Saying Goodbye at Home

Watching Xiao Yan rush in, Yao Chen realized he had been laughing too loudly. All he could do was cough awkwardly.

"Cough~~"

"Little Yan, nothing's wrong. Your master just suddenly thought of something happy."

Seeing that Yao Chen was fine, Xiao Yan could only stand to the side and laugh awkwardly.

"Little Yan, I'll take you somewhere in a little while."

"Where are we going, Master?" Xiao Yan asked curiously.

"To meet your junior sister."

Thinking of Xiao Yi Xian's adorable face, Yao Chen's lips curved upward without him realizing it.

"Junior sister? Teacher, you took on another disciple? Where is she, and what's her name?"

Hearing that he had a junior sister, Xiao Yan was startled, then hurriedly asked who she was.

"Don't rush. We'll set off soon, and I'll take you to meet her."

"Teacher, how long will we be gone this time?"

Since he had left home on short notice, Xiao Yan wanted to know how long they'd be away, so his father wouldn't think something had happened to him.

"This trip will take quite a while—perhaps several months, or even years. After I bring you to meet your junior sister, I'll begin teaching you both alchemy."

Seeing that Xiao Yan wanted to say something but was too embarrassed to speak, Yao Chen guessed what was on his mind and continued.

"Little Yan, go home first and say a proper goodbye to your family."

Hearing Yao Chen tell him to go say goodbye at home, Xiao Yan's eyes immediately filled with tears. He bowed his head to Yao Chen several times.

"All right, Little Yan. Go quickly and come back. I'll wait here."

Xiao Yan wiped the tears from his face and hurried back to the Xiao Clan.

The first thing he did after returning to the Xiao Clan was go to Xiao Zhan's room.

By the time Xiao Yan returned to the Xiao Clan, it was already late at night. His father was resting in his room.

Xiao Zhan was delighted to see Xiao Yan. After all, Xiao Yan had shone at the clan's test that day, bringing great honor to his father.

"Yan'er, you're here. You were amazing today! You made your father the pride of the clan. Those elders were green with envy."

"By the way, Yan'er, it's so late. Is something the matter?"

Hearing how proud his father was of him filled Xiao Yan with pride, too. But when he thought of leaving with his teacher to cultivate, he felt he was letting his father down. After all, his two older brothers had only just left home to train elsewhere.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

Xiao Yan bowed his head to Xiao Zhan several times. The sudden sight startled Xiao Zhan.

"Yan'er, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

At his father's concerned questions, Xiao Yan couldn't stop crying. Sobbing, he spoke to Xiao Zhan.

"Father, I... I have to leave home for a while. It might be several months, or it might be years."

"Last month, I happened to meet an extraordinary master who took me on as his disciple. He said he valued my talent and would teach me cultivation methods and combat skills. He even used a secret technique to raise my cultivation."

"After the test, my teacher also passed a Heavenly Flame and cultivation to me. My strength has already reached the Nine-Star Great Dou Master level."

Xiao Yan released the aura of a Nine-Star Great Dou Master. At that moment, Xiao Zhan had only just advanced to Three-Star Great Dou Master.

Xiao Zhan's face was full of shock. "Yan'er, your teacher really treats you well. You must repay him properly one day."

Hearing his father's advice, Xiao Yan nodded firmly.

After chatting with Xiao Zhan in his room for several hours, Xiao Yan took his leave.

It was almost dawn.

Xiao Yan went to the door of Xun Er's room. Through the window, he saw her sleeping soundly.

He went to Xun Er's bedside and quietly said goodbye.

"Xun Er, I'll be away from home for a while. My teacher is going to teach me alchemy. When I return, I'll be an alchemist. Then I'll make pills for you to eat whenever you want, and I'll be able to protect you all even better."

After saying that, he kissed Xun Er on the cheek and left the room. Little did he know that Xun Er's face was already turning visibly red.

What Xiao Yan didn't know was that Xun Er hadn't been asleep. She had noticed him as soon as he appeared at the door.

"Brother Xiao Yan, make sure you train hard under Venerable Yao and grow strong. Then Father will surely agree."

Afterward, Xiao Yan returned to his room, quickly packed his things, and hurried to the cave.

Yao Chen was meditating peacefully inside the cave. As soon as Xiao Yan reached the entrance, he opened his eyes.

"Teacher, I'm back. I've taken care of everything at home."

Xiao Yan walked into the cave and greeted Yao Chen before speaking.

Seeing Xiao Yan enter and immediately bow to him, Yao Chen felt a rush of emotion.

"Little Yan, as long as everything at home is settled."

Xiao Yan suddenly remembered that his teacher had told him not to reveal his existence to his family, and hurriedly apologized to Yao Chen.

"Teacher, I'm sorry. I told Father that you took me on as your disciple."

"It's fine. Now that Xun Er is there, your father should be all right."

Hearing Yao Chen mention Xun Er, Xiao Yan was puzzled.

"Teacher, why do you say that my father will be all right because Xun Er is there?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's confusion, Yao Chen slowly explained.

"Actually, Xun Er isn't one of your clan. She belongs to the Gu Clan, one of the Eight Ancient Clans."

"Her clan is one of the top powers on the Dou Qi Continent, and her father is the Ancient Clan Chief."

"She came to your clan to look for something."

"And your Xiao Clan was once one of the Eight Ancient Clans, too. It was only after your clan fell into decline that you ended up in Wutan City."

As Xiao Yan listened to Yao Chen, his mind went blank. Questions flooded his thoughts, and he cut in.

"Teacher, wait. You're saying Xun Er is from one of the Eight Ancient Clans, and our Xiao Clan was one of them, too? And Xun Er came here to look for something? Could there be some misunderstanding?"

"Little Yan, you may not believe what I've said now, but you'll understand in time."

Looking at Xiao Yan's puzzled expression, Yao Chen decided to explain everything in detail another time.

"Little Yan, it's getting late. Let's go."

"All right, Teacher."

Xiao Yan had been at a loss over what his teacher had told him. When Yao Chen said it was time to leave, he simply stopped thinking about it and decided to go with him first.

With that, Xiao Yan followed Yao Chen straight toward the cave's exit.

Once they were outside, Yao Chen took Xiao Yan and flew through the air. They soon reached their destination, Green Mountain Town.

Along the way, Xiao Yan marveled at how powerful his teacher was. Yao Chen could carry him through the air without even using Dou Qi wings.

As they traveled, Yao Chen gave Xiao Yan a brief introduction to his junior sister, Xiao Yi Xian.

The master and disciple changed into new outfits in town, then entered Green Mountain Town.

Green Mountain Town was bustling with activity. Yao Chen and Xiao Yan walked side by side into the lively streets.

The streets were crowded, and the cries of street vendors rose and fell without pause.

The master and disciple made their way through the packed crowd toward the Ten Thousand Herb Pavilion.

At last, the Ten Thousand Herb Pavilion's old-fashioned gates appeared before them.

In front of the gates, several shop assistants were busy greeting customers.