Realm

Ever since that night, the Xiao Family had gained a rather unusual guest.

"Yan'er, what is this about?"

Xiao Zhan, the current head of the Xiao Family, asked.

"Father, a friend of mine has come to the Xiao Family and wants to stay here for a few days..."

Xiao Yan hesitated. After all, matters concerning Miss Wan were somewhat sensitive.

If he said nothing, trouble might arise later. But if he revealed her identity rashly, given Miss Wan's status as an alchemist, there was no guarantee the Xiao Family would not harbor certain thoughts toward her.

Yet after thinking it over, Xiao Yan still felt it was best to at least inform his father.

"Since she is Yan'er's friend, she is a friend of the Xiao Family. It is only right that we treat her well."

Xiao Zhan nodded gently.

"It's just that my friend is rather extraordinary... She is an alchemist, and her identity may be somewhat special..."

"What? An alchemist?"

Xiao Zhan froze for a moment.

"...Yan'er, tell me the truth."

Xiao Zhan suddenly grew serious. Placing a large hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder, he said, "Where did you meet this friend of yours?"

Xiao Yan was stunned, not expecting his father to react this way.

"...Father?"

"People like alchemists are proud and arrogant... I know Gu Ni, the Second-grade Alchemist in Wutan City, but he is not someone easy to get along with..."

Xiao Zhan said solemnly, "It is not that I doubt you, Yan'er. I merely wish to say one more thing: one must always be wary of others."

"Ah..."

Xiao Yan paused before finally realizing that his father probably thought he had been fooled by some swindler.

"Father, do you really think I am that easy to fool?"

Xiao Yan's voice carried both helplessness and amusement.

"That is not what I mean. It is simply that you are still young, Yan'er, and may not fully understand the ways of the world."

Xiao Zhan said somewhat awkwardly. Naturally, he trusted Xiao Yan. His youngest son had been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. He only feared that sometimes, cleverness could backfire.

But seeing that his father clearly had no intention of believing him, Xiao Yan could only sigh helplessly.

He had wanted to introduce his father to Miss Wan, but who knew whether she would be displeased? Though judging from his instincts, Miss Wan was surely not that sort of person...

It seemed this was not yet the time for his father and Miss Wan to meet. Thinking this, Xiao Yan could only let the matter go.

"If there is nothing else, Yan'er, I shall be leaving first."

Xiao Zhan said.

"Mm."

Xiao Yan nodded lightly. He had grown up, and naturally did not wish to make his father worry too much.

Although Xiao Zhan still harbored concerns about the "friend" Xiao Yan had mentioned, on second thought, even if Yan'er did not yet understand the ways of the world, he was by no means foolish. Even if he had been deceived, it would at least serve as a lesson. One learned through setbacks, and that was not necessarily a bad thing for a young man.

Having comforted himself, Xiao Zhan relaxed somewhat, quickened his pace, and left Xiao Yan's residence.

"Sigh..."

Xiao Yan could not help but sigh.

"What is it? Why are you sighing like that? You have no vigor at all."

Yao Wan's voice suddenly rang out behind Xiao Yan, startling him.

"Don't just suddenly appear like that... You scared me to death."

Xiao Yan instinctively clutched his chest and said weakly.

He was not pretending or joking around. He had truly been frightened. To his senses, Yao Wan had genuinely seemed to appear out of nowhere, placing an enormous burden on his not-so-strong heart.

"Huh? Did I?"

Yao Wan was taken aback. She had not meant to scare Xiao Yan. She had merely walked over slowly and said something.

Yet Xiao Yan's reaction was far greater than she had expected.

"Of course you did—tch, how did you manage to get behind me without making a sound?"

"Your reactions are too slow, aren't they?"

Yao Wan snorted, though she had realized what was going on.

Xiao Yan was only at the third stage of Dou Qi. Naturally, it was somewhat difficult for him to notice the movements of a Dou Wang like her.

Could it be because of the difference in our realms...?

Just as Yao Wan had nearly guessed the truth, Xiao Yan also vaguely realized it.

Though he had questions in his heart, Xiao Yan did not simply blurt them out.

For Xiao Yan, figuring out how to get along with a mysterious alchemist—perhaps even a young alchemist—was not an easy matter.

"There is no need to secretly brood over such boring things. If you have something to say, say it. I hate people who beat around the bush."

Before Xiao Yan could react, Yao Wan snorted coldly, seeing through his little thoughts.

"...But if I speak without restraint and upset you, would that not only create more trouble?"

Xiao Yan was helpless. The initiative between them did not lie with him, but with this mysterious Miss Wan, who had worn a cloak and bamboo hat from beginning to end.

On the Dou Qi Continent, strength was revered. The weak could only be molded and kneaded by others.

"What are you afraid of? That I might get unhappy and slap you to death?"

There was a teasing smile in Yao Wan's voice.

"...Mm. Yes."

Knowing that he could not bluff her with empty words, Xiao Yan admitted it as if he had nothing to lose. "That is indeed the case. You are stronger than me, so naturally I can only endure it obediently—"

"Then you should put all your effort into cultivating and wait for the day when you can surpass me."

Yao Wan's answer once again left Xiao Yan somewhat stunned. This Miss Wan... whether in speech or manner, she truly was no ordinary woman.

That only made Xiao Yan even more curious. Just who was this Miss Wan?

"Enough. Aren't you tired of always speaking so carefully around others?"

Yao Wan waved a hand and continued, "A meal and a place to stay are both kindnesses. I do not wish to be an ungrateful wretch. Since you treat me as a friend, I naturally will not give you the cold shoulder. From now on, just treat me as an ordinary friend."

"You..."

"What? You are unwilling?"

"It is not that. It is just..."

Xiao Yan asked, "I am rather curious... about Miss Wan's realm."

"...And what would knowing my realm change? Would it make an extra piece of flesh grow on you?"

Yao Wan composed herself before replying unhurriedly.