Arrival at Qingshan Town

Jia Nan Academy's recruitment had ended, and Xiao Yu successfully passed the assessment and joined Jia Nan Academy.

Another half month passed after Jia Nan Academy's recruitment, and it was time for Xiao Ce to leave as well.

Within the clan, he had already told his grandfather, Xiao Hai, of his plans to venture out and gain experience.

Naturally, Xiao Hai supported Xiao Ce's decision. He knew full well that the Xiao Clan and Wutan City were far too small; remaining trapped here would only waste Xiao Ce's talent.

A true dragon could not be raised in shallow waters!

Still, the thought of Xiao Ce traveling alone left Xiao Hai somewhat worried.

Though Xiao Ce was a Nine-Star Dou Zhe, that was not enough to guarantee his safety!

Xiao Ce saw the concern in Xiao Hai's heart. To keep him from worrying, he simply told him the truth.

Learning that Xiao Ce's strength went far beyond the Nine-Star Dou Zhe he had displayed gave Xiao Hai such a fright that he nearly thought he was dreaming.

A fifteen-year-old Da Dou Shi—what kind of concept was that?

Not a single one could be found in the entire Jia Ma Empire.

What followed was boundless delight, and his worries over Xiao Ce venturing out to train vanished along with it.

Setting aside his strength, the caution his precious grandson had displayed alone was enough to put Xiao Hai at ease.

After bidding farewell to his grandfather, Xiao Ce went to Xun'er's courtyard.

The moment the girl saw Xiao Ce, her delicate little face immediately showed traces of resentment and reluctance.

"Brother Xiao Ce, perhaps you should have left in secret. Look at this—I can't bear to let you go the moment I see you."

"Then I'll leave now?"

Xiao Ce made as if to turn around and leave.

In the shadows.

Seeing this, Ling Ying thought to himself, Good, good! Best if he never comes back.

Yet before Ling Ying could think further, Xun'er immediately grabbed Xiao Ce's robe as he made to leave, her face full of charming annoyance.

"You'll leave just because I tell you to?"

Xiao Ce chuckled and stopped.

He had been waiting for Xun'er to say that.

"Brother Xiao Ce, stay with Xun'er a little longer before you leave. Let's talk." Xun'er's face was full of reluctance.

"As you command, my little Princess Xun'er!" Xiao Ce instantly straightened up and put on a solemn expression.

"Hehehe~"

At dusk, Xiao Ce walked along a small path in the clan with light steps, a cheerful smile on his face. A faint lip print still lingered on his left cheek.

Time returned to a few minutes earlier.

"Brother Xiao Ce!"

Just as Xiao Ce stepped out through the gates, Xun'er suddenly called out to him.

"What is it?" Xiao Ce asked curiously.

A faint blush colored Xun'er's cheeks.

"I have something to tell you!"

With that, she moved closer, as though she intended to whisper something in Xiao Ce's ear. Their bodies drew closer and closer, and Xiao Ce could clearly smell the delicate fragrance of a young girl emanating from Xun'er.

But at the last moment, Xun'er suddenly stopped and tilted her head slightly. "Elder Ling, no eavesdropping!"

Yet before her words had even faded, Xun'er feinted in one direction and struck in another, swiftly planting a kiss on Xiao Ce's left cheek before anyone could react.

This time, Ling Ying's cough did not ring out as expected.

After the kiss, Xiao Ce was still stunned by surprise, while Xun'er said with a hint of smugness, "Elder Ling didn't react in time this time, did he?"

Xiao Ce came back to his senses. Seeing that Ling Ying remained silent, his eyes shifted, and he tentatively leaned closer.

But before he could approach Xun'er, a familiar, deep voice rang out again.

"You brat, you dare push your luck!"

Before the words had even fallen, an invisible force sent Xiao Ce flying backward. He then landed lightly seven or eight zhang away.

Ling Ying knew that his young lady cared deeply for Xiao Ce, so despite his displeasure, he had exercised great restraint and did not harm him in the slightest.

"Hehe, Elder Ling, no need to get so angry!" Xiao Ce said with a shameless grin after steadying himself, but all he received was Ling Ying's irritated voice.

"Hmph, stop grinning at me. Before your strength surpasses this old man's, don't even think about laying a hand on Miss."

Xiao Ce grinned at that. "Then that day shouldn't be too far away!"

Then he looked at Xun'er and waved. "Xun'er, I'm leaving!"

"Brother Xiao Ce, take care!" Xun'er cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted loudly.

As Xiao Ce's departing figure gradually disappeared, a trace of determination flashed through Xun'er's eyes. She murmured to herself.

"Brother Xiao Ce, Xun'er will wait for you and stay by your side until you truly become a peerless powerhouse who stands above all others. When that time comes, the fallen Xiao Clan will rise upon the continent once more because of you."

Having said that, Xun'er suddenly continued, "Elder Ling, thank you for not stopping me just now."

Xun'er knew that with Ling Ying's strength, even if she spoke to distract him, there was no way he would fail to react in time.

Ling Ying's voice carried a hint of helplessness. "This old man has always gotten in that brat's way these past days. Now that he is leaving, if this old man still stopped him, I fear even Miss would come to hate me."

Xun'er's cheeks instantly flushed red, and she hurriedly said, "How could that be!"

Elsewhere.

"Xiao Ce!"

Xiao Ce had just walked out through the Xiao Clan's gates when a voice came from the side.

The newcomer wore fitted black clothing. It was none other than Xiao Yan.

"What are you doing here?" Xiao Ce asked casually.

"I learned from Father that you were leaving today, so I thought I'd come see you off," Xiao Yan said with a shrug, his tone calm.

"Oh? You actually came all this way to see me off?"

"Wait, how long have you been waiting here?"

Xiao Ce had spent an entire afternoon with Xun'er.

Xiao Yan's face darkened as he said coldly, "I just got here!"

He said he had just arrived, but he had really been waiting all afternoon!

Seeing this, Xiao Ce fought back a smile.

"Fine, we'll say you just got here."

"No matter what, I'm happy you came to see me off!"

Xiao Yan crossed his arms and said indifferently, "Can't be helped. Other than you, it seems I don't have any other friends in the Xiao Clan now. Of course I had to come see you off."

"Alright, I acknowledge you as a friend!"

"Damn it, did you not consider me a friend before?"

Before Xiao Ce's words had even faded, veins bulged on Xiao Yan's forehead.

"Hahaha, look at you, getting worked up again. It was just a joke!"

"I'm off!"

With that, Xiao Ce departed freely and easily. Behind him, Xiao Yan shouted:

"You bastard, don't die out there!"

Xiao Ce casually waved a hand.

Xiao Ce had a clear destination: Qingshan Town.

He traveled day and night, arriving only on the following evening.

Though Qingshan Town was merely a small town, its proximity to the Magic Beast Mountain Range had given rise to an entire chain of magic-beast-related businesses. Its streets were therefore bustling. Even at night, the lights remained bright and the nightlife was lively, especially the taverns and brothels, whose business was exceptionally thriving.

After all, most of Qingshan Town's residents were mercenaries who lived with their lives on the line. These mercenaries wandered along the border of life and death every day, and with such immense mental pressure, they naturally needed an outlet.

Xiao Ce entered Qingshan Town and looked at its bustling scene, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

He had finally arrived at Qingshan Town!

That meant Xiao Yi Xian was not far from him!