Arrival at Green Mountain Town (Revised)

After leaving the auction house, Xiao Yao looked at the crowded city, took a deep breath, and felt its bustle and atmosphere. Complex emotions welled up in his heart as he sighed.

"Ever since I came to this world, I've grown deeply attached to this place. Now that I'm about to leave for a time, I actually feel a little reluctant. But I know this departure is for experience and growth. A man must learn to grow up."

After preparing all the necessary supplies, Xiao Yao headed toward the courtyard where Xiao Zhan lived.

When Xiao Yao arrived, he explained to his father that he would be leaving for a while. Xiao Zhan looked at him and asked doubtfully, "Yao'er, why are you preparing to leave? Is there something you need to deal with?"

"Father, several years ago, an old man saw that I had exceptional talent and possessed an Alchemist Physique, so he took me as his disciple. These past few days, he said he wanted to take me outside to gain experience and broaden my horizons. I'll be back within a year at most."

After speaking, Xiao Yao secretly used the Divine Concealment Technique to suppress his cultivation to a one-star Battle Master. He then released his Dou Qi, displaying his cultivation.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhan smiled and said, "Yao'er, your father is here to look after the Household. Go train without worries."

"Alright, Father." Xiao Yao answered with a grin.

After leaving his father, Xiao Yao headed toward the courtyard where Xun'er was staying, only to encounter Xiao Yan on the way.

Xiao Yao said, "Little Flame, I'm about to go on a long journey. Don't come looking for me for the time being."

Xiao Yan stared blankly at Xiao Yao and asked in confusion, "Brother Yao, what are you going out to do? How long are you planning to be away?"

"This bottle contains a Fighter Pill. It suits your current cultivation and can raise your strength by one star. As for how long I'll be gone, I'm not telling you."

After taking the pill from his storage ring and handing it to Xiao Yan, Xiao Yao continued toward Xun'er's courtyard.

He walked into the courtyard where Xun'er lived. Xiao Yao gently pushed open Xun'er's door and entered.

Xun'er was sitting in the courtyard reading a book. When she saw Xiao Yao enter, a delighted smile appeared on her face.

"Brother Xiao Yao, you're here!" Xun'er closed her book and hurried over, saying excitedly.

Xiao Yao nodded and replied with a smile, "Yes, Xun'er. I came to see you."

The two sat down, and Xiao Yao told Xun'er that he would be leaving soon. "Brother Xiao Yao, are you really leaving?" Xun'er asked reluctantly.

Xiao Yao gently took her hand and comforted her. "Don't worry, Xun'er. I'm only leaving for a little while and will be back soon. I also prepared some tasty snacks for you." After saying that, he took out yesterday's potato chips and ten portions of small snacks from his storage ring and handed them to Xun'er.

Seeing them, Xun'er felt somewhat comforted. A trace of reluctance remained in her eyes as she said softly, "Brother Xiao Yao, be careful on the road and come back early. Xun'er doesn't want to wait that long."

Hearing Xun'er's words, Xiao Yao rubbed her head and reassured her, "Don't worry. Brother Xiao Yao will take good care of himself and definitely come back early. After all, my Xun'er is waiting for me to return."

Xun'er felt a little more at ease after hearing Xiao Yao's words. She nestled into his embrace and said softly, "I'll miss you, Brother Xiao Yao."

Xiao Yao gently stroked her hair and said tenderly, "I'll miss you too, Xun'er. Take good care of yourself and wait for me to return."

The two stood there quietly, enjoying their brief embrace.

After some time, Xiao Yao, dressed in ordinary robes, walked out through the gates of the Xiao Clan. Under the respectful gazes of the Household guards, he slowly disappeared at the end of the street.

Xun'er watched Xiao Yao's departing figure until it vanished, then softly called out, "Elder Ling, secretly protect Xiao Yao for me. Remember, don't let him discover you."

A black shadow formed in the courtyard, and an elderly man in black robes appeared. "Miss, I was sent by the clan leader to protect your safety. If I go protect Young Master Xiao Yao, what will happen if you encounter danger?"

The young lady replied in a cold tone, "Elder Ling, I'm very safe in the Xiao Clan. No one can harm me. I have what Father gave me to protect myself with. Just make sure Xiao Yao is safe. You need not concern yourself with anything else."

"Yes, Miss." As soon as the words fell, Ling Ying transformed into a shadow and vanished from the spot.

In the pitch-black night sky, a crescent moon hung alone above, its faint, chilly light spilling across the earth.

Within a dark little forest, a faint bonfire flickered lightly, bringing a thread of warm light to the silent night.

Beside the bonfire, a young man dressed in black leaned against a tree trunk, idly poking at the flames with a fire stick in his hand.

Including today, Xiao Yao had been away from Wutan City for five days. The initial novelty had faded considerably during his lonely journey, and a faint longing slowly crept into the young man's heart.

Xiao Yao casually tossed another piece of firewood into the flames, making the bonfire burn brighter. He sighed, "So I've gotten used to having a little girl by my side. Without Xun'er's company so suddenly, I actually feel lonely."

Xiao Yao smiled, shook off the melancholy in his heart, and began planning this journey of training.

Over the past days, Xiao Yao had traveled while cultivating, consolidating his Great Dou Master cultivation. By this evening, he had finally arrived at the town closest to the Magic Beast Mountain Range: a small town called Green Mountain Town.

Because it was so close to the Magic Beast Mountain Range, most of the people in this town were mercenary groups who lived with their lives on the line every day.

Xiao Yao walked along a small path paved with blue stone that led toward a large market crowded with people. He had already put on a disguise mask and wore a black robe. His handsome appearance naturally drew quite a few gazes.

However, he paid them no mind. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he slowly continued down the street.

There were many shops on both sides of the street, and thanks to the favorable location, business was quite booming. Xiao Yao's gaze swept with interest over the signs above the shops. When his eyes fell upon a rather spacious medicinal herb store, he stopped. After pondering briefly, he stepped into the herb shop called Myriad Medicine Pavilion.

Seeing this, Xiao Yao realized, Could this be where Little Fairy is? But Little Fairy is only eight or nine years old now, so she probably hasn't appeared here yet.

Xiao Yao had little interest in weapons or armor, but he was extremely interested in all kinds of precious medicinal herbs. As long as he could find rare herbs, his current alchemy skills would allow him to refine them into all sorts of pills that could increase strength or assist cultivation. While traveling through the danger-filled Magic Beast Mountain Range, pills were the most practical things for preserving one's life.

Xiao Yao entered the spacious shop, which was illuminated as brightly as day by moonlight stones hanging from the walls. There were quite a few customers inside, and the clerks were all extremely busy, so no one came to attend to the newly arrived customer for the moment.

As Xiao Yao looked at the medicinal herbs and pills displayed on the counters, he suddenly heard two clerks whispering to each other. One male clerk said, "Did you know? A few days ago, the owner of Myriad Medicine Pavilion brought back an eight- or nine-year-old girl. I heard she's a little healer and is very knowledgeable about medicinal herbs. She can tell which herbs can treat injuries, bruises, and blood stasis."

The other clerk chimed in, "Of course I know. I also heard that the little girl is as beautiful as a fairy and kind-hearted, so the people of Green Mountain Town call her Little Fairy."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Yao thought, So Little Fairy had already arrived in Green Mountain Town so soon.