Treasure Hunt

Zi Yan looked up at Shi Kang expectantly, her gaze fixed tightly on his face, her eyes filled with eagerness as she hoped he would give her an affirmative answer.

She truly, truly wanted to find her clansmen.

"Of course. He's very strong. Taking one more person along would be effortless for him." As Shi Kang spoke, he lightly patted Shi Fei on the shoulder, the gesture carrying a touch of confidence and composure.

Zi Yan immediately brightened up, excitement sparkling in her eyes and unconcealable joy spreading across her face.

"This..." Su Qian frowned slightly, hesitation appearing on his face. He actually wanted to stop her.

After all, they did not know Shi Kang at all. They did not even know his name yet. Letting Zi Yan leave with him so casually was truly worrying.

But seeing Zi Yan looking so happy that she seemed ready to fly, Su Qian swallowed the words that had reached his lips and ultimately said nothing.

He understood Zi Yan's situation all too well. He had brought Zi Yan back and cared for her, and over the years, she had always asked from time to time what her true form was.

This little girl, who usually disliked reading, often ran to the Scripture Library and flipped through all kinds of Monster Beast encyclopedias from across the continent, page by page, just to find clues about her true form. How could Su Qian not know what Zi Yan was thinking and what she wanted to do?

Find her family and ask why they had abandoned her—this had practically become Zi Yan's obsession.

Now, someone who could see through her true form and knew what she was had finally appeared. That person was even willing to take her along. Zi Yan would definitely seize this chance tightly and never let go.

Forget it, let her go. This young man had such a powerful guard at his side. If he truly wanted to do something to Zi Yan, Jia Nan Academy would not be able to stop him at all. There was no need for him to go through such a roundabout way to achieve his goal.

With that thought, Su Qian took a deep breath and looked at Shi Kang. "May I ask your name?"

Su Qian felt that he at least had to know the other party's name, even if knowing it might be useless...

"My name is Shi Kang. My clan is in the Central Continent. First Elder Su Qian, rest assured, I won't let anything happen to Zi Yan," Shi Kang said to Su Qian.

Shi Kang did not particularly care about Su Qian, but Su Qian had brought Zi Yan back and raised her, and the two had a good relationship. He still had to put on a show of courtesy.

Promises like that were easy enough to make. Saying them would not cost him anything.

Zi Yan also began comforting Su Qian. "Old Man Su Qian, don't worry. I won't get taken advantage of. I'm so smart—who could possibly trick me?"

Just as Shi Kang had thought, although Zi Yan kept calling him Old Man Su Qian, she was still deeply grateful that Su Qian had brought her back to Jia Nan Academy.

As she spoke, Zi Yan waved her little fist, looking as though she was not someone to be messed with.

Seeing Zi Yan's petite frame paired with that gesture, Shi Kang found it utterly lacking in intimidation and could not help wanting to laugh.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, young friend Shi Kang, to look after Zi Yan." Su Qian cupped his hands toward Shi Kang, his tone carrying a hint of plea.

Shi Kang said, "Rest assured, First Elder Su Qian!"

Even if Su Qian had not said anything, Shi Kang would still protect Zi Yan.

To put it plainly, Zi Yan would one day become the Dragon Emperor of the Ancient Void Dragons. She was a powerful force who could help the Stone Clan resist the Soul Clan, so Shi Kang certainly would not let anything happen to her.

Besides, this Loli Zi Yan was so cute and interesting. Bringing her back to raise...

Ahem, I'm thinking too far ahead. In any case, Shi Kang would definitely protect her.

Yes, being good-looking gave one privileges with Shi Kang.

Shi Kang took Zi Yan's little hand. "Then let's go."

Shi Kang gave Zi Yan a different feeling, one that made her feel safe, so she did not resist such an intimate gesture.

Zi Yan nodded and happily waved with her other hand. "Goodbye, Old Man Su Qian!"

After saying that, Shi Kang and Shi Fei left with Zi Yan.

Zi Yan turned back for one more look at Jia Nan Academy, the place where she had lived for a long time. Even someone as carefree as her rarely showed such reluctance to part.

Shi Kang said, "Don't worry. We'll have chances to come back in the future."

Zi Yan nodded vigorously.

After flying some distance away from the Inner Academy, Zi Yan suddenly called Shi Kang to a stop.

"Wait, Shi Kang." In truth, Zi Yan had remembered his name the moment he introduced himself. She thought it was rather smooth and pleasant to say.

Shi Kang looked at her in confusion, unable to help wondering, Could Zi Yan be regretting this? Does she miss Jia Nan Academy and want to go back?

Don't do that. I finally managed to coax her out.

Zi Yan's large eyes resembled two bright black gemstones as she asked a completely random question. "Shi Kang, are you very strong?"

Shi Kang did not know what Zi Yan was up to, but he still answered modestly, "I'm alright, I suppose. Why?"

"I know there are lots of precious Medicinal Herbs nearby. Before we leave, let's go take them!" Zi Yan's eyes shone with cunning excitement, and she looked just like a little fox.

"You can't beat the Monster Beasts guarding those Medicinal Herbs, so you want me to help you deal with them, right?" Shi Kang immediately exposed her little scheme, a faint smile on his lips.

Zi Yan felt a little embarrassed at being called out. Her small face flushed slightly; she truly could not beat those Monster Beasts.

But Zi Yan cared greatly about her pride, so she still tried to argue. "No! They're just too crafty. Every time I go to take their things, they call over their companions and gang up on me. They have no sense of fair play at all!"

Shi Kang looked utterly unconvinced.

"Shi Kang, I'll lead the way, and you deal with those Monster Beasts. How about we split the Medicinal Herbs we take fifty-fifty?" Zi Yan blinked at Shi Kang expectantly.

To be honest, Shi Kang was not particularly interested in the precious Medicinal Herbs Zi Yan mentioned. What good things could a barren place like the Northwest Continent possibly have?

Anything in his Storage Ring would be better than the things here.

When Zi Yan saw that Shi Kang remained silent, she thought he was unwilling. Biting her little tiger teeth, she said anxiously, "Then sixty-forty. You get sixty, and I get forty. Is that alright?"

"I really know where lots and lots of precious Medicinal Herbs are! It would be such a shame not to take them!" Zi Yan said pitifully, blinking her eyes.

Shi Kang could not help laughing. Had Zi Yan just thought he found a fifty-fifty split too little?

He was the Young Clan Leader of Stone Clan. Would he lack such things?

Fine, then they would go. He could treat it as a way to build rapport and, incidentally, see Zi Yan's treasure-hunting ability.

If her treasure-hunting ability was strong, then he had truly found a treasure.

Because Shi Clan Members generally trained their bodies, they required quite a large amount of Medicinal Herbs and pills. Shi Kang was someone the clan devoted all its resources to cultivating, so he did not lack Cultivation Resources, but that did not mean the Stone Clan did not lack them.

The Stone Clan's resources were actually quite tight, barely enough for the more talented clansmen.

If the Ancient Void Dragons' treasure-hunting ability was strong, then after helping Zi Yan ascend to the position of Dragon Emperor in the future, the Stone Clan's problem with Cultivation Resources could be resolved.

After understanding this, Shi Kang became even less opposed to Zi Yan's proposal to go treasure hunting.