Chance Encounter

As Xiao Jie stepped out of his room, he happened to find his parents at home. He took out the Qi Recovery Pills and Rejuvenation Pills he had refined and gave them two bottles of each.

"Father, Mother, these are the pills I just refined—first-grade Qi Recovery Pills and Rejuvenation Pills. You both know their effects."

"What?! Jie'er, you refined these? Good, good, good! Your father is truly overjoyed! I never thought our family would produce such a distinguished alchemist. With Jie'er's talent in being able to refine first-grade pills already, you will at least become a fourth-grade, perhaps even a fifth-grade alchemist in the future!"

"You, honestly, look how worked up you are. Do you even look like a father anymore? Son, don't mind your father. He makes such a fuss, not at all like an adult. My son's cultivation talent is so outstanding; it's only natural that his talent for alchemy is strong as well," his mother said with a smile.

Seeing how delighted his parents were, Xiao Jie smiled as well. His parents in this life were not particularly powerful, but their kindness and love for him were genuine. That was why Xiao Jie cared deeply for them too.

"Father, Mother, I'll head out first. I've been cultivating nonstop these past few days and am tired, so I'll go out for a walk."

"Go on, Jie'er. Here are fifty thousand gold coins. Take them and use them. This is all your father has on him. I know alchemists spend a great deal of money, and Father will support you with everything he has."

"There's no need, Father. I've been accepted as a disciple by a high-grade alchemist, so I'm not short of money. Besides, I can refine first-grade pills now and sell them for profit. You two should just wait and enjoy life. Or you could give me a younger brother or sister. I'll be leaving to gain experience before long, so I'd like someone to keep you company in my place."

"Take it. This is just a small token from us as your parents. It may not be much, but it is everything we can offer."

"Yes."

Xiao Jie silently accepted the gold card from his father and placed it in his Storage Ring.

"Then I'll be heading out now."

"Go on, child, but be careful, understand? Don't casually get into conflicts with others."

"I understand."

By then, Xiao Jie had arrived at the largest market in Wutan City. He strolled along, looking around, and thought about how he had been in this world for over eight years, yet had barely explored Wutan City at all. He could not help but smile. In the end, he really did prefer power.

Xiao Jie wandered through the market, sometimes stopping to watch acrobatic performances, sometimes browsing goods at street stalls, and sometimes sampling food from roadside vendors. It was not until evening, as he continued walking, that he suddenly spotted Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er approaching him together.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, Cousin Xun'er, are you two here to have fun at the market as well?"

Xiao Jie spoke first.

"Yes, Cousin Xiao Jie. Are you here to have fun at the market too? It's really hard to see you. Other than cultivating, you're practically nowhere to be found all day."

Xiao Xun'er was the first to respond.

"That's right. I can't cultivate all the time, so I came out today to relax and take a look around Wutan City. I've grown up here, yet I've never properly explored the city."

"So that's how it is. Cousin Xiao Jie, you really are a cultivation maniac. Even trying to catch up to you is exhausting."

"Hehe, Cousin Xiao Yan, everyone has seen your talent for themselves. I'm sure you'll catch up to me soon enough. I won't disturb your time alone with Cousin Xun'er. I've seen enough myself, so it's time for me to head back."

Xiao Jie's words made Xiao Xun'er lower her head slightly, her ears turning faintly red.

"All right, I'll be leaving first. Cousin Xiao Yan, Cousin Xun'er, see you later."

With that, Xiao Jie passed them and left. Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er watched his departing figure.

"Cousin Xiao Jie isn't as aloof and unapproachable as the rumors say."

"Hehe, that's true. It's just that over the past few years, we've only met and spoken a handful of times. I wonder what stage of Dou Qi he has reached now. During the last test, he was already at the ninth stage of Dou Qi. I wonder whether he has broken through to Dou Zhe yet. I need to cultivate even harder too."

Seeing Xiao Yan brimming with fighting spirit, Xiao Xun'er finally let go of her earlier concerns. She had already sensed that Xiao Jie had become a Dou Zhe. She had not expected the declining Xiao Clan to produce someone with such talent. Still, wasn't her Brother Xiao Yan just as remarkable? With that thought, she followed his words.

"That's hard to say. Perhaps he's close to breaking through. Brother Xiao Yan, you should work hard too! In my eyes, Brother Xiao Yan, you're no worse than anyone else."

"Don't worry, Sister Xun'er. I'm about to break through to the seventh stage of Dou Qi as well. I'll definitely catch up to him and surpass him."

"Mm, I believe in Brother Xiao Yan the most."

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