Jia Ma Empire, Wutan City, Xiao Clan.
For a family—or rather, a faction—to remain strong and prosperous, the most important thing was to have successors, a constant influx of fresh blood.
Thus, nearly every faction placed great importance on nurturing its younger generation. Families like the Xiao Clan even held coming-of-age ceremonies specifically for their young members.
At Xiao Family Manor, in a fairly spacious square, Xiao Yan boredly looked around as though searching for something. He did not even notice the hint of displeasure on Xun'er's face beside him.
"What is Brother Xiao Yan looking for? Are you looking for her?"
Seeing Xiao Yan so absentminded, Xiao Xun'er gave a dissatisfied snort and casually pointed toward a woman in a red dress, whose every smile and frown exuded mature charm.
"What?"
Xiao Yan, lost in thought, froze for a moment upon hearing this. He quickly reacted and looked in the direction Xiao Xun'er was pointing. When he saw Ya Fei chatting and laughing with Xiao Zhan and the others, he shuddered and cried out.
"Why is she here?"
To be honest, Xiao Yan was somewhat intimidated by this mature woman, who appeared quite weak. She was simply too terrifying. Every time he saw her, he felt as though she could see right through him.
Before the retest a month ago, Xiao Yan had gone to the Mite'er Auction House in advance and asked Ya Fei to prepare the medicinal ingredients for a batch of Qi Gathering Powder. Ya Fei had then guessed that his strength was about to break through to the Dou Zhe realm.
Then, when Xiao Yan went to collect the ingredients over half a month ago, he not only received those ingredients, but also a third-tier cauldron.
Her insight and meticulous mind left Xiao Yan with