Would You Be Interested in Joining the Xiao Clan?

After resting for a while, Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan got up again and continued their escape.

She planned to head into the Magical Beast Mountain Range first and lie low.

As they walked, Xiao Yan casually asked, "Xiao Yi Xian, what's your real name? Surely Xiao Yi Xian isn't your actual name?"

Unexpectedly, this seemingly ordinary question made Xiao Yi Xian's expression change.

Only after a moment did she force a smile, her eyes dimming.

"I don't have a name...

Xiao Yi Xian is both the nickname others call me and the name I gave myself."

But her gloom lasted only a moment before she rallied and smiled at Xiao Yan. "Looks like you really are from out of town.

I'm an orphan. I grew up in Qingshan Town, eating at a hundred different families' tables.

Later, by chance, I learned a little rudimentary medicine from an old physician passing through.

When people saw that I could treat minor injuries and illnesses, they started calling me 'Xiao Yi Xian.'

Everyone in town knows that."

Xiao Yan paused. He really hadn't asked about those details.

An orphan, huh? That was certainly tragic.

But after all his years roaming the world, what sort of miserable people and tragedies hadn't he seen?

Strictly speaking, Xiao Yi Xian's experiences were nothing out of the ordinary.

Instantly regaining his composure, Xiao Yan's expression shifted as he thought of a better way to befriend Xiao Yi Xian.

"Xiao Yi Xian, I'm afraid you won't be able to stay in Qingshan Town anymore. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group won't tolerate you now. Do you have any plans for the future?"

This time, Xiao Yi Xian truly looked downcast. She said dejectedly:

"Not yet. I don't know where I should go next, either.

Maybe I'll travel the continent and wander from place to place."

Xiao Yan smiled. "Would you be interested in joining my Xiao Clan in Wutan City?

My father is the Xiao Clan's clan leader. I should still have the authority to decide something like this."

Xiao Yi Xian abruptly looked up, her eyes full of astonishment.

Naturally, she had heard of Wutan City. It was one of the few major cities nearby.

She had also heard of the Xiao Clan.

But although she had the title of Xiao Yi Xian, she was actually no more than an ordinary physician at the Myriad Medicine Pavilion.

What merits or abilities did she possess to deserve an invitation to join a great clan?

Seeing her surprise, Xiao Yan smiled.

"The clan can afford another mouth to feed.

Besides, you're a physician. Your profession would be very useful to the clan."

Xiao Yi Xian truly felt warm tears welling in her eyes.

After drifting through half her life, she had never imagined that she might one day have a clan of her own.

Though moved, however, Xiao Yi Xian did not take him up on his offer.

She had lived in Qingshan Town for so many years. Though kind by nature, she had witnessed plenty of filthy dealings and possessed the necessary shrewdness.

A sudden calamity had recently befallen her, and then this young man had abruptly appeared.

Everything smacked of something suspicious.

If she trusted him so easily, she would never have survived in Qingshan Town this long.

Xiao Yi Xian reckoned that she herself had nothing worth coveting.

The only possibility was a treasure map she had happened to discover in the Magical Beast Mountain Range some time ago.

Mu Li of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group had come for it, and the mysterious young man before her might well have come for the same thing.

She couldn't afford to let down her guard.

At that thought, Xiao Yi Xian put a little distance between herself and Xiao Yan. Biting her lip lightly, she said in a low voice, "Young Master... Xiao Yan, I appreciate your kindness. It's just... this is no small matter. I... I need to think it over carefully."

Xiao Yi Xian's refusal was within Xiao Yan's expectations.

"That's fine. This was rather abrupt, after all. Take your time to think it over. My offer stands whenever you're ready."

Over the next few days, Xiao Yi Xian led Xiao Yan to a secluded valley she had discovered while gathering herbs.

Birdsong and the fragrance of flowers filled the valley, which lay cut off from the world. It was an excellent hiding place.

After settling Xiao Yan in, Xiao Yi Xian often left the valley alone, using herb gathering as an excuse.

Xiao Yan followed her in secret and discovered that she was sneaking off to investigate the treasure.

He did not expose her, simply cultivating in the valley each day.

Yao Lao watched from within his sea of consciousness, thoroughly amused.

"This little lass isn't stupid. She even knows to keep her guard up around you. I'm afraid your attempts to befriend her will take a while longer!"

Xiao Yan smiled. "I'm in no hurry. I'll wait for her to work things out. She's an extraordinary genius, after all, and worth spending a little more time on."

Several more days passed before Xiao Yi Xian returned to the valley looking exhausted and dejected.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally approached Xiao Yan, who was sitting in meditation.

"Xiao Yan... I want to ask you a favor."

Xiao Yan opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Whatever it is, just tell me."

Xiao Yi Xian took a deep breath, as though making up her mind.

"I happened to discover a cave dwelling left behind by someone from the past. There might be treasures inside.

But its entrance is on a sheer cliff, and quite a few fairly strong Rock Snakes guard the area. I... I can't get down there alone."

After speaking, she stared straight into Xiao Yan's eyes. "If you help me retrieve the treasure, we'll split everything inside equally!"

This was both a request and a test.

She truly couldn't retrieve the treasure alone right now, but she could have waited. What harm would there be in returning for it in three or five years?

She wanted to find out what Xiao Yan was really like.

His offer to let her join the Xiao Clan had indeed tempted her greatly.

But she truly had doubts about Xiao Yan as well.

So she might as well propose a joint treasure hunt and test him.

If he was after this treasure, then she had misjudged him, and she could do without joining the Xiao Clan.

But if he truly wanted nothing from her, then her luck really had turned, and she could genuinely join the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Yi Xian was not afraid that Xiao Yan would turn on her during the treasure hunt.

Over the past few days, she had secretly administered a colorless, odorless poison to him. At the first suspicious move from Xiao Yan, she could trigger the poison at any moment and render him incapable of resisting.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan stood up with a smile on his face.

Finally, the main act.

He had discovered Xiao Yi Xian's poison long ago. As a Fourth-Tier Alchemist, how could such petty poison tricks possibly stump him?

Naturally, he had neutralized it long since.

For now, however, he still needed to pretend he was poisoned.

"You discovered the treasure, so naturally, I won't take any of it. Helping a friend is only right. Lead the way."

Xiao Yan spoke with great generosity.

From beginning to end, the only thing he valued was Xiao Yi Xian herself.

The treasure was of no consequence.

Atop the cliff, the two looked down into the deep valley wreathed in clouds and mist.

Sure enough, halfway down the sheer cliff was a cave entrance concealed by vines, with several Rock Snakes coiled around it.

"They're first-rank magical beasts. On level ground, they wouldn't be difficult to handle, but here on the cliff, they are a little dangerous."

Xiao Yi Xian nodded nervously.

Without another word, Xiao Yan took a coil of rope from his Storage Ring and tied one end to a huge rock beside the cliff.

"Wait here. Once I lure it away, seize the chance to climb down."

Before Xiao Yi Xian could react, Xiao Yan had already slid down the sheer cliff like a phantom.

He deliberately kicked loose several stones, striking the Rock Snakes squarely on their heads.

"Hiss!"

Startled awake, the Rock Snakes raised their heads in fury and lunged at Xiao Yan!

Xiao Yan swung away on the rope, drawing the Rock Snakes after him.

Xiao Yi Xian hurriedly tossed down another rope, descended swiftly, and slipped into the cave.

A moment later, she climbed out of the cave carrying several antique-looking boxes.

Meanwhile, seeing that Xiao Yi Xian had successfully retrieved the treasure, Xiao Yan stopped tangling with the Rock Snakes and quickly climbed back up the cliff as well.

"Open them and have a look at your treasure," Xiao Yan said with a smile.

Xiao Yi Xian nodded and nervously opened the boxes.