Sneaking into his room, Xiao Yan quickly closed the door and rushed to a corner. He then took out a large pile of herbs and a few magic crystals from his chest, carefully placing them in the cabinet. Inhaling deeply the fragrance of the medicinal herbs, he chuckled and breathed a sigh of relief. To fully focus on his cultivation, Xiao Yan had purchased enough herbs for eight months. It seemed that he planned to spend the rest of the year in intense training. Affectionately patting the cabinet, Xiao Yan’s lips curved into a smile as he lazily walked to the bed and plopped down, feeling quite tired after the long day.
“Yan, are you there?” Just as he was beginning to feel drowsy, a knock came at the door.
Xiao Yan opened his sleepy eyes and hurriedly jumped off the bed, then opened the door to see Xiao Zhan standing outside. Scratching his head, he asked with an embarrassed smile, “Father, is there something you need?”
“Can’t I come and see you without a reason? You’ve been avoiding me for two months now.” Xiao Zhan’s large hand affectionately ruffled Xiao Yan’s hair, scolding him with a smile.
Seeing his father’s warm smile, Xiao Yan felt a surge of emotion, sniffling slightly but not knowing what to say.
“Still blaming yourself over that matter? Haha, it’s her loss if she doesn’t appreciate my son. No need to be sad, big man. Why should you act like a little girl? I know, my son is no waste!” Xiao Zhan said magnanimously.
“Ha ha, Father, in three years, I will go to the Yunlan Sect myself,” Xiao Yan said softly with a smile.
Xiao Zhan’s smile faded slightly, his eyes fixed on Xiao Yan as he hesitated, “It’s not that I mind, but… are you really going? I’m not saying you’re inferior to Nalan Yanran, but the Yunlan Sect’s strength…”
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, nodding, his thin lips forming a stubborn line, “Father, some things can’t be avoided. As a man, I have to take responsibility.”
“Haha, this temperament is just like mine. Your brothers would be proud to know you think this way.” Smiling contentedly at Xiao Yan’s determination, Xiao Zhan sighed lightly and nodded heavily, “Alright, I’ll wait for the day my son brings me glory! I want Nalan Su, that old bastard, to come with a dowry and beg me to take back that divorce certificate!”
Xiao Yan laughed, nodding in agreement.
“Here, consider this as a contribution from your father!” Xiao Zhan pulled out a familiar white jade bottle from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Yan.
Looking at the Foundation Liqueur, which had circled back to his hands, Xiao Yan felt a mix of amusement and exasperation, but maintained a puzzled expression, “Father, what is this?”
“Foundation Liqueur, it accelerates the cultivation speed of Dou Qi. I bought it today,” Xiao Zhan grinned.
“Must have cost a lot, right?” Xiao Yan took the bottle, feeling a warm current flow through him.
“Forty thousand gold coins, but if it helps you, it’s worth it,” Xiao Zhan said nonchalantly.
“You spent forty thousand gold coins on this. The elders will probably use this as an excuse to cause trouble,” Xiao Yan said with a bitter smile.
“Tsk, I am the head of this clan. They can only talk,” Xiao Zhan snorted coldly.
“Father, thank you. At the coming-of-age ceremony next year, I will make them all shut their mouths,” Xiao Yan smiled, his lips pursed.
“Good, I look forward to seeing my son transform once more!” Although he didn’t know where Xiao Yan’s confidence came from, Xiao Zhan was delighted by his son’s self-assurance and laughed heartily.
“Alright, I won’t disturb your rest. Come to me if you need anything. We’re family, no need to feel ashamed,” he waved and strode towards the front courtyard.
“Damn, I still have to deal with those old fossils. It’s just forty thousand gold coins, they act like I’ve stolen their burial money,” Xiao Zhan muttered in the dark.
Watching Xiao Zhan disappear into the darkness, Xiao Yan touched his nose and whispered with a smile, “Don’t worry, Father, I’ll make those guys shut up with reality. Three years ago, I made them look up to me. Three years later, I can do it again!”
After standing at the door for a while, Xiao Yan put away the white jade bottle and glanced slyly at the corner, “Girl, eavesdropping is fun, isn’t it?”
“Brother Xiao Yan, you’re pretty sharp…” From the corner, a purple-dressed girl appeared, tilting her head, her beautiful face smiling.
Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly at the mischievous girl.
“Where did Brother Xiao Yan go in the afternoon?” Xuner stepped forward, asking with a smile.
“Just went out for a stroll.”
“Is that so?” Her eyes scanning him, Xuner suddenly stepped closer, bending slightly, her pretty nose wrinkling, “I smell a woman’s perfume.”
“Cough, stop fooling around. What woman’s perfume?”
His face blushed slightly, fortunately, it was dark, and the girl couldn’t see clearly.
“Ha ha.” Xuner seemed to enjoy Xiao Yan’s embarrassment, laughing like a silver bell. After a moment, she stopped, falling silent, and then said softly, “I heard Uncle Xiao’s words too. I believe in Brother Xiao Yan. If you ever go to the Yunlan Sect, I can help…”
Xiao Yan blinked, his eyes fixed on the girl’s lovely face.
Under Xiao Yan’s unyielding gaze, Xuner’s graceful face slowly reddened, and she chided softly, “Brother Xiao Yan, what are you looking at…”
“Hehe, even Xuner blushes, such a rare sight,” Xiao Yan suddenly laughed after a moment.
Xuner gave Xiao Yan a glance, thinking, “Only you would stare at someone like that.”
“Alright, alright, have some faith in me. The Yunlan Sect is strong, but I’m young, and I have plenty of time. That Yun Yun, who spoiled Nalan Yanran, can’t be much better,” Xiao Yan smiled, rubbing the girl’s hair.
“It’s late, go back and rest.” Watching Xuner wave, Xiao Yan could only nod and slowly walked into the darkness under his gaze.
Turning a corner, a quarrel between Xiao Zhan and several elders about the forty thousand gold coins filled the air. Xuner paused, her fine eyebrows furrowing slightly, and sighed, her slender fingers producing a purple-gold card.
With a flick of her finger, the card turned into a beam of light, entering the noisy room.
Glancing at the suddenly quiet room, Xuner said coolly, “Consider the cost of the Foundation Liqueur as my contribution. There are one hundred thousand gold coins on the card, no need to trouble Uncle Xiao.”
In the room, silence reigned, and after a moment, the three elders’ reluctant voices responded.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage