A week later, Xiao Yan, dressed in a black robe, once again arrived outside Yan City.
Standing outside the city, Xiao Yan looked up at the bustling city before him, a relaxed smile appearing on his face. Five years had passed, and returning to this place, everything seemed unchanged. He wondered if Jin Yao was the same as before.
With a thought flashing through his mind, Xiao Yan stopped lingering and strode into Yan City.
Following the route he remembered, Xiao Yan soon arrived in front of an antique building. The three characters "Thousand Medicine Pavilion" were written in bold, powerful strokes on the plaque above the door. Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan's smile deepened, and scenes from several years ago involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
Arriving at the Thousand Medicine Pavilion, the main gate was wide open, and the flow of people coming and going indicated its booming business. As the largest shop in Yan City, Thousand Medicine Pavilion's daily profits were among the highest in the Yan City, so the large number of customers was to be expected.
Upon entering Thousand Medicine Pavilion, Xiao Yan first sought out the manager, who recognized Xiao Yan immediately. However, thanks to Jin Yao's special instructions, Xiao Yan's identity remained undiscovered.
According to the manager, Xiao Yan then learned that Jin Yao was not in the Thousand Medicine Pavilion. This situation had been going on for quite some time. The manager guessed that Jin Yao was probably in her own villa. As for why this was happening so often, the old man didn't say much. He just stared at Xiao Yan for a long time, seemingly knowing something, yet also seemingly knowing nothing at all.
Xiao Yan didn't ask any further questions. Since others were unwilling to say more, he had no reason to ask either. He could only turn around and head towards Jin Yao's villa in Yan City.
A short while later, Xiao Yan arrived here. After a moment's thought, he did not rush in directly. Instead, with a thought, the Soul Bead between his brows trembled slightly, and an invisible Spiritual Strength spread out, quickly spreading throughout the entire villa.
After a few breaths, Xiao Yan's Spiritual Strength locked onto a small courtyard.
The courtyard was small, planted with several evergreen trees. There were stone tables and chairs in the courtyard, and flowers and plants were everywhere. In one corner of the courtyard was a pond. At this moment, on the blue stone by the pond, a beautiful woman in a red dress was sitting cross-legged. As her internal energy circulated, streams of energy from heaven and earth uncontrollably gathered towards the woman in the red dress.
Judging from the woman's appearance, she was none other than Jin Yao, the owner of the Thousand Medicine Pavilion.
Five years had not left any marks on Jin Yao's stunning face; instead, it had added a touch of mature charm. Furthermore, her strength had improved significantly. After five years, she had finally achieved the rank of Three-Star Dou Di. Such strength made her a powerful figure even in the Western Region, and few could challenge her.
Seeing the latter sitting cross-legged on the bluestone, Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback. That spot was where he had once sat and cultivated...
Who goes there!
At that very moment, as Xiao Yan's emotions fluctuated, Jin Yao, who was sitting cross-legged on the bluestone in the courtyard, instantly detected his soul probe. Although it was only for a moment, it made Xiao Yan feel a great threat.
The fact that the latter could extend her Spiritual Strength to her side without her noticing means that her strength is definitely not below Jin Yao's, and is very likely even stronger!
"Could it be that old codger from the Zhao Clan has broken through to a higher level?"
Jin Yao's heart tightened slightly. If it was that person, then things would be troublesome.
On the other side, Xiao Yan also withdrew his Spiritual Strength the moment Jin Yao discovered it, and couldn't help but smile awkwardly to himself.
With his current strength, Jin Yao naturally couldn't easily detect his Spiritual Strength. It was only because his emotions had slightly changed just now that caused a fluctuation, which allowed Jin Yao to discover his presence.
However, now that he has been discovered, Xiao Yan naturally has no need to continue hiding.
"Hehe, it's been five years. I wonder how Sister Jin Yao has been doing?"
However, just as Jin Yao looked around with a serious expression, a clear laugh suddenly came from the sky above the courtyard, and then Xiao Yan, dressed in black robes, suddenly appeared in the courtyard.
The sudden appearance of Xiao Yan caused Jin Yao to tremble. She instinctively flashed to the opposite side of Xiao Yan, and her internal Dou Qi began to circulate rapidly.
However, the next moment, Jin Yao's delicate body suddenly froze, and her mind was in turmoil.
Her beautiful eyes were fixed on Zhang Qingjun's face, the man in black robes, and her mind kept replaying the words that had just come out of his mouth.
A few seconds later, Jin Yao's eyes quickly reddened, and a thin layer of moisture welled up in her eyes.
"You... you actually decided to come back!"
Finally, Jin Yao couldn't help but show a wronged expression, and called out to Xiao Yan with a half-crying voice.
"Hehe, Sister Jin Yao, how have you been these past five years?"
I was so worried about you!
Jin Yao glared at Xiao Yan fiercely and said coquettishly.
Xiao Yan gave an embarrassed smile. To be honest, he suddenly didn't want to rest for so long, but he had no choice but to do so in order to break through his strength.
"More than half a month ago, we heard that the Four Great Clans sent people to break into the Xilin Mountain Range. We all guessed that they might be after you, but seeing that you are safe and sound, that shouldn't be the case."
Seeing Xiao Yan return unharmed, Jin Yao finally felt a great weight lifted from her heart. She let out a long breath and chuckled softly.
After all, the Four Great Clans mobilized a considerable number of people this time. If such a large-scale operation was only to capture a Half-Emperor level Xiao Yan, why would he be appearing in front of them now?
"Heh, the person they were trying to swipe was actually me, but they were unlucky and got stuck there forever."
Upon hearing Jin Yao's words, Xiao Yan scratched his head lightly and said with a nonchalant expression.
Upon hearing this, Jin Yao was taken aback, feeling shocked and filled with doubt.
Jin Yao understood what Xiao Yan meant by staying there forever, but given Xiao Yan's strength, how could he possibly do that?
"You said you left them there forever, did they really come to capture you?"
Xiao Yan smiled and nodded slightly to show his approval.
"The leaders of those teams are all Four-Star Dou Di. If you can keep them there, wouldn't your cultivation level be...?"
"Um?!"
Before Jin Yao could finish speaking, Xiao Yan's thoughts stirred, and instantly, a faint aura of pressure rapidly spread from his body. Although this pressure posed no threat to Jin Yao Jin Yao, it was enough for her to know his current cultivation level.
"This... this is... you... Five-Star Dou Di!"
In an instant, a look of horror appeared on Jin Yao's pretty face, and the shock in her heart was beyond words.