Pampering

Xiao Fan bent down and stroked Zi Yan's little head, affectionately running his hand through her smooth purple hair as he said softly,

"Xiao Yan'er, shall I make you some Sugar Pills?"

"No!"

Zi Yan had rarely managed to resist the temptation of Sugar Pills. She stretched out her fair little hand and repeatedly smoothed over the spot Xiao Fan had just been kissed by Xue Mei, as though that would make her feel a little better.

She complained inwardly, Xue Mei has neither strength nor backing. What right does she have to kiss my Xiao Fan?!

Tears already brimmed in her eyes. One after another—she had obviously been here first. Ever since that accident in the cave, Zi Yan had regarded Xiao Fan as especially important, even treating him as her own treasure.

And the fate of anyone who coveted her treasure was a beating!

Seeing the Little Dragon Maiden on the verge of exploding, Xiao Fan opened his arms and took Zi Yan into his embrace. He tucked the slightly disheveled strands before her forehead behind her ear, then kissed her soft, fair forehead.

The softness vanished in an instant.

The Little Dragon Maiden, who had been angry just moments ago, widened her eyes in the next second, and her tears disappeared as well. Feeling the faint coolness left on her forehead by the breeze, Zi Yan's heart was replaced by a sense of satisfaction.

"Xiao Yan'er, don't be angry anymore. How about taking this as compensation?"

Xiao Fan pinched Zi Yan's cheeks as she stood there dazed. They were soft and squishy, like a little dumpling.

"Mm." Zi Yan lowered her head, yet hugged Xiao Fan tightly. The Little Dragon Maiden returned to her usual clingy state.

"Xiao Bufan, are you leaving?"

As usual, Xue Mei came to Xiao Fan's residence. Familiar with the place, she pushed open the door and sat beside Xiao Fan, who was refining pills.

"Mm. Once today is over, I'll be preparing to leave." As Xiao Fan answered Xue Mei, his left hand refined Sugar Pills while his right hand refined medicinal pills.

Xue Mei pursed her lips, wanting to say something. Her heart was incomparably conflicted. During their time together, her affection for Xiao Fan had rapidly grown, slowly changing from admiration and respect into another kind of feeling.

But upon hearing that Xiao Fan was about to leave, she was at a loss. She wanted desperately to tell him, "Xiao Bufan, can I leave with you?"

Yet when the words reached her lips, she did not dare continue. She could only watch the blazing flames in the Medicine Cauldron continually roast one medicinal herb after another.

The flames in the Medicine Cauldron gradually died down, but Xue Mei's heart, still unable to express what it held, continued to pound wildly.

After a long while, Xiao Fan handed a refined Sugar Pill to Zi Yan, then took a small booklet from his Storage Ring and passed it to Xue Mei.

"Xue Mei, although we haven't known each other long, you truly have some talent for alchemy. These are some Alchemy Notes I compiled. Consider them my thanks for the care you've shown me these past few days."

Xiao Fan handed the notes to Xue Mei. Xue Mei stared incredulously at the notebook filled with all sorts of alchemy insights. To her, it was already an invaluable treasure, let alone one given to her by Xiao Fan. It made the feelings in her heart, already on the verge of bursting forth, even harder to contain.

Overcome by emotion, Xue Mei leaned her head slightly forward. But this time, Xiao Fan stopped her. The first time could be blamed on his lack of guard, but there was no way he would let this girl succeed again.

With her head held back, Xue Mei felt somewhat annoyed. I have to become stronger. Only then will I be worthy of Xiao Bufan.

"Xue Mei, these alchemy insights only cover the experience of a Tier 5 Alchemist, but I believe that with your intelligence and talent, you'll certainly break through to become a Tier 6 Alchemist. Beyond that, experience alone won't be enough. You'll need your own understanding and must walk your own path as an Alchemist."

Over the past few days, Xue Mei's care for Zi Yan and himself had been plain to see. Xiao Fan did not mind pointing out her future path as an Alchemist. With a good Alchemist as a teacher, one could avoid many detours early on. But to break through to higher realms, having only a teacher was not enough. One also had to develop one's own alchemy arts. Only then could one go farther and higher.

Xiao Fan believed that, with Xue Mei's intelligence and talent, she could at the very least become a Tier 6 Alchemist in the future. But breaking through to Tier 7 or even higher would require no small amount of fortune.

Though it had only been a few days, Xiao Fan had still taught her as though she were his disciple, sparing no effort. Naturally, those Alchemy Notes had been hastily prepared by Xiao Fan overnight.

"Thank you, Xiao Bufan." Xue Mei gave Xiao Fan a deep bow, and the cloth over her chest slipped slightly, revealing a glimpse of fair skin.

The name Xiao Bufan sounded somewhat abrupt to Xiao Fan. This little girl still did not know that Xiao Bufan was merely his false name. But considering that after this parting, they might never have another chance to meet, Xiao Fan had no intention of telling her.

When saying farewell to Xue Mei, the girl was so flustered that she tripped over the threshold. Fortunately, Xiao Fan caught her in time, or she would have fallen flat on her face.

Xiao Fan began packing as well. First, he grabbed the Little Dragon Maiden, who had just eaten her fill and was sleeping soundly. Zi Yan merely lifted an eyelid before draping herself over Xiao Fan's back, finding a comfortable spot to continue lying down.

"Xiao Yan'er."

"What is it, Xiao Fan~?"

Zi Yan narrowed her eyes, burying her head against Xiao Fan's shoulder as she answered lazily.

"Didn't you say last time that there was a big customer? We're leaving soon, so let's make a score."

Xiao Fan had recalled the fat sheep Zi Yan mentioned earlier. Since they were about to leave, it would be a waste not to fleece him.

Zi Yan shot up and sat on Xiao Fan's shoulders, saying energetically, "Hurry, hurry, Xiao Fan!"

Zi Yan sat restlessly on Xiao Fan's shoulders, swinging her fair, tender legs back and forth, completely unlike her lazy appearance from moments ago.

What could Xiao Fan do? He could only hold onto Zi Yan's disobedient little legs, afraid she might accidentally fall, though his tone remained gentle. "Xiao Yan'er, be careful."

Guided by Zi Yan's keen little nose, Xiao Fan and Zi Yan arrived at a secluded residence. Xiao Fan found it somewhat familiar, as though he had come here before.

"Xiao Fan, Xiao Fan, it's here!"

Zi Yan excitedly tugged Xiao Fan's hair. The aura of all kinds of treasures here made her extremely excited.

"Xiao Fan, how about we..."

"No!"

"We're only stealing. How can we kill people and rob them of their goods?"

Xiao Fan rejected Zi Yan's suggestion without even thinking.

"What? I haven't even said anything yet." Zi Yan pouted unhappily.

"Don't I know you? It wouldn't be right for us to do that. We'll take the treasures and leave."

"Fine~"

Zi Yan had only said it casually, but if Xiao Fan had truly allowed her to do it, she definitely would not have hesitated to clear out every last treasure.

The two put on black veils to cover their faces. Meanwhile, the owner of the house, Gute, was still stroking one treasure after another, his eyes filled with fascination. Clearly, he had not noticed the two ill-intentioned masked figures arriving at his side.