"Yan'er, hold out your hand."
Holding the Father-Relying Teleportation Talisman, Xiao Zhan spoke to Xiao Yan.
Though somewhat puzzled, Xiao Yan obediently held out his right hand.
Xiao Zhan drew the Father-Relying Teleportation Talisman across Xiao Yan's palm, cutting it open and staining the jade talisman with a smear of blood.
"Hiss..."
Xiao Yan winced and was just about to speak when he saw the jade talisman in Xiao Zhan's hand burst into dazzling light the instant it touched his blood.
The next moment, a streak of radiant light plunged into Xiao Yan's body and vanished.
"This..."
At the sight, surprise appeared on Xiao Yan's face.
"Yan'er, this jade talisman lets me sense your location instantly. If you ever truly face mortal danger, just call out to me, and I'll come to save you at once."
Seeing Xiao Yan's puzzled expression, Xiao Zhan explained with a smile.
What he had just done was merely to activate the Father-Relying Teleportation Talisman.
Now that it had been stained with Xiao Yan's blood, whenever Xiao Yan called for him, the Father-Relying Teleportation Talisman could open a portal and teleport Xiao Zhan straight to him.
"What an amazing jade talisman!"
Hearing this, Xiao Yan looked in surprise at the jade talisman in Xiao Zhan's hand.
His father truly was an Immortal Emperor Reincarnation, to possess a treasure like this.
Xiao Yan had originally felt rather uncertain about venturing out to gain experience. After all, he was far too weak.
But with Xiao Zhan's assurance, his anxiety instantly vanished.
Once he left, he would carry his father's will through to the end. He absolutely could not disappoint him.
If he ran into danger, his father would come to save him anyway.
At that thought, he no longer felt the slightest anxiety.
Having witnessed Xiao Zhan's methods, Yao Chen was so impressed he could have prostrated himself in admiration.
"Rest assured, Lord Immortal Emperor. With this junior here, nothing will happen to Xiao Yan," Yao Chen promised.
At those words, Xiao Zhan's heart jolted. He glanced at Yao Chen and immediately frowned.
I nearly forgot this old fellow Yao Chen was here.
If he takes action, will I even get a chance to intervene?
Wouldn't that spoil my plans?
No, I absolutely can't let this old fellow steal my business.
With that thought, Xiao Zhan looked at Yao Chen and said gravely, "Yao Chen, in your current condition, you'd better refrain from taking action. Otherwise, you could easily fall into a deep slumber. Yan'er will still need your guidance while he's out gaining experience. If you fall asleep, I really won't feel at ease about this boy."
Hearing this, Yao Chen immediately felt a weighty responsibility settle on his shoulders. With a solemn expression, he said, "Rest assured, Lord Immortal Emperor. I will teach Xiao Yan well."
It was rare for the Lord Immortal Emperor to place such trust in him. He absolutely could not disappoint him.
"Mm."
Only then did Xiao Zhan nod in relief. "All right, I've said everything I needed to say. Make your preparations and leave tomorrow."
"Oh, and don't forget to explain things to Xun'er before you go. She's a good girl. Whatever you do, don't let her down."
Xiao Zhan glanced at the girl already standing in the doorway and offered his earnest advice.
"I understand, Father."
Xiao Yan paused briefly at his words, then answered solemnly.
"Brother Xiao Yan..."
Just then, the girl at the doorway called out to Xiao Yan.
At her voice, Xiao Yan stiffened, then slowly turned around.
As his gaze settled on that perfectly curved figure, tenderness appeared on Xiao Yan's face. He chuckled softly and slowly walked toward the girl in green, who stood staring blankly at the doorway.
Seeing this, Xiao Zhan smiled faintly and turned into the study, leaving the two of them some privacy.
Yao Chen tactfully slipped straight into the ring as well.
"Brother Xiao Yan, are... are you leaving?"
Before he even reached her, her slightly sorrowful voice drifted into Xiao Yan's ears.
His steps faltered. Xiao Yan nodded helplessly, then slowly approached and stood beside Xun'er.
Turning his head, he saw her exquisite little face clouded with sadness. With a faint smile, he reached out and patted her head, then quietly slid his hand down her silky hair. The pleasant sensation left him a little intoxicated.
"Brother Xiao Yan, are you leaving Wutan City?"
Allowing Xiao Yan to fondly play with her hair, which no man other than him had ever touched, Xun'er spoke softly.
"Mm."
Xiao Yan nodded and said with a light chuckle, "Xun'er, Father is right. A man worth his salt should venture out into the world. Only by weathering trials can he become truly strong."
"Is it because of Nalan Yanran?"
An inexplicable chill flickered in her limpid eyes. Xun'er lightly bit her red lip and asked in a low voice.
The hand playing with her hair paused briefly. Xiao Yan shrugged and smiled faintly. "Partly, I suppose. Though I don't want to admit it, her coming to our door to break off the engagement did leave anger bottled up inside me. One day, I'll fight my way up to the Misty Cloud Sect myself and make her regret coming to the Xiao Clan to cancel our engagement."
Xun'er's delicate brows knitted slightly. She sighed and murmured so quietly that only she could hear, "I really shouldn't have let her return alive back then."
"Hehe, don't worry. I'll come back often to see you, Xun'er. Mm... a year and a half at most. No, a year..."
Seeing Xun'er's little face suddenly turn miserable, Xiao Yan hurriedly amended his words with a smile.
"Brother Xiao Yan, can't you stay? If you stay with me, I can still help you become strong."
After biting her lip and pondering for quite a while, Xun'er suddenly spoke hesitantly.
With a bitter chuckle, Xiao Yan shook his head and sighed self-deprecatingly. "If you'd said that to me before, you silly girl, you'd have made me feel rather ashamed of my own inadequacy."
"I know Brother Xiao Yan wouldn't think I was offering charity," Xun'er said with a sweet smile.
Chuckling softly, Xiao Yan shook his head, tilted his face toward the sky, and let out a long breath. "Xun'er, perhaps I could become strong by staying at your side, but I would never become the kind of strong man Father spoke of. I can't disappoint him."
In Xiao Yan's eyes, true strength meant becoming a Dou Di, shattering the void, and waging war across the Great Thousand World-becoming a supreme powerhouse like his father.
Watching Xiao Yan suddenly swell with heroic spirit that soared to the clouds, Xun'er shook her head helplessly. She was just about to try persuading him again when Xiao Yan abruptly turned, stretched out his arms, and seized her slender waist, pulling her forcefully into his embrace.
A gentle breeze brushed through the courtyard, and the green willows swayed softly. The boy held the girl tightly, their bodies fitting together perfectly, as though no boundary remained between them.
Xun'er was left a little dazed by Xiao Yan's sudden action.
A moment later, a crimson flush crept over the tips of Xun'er's delicate ears. She struggled lightly, then shyly stopped, an alluring blush spreading across her little face.
"Xun'er, wait for me. Once I'm strong enough, I'll go to the Gu Clan to ask for your hand, and then... marry you..."
Burying his head deep in her silky hair, the boy finally made his promise, and the bewildered girl obediently nodded.
Before you continue