The following day, in the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion.
Elder Luo and Luo Jin stood prominently among them. Luo Jin looked at Xiao Yan, who was heavily laden with luggage, his face showing extreme reluctance. His lips trembled as if he were about to cry. He patted Xiao Yan's shoulder firmly with his fair hand, and after a long while, he said in a low, deep voice:
"Brother Xiao, farewell. I don't know when we'll meet again after this parting."
Yes, but having only been awakened from his slumber for a few days, Xiao Yan is already embarking on his journey again. He is heading to the Western Wilderness Region, where he can truly gain experience.
Compared to the Western Lin Region, the Western Wilderness Region is the true purgatory of the Western Region. Just as Gu Li said before we came, it is a lifeless desert, the end of life and the beginning of death.
"Hehe, Brother Luo Jin, you must be joking. Although we are now separated, with the power of your Cloud-Hidden Pavilion, do you really think you can't find me?"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled helplessly. Luo Jin was always like this. He usually seemed mature and composed, but he would occasionally joke around with you. Don't be fooled by his almost crying expression right now; who knows what he might be secretly laughing about.
"Haha, Xiao Yan, you're mistaken. I've decided that from today onwards, the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion will no longer be at Luo Jin's beck and call. After Xiao Yan leaves, you'd better get out there and train too. What kind of behavior is this, lounging around all day?"
As soon as Xiao Yan finished speaking, Elder Luo burst out laughing. The first half of his sentence surprised Xiao Yan, but the second half caused Luo Jin's expression to change drastically. He hurriedly exclaimed to Elder Luo in alarm:
"Grandpa, when did you make this decision again?!"
"Hehe, just downloaded it, how about it, very targeted, right?"
Elder Luo chuckled, his cunning smile making Xiao Yan both amused and exasperated. Upon hearing this, Luo Jin's expression suddenly vanished, replaced by a blank stare as he glared at Luo Ao, his reluctance obvious.
"Hehe, little guy, I won't tease you anymore. It really is time for you to go out and gain some experience. After all, you can't stay under the wings of us old folks forever. We can protect you for a while, but not forever. One day, we'll all be too old to move. If something happens to us, there won't be anyone left to protect you!"
Elder Luo spoke slowly, and at the end, a helpless look appeared on his face. Upon Luo Jin's playful expression gradually disappeared, replaced by a mature and composed one.
Seeing this, Luo Ao nodded slightly and chuckled:
"Good, that's right. The mainland is vast, and you need to go out and see it, to gain experience. It doesn't necessarily mean pushing your life to the limit. In short, I'll say it again: in everything you do, you must prioritize your own life. Otherwise, even the greatest benefits are absolutely not worth taking. This is what I'm saying to you two. Do you understand?"
Luo Ao looked solemnly at the two people in front of him and said in a deep voice.
"I understand!"
"Clear!"
Xiao Yan and Luo Jin responded almost simultaneously. Upon hearing this, Luo Ao nodded, gave a soft "hmm," and then gestured for the two to leave.
As soon as Xiao Yan stepped out of the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion, Luo Jin's figure also disappeared from the pavilion. Seeing the two leave, Elder Luo slowly withdrew his gaze, remaining silent, seemingly lost in thought.
"Fifth Master, are you really comfortable letting the young master go out to train alone? After all, the Western Region are not like the Southern Region Southern Region; this place is much more dangerous."
After seeing the group leave, Zhang Yi frowned and boldly asked Luo Ao in a low voice.
"Hehe, Zhang Yi, since you've thought of this, how could I not have? You're right. Although the Western Region are desolate and sparsely populated, the dangers here are far greater than in other regions. But precisely because of this, he can gain the best training results here, which will be of endless benefit to him in the future. There are disadvantages and advantages, and they are proportional!"
Upon hearing Zhang Yi's words, Elder Luo nodded, took a deep breath, and then chuckled softly.
"But... this place is still too dangerous. Besides, after what happened last time, the Four Great Sects are already wary of my Cloud-Hidden Pavilion. If you run into them, it will be very dangerous. To be on the safe side, it would be better if I stayed with you..."
Before Zhang Yi could finish speaking, Luo Ao waved his hand, interrupting him, and said:
"You don't need to go. I'll go myself. You stay here to guard Lengcui City. No matter what, this place can't be left unattended. The movements of the Four Great Sects must also be monitored at all times. Now that Xiao Yan has left Lengcui City, they will probably find out sooner or later. Once they make a move, I'll have to trouble you with your work."
"Fifth Master, you flatter me. These are all my duties, and I will certainly do my utmost!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi immediately bowed and cupped his hands to Elder Luo, who waved his hand lightly, casually said something, and dismissed him. Then, Elder Luo slowly walked to the entrance of the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion on the first floor, looking at the various pedestrians on the street. His old eyes narrowed, and after a long while, he suddenly murmured to himself, seemingly without understanding why:
"The lotus grows in mud, and if it is not removed, it will not be elegant; the person grows in filth, and if it is not removed, he will not be pure!"
The whispered words went unheard, but at the same time, Luo Ao's hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, involuntarily clenched slowly. Yet, his calm demeanor remained completely still, making it almost impossible to detect the slightest ripple of emotion within him.
In the Southern Region, Qingyang City, a streak of light, like a star chasing the moon, shot rapidly from the distant horizon. It landed atop a green peak, its gaze filled with a hint of surprise as it looked down at the city's silhouette in the distance.
Compared to the Ancient Wilderness City, Qingyang City is undoubtedly much smaller, perhaps less than one-fifth the size of the former. But even so, this powerful expert, whose strength is at the Half-Emperor level, has come here today.
"Hmm, so this is Qingyang City. The Liu Clan that Brother Xiao Yan mentioned must be here."
Indeed, this person is Qin Zhong, who was entrusted by Xiao Yan to come to Qingyang City.
Due to certain circumstances, he had to postpone his arrival for half a year before finally coming here. During those six months, he naturally heard about the astonishing things Xiao Yan had done in the Western Region, and it was because of this that he learned Xiao Yan's real name.
However, this did not diminish his goodwill towards Xiao Yan. He only knew that Xiao Yan had saved his life several times, and that he owed Xiao Yan a life-saving grace. As a person, one should repay kindness, so he naturally did not care too much about those trivial matters.
After confirming that the city below was indeed Qingyang City, Qin Zhong pondered the so-called Liu Clan in his heart while using his powerful Spiritual Strength as Four-Star Half-Emperor to explore the city below.
After a while, Qin Zhong, who had been keeping his eyes slightly closed, suddenly opened them. A sense of surprise welled up in his heart, and an astonished look appeared on his old face. During his investigation, he discovered that there was more to this small Qingyang City than met the eye!
Meanwhile, in a spacious courtyard in Qingyang City, a young man in white robes who had been sitting at a stone table chatting with two people suddenly changed his expression, stood up abruptly, and looked solemnly at the distant horizon, where Qin Zhong was.