Chapter 10

With a light touch on the mountain rock, Xiao Xun'er, like a purple butterfly, gracefully leaped to the mountaintop, her head slightly tilted as she scanned the young man by the cliff.

Looking at the young man, Xun'er was slightly taken aback. Although they had only been apart for half a day, she felt that Xiao Yan seemed to have gained something more...

When their eyes met amidst the mountain breeze, Xun'er finally realized what the young man had gained—it was confidence!

After three years, the brightest halo of the former young man seemed to have finally returned.

Slightly intoxicated by the faint smile on the young man's lips, Xiao Xun'er's beautiful face showed adorable dimples as she smiled gently, "It seems Xiao Yan-gege doesn't need Xun'er's comfort anymore?"

"Everyone grows after experiencing setbacks, right?" Xiao Yan shrugged and smiled.

"She will definitely regret it."

Xun'er pursed her lips and said with a light laugh, her determined manner resembling a judgment.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly, casually straightened his clothes, and walked towards the girl.

As he got closer, seeing Xiao Xun'er, who was now almost as tall as him, and looking at her slightly immature but beautiful face, Xiao Yan felt a sudden sense of nostalgia. The little thing who used to follow him around with a runny nose and bare bottom had grown into such a charming and beautiful young woman...

He smiled softly, his gaze warm, and without hesitation, pinched her delicate face, saying, "Xun'er has grown up too, but it's good that you haven't forgotten how Xiao Yan-gege got bruised all over trying to pick fruit for you when you were little."

Stunned by Xiao Yan's intimate gesture for a moment, her bright, lively eyes stared at his pure, black pupils, and Xun'er smiled inwardly.

When they were little, he used to pinch her chubby cheeks, but after the incident three years ago, he had built a wall in his heart, keeping everyone at a distance. No matter how hard she tried to get closer, she would always be pushed away by his cold attitude...

"He really is back... But he still treats me like the little tagalong from back then, what a blockhead..." She pouted slightly, then blamed herself for being greedy.

"Xun'er, don't blame Xiao Yan-gege for the past three years. During that time, I was living in a daze, but it's good that you were by my side." Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly and apologized.

Xun'er smiled sweetly, and the委屈 (grievances) she had endured over the past three years vanished with his awkward apology.

"Cough, right, Xun'er... how much money do you have on you?" Xiao Yan suddenly asked with a dry laugh, releasing her delicate face.

In the family, besides his father, only Xun'er had a good relationship with him. After disgracing his father today, he didn't have the face to borrow money from him, so he could only turn to Xun'er.

"Money?" She blinked her bright eyes in surprise. "Does Xiao Yan-gege need money?"

"Cough... I need to buy something, but I'm a bit short." Xiao Yan's face turned slightly red; this was the first time in his life he was borrowing money from a girl.

Seeing the usually composed Xiao Yan-gege in such an awkward state for the first time, Xun'er felt quite amused and covered her mouth with a giggle, "I have more than a thousand gold coins, is that enough? If not..."

As she spoke, one of her slender hands, hidden behind her back, flicked her fingers, and a purple-gold card suddenly appeared between her delicate fingers, with five differently colored waves shimmering on it.

The Five-Stripe Purple Gold Card, on the continent of Dou Qi, required at least the strength of a Dou Ling to qualify for this identity card. Of course, some transcendent forces also had this qualification.

"Enough, enough..." He nodded happily and couldn't resist wanting to pinch Xun'er's pretty face again, but he managed to stop himself.

"Don't worry, I'll pay you back in full in the future." He patted his chest and promised.

"Who cares about getting paid back..." She pouted and quickly put away the purple-gold card.

"Let's go, it's getting late. I'll take you around Utan City tomorrow." Xiao Yan waved to the girl and excitedly jumped down the mountain first.

Standing in place, Xun'er smiled and stared at the young man who had returned to his carefree and confident self from three years ago, and whispered softly, "Nalan Yanran, should I hate you or thank you?"

...

The morning sunlight shone through the window, warming the young man who was meditating on the bed.

"Phew..."

After sitting quietly for a long time, Xiao Yan took a long breath, and a visible pale white stream of air flowed into his body through his nose and mouth, nourishing his bones.

His eyes suddenly opened, a white light flashed in them, and he stretched lazily with a face full of contentment and intoxication, "This feeling, after three years, the feeling of getting stronger has finally returned."

Slowly getting out of bed, he stretched his limbs, changed into a new set of clothes, and heard Xun'er's melodious voice from outside the door, "Xiao Yan-gege, still not up?"

"This girl, she's really early." He shook his head helplessly, turned to rummage through a cabinet, and finally took out a small box, carefully opening it. A golden light immediately shone out, making Xiao Yan squint his eyes...

"This is all I have." He hugged the small box and smiled bitterly, shaking his head.

Pushing the door open, he saw the young girl at the door and couldn't help but whistle.

Today, Xun'er was wearing a neat light green outfit. The light color made her look even more innocent, and a pair of tight-fitting long pants hugged her slender and long legs, revealing perfect curves.

Long legs, a shapely buttock, and a slightly developed chest—Xun'er now undoubtedly resembled a young woman on Earth, full of vitality and youthful charm. Of course, her unique and elegant aura was something Xiao Yan had never seen in any other girl...

"Here, what you need." Seeing Xiao Yan come out, Xun'er smiled and handed him a black card, a regular gold storage card with a maximum limit of 5,000 gold coins.

Taking the black card casually, Xiao Yan teased, "Why are you dressed so beautifully, little girl? Do you have a date with someone?"

"Yes, yes, this is the first time Xiao Yan-gege has invited me out in three years. I'm so flattered, of course I have to dress up nicely." Xiao Yan's teasing made Xun'er's eyes bend into a crescent moon as she giggled playfully.

Shaking his head helplessly, with a great mood, Xiao Yan also laughed and replied a few times. The two of them chatted and walked out of the family compound, and on the way, they met some family members who all looked at them with curious expressions when they saw them chatting intimately.

Now, Xun'er, whether in beauty or talent, was the most dazzling pearl among the young generation of the family. Although she seemed gentle and amiable in the family, there was a subtle coldness beneath her faint smile. It was easy to greet her, but it was hard to have a deep conversation.

Ignoring the looks of the family members, Xiao Yan led Xun'er out of the family compound and then slowed down, leisurely strolling down the bustling street.

Utan City, one of the large cities in the Jia Ma Empire, was bustling with people. Even though it was scorching hot, the streets were still crowded, and occasionally, some exotic races could be seen.

Perhaps because of Xiao Yan's company, Xun'er became much more lively after leaving the family compound. She dragged the helpless Xiao Yan around various stalls, and her light, playful laughter made the scorching street a bit cooler.

After Xun'er got tired of playing, Xiao Yan took her to a nearby herbal shop and spent over 900 gold coins to buy three 20-year-old Purple Leaf Orchids and two 5-year-old Bone Washing Flowers. These were low-level materials that could be bought in herbal shops with money, but if higher-level materials were needed, they would have to be found themselves or obtained from markets or auctions.

Looking at his rapidly dwindling wealth, Xiao Yan smiled bitterly and shook his head. Now, he finally understood how important money was on the continent of Dou Qi...

With the herbs in hand, the only thing left was a first-level Wood Elemental Core!

(Tonight, I'm pushing for the rankings. There will be another update at midnight. If you're still around then, please support me with your votes. Thank you! ^_^)