Farewell Home

Seeing Xiao Yan rush in, Yao Chen realized he had been laughing too loudly and could only offer an awkward cough.

"Cough~~"

"Little Yanzi, it's nothing. Your teacher just suddenly remembered something happy."

Seeing that Yao Chen was fine, Xiao Yan could only stand to the side and offer an awkward, accompanying smile.

"Little Yanzi, I will take you somewhere later."

"Where are we going, Teacher?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.

"I am taking you to meet your Junior Sister."

Thinking of the adorable appearance of Xiao Yi Xian, the corners of Yao Chen's mouth curled upward involuntarily.

"Junior Sister? Teacher, you've taken on another disciple? Where is she, and what is her name?"

Upon hearing that he had a Junior Sister, Xiao Yan was startled at first, then hurriedly asked who she was.

"Don't be impatient. We will set off in a moment to go see her."

"Teacher, how long will this trip take?"

Because he had left home on short notice, Xiao Yan wanted to ask about the duration to avoid his father worrying that something had happened to him.

"This trip will take quite a while—perhaps a few months, or even a few years. Once I bring you to reunite with your Junior Sister, I will begin teaching you both the art of alchemy."

Seeing that Xiao Yan had something to say but felt too embarrassed to speak, Yao Chen guessed his thoughts and continued.

"Little Yanzi, go home first and properly bid your family farewell."

Hearing Yao Chen tell him to go say goodbye to his family, Xiao Yan was instantly filled with tears and kowtowed heavily to him several times.

"That's enough, Little Yanzi. Go and return quickly; I will be waiting for you here."

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

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

It was already late at night when he returned to the Xiao Clan, and his father was resting in his room.

Seeing Xiao Yan arrive, Xiao Zhan was very happy; after all, Xiao Yan had shone brilliantly during the clan test today, winning great honor for him as a father.

"Yan'er, you've come. You were truly amazing today! You made me look so glorious in the clan; those elders couldn't stop envying me."

"By the way, Yan'er, it's so late—is something the matter?"

Hearing his father express such pride in him, Xiao Yan felt a sense of self-satisfaction, but the thought of leaving to cultivate with his teacher made him feel guilty toward his father, especially since his two older brothers had only just left home to train elsewhere.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

Xiao Yan kowtowed heavily to Xiao Zhan several times, and Xiao Zhan was taken aback by this sudden scene.

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

Looking at his father's concerned inquiry, Xiao Yan was already weeping uncontrollably, sobbing as he spoke to Xiao Zhan.

"Father, I... your child must leave home for a period of time. It may be a few months, or perhaps a few years."

"Last month, I happened to meet an extraordinary master who took me as his disciple. My teacher said he valued my aptitude and has been teaching me cultivation techniques and Dou Skills, even using secret methods to improve my cultivation."

"After the test, my teacher also imparted to me a Heavenly Flame and cultivation, and I have now reached the level of a nine-star Dou Grandmaster."

Xiao Yan instantly released the aura of a nine-star Dou Grandmaster, while Xiao Zhan's own cultivation had only just reached the level of a three-star Dou Grandmaster.

Xiao Zhan said with a look of shock, "Yan'er, this teacher of yours is truly good to you. You must repay him well in the future."

Hearing his father's instruction, Xiao Yan nodded heavily.

After chatting in Xiao Zhan's room for a few hours, Xiao Yan took his leave.

It was almost dawn by now.

Xiao Yan arrived outside the door of Xun Er's room and, through the window, saw her fast asleep.

Xiao Yan went to the head of Xun Er's bed and whispered a farewell to her.

"Xun Er, I am leaving home for a while. My teacher is going to teach me alchemy. When I return, I will be an alchemist. By then, I will have pills for you to eat whenever you like, and I will be able to protect you all even better."

After speaking, he kissed Xun Er on the cheek and left the room, unaware that her face had already turned visibly flushed.

What Xiao Yan did not know was that Xun Er was not actually asleep; in fact, she had discovered him the moment he arrived at her door.

Brother Xiao Yan, you must cultivate well with Venerable Yao and become strong. When that time comes, Father will surely agree.

Afterward, Xiao Yan returned to his room, packed his belongings simply, and hurried toward the mountain cave.

Yao Chen was sitting in meditation inside the cave, and he opened his eyes the moment Xiao Yan reached the entrance.

"Teacher, I have returned. I have finished explaining everything to my family."

Xiao Yan walked into the cave and first bowed to Yao Chen before speaking.

Watching Xiao Yan bow as soon as he entered, Yao Chen felt a myriad of emotions.

"Little Yanzi, as long as everything at home is settled, that is fine."

Xiao Yan suddenly remembered that his teacher had previously said he could not reveal his existence to his family, so he hurriedly apologized to Yao Chen.

"Teacher, I'm sorry, I told my father that you have taken me as your disciple."

"It is fine. With Xun Er here now, your father should be perfectly safe."

Hearing Yao Chen mention Xun Er, Xiao Yan was very confused and asked.

"Teacher, why do you say that because Xun Er is here, my father will be safe?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's inquiry, Yao Chen slowly explained to him.

"Actually, Xun Er is not a member of your clan; she belongs to the Gu Clan, one of the eight ancient clans."

"That girl's family strength is one of the top powers on the Dou Continent, and Xun Er's father is the patriarch of the Gu Clan."

"She came to your clan simply to search for something."

"As for your Xiao Clan, you were originally one of the eight ancient clans as well, but you only ended up in Wutan City after falling into decline."

Listening to Yao Chen's words, Xiao Yan's brain instantly went blank, filled with questions, so he interrupted.

"Teacher, wait, you are actually saying that Xun Er is from one of the eight ancient clans, and that our Xiao Clan is also one of the eight ancient clans? And you said Xun Er came here to look for something—is there some kind of misunderstanding?"

"Little Yan, you may not believe what I am saying now, but you will understand in the future."

Yao Chen looked at Xiao Yan's expression, which was full of questions, and decided to explain everything in detail to him later.

"Little Yan, it is getting late, let us set off."

"Very well, Teacher."

Xiao Yan had been confused by what he heard, and since his teacher mentioned leaving, he simply stopped thinking about it and decided to follow his teacher first.

Having said that, Xiao Yan followed Yao Chen straight toward the exit of the cave.

After exiting the cave, Yao Chen took Xiao Yan and walked directly through the air, quickly reaching their destination, Green Mountain Town.

Along the way, Xiao Yan marveled at his teacher's strength, as he was able to carry him in flight without even needing to manifest Dou Qi wings.

On the way, Yao Chen briefly introduced his junior disciple, Xiao Yi Xian, to Xiao Yan.

The master and disciple changed their attire at the edge of the town before walking into Green Mountain Town.

At this moment, Green Mountain Town was bustling with activity, and Yao Chen walked side by side with Xiao Yan as they stepped into this prosperous place.

On the streets, the crowds were bustling, and the sounds of hawking rose one after another.

The master and disciple pushed through the crowded streets, heading toward the Ten Thousand Herb Pavilion.

Finally, the rustic gate of the Ten Thousand Herb Pavilion appeared before their eyes.

In front of the gate, several clerks were busy attending to customers.