"That's why I didn't intervene. The flame within her is also a heavenly flame. Heavenly flames can sense one another. Once I acted, she would sense it even while unconscious.
"When she woke up, she would figure out that I was behind you. Who knows what might happen then?"
A solemn look entered Xiao Yan's eyes at those words.
"So Xun'er isn't as simple as she seems either..."
"You! Instead of dwelling on these useless things, you should hurry up and cultivate. Your current strength is nowhere near enough to be worthy of that little girlfriend of yours.
"I spent an Earth-Tier Dou Technique, and it wasn't to watch you sigh. Get up! Let's get on with your cultivation!"
Seeing Xiao Yan's low spirits, Yao Lao sighed and tapped his head, exasperated at iron that refused to become steel, as he spoke.
"I understand, Teacher."
On a lush mountain trail, a green-robed youth surveyed his surroundings, then glanced at the map in his hand.
"Strange. This was clearly the right direction, so why am I still wandering around the mountains after all this time? If I'd known, I wouldn't have bothered keeping a low profile. I should've just flown straight to Qingshan Town on the Divine Wind Boat."
The youth was none other than Han Chen, who had left Wutan City. Six or seven days had passed since his million-strong withdrawal.
He had reached the vicinity of Qingshan Town and planned to head to the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Unfortunately, he was now lost.
Han Chen studied the map again. Once he confirmed that he truly could not make sense of it, he decided to take out the Divine Wind Boat and fly out.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Once we return to the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, I'll settle your pay."
Hearing voices, Han Chen lowered his raised hand and looked toward the woods nearby.
Before long, rustling came from the trees. Several bare-chested men emerged, followed by two young women.
One had gentle features, while the other wore a simple white dress and possessed an ethereal air. Pink flowers dotted her pale white dress, and a green sash gently cinched her slender, willow-like waist, so delicate it seemed a single hand could encircle it.
Her face was not the sort of breathtaking beauty that stunned the heart, but it was lovely and pleasing to look at. A faint smile often lingered at the corners of her lips, lending her a fresh, ethereal quality like a clear spring in the mountains.
"Hey, where did you come from, kid? What are you doing here?"
The men at the front immediately grew wary when they spotted Han Chen. This was deep in the mountain forests, with the Magical Beast Mountain Range only a few steps away. Who knew what this stranger was up to?
The man's words brought Han Chen out of his dazzled state. He cupped his hands and replied with a smile.
"I'm Li Feiyu from Wutan City. I heard Qingshan Town borders the Magical Beast Mountain Range and has an abundance of medicinal herbs, so I came to buy some supplies."
As he spoke, Han Chen wore a perfectly measured look of embarrassment and scratched his head.
"But this is my first time traveling, and I didn't prepare very well. I accidentally lost my way.
"Would you kind gentlemen mind taking me to Qingshan Town? Don't worry, I'll pay you for guiding me."
Xiao Yi Xian, who was walking at the rear, also heard the commotion. She adjusted the basket on her back and hurried forward, where she caught sight of Han Chen.
By then, the men had put away their broadswords. Han Chen's expression, gestures, and tone all resembled those of a young man from a prominent family setting out to make his mark in the world, which put them at ease.
Seeing Xiao Yi Xian approach, one of the men asked her.
"What do you think, Xiao Yi Xian? Should we take him along?"
Xiao Yi Xian glanced at Han Chen's green robe. Though plain, it was made of exceptional fabric. At last, she nodded.
"Let's take him with us. We're going the same way anyway, so it's no trouble. We're close to the Magical Beast Mountain Range. If we leave him to wander blindly on his own, his life could be in danger."
"All right, kid, you're lucky today. You've run into Xiao Yi Xian, the kindest person in Qingshan Town. Come along with us."
Han Chen first bowed to the man in thanks, then smiled and cupped his hands toward Xiao Yi Xian.
"You truly have a kind heart, miss. My name is Li Feiyu. Thank you."
Han Chen was not lying. The phrase "a beautiful face and a kind heart" could hardly have suited anyone better than Xiao Yi Xian.
Xiao Yi Xian merely smiled faintly and replied in an even tone:
"There's no need to thank me. It's no more than lifting a hand."
And so Han Chen naturally fell in with the group as they headed in the opposite direction.
Only then did Han Chen realize how far off course he had strayed. Had Xiao Yi Xian and her companions arrived any later, he might have walked straight into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
"Young master, you're from Wutan City? That's a big city."
As the group traveled, one of the men at the front suddenly turned to ask Han Chen a question. It was rare to have someone new join their party, so naturally, they wanted to hear something fresh.
For people like them, who scarcely left Qingshan Town throughout their lives, the outside world was always full of novelty. Even Wutan City, a small city that ranked only third-rate within the Jia Ma Empire, was a towering behemoth in their eyes.
Even Xiao Yi Xian, who had been walking at the front, slowed her steps at the man's question and pricked up her ears to listen.
Sensing the gazes turning his way, Han Chen rubbed his nose and smiled.
"Yes, though I'm not originally from Wutan City. I belonged to a family in the Imperial Capital, but because of my talent and competition between the family's factions, I left and went to Wutan City to try to make something of myself."
The men around him sighed with feeling. People from big cities really were different from them.
"The Imperial Capital? There must be a lot of alchemists there!"
At that moment, Xiao Yi Xian, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, her voice full of envy.
Her dream had always been to become an alchemist. Naturally, she yearned for a city like the Imperial Capital, a place she had never even heard about.
"Oh? It seems you're quite interested in the Imperial Capital, Miss Xiao Yi Xian. You could visit someday if you get the chance."
Seeing that Xiao Yi Xian was interested in the subject, he pressed his advantage, hoping to draw closer to her.
At his words, Xiao Yi Xian gave a bitter smile.
"How could it be that easy? All alone, how would I even get there?"
"Young Master Li, you probably don't know this, but Xiao Yi Xian has always wanted to become an alchemist."
"Really? Then it seems fate has brought us together. The Jia Ma Imperial Capital has an Alchemist Guild where alchemists gather in great numbers. I'm sure Miss Xiao Yi Xian would love it."
But... I don't have the talent to become an alchemist.
Han Chen watched Xiao Yi Xian quietly without saying anything more. He simply took a bottle of Yellow Dragon Pills from his Storage Ring and tossed it to her.
"Nothing in this world is difficult for someone with a determined heart. The choice itself is the meaning. If you refuse to do something just because it seems impossible, what meaning would life have left?
"These are Yellow Dragon Pills I refined. They count as first-grade pills and can slowly improve your cultivation during the Dou Qi stage, but you mustn't take too many.
"Consider them a first-meeting gift from me, a little care for a future junior."
Catching the pills, Xiao Yi Xian stared at them in disbelief, then looked at Han Chen, who stood there with his hands behind his back, looking refined and scholarly. She stammered:
"You... you're... an alchemist?"
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