Farewell

The next day, early morning.

Xiao Bai opened his eyes in bed. He had not cultivated last night, but had instead enjoyed a wonderful sleep.

After all, once he left this time, things would no longer be as convenient as they were at home, so he had to build up his energy.

He got up, washed, dressed, and opened the door.

Outside the courtyard gate stood a lone, graceful figure. Who knew how long she had been there?

"Xiao Bai Gege, you're up!"

Though the girl's eyes were filled with reluctance and longing, when she saw him come out, she still revealed a smile and spoke in a soft voice.

Seeing her like this made Xiao Bai's heart ache a little. This girl had come so early because she was afraid he would leave quietly without saying goodbye?

He sighed inwardly, walked up to her, and gently drew her slightly slender, delicate body into his arms. His palm softly stroked the dark hair atop her head, and he said nothing.

In his arms, Xun Er took in that familiar scent with a hint of greed, then wrapped her arms tightly around Xiao Bai in return, as if she wanted to melt herself into his body and leave with him.

It was different from the last time Xiao Bai had refined medicine in the back mountains. Back then, she knew he was nearby, and as long as she wanted to see him, she still could. But this time, even if she wanted to see him, she would not be able to.

Just thinking that she would be separated from Xiao Bai for a long time made her feel unbearably reluctant.

"Let's go. How about seeing Xiao Bai Gege off?" After a moment, Xiao Bai lowered his head and spoke softly to the person in his arms.

When Xiao Xun Er heard this, she nodded her little head dully against his chest.

"Mm!"

The two of them arrived together at the Xiao Clan's main gate, where they saw a black-clothed youth standing lazily beside the stone lion at the entrance.

When the youth saw them, he instantly perked up, waved his hand, and said with a smile:

"Brother Bai, you're finally out!"

Hearing this, Xiao Bai felt a little depressed. Why had everyone arrived earlier than him? He could not help but look at the sky. It was not even fully bright yet!

Putting aside the gloom in his heart, he nodded to Xiao Yan with a smile and said:

"Let's go!" Then he took Xun Er's hand and was the first to head toward the city gate.

At Wutan City's gate, quite a few people were already coming and going. Some were entering the city to sell things, while others were leaving to travel.

At this moment, the three of them stood in a secluded spot not far from the city gate.

"Brother Bai, be careful out there. I hope your trip goes smoothly. Remember to come back next year for my coming-of-age ceremony. Don't miss it."

Xiao Yan spoke jokingly, but there was a trace of envy in his eyes. He wanted to go out and have some fun too!

But there was no helping it. His strength was too low; if he went out, he would only hold them back.

Xiao Bai stared fixedly at the black-clothed youth before him, who had a smiling face, and his mood grew a little complicated. After this departure, some things would be different.

Some things would still be his, but others would no longer be.

But there was nothing he could do about it. Xiao Bai had long since made his plans for the future clear. When it came to things he needed, he would not hold back just because they were supposed to belong to Xiao Yan in the future, nor would he refuse to take them!

If he wanted to grow stronger, there were some things he could not miss. As for lying flat and waiting for Xiao Yan to become emperor—sorry, but right now, Xiao Bai could not do that.

Since he had come to this world, he would not ask for anything earth-shattering, but at the very least, he had to struggle for it himself. He could not rely on others for everything.

Moreover, this world was not safe. Who knew whether he could even survive until that time? Maybe one day, he would go out and some powerful expert would dislike the look of him and casually deal with him!

So other people being strong was their own business. In a place where the strong were respected, only becoming strong himself would give him a greater sense of security.

Therefore, this was a struggle for the Dao!

As for Hun Tiandi's "thousand-year grand scheme," he also had a vague countermeasure in mind. For now, what he had thought of was to stop him from gathering all the Tuoshe Ancient Jade and delay for time.

As for the rest, he would slowly consider it later. There was still a long time, so there was no rush!

"Brother Bai, why are you looking at me like that? Can't bear to part with your little bro?"

Seeing Xiao Bai stare at him a little strangely for quite a while, Xiao Yan gave a cheeky grin and teased him.

Xiao Bai smiled, patted him on the shoulder, and said:

"Cultivate properly. Yao Lao and I will return before your coming-of-age ceremony. I hope you'll be able to pass the clan test by then!"

"Brother Bai, who are you looking down on? By then, I'll definitely already be a Dou Zhe, all right?" Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and said, somewhat unconvinced.

"Good! Ambitious!" Xiao Bai nodded and smiled warmly, then turned his gaze toward Xun Er, who had remained silent ever since coming here.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan silently walked away. He was afraid of being force-fed a mouthful of dog food.

Seeing Xiao Yan walk off into the distance, Xiao Xun Er shifted her lotus steps and came before Xiao Bai. Her eyes were filled with reluctance as she stretched out her jade-like hands, tidying Xiao Bai's collar while reminding him.

"Xiao Bai Gege, be careful in everything after you leave. If you encounter enemies and can beat them, fight. If you can't beat them, run. Don't ever force yourself. Your life is a thousand, ten thousand times more precious than theirs. You have to always remember that Xun Er is still waiting for you at home!"

Then Xiao Bai felt his collar tighten, and Xun Er said in a somewhat fiercely adorable tone:

"And also, you absolutely must not go provoking other girls outside. Otherwise... hmph!"

"I'm innocent, Xun Er! Look at how honest I usually am in the clan. Xiao Yu, Xiao Qing—I've never provoked any of them, have I?" Xiao Bai cried out that he had been wronged.

"Hmph! You didn't provoke them, but every time you saw Xiao Yu, your eyes practically wanted to fall onto her legs. Don't think Xun Er didn't know. Xun Er was only considering your face and couldn't be bothered to expose you."

Xiao Xun Er gave him a charming roll of her eyes and snorted coldly.

Xiao Bai rubbed his nose a little awkwardly. He had thought he had done everything in secret and that Xun Er hadn't noticed, but he never expected this girl to know everything.

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Xiao Xun Er did not continue the topic.

Her small hand gently caressed Xiao Bai's sharply defined face. Her beautiful eyes were filled with reluctance and attachment, and her voice was soft.

"Xiao Bai Gege, remember to come back soon. Xun Er will miss you!"

As she spoke, she could no longer hold back and threw herself into Xiao Bai's arms, hugging him tightly.

Smelling the faint fragrance lingering at the tip of his nose from the girl in his arms, and sensing her sadness, Xiao Bai didn't much like this kind of atmosphere. It made it feel as if they were parting in life and death.

His thoughts shifted, and he lowered his head to say something beside Xun Er's delicate earlobe.

Xun Er's pretty face instantly flushed crimson. She sprang up from Xiao Bai's arms and reached out to cover his mouth, her eyes shy as she cried out loudly:

"You're not allowed to say it!"

Xiao Xun Er immediately thought of the scene yesterday after Xiao Bai had changed clothes. At once, her beautiful eyes rippled like spring water, and her long legs went faintly weak again.

"Hehe~ All right, all right, I won't say it, I won't say it!"

Seeing that she no longer had the sadness from before, Xiao Bai nodded repeatedly with a smile.

"Hmph!"

Seeing him agree, Xun Er shot him a reproachful glare and let out a soft huff.

Only after her complexion had recovered somewhat did Xiao Bai wave toward Xiao Yan in the distance.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan knew the two of them had finished saying goodbye and ran over. He took off the ring and handed it to Xiao Bai.

Xiao Bai accepted it, but the ring trembled slightly the moment it reached his hand. He didn't know whether it was just his imagination.

He nodded at Xiao Yan and said, "Xiao Yanzi, take care!"

Then he looked at the girl again and said gently, "Take care!"