Hai Bodong Was Preparing to Arrange Ya Fei's Engagement, but Ya Fei Had No Idea!

Under Mu Tie's warm hospitality, Xiao Yan and the women had a meal and rested for a while before boarding the military air transport team's Iron Wing Bird.

This is a Third Tier magical beast with extremely high load-bearing capacity, good endurance, and decent speed. It is the most suitable flying magical beast for military use among the Jia Ma Empire and many surrounding empires.

Before leaving, Xiao Yan instructed Mu Tie that if anyone asked about Meng Li, Mu Tie should say Xiao Yan's name.

Mu Tie readily accepted this, after all, the death of a deputy commander with the strength of Dou Ling and the background of the Misty Cloud Sect meant that if no one took responsibility, Mu Tie would likely get into considerable trouble.

As the Iron Wing Bird took off, the Ghost Suppression Pass gradually shrank in Xiao Yan's eyes, becoming a palm-sized area, and eventually becoming barely visible.

For the five girls accompanying Xiao Yan, riding in the Empire's air transport fleet was a novel experience.

Given their status, generally speaking, if they were to travel legitimately, they would at least be escorted by Dou Wang), protected by Dou Emperor) Dou Zong Dou Zun (Battle Venerable).

However, under normal circumstances, the small worlds in which each race resides are enough for them to explore, or at the very least, they can train within the sphere of influence of their own power.

The small worlds of the Ancient Clans are all in the Central Plains. Therefore, unless they want to travel with Xiao Yan, they generally wouldn't come to such a remote northwestern region.

This also applies to Zi Yan.

The Ancient Void Dragon Clan has its own Dragon Island in the void as its main base. Most of its activities take place within the void, and it only occasionally ventures to the Southern Region of Central Plains, where magical beast clans gather.

Therefore, all five women accompanied Xiao Yan and sat on the roof of the wooden house that the Iron Wing Bird was carrying on its back.

The view here was expansive, and the group consisted entirely of Dou Wang level experts. The slight, knife-like cold wind did not dampen the spirits of Xiao Yan and his companions.

Xiao Yan sat cross-legged, the Heart Fire of the Fallen Heart Flame burning in his heart, autonomously tempering his fighting Dou Qi.

After a month of nurturing, the Sea Heart Flame had become much more docile. Xiao Yan still devoted some of his attention to mastering the Sea Heart Flame using the Five Wheel Separation Fire Method.

Unfortunately, the Great Sun Separation Fire Body hardly cultivated during this period.

There's no way around it. Anyone who cultivates the Great Sun Separation Fire Body must use Heavenly Flames to temper their body, making their entire body as hot as molten lava. Even Fifth Tier magical beast cannot withstand that temperature.

Even when traveling, he was unwilling to waste a single moment of cultivation time.

However, the others weren't so curled up. Yao Ling was currently nestled to Xiao Yan's left, her head resting on his shoulder, her long, smooth blue hair cascading down.

With her eyes closed, she inhaled the faint herbal scent emanating from Xiao Yan, feeling a sense of peace and contentment in her heart.

Occasionally, she would open her affectionate eyes and secretly observe Xiao Yan's focused profile. As she looked, she became somewhat infatuated, her gaze fixed on Xiao Yan's profile, firmly memorizing his focused expression.

It was as if this could freeze the time they spent together in this moment forever.

In fact, Yao Ling was no stranger to the Jia Ma Empire.

After Xiao Yan advanced to the Dou Emperor, he still regarded Wutan City as the center of the Xiao Family. He opened up the Xiao Realm there, using the original Xiao Family residence as the gate, and protected Wutan City with the power of the Dou Emperor. Even Nine-Star Dou Saint could not destroy a single brick or tile of Wutan City.

Yao Ling had secretly visited Wutan City several times and had also toured the Jia Ma Empire.

At the time, she didn't realize what her actions represented.

By the time she realized it, Xiao Yan had already drifted further and further away from her, and she no longer had the chance to develop any further relationship with Xiao Yan.

Although it wasn't unfamiliar, it was also her first time riding in a flying transport fleet. However, for her, it was more important to lean on Xiao Yan's shoulder and enjoy the time spent with her beloved.

She did very well in this life what she couldn't do in her previous life. She thought she was already on the road to success!

Shi Xuanxuan sat to Xiao Yan's right, her posture upright, her sharp gaze sweeping over the rapidly passing land and mountains below.

Nothing special.

But with Junior Brother Xiao Yan around, it wasn't too boring.

Huo Zhi and Ling Yanfei sat a little further apart, on either side.

Huo Zhi still wore a veil, revealing only a pair of jewel-like crimson eyes, which sometimes fell on Xiao Yan and sometimes gazed into the distance.

Although she also liked Xiao Yan quite a bit, it was definitely not appropriate to disturb Xiao Yan at this moment. Besides, she had always been very curious about what the Xiao Clan was like now.

Previously, she had only heard about some things and seen them with her own eyes.

As for Ling Yanfei, she was much more relaxed. She simply enjoyed the scenery and didn't pay any attention to the Yao Ling trying to show off their relationship. Of course, she shared similar thoughts with Huo Zhi. She had "seen" the destruction of the Ling Clan, and she knew that if it really happened, she would likely be the only survivor of the Ling Clan.

She couldn't help but wonder, although the Xiao Clan had its reasons for declining back then, why did it fall to the level of an ordinary small family so quickly?

She wanted to use her abilities to investigate.

As for Zi Yan, she had taken too many pills along the way, and soon after takeoff, she lay down in Xiao Yan and fell asleep immediately.

As the saying goes, no one would be jealous of a child, so no one would mind that Zi Yan was monopolizing Xiao Yan's embrace.

But they clearly didn't realize what it meant that Zi Yan could have gone back inside to rest, but instead insisted on staying in Xiao Yan's arms.

They thought they were joking, but some things that seem like jokes are not.

Despite the military air transport fleet's extremely high speed, the journey across most of the empire still took a full week.

When Xiao Yan snapped out of his cultivation and looked into the distance, he saw the familiar mountain range stretching below and the outline of a city in the distance. A smile finally appeared on his face.

That's... the Monster Mountain Range, and Wutan City. After three years away from home, I'm finally back!

Soon, the outline of Wutan City became larger and clearer, and Xiao Yan felt a sense of trepidation as he approached home.

Seemingly sensing Xiao Yan's unusual behavior, Yao Ling placed her soft, fair hand into Xiao Yan's palm.

Xiao Yan turned his head and saw the concern in her affectionate eyes. He immediately felt relieved and smiled at her.

Yao Ling was easily satisfied. When she saw Xiao Yan smile at her, her heart skipped a beat, and then a brighter and more charming smile bloomed on her face. Her long, azure hair danced in the wind, making one's heart flutter.

Wutan City.

The Xiao Family today is vastly different from what it was before Xiao Yan left.

With the help of the Mittel Family, the Jia Lie Clan and Ao Ba Clan were successfully annexed by the Xiao Family, and their industries and territories were all incorporated into the Xiao Family's sphere of influence.

Miter Auction House is generally neutral and does not align itself with any faction.

However, Ya Fei is the young Clan Chief, and Hai Bodong is the Supreme Elder.

The fact that the highest-ranking and future leaders of the Mittel Family are both on the Xiao Family's side is tantamount to the Mittel Family siding with the Xiao Family.

However, they haven't made any public show of it yet.

Ya Fei knew how strong Xiao Yan would become in the future, but because she wasn't the Clan Chief, there were certain decisions she couldn't make.

Otherwise, they would have already dragged the Xiao Family back to the Imperial Capital and restored their former glory.

Hai Bodong could also see that Xiao Yan was no ordinary person. He could help the Xiao Family on his own, but if he were to involve the Mittel Family as well, it would actually be detrimental to the Xiao Family's development.

After all, a family ultimately has to rely on itself. If it relies on other families for support, it will cause a lot of trouble in the future and attract too much attention, which would be a loss.

But it's much easier if it's just a matter of Ya Fei making a few moves.

With the help of Ya Fei and Hai Bodong, the Xiao Family finally became the sole overlord of Wutan City, controlling two-thirds of the city's economic lifeline, and significantly improving its markets, mines, medicinal herb trade, and even its military strength.

In this way, the Xiao Family also gained a lot of cultivation resources, including suitable cultivation techniques, excellent Dou Technique, and various pills. Under Ya Fei's arrangement, these resources flowed into the Xiao Family quietly and subtly.

As a result, Xiao Zhan recently broke through to the Dou Ling realm, the Great Elder and the Second Elder also reached the Da Dou Shi Peak, Third Elder was a little weaker, but still had the strength of Eight-Star Da Dou Shi.

Some of the younger members of the tribe also benefited from this.

For example, Xiao Yu, who is about to participate in his coming-of-age ceremony, has successfully condensed a Dou Qi Vortex with the help of the Qi Gathering Powder sold to the Xiao Family at a low price by the Miter Auction House, and has become a true Dou Zhe!

After participating in her coming-of-age ceremony, she will then apply to the Jia Nan Academy and enter that renowned institution across the entire continent to study.

In summary, the Xiao Family has now undergone a transformation. Although it is not as powerful as a local tyrant like the Mo Clan, at least in this corner of Wutan City, the Xiao Family has complete control!

Even the City Lord Mansion can only be considered an equal to the Xiao Family now.

Inside the Miter Auction House.

Ya Fei's cultivation has recently hit a bottleneck.

Three months ago, she had already cultivated to the Dou Ling Peak.

However, breaking through to the Dou Wang is truly not easy.

After handling some Auction House matters, she planned to visit the Xiao Family and also inquire whether Xiao Yan had sent any messages back.

She was very curious: had Xiao Yan already reached the Dou Wang level?

Although her talent received an epic boost, and with Elder Hai's personal guidance and the full support of the Mittel Family, her cultivation speed was so fast that even Nalan Yanran would be envious.

But someone as exceptional as Xiao Yan is definitely no less talented than her.

Recalling the moment when she held the boy tightly in her arms and boldly expressed her feelings when they parted, Ya Fei couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.

It's been three years; the child must have grown up by now.

I really miss him!

"Hehe, thinking about that little guy again?"

A familiar voice rang in Ya Fei's ears, and then the temperature in the world suddenly dropped a little, and a figure dressed in a blue robe appeared beside her.

"Elder Hai."

Upon hearing this, Ya Fei snapped out of her daze and, without any shyness, greeted him with a generous smile.

Although this is actually quite difficult to explain, after all, when they "met" Xiao Yan was really just a child.

Her feelings for Xiao Yan could not possibly be hidden from a seasoned veteran like Hai Bodong.

"Yes, it's been three years. I wonder what that kid's strength is now. I guess he's Dou Wang by now."

A hint of longing flashed in Ya Fei's beautiful eyes as she spoke softly.

"Hehe, it seems you really care about him. Although I don't know why, it seems that the marriage agreement between the Nalan Family and the Xiao Family has been abolished. However, that boy hasn't had his coming-of-age ceremony yet, so your marriage will have to wait another two years."

Hai Bodong had already seen through everything, and he naturally didn't mind betting the future of the Mittel Family on that young man who could refine Sixth-Grade Pill.

The clan's current Great Elder, Mittel Teng Shan, is still in good health and can work for several more decades.

Ya Fei has good talent; she shouldn't have wasted her life in the Jia Ma Empire.

Hai Bodong actually hoped that Ya Fei could travel with Xiao Yan in the future, experience more life and death together, and that this would allow the two to develop a deeper bond.

As for whether the two will be in danger?

If someone who cultivates Dou Qi avoids fighting and combat out of fear of potential danger, then what's the point of cultivating Dou Qi? They might as well just stay home, eat, and wait to die.

"Elder Hai!"

This time, Ya Fei blushed genuinely.

They haven't even really developed a relationship yet, how did they get involved in marriage already!

I had assumed that the older members of the clan would be conservatives.

Unexpectedly, it was a conservative who felt the radicals were too conservative.

That's really conservative.

"Hehe, I've never had a child in my life. You're family, and you've inherited my mantle. I'm hoping that you and that brat Xiao Yan will give me a grandson soon..."

Hai Bodong has clearly been idle for so many years and is a little too bored.

But Ya Fei was no match for this disrespectful old man, so she could only stomp her foot in frustration and leave quickly.

"She's clearly just a little girl, yet she acts all mature in front of this old man..."

Seeing Ya Fei's flushed face and hasty retreat, Hai Bodong smiled with satisfaction.

He really wants to have his grand-disciple!

Um?

Hai Bodong frowned, looked towards the direction of the City Lord Mansion, and then glanced upwards, spotting a military air transport squadron in the sky.

"Strange, there shouldn't be any fighting recently, so why would a military air transport squadron from the border come to Wutan City?"

Hai Bodong muttered to himself, then expanded his sensory range and began to investigate carefully.

He hadn't forgotten what Xiao Yan had entrusted to him.

It's just too tiring to constantly keep your perception covering Wutan City.

If it only involves covering the Xiao Family and the Miter Auction House, it's not difficult; consider it a form of training.

"Hiss, this aura!"

Hai Bodong sensed a familiar, scorching aura. After a moment of contemplation, he swayed and caught up with Ya Fei.

"Elder Hai?"

Ya Fei blinked in confusion.

"Hehe, I'll go with you to the Xiao Family for a visit. Don't worry, we won't mention the marriage alliance."

Hai Bodong remained calm and smiled as he spoke.

Yeah, right! He sensed it; it was Xiao Yan who was back!

Perfect! We can't get married, but we can get engaged!

"Snort!"

Upon hearing this, Ya Fei naturally failed to discern Hai Bodong's true thoughts, assuming the old man was teasing her. She snorted dismissively, then, in her red high heels, strode off toward the Xiao Family.

Hai Bodong didn't mind her rudeness and just followed her with a smile.