Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder~

After scrutinizing Xi Yan from head to toe, Grandma Za said, "Just how much wealth did you plunder from the Celestial Dragons, kid?"

This is a move involving tens of billions... That's just too outrageous!

"Um..."

After thinking about it carefully, Xi Yan said, "If some antiques can fetch a good price, it should be around a hundred billion."

Upon hearing this, the people in the room immediately showed expressions of shock.

Hundreds of billions?

This is terrifying!

"You've emptied out Mary Geoise?!" Grandma Za exclaimed in shock.

"How could that be?" Xi Yan shook his head and said, "This is just the wealth of Seven Celestial Dragons."

If Mary Geoise were truly emptied, the treasure would be worth trillions.

"That's quite an exaggeration..."

That's a hundred billion!

"No wonder they're Celestial Dragons..." Sander Sonia swallowed hard and said, "They're really rich."

At this moment, Sander Sonia fully experienced what it meant to be domineering.

"They certainly have money," Xi Yan nodded. "It's just a pity we couldn't kill more Celestial Dragons, otherwise we could have gotten even more."

Upon hearing Xi Yan's words, a look of helplessness appeared on Grandma Za's face. Wasn't this enough?

This kid is really greedy...

"Brother-in-law Lord, what about our gifts?" Sander Sonia asked cautiously.

"Right here."

Sander Sonia was stunned for a moment. Right here?

Are you referring to that pile of gifts or the gold and jewelry?

"Didn't you hear your brother-in-law?" Hancock pointed to the pile of treasure and said, "Go in there and pick out whatever you like."

"Yes, thank you, Brother-in-law Lord -Older Sister Lord!" Sander Sonia said.

Then, she pulled Marguerite toward the distant pile of treasure.

However, they didn't go for gold or similar items; instead, they were more interested in gems and weapons.

"This longsword looks pretty powerful, it's mine!"

"Then I'll take this big sword!"

Listening to the conversation between the Marguerite sisters in the distance, Merry raised her head and asked, "Can I go too?"

Of course.

Xi Yan squatted down, ruffled Little Merry's hair, and said, "Go."

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Merry lit up with joy, and she then jogged over to the Marguerite and Groot sisters.

"Does Merry have anything she likes?"

"Let me see..."

Merry looked at it for a while, then pointed to a bluebird necklace and said, "I want that!"

Upon hearing this, Marguerite glanced in the direction she was pointing, then reached out and took it off for her, before putting it around Merry's neck as well.

Looking at the bluebird necklace, Merry smiled and said, "Hehe, it's really pretty~"

"I think so too," Marguerite laughed.

"This necklace is indeed quite nice." Sander Sonia nodded, then picked up the sword in her hand and said, "But my sword is quite good too!"

"That's true."

Hearing the words of the three girls in the distance, Xi Yan smiled and then looked at Grandma Za and said, "Grandma Za, aren't you going to go and pick one out?"

"I'm not interested in these gold and silver jewels," Grandma Za said, shaking her head.

She's already so old, what use would she have for all this gold and silver jewelry?

Seeing that his Grandma Za had already said that, Xi Yan couldn't persuade her any further.

Then, he walked to the mountain of gifts piled up to the side and said, "Let's take a look at these, Grandma Za."

As they were talking, Xi Yan took out some gifts that he had previously planned to give to Grandma Za from the pile of gifts and gestured for Grandma Za to take a look.

After glancing at the gift in Xi Yan's hand, Grandma Za smiled and said, "This is nice, I like it very much."

Cigarettes, alcohol, candy, tea... those things suit her taste perfectly!

"I'm glad you like it," Xi Yan said with a smile.

He still respected the old man very much.

After selecting some items she liked, Grandma Za turned and walked outside.

Seeing this, Xi Yan picked out some gifts prepared for Hancock and then gestured for Hancock to follow.

"There are some of mine here too?" Hancock asked with delight.

"Of course," Xi Yan nodded. "How could I possibly forget you?"

Hancock's eyes lit up with emotion upon hearing this. To have a man like this was truly... wonderful!!

Seeing this, Xi Yan smiled, then turned to Sander Sonia and the other two and said, "Remember to take these gifts with you when you leave; they are also gifts I prepared for you."

"Understood, thank you, Brother-in-law Lord (Xi Yan)!"

"Okay, let's keep picking."

"Good!"

The three then continued to circle the pile of treasure, searching for anything that interested them.

Seeing this, Xi Yan shook his head, then left with Hancock, who seemed lost in thought.

"Is there going to be another banquet today?"

"Holding a banquet?"

Hearing the soldier's words, Aini Xida paused for a moment, then muttered, "That's possible..."

When Lord Xi Yan returned last time, Lady Hancock ordered a banquet. Perhaps she'll hold another one this time.

Thinking of this, a hint of anticipation appeared in Aini Xida's eyes.

Just then, Hancock's voice came from inside the house.

"Aini Xida, come in!"

"Yes, Snake Princess!"

Upon receiving the order, Aini Xida immediately snapped out of her daze, then turned and ran inside without a word.

Upon entering the palace, Aini Xida asked, "Snake Princess, what are your orders?"

"Go and prepare some drinks for me," Hancock ordered.

"Yes, Snake Princess!"

Having received the order, Aini Xida didn't waste any words and decisively turned and left.

"Why the sudden urge to drink?" Grandma Za asked, looking at Hancock with a puzzled expression.

"Isn't it because Xi Yan hasn't had a proper rest for several days? I hope he can have a good night's sleep after drinking some wine?" Hancock said.

If you drink tea, Xi Yan will have trouble sleeping, so it's better to drink alcohol.

"That's true," Grandma Za nodded.

Drinking alcohol can indeed help you sleep.

At this moment, Xi Yan gave a strange look, because he thought of the special drink that Shakky-jie had given him before.

'If I drink this... I probably won't be able to sleep,' Xi Yan thought to himself.

Never mind, let's talk about it another day.

"What are your plans for the next two years?" Grandma Za asked Xi Yan.

Listening to Grandma Za's words, Hancock also turned her gaze to Xi Yan, intending to hear Xi Yan's thoughts.

"I plan to go find Uncle Rayleigh and learn Haki first," Xi Yan said.

"Go learn Haki from him?"

Hancock paused for a moment, then gave a disgruntled look and said, "Why are you trying to learn Haki from that old geezer?"

"I can teach you too."

While her Haki presence may not match Rayleigh's, it's not far off either.

"Shall I learn from you...?"

"Yes, my Haki is also very strong!" Hancock nodded seriously.

As she spoke, she demonstrated her Armament Haki to Xi Yan, saying, "You should know how powerful my Haki is."

"That's true."

He certainly knew how strong Hancock's Haki was; after all... he had experienced its Haki firsthand!

So learning the Two-colored Haki from her shouldn't be a problem.

"So you're willing to learn from me?" Hancock asked in delight.

"I..."

Before Xi Yan could speak, Grandma Za said, "I don't think this is appropriate."

Upon hearing this, Hancock's face immediately fell, and she looked at Grandma Za with a displeased gaze, as if to say: What good will it do you to break me up with Xi Yan?

Grandma Za ignored Hancock's gaze and looked at Xi Yan, saying, "Hancock is indeed very strong, but her mastery of Haki is no match for Rayleigh."

"If you want to become a top-tier fighter, you'd better study with Rayleigh for a while."

Such opportunities to learn from top experts are rare, and she hoped that Xi Yan could make the most of them.

Xi Yan paused for a moment upon hearing this, then nodded and said, "That's indeed the case."

To hone your Haki to its strongest level, it's best to train with Rayleigh for a while.

Of course, it would be even better if one could learn Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

Thinking of this, Xi Yan said, "Then I'll go and train with Rayleigh for a while."

"But don't worry, it won't take more than a year."

The following sentence was clearly addressed to Hancock.

Hancock frowned upon hearing this; she truly didn't want Xi Yan to be separated from her.

Since Xi Yan had already said so, she couldn't say anything more, so she nodded and said, "Alright... then I'll personally escort you there."

"Good."

Xi Yan nodded, then smiled and said, "It would be even better if I could learn Conqueror's Haki Infusion within this year."

If that doesn't work, he'll return and dedicate himself to researching other Ninjutsu, hoping to develop Wood Style.

"Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"

Grandma Za was stunned for a moment, then looked at Xi Yan in shock and said, "You 'Awakening Conqueror's Haki?!"

"Um?"

Didn't I say that before?

"No."

Xi Yan:...

Thinking about it carefully, I don't recall mentioning that when I was chatting with them earlier.

"Xi Yan, you also have Conqueror's Haki!" Hancock said, resting her chin on her hand and looking at Xi Yan with a lovesick expression. "No wonder you're my man!"

Grandma glanced at Hancock, Grandma Za was staring at her with a lovesick expression, and shook her head helplessly. Then she looked at Xi Yan and asked, "When did you Awakening your Conqueror's Haki?"

"It was during the fight with them in Mary Geoise," Xi Yan said. "That's when my Conqueror's Haki Awakening."

Recalling what had happened, a smile appeared on Xi Yan's face as he said, "This can be considered an unexpected surprise."

Seeing the smile on Xi Yan's face, Grandma Za's face also showed a smile.

Then, with a touch of emotion, she said, "With this, you'll have the qualifications to reach the pinnacle of this world!!"

As an old man who survived from the previous era, he knows very well what Conqueror's Haki means to top-tier powerhouses.

"Is it Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"

"Yes," Grandma Za nodded, "This is an extremely powerful force. If you could master it... defeating Admiral wouldn't be impossible!"

Hearing Grandma Za's words, Xi Yan's eyes began to flicker.

"Defeat the Admiral...?"

That looks tempting.

Just then, Hancock asked, "Can I learn this power?"

"That's unclear," Grandma Za shook her head and said, "Whether one can master this power mainly depends on individual talent."

There are quite a few people who have mastered Conqueror's Haki on this sea, but only a handful can actually use Conqueror's Haki Infusion, so she dared not say whether Hancock could do it.

Hancock paused for a moment after hearing this, then said, "Let's ask Rayleigh when we go there."

If she's qualified, then she can cultivate there with Xi Yan.

In this way... she won't be separated from Xi Yan!

Thinking of this, a smile reappeared in Hancock's eyes, and she seemed even more energetic than before.

"Then you can ask them when the time comes," Grandma Za said.

If Hancock truly possesses this power, Amazon Lily will no longer need to worry about enemies at the level of Marine Admiral.

Just then, Aini Xida walked in from outside carrying drinks, and then respectfully placed the drinks and utensils on the table.

"Try this," Hancock said, pouring Xi Yan a glass of wine. "It's my favorite drink."

Xi Yan took the glass, took a sip, and then his eyes lit up as he said, "It tastes really good!"

Very moisturizing~

As the word came to mind, Xi Yan glanced at Hancock subconsciously, and then the same two words appeared in his eyes.

"Right? It's really delicious!"

A smile appeared on Hancock's face, and she poured herself a glass, taking a satisfying sip.

Aini Xida, who witnessed the entire event, remained silent.

' The Snake Princess not only poured wine for herself, but also for Lord Xi Yan?'

Snake Princess has changed so much...

Stop spacing out.

Grandma Za patted Aini Xida and said, "Help me take these things to my place."

There are so many things for her to carry, so let Aini Xida help her.

Upon hearing this, Aini Xida glanced at the gifts that Grandma Za was pointing to, then nodded and said, "Yes, I'll go right away."

Seeing that Aini Xida was about to leave, Hancock put down her wine glass and said, "Aini Xida, go and prepare, Xi Yan needs to take a bath."

Aini Xida paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, Snake Princess."

Then, the woman took the gifts from Grandma Za and left.

"Shall we take a shower now?"

Xi Yan turned to look at the sky outside. Wasn't it a little too early?

Hearing Xi Yan's words, Hancock's eyes suddenly became somewhat unnatural.

Then, in a very gentle tone, she said, "Take a bath early and get some rest~"

"Taking a bath would be good," my Grandma Za nodded and said, "It'll help you relax."

Xi Yan probably hasn't had a proper rest in the past ten days or so, so taking a bath is a great option.

"This..."

Xi Yan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright."

Taking a shower is good, it'll help me get to bed earlier...

Um?

Isn't Hancock's gaze a little off?

After staring at Hancock for a while, Xi Yan suddenly had a word pop into his mind.

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder!

At that moment, Xi Yan seemed to know what Hancock was about to do.

But... that's exactly what he wanted!

At that moment, Hancock downed her drink in one gulp.

Then, she stood up and said, "Let's go, Xi Yan, I'll personally scrub your back~"

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan smiled and said, "Okay~"

It seems I won't be able to have any free time for a while.

Well, I'll just treat it as a vacation for myself.

Afterwards, Xi Yan picked up the wine on the table and drank it all in one gulp, then left with Hancock.

Let's go!

"Profound!!"

"Um?"

Grandma Za watched the two leave, a few question marks clearly appearing on her forehead.

Were those two playing a game of riddles?

Thinking about this, Grandma Za fell into deep thought.

Grandma Za, unable to understand, shook her head decisively, then turned and walked outside with her Snake Cane.

Let's go!

"Let's go home and have some tea~"