Farewell

The Ye Clan's collection was as vast as a sea of smoke. Xiao Yan became so absorbed in reading those alchemy manuals that, by the time he returned to his quarters, it was already late at night. He had intended to cultivate for a while before resting, but an unexpected knock suddenly sounded at his door.

Xiao Yan opened the door and found Xun'er standing outside. He was rather surprised; Xun'er rarely came looking for him so late at night. Still, he did not think much of it and welcomed her inside.

"Xun'er, why have you come over so late?"

Xun'er smiled faintly. "Nothing much. Today was Xiao Yan-gege's first day studying here, so Xun'er wanted to see how Xiao Yan-gege was doing."

Xiao Yan did not suspect anything and began recounting what he had seen and heard. "Today truly opened my eyes. Canaan Academy's Alchemy Department is indeed unmatched. I learned quite a lot in just one day..."

"...If even a single Ye Clan is like this, I wonder what kind of grandeur the legendary Pill Tower possesses!"

Having said that, he took a gulp of tea. Across from him, Xun'er listened to the end with an unchanged smile on her face.

"So that is how it is. With Xiao Yan-gege's talent, establishing yourself in the Pill Tower in the future should not be difficult. In that case, Xun'er can leave without worry."

"Leave? Now?"

Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised, but he quickly calmed down. After all, they had discussed this matter long ago.

"That is true. But if you are returning to your clan, will you have the Grand Elder escort you back? I do not need the Grand Elder looking after me here in the Ye Clan."

Xun'er shook her head. "There is no need to trouble the Grand Elder. I have people to look after me. I am merely returning to the clan for a visit; it is nothing major. Xiao Yan-gege need not worry."

Xiao Yan nodded and said with a smile,

"That makes sense. With your background, how could there be no one by your side? At the very least, that mysterious black-robed Dou Emperor back then was one of your people, right?"

Xun'er cried out in surprise, "Xiao Yan-gege knows Ling Lao?"

Seeing Xun'er's surprise, Xiao Yan could not help feeling a little smug. It was rare for him to see such an unexpected expression on her face. He smiled faintly and said,

"So that was Ling Lao. Actually, after that incident, I wondered why, if he was an old acquaintance from Canaan Academy, he had not even left his name behind. That was not reasonable. After thinking it over, the only possibility was that someone in your circle had produced an unknown Dou Emperor expert."

Xun'er became a little flustered, like a young girl whose secret had been exposed.

"Xiao Yan-gege, you do not blame Xun'er for secretly sending someone to follow you, do you?"

Xiao Yan patted Xun'er's hand. "Silly girl, if not for the Ling Lao you arranged, it would have been hard to say whether I could have returned that time. How could I blame you? But next time, you must introduce me to Ling Lao. I should thank him in person for saving my life."

Seeing that Xiao Yan did not blame her, Xun'er's expression brightened again. "Mm, when there is a chance, Xun'er will let Xiao Yan-gege meet him."

"Mm. About how long will Xun'er be gone this time?"

"I cannot say for certain. Around half a year, I suppose."

"Half a year..."

At that, they both fell silent. They had never been separated since childhood. Later, when Xiao Yan had no family or friends to turn to, Xun'er had come to Canaan Academy. Then there had been these three months in the Central Plains. Now, they were suddenly to part for half a year. Xiao Yan did not know why he felt this way, only that something inside his heart seemed ready to burst free.

Without realizing it, Xiao Yan tightly clasped Xun'er's soft hand. They had held hands countless times before, yet now, it felt especially different to him.

Xun'er also sensed that feeling unlike anything before. As the atmosphere in the room became increasingly strange amid their silence, Xun'er suddenly snapped out of it. She hastily shook free of Xiao Yan's hand and stood up.

"I-it is getting late. Xiao Yan-gege, cultivate well. Xun'er will be back soon!"

"Oh... all right."

Watching Xun'er leave as though she were fleeing, Xiao Yan also realized that something had been off about his earlier state. Yet before he could figure it out, Xun'er came running back, panting for breath.

"Xun'er, what is it?"

Xun'er caught her breath, and her tone regained its previous composure. "Nothing. Xun'er suddenly remembered something she needs to remind Xiao Yan-gege of before leaving."

Xiao Yan was a little puzzled, but he quickly responded. "Hm? What is it?"

"Although nothing will most likely happen, Xiao Yan-gege must remember that, here in the Central Plains, you should try not to mention the Xiao Clan."

Xiao Yan was utterly bewildered. Frowning, he said, "What do you mean, do not mention the Xiao Clan? My surname is Xiao. Naturally, my family is the Xiao Clan."

Xun'er thought for a moment before explaining, "What Xun'er means is that you should not let people pay too much attention to your surname."

That explanation was worse than no explanation at all, and Xiao Yan was even more confused. But seeing Xun'er's expression, he knew this was serious. Though he did not understand, he could only agree.

"I understand. I will be careful."

Only then did Xun'er smile brightly. "All right. Xun'er only mentioned it in passing; Xiao Yan-gege merely needs to pay a little attention. Then goodbye!"

"Mm, goodbye."

Xiao Yan and Xun'er waved farewell. Although Xun'er had merely returned to her own room, Xiao Yan knew that he would probably not see her tomorrow.

Yet his mind was now entirely occupied by Xun'er's final reminder. He could not understand what exactly she had meant.

"Xun'er must have something she cannot say, and the key lies in those things she cannot tell me."

Xiao Yan's mind kept circling around Xun'er's strange background, why she had grown up in the Xiao Clan from childhood, and her warning not to mention the Xiao Clan.

When Xiao Yan woke groggily, it was already the next morning. Remembering something, he hurried to Xun'er's room and forcefully pushed open the door.

The room was empty, as though it had always been this way.

"She really left..." Xiao Yan murmured. A faint sadness welled up in his heart, but he soon gently closed the door and left.

No matter what had happened or what would happen, Xiao Yan believed that becoming stronger through cultivation was the only proper path. Xun'er's departure saddened him, but he looked forward even more to becoming stronger by the time they met again. Xiao Yan hoped that one day, he would possess enough strength to see the whole of Xun'er clearly.

One month later, outside the gates of the Ye Clan.

"Old Su, are you really not staying a few more days?"

"No. If I do not return soon, those two old geezers at home will start cursing me out."

Today was the day Su Qian was leaving. He had stayed with Xiao Yan for another month. Now that there were no problems and Ye Zhong was looking after him, Su Qian had no choice but to return to Canaan.

Xiao Yan respectfully bowed. "May the Grand Elder have a safe journey."

Su Qian smiled, then deliberately put on a stern face. "You little brat, you are not even trying to make this old man stay. This old man traveled thousands of miles to bring you here!"

Knowing that the Grand Elder was joking again, Xiao Yan grumbled inwardly, This is the Ye Clan, not my home. What right do I have to make you stay? He did not dare say it aloud.

"The Grand Elder is right. How about you stay with this student for another two years?"

"Two years?" Su Qian blew out his beard. "Then Thousand Elder and Hundred Elder really will come here to kill me. Forget it, forget it. This old man should leave now."

Xiao Yan bent forward and cupped his fists, lowering his head deeply. "This student bids the Grand Elder farewell."

Su Qian smiled as he stepped into the air, soaring directly into the clouds and vanishing from sight. Only a single sentence drifted to Xiao Yan's ears.

"Little fellow, I hope that when this old man sees you again, you can give me a surprise!"

Only after Su Qian's aura could no longer be sensed did Ye Zhong sigh. He then patted Xiao Yan, who was still maintaining that posture.

"He has already gone. Let us return."

Only then did Xiao Yan straighten up and silently follow Ye Zhong back.

Ye Zhong seemed to notice something. He stared at Xiao Yan for a moment, looking somewhat surprised.

"Eh? Boy? Are you crying?"

"Elder Ye must be mistaken."

"With this old man's Dou Sect cultivation, could I possibly mistake what I see?"

"The wind and sand are too strong!"

"Hahahahahaha..."