Knowing that Xiao Yan was about to leave the clan and Wutan City, Xiao Xun'er could hardly bear it.
The young girl followed him around all day, her bright, limpid eyes brimming with reluctance and attachment.
Xiao Yan was rather helpless against his little shadow. He could only comfort her softly whenever they were alone, which finally lifted Xun'er's spirits a little.
"Brother Xiao Yan, you must stay safe."
Xiao Xun'er clung to Xiao Yan. Knowing she could not make him stay, she could only murmur her helpless reminder.
"Mm, don't worry, Xun'er. I'll grow stronger as quickly as I can, and then I'll marry you in grand style." Before leaving, Xiao Yan gave Xiao Xun'er his pledge as a man.
The next day.
Early morning.
Xiao Yan had packed his belongings first thing that morning.
He was taking very little with him; a single low-grade Storage Ring held everything.
"My disciple, the world outside is nothing like Wutan City. Are you ready?"
Yao Lao's illusory figure suddenly appeared on the chair beside the table as he spoke calmly.
"Hehe, I'm looking forward to it."
Xiao Yan straightened his clothes and smiled.
Seeing how eager Xiao Yan looked, Yao Lao raised an eyebrow and said softly, "You'll understand once you've tasted hardship..."
Xiao Yan slowly clenched his fists, lifting his face toward Yao Lao with a smile. "I believe I can see it through."
"It's good to have confidence."
Yao Lao chuckled and nodded, pleased with Xiao Yan's confidence.
Standing in the doorway, Xiao Yan looked at the room, which now seemed rather empty, and smiled faintly. As the door closed with a soft creak, the last sliver of sunlight slowly vanished through the gap...
He did not go to say goodbye to his father or Xun'er. He disliked those sorrowful scenes of parting.
Xiao Yan's departure disturbed no one. Dressed in ordinary clothes, the youth walked out through the main gate empty-handed, then slowly disappeared down the street beneath the clan guards' astonished gazes.
Perhaps those guards had no idea that, once he left, it might be a year or so before he could return home.
Xiao Yan stood at a crowded intersection, gazing at the city where he had lived for more than a decade. After a long while, he let out a lonely sigh, then clenched his fists tightly and murmured as if encouraging himself, "The world outside will surely be even more exciting..."
With that, Xiao Yan smiled, shook off some of the melancholy in his heart, and stepped into the crowd, quickly disappearing from sight.
"Yan'er, if you get the chance, visit Stone Desert City on the border of the Jia Ma Empire. Your eldest and second brothers have been making their way there. I heard they founded a mercenary company called Mo Tie in recent years. It's considered a fairly strong force in the area."
"Once you see them, tell them to come home when they have the chance. I have something to discuss with your eldest and second brothers."
Recalling what his father had said in the study the previous night, Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
Back then, after their coming-of-age ceremonies, his two older brothers had left to gain experience and make their way in the world.
At the time, their father had not yet become Clan Leader. In recent years, perhaps because of the long journey or their mercenary company's busy affairs, they had rarely returned to Wutan City. Still, the brotherly bond they had shared in childhood left Xiao Yan with warm feelings for them.
"The Tagor Desert, huh..."
A hint of a smile appeared on Xiao Yan's lips as he slowly left Wutan City.
"Brother Xiao Yan..."
Not long after Xiao Yan left, Xiao Xun'er came to his room, as though she had sensed something.
"Has he already left..."
She pushed open the door and saw that the room was empty. Xiao Xun'er froze, a trace of reproach appearing on her face.
How could he leave without even saying goodbye? All he ever did was leave me with the sadness...
"Has he left..."
After Xiao Zhan got up, a brief sweep of his senses revealed that Xiao Yan was no longer in the Xiao Clan. He immediately understood that his son had already left Wutan City.
"That brat didn't even say a word to his old man before leaving."
Xiao Zhan's expression was complicated. Now that Yan'er had left, who knew when he would return? He would surely suffer plenty of hardship out there.
"Little Yanzi, you'd better give it your all..."
"Give it your all and stir up trouble for me..."
"A man's got nothing to fear from a little hardship. Grit your teeth, and you'll get through it."
Xiao Zhan gazed in the direction beyond Wutan City, a trace of anticipation in his eyes.
"Since my son is already working hard, it's time his father made a move too."
A moment later, Xiao Zhan withdrew his gaze, a sharp gleam flashing through his eyes.
When it comes to competing over fathers, I'll rely on Little Yanzi.
But expanding the family domain and securing many children, many blessings will depend on me, his old man.
"It's time for the skies over Wutan City to change..."
Xiao Zhan slowly walked into the courtyard and looked up at the azure sky, boundless ambition flashing in his eyes.
Revitalize the Xiao Clan!
Expand its power!
Let it begin with Wutan City!
The Jia Lie Family.
"Why has Xiao Zhan suddenly invited me to a banquet at the Xiao Clan?"
Jia Lie Bi, the Jia Lie Family's Clan Leader, looked at the invitation in his hand with a puzzled expression.
Just moments earlier, someone from the Xiao Clan had delivered an invitation, asking him to attend a banquet there the next day and claiming there were important matters to discuss.
Moreover, the messenger had revealed that Xiao Zhan had also invited the Ao Ba Family's Clan Leader.
Wutan City's three great families had always fought both openly and in the shadows, and relations between the Jia Lie Family and the Xiao Clan had never been harmonious.
Jia Lie Bi truly could not fathom what madness had seized the Xiao Clan to make them suddenly invite him to a banquet.
"Could it be a trap?"
A flicker of suspicion crossed Jia Lie Bi's eyes, but he soon shook his head. If there were some conspiracy, the Xiao Clan would hardly invite both him and Oba Pa at once.
Xiao Zhan could not be foolish enough to offend two great families in one stroke.
"Could Xiao Zhan be doing this because of the Misty Cloud Sect?"
Remembering how Xiao Zhan had openly challenged the Misty Cloud Sect a few days earlier, Jia Lie Bi sneered.
Now you're starting to panic?
The paltry Xiao Clan actually dared provoke the Misty Cloud Sect. They must truly be tired of living.
"I'd like to see what tricks Xiao Zhan intends to play."
Looking at the invitation in his hand, Jia Lie Bi chuckled.
If Xiao Zhan wanted the Jia Lie Family to join forces with him against the Misty Cloud Sect, then that fool was dreaming.
Absolutely impossible!
I, Jia Lie Bi, am not that stupid!
Wouldn't opposing the Misty Cloud Sect be nothing but courting death?
"Xiao Zhan, oh, Xiao Zhan. Once the Misty Cloud Sect wipes out your Xiao Clan, my Jia Lie Family can sit back and reap the rewards... We might even leap straight to becoming Wutan City's foremost family!"
While Jia Lie Bi was studying his invitation, Oba Pa, the Ao Ba Family's Clan Leader, had also received Xiao Zhan's invitation.
"Xiao Zhan actually invited both Jia Lie Bi and me to the Xiao Clan?"
"What is that fellow plotting?"
Oba Pa stared at the invitation in his hand, sinking into thought.
"He wouldn't dare play any tricks. There's no harm in going..."
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