Leaving

After settling things with Instructor Ruo Lin, Xiao Yu finally felt at ease. Yet when he saw Xun Er looking so dejected beside him, his heart ached as well. He immediately took her little hand and, amid everyone's surprised gazes, led her out of the tent!

"Yu'er, what exactly is the relationship between your younger brother and little Xun Er?" someone asked.

Xiao Yu pursed her rosy lips before answering, "Childhood sweethearts!"

Everyone immediately understood. These two gifted young man and woman really did make quite a good match!

After leaving the tent, Xiao Yu led Xun Er through Wu Tan City at an unhurried pace. Xun Er simply let him hold her hand without saying a word. Xiao Yu stopped and looked at her, gently lifting her little face. Her large eyes were filled with mist, and her pitiful appearance made his heart ache. "Be good. I promise I'll definitely go to Jia Nan Academy to find you within a year. If things go smoothly, I might even return to Jia Nan Academy to find you in half a year or so!"

Only then did Xun Er speak softly. "Really? You're not allowed to go back on your word!"

"Really, really!" Xiao Yu pulled Xun Er into his arms and held her a little tighter, whispering by her ear, "I won't make Xun Er wait too long!"

Xun Er buried her little face in Xiao Yu's chest, greedily breathing in his scent as she replied in a muffled voice, "Mm!"

Seeing that Xun Er's mood had improved somewhat, Xiao Yu took her hand and continued walking. For one brief moment, he had truly considered not going to the Monster Mountain Range and simply staying by Xun Er's side. But he needed to improve his strength. He knew how powerful the Ancient Clan was—even Dou Zongs meant nothing to them, much less someone as weak as he currently was. Strength was the foundation for all negotiations!

Only after accompanying Xun Er for a long while did Xiao Yu return to his room. Now that everything had been settled, he planned to leave after seeing Xun Er off with the flying convoy bound for Jia Nan Academy.

For the next seven days, Xiao Yu remained by Xun Er's side. As the day of departure for Jia Nan Academy drew nearer, Xun Er became increasingly silent, her reluctance to part with Xiao Yu plain for all to see!

Xiao Yu had not been idle either. Aside from keeping Xun Er company, he went to the market to buy a tent, dried provisions, some important medicinal herbs, and beast-repelling potion. He also paid a visit to the Mittel Auction House. Unfortunately, Gu Ni informed him that Ya Fei had already been transferred back to the Mite'er Family's headquarters, located in the Imperial Capital of the Jia Ma Empire. Xiao Yu gave it little thought. It was probably because he and Xiao Yan had helped raise Ya Fei's standing within the family at the auction house some time ago. Now that her training had nearly run its course, she had been transferred back to headquarters.

Seven days later, Jia Nan Academy's flying convoy finally arrived in Wu Tan City, and the recruitment team stationed there was also preparing to depart.

At the same plaza as before, Xiao Yu brought Xun Er there and found it packed with people. It seemed there were quite a few new students headed for Jia Nan Academy. Xiao Yu also spotted Luo Bu, whom he had injured with a single punch. Luo Bu's eyes held a trace of fear, along with resentment that flashed past in an instant. Xiao Yu merely smiled. Why would he care about the resentment of a weakling?

As the new students began boarding the flying convoy, Xun Er could not resist lightly pressing a kiss to Xiao Yu's cheek before walking away without looking back. Xiao Yu's expression was complicated as she said to Xiao Yu, "Don't worry. I'll take good care of her!"

Xiao Yu smiled faintly and nodded. "Thank you!"

As Jia Nan Academy's convoy departed, the plaza suddenly became much emptier. A trace of loneliness and melancholy inevitably rose in Xiao Yu's heart!

It's time to leave! Xiao Yu thought. He returned to the Xiao Clan and told his father of his plans in the study. His father did not stop him. Though deeply reluctant to part with him, he still said, "Although the two elders have told me about your talent, I believe in you. Fate rests in your own hands. Go without worry. If you have the chance in the future, visit Shi Mo City at the border of the Jia Ma Empire. Your eldest and second brothers are developing themselves there. I hear they even established a mercenary group called Desert Iron, which has some influence in the area!"

Xiao Yu nodded. "Don't worry, Father. I'll definitely go and see them!"

After leaving the study, Xiao Yu returned to his room. Once he had packed his belongings, he cast one final look around the room and sighed softly. "I wonder when I'll be able to return again!" He then put away the sadness in his heart, no longer lingering over it, and strode out.

Thus, the legend of Xiao Yu on the Dou Qi Continent slowly began!

Misty Cloud Sect!

At the peak of Misty Cloud Mountain, clouds and mist swirled about, making it seem like an Immortal Realm.

On a protruding boulder beside a sheer cliff, a woman dressed in a moon-white robe formed hand seals for cultivation and practiced with her eyes closed. The Dou Qi circulating within her body was slowly absorbed with each breath she took. Faint streams of green energy swirled around her body before being drawn inside and refined. She was none other than Nalan Yanran, cultivating within the Misty Cloud Sect!

Just as Nalan Yanran cultivated, a graceful and dignified figure swept swiftly up from the foot of the mountain before coming to a halt at the summit. A plain dress wrapped around the woman's voluptuous figure, while her dark hair was arranged into a noble phoenix-style coiffure. Her beautiful, captivating features were calm and serene, stunning enough to topple kingdoms and cities!

The newcomer was none other than the Misty Cloud Sect's Sect Master, the Dou Emperor expert Yun Yun!

After drawing the last wisp of green energy into her body and refining it, Nalan Yanran slowly opened her eyes. A flash of green light passed through their depths before she looked toward Yun Yun at the mountaintop. With a light tap of her toes against the rock, her figure shifted, and in an instant she returned to the summit. It appeared to be a profound movement technique!

A beautiful smile appeared on Yun Yun's face. "Your talent and diligence are what I value most. It seems you have not disappointed my expectations at all!"

Nalan Yanran also gave a salute and said with a light smile, "Yanran naturally would not disappoint Master's expectations. May I know what brings Master here today?"

Yun Yun nodded slightly. "Indeed. You have now reached a bottleneck in your cultivation, so I am preparing to depart for the Monster Mountain Range and borrow the Purple Spirit Crystal from the Purple-Gold Winged Lion King!"

"The Purple Crystal Winged Lion King?" Nalan Yanran said in shock. "That is a Sixth-Tier Demonic Beast. Does Master have confidence in this journey?"

Yun Yun did not elaborate, merely instructing, "You need not worry about this matter. Just cultivate diligently. While I am away from the sect, pay closer attention to its affairs!"

"Yes, Master!" Nalan Yanran nodded.

"Also, your father already knows about this broken engagement. You will need to explain it to him yourself. Though he will not make too much of a scene for my sake, he will certainly feel displeased in his heart. The two of you should have a proper talk!" Yun Yun said.

Nalan Yanran also said with a headache, "I understand, Master. I will personally explain this matter clearly to Father!"

After saying that, Yun Yun left. Standing by the cliff and facing the wind, Nalan Yanran murmured, "Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan, there is still more than a year left. I'll be waiting for you at the Misty Cloud Sect!"