Chapter 20: Xiao Zhan Reprimands Xiao Yan, Hun Cang Returns to Wutan City

Wutan City is located on the edge of the Jia Ma Empire, and its transient population consists mainly of mercenaries arriving to pick up missions. These individuals frequently travel between various regions and inevitably suffer injuries; they require all sorts of healing medicines, and alchemists happen to be the ones who can provide for such needs. Because medicine refined by alchemists is more effective than those produced by ordinary means, it is worth the higher price. Jia Liebi had set his sights on this very point, sparing no expense to hire a first-tier alchemist.

After listening to Xiao Zhan’s explanation, Xiao Yan thought for a moment and said, "Father, you actually don't need to worry; our Xiao family will soon have an alchemist of our own."

Xiao Zhan gave a bitter laugh. "Yan’er, do you think alchemists are just running around everywhere?"

"Because I am that alchemist, Father," Xiao Yan said, brimming with pride. He had spent a year studying the fundamentals with Yao Chen, and he was only a step away from advancing to the rank of Dou Zhe, at which point he could begin attempting to refine medicine. Now, with everything prepared, he was just waiting for his eldest brother's Heaven-tier cultivation technique.

Xiao Zhan’s eyes widened in disbelief, and he hurriedly asked for an explanation. Upon learning that before Hun Cang left, he had even specifically arranged for an alchemist mentor for Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan could not help but beam. "Yan’er, you did a wonderful thing by acknowledging him as your elder brother."

Xiao Yan smiled and boasted, "That’s not all, Father. Big Brother also said that when I become a Dou Zhe, he will gift me a top-tier Heaven-rank cultivation technique. In the future, I will surely lead the Xiao family to soar into the skies and leave Wutan City for a greater metropolis!"

However, seeing Xiao Zhan’s expression darken, Xiao Yan asked in confusion, "Father, what is it? Did I say something wrong?"

Xiao Zhan spoke sternly, "Yan’er, you cannot accept that Heaven-rank technique, do you understand?"

"Why?" Xiao Yan was puzzled.

Xiao Zhan explained, "Think carefully: how many favors have you received from your big brother, and what have you given him in return? Even if Lord Cang Wang offers them willingly, if you accept them blindly, in time, it will leave the impression that you are insatiable."

"Father, I understand now." Xiao Yan suddenly realized; he was no longer a child, so how could he have forgotten the principle of reciprocity? However, what did the Xiao family possess that his big brother would value? His brother was no longer young and was still single—perhaps... actually, that might just work; it would be a union of families. Seeing Xiao Yan fall into deep thought, Xiao Zhan breathed a sigh of relief. He had truly been worried that his son would be unable to resist the temptation of a Heaven-rank technique.

***

"The Jia Ma Empire... I have finally returned." Hun Cang stretched his body, a look of expectation appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Vice Hall Master Hun Xiaoqiang of the Jia Ma Empire branch pays his respects to the Hall Master." At the entrance of a pitch-black grand hall, several figures rushed to Hun Cang and knelt respectfully. The burly man in the lead spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Mm, rise," Hun Cang said, raising his hand. The group rose, and Hun Xiaoqiang stepped forward to brief him on the situation in the Jia Ma Empire region. After listening to a brief overview, it was much as he had anticipated; the Hall of Souls had already taken deep root, and even Yun Shan, the former sect leader of the Misty Cloud Sect, had been developed into an external member.

"Very well. You continue to oversee the affairs within the hall. In addition, while searching for relevant information, keep an ear out for any news regarding Heavenly Flames," Hun Cang ordered.

Hun Xiaoqiang was slightly stunned and tilted his head. "Lord Hall Master, why must we inquire about Heavenly Flames?"

"Is that for you to ask?" Hun Cang’s expression turned cold. Although he was only a Dou Huang, his presence terrified Hun Xiaoqiang, who was already a Dou Zong, causing him to tremble and kneel on the ground without hesitation to admit his fault; the other Dou Huangs did the same. This was the advantage of status!

"There will not be a next time, or else I would not mind replacing the Vice Hall Master!" Hun Cang swept his cold, stern gaze over them and let out a cold snort, tossing out a jade talisman. "Notify me if there is any news."

Afterward, Hun Cang did not even enter the Hall of Souls and departed directly. On the way to Wutan City, Hun Cang recalled the Vice Hall Master’s question and could not help but smile. Why search for Heavenly Flames? Naturally, in the current Dou Qi continent, there are only two paths to becoming a Dou Di: one is the Emperor Pill within the Tou She Ancient God’s cave, and the other is to devour Heavenly Flames, accept the origin left behind by the Tou She Ancient God, and ascend to Dou Di. Needless to say, Hun Cang chose the latter without question. After all, to become an Emperor via the Emperor Pill, his "cheap" father, Hun Tiandi, had nearly sacrificed the entire Central Plains and the Hun clan just to barely succeed.

"Counting the time, Xiao Yan should be breaking through to Dou Zhe soon; I can just happen to give him the Fen Jue (Burning Technique)." Hun Cang began to look forward to what rewards the system would return. Would it be an entirely new cultivation technique that would lead him to a different path to becoming an Emperor? Or would it be the complete version of the Fen Jue? Back then, the Tou She Ancient God had personally told Xiao Yan that he, too, had practiced the Fen Jue, and that the version he possessed was not complete.

***

In the blink of an eye, much time had passed. Hun Cang, flying through the air, finally saw the silhouette of Wutan City once again. "Since I have the space jade talisman now, I must leave one for Xiao Yan. Otherwise, relying on flying to travel every time, while the scenery is nice, is still quite exhausting," he muttered to himself.

***

At the same time, in the Xiao family marketplace, Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun’er walked together, stopping from time to time at various stalls to purchase small items. In the past few days, Xiao Yan had been busy preparing for his breakthrough to Dou Zhe, and in his preoccupation with cultivation, he had neglected to spend time with Xiao Xun’er. Today, she had come to find him, and since he was only one step away, he stopped avoiding her and agreed to her request to go shopping.

Xiao Xun’er held Xiao Yan’s arm, occasionally picking up jewelry and asking for his opinion. After Xiao Yan’s mind wandered several times, Xiao Xun’er couldn't help but pout. "Brother Xiao Yan, can you be more attentive? Don't you know that being distracted while shopping with a girl is very annoying?"

"Yes, yes, I'm sorry. Don't be angry, little sister Xun’er," Xiao Yan said with a sheepish smile, instinctively rubbing his nose.

Xiao Xun’er hummed, walked a few steps, and said, "Is Brother Xiao Yan troubled by the cultivation technique? If you need one, I have some here; Brother Xiao Yan can take them if he wishes."

"No need, the Xiao family has its own techniques," Xiao Yan refused without hesitation.

As the two were speaking, they unknowingly walked to the entrance of the Xiao family’s marketplace, only to be blocked by a group of people approaching them.

"Oh? Isn't this the trashy Third Young Master of the Xiao family?" In the crowd, surrounded like stars around the moon, a youth in luxurious clothing stood, a look of mockery on his face.

"Jia Lie Ao..." Recognizing the person, Xiao Yan frowned slightly. The two great families were competing for business in the marketplace, and the moment the two young masters met, the air was thick with tension. As a pale-faced youth in white standing beside Jia Lie Ao spoke, the atmosphere grew even more volatile.

"Brother Liu Xi, we cannot provoke the Xiao family yet; they have a Dou Huang behind them," Jia Lie Ao warned, though inwardly he was cursing the lecherous Liu Xi for his stupidity. Could he not think of anything other than alchemy and women?

Facing the warning, Liu Xi remained indifferent, his eyes filled with skepticism; he did not believe a Dou Huang would appear in a place like this. Seeing the opponent not only harassing Xiao Xun’er but also slandering his big brother, Xiao Yan immediately called for help. In an instant, the Xiao family guards surrounded them with weapons drawn, and seeing the situation turn dire, the members of the Jia Lie family rushed back to summon their own reinforcements.