Father and Sons Reunite, Gu He Pledges Allegiance

With the manpower basically secured, Xiao Yan did not immediately set off for the Black-Corner Region.

Before leaving the Jia Ma Empire for good, he took his two older brothers, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, with him and set off from the Imperial Capital. They traveled at full speed and arrived in Wutan City after some time.

Walking on the bluestone streets of Wutan City, the three brothers felt a pang of nostalgia.

Their gazes swept across the streets of Wutan City as the three headed towards the Xiao Clan's residence.

Before long, they arrived at the gate of the Xiao Clan's residence.

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li stepped forward first, wanting to go straight in.

The Xiao Clan family guards at the gate were astonished that anyone would dare to be so audacious. They immediately rolled up their sleeves and said, "Hey, where did you come from? What are your identities? Don't you know what kind of place this is, daring to walk right in?"

"Hurry up and sign up!"

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li's expressions froze, tinged with embarrassment.

Xiao Yan, who was walking a little further back, saw this and laughed without any hesitation, "Hahaha, Big Brother, Second Brother, your face recognition isn't working anymore, is it?"

"You haven't come home for years; some members of the Xiao Clan don't even recognize you anymore."

Xiao Ding and Xiao Li pretended to be angry and said, "You brat, you deliberately lagged behind us a few steps just to see this scene, didn't you?"

"Big brother, second brother, you guys!" Xiao Yan frowned, then broke into a smile, "Haha, you guessed right!"

The three brothers were playfully fighting.

As for the gatekeeper, upon seeing Xiao Yan's handsome face, which was unparalleled in the entire Jia Ma Empire, he immediately stepped aside and lowered his voice, fearing that Xiao Ding and Xiao Li might take their embarrassment and anger out on him.

However, in reality, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li had no such intentions. They joked and played around with Xiao Yan before entering the Xiao Clan.

As they walked through the various areas belonging to the Xiao Clan, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were quite impressed by how quickly the Xiao Clan had developed.

We arrived at the main hall of the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Zhan was discussing some recent developments of the family with the three elders of the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Yan stood at the door and gently knocked.

Inside the main hall.

Xiao Zhan turned his gaze over.

"Yan'er!" After saying that, he saw Xiao Ding and Xiao Li behind Xiao Yan, and his expression became even more joyful. "And you two, why are you back too!"

The three elders in the main hall tactfully stood up, smiled humbly at Xiao Yan, and then all left.

Xiao Yan nodded slightly in response, then turned to Xiao Zhan and said, "Father."

"My eldest and second eldest brothers and I have returned to say goodbye..."

Then, he told him about his plans to develop in the Black-Corner Region and that Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were going to help him.

Xiao Zhan looked reluctant, but didn't say anything forbid, only reminding him to be careful.

After briefly discussing the important matters, the father and his three sons, who had not seen each other for a long time, had a meal together.

We chatted about our recent lives at the dinner table, and it felt like we were back in our childhood.

However, gatherings are always short-lived, and separations are the norm.

The three brothers only stayed at the Xiao Clan for one night before setting off on their journey away again.

Before leaving, Xiao Yan left behind some pills, as well as Earth Rank Cultivation Technique and Dou Skill, and he didn't forget his Soul Technique either.

With the resources provided by himself and the Xiao Clan, Xiao Zhan has now approached the Dou Wang cultivation level, and it's time for him to cultivate Earth Tier Cultivation Method.

This rate of improvement is comparable to the accelerated training of Dou Wang in the Soul Hall.

"I have this strange feeling that it would be embarrassing if I couldn't compete with him," Xiao Yan muttered to himself as he headed towards the Imperial Capital with Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

After some time, they arrived in the Imperial Capital.

Xiao Yan met with Jia Xingtian and Fama.

Jia Xingtian's cultivation level was still at the One-Star Dou Zong, but it was more stable.

He did want to go to the Black-Corner Region with Xiao Yan to try his luck, but considering the threats from the nearby Chu Yun Empire and Mulan Empire, he didn't dare to leave easily.

Xiao Yan did not insist.

In a sense, the Jia Ma Empire was his main base completely under his control. With a Dou Zong Jia Xingtian guarding it, he could feel more at ease.

As for Fama, he has already become Sixth-Rank Alchemist, and he looks radiant. It is said that he plans to take a Break-Ancestor Pill later. If all goes as expected, another Dou Zong will emerge from under his command.

Of course, on the surface, Fama still belonged to the behemoth that was the Alchemist Guild, but in private, because of his alchemy notes, he not only obeyed him without question, but also completely sided with him.

When he was away, he refined the elixirs for the Mittel Family, the Xiao Clan, and the Jia Ma Imperial Family, mostly for free, and they were quite effective.

Outside the Jia Ma Imperial Capital.

Two Flying Boat were parked in the open space, and the old mercenaries of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group and the members of the Mittel Family lined up and boarded the Flying Boat one by one.

Xiao Yan lagged behind, making sure everyone was on the Flying Boat before getting on himself.

Beside him, his two older brothers, Xiao Ding Xiao Li, along with Hai Bodong, were all dressed the same.

"These people are the capital I've built up in the Black-Corner Region," Xiao Yan muttered to himself.

Suddenly, Hai Bodong nudged him. "Young friend, look who's here."

Xiao Yan turned his gaze and saw two figures approaching from a distance, one in front of the other.

His eyesight was excellent, and he immediately recognized who the newcomers were. A look of surprise appeared in his eyes. "Gu He, and his disciple Liu Ling."

As they spoke, Gu He had already arrived in front of Xiao Yan, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Greetings, Master Yan Xiao."

Liu Ling followed her master Gu He's gesture and bowed in return. "Greetings, Master Yan Xiao."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly and asked, "What brings you here?"

Gu He remained silent. Liu Ling stepped forward and flattered, "Master Yan Xiao, your alchemy skills are superb. My master and I..."

Xiao Yan understood the meaning of the master and disciple after hearing the first half of their sentence, and immediately raised his hand to stop Liu Ling from speaking.

He looked at Gu He and said in an unquestionable tone, "As a master, how can you let your disciple bear the pressure? You tell me!"

Gu He raised his eyes, took a long breath, and said, "Master Yan Xiao, we heard that you are going to develop in the Black-Corner Region. Ling'er and I would like to go with you and learn alchemy from you."

Xiao Yan understood; the reason of learning alchemy from him was exactly what he had expected.

"Why didn't you stay at the Misty Cloud Sect?" Xiao Yan asked again.

A hint of relief flashed in Gu He's eyes. "Master Yan Xiao, to tell you the truth, the reason I stayed in the Misty Cloud Sect was not only because Misty Cloud Sect was powerful and could provide me with Medicinal Herbs."

More than anything, it's for Yun Yun.

I have feelings for her.

"Now, after the destruction by that Soul Hall Protector, the Misty Cloud Sect is not as powerful as before, and I have seen the relationship between Yun Yun and you. I know that I have no chance."

Therefore, I focused all my attention on alchemy.

"And looking across the entire Northwest Continent, I can't find even one whose alchemy skills can rival yours."

After saying this, Gu He immediately added, "If you mind, there's no need to say anything more. I'll take Ling'er and leave now."

After saying that, Gu He turned to leave, but Xiao Yan stopped him.

He looked at Xiao Yan and saw Xiao Yan extending his hand with a smile on his face.

"Master Gu He, welcome to the team."