Early the next morning.
Xiao Ze got out of bed and immediately felt an intense ache in his arms.
The three girls had bathed together the day before. The sounds of their playful laughter and splashing from the hot spring had made his ears itch—and his heart itch, too.
Xiao Ze did his best to calm the restlessness within him.
After parting ways with the three of them, he had spent half the night practicing his punches in the back hills.
"Xun Er and Xiao Mei are still just little girls who haven't grown up yet, but Xiao Yu is different—sexy and mature, with an alluring charm."
Xiao Ze shook his head, clearing the stray thoughts from his mind.
"I already told Father yesterday that I'd be going on a long trip."
"I'll head to the Mittal Auction House in a bit to buy some things I'll need, then set off right away."
He had told only Xiao Zhan and Xiao Xun'er about his journey.
He hadn't even told Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei, despite having enjoyed a lively conversation with them the day before.
He was usually low-key anyway. He could be gone for a month and come back without anyone in the clan noticing.
Xiao Ze took a Storage Ring from his robe. Xiao Zhan had given it to him especially after learning he was going on a long trip.
He said he had used it when he was young. Now that he had replaced it, it would only sit around unused, so Xiao Ze might as well have it.
Inside the Storage Ring was a Gold Deposit Card, plenty of healing medicine, and some supplies commonly used on adventures.
"Father really did prepare everything so thoughtfully. As soon as he realized I'd made up my mind to go, he spent just one afternoon getting a Storage Ring and all these things for me."
Xiao Ze looked at the pale gray ring and felt a warm current flow through his heart.
It felt good to have someone care about him!
Even the lowest-grade Storage Ring still cost at least seventy or eighty thousand gold coins!
That was nearly a year's worth of profits for the Xiao Clan!
Xiao Ze gratefully tucked the Storage Ring into his robe.
Among low-level cultivators, Storage Rings were rare items.
Wearing one on his hand could easily invite unnecessary trouble and attract greedy eyes.
As soon as Xiao Ze opened the door, he saw Xiao Xun'er standing outside.
She stood tall and graceful, like a Green Lotus just about to bloom.
"Brother Xiao Ze, are you leaving so early?"
"Since I've made up my mind, I might as well set off early. Otherwise, it'll already be night by the time I leave Wutan City."
"Hehe, all right. Xun Er will see you off a little farther, then."
They walked side by side, chatting and laughing along the way, without a trace of the silence or sadness that usually came before a farewell.
At the Xiao Clan's front gate, Xiao Ze patted Xiao Xun'er on the head.
"Xun Er, train hard while you're at home. Don't let me leave you in the dust again when I come back."
"Hmph! Brother Xiao Ze, you're always looking down on me. Maybe by the time you get back, I'll have caught up by a huge leap!"
Xiao Xun'er puffed out her cheeks in an angry little pout, but didn't pull away from Xiao Ze's hand.
"All right, I shouldn't linger. I'm off."
Xiao Ze waved to Xiao Xun'er, then turned and left.
Xiao Xun'er watched him disappear from view, then parted her red lips.
"Elder Ling, please keep an eye on Brother Xiao Ze and make sure nothing happens to him!"
"Yes, miss!"
Ling Ying hesitated, but agreed. Then he asked uncertainly,
"But what about your safety, miss?"
"Don't worry. The Xiao Clan isn't in any danger for now, and the measures Father left me are enough to deal with ordinary threats."
Xiao Xun'er answered with a smile, urging Ling Ying to hurry and protect Xiao Ze.
Feeling Ling Ying leave, Xiao Xun'er turned her gaze into the distance.
That was the direction Xiao Ze had gone.
"Brother Xiao Ze, safe travels!"
Then she turned and headed back to the Xiao Clan's back hills. She was going to focus on her cultivation!
Meanwhile, Xiao Ze arrived at the Mittal Auction House in Wutan City and found Ya Fei, who had only just woken up.
"When my subordinate came to report it, I could hardly believe it. I didn't expect it to really be young master Xiao Ze."
"Haha, I'm sorry to bother you so early, Miss Ya Fei."
Xiao Ze was sitting in the reception room. He looked at Ya Fei as she came out of her bedroom, smiling as he spoke.
With Ya Fei's status, of course she had her own suite inside the Mittal Auction House.
"All right, young master Xiao Ze. You came to see me for a reason. Is there something you want to buy?"
Ya Fei poured a cup of tea herself and set it down in front of Xiao Ze.
"That's right. I'm going on a long trip and wanted to see if you had any reasonably priced ways to disguise myself. A mask or anything else would do!"
Ya Fei gave him a surprised once-over. Xiao Ze was so young, yet he was about to travel far, and all by himself.
But she said nothing more. After thinking for a moment, she listed several items and their prices.
Xiao Ze listened carefully, then his eyes lit up. He raised a hand to signal Ya Fei.
"Could I take a look at the Exquisite Skin Mask?"
"If young master Xiao Ze wants it, I can give it to you for free. After all, you did me such a great favor."
Xiao Ze smiled and shook his head, answering earnestly,
"When I saved you, I just didn't want to see an innocent person suffer defilement. I wasn't trying to use it to make you feel indebted to me!"
"Besides, I think the VIP Card you gave me is more than enough."
Ya Fei gazed at the young man's earnest expression, then smiled radiantly.
A short while later, Ya Fei returned, now dressed and carrying a black wooden box.
When she opened it, there was a leather mask inside.
"Young master Xiao Ze, you're probably not familiar with the Exquisite Skin Mask. Shall I help you put it on?"
"Uh, sure. Sorry to trouble you, Miss Ya Fei."
Ya Fei's fair, slender fingers took hold of the mask by its corners and carefully laid it over Xiao Ze's face. As she did so, she explained what he needed to keep in mind.
"The Exquisite Skin Mask costs ten thousand gold coins. It isn't as cool or breathable as the higher-grade Ice Silkworm Skin Mask, so it'll feel a little stuffy."
"Washing your face and pinching it won't make it deform, but it will be damaged if struck by a sharp weapon..."
Ya Fei went on and on, telling Xiao Ze about all sorts of precautions.
She was like a thoughtful older sister, patiently reminding her younger brother of everything he needed to know before setting out.
Xiao Ze looked at Ya Fei from only inches away. Her face was flawless, with not a single imperfection even when he examined it up close.
A faint fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose as he breathed.
"All right. Wait about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Once the mask has set, you'll be able to move your facial muscles freely."
Xiao Ze nodded without expression and quietly waited for the Exquisite Skin Mask to set.
At the same time, he sighed inwardly.
If Xiao Zhan hadn't given him a Gold Deposit Card before he left, he really couldn't have afforded this ten-thousand-gold-coin Exquisite Skin Mask!
When you traveled away from home, everything cost money!
About an incense stick later, Ya Fei brought a mirror out from her bedroom.
"It should be ready."
Xiao Ze took the mirror. In it was a young man with rather rough skin.
With Xiao Ze's current height, he looked a little underdeveloped.
"Thank you, Miss Ya Fei!"
"Xiao Ze, we're already so close, and you saved my life..."
"Why not let me be your big sister? Call me Sister Ya Fei, and I'll look out for you. How does that sound?"
Ya Fei hesitated before speaking.
Her eyes brimmed with hope as she watched Xiao Ze without blinking.
"Sister Ya Fei?"
Xiao Ze was stunned. Wasn't that the kind of treatment his third brother got? The words slipped out before he could think.
Ya Fei's heart leaped with joy, and she sat down beside Xiao Ze.
This handsome young man was so charming from every angle.
That one word, "Sister," had made her knees weak!
Before you continue