Xiao Zhan moved quickly, but the Jialie Family had far too many assets. He only managed to finish taking them over by sunset the next day.
When the people of Wutan City saw that every Jialie Family shop had been hung with Xiao Family signs, they knew the city's fate had changed completely from that moment on.
After returning to the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan didn't rest. He brought the spoils to Xiao Chen. He had promised them to Xiao Chen, so naturally he wouldn't go back on his word.
"Cousin Uncle, get ready. Have the clan members put in some effort—there's another hard battle to fight tonight!"
Xiao Chen slipped the storage ring Xiao Zhan had brought onto his finger and rubbed it lightly twice. The Jialie Family had already been wiped out, so the Aoba Family ought to follow soon.
Xiao Zhan froze at his words, but quickly understood. Excitement filled his eyes. "Your teacher is planning to make a move against the Aoba Family? Do you need your cousin uncle's help? I may not be very strong, but I can still handle some low-level fighters!"
The "low-level fighters" Xiao Zhan referred to weren't ordinary members of the Aoba Family, but its Dou Shi. He still had to be cautious against Da Dou Shi, but against Dou Shi, it was practically child's play for him.
"No need. My teacher doesn't like crowds. I'll let you know once I've taken care of them!"
Xiao Chen turned down Xiao Zhan's kind offer. With his current strength, it would be hard to explain if he exposed himself, so it was best not to.
Xiao Zhan nodded, giving it no further thought. Alchemists tended to have eccentric personalities, so it made sense that this one didn't like crowds.
As night deepened, Xiao Chen watched the sunset with Xun'er, then slipped out of the Xiao Family again and sneaked into the Aoba Family compound. Although Oba Pa was at a higher level, he couldn't withstand the ravages of age. Xiao Chen killed him mercilessly in a single exchange.
The two Aoba Family elders were made of sterner stuff. They neither fled nor betrayed their clan, choosing instead to fight to the death—but how could they possibly be Xiao Chen's match?
After taking care of the three strongest enemies, Xiao Chen followed the same process as before: he returned to the clan, found Xiao Zhan, and had him handle the cleanup. Xiao Zhan was more than happy with that arrangement.
In just two days, the Aoba Family and Jialie Family had both been wiped out. The city's three-way balance of power was gone, and from then on, Wutan City fell completely under the Xiao Family's dominance.
The Wutan City lord even came in person to the Xiao Family to express his intention to step down and support someone from the Xiao Family as his successor. Xiao Zhan, however, firmly turned him down.
The Jia Ma Imperial Family personally appointed city lords. The Xiao Family could dominate Wutan City, but it absolutely couldn't seize the city lord's position. Otherwise, the Jia Ma Empire's iron cavalry would come for them.
The city lord was a clever man, and Xiao Zhan was no fool either. The two old foxes clinked glasses and chatted merrily over dinner, leaving Xiao Chen yawning beside them.
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, eight years passed. During those years, Xiao Chen used his simulations of Xiao Yan and his own diligent training to finally reach Dou Wang. His alchemy had also advanced to the level of a fifth-grade alchemist.
What delighted Xiao Chen most was that just a few days ago, his soul realm had broken through to the Spirit Realm. That meant that from that moment on, he had firmly established himself in the Jia Ma Empire.
"Brother Xiao Chen, what's wrong? You seem to have been sighing a lot lately. Is something weighing on your mind?"
Xun'er looked at Xiao Chen sitting beside her, his brows furrowed into a tight knot. She raised a hand and gently stroked his forehead, as if she wanted to smooth away the crease.
Xiao Chen put an arm around Xun'er's soft waist and pulled her close, then ruffled her hair. It felt just as nice as ever. "Xun'er, I may have to go on a long journey soon..." There was no reason for him to stay in Wutan City any longer. If he wanted to keep growing stronger, he had to find new characters to simulate.
Based on what he'd learned about the simulator over the years, he had to meet a new character before he could trigger a simulation of them.
Xiao Chen's goal was clear: Xiao Yi Xian. With the Woe Poison Body, she could grow stronger just by consuming poison. With a talent that monstrous, failing to get his hands on it would be a sin against heaven.
As for why Xiao Chen hadn't set out to find Xiao Yi Xian earlier, one reason was that the story's timeline hadn't reached that point yet. He didn't even know whether she had gone to Qingshan Town.
The other reason was that he was worried he wasn't strong enough. What if he ran into danger and died? What would happen to Xun'er?
It wasn't until yesterday, when his soul realm broke through to the Spirit Realm and the system gave him a soul attack technique, that he finally made up his mind to find Xiao Yi Xian.
Xun'er said nothing. She simply leaned her head against Xiao Chen's chest, listening to his heartbeat as she watched the evening clouds on the distant horizon. Only after the sun had completely set did she look up at him. "Should Elder Ling go with you?"
"No need. I won't run into any danger on this trip. It's better to let Elder Ling stay here!"
Xiao Chen lowered his head and kissed Xun'er on the cheek. His eyes were full of reluctance, but he knew there were some things he had to do.
In another two years, the Ancient Clan would send someone to bring Xun'er back. Before then, he had to reach Dou Zong. With his Spirit Realm soul power to back him up, he'd be able to put up a fight even against Peak Dou Zong.
Xun'er nodded without trying to dissuade him. Since Xiao Chen had said there would be no danger, she naturally trusted him. Besides, boys all cared about their pride.
Although Xiao Chen had refused, she could still secretly send Ling Ying to protect him. She'd learned that trick from a book.
Xiao Chen had no idea what Xun'er was thinking. The two of them stayed close for a while longer, then returned to the clan once night had fully fallen.
After escorting Xun'er back to her room, Xiao Chen found Xiao Zhan and told him he wanted to leave for a while. Xiao Zhan was about to stop him, but Xiao Chen's next words made him reconsider. "My teacher will be accompanying me on this trip. It's a test from him!"
"Forget it. If that great one has made the decision, I have no right to object."
Xiao Zhan sighed, pulled a gold card from his robes, and pressed it into Xiao Chen's hand. "Don't refuse. I know you're not short on money, but this is the only parting gift your cousin uncle can prepare for you!"
"When an elder gives a gift, it would be rude to refuse. Xiao Chen thanks you for your kindness, Cousin Uncle!"
Xiao Chen put the gold card into his storage ring, then stood and bowed to Xiao Zhan. "You don't need to worry, Cousin Uncle. I'll be back within three months at most!"
"Go on. It'll do you good to see the world. If only Yan'er could..."
Xiao Zhan suddenly stopped, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his face. "Ah! Listen to me, bringing that up again!"
"Don't worry, Cousin Uncle. Brother Yan has great fortune on his side. These three years are just a trial for him. I believe he'll shine again very soon. In the future, Brother Yan will surely make a name for himself across the entire Dou Qi Continent!"
Xiao Chen wasn't saying that just to cheer Xiao Zhan up. Based on the timeline, Yao Lao would wake up in two months at most. By then, Xiao Yan's talent would naturally return.
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