Xiao Yan and Xun'er ran a long way without stopping. Only when they could no longer smell that "Heaven Silkworm Potato" did they finally come to a halt, panting for breath.
Xiao Yan wiped away his sweat. He really had no way to explain "monosodium glutamate" or "industrial products" to Xun'er, so he simply chalked it up to Xiao Yi fooling around again. They reached a fork in the road; Xun'er's residence lay in the other direction.
"I'll head back first, then, Xun'er. See you tomorrow."
"Mm, see you tomorrow, Brother Xiao Yan."
Xun'er nodded sweetly and turned to leave. Her graceful figure soon disappeared around a street corner.
Returning to his room alone, Xiao Yan felt utterly drained. To clear all the day's chaotic nonsense from his mind, he decided to begin cultivating immediately, using the circulation of Dou Qi to settle his troubled thoughts.
Yet he had barely sat cross-legged on his bed when an antique ring began to glow softly, and Yao Lao's illusory figure floated out of it.
"Boy, don't rush into cultivating just yet."
Yao Lao's voice carried an unusual excitement. He floated before Xiao Yan, holding a brand-new scroll.
"I just studied the cultivation method your sworn brother gave you. Combining it with everything I've learned over my lifetime, I've tailored an entirely new cultivation plan for you. Take a look."
Xiao Yan paused at those words and accepted the scroll with some confusion. He had expected some profound, intricate diagram of Dou Qi circulation, but when he unrolled it, what met his eyes were rows of square characters he knew all too well. Across the top of the scroll, four large characters stood out: Inner Elixir Heart Method.
He froze completely and rubbed his eyes, wondering whether he had misread it. *First monosodium