Farewell

Prologue

One year after the battle of the Twin Emperors, Wu Tan City, Jia Ma Empire, Battle Qi Continent.

To the people of the Jia Ma Empire, Wu Tan City was practically a sacred land, for it was the headquarters of the Xiao Clan, and the Xiao Clan had that Flame Emperor, Xiao Yan, stationed there.

At the heart of Wu Tan City stood a manor, from which waves of formidable auras faintly emanated.

On a stretch of grass within the manor lay a young man. A faint smile hung at the corner of his lips as he rested both hands beneath his head, leisurely enjoying a sunbath.

Beside him, a girl dressed in pale green deftly peeled a piece of fruit with her jade-like slender hands, then gently placed it into the young man's mouth. Just as she was about to rise after finishing, an arm wrapped directly around her slim waist. With a soft cry, she was pulled into his embrace, and he fiercely kissed her cheek, instantly flushing it crimson.

The woman struggled weakly for a moment, then stopped resisting and allowed the young man to hold her.

"Xun'er, there's something I have to discuss with you." Holding her like this, the young man buried his head in her hair. Its faint fragrance intoxicated him. This woman was someone he wished to protect for all his life.

"What is it, Brother Xiao Yan? You seem a little strange today," Xun'er said softly.

"Nothing. I was just thinking—shouldn't we have a child?" Xiao Yan's words made Xun'er's face flush with bashfulness.

"Don't we already have Xiao Xiao?" Xun'er froze. How could she not wish to experience motherhood? Yet she still thought of Xiao Xiao, that adorable little girl.

"That girl has been following Teacher all this time. I reckon she's nearly forgotten that she even has a father." Though Xiao Yan appeared dissatisfied with Xiao Xiao, anyone could hear the doting affection in his tone.

Xiao Xiao was now an eight-star Dou Saint, her rank even higher than Xun'er's and Cai Lin's. Looking across the entire Battle Qi Continent, she could walk sideways without fear. Yet although Xiao Xiao was powerful, she relied upon the power of her Dou Emperor bloodline. That bloodline had both advantages and drawbacks. After the battle of the Twin Emperors, Xiao Yan had brought his family back to Wu Tan City, but Yao Lao, who pursued perfection in one's foundation, had insisted that Xiao Xiao remain at Starfall Pavilion. He wanted to personally guide Xiao Xiao in stabilizing her foundation. Though reluctant, Xiao Yan had still agreed to the request of this teacher to whom he owed a debt as weighty as a mountain. Xiao Yan knew that Yao Lao's affection for Xiao Xiao was no less than his own, and with Yao Lao's strength, seeing Xiao Xiao took no more than the blink of an eye.

"Hehe, how come I can't see even a trace of you acting like a father?" Xun'er giggled as she looked at Xiao Yan.

Hearing Xun'er's words, Xiao Yan naturally understood. She was laughing at him for failing to fulfill his responsibilities as a father. From the moment Xiao Xiao was born, Cai Lin had cared for her. He had brought mother and daughter to Starfall Pavilion, yet he himself had been busy cultivating, while Xiao Xiao had stayed with Yao Lao. Later, when Cai Lin entered seclusion and he became trapped within the Demon Flame Space, Xiao Xiao had been cared for by Little Doctor Fairy and Qing Lin. To be honest, he truly had been an unqualified father.

After remaining silent for quite a while, Xiao Yan finally spoke to Xun'er again. "All right, let's not talk about that. Xun'er, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you all for a while." His eyes were filled with reluctance. Xun'er's jade hand trembled slightly, and she did not understand what he meant. Only after a long while did she seem to understand a little. With a soft sigh, she said to Xiao Yan, "If Brother Xiao Yan still can't let them go, then bring them to the Xiao Clan. Sister Cai Lin and I will accept them." As she said this, she felt somewhat weak. She did not know how much of it was true and how much was false.

Xiao Yan was slightly stunned by Xun'er's words. Then he lightly flicked her forehead and said, "Little girl, what are you thinking? In your heart, is your Brother Xiao Yan just some lecher?"

"Ah, I... I..." Xun'er's face burned, and for a moment she did not know how to answer. Finally, she said in annoyance, "Isn't Brother Xiao Yan a lecher?"

Xiao Yan did not grow angry. He merely tightened his embrace around Xun'er, as though he wished to meld her into his body.

"To have gained you and Cai Lin in this life is Heaven's greatest gift to me. With the two of you, I am content. I admit that I'm a lecher, but only toward you and Cai Lin," Xiao Yan said to Xun'er.

To dispel Xun'er's misunderstanding, he continued, "What I mean is, I'm afraid I may be leaving the Battle Qi Continent. In the end, all Dou Emperors of the Battle Qi Continent vanished. It is an unsolved mystery. It is impossible for someone to have slaughtered an entire group of Dou Emperors, so I suspect they left the Battle Qi Continent. And I have a premonition that the Battle Qi Continent will change in the next few days. When that happens, I will likely leave." Xiao Yan spoke to Xun'er, but his arms held her tightly, unwilling to let go.

Hearing Xiao Yan's explanation, Xun'er's face reddened. She was both ashamed for misunderstanding him and reluctant to part from him. She wrapped her arms around him in return, and the two lay embraced upon the grass. The feelings between them could be witnessed by the sun and moon.

"Xun'er, in this life and this world, you are the person I love most, without exception. No matter when or where, my love for you will never change. I will say these words only once. From now on, I will keep them in my heart and imprint them in my mind. Nothing will ever be able to wear them away," Xiao Yan said to Xun'er.

Xun'er said nothing and merely held Xiao Yan. She feared this was a farewell entrusted to the living. Xiao Yan was heading alone into an unknown world, and no one knew what might happen to him. She did not wish to say that she feared losing Xiao Yan. She would support every decision her man made, even if it was wrong.

Night had fallen, and the lights of the Xiao Clan began going out one by one. Yet one room remained brightly lit.

A table was piled high with scrolls, letters, and similar items, and someone sat before it.

She was a woman alluring to the extreme. She wore an elegant purple brocade robe, beneath which her exquisite, voluptuous body was like a ripe peach, radiating a faint charm. Her three thousand strands of dark hair spilled casually from her fragrant shoulders, falling straight to her slender willow waist. Her pair of bewitching eyes could steal souls and seize spirits. At this moment, she seemed somewhat tired. One jade hand supported her forehead as she reviewed all kinds of documents. Her graceful curves invited endless fantasies. Who else could she be but the former Queen Medusa, now Cai Lin?

Just then, a black-robed youth appeared behind her. His arrival was soundless and traceless; even with her strength as a five-star Dou Saint, she had not sensed him. He removed his black robe and draped it over her shoulders, saying softly, "If you're tired, rest early. Don't push yourself too hard."

At first, Cai Lin was startled by the sudden voice, but then she relaxed. Without even turning her head, she said, "Hmph, you have the nerve to say that? You really are a most competent hands-off shopkeeper—dumping all the work on me while you run off to court Xun'er." Cai Lin made no effort to conceal the resentment in her tone. She loved boldly and hated fiercely; that was Cai Lin's nature.

Xiao Yan awkwardly rubbed his nose and found himself speechless for a moment. Everything Cai Lin said was true.

The Xiao Clan of today was no longer that weak family from the past, one without even a Dou Spirit. Now the Xiao Clan had affairs as numerous as ox hairs, not to mention the mountain of matters concerning the Flame Alliance. Everything required someone to handle it. Yet Xiao Yan, the Clan Head and Alliance Leader, had run off, so naturally all those matters fell to Cai Lin. Fortunately, Yao Lao was holding down the fort at the Heavenly Alliance; otherwise, no matter how capable Cai Lin was, she would not have been able to manage everything.

Left with no choice, Xiao Yan wrapped his arms around Cai Lin's willow waist from behind and whispered, "I'm sorry. You've worked hard." Those few words contained Xiao Yan's boundless love for Cai Lin. He had never been skilled at sweet talk to make girls happy, but that was also his strength: brief words carrying endless sincerity.

Even with Cai Lin's stubborn nature, she could not help but be moved by those words. Though Xiao Yan had said the same thing countless times, she never tired of hearing it. She liked having Xiao Yan indebted to her. Just like back then: she had been a queen high above all, while Xiao Yan had merely been a Great Dou Master. She had helped him, and in turn, he had helped her. Their feelings had unfolded like a drama. At first, she had gritted her teeth, wishing to tear him into ten thousand pieces, but Xiao Xiao's appearance had changed her decision.

Farewell

Thus, she became his wife, and he became her husband. Though she had initially married him for Xiao Xiao's sake, she later discovered that she truly could not refuse him. Though she knew he deliberately handed a great deal of work to her while he went to whisper sweet nothings and cuddle with someone else, she only grew angry for a moment before letting it go, continuing to earnestly complete the work in her hands. Because that girl was her sister, and also the one he loved most.

Cai Lin buried her head against Xiao Yan's chest. Her red lips parted slightly as she said, "Go on. What do you need from me this time?"

"Ah, what is it? Can't I come talk to you if there's nothing I need?" Xiao Yan said to Cai Lin, trying hard to maintain a solemn expression.

"Hmph. When you want to speak of love or whisper secrets, you go to Xun'er. Only when something comes up do you come to me." Cai Lin's tone carried intense dissatisfaction.

Xiao Yan was helpless. How could he possibly match Her Majesty the Queen in eloquence?

"The more I owe you, the more you'll remember to come collect your debt from me. You're so beautiful—what if you don't want me someday? What would I do then?" Xiao Yan said as he held Cai Lin and defended himself.

Cai Lin's face reddened slightly. A trace of sweetness rose within her heart. Xiao Yan still cared about her.

"All right, since I already owe you so much, can I owe you one more thing?" Xiao Yan's embrace seemed to tighten continuously. Holding someone so beautiful and enchanting for an entire day would never grow tiring.

"Tell me what it is first," Cai Lin said. She too felt Xiao Yan tightening his hold, but she paid it no mind, only thinking that he was being somewhat greedy.

"I've had a feeling lately that I seem to be leaving the Battle Qi Continent, so..." Xiao Yan had become smarter this time. He did not say that he was leaving them. Given Cai Lin's temperament, if she misunderstood him, the entire Xiao Clan would be unable to sleep tonight. Yet before he could finish, Cai Lin cut him off.

Cai Lin broke free from Xiao Yan's embrace and rose to her feet. Her face was covered in a layer of frost as she stared coldly at him. At this moment, she seemed to have returned to that lofty, coldly beautiful Queen Medusa of old.

"You're leaving again? How long have we even been together? I don't mind you spending all day with Xun'er, at least then I know you're safe. Didn't you become a Dou Emperor so you could stay with your family? Do you know that in the Chu Yun Empire, you left behind nothing but your silhouette, and made me wait for more than ten years? But now you say you're leaving again. No, I will never agree. I will never allow Xiao Xiao and me to suffer through anxious waiting for you again. There is no room for discussion." Cai Lin's voice carried an unyielding, decisive edge. Her noble queenly bearing was especially imposing, yet beneath her forceful tone lay deep grievance. It made Xiao Yan wish desperately to pull her into his arms and comfort her: All right, I won't leave. I'll stay like this, by your side for all our lives. But this was not something he could change. The Dou Emperors of the Battle Qi Continent had all disappeared; perhaps it was a law of heaven and earth. Even if he had ten thousand unwillingnesses, he could not alter it.

Xiao Yan stood and walked before Cai Lin, drawing her into his arms once more. He comforted her, "Cai Lin, sometimes I truly feel fortunate that you and I formed an inseverable bond in that underground world. You are the wife Heaven bestowed upon me. The kindness you have shown me is something I cannot repay in this life or the next. But regarding this matter, I can only say I'm sorry. A Dou Emperor cannot remain forever on the Battle Qi Continent. I must leave."

Cai Lin's eyes turned red. She understood that this was Xiao Yan's farewell, and there was no way to change it.

"Come with me to Starfall Pavilion tomorrow. Put everything here on hold."

"Mm."

The sounds within the room fell silent, leaving only two people locked tightly in each other's embrace.

The next day, within the main hall of Starfall Pavilion in the Central Plains.

"Daddy, Mommy, Mother Xun'er, why are you here?" A girl in a red dress threw herself into Xiao Yan's embrace. She possessed a peerlessly beautiful face capable of bewitching countless hearts. Though still so young, her body had already developed with exceptional perfection. When she grew up, she would naturally become a beauty capable of bringing calamity upon kingdoms.

Seeing her, Xiao Yan smiled and lifted the five-year-old girl into his arms. Pinching her cheek, he laughed. "Little girl, have you been working too hard every day? You've gotten a whole circle thinner."

Xiao Xiao blinked and said, "Daddy, I've grown up. Naturally, I have to be a little thinner to be prettier."

At that moment, an elder seated in the place of honor spoke. "You brat, are you accusing me in a roundabout way of mistreating Xiao Xiao?" Although the elder's words sounded reproachful, everyone could hear the excitement within them.

Xiao Yan raised his head to look at the elder, and his eyes reddened slightly as well. The fledgling eagle of old had now spread its wings and flown high, while the elder had grown old.

Holding Xiao Xiao, Xiao Yan walked before Yao Lao and knelt directly. He had Xiao Xiao kneel as well, while Xun'er and Cai Lin consciously knelt to Yao Lao's left and right.

Seeing this, Yao Lao hurriedly stood, intending to help Xiao Yan up. Yet Xiao Yan said, "Teacher's kindness toward this disciple is as weighty as a mountain, something Xiao Yan can never repay in his life. Now this disciple is leaving the Battle Qi Continent and will no longer be able to remain by Teacher's side and show filial devotion. I can only offer this bow in thanks to Teacher."

Yao Lao seemed to understand something. He did not stop them, allowing the four to kowtow three times before stepping forward to help them rise.

"Little fellow, outside is not like the Battle Qi Continent. In all things, learn patience. Do not act on impulse," Yao Lao said to Xiao Yan as he held Xiao Xiao's hand.

"Mm, Xiao Yan knows his limits." The group spoke together for quite some time longer.

Central Plains, Twin Emperor Mountain.

A circular pillar of light had appeared there. Beside it, nearly every expert of the Battle Qi Continent had gathered. At the very front stood Xiao Yan in black robes, followed by experts such as Gu Yuan and Zhu Kun.

"Brother Xiao Yan, is this the passage out of the Battle Qi Continent?" A woman in green standing beside Xiao Yan asked.

"It should be." Xiao Yan looked curiously at the pillar of light that had appeared.

Just then, enormous quantities of gas surged from the pillar of light.

"Emperor-Origin Qi! It's actually Emperor-Origin Qi!" Gu Yuan and the other experts cried out in shock.

Xiao Yan was also somewhat surprised. He began gathering the Emperor-Origin Qi, and when the other experts saw this, they too began collecting it.

Before long, the Emperor-Origin Qi that had emerged was divided among everyone. Xiao Yan handed the Emperor-Origin Qi he had gathered to Xun'er and said softly, "With Emperor-Origin Qi, you can break through to become Dou Emperors as well. By the way, where is Cai Lin?" Xiao Yan glanced around but did not see Cai Lin.

"Sister Cai Lin said she did not want to watch your departing back again, so she didn't come," Xun'er explained.

Xiao Yan gave a helpless, bitter smile. He hugged Xun'er and said, "Take care." After saying that, Xiao Yan cupped his hands toward the gathered experts and prepared to enter the pillar of light.

Just then, a soft, tingling voice called out, "Wait." An enchanting woman appeared behind Xiao Yan. It was Cai Lin.

Hearing Cai Lin's voice, Xiao Yan hurriedly stopped and turned back toward her.

Cai Lin came to Xiao Yan's side and took the initiative to embrace him. "After being married for so long, this seems to be the first time I've taken the initiative to hug you."

Xiao Yan said nothing, merely embracing Cai Lin in return.

Cai Lin moved her red lips to Xiao Yan's ear and said, "This Queen has come to tell you a few things. First, if you dare find another woman out there, this Queen will personally cripple you. Second, your life belongs to this Queen. Don't lose it for this Queen, or if you die, this Queen will still skin you and pull out your tendons. Third, if one day this Queen comes to collect her debt from you, this Queen will personally kill you, and then..."

"And then what?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.

"Are you leaving or not? This Queen will tell you the next time I see you," Cai Lin snapped.

Xiao Yan was helpless. Carrying Cai Lin's three warnings with him, he rushed into the pillar of light.

"Farewell, Alliance Leader!"

"Farewell, Flame Emperor!"

What exactly awaited in that unknown world? What experiences would Flame Emperor Xiao Yan undergo?