Chapter 69

After everything was settled, Xiao Yan slowly walked out of the cave, stealthily climbed up the steep path to the mountaintop, and only after looking around and seeing no one did he heave a sigh of relief, striding straight toward the family compound.

Leisurely returning to the family compound, he walked to the front courtyard and saw the three elders hurriedly brush past him. Stopping in his tracks, Xiao Yan was somewhat puzzled, as he had clearly seen the gloom and anger on their faces.

"Who provoked them?" Shaking his head in surprise, Xiao Yan turned around, and a girl in a green robe darted out from a side path, standing gracefully before him.

Looking at the smiling and adorable Xiao Yan, his heart skipped a beat. Recalling the question Old Medicine had asked in the cave, his face flushed, and he shifted his gaze to the sky, pretending to be deep in thought.

Stunned by Xiao Yan's unusual behavior, after a moment, Xiao Yan's face turned puzzled, and she shook her head, stepping forward. Her eyes scanned Xiao Yan, and a look of surprise quietly appeared on her delicate face. She placed her hands behind her back, leaned forward slightly, and with a smile, said, "Brother Xiao Yan, have you advanced to the Fighter rank?"

The warm, fragrant breeze blew against Xiao Yan's face, causing him to momentarily lose his composure. He shook his head hard, suppressing the thoughts in his mind, patted the head of the girl who was almost as tall as him, and said helplessly, "Can't you let me say it myself to satisfy my vanity?"

Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes curved like beautiful crescent moons. She extended her fair, tender hand and, as usual, carefully smoothed out the slight wrinkles in his clothes.

In the past, Xiao Yan didn't think much of such treatment from Xiao Yan, but today, after being exposed by Old Medicine, his heart suddenly stirred.

Occasionally, clan members passed by the side path, and seeing Xiao Yan, who was tidying up his clothes like a young bride, they couldn't help but feel envious.

Looking down at the flawless, delicate face, a strand of black hair fell onto her smooth forehead, occasionally lifted by a gentle breeze, revealing a pair of bright, large eyes. The movement of her eyes was extremely captivating.

Staring at Xiao Yan, Xiao Yan's breathing gradually became a bit rapid, and a hint of fervor appeared in his eyes.

"Brother Xiao Yan... What are you looking at?" After smoothing out his clothes, Xiao Yan finally noticed his fervent gaze, her face blushing, and she softly scolded.

"Ah? Uh..." Awakened, Xiao Yan's face also turned a bit red, but fortunately, his face was thicker than Xiao Yan's. After a couple of dry coughs, he said nonchalantly, "Nothing, just that Xiao Yan is getting more and more beautiful."

Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Yan hummed indifferently, but her rosy lips curved into a pleased smile.

"Oh, right..." Seemingly remembering something, Xiao Yan suddenly looked at Xiao Yan again and said softly, "Since Brother Xiao Yan has advanced to the Fighter rank, shouldn't you start learning a martial art technique?"

Xiao Yan's face stiffened, and he nodded awkwardly.

Her slender fingers touching her white chin, Xiao Yan smiled and said, "Can Xiao Yan see what level of technique it is?"

"Cough... Technique... They're just external things. As long as you work hard, what level does it matter?" Xiao Yan laughed dryly.

Seeing Xiao Yan's appearance, Xiao Yan's eyes slowly narrowed into a dangerous arc, but her voice remained gentle and charming, "Brother Xiao Yan, let Xiao Yan see it..."

Seeing Xiao Yan's persistence, Xiao Yan could only shrug helplessly and extend his hand. After a moment, a faint yellow glow appeared.

"Brother Xiao Yan, is this the better technique you mentioned?" Looking at the faint yellow glow that seemed about to extinguish, Xiao Yan's face turned slightly unpleasant, her tightly pursed rosy lips showing her anger.

Xiao Yan laughed awkwardly, not knowing how to explain.

"You clearly know that having a high-level technique in the early stages is extremely beneficial for future cultivation, yet you still refused me. Xiao Yan isn't giving it to you out of charity; at worst, you can find a higher-level technique later and return it to me. But now you're cultivating the lowest-level technique, are you deliberately trying to upset me?" Xiao Yan opened her eyes wide, glaring at Xiao Yan with anger. Her long eyelashes even had a few crystal tears, making her look extremely pitiful and lovable.

For the gentle and mild-mannered Xiao Yan to speak in such a manner, it was clear how much she was confused and angry by Xiao Yan's actions.

Seeing her biting her lip, stubbornly demanding an answer, Xiao Yan shook his head helplessly and said with a bitter smile, "We've lived together for over a decade. Don't you know me by now? Do you really think I'm an idiot who would choose the lowest-level technique over a high-level one?"

"But this technique... It's clearly a low-level Yellow Rank, I can feel it." Hearing this, the anger on Xiao Yan's face eased a bit, but she remained stubborn.

"Things are not always as they seem. I can't explain the reasons to you now, but in the future, you'll understand. I'm absolutely not acting on a whim..." Xiao Yan smiled.

"Really?" Looking at Xiao Yan's determined expression, Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment before hesitantly asked again.

"Really, really, absolutely really..." Nodding quickly, Xiao Yan was afraid she would continue to dwell on this issue, so he quickly changed the subject, "Has something happened in the family recently? Why do the elders look so gloomy?"

"Yes, recently the Jia Li family has hired a first-class alchemist from somewhere. Now, their market has a new healing medicine called 'Spring Revival Powder.' This healing medicine is cheap and highly productive, and it's very popular among the mercenaries around U坦 City." Xiao Yan nodded, frowning slightly, and said softly, "Due to the impact of 'Spring Revival Powder,' the number of people in all the Xiao family's markets has decreased by nearly half. Because of the reduced foot traffic, the merchants in those markets have directly moved to the Jia Li family's market. In just a few days, the Xiao family has suffered significant economic losses, and Uncle Xiao has been dealing with this issue, feeling very distressed."

Hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded in understanding, no wonder the three elders looked so gloomy...

Touching his nose, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly, and he thought to himself, "Just a first-class alchemist, does the Jia Li family think they can defy the heavens?"

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