Departure, Xun'er, Qing Shan Town

After obtaining the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade, Xiao Yan returned to his low-profile cultivation life.

Now that he had become a Dou Practitioner, the Portable Space had expanded again, reaching a radius of fifteen li.

Moreover, the concentration of battle qi within the Portable Space was three times that of Wutan City.

The Portable Space had now reached the level of a six-star Dou Spirit.

Xiao Yan planned to go to Qing Shan Town after breaking through to Dou Master. Little Fairy was there.

He wanted to pursue Little Fairy, then engage in Dual Cultivation with her.

The Vajra Saint Body's description stated that through Dual Cultivation with women, his physical body could be upgraded, and he could even copy their bloodlines, constitutions, and more.

Xiao Yan was determined to obtain Little Fairy's Calamity Poison Body.

Time passed in the blink of an eye, and three months soon went by.

Every day, Xiao Yan either cultivated battle qi or studied Alchemy. With his exceptional talent, he was now capable of refining second-grade pills.

His battle qi cultivation had reached the nine-star Dou Practitioner level. His next step was to advance to Dou Master.

However, Xiao Yan decided it was time to set off for Qing Shan Town.

That night, Xiao Yan entered his father's room and saw Xiao Zhan sitting at the table with a deeply troubled expression.

"Yan'er, what brings you to me so late at night?"

Seeing Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan forced a smile and spoke gently.

"Father, are you troubled by the loss of customers at the family's marketplace?"

Although Xiao Yan had been cultivating discreetly, he still went to the Mittel Auction House every few days to purchase medicinal ingredients. He knew a little about what had recently happened to the family.

The Jia Lie Clan had somehow hired an Alchemy Master and begun selling a healing medicine called Spring Restoration Powder in their marketplace.

This healing medicine was cheap and easy to produce in large quantities, making it extremely popular among mercenaries who lived with their lives on the line.

As a result, the Xiao Household's marketplace had lost half its customers. Many middlemen from other marketplaces had also moved to the Jia Lie Clan's marketplace. In less than a month, the Xiao Household had suffered considerable financial losses.

"Yan'er, you don't need to worry about this. Just focus on your cultivation."

Xiao Zhan patted his son's shoulder and smiled.

With a wave of Xiao Yan's hand, two Storage Rings appeared on the table, one intermediate-grade and one low-grade.

"Father, these two rings contain pills refined by my teacher and me."

"One contains pills for your cultivation, enough for you to break through to the Dou Spirit realm."

"The other is for the family to sell. However, we need to develop discreetly and adopt limited sales. As long as we can maintain the marketplace's basic popularity, that will be enough."

Xiao Zhan was stunned. He picked up the intermediate-grade Storage Ring, infused it with battle qi, and sent his soul perception inside. There, he saw a large number of low-grade pills, mostly ungraded and first-grade, with a small number of second-grade pills.

The intermediate-grade Storage Ring also contained several dozen third- and fourth-grade pills.

"Wonderful! With these pills, the marketplace can be saved."

Xiao Zhan looked at his son, deeply moved.

His son had grown up and could now contribute to the family. If anyone dared say another bad word about his Yan'er, he would tear their mouths apart.

Xiao Yan reminded him, "Father, remember: develop discreetly."

Xiao Zhan knew of the Soul Hall's existence and had no interest in competing for dominance over Wutan City.

Developing discreetly, quietly nurturing the family's younger generation, and restoring the Xiao Household's former glory were the long-term plan.

"Yan'er, you've worked hard. At such a young age, you already have to think so much for the Xiao Household."

Xiao Zhan spoke earnestly, his eyes filled with heartache as he looked at his son.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. To be honest, he did not feel much attachment to the Xiao Household where he had grown up.

Only his father, Xiao Zhan, gave him something to care about.

"Father, rest early."

Xiao Yan left his father's room and slowly walked toward his own.

He suddenly stopped and looked beneath the willow tree beside the pond, where a graceful figure stood.

The bright moonlight shone upon her as though draping her in a layer of silver gauze, lending her an added air of holiness.

Xiao Yan quietly walked over and stood beside her, looking at the shimmering surface of the water.

"Xun'er, why aren't you asleep? What are you doing here so late?"

Xiao Yan turned to look at the girl. Moonlight reflected off the water and shone upon her fair little face, making it glow faintly. He asked with a soft smile.

"Brother Xiao Yan, shall we go apply to Jia Nan Academy together tomorrow?"

The girl's slender fingers tucked several wind-tossed strands of black hair behind ears as white as jade. She narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked at the water and spoke softly.

As one of the renowned advanced academies of the Battle Qi Continent, Jia Nan Academy naturally drew the attention of the entire city when news spread that it would be recruiting students in Wutan City. It became the main topic of conversation after meals.

The younger generation of the family had all been working exceptionally hard during this period, hoping to meet Jia Nan Academy's admission standards before the final deadline.

In such an environment, Xiao Yan naturally learned about Jia Nan Academy's recruitment.

However, he had no intention of applying to Jia Nan Academy.

"Xun'er, I don't plan to attend Jia Nan Academy. In a few days, I intend to leave Wutan City and travel to gain experience."

Xiao Yan smiled faintly.

"If Brother Xiao Yan isn't going, then I won't go either. How about I accompany you on your travels?"

Xun'er blinked her large eyes as she spoke.

Xiao Yan stroked the girl's smooth black hair and said with a bitter smile,

"Little girl, if you came along on my travels, wouldn't that turn it into a sightseeing trip?"

The girl narrowed her eyes, thoroughly enjoying Xiao Yan's touch on her head.

"Brother Xiao Yan, I don't know what happened, but I feel like you've become much colder toward me over the past year or so. Xun'er is very sad."

Xiao Xun'er tilted her head slightly, her exquisite little face wearing a pitiful expression as she spoke with some resentment.

Ever since Xiao Yan awakened his memories of a past life and imprisoned Nalan Yanran, he had been treading on thin ice and discreetly increasing his strength.

Although Xiao Yan had many grievances against the Gu Clan, he did not come to dislike Xiao Xun'er because of them.

Whether he had been a genius or a waste during those three years, this beautiful girl had always silently remained by his side.

He had long since fallen for her as well.

But he knew the plot and knew of Hun Tiandi's existence, forcing him to treat the girl cautiously.

He did not want to become involved too early in the conflict among the ancient clans. He wanted to develop discreetly and raise his strength at all costs.

With the Vajra Saint Body, Xiao Yan was destined to have many women. He did not want to hurt the girl because of that, so he chose to let things take their natural course.

"Xun'er, those three years at rock bottom taught me that strength brings dignity. That's why I've been so desperately improving my strength. I haven't neglected you. I just want enough strength to face you, and to face your family."

Xiao Yan took the girl's delicate little hand, looked into her eyes, and spoke affectionately.

Faced with this confession, Xiao Xun'er broke into a radiant smile, her eyes rippling like autumn waters. She rested her head against the boy's shoulder.

The two looked at the water, enjoying this moment of tranquility beneath the moonlight.

"Then Brother Xiao Yan must work hard. My family has very high standards."

"I definitely will. Hehe."

Half a month later, a youth dressed in black and carrying a long object wrapped in black cloth on his back appeared in Qing Shan Town.

That youth was none other than Xiao Yan, who had left Wutan City.

Mercenaries of all kinds came and went along the streets. Xiao Yan did not stand out among them, which was precisely the effect he wanted.

Xiao Yan walked down the flagstone-paved street, examining the various shops on both sides.

At last, he spotted the shop he had been searching for.

Ten Thousand Medicine Hall!

It was a fairly large medicinal herb shop, and also the place Little Fairy had just begun to manage.

Xiao Yan stepped inside and swept his gaze across the shop, lingering for several seconds at an area that appeared to be meant for treating patients.

It was completely empty. It seemed Little Fairy was not there.

After feeling slightly disappointed, Xiao Yan turned and left, finding an inn nearby to stay in.

He would wait here for Little Fairy to appear.