Leaving the Xiao Clan

"Thank you, Brother Chenfeng..."

Xiao Xun'er politely thanked him, then returned to her courtyard under Nalan Chenfeng's escort.

"No need to thank me."

Nalan Chenfeng shook his head, then did not linger and turned to leave.

After Xiao Yu moved in, she had become Xiao Xun'er's companion, so Xiao Xun'er was no longer quite so lonely. But Xiao Yu usually had to cultivate, while Xiao Xun'er herself was rather playful, which still left her somewhat alone.

He did not have much time either. The Xiao Clan was not a place where he could stay long; in a little over a month, it would be time to return to the Imperial Capital.

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, more than a month had gone by.

"That menace is finally leaving! Heaven has eyes!"

At a corner beside the Xiao Clan's main gate, Xiao Yan's little face was filled with excitement, his eyes brimming with anticipation.

More than a month was neither particularly long nor particularly short.

But for him, this past month had been the darkest period of his life.

Every day, Nalan Chenfeng's nightmarish figure would appear outside his door right on time, under the pretense of sparring with him.

He had been beaten for more than a month straight. Though they were only superficial injuries, everyone in the Xiao Clan knew that he was bruised and battered every day, making him lose all face.

Although he had taken out his anger on Xiao Ning and some other Xiao Clan members who had mocked him, beating them up viciously several times, that only treated the symptoms, not the cause. The pain he suffered every day could not be eased at all.

"Little Yan, come out!"

Those words had become the sound he feared most.

And today, that fiend was finally leaving the Xiao Clan. How could he not be thrilled?

"Young Master Chenfeng, the carriage is ready. The clan leader has sent several letters urging us to return; we must leave today."

Outside the Xiao Clan's main gate, a middle-aged man respectfully bowed to Nalan Chenfeng.

"Mm, wait a moment."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded and swept his gaze over the dense crowd gathered to see him off.

Xiao Zhan, the Xiao Clan's leader, had come personally. Behind him stood the Xiao Clan's three grand elders, as well as a group of Xiao Clan disciples.

Times had changed. The Xiao Clan was no longer what it had been when it was in the Imperial Capital. Thus, although he possessed little strength, his status as a member of the Nalan Clan ensured that he was treated quite well—indeed, with considerable ceremony.

Of course, he also understood that Xiao Zhan had done this deliberately, putting on a display for the other two great clans of Wu Tan City.

Though small, a sparrow possessed all vital organs. Even in tiny Wu Tan City, competition was fierce.

Xiao Yu stood at the front of the crowd. Her height made her especially conspicuous among the Xiao Clan children, and her eyes were slightly red.

"Brother Chenfeng, are you really leaving...?"

Xiao Yu pursed her lips, her voice filled with reluctance.

Over the past few months, whenever there was nothing to do, Brother Chenfeng had told her so many stories. Once he left today, she feared she would never hear them again.

"Mm. I'll come back if I get the chance."

Nalan Chenfeng nodded, his gaze passing over Xiao Yu and landing on the spot beside her.

At that moment, Xiao Xun'er stood quietly toward the left side of the crowd, her pitch-black eyes blinking.

More than a month had passed, yet Xiao Xun'er still looked the same—delicate as a porcelain doll, her little face carrying a faint, sickly pallor, with no great change.

Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame. A Heavenly Flame ranked fourth on the Heavenly Flame Ranking... For the Gu Clan to have infused it into Xiao Xun'er's body so early, their methods truly reach the heavens...

Nalan Chenfeng thought to himself, though his expression remained calm.

He knew why Xiao Xun'er was in poor health. The vastness and extraordinariness of the Dou Qi Continent were far beyond anything he could imagine at present.

"Take care, Brother Chenfeng."

Xiao Xun'er's voice was soft and sweet as she spoke quietly.

"Mm."

Nalan Chenfeng smiled and nodded in reply.

Over the past month, he and Xiao Xun'er had met a few more times, but they were merely acquaintances who exchanged nods, hardly close.

That Xiao Xun'er had come to see him off today did surprise him somewhat.

However, the person he thought should have come most was neither Xiao Xun'er nor Xiao Yu, but his future brother-in-law, Xiao Yan.

"Little Yan..."

Nalan Chenfeng searched through the crowd. At last, behind a stone pillar inside the gate, he spotted a furtive little head.

Xiao Yan was hiding behind the gate, with only half his face exposed as he peeked toward Nalan Chenfeng.

"Mm..."

The moment Xiao Yan realized that Nalan Chenfeng was looking at him, it was as if he had been startled by something. He abruptly ducked back behind the pillar.

The corners of Nalan Chenfeng's lips lifted slightly. He then strode toward the gate, and the Xiao Clan members automatically made way for him.

When he reached the stone pillar, Nalan Chenfeng stopped and turned his head to look at Xiao Yan, who was cowering behind it.

"Little Yan, won't you come out and see me off?"

Xiao Yan poked his head out from behind the pillar. His little face still bore faint bruises from his beatings, and he forced out a smile uglier than crying.

"Brother... Brother Chenfeng, take care on your journey."

"I'm leaving. You brat, behave yourself."

Nalan Chenfeng reached out and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, neither too heavily nor too lightly. Then he turned his gaze toward Xiao Zhan.

"Uncle Xiao, until we meet again!"

"Nephew Chenfeng, take care on your journey. Give Uncle Nalan my regards."

Xiao Zhan spoke earnestly, his face full of smiles.

The Nalan Clan's willingness to acknowledge its marriage agreement with the Xiao Clan was like timely aid in a snowstorm for the present-day Xiao Clan.

Moreover, Nalan Chenfeng before him possessed exceptional talent. Even Yan'er might not compare to him. Once the Nalan Clan and Xiao Clan fulfilled the marriage agreement in the future, he could become a tremendous aid to Yan'er.

Still, Xiao Zhan vaguely felt that this worthy nephew of the Nalan Clan was somewhat strange. He had kept his eyes fixed on Yan'er these past days, and even as an elder, Xiao Zhan had to admire such persistence.

However, he did not object to it. Yan'er, that brat, truly needed proper discipline. How could someone with such a dreadful reputation marry into the Nalan Clan?

"Rest assured, Uncle Xiao. Chenfeng will certainly deliver your message."

Nalan Chenfeng gave a slight bow and cupped his hands in salute.

With that, Nalan Chenfeng stepped into the carriage and headed out of Wu Tan City.

There was quite a long distance between Wu Tan City and the Jia Ma Imperial Capital. Even riding a flying magical beast would take several days.

The carriage wheels rolled over Wu Tan City's bluestone streets, producing a dull rumble.

Nalan Chenfeng lifted the carriage curtain and watched Wu Tan City gradually recede into the distance.

Wu Tan City was small, nowhere near as prosperous or imposing as the Jia Ma Imperial Capital. Yet it was in this inconspicuous little city that the Flame Emperor, who would later shake the entire Great Thousand World, emerged.

"Xiao Yan..."

Nalan Chenfeng's lips curved faintly.

He did not deny Xiao Yan's future potential or how much room he had to grow. But before Xiao Yan had truly matured, everything remained unknown.

Since he had come to the Dou Qi Continent, he would naturally walk his own path. As for Xiao Yan, his future brother-in-law, he would beat him when necessary, trick him when necessary, and help him when necessary.

Creak! Creak!

The carriage soon passed through Wu Tan City's gates and headed north along the main road.

After traveling for roughly half an hour, a broad open area appeared ahead.

In the clearing, an enormous magical beast lay prone upon the ground. Its heavy breathing could be heard from far away.

It was a third-rank flying magical beast, a Wind-Splitting Wing Beast.