Time always flies quickly; more than half a year had passed since Xiao Yan’s recovery.
Xiao Jian’s cultivation had also reached the peak of Nine-Star Dou Zhe, just a step away from breaking through to Dou Master.
As for his alchemist cultivation, he could now skillfully refine ordinary Grade Three pills.
Speaking of Xiao Yan, he was really a bit envious of Yao Lao; that old man was simply a treasure trove.
But there was nothing he could do; he couldn’t possibly ask Yao Lao to take him as a disciple too.
Whether he would accept or not aside, if he proactively sought out Yao Lao, he would probably be killed.
That old fellow wasn’t a kind person; it should be said that no one who cultivated to that level was absolutely good-hearted.
Without an old grandfather, Xiao Jian could only leave Wutan City first.
There was still a year until Jia Nan Academy’s enrollment.
So, he planned to first get the Purple Cloud Wings.
Finally, he would return to Wutan City and wait for Jia Nan Academy’s enrollment.
If things went according to plan, by the time the Three-Year Agreement arrived, with good luck, he might be able to break through to Great Dou Master.
As a major storyline for the protagonist’s early stages, Xiao Jian also wanted to participate.
Not to mention how many Heavenly Dao points he could gain, just the grand spectacle itself made him want to see it.
The vast Tagor Desert, the Snake People, the refreshed Hai Bodong, and the so-called Cloud Mist Sect—he wanted to see them all one by one.
This was precisely why he came to this world, wasn’t it?
But before that—sword on his back!
Xiao Jian first bid farewell to Xiao Zhan, then went to Xiao Yan’s courtyard.
“Xiao Jian, is something up?” Xiao Yan had been in a good mood these past few days; the improvement in his cultivation brought him joy.
Although every time he saw Xiao Jian, Yao Lao would tell him about Xiao Jian’s cultivation, which would be a blow to him, this didn’t affect their relationship; instead, it made him work harder.
“I’m leaving.
I came to say goodbye to you.
Also, to give you a gift.” Saying that, Xiao Jian took out a scroll from his storage ring: “Horizontal Sword” (Earth Grade Mid-Rank).
The Vertical and Horizontal Sword Technique could be split; after splitting, it would only be Profound Grade Mid-Rank.
He might take some things from Xiao Yan later, so he would give him some compensation first.
Although those things didn’t belong to Xiao Yan yet…
actually, it wasn’t really compensation.
Just a small gift for a friend before leaving.
Taking the scroll Xiao Jian handed over, Xiao Yan curiously opened it.
“Profound Grade Mid-Rank!
Xiao Jian, you!”
Seeing Xiao Yan’s somewhat moved expression, Xiao Jian punched him in the chest.
“Don’t be so sentimental!
We’re brothers!”
“You rascal!” Seeing this, Xiao Yan merely smiled helplessly and didn’t refuse, accepting the manual.
“That’s right!
I still need to go to Xun’er’s place.
Want to come along?”
“Okay, together!”
The two arrived at Xun’er’s courtyard, and as soon as Xun’er saw them, she happily ran over.
Alright, I admit Xun’er was mainly running towards Xiao Yan.
“Brother Xiao Yan!” Xun’er first called out to Xiao Yan, then looked at Xiao Jian’s attire and asked curiously, “Brother Xiao Jian!
Are you…
going on a long journey?”
“Ah!
Every time I see you two, I feel like I’m superfluous.
Why don’t you two get intimate first, and I’ll leave!” Saying that, Xiao Jian made a gesture to leave.
Xiao Yan, the thick-skinned fellow, was already used to Xiao Jian’s teasing.
But Xun’er, on the other hand, blushed.
“Brother Xiao Jian, you…
always like this!” Although that’s what she thought, Xiao Jian always teased her with it, which was too annoying.
After teasing the two of them, Xiao Jian then said seriously, “I came to say goodbye to you, and also to return the money.
Although you might not need it, what’s borrowed is borrowed.
So please accept it.”
Xun’er accepted the purple card.
Then she asked, “Brother Xiao Jian is leaving?
Is there some difficulty?”
Girls are always emotional.
Shaking his head, “No.
I just want to go out and gain some experience.
Staying in Wutan City forever isn’t the way.”
“Mmm!
Then Brother Xiao Jian, wait a moment.
I’ll give you a gift.”
Xun’er pondered for a moment and took out a scroll.
“This is a fire-attribute Profound Grade High-Rank cultivation method, ‘Flaming Art’.
Brother Xiao Jian, please accept it.”
It seemed Ling Ying hadn’t told Xun’er about Xiao Jian’s situation.
Xiao Jian knew that his cultivation could be hidden from everyone in the Xiao Family, but two people couldn’t be hidden from: one was Yao Lao, and the other was Ling Ying.
If Xun’er knew his true cultivation, she probably wouldn’t have given him a cultivation method.
*Flaming Art*—was that the cultivation method given to Xiao Yan in the original work?
It seemed Xun’er was indeed very good to him.
He accepted the Flaming Art.
Although Xiao Jian wouldn’t cultivate this scroll, the Flaming Art was also a Profound Grade High-Rank cultivation method.
If it merged with the Immortal Slaying Divine Scripture, it might allow the Immortal Slaying Divine Scripture to break through to Earth Grade.
Although Profound Grade was sufficient for now.
And Xiao Yan, seeing Xun’er give Xiao Jian a gift, and remembering what Xiao Jian had just given him, rubbed his nose.
He said helplessly, “Sigh, you two!”
Looking at Xiao Jian helplessly, he took out a scroll, handed it over, and said, “You’re an alchemist too, aren’t you?
The things inside will be useful to you.
Consider it my gift to you.”
“Mmm!” Xiao Jian agreed and accepted the scroll.
He wasn’t surprised that Xiao Yan knew he was an alchemist.
Seeing how nonchalant this guy was, Xiao Yan punched him.
“You’re really fast, you guy.
But it doesn’t matter; I’ll catch up to you sooner or later.” punched him
“Then I’ll wait for you ahead.
I look forward to fighting you.” Xiao Jian no longer smiled; instead, he looked at Xiao Yan with some solemnity.
This was what he had wanted to say for a long time.
Xiao Yan also put away his casual demeanor, looked at Xiao Jian, and said word by word, “Me too.”
The two of them just looked at each other.
Indescribable things appeared in their eyes.
And the sword on Xiao Jian’s back also trembled slightly.
Seeing the two of them like this, Xun’er actually laughed out loud.
She said slyly, “Brother Xiao Jian, Brother Xiao Yan, why don’t you two get together?” After speaking, she even had an expectant look.
This time, it truly broke the two of them.
They readjusted their emotions.
“Alright, I should go, or I won’t be able to leave today.
No need to see me off; I don’t like people seeing me off.”
Looking at the person with a sword on his back already walking ahead, Xiao Yan shouted, “Don’t die!”
Waving his hand without turning around, Xiao Jian walked towards the outskirts of Wutan City.
That evening, Xiao Mu, returning to his room, saw a small bottle on his desk, with a note pressed beneath it.
It was left for him by Xiao Jian.
“Xiao Mu, I’m leaving Wutan City for a while.
The bottle contains a gift for you.
Eat it when you’re about to break through to Dou Zhe; it should help you.
Also, take care!”
For this younger brother who always regarded him as an elder brother, Xiao Jian left him the last qilin fruit.
And when Xiao Mu saw the content written on the paper, he tightly gripped the bottle, tears streaming from his eyes, which he wiped away with his sleeve.
*Brother Xiao Jian, don’t worry, I will definitely work hard!*
As for Xiao Jian, after leaving Wutan City, looking at the vast world, he seemed to suddenly understand something.
*The twin swords trembled?
Is Sword Intent almost formed?
Still missing something.
What could it be?* Although he wanted to cultivate Sword Intent as quickly as possible, he wasn’t too anxious.
After all, there was no use in rushing such a thing.
He opened the gift Xiao Yan gave him.
“Vein Guarding Pill, Ice Heart Pill?” The scroll clearly explained the effects of these two pills.
His inheritance also contained pills for devouring flames, but they couldn’t compare to Yao Lao’s at all.
So, using Yao Lao’s would be better.
Now, his confidence in devouring the Heavenly Flame was even greater.
But before that, he still needed to go to the Alchemist Guild to find something.
For example…
spirit storage.
Putting away the scroll, he opened the map and headed towards Qingshan Town.
Two days after leaving Wutan City, Xiao Jian saw an inn.
“Come Quick Inn!
This inn’s name sounds like a black shop!” Seeing the inn’s name, Xiao Jian was amused.
He found it interesting.
Entering the inn, there were only two tables of people.
Not many.
But it was normal; an inn in this wilderness was already abnormal enough, and if there were more people, it would be even more abnormal.
He looked around; those two tables of people were probably all Dou Zhes, and the highest among them did not exceed Five-Star.
“Young master, please come in!
Are you eating or staying?” The waiter bowed, appearing very respectful on the surface.
He seemed to have no cultivation, but upon closer inspection, he appeared to be a Dou Zhe.
And the boss, who was still counting money, was even more likely to be a Dou Master.
“Accommodation, a superior room, and a few good dishes.”
“Alright!
One superior room!
One table of good dishes!”
The waiter shouted.
Xiao Jian sat down, a sword on his back.
Although his attire wasn’t luxurious and only the hilt of his sword was visible, it still made those people’s eyes involuntarily glance his way.
He took off his sword and placed it on the table.
His hand gently rested on the blade.
Soon, the waiter brought the dishes, followed by a man with a fleshy face, about two meters tall.
He was probably also a Dou Master, Xiao Jian predicted.
However, that person only glanced once and then left.
And the two tables of people nearby continued their conversations, no longer looking this way, as if nothing had happened.
After eating, Xiao Jian returned to his room.
He sat cross-legged on the bed.
His twin swords rested on his lap.
He began to cultivate.
Until night fell.
After nightfall, another hour or two passed.
Xiao Jian opened his eyes.
At this moment, a total of thirteen people were half-kneeling in front of Xiao Jian’s door, led by the burly man and the thin boss.
“So they’re all in cahoots.” Xiao Jian chuckled softly, thinking to himself.