." Xuan Jin gathered his thoughts and turned to leave.

"Wait!" A voice rang out as Xuan Kongzi appeared in the courtyard.

"Martial Uncle Xuan Kongzi." Xuan Jin cupped his hands in greeting.

Xuan Kongzi waved a hand. "No need to be so formal, Jin'er. Once you leave, Ying'er will probably cry her eyes out."

"Master!" Cao Ying blushed and protested coquettishly.

"Haha, all right, all right."

Xuan Kongzi laughed and waved his hand, then looked at Xuan Jin.

"Jin'er, can't you wait a little longer regarding your body? Perhaps we can still think of another way."

Xuan Jin shook his head. "Martial Uncle, my mind is made up. Besides, this is not necessarily a bad thing. If I venture out, perhaps I really can find a solution."

Xuan Kongzi sighed. He knew Xuan Jin was stubborn, and once he made a decision, it was difficult to change his mind.

"Fine. Since that is the case, take care of yourself."

Xuan Kongzi paused.

"Oh, right. When you're away, remember to send Ying'er a message, so this girl won't worry."

"Master!" Cao Ying was both embarrassed and annoyed.

Watching this scene, warmth surged through Xuan Jin's heart.

Though they were parting, with so many people caring about him, what was there to regret?

After his farewells, Xuan Jin gave this place where he had lived for fourteen years one last look, then turned and left.

Cao Ying's voice came from behind him. "Brother Xuan Jin, you have to come back!"

Xuan Jin did not turn around. He merely waved a hand.

After Xuan Jin's figure completely disappeared, Xuan Kongzi walked over to Cao Ying.

"Ying'er, that boy is gone. Now you must cultivate diligently. Otherwise, if he resolves the hidden danger in his body, the gap between you two will only grow wider in the future."

Xuan Yi nodded as well. "Ying'er, separation is for the sake of a better reunion."

The moment she finished speaking, a carefree figure suddenly surfaced in Xuan Yi's mind, and a trace of complicated emotion flashed through her eyes.

Yao Chen, where are you now?

Cao Ying wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded.

"Master, I will. If Brother Xuan Jin can resolve his body's problem, then I must become stronger too. Only then will I be worthy of him."

"That's my good disciple." Xuan Kongzi smiled in satisfaction.

Two months later, Black Corner Region, Feng City.

Xuan Jin looked at the city before him, filled with the stench of blood and chaos, and a trace of complicated emotion flashed through his eyes.

After two months, he had finally arrived.

As one of the Black Corner Region's important cities, Feng City was filled with fugitives and powerful experts.

There were no laws here, only strength. The strong preyed on the weak; that was the only rule.

On the streets, scarred experts could be seen everywhere. From time to time, sounds of fighting and screams drifted over from afar.

"Another fool who doesn't know his place, daring to cause trouble in Feng City," passersby discussed.

"Shh, keep your voice down. Don't let Lord Han Feng's men hear you."

Han Feng?

Xuan Jin's heart stirred. It seemed he had come to the right place.