Distinguished Guest

And it seemed she had a very good relationship with Xiao Yan?

Only now did Xiao Zhan and the elders realize—guest room, guest... Xiao Yan's friend.

Could it be that Xiao Yan's friend, the one staying with the Xiao Family, was this person?

Xiao Zhan and the elders immediately felt dizzy, as though the entire world had suddenly become unfamiliar.

...A person at the third stage of Dou Qi knew a five-star Dou Wang, and they seemed to be quite close?

Had they gone mad, or had the world gone mad?

"Ah, and these gentlemen are?"

After chatting with Xiao Yan for a while, Yao Wan finally turned her gaze toward Xiao Zhan and the three elders, who were nearly stupefied.

Xiao Zhan was slightly better off. After all, when Yao Wan had moved into the Xiao Family half a year ago, Xiao Yan had already mentioned it to his father. Xiao Zhan simply had not taken it seriously at the time.

"Mm, let me introduce them. This is my father, the current Clan Leader of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan. The other three are elders of our clan."

Xiao Yan had also noticed his father and the elders acting strangely, so he explained.

As he finished speaking, Xiao Yan instinctively leaned closer to Xiao Zhan and said in a low voice, "Father, do you remember? Half a year ago, I told you that a friend had come to stay with us. It was Miss Wan."

Xiao Zhan suddenly understood. Looking at the girl before him, whose Bamboo Hat and black veil left not the slightest gap through which to see her face, he felt as if ages had passed.

Yan'er had been completely right. I was the muddleheaded one for not believing him.

But Yan'er actually had such an extraordinary friend...

For a moment, Xiao Zhan did not know what to say.

There was the difference in cultivation realm on one hand, and the difference in seniority on the other. Everything was hopelessly muddled, enough to give anyone a headache.

Yet just as Xiao Zhan fell silent, the girl in the Bamboo Hat took the initiative to break the somewhat awkward atmosphere.

"Greetings, Uncle. I am Xiao Yan's friend. For certain inconvenient reasons, Xiao Yan calls me Miss Wan. If you are willing, you may call me Wan'er, as the elders in my family do, or you may call me Miss Wan as well."

As she spoke, Yao Wan took a snow-white jade bottle from her Storage Ring.

"I met Uncle in such haste today that I had no time to prepare any gift. My means are limited, so I can only offer these twelve Shi Ling Pills that I refined myself, as thanks to Uncle and the Xiao Family for taking me in over the past half year."

The moment Yao Wan brought out the jade bottle, a faint medicinal fragrance wafted through the air. Merely smelling it made one feel refreshed and at ease.

The three elders were even more shocked. This young girl was not merely a Dou Wang—she was also an alchemist of no low rank!

Xiao Zhan could not help but freeze. Only after a moment did he accept the jade bottle the girl offered him.

"This... this is far too generous..."

In truth, whether it was Xiao Zhan, the three elders beside him, or Xiao Yan, they all understood that allowing someone like her to stay for half a year was but a trivial kindness.

Moreover, strictly speaking, even that small favor should have been credited to Xiao Yan. Had he not formed this bond of goodwill half a year ago, how could they have received such a gift today?

But before Xiao Zhan could say anything, Xiao Yan stepped forward and said, "Father, just accept it. This is also Miss Wan's goodwill. Since we are friends, there is no need to put on such formalities. As for Miss Wan's kindness today, I will repay it myself in the future."

Xiao Zhan was helpless, but since Yan'er had said so, refusing any further would only make him seem hypocritical.

"Wan... sigh, since Miss Wan'er says so, then do not blame this old man for taking advantage of his age."

Xiao Zhan sighed. Yet as he held that bottle of Shi Ling Pills, it felt as heavy as a massive stone.

He had heard of Shi Ling Pills before.

Shi Ling Pills were suitable for cultivators in the three major realms of Dou Shi, Da Dou Shi, and Dou Ling. Their medicinal effects were gentle, yet they could bring substantial improvement. Not only in the Jia Ma Empire, but even among the many surrounding empires, they were treasures that could not be bought with money.

As for whether Alchemist King Gu He, the Jia Ma Empire's sixth-tier alchemist, had ever refined Shi Ling Pills, Xiao Zhan did not know.

But for this girl to casually produce twelve such rare treasures—and to have refined them herself...

Xiao Zhan could not help frowning. He did not think he had ever had such a headache in his entire life.

After all, everything before him was simply too shocking.

The three elders stared eagerly at the jade bottle in Xiao Zhan's hand. Anyone who said they were not envious would be lying.

After all, this gift was simply too great for the entire Xiao Family.

With these twelve pills, it was entirely possible for the Xiao Family to produce several more Da Dou Shi, perhaps even Dou Ling.

At that point, there would no longer be any force in all of Wutan City capable of restraining the Xiao Family.

Thinking of this, they could not help looking toward Xiao Yan again.

But what good was looking? In the end, the benefits belonged to him. They were receiving this favor today only because of Xiao Yan.

This brat's luck is far too good...

He had clearly become a cripple incapable of cultivating Dou Qi, yet he could still befriend someone like this...

"A drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. Uncle need not dwell on it. Besides, Xiao Yan probably feels the same way I do, does he not?"

Yao Wan stood there with graceful poise, open and composed. Even with her face concealed beneath a Bamboo Hat, she still inspired immense goodwill.

After all, while her appearance could be hidden beneath the Bamboo Hat, her elegant manner of speaking and gentle, refined temperament were not things that could be easily concealed.

Even a simple conversation with her made it difficult not to feel favorably toward her.

"I wonder whether Miss Wan'er has grown accustomed to living here over the past half year. It was also the Xiao Family's fault for neglecting Miss Wan'er."

"You are too courteous, Uncle. A small courtyard and a place to stay are already more than enough for me. There is no need for Uncle to trouble the clan to prepare another residence for me. I am quite used to living here."

Xiao Zhan smiled. He could only tell himself that he had truly grown old, yet the more he looked at her, the more pleased he became...

"Very well, then we shall not disturb Miss Wan'er any longer. Should Miss Wan'er have any needs while staying with the Xiao Family, simply tell Yan'er. Once Yan'er informs me, the Xiao Family will certainly do everything in its power to meet Miss Wan'er's requests."

"Then thank you, Uncle."

Yao Wan gave a slight bow and saw Xiao Zhan and the elders off.

Only when Xiao Yan followed them out did he instinctively turn back to look at Yao Wan.

"Go on for now. Uncle and the elders probably have a great many questions to ask you. If there is anything else, we can talk after you are finished and return."

Xiao Yan nodded.