Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
For most members of the Xiao Clan, nothing unusual happened.
Training continued.
The elders argued over clan affairs.
The younger generation competed as fiercely as ever.
Only Xiao Yan seemed different.
His cultivation improved steadily, and although he still kept a low profile, the confidence in his eyes had returned.
Xiao Feng noticed the change but never asked about it.
Everyone had secrets.
He certainly wasn’t in a position to question anyone else’s.
That afternoon, Xiao Feng found himself inside the clan library.
Unlike Dou Techniques or Qi Methods, ordinary books attracted little attention.
Most disciples rarely came here.
Which was exactly why Xiao Feng liked it.
A quiet room.
Shelves filled with travel records.
Old geography books.
Notes written by merchants and wandering cultivators.
Some of the information was outdated.
Some was exaggerated.
But even exaggeration usually contained a grain of truth.
He eventually pulled out a worn map of the eastern Magic Beast Mountain Range.
The paper had yellowed with age.
Several locations were marked by hand.
Dangerous beast territories.
Medicinal herb gathering routes.
Water sources.
None of it was especially accurate anymore.
Still…
It was better than entering blindly.
A voice suddenly interrupted him.
“Cousin Feng?”
He turned around.
Xiao Zhan stood near the entrance.
The Clan Leader looked mildly surprised.
“I expected to find someone studying Dou Techniques.”
“Not maps.”
Xiao Feng smiled.
“I’ve always liked reading.”
Xiao Zhan nodded.
“Books are good.”
“They teach lessons without demanding tuition.”
After a brief pause, he asked,
“Planning to travel?”
Xiao Feng didn’t hide it.
“I’ve been thinking about visiting the Magic Beast Mountain Range.”
The Clan Leader remained silent for a moment.
“You know it’s dangerous.”
“And you’re still going?”
“I’ll stay near the outer region.”
“I don’t intend to challenge powerful beasts.”
Xiao Zhan studied him carefully.
Unlike many young people, Xiao Feng wasn’t speaking from excitement.
He had clearly considered the risks.
Finally, the Clan Leader smiled.
“Good.”
“The outside world teaches lessons the clan never can.”
“But remember…”
“No treasure is worth your life.”
“I’ll remember.”
Before leaving the library, Xiao Zhan suddenly spoke again.
“When are you planning to leave?”
“A few days.”
“Then visit me before you go.”
“I have something for you.”
Xiao Feng nodded respectfully.
“I will.”
That evening, he returned to his courtyard.
Instead of cultivating immediately, he began organizing everything he owned.
A few spare robes.
Basic medicines.
A waterskin.
Simple camping supplies.
Nothing extravagant.
Foundation Establishment cultivators still needed to eat and sleep.
Immortality was still very far away.
After checking everything twice, he finally sat down to cultivate.
This time, instead of simply absorbing spiritual energy, he focused on the Five Elements Body Tempering Art.
The spiritual energy flowing through his body gradually became heavier.
His bones emitted faint cracking sounds.
His muscles continuously strengthened.
Several hours later, Xiao Feng slowly opened his eyes.
He exhaled a long breath.
“My spiritual energy is becoming much denser.”
Although his realm hadn’t advanced…
His combat strength certainly had.
His foundation was steadily becoming more terrifying.
That was exactly what he wanted.
Later that night, he opened the diary.
Diary Entry #6
I think I’ll be leaving Wu Tan City soon.
Not because I dislike this place.
Quite the opposite.
Comfortable.
Predictable.
Maybe that’s exactly why it’s time to leave.
People don’t really grow by staying where they’re comfortable forever.
Today I spent hours reading old travel records.
Some were surprisingly useful.
Others claimed there were dragons living behind every hill.
Apparently ancient merchants had vivid imaginations.
I’m honestly looking forward to the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
Not because of treasures.
Not because of destiny.
Mostly because I want to see how big this world really is.
Reading about it and walking through it are completely different experiences.
Hopefully I don’t immediately run into something that wants to eat me.
That would be an unfortunate start.
He looked at the final sentence.
“…Reasonable.”
It was a genuine concern.
[Diary Entry Completed.]
Reward Granted.
Spirit Storage Ring
A simple black ring appeared inside the system inventory.
Unlike ordinary storage rings used by Dou Qi cultivators, this one contained stable spiritual space that could safely store spiritual items.
Xiao Feng immediately transferred his supplies inside.
The ring looked completely ordinary.
Exactly the way he liked it.
Far away…
The Little Fairy Doctor read the latest diary with growing curiosity.
“So…”
“He’s really coming.”
She didn’t know why that thought stayed with her.
Perhaps because the mountain range was lonely.
Very few people visited without a reason.
Even fewer arrived simply because they wanted to explore.
Inside the black ring, Yao Lao quietly closed the diary.
“So he’s leaving.”
Xiao Yan noticed the old man’s thoughtful expression.
“Teacher?”
Yao Lao smiled faintly.
“I have a feeling…”
“…Wu Tan City is about to become much quieter.”
High above the Xiao Clan…
The moonlight covered the rooftops.
One young man slept peacefully.
Another continued training beneath an old master’s guidance.
Neither realized…
That within only a few days…
Their paths would begin diverging for quite some time.