Parting, Destination: Green Mountain Town!

One day, Xiao Lei sought out the clan leader, Xiao Zhan, and told him of his plans to leave for training.

"Why did you suddenly decide to go out and train?" Xiao Zhan asked curiously after learning why Xiao Lei had come.

"Not long ago, I broke through to the Dou Shi realm. My cultivation has risen a little too quickly lately, so I plan to head to the Demon Beast Mountain Range and consolidate my foundation through battle."

Xiao Lei had already prepared his excuse. At the same time, he revealed his aura at the level of a One-Star Dou Shi.

"You've already become a Dou Shi!" Xiao Zhan was somewhat surprised upon learning Xiao Lei's cultivation realm.

In just two months, he had gone from a Seven Star Dou Zhe to directly breaking through to Dou Shi. At such a speed, he could be considered a genius throughout the entire Jia Ma Empire!

Moreover, Xiao Lei was only fifteen years old!

"Only recently did I manage to break through by luck," Xiao Lei said.

Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment. "Going out to train is a good idea, but won't it be too dangerous for you to go alone? Besides, you haven't even undergone the coming-of-age ceremony yet."

"I'll return before the coming-of-age ceremony," Xiao Lei said after thinking it over. "As for danger, how can one avoid danger on the path to becoming strong? Besides, my master left me some means of protecting my life."

Not long after the Xiao Family's coming-of-age ceremony, people from Jia Nan Academy would come to Wu Tan City to recruit students.

To Xiao Lei, Jia Nan Academy was an excellent place, and he naturally would not miss it.

Xiao Zhan patted Xiao Lei on the shoulder. "Since you've made up your mind, then go. No matter what, be sure to stay safe. Only by keeping your life can you become a true powerhouse in the future!"

"Mm, I will," Xiao Lei nodded.

Afterward, Xiao Zhan gave Xiao Lei a few more reminders and taught him some experience for training outside. Then Xiao Lei took his leave.

After parting from Xiao Zhan, Xiao Lei went to find Xiao Xun'er.

"Brother Xiao Lei," Xiao Xun'er greeted him. Seeing that he had come to find her, a faint smile appeared on her exquisite face as she stepped forward to meet him.

Xiao Lei smiled. "Come on, let's go out for a stroll together."

Upon hearing Xiao Lei take the initiative to invite her out, Xiao Xun'er's beautiful eyes curved into crescents. "All right."

The two immediately left the Xiao Family side by side and headed for Wu Tan City.

Along the way, the younger members of the Xiao Family all respectfully greeted Xiao Lei.

During this period, Xiao Lei had occasionally offered guidance to the younger members of the clan in their Dou Techniques, earning him considerable prestige within the family.

After leaving the Xiao Family, Xiao Lei accompanied Xiao Xun'er as they wandered leisurely through the streets of Wu Tan City.

With Galeo as a precedent, no one in Wu Tan City was foolish enough to provoke the two of them.

They strolled until evening before Xiao Lei and Xiao Xun'er headed back toward the Xiao Family.

When they reached the gates of the Xiao Family, Xiao Lei stopped. "Xun'er, you should go back."

Xiao Xun'er blinked. "Brother Xiao Lei, aren't you going back?"

Xiao Lei rubbed Xun'er's hair. "I plan to leave the Xiao Family and train outside for a while."

Ding! You touched Gu Xun'er and received one copy of "Spirit Material Treasure Appraisal"!

At the same time, the system's pleasant voice rang out in Xiao Lei's mind once more.

However, he was in no hurry to inspect this reward for the moment.

Upon hearing Xiao Lei's words, the smile on Xiao Xun'er's face froze. "Brother Xiao Lei, why are you suddenly going out to train?"

"It wasn't exactly sudden..." Xiao Lei smiled and repeated the same explanation he had given Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Xun'er said softly, "Since Brother Xiao Lei has made his decision, Xun'er won't forcefully interfere. Brother Xiao Lei, you must take good care of yourself. I'll wait for you to return at home."

"Mm, don't worry. It'll only be a few months. It'll pass quickly," Xiao Lei said with a smile.

The two chatted for a while longer. Under Xiao Xun'er's reluctant gaze, Xiao Lei turned around and walked toward the outskirts of Wu Tan City.

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, seven days had gone by.

On the evening of the seventh day, Xiao Lei finally arrived at his first destination, a small town closest to the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

The town was called Green Mountain Town. Because it was close to the Demon Beast Mountain Range, it was also known as Demon Beast Town.

The largest group in town consisted of mercenaries who regularly lived with their lives on the line.

They gathered in groups, linking arms as they swaggered down the streets, spitting as they loudly and freely discussed which women in town had the most charm and where the strongest liquor could be found...

From time to time, someone would also boastfully recount their heroic exploits in the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

Xiao Lei slowly walked along the bluestone-paved street, casually observing the people and sights on both sides, his expression relaxed and at ease.

There were quite a few shops lining the street, and thanks to the town's advantageous location, business was exceptionally lively.

Xiao Lei wandered around at will, then found a decent inn and settled in temporarily.

Early the next morning, Xiao Lei woke amid the bustling clamor of Green Mountain Town.

After washing up, Xiao Lei went to the inn's main hall and ordered breakfast.

There were quite a few people dining in the inn's hall, most of them mercenaries who lived with their lives on the line.

As he ate, Xiao Lei could hear the mercenaries talking loudly among themselves.

After breakfast, Xiao Lei left the inn and planned to visit Ten Thousand Medicines Hall to see if he could find an opportunity to meet Xiao Yi Xian.

One of Xiao Lei's purposes in coming to Green Mountain Town was Xiao Yi Xian.

If nothing unexpected had happened, Xiao Yi Xian should still be working as a physician at Ten Thousand Medicines Hall.

Xiao Lei was unhurriedly making his way toward Ten Thousand Medicines Hall when he vaguely heard a burst of urgent voices from the street.

"Quick, let's go! Ten Thousand Medicines Hall is heading into the Demon Beast Mountain Range to gather herbs. I heard Xiao Yi Xian will be going with them!"

"Ten Thousand Medicines Hall's herb-gathering party has limited slots every time. Hurry up, we can't miss it!"

"Hehe, just thinking about gathering herbs with Xiao Yi Xian gets me excited!"

"..."

"What a coincidence," Xiao Lei thought, raising an eyebrow slightly at the voices.

He immediately followed the crowd toward another exit of Green Mountain Town.

That was also the entrance to the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

By the time Xiao Lei reached the town gate, quite a few mercenaries had already gathered there.

Cries of recruitment rang out one after another, calling to lone mercenaries who wanted to enter the mountains.

The mercenaries in town were divided into three types: those who had joined mercenary groups, temporary mercenary teams, and lone mercenaries traveling alone.

The mercenaries shouting loudly at the town gate were the second type.

However, very few people approached those loudly recruiting mercenaries. Instead, they all surged in the same direction!

That was where the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall party was.

Xiao Lei's eyes flashed as he squeezed toward the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall party as well.

Xiao Lei lightly circulated his Dou Qi and easily forced his way toward the front.

"There's only one final slot left!"

When Xiao Lei reached the very front, a middle-aged man in the Ten Thousand Medicines Hall party raised the parchment scroll in his hand with a smiling expression and called out to the packed crowd.

"I'll take that slot!"

Xiao Lei looked at the middle-aged man, his clear voice ringing out.