Wilderness City, on an uninhabited mountain peak, two figures were slowly descending from the void.
As he landed, Xiao Yan ripped off the mask covering his face. No matter what, being covered by something was always uncomfortable, like being forcibly restrained. The freedom he felt at this moment was Xiao Yan's true nature.
"Call--"
Letting out a long breath, Xiao Yan turned around and looked at Qin Zhong behind him.
"Hehe, Brother Qin, it's been a long time!"
As soon as Qin Zhong raised his eyes, he saw Xiao Yan's familiar face.
The two exchanged a smile. Qin Zhong's old eyes were slightly moist. Ever since he heard the news of Xiao Yan's return, his heart had never been at peace.
"Sigh... I'm truly sorry about what happened earlier. It's my fault for not disciplining her properly, which allowed that girl to run rampant."
Coming to his senses, Qin Zhong recalled what had just happened, and couldn't help but feel a little melancholy.
"Hehe, that's normal. They're just kids; a little vanity and a sense of superiority are always normal."
Xiao Yan smiled upon hearing this, shook his head helplessly, and then sighed softly:
"However, she did grow up under the care of you elders. Although she has good talent for cultivation, it is precisely because of your so-called protection that her life has been too smooth."
Xiao Yan said this, Qin Zhong could only lower his head slightly, his expression grave.
Xiao Yan's words may not have been pleasant to hear, but they were all sincere. Compared to the superficial flattery of some people, this was truly a sign of genuine care.
"While her strength is certainly impressive among her peers, if she were to face a true battle alone, she would be no match for even a powerhouse of the same level. I don't need to elaborate; you should understand that."
Xiao Yan stared intently at Qin Zhong before him, frowning as he spoke in a deep voice.
He didn't want his friends to get into trouble again for various reasons after he left, which was the last thing Xiao Yan wanted to see. Therefore, even though the words were unpleasant, he still had to say them.
Having said this, Xiao Yan finally stopped talking. Saying more would be pointless, and he had just managed to strike the right balance, neither making Qin Zhong feel too embarrassed nor saying too little that would have no effect.
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Qin Zhong felt even more grateful to Xiao Yan, especially when he recalled how Xiao Yan had made him apologize to the people in the restaurant with a firm and resolute gaze.
If it were anyone else, even someone with a good relationship with Xiao Yan, they naturally wouldn't be able to lower themselves to apologize to a group of people they considered insignificant. But the key is that the person who made them do it was Xiao Yan.
Qin Zhong knew perfectly well that Xiao Yan's resolute attitude earlier, seemingly to make Qin Zhong apologize to those people, was actually meant for Qin Rou to apologize. However, she was completely unaware of this.
After a long while, Qin Zhong finally raised his head, took a deep breath, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy old eyes. He smiled, cupped his hands in thanks to Xiao Yan, and then withdrew his thoughts, his old face regaining its serious expression. His brows furrowed slightly, and he asked Xiao Yan:
"Brother Yan Xiao, is there something you want to discuss with me?"
Getting back to the main topic, Xiao Yan quickly pulled himself out of his thoughts, nodded, and frowned as he said:
"To be honest, Brother Qin Zhong, I've decided that I'll leave the Wilderness for the Western Region the day after tomorrow."
Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Qin Zhong's expression faltered slightly, but he quickly regained his composure, a look of surprise appearing in his old eyes.
"Are you already preparing to leave so soon?"
Xiao Yan nodded and said with a light laugh:
"Hehe, actually I've been in the Ancient Wilderness City for quite a while now, and my original plan was to leave the Wilderness after leaving the Void Lightning Pool. Now, my plan has just come to fruition."
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Qin Zhong knew that Xiao Yan's mind was made up, so he didn't say anything more, cupped his hands in greeting, and smiled at Xiao Yan:
"In that case, I can only wish you a safe journey. Although the Western Region are not as developed as the Southern Region, this place is still only on the southwestern border. Compared to some cities in the Western Region, it is far inferior. When you get there, you must be extremely careful."
Xiao Yan nodded and smiled, cupping his hands in greeting to Qin Zhong.
Then, as if he had thought of something, Qin Zhong asked Xiao Yan again:
"By the way, Brother Yan Xiao, you couldn't have summoned me here just to tell me that you're leaving, could you?"
Xiao Yan smiled again, his gaze fixed on Qin Zhong, and said with a smile:
"The only one who truly understands me is Brother Qin Zhong."
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Upon hearing this, the two burst into laughter. After a long while, Xiao Yan gradually suppressed his laughter and said to Qin Zhong in a deep voice:
"Brother Qin, do you still remember that two years ago, before entering the Void Lightning Pool Void Lightning Pool, I told you that I had a favor to ask of you after we left?"
Qin Zhong nodded. He had never forgotten this matter, because he firmly believed that Xiao Yan would return. Now it seemed that his persistence had finally paid off.
"Haha, Brother Yan Xiao, if you need my help with anything, just say the word. I've been waiting for this day for a long time, hahaha!"
Qin Zhong said to Xiao Yan with a half-joking smile.
Indeed, he had been waiting for Xiao Yan's return for a very long time.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh. After a slight hesitation, he spoke to Qin Zhong:
"Brother Qin Zhong, I'd like to ask you to look after a family for me."
Upon hearing this, Qin Zhong raised an eyebrow slightly. He didn't believe that with Xiao Yan's strength, his family would be any less powerful. Therefore, the family that Xiao Yan asked him to look after must have some special relationship with Xiao Yan.
"Brother Yan Xiao, just speak up. As long as you say the word, I will definitely protect this family!"
Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan immediately cupped his hands and smiled at Qin Zhong, saying:
"In that case, I thank you in advance, brother. Actually, this family isn't very large; it's just a family in a small town on the southwestern border. The family's surname is Liu, and the patriarch's name is Liu Huabai. I only hope that after I leave, you can find some time to send someone to look after them. When you do, just call my name, and they will know."
After saying all this, Xiao Yan recounted the general situation of the Liu Clan to Qin Zhong. Qin Zhong nodded repeatedly, clearly taking Xiao Yan's request to heart.
"Haha, good, the Liu Clan of Qingyang City, I'll remember you. It's just a family, Brother Yan Xiao, rest assured. I guarantee that whatever you hand it over to me now, when you return, it will only be more prosperous than before. You will definitely not be disappointed!"
"Then, we'll have to rely entirely on Brother Qin Zhong!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
After a few bursts of laughter, a weight was finally lifted from Xiao Yan's heart. The two exchanged a few more words and then, without lingering any longer, rose and their figures vanished swiftly from the mountaintop.
A moment after the two figures left, a figure emerged from an inconspicuous thicket in the surrounding mountains. Looking in the direction Xiao Yan and the other person had gone, after a moment's thought, the figure also moved and quickly flew away.