Leaving

After settling things with Instructor Ruolin, Xiao Yu finally felt at ease. But when he saw Xun'er looking somewhat despondent beside him, he could not help feeling distressed. He immediately took Xun'er's little hand and, amid everyone's surprised gazes, walked out of the tent!

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

After pursing her rosy lips, Xiao Yu replied, "Childhood sweethearts!"

Everyone immediately understood. Those two talented young people were quite well matched together!

After leaving the tent, Xiao Yu held Xun'er's hand as they slowly walked through Wutan City. Xun'er simply let him lead her 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 in 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? Then you're not allowed to go back on your word!"

"Really, really!" Xiao Yu pulled Xun'er into his arms and held her slightly tighter as he whispered into her ear, "I won't make Xun'er wait too long!"

Xun'er buried her little face in Xiao Yu's embrace, greedily breathing in his scent as she murmured, "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 wanted to give up going to the Monster Beast Mountain Range and simply remain by Xun'er's side. But he needed to improve his strength. He knew how powerful the Gu Clan was; they did not even regard Dou Zongs as worthy of notice. How could he, so weak as he was now, compare? Strength was the foundation of 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.

Over the next seven days, Xiao Yu remained by Xun'er's side. As the day of departure for Jia Nan Academy drew near, Xun'er grew increasingly silent, and her reluctance to part with Xiao Yu was written all over her face!

Xiao Yu had not been idle either. Aside from accompanying Xun'er, he went to the Market District to buy a tent, dried provisions, some important medicinal herbs, and beast-repelling potions. He then made another trip to the Miter Auction House. Unfortunately, Gu Ni told him that Ya Fei had already been transferred back to the Mite'er Family headquarters, located in the imperial capital of the Gamma Empire. Xiao Yu did not dwell on it. It was likely that he and Xiao Yan had helped raise Ya Fei's standing within the family at the auction house some time ago. Now that she had gained sufficient experience, she had been transferred back to headquarters.

Seven days later, Jia Nan Academy's flying convoy finally arrived in Wutan City, and the academy's recruitment party was also preparing to leave.

At the same square as before, Xiao Yu brought Xun'er there and found a sea of people. It seemed there were quite a few new students heading to Jia Nan Academy. Xiao Yu even spotted Luo Bu, whom he had injured with a single punch. There was fear in Luo Bu's eyes, along with a fleeting trace of resentment. Xiao Yu merely chuckled. Why would he care about the resentment of a weakling?

As the new students began boarding the flying convoy, Xun'er could not help planting a light kiss on Xiao Yu's face before walking away without looking back. Xiao Yu wore a complicated expression as she said to Xiao Yu, "Don't worry. I'll take good care of her!"

Xiao Yu nodded with a faint smile. "Thank you!"

As Jia Nan Academy's party departed, the square 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 Family and told his father of his plans in his 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 lies in your own hands. Go without worry. If you have the chance in the future, visit Stone Desert City on the border of the Jia Ma Empire. Your eldest and second elder brothers are developing there. I heard they even founded a mercenary group called Mote, which has some influence in the area!"

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

After leaving the study, Xiao Yu returned to his room. Once he had packed his things, he gave the room one last look and sighed softly. "Who knows when I'll be able to return again?" He then put away the sorrow in his heart, no longer lingered, and strode out.

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

Misty Cloud Sect!

At the summit of Misty Cloud Mountain, clouds and mist curled through the air, making the place seem like a fairyland.

On a protruding rock along a sheer cliff, a woman dressed in a moon-white gown sat forming hand seals for cultivation, her eyes closed as she practiced. The Dou Qi circulating within her body was slowly absorbed with every breath she took. A faint stream of green energy swirled around her before entering her body to be refined. She was none other than Nalan Yanran, cultivating within the Misty Cloud Sect!

As Nalan Yanran cultivated, a graceful and dignified figure swiftly swept up from the foot of the mountain before coming to a stop at the summit. The woman wore a plain dress that wrapped around her full, delicate figure. Her black hair was gathered into an elegant Phoenix-style adornment, while her breathtakingly beautiful face remained tranquil and serene.

The newcomer was none other than Yun Yun, the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect and a Dou Emperor powerhouse!

After drawing the final strand 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 had returned to the summit. It appeared to be a profound Movement Technique!

A captivating 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 bowed and replied with a light smile, "Yan Ran naturally would not disappoint Master's expectations. May I ask what brings Master here today?"

Yun Yun nodded faintly. "Good. It seems you have reached a bottleneck in your cultivation. I am preparing to leave for the Monster Beast 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 Magical Beast. Is Master confident about this trip?"

Yun Yun did not say much, merely instructing, "You need not worry about this. Just cultivate properly. While I am away from the sect, you must pay more 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. Although he will not make too much of a scene out of respect for me, he will certainly feel unhappy. You must have a proper talk with him!" Yun Yun said.

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

After saying that, Yun Yun left. Nalan Yanran stood at the edge of the cliff, facing the wind as she muttered, "Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan, there is still more than a year left. I'll be waiting for you at the Misty Cloud Sect!"