Su Qian

Zi Yan grinned at Xiao Qing, showing no embarrassment or awkwardness at having been found out.

"What is it?"

Not holding Zi Yan's interruption against her, Xiao Qing asked somewhat doubtfully.

Hadn't he only refined pills for Zi Yan a few days ago?

Why had she come looking for him again so soon?

"Xiao Qing, a student delivered this letter this morning. It seems to have been sent from your household."

Zi Yan took an envelope from her Storage Ring and handed it to Xiao Qing.

Xiao Qing accepted it curiously and opened it in front of Zi Yan.

Before long, Xiao Qing's expression turned somewhat dazed after reading the letter.

"So it had already reached this point in time?"

The letter was from Xiao Zhan. Its opening was not much different from the previous ones, filled with concern and inquiries about his well-being.

However, the latter half was somewhat different. Between the lines, Xiao Zhan asked when he would return to the Xiao Household for a visit, saying that there was something he needed his help with.

Xiao Qing immediately understood. Yao Lao had awakened, and Xiao Yan's Dou Qi cultivation had begun to regress.

However, Xiao Zhan was probably the only one who knew about this matter at present. Otherwise, he would not have concealed it so vaguely and would have stated it outright.

Seeing that something was off about Xiao Qing's expression, Zi Yan scratched her head and could not help leaning closer.

Xiao Qing did not stop her. After two years of getting along, their relationship had long become intimate enough that there was no need to hide such a small matter.

"Xiao Qing, are you going back to take a look?"

After reading the letter, Zi Yan tilted her head and asked curiously.

"Yes. I've been away from the household for so many years. It's time to go back and take a look. I can also travel outside for a while and broaden my horizons."

Xiao Qing fell silent for a moment before finally nodding. He did not conceal his plans to leave.

"Take me with you when you go back. I've stayed in the Inner Academy for so many years, but I've never gone outside to see the world."

Zi Yan looked at Xiao Qing eagerly, her voice full of anticipation.

"Take you with me?"

Xiao Qing stroked his chin and looked Zi Yan up and down. Only after a long while did he speak.

"It's not impossible. As long as you can obtain the First Elder's permission and promise not to run around on the way, I can take you along."

With their strength, they would basically encounter no danger on the Northwest Continent.

Hearing this, delight appeared on Zi Yan's face. Her little hand patted her chest with loud smacks.

"Don't worry. As long as I can go out, I promise I'll listen to you in everything."

Xiao Qing nodded and smiled lightly. "Good. Then it's settled."

The next morning.

A ray of dawn shone through the window, spilling over the figure cultivating on the bed.

Feeling the sunlight, Xiao Qing slowly opened his eyes.

After getting up and stretching his limbs, he called Zi Yan from next door and headed together toward the depths of the Inner Academy.

Within a quiet courtyard, an elderly man in black robes, with white hair and beard, lay silently in a reclining chair with his eyes closed in rest.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, the old man on the reclining chair curled his lips into a faint smile.

Before long, a crisp, childish voice came from outside.

"Old Man Su, Xiao Qing and I came to see you!"

As soon as she spoke, Zi Yan violently shoved open the courtyard gate, producing a creaking sound.

Zi Yan's small figure hopped into the courtyard, followed by Xiao Qing, whose expression was somewhat helpless.

Upon seeing Su Qian on the reclining chair, Zi Yan darted over in a few steps. Seeing that he had yet to wake up, she grabbed the back of the chair and shook it hard.

"Old man, wake up!"

Su Qian opened his eyes helplessly and glared at Zi Yan with some irritation.

"You little girl, are you trying to shake these old bones of mine apart?"

Zi Yan grinned and withdrew her hand.

"Who told you to keep your eyes closed? I thought you were asleep."

Su Qian could do nothing about her. He shook his head and sighed, then turned his gaze toward Xiao Qing behind her.

"Xiao Qing, you two came here so early. Is there something you need?"

Because of Zi Yan, Su Qian and Xiao Qing had become fairly familiar with each other over the past two years, so he was naturally direct.

Xiao Qing nodded slightly and cupped his hands in salute.

"First Elder, your insight is as sharp as ever. This student has been away from home for many years and wishes to request leave to return for a visit, while also traveling outside for a time."

Su Qian nodded, his expression somewhat wistful.

"Since you joined the academy, nearly five years have passed. It is indeed time for you to return and take a look."

"You must be extra careful while traveling outside. Although, with your cultivation, you will basically not encounter any danger on the Northwest Continent, you must still remain cautious. Don't let a small ditch capsize your boat."

Su Qian looked Xiao Qing up and down, his expression extremely serious as he cautioned him.

Xiao Qing cupped his hands slightly. "This student will remember."

Once the two had finished speaking, Zi Yan reached out and tugged at Su Qian's sleeve, her little face piled high with a flattering smile.

"Old Man Su, there's me too! I want to go out with Xiao Qing as well."

Su Qian's expression hardened, and he shook his head without hesitation.

"Nonsense! Xiao Qing is going out to travel. What are you going along for, other than to cause trouble?"

"I promise I won't cause trouble. I'll listen to Xiao Qing the whole way!"

Zi Yan patted her chest with her little hand, looking utterly serious.

"Old Man Su, I've been in the Inner Academy for so long, but I've never gone outside. Please let me go with Xiao Qing!"

By the end, there was a trace of pleading on Zi Yan's little face.

Seeing this, Su Qian rubbed his forehead helplessly and waved his hand.

"If Xiao Qing agrees, then go with him. Just stop tormenting these old bones of mine."

Hearing this, Zi Yan immediately beamed with joy.

"Old Man Su, you're the best! I'll come back to visit you!"

Su Qian shook his head and waved his hand, signaling that the two could leave.

Seeing this, Xiao Qing cupped his hands in salute before slowly withdrawing from the courtyard.

Zi Yan followed behind him with a cheerful expression.

After the two left, Su Qian, still on the reclining chair, revealed a faint smile and sighed. "Being young is wonderful!"

At the exit of the Inner Academy's barrier, Xiao Qing and Zi Yan flapped their Dou Qi wings and flew out from the forest.

Xiao Qing swept his surroundings with his soul perception. After confirming that he had come to the right place, he cupped his hands toward the front.

"This student, Xiao Qing, is leaving on approved leave. I ask the Elder to open the gate."

As soon as he spoke, an aged figure suddenly appeared atop a treetop ahead.

"Hehe, the First Elder has already informed me. Young friend, please wait a moment."

Xiao Qing nodded slightly, unsurprised by the old man's appearance.

Zi Yan, beside him, curiously examined the surrounding space. Before long, she curled her lips.

Not long after, the space before them suddenly rippled. Then, as though torn apart by an invisible giant hand, a silver gate shining brilliantly slowly emerged.

After flying out through the silver gate, a massive Griffin Beast drew the pair's attention.

Xiao Qing looked doubtfully at the old man who had followed them out.

Both of them were Dou Wangs. There was no need for a flying magical beast, was there?

The old man stroked his beard and smiled lightly. "The journey to the Jia Ma Empire is long. A flying magical beast can save you quite a bit of effort."