Within the Jia Ma Empire.
On the official road leading to the imperial capital, a carriage rolled steadily forward.
Inside the spacious compartment, Xiao Yan clutched a fiery red pearl, his eyes tightly shut, his aura fluctuating subtly. Moments later, as if reaching a critical threshold, a scorching wave of energy surged outward, crashing against the carriage walls and rippling in transparent waves.
Slowly opening his eyes, a flicker of cyan flame danced briefly in his pupils. Feeling the surging energy coursing through him, a broad smile spread across his face.
He examined the fire pearl in his hand with relish, sensing the immense fire attribute energy still contained within despite having absorbed a portion. A glint of amazement flashed in his eyes.
Such potent fire attribute energy. "Brother Bai, where did you get this thing?"
Xiao Yan lifted his gaze to the black-robed figure nearby, whose slender fingers were deftly arranging a tea set with leisurely precision.
Xiao Bai didn't respond immediately. He lifted a freshly brewed cup of clear tea, inhaled its fragrant aroma, and nodded in satisfaction. Leaning casually against the carriage window, he took a delicate sip before speaking.
"You'll find out in time."
"…" Xiao Yan's expression froze.
This cryptic nonsense again! He loathed these riddle-dropping types, always dangling "later" like knowing now would be the death of him. Stomping over to the table, he poured himself a cup of tea from the pot, downed it in one gulp, and grumbled, "Bai-Ge, you're getting lazier by the day. Ever since we left the Tagore Desert, you've been lounging about, not cultivating at all. Careful, or I'll surpass you one day!"
Xiao Bai's gaze drifted to the scenery slipping past the window, his peripheral vision catching Xiao Yan's indignation. With a soft chuckle, he teased, "What's this? Just broke through to Eight-Star Dou Shi and already getting cocky?"
Xiao Yan's forehead twitched, veins pulsing. He couldn't stand this guy's smug tone and expression—oh, how he wanted to charge over and pummel that unruffled face into a pig's head.
"Thinking of throwing punches? Guess you don't want that Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill then?" Xiao Bai knew him too well. One look at Xiao Yan's face, and he could guess the violent daydreams brewing in his head.
"Heh, no way!" Xiao Yan's scowl flipped into an eager grin. Patting his chest, he declared, "Bai-Ge, you're my dearest brother, my closest kin. How could I ever harbor such rebellious thoughts?"
"…" Xiao Bai.
"…" Yao Lao.
Perhaps it was the three years of hardship, but when it came to anything involving strength, Xiao Yan's shamelessness reached new heights.
"By the way, Bai-Ge, is it really okay to leave those two lions in the clan's back mountains?" Xiao Yan's tone shifted, a trace of worry in his cautious question.
After leaving the Tagore Desert, Xiao Bai had taken him straight to the Magical Beast Mountain Range, bringing the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King—the outer range's overlord—to the Xiao Clan and stationing it in their back mountains.
Only his father, Xiao Zhan, and a few elders knew. When they'd heard, their jaws had practically hit the floor.
A Tier Six magical beast!
Comparable to a human Dou Huang, it was a force the Xiao Clan couldn't have dreamed of even in their heyday in the capital, when old patriarch Xiao Lin was at his peak. Now, with the clan's strongest being mere Da Dou Shi, the gap was several realms wide.
"No issue. Just a casual precaution, an extra layer of security," Xiao Bai dismissed with a wave.
From Xiao Yan's accounts, he'd sensed something off about the Yun Lan Sect's movements—decisions that didn't align with Yun Zhi's style, more likely the work of Yun Leng or Yun Shan. After weighing his options, he'd decided to bolster the Xiao Clan's defenses.
The precaution might prove unnecessary, but in critical moments, it could buy time for a turning point.
"Bai-Ge… what if…" Xiao Yan's face twisted with rare hesitation, his voice faltering.
Seeing the uncharacteristic struggle, Xiao Bai's mind clicked, guessing the issue. Calmly, he asked, "What, getting cold feet about the duel?"
"No way!" Xiao Yan's eyes blazed with resolve, his voice sharp. "These three years, I've gritted my teeth and pushed my cultivation to the limit for this moment. How could I back down?"
But then his lips curled into a bitter smile. Thinking of his teacher's wariness and Xiao Bai's calculated moves, he wasn't clueless. He knew it all tied to the Yun Lan Sect. "But seeing how serious you and Teacher are, I don't know the details, but this duel… it's not simple. I'm worried about you both…"
"Worried we'll get hurt?" Xiao Bai finished his unspoken thought with a faint smile. "Your job is to defeat Nalan Yanran. Leave the rest to me and your teacher."
At this stage, the kid was wavering? Not a chance. Xiao Bai wouldn't let him back out. Resolving the Xiao Clan's issues once and for all would free him to focus on his own cultivation and pursuits.
Otherwise, that Protector Wu loomed like a sword over the Xiao Clan, ready to drop at any moment. The original story never explained how he pinpointed the Wu Tan City Xiao Clan as the Soul Hall's target. If Xiao Bai had another way, he wouldn't care if Xiao Yan faced the Yun Lan Sect or not.
But for now, Xiao Yan had to play bait, luring out the hidden Protector Wu in the Yun Lan Sect to uncover how the Soul Hall identified the Xiao Clan.
"Exactly, little Yanzi. Don't fret about your old master. A mere Dou Zong protector? If I weren't worried about causing a scene and drawing out his backers, you think I'd fear him?" Yao Lao's proud voice rang from the ring.
Xiao Bai inwardly rolled his eyes. Oh, please, old man. In the original story, you got nabbed by that guy.
Hearing their reassurances, Xiao Yan's eyes glistened with fierce gratitude. He nodded firmly. "Alright! In half a month, I'll climb Yun Lan Sect and face Nalan Yanran!"
The air grew quiet for a moment as Xiao Yan reined in his emotions, his calm returning. Glancing at Xiao Bai, who lounged lazily by the window, he grinned. "Bai-Ge, don't forget that Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill!"
"Relax, it's covered." Xiao Bai waved dismissively, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "But little Yanzi, you know the alchemist's rules, right?"
"What?! Bai-Ge, I'm your brother!" Xiao Yan squawked, indignant.
"Even brothers settle accounts clearly." Xiao Bai's face turned stern, his eyes glinting dangerously. "What, trying to mooch off me?"
As a staunch upholder of alchemist etiquette, this was about professional pride. No one got freebies from him—except maybe a future wife. Xiao Yan gulped under that piercing stare, scratching his head with a sheepish laugh. "No way, don't worry. Once we're in the capital, I'll gather the materials!"
Xiao Skinflint! Xiao Yan inwardly cursed. Bai-Ge tossed him a Tier Five fire pearl without batting an eye—something far pricier than a Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill. Yet when it came to refining, he clung to those blasted rules.
Three sets of materials… Xiao Yan touched his ring, heart sinking. Hope I've got enough coin.
"Teacher, after this three-year duel, we're diving into alchemy training. No more dealing with this black-hearted guy!" Xiao Yan muttered to himself. If he had more confidence in his own skills, he'd never beg Xiao Bai.
"Heh," Yao Lao's hearty laugh echoed in his mind. "Want to improve your alchemy? I'm all for it. But you should be grateful, kid!"
"With Xiao Bai's talent, only needing three sets of materials and being available anytime? That's a deal countless people across the continent would kill for. And you're complaining?"
Yao Lao knew why Xiao Yan avoided asking him to refine—it was to keep him from exposing himself. Hearing this, Xiao Yan scratched his head, mulling it over.
He's got a point. Since Yao Lao appeared, Xiao Yan hadn't worried about pills. Low-grade ones he made himself, high-grade ones came from his teacher, and special ones from Bai-Ge. Thinking it over, a mix of guilt and contentment warmed his chest.
"Hey, Bai-Ge, we're almost there!" Xiao Yan perked up, recognizing the familiar scenery outside. He stood, lifted the carriage curtain, and peered out, grinning.
He'd been to the capital as a child, but the memories were hazy.
"We're here?" Xiao Bai's brow lifted. He flipped his palm, producing a jade-green bamboo whistle. Placing it to his lips, he blew softly.
Moments later, a piercing eagle cry echoed above the carriage.
"Haha, Little Blue, faster, faster!" A silvery, bell-like laugh rang out.
Xiao Bai rolled his eyes. Through the window, a massive shadow loomed, revealing a giant blue eagle. A tiny figure danced excitedly on its back, while the eagle's eyes betrayed a quivering fear.
"Xiao Bai, there's a huge city ahead. Is that where we're going?" Zi Yan stomped on the eagle's back and leaped down.
As the blue eagle dipped sharply, Xiao Bai's eye twitched. "Easy on the moves, kid. If something happens to Little Blue, you'll answer to your sister Xian'er."
"Pfft!" Zi Yan stuck out her tongue, giggling mischievously. "Little Blue's tougher than that!"
Xiao Bai shook his head. This blue eagle was Xiao Yi Xian's companion, left behind in the Magical Beast Mountain Range when they headed to Jia Nan Academy. With the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King watching over it, no mishaps had occurred.
Since he'd taken the lion king, he brought the eagle along too. A mere Tier Two beast, despite its decent intelligence, wouldn't last long alone in the mountains. Xiao Yi Xian would be heartbroken if it perished.
"Tell Little Blue to follow the carriage and stay put," Xiao Bai instructed Zi Yan softly.
He hadn't expected the girl to have a knack for communicating with intelligent magical beasts. Luckily, Little Blue fit the bill.
Zi Yan chattered to the eagle, and it shot skyward, wings flapping furiously as if fleeing for dear life.
"Little Blue, what's that supposed to mean?" Zi Yan huffed, hands on hips, glaring upward.
Xiao Bai gave her a deadpan look. No self-awareness, huh?
"Enough playing. Get in, we're entering the city," he said, turning away.
"Hmph!" Zi Yan grumbled but hopped into the carriage.
As the carriage rolled on, it passed through a dense forest, and the outline of a massive city came into view.
Suddenly, Xiao Bai's gaze shifted, locking onto the northern outskirts.
There, a majestic mountain range sprawled like a coiled dragon, its peak piercing the clouds, exuding an ethereal aura.
"Yun Lan Sect, huh," Xiao Bai murmured, picturing a refined, noble face. Thinking of the sect's odd actions, he shook his head, wondering how she was faring.
At his words, Xiao Yan followed his gaze, eyes fixed on the mist-shrouded peaks, fists clenched tightly.
"Yun Lan Sect, Nalan Yanran, the 'trash' you scorned is here!"
Zi Yan sidled up, studying Xiao Yan's trembling frame and furious, reddened eyes. Propping her delicate chin, she asked curiously, "That Yun Lan Sect's Nalan Yanran… did she steal your candy?"
"…" Xiao Yan.
Get lost! Did she think everyone was like her, treating those sugar pills like life itself? Her one line shattered the grim, resolute mood.
"Haha!" Xiao Bai couldn't hold back, bursting into laughter at Xiao Yan's flushed face. He ruffled Zi Yan's head, knowing to her, nothing was worse than someone snatching her precious candies.
Amid the banter, the carriage passed through the city gates into the capital.
"Wow, so many people! Xiao Bai, look, what's that?"
"Sugar-coated haws!"
"Are they yummy?"
"Want some?"
"Uh-huh!"
Soon, Xiao Yan's eye twitched at the sight of a sugar-haw target in the carriage, bristling with skewers. Across from him, the two munched happily.
Are these two here to support my duel or go sightseeing? "Bai-Ge, where to next?" he asked wearily.
Xiao Bai swallowed a bite of haw, glancing at the sky. "It's early. Let's hit an agency to buy a courtyard. Little Blue's too big for an inn."
"Fair enough," Xiao Yan nodded. "A place here could be useful if the clan relocates."
"Mm-hm."
Xiao Yan's face darkened at the noncommittal hum. Done with the unreliable duo, he stepped out to ask for directions.
Half an hour later, his exasperated voice called from outside, "We're here! Get out!"
"Huh?" Xiao Bai stepped down, eyeing the grand building before them, puzzled. "Weren't we going to an agency? Why here?"
"I asked around. Everyone said this is the biggest agency. What else could I do?" Xiao Yan rolled his eyes, then smirked teasingly. "Bai-Ge, you're not… scared of running into Miss Ya Fei, are you?"
Back in Wu Tan City, he'd seen that enchanting woman visit Xiao Bai multiple times.
"Heh, you think I'm scared?" Xiao Bai scoffed, leaping off the carriage. The only people he avoided were enemies he couldn't beat. Fear? Laughable. Even facing Hun Tian Di, he'd dare to challenge his path to Dou Di.
Across the entire Dou Qi Continent, what could be more terrifying than that?
____
If you want to support me and read advanced 60+ chapters and other stories join: patreon.com/Caluem