About to Depart

After watching the spectacle and having her fun, Yao Wan naturally had no intention of lingering in the reception hall and left early.

Using the excuse of seeing Miss Wan off, Xiao Yan left the reception hall with her.

"About the Three Year Agreement... are you sure?"

Once they were out of the reception hall and on the path, Yao Wan slowed to a stop, lifted her Bamboo Hat, and asked.

"No problem. I'm already a Dou Zhe now, and with you and Teacher around, there's no reason I won't be able to beat her in three years."

Xiao Yan said.

"...Even so, you still sound rather lacking in confidence."

Yao Wan turned her head to glance at Xiao Yan.

"..."

Xiao Yan pressed his lips together. Though unwilling to accept it, he did not refute her.

Seeing Xiao Yan's reaction, Yao Wan turned around and continued forward.

"...What is it?"

Xiao Yan asked instinctively.

"What else could it be? Naturally, we find a way to raise your strength. I imagine Old Yao thinks the same way, doesn't he?"

Yao Wan suddenly smiled.

"The girl is indeed right. The Misty Cloud Sect is, at the very least, a major local force in the Jia Ma Empire. As the Young Sect Master, Nalan Yanran will naturally be raised with the finest resources."

"If you do not work even harder, I fear you will not be her match."

Old Yao said.

"Even Teacher says that...?"

"Cultivation is not something that can be achieved through effort alone. It also requires luck, resources, fortunate encounters, and countless heavenly treasures piled atop one another."

Old Yao continued, "Since the girl is willing to help you, you need not worry too much about resources. But as for everything else, you must strive for it yourself."

"Fortunate encounters and luck... Teacher, do you mean Heavenly Flames?"

"That's right. Heavenly Flames."

"If you wish to increase your strength, the fastest method is naturally to devour a Heavenly Flame."

"But where am I supposed to find something like a Heavenly Flame?"

"I have heard that Jia Nan Academy possesses a Heavenly Flame called the Falling Heart Flame. Once you come of age, you should be able to visit Jia Nan Academy."

Hearing Old Yao and Xiao Yan's conversation, Yao Wan stopped walking.

"...There is also the Green Lotus Core Flame in the Tagor Desert, ranked nineteenth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking. And within the Ancient Nether Poison Marsh Ruins of the Cloud Empire, there is a Nether Poison Flame."

"Miss Wan knows where Heavenly Flames can be found too?"

"Not counting the year I spent with the Xiao Family, I've been wandering outside for two years. How could I know nothing?"

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Yao Wan's lips.

"Now that you're a Dou Zhe, make some preparations and come on a long journey with me."

"A long journey? Where to?"

"What do you think? Naturally, we're going to find a Heavenly Flame for you."

Yao Wan looked back at him with a smile.

"Huh? Find a Heavenly Flame?"

Xiao Yan froze for a moment, then could not help saying, "Miss Wan, you're not joking, are you? We're going to look for a Heavenly Flame already?"

"If we don't go now, are we supposed to put it off for another two or three years?"

Yao Wan said, "As for your strength, you can cultivate and improve it bit by bit along the way."

Old Yao frowned. That was true enough, but this girl wanted to leave at the drop of a hat. Wasn't she being far too hasty?

"Then which Heavenly Flame are we looking for first?"

"Of course we go by rank. The Falling Heart Flame is ranked fourteenth, and it essentially belongs to Jia Nan Academy. Going there now would be courting death. As for the nineteenth-ranked Green Lotus Core Flame, there's no telling when it will appear, so going there would be useless too."

"Then we'll go to the Cloud Empire and take the twentieth-ranked Nether Poison Flame."

Yao Wan took a step forward and said, "But the choice is yours. If you're not in a hurry to go now, then I'll go alone."

"Huh?"

Xiao Yan paused, and even Old Yao sighed.

He seemed to have guessed what this girl wanted.

She was likely a Heavenly Pride Daughter from that place. What ordinary thing could possibly catch her eye?

She had probably spent a year cooped up with the Xiao Family and could no longer endure it. She simply wanted to go out and wander.

After all, she was someone who had dared to run away on her own. Her nature was far too wild.

Sigh... this really was something.

It had been a long time since he had seen a junior with such a fiery temper.

Compared with Xiao Yan's restrained and steady nature, this girl was likely closer to the essence of fire.

She appeared gentle and graceful, yet beneath it all, she burned like a blazing flame.

Women like that were the hardest to handle.

The next day, Xiao Yan packed his luggage and prepared to set out for the Cloud Empire.

Before leaving, he went to bid farewell to Xiao Zhan and Xun Er.

"Leave? Why so suddenly?"

Xiao Zhan was deeply puzzled by the sudden news that Xiao Yan was leaving to gain experience.

"Well, I've actually wanted to go out and train for a long time. It was only because I hadn't broken through to become a Dou Zhe until recently that I delayed it for a while."

Xiao Zhan's expression shifted slightly. He understood very well that Nalan Yanran had come yesterday to break off the engagement, and Yan'er was leaving today. It was hard to say that her forceful attempt to annul the engagement had not provoked this.

Still, Yan'er had grown up. Perhaps he could no longer stop him.

"Mm. I naturally understand that Yan'er wishes to go out and train. But the outside world is dangerous. Yan'er, you must be careful."

Xiao Zhan said with a slight frown.

"Don't worry, Father. Miss Wan will be accompanying me this time. Nothing will happen."

Before the father who had continued to give him love and care even through those desolate years, Xiao Yan kept a smile on his face. He could not hold back something he had not intended to reveal.

"Miss Wan...?"

Xiao Zhan was taken aback, then understood.

"...I see. If Miss Wan is accompanying you, then I can rest much easier."

Though he said so, Xiao Zhan still patted Xiao Yan's shoulder uneasily.

"Please rest assured, Father. I won't be gone for too long. I will definitely return for next year's coming-of-age ceremony."

Xiao Yan naturally understood what Xiao Zhan was worried about. But if he wanted to grow stronger, the fledgling eagle had to spread its wings. No matter what, he had to take this step.

Xiao Zhan nodded faintly and said nothing more, merely waving his hand.

Xiao Yan cupped his hands in salute, then turned and left his father's room.

After seeing his father, it was time to find Xun Er.

Third month, ninth day. Brother Xiao Yan went to see that woman.

Third month, twelfth day. Brother Xiao Yan went to see that woman again.

Sixth month, twenty-seventh day. Brother Xiao Yan's Dou Qi grew stronger again. Was it that woman's doing?

...That woman is so hateful. With her around, Brother Xiao Yan either cultivated every day or went to see her. Over the past year, he spent less and less time with me...