Preparations Before Departure, Ya Fei Takes a Godbrother

"You little fellow, you truly astonished me!"

Instructor Ruo Lin gazed deeply at the young man, let out a soft breath, and said gently.

Only she knew how powerful that strike had been. She truly had not expected Xiao Yan to receive it unharmed.

Combined with Xiao Yan's S-Rank Potential, his skilled use of Dou Techniques, and his formidable physique—

Xiao Yan's talent had made her see him in a new light, and she now regarded him with great importance.

"Just luck."

Xiao Yan knew his own circumstances and did not dare grow arrogant. He smiled faintly and said,

"Besides, if Instructor had gone all out, I probably would have been defeated within three exchanges."

"To deal with a Five-Star Dou Zhe like you, I would need to go all out? If people found out, how could I possibly continue at the academy?"

Instructor Ruo Lin shot Xiao Yan a look and chided him.

"Since you held on for twenty exchanges, I'll approve your leave for this holiday. Sigh..."

"At your age, what could possibly be more important than studying?"

Xiao Yan smiled but remained silent.

After all, being rejected in marriage was hardly something honorable. There was no need to spread it everywhere himself.

"Alright, today's enrollment ends here."

Seeing that Xiao Yan offered no explanation, Instructor Ruo Lin could only shake her head helplessly.

"Instructor, why don't you stay at our Xiao Clan for the rest of your time here?"

Seeing that Instructor Ruo Lin was preparing to leave, Xiao Yu hurriedly wrapped her arms around the woman's arm and said coquettishly.

"Yu'er, Jia Nan Academy has an office in Wu Tan City. Wouldn't staying with the Xiao Clan be too much of an imposition?"

Ruo Lin was stunned for a moment. Her beautiful brows furrowed slightly as she said, somewhat troubled by the inconvenience.

"For Instructor Ruo Lin to honor the Xiao Clan with her presence would be the Xiao Clan's good fortune. It would bring glory to our humble home, and my father, the clan head, would be very pleased as well."

Hearing Xiao Yu's words, Xiao Yan's heart stirred, and he extended an invitation with a smile.

As a power situated between three nations, Jia Nan Academy possessed an exceptional status.

If an instructor from Jia Nan Academy were to visit the Xiao Clan, it would significantly enhance the Xiao Clan's influence in Wu Tan City.

Xiao Yan himself was about to leave. He wanted to seize every opportunity that could strengthen the Xiao Clan and help his father.

Hearing Xiao Yan speak, Instructor Ruo Lin gently pursed her red lips.

Xiao Yan already held a high place in her heart, and there was also Xiao Xun'er. With two outstanding talents in one family, the Xiao Clan was worth investing in, in her eyes.

"Alright then, I'll trouble the Xiao Clan for a few days."

Instructor Ruo Lin said with a radiant smile.

"Then thank you, Instructor Ruo Lin."

Xiao Yan said sincerely.

Afterward, Ruo Lin followed Xiao Yu and the others toward the Xiao Clan. As for Rob and the other Jia Nan Academy members, they naturally returned to the office.

When the Xiao Clan guards rushed back to the Xiao Clan and reported that Third Young Master Xiao Yan had invited a Jia Nan Academy instructor to visit—

Xiao Zhan and the three elders were overjoyed. They immediately ordered rooms to be prepared, and the four of them went outside the gates to receive her.

There was no need to mention how lavishly the Xiao Clan received Instructor Ruo Lin.

The next day, Xiao Yan slowly awoke when the morning sunlight crept onto his bed.

After washing up simply, Xiao Yan asked Yao Lao,

"Teacher, when are we setting out?"

A wisp of white smoke drifted out of the black ring and condensed into the form of an old man.

Yao Lao stroked his beard and said,

"We need to prepare some supplies for living in the deep mountains."

Yao Lao listed a whole array of things needed for wilderness survival and cultivation: fresh water, dried provisions, Insect Repellent Powder, low-grade medicinal herbs, healing medicine, Qi-Replenishing Pills, and so on.

Xiao Yan wrote them down one by one.

After getting dressed, Xiao Yan went to the Mittel Auction House. This time, he did not wear a black cloak, instead arriving as Xiao Yan himself.

The auction house's reception hall.

Ya Fei held the long sheet of paper Xiao Yan had given her. It was densely packed with items, and after reading through it, surprise appeared on her alluring face.

Her luscious red lips parted slightly as she asked, "Young Master Xiao Yan, why are you buying so many supplies for the wilderness?"

Ya Fei naturally knew that Jia Nan Academy was recruiting students in Wu Tan City.

And news that Instructor Ruo Lin had moved into the Xiao Clan had quickly spread throughout the city.

Xiao Yan should have been preparing to study at Jia Nan Academy. Why did he need so many wilderness supplies? It was truly baffling.

"Hehe, Miss Ya Fei, my teacher plans to have me train outside for a while. It may take one or two years."

Xiao Yan sipped his tea and said with a smile.

"Oh, that mysterious alchemist teacher of yours?"

Ya Fei nodded. She was extremely envious that Xiao Yan had been able to take an alchemist as his teacher.

Xiao Yan took out a Purple Gold Card. It contained one million gold coins.

"Sorry for the trouble, Miss Ya Fei. Please prepare the supplies for me and deduct the cost from the card."

"Alright."

During their previous collaborations, Xiao Yan had always acted in Yao Lao's identity, with Yao Lao refining medicine to offset the cost of goods each time.

Ya Fei felt a faint sense of regret that Xiao Yan was paying with money.

She accepted the card, summoned a maidservant, handed her the card and supply list, and instructed her to handle it at once.

Looking at the mature, alluring, and curvaceous Ya Fei, and considering her status, Xiao Yan hesitated before saying,

"Miss Ya Fei, I have an unreasonable request. I wonder whether I should say it?"

Seeing the young man's rather formal words, Ya Fei's narrow peach-blossom eyes curved as she said with a smile,

"Young Master Xiao Yan, we have worked together several times already. I have considerable respect and understanding for you, the Xiao Clan, and your teacher. If there is something you wish to say, please do. There is no need to be so polite."

"Since that is the case, I'll be direct. After I leave, I hope the Mittel Auction House can take greater care of the Xiao Clan. In return, if Miss Ya Fei ever needs my help in the future, Xiao Yan will not refuse."

Xiao Yan said with a smile.

"Oh?"

Ya Fei raised her beautiful brows slightly. An enticing curve appeared at the corner of her lips as she smiled. "The Mittel Auction House is not mine alone to command. Ordinary cooperation would not be a problem, but as for other matters, I cannot make the decision myself. However..."

"However what? If you have any conditions, Miss Ya Fei, please state them. As long as Xiao Yan can do it, I will never refuse."

For the sake of his old father, Xiao Zhan, being able to manage the Xiao Clan properly, Xiao Yan had truly gone to great lengths.

He would not let go of any support that could benefit the Xiao Clan.

Ya Fei licked her plump, tempting red lips and chuckled. "How about I take you as my godbrother? You can call me your godsister. With this relationship, we'll be family, and the Mittel Auction House will naturally take good care of the Xiao Clan."

Xiao Yan stared at Ya Fei in astonishment.

"Miss Ya Fei, are you serious?"

"Of course."

Ya Fei's alluring eyes stared directly at Xiao Yan. His face reddened slightly, and he shifted his gaze away.

"To be Miss Ya Fei's godbrother, Xiao Yan would naturally be willing."

Xiao Yan thought it over. Taking a godsister would not cost him anything.

"Hehe, little brother Xiao Yan, call me Sister and let me hear it."

Ya Fei covered her red lips with her jade-like hand and laughed charmingly.

"Sister Ya Fei!"

Xiao Yan's face reddened slightly, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Yes~"

Ya Fei was immensely satisfied. Her beautiful eyes shimmered like autumn water as she stepped forward and hugged Xiao Yan, her red lips letting out an alluring sound.

Feeling her impressive assets against him, Xiao Yan's body stiffened slightly. Fortunately, Ya Fei soon released him.

At that moment, the maidservant approached carrying a silver tray.

Xiao Yan took the Purple Gold Card and Storage Ring from the tray.

"I should still call you Sister Ya Fei. The Xiao Clan will be in your care."

Xiao Yan let out a soft breath. The color returned to his fair face as he said with a smile.

Ya Fei said solemnly, "Rest assured, little brother Xiao Yan."

Xiao Yan waved and left the auction house.

Looking at the bustling street, Xiao Yan's gaze turned in one direction.

That was where Jia Nan Academy was holding its enrollment.

Xun'er should be helping Instructor Ruo Lin finish the enrollment work right now.

Everything that needed to be said had been said. It was better not to meet again.

It would only add to the sorrow of parting.