Zi Yan's Good Friend

In the quiet courtyard, Xiao Yan followed Su Qian's instructions and entered the room she had designated.

The room was small but extremely tidy, with only a bed, a table, and a futon—simple and unpretentious, but Xiao Yan didn't seem to mind.

After sensing the surroundings briefly, Xiao Yan discovered that the energy concentration in the air was significantly higher than outside, indicating that Su Qian had clearly arranged this place using special methods.

"Hiss..."

The sharp pain in his right arm made him grin. Although it wasn't as painful as the previous Heavenly Flame Body Tempering, it was still quite painful. He was almost turning himself into a ninja by practicing a Dou Technique.

The Earth-Shaking Demon Bear's series of furious counterattacks aggravated the injury to his right arm. He couldn't appear weak in front of others, but now that he had relaxed, the pain swept over him. Even after being tempered by the Great Sun Separation Fire Body, the pain of muscle tearing and bone fracture was still clear.

He sat cross-legged on the futon, not directly consuming the Golden Sun Fruit given to him by Zi Yan, but first circulating his Dou Qi, mobilizing the Heavenly Flames, and circulating the Great Sun Separation Fire Body to carefully nurture his injured right arm.

Another benefit of cultivating the Great Sun Separation Fire Body is that after being injured, one can use the power of the Heavenly Flames Great Sun Separation Fire Body repair the wound.

Not long after Xiao Yan got into the zone, his door was silently pushed open a crack.

A small head peeked in, with long, light purple hair hanging down and big, dark eyes curiously scanning the room before finally settling on Xiao Yan, who was meditating with his eyes closed.

Judging from her animal-like appearance, it was indeed Zi Yan.

She slipped in like a cat, gently closed the door behind her, and then tiptoed to Xiao Yan's side. Without saying a word, she sat down cross-legged, rested her chin on her hands, and stared intently at him.

Her eyes were filled with pure curiosity and a desire to explore, as if Xiao Yan were some kind of novel toy to her.

Although Xiao Yan had his eyes closed, his powerful soul perception allowed him to see everything around him.

Feeling the gaze that seemed to pierce through his skin, he sighed helplessly, slowly finished his practice, and opened his eyes.

"Miss Zi Yan, didn't the Great Elder tell you to protect the Dharma outside? With you sneaking in like this, I can't focus on healing."

Looking at the delicate face so close to his, Xiao Yan didn't show much displeasure; in fact, his tone became gentler.

He knew all too well that Zi Yan, though seemingly young, possessed terrifying strength and was a lawless individual.

If you coax her, she'll be a good child; if you scold her, she'll become a little devil!

"Oh, what's there to protect outside? The old man's here, it's perfectly safe!" Zi Yan waved her hand dismissively, leaning forward even closer, almost touching Xiao Yan's nose. "Besides, I'm just watching you heal, I won't bother you."

Her gaze was fixed intently on Xiao Yan, clearly unaware that her actions just now had actually made her seem a little too intimate with Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan subtly moved back, creating a small distance between himself and the enemy.

"Don't worry, once I've recovered a bit, I'll refine the herbs into pills that are easier to absorb and digest. I'll also improve the taste of the pills, so you can enjoy taking some of the less palatable herbs more."

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan's eyes instantly lit up like stars, and she nodded frantically like a chick pecking at rice.

"Hmm, I heard from Old Man Su that you're Fifth-Grade Alchemist! You need to get better quickly so you can help me refine some pills! Maybe the pills you refine will help me grow stronger and grow up faster, so I can beat up those bad guys who dare to bully me!"

She waved her little fists, making a fierce face.

Xiao Yan knew this was a good opportunity to get closer to Zi Yan, so he smiled and asked:

"You seem pretty strong, so why are you being bullied?"

Upon hearing this, Zi Yan's face darkened, clearly recalling unpleasant memories. She pouted and muttered:

"Those two Sixth-Rank Magical Beast you just saw, they've tried to eat me before, but I've always managed to survive!"

"Hmm, generally speaking, it's unlikely that a human would reach the Dou Wang level at this age, nor would they have such good physical attributes and teeth. Your true form is probably a magical beast, right? However, to initially transform your body into human form, you would at least need to reach the Dou Emperor level, right? Judging from your appearance, it seems like something unexpected has happened..."

Xiao Yan certainly knew about Zi Yan's situation, but for now, he had to pretend he didn't.

"Yes, but I'm definitely not that strong. I turned into this because I accidentally ate a Transformation Grass. So I was thinking that if I eat more medicinal herbs and grow up quickly, I can freely transform between beast and human forms!"

Zi Yan nodded. For some reason, she had a very strange sense of trust in Xiao Yan.

An ordinary person would never have the opportunity to talk to her for so long.

"Transformation Grass? No wonder..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded in apparent understanding, but in reality, he knew very well that even if Zi Yan, as the original form of the Ancient Void Dragon, reached the Dou Emperor level, she could not switch back and forth between human form and her original form.

Given the strength of the Ancient Void Dragon's bloodline, it would require at least Seventh Tier of strength to begin entering maturity and gain the ability to freely switch between human form and its original form.

"Oh, that's such a shame. Don't worry, I'll help you. Once my Dou Technique have improved further, we'll go together and beat them to a pulp!"

A moment later, Xiao Yan, with a kind smile on his face, spoke to Zi Yan.

Because of her tragic past, this little girl is not only immature but also quite withdrawn. Therefore, it's not difficult to gain her trust.

If you are genuinely kind to her and let her feel it, she will naturally change her attitude.

"Alright, speaking of which, isn't there some kind of Strong Ranking List in the Inner Academy? A few days ago, I sparred with the number one on that Strong Ranking List and injured him. Ever since then, Old Man Su has forbade me from personally engaging in combat with others. I was just wondering who I'd spar with next!"

Zi Yan's eyes lit up, and her gaze towards Xiao Yan was filled with joy.

Xiao Yan's physical abilities are much better than most people in the Inner Academy. Having him to spar and play with in the future will definitely be better than dealing with those good-for-nothings in the Inner Academy!

Thinking of this, Zi Yan's gaze softened and became more satisfied.

It's great that I can spar with someone and concoct medicine!

Seeing Zi Yan's intense thirst for power and combat, Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, just send me whatever medicinal herbs you want, and I'll take care of them."

"Okay, I have lots!"

Before Xiao Yan could finish speaking, Zi Yan eagerly interrupted. A flash of purple light appeared on her small hand, and then a dark slit appeared. A burst of light followed, and a large pile of precious medicinal herbs, exuding a rich medicinal fragrance, fell out of the dark slit and piled up on the table.

A thousand-year-old Dragon Blood Ganoderma, a Mysterious Mystic Jade Bone Ginseng shimmering with iridescent light, a chilling Ice Spirit Flower, and a few Golden Sun Fruit similar to those from before...

The variety of ingredients was astonishing, the age of the ingredients was remarkable, and the quality was all top-notch. They were all medicinal materials for refining Third-Grade pills, and the quantity was so great that they were almost piled up into a small mountain!

Even with Old Yao's guidance and his exceptional perspective, Xiao Yan was still taken aback by this sudden display of "tycoon" generosity.

Has this girl been treating the Inner Academy's Herb Repository like her own backyard? She must have taken quite a lot!

"Ahem..." Xiao Yan coughed lightly, suppressing his surprise. His gaze swept over the medicinal herbs, paused, and then looked at Zi Yan, whose face was full of anticipation. "The medicinal herbs are indeed sufficient. But first, I need to heal my arm, otherwise I won't be able to stably control the flames for alchemy. Also, when I'm refining pills, you can't suddenly rush in and cause trouble like you are now. You must wait quietly outside, understand?"

"I understand! I absolutely understand!" Zi Yan patted her slightly rounded chest to assure her, her face full of solemnity. She then precisely dug out a blue flower emitting a cool fragrance from the pile of medicinal herbs. "This, Snow Jade Bone Flower, is good for bones. I'll give it to you too!"

Xiao Yan looked at the Snow Jade Bone Flower, a medicinal herb that could be used to refine Sixth-Grade Pill, and then at Zi Yan's clear, sincere, and slightly concerned eyes, and his heart warmed.

Although this girl seems wild and untamed, she is simple and straightforward. She is good to whoever is good to her.

It's really comfortable dealing with a girl like that.

Thank you.

Xiao Yan accepted it without hesitation.

This herb isn't actually necessary to use now, but since it's one of the ingredients for the Bone-Growing Blood-Melting Pill, it should be carefully stored away.

"Now I need to focus on healing. Will you protect me?"

Xiao Yan said with a smile.

"Then you can start..." Zi Yan nodded, and seeing that Xiao Yan hadn't moved for a while, she finally came to her senses, slapped her forehead, and laughed awkwardly, "I'll go out now, you continue, haha!"

Then, she reluctantly left the room, turning back every few steps, and carefully closed the door behind her.

The room finally returned to quiet.

Looking at the pile of priceless medicinal herbs on the ground, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly, but a smile remained on his lips.

"This girl, is she the Ancient Void Dragon you mentioned?"

The Old Yao's voice carried a hint of amazement. You must know that even with his strength, he had never had the chance to see such a rare magical beast back then.

Zi Yan is young and therefore less wary of humans. If she could spend more time with Xiao Yan.

"Hmm, I didn't expect to run into her in the mountains, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. I believe she will be a great help to me in the future."

Xiao Yan smiled and nodded.

"Su Qian is quite strong, so I shouldn't interact with you too much, lest he discover something. During this period, I won't take action unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, you'll have to deal with that Dou Zong expert on your own."

After pondering for a moment, the Old Yao solemnly gave his instructions.

"Don't worry, teacher, I know what I'm doing. Right now, treating my injuries is the most important thing..."

Xiao Yan nodded, said nothing more, held his breath and focused his mind into his body. The Heavenly Flames quietly rose and began to slowly repair the injuries in his body. He also casually put some Fourth-Grade healing pills into his mouth and swallowed them.

The room fell into complete silence, with only Xiao Yan's even and long breathing and the faint sound of the energy of heaven and earth being absorbed into Xiao Yan body.

The Heavenly Flames rose within his body, slowly increasing in temperature. The cells, which had already been ravaged by the Heavenly Flames for a long time, immediately began to devour the energy carried by the Heavenly Flames, strengthening his body while simultaneously repairing the injuries within Xiao Yan's body.

However, this time the firepower wasn't unleashed at full strength, so the temperature wasn't as high as before, enough to burn through the stone. After all, the main purpose was to heal the wounds. If the temperature of the Heavenly Flames were raised to the level of Heavenly Flame Body Tempering in areas with severe injuries, it would undoubtedly be suicide.

As promised, Zi Yan did not sneak back inside the house.

She sat cross-legged, her small chin resting on the back of her clasped hands, her large, dark eyes fixed on the closed door without blinking.

The afterglow of the setting sun filtered through the branches and leaves of the courtyard, dancing on her pale purple hair and casting dappled light.

The excitement and anticipation on her little face gradually subsided, replaced by an almost focused, protective posture.

Although Great Elder Su Qian was nearby, in Zi Yan's simple mind at this moment, "Yan Protector" was her most important task. It was a promise she made to this new friend who could refine delicious pills and had promised to fight alongside her.

In the Inner Academy, Xiao Yan was her only friend.

We must protect him well!

Time passed little by little.

Zi Yan remained in the same pose, like a delicate little statue.

Occasionally, the rustling of leaves in the wind or the low chirping of unknown insects in the distance would make her prick up her ears alertly, her bright black eyes quickly scanning every corner of the courtyard to make sure there was no possibility of disturbance.

Once she's sure it's safe, her gaze will return to the door, and she'll regain that pure focus.

At the same time, a thought resurfaced in her little mind: that familiar feeling... where had she seen him before?

She tried hard to recall, her brows furrowing slightly, her pale purple hair swaying gently as she shook her head.

Did we meet in the distance in the forest before?

Or did she catch a glimpse of it when she secretly slipped into some part of the Inner Academy?

Memories are a jumble of blurry fragments, yet I can never quite grasp that one clear moment.

This feeling of familiarity yet being unable to recall it made her slightly irritated, like something gently scratching at the tip of her heart.

"Hmm... I don't want to think about it anymore!"

Zi Yan doesn't suffer from mental exhaustion. If she can't figure something out, she chooses to let it go, and she'll always remember it eventually.

Dusk was falling in the courtyard.

Zi Yan remained seated on the steps, her small figure appearing exceptionally focused in the dim light.

She stopped dwelling on that inexplicable sense of familiarity and was filled with anticipation for the future. Whether it was Xiao Yan's promise of better-tasting and easier-to-absorb pills, or his promise to practice with her and fight those bad guys together, all of these made her feel that her life was beginning to look better.

In this world, there are not only malicious monsters, but also good people like Elder Qian and Xiao Yan.

So happy!