After settling everything, Xiao Yan finally shuffled out of the cave and crept back up the mountain path with exaggerated stealth.
When he reached the Xiao household, he was greeted by a sight that made him stop in his tracks. Xiao Xun'er stood at the entrance to his courtyard, her delicate face tight with barely contained emotion. Her wide, luminous eyes were fixed on him with an intensity that made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
"You're back," she said, her voice deceptively calm. Then, without preamble: "Your Dou Qi has broken through to the Dou Warrior stage."
Xiao Yan blinked, caught off guard. "How did you—"
"I can sense it." Her gaze dropped to his hand, where a faint, barely perceptible yellow glow still lingered beneath the skin. "But... this cultivation method." Her brows drew together. "It's Earth-tier Low-grade. I can feel it."
The accusation in her voice was unmistakable. Xiao Yan scratched the back of his head and offered a sheepish grin. "Xun'er, I can explain—"
"Explain what?" Her voice rose, and to his astonishment, he saw that her eyes were glistening. "You know perfectly well how important it is to have a high-tier method in the early stages of cultivation. The benefits it brings to future development are incalculable. And yet you refused what I offered!" She pressed her lips together, her small frame trembling with indignation. "It's not charity, you know. You could have simply returned it later once you found a better method. But instead you chose to practice the lowest-grade technique available. Are you doing this just to anger me?"
It was remarkable. Xiao Xun'er, whose temperament was universally regarded as gentle and mild-mannered, was speaking to him with undisguised frustration. That alone told him how deeply his decision had affected her.
Her long lashes were damp, and the hurt in her eyes made her look heartbreakingly vulnerable. Xiao Yan felt a pang of guilt, but he steadied himself and spoke in a low, earnest voice. "We've lived together for over ten years, Xun'er. Don't you know me by now? Do you really think I'm the kind of fool who would pass up a superior method to practice the worst one available?"
"But your method — it's Earth-tier Low-grade. I'm certain of it," she insisted, though the fury in her expression had softened slightly.
"Not everything is what it seems on the surface. I can't explain the details right now, but in time, you'll understand. I promise you — I am not acting on impulse." Xiao Yan met her gaze steadily.
"Truly?" She studied his face, searching for any trace of deceit.
"Truly. Absolutely, completely truly." He nodded vigorously, desperate to steer the conversation elsewhere before she could press further. "Has something been going on with the family lately? The elders all look terrible."
Xun'er's expression shifted, concern replacing frustration. She nodded and furrowed her delicate brows. "The Jie Lie family has somehow recruited a first-tier alchemist. Their market stalls are now selling a healing medicine called 'Rejuvenation Powder.' It's cheap and produced in large quantities, and the mercenaries around Utan City have taken to it enthusiastically." She paused, her voice dropping. "Because of the Rejuvenation Powder, foot traffic at the Xiao family's market stalls has dropped by nearly half. Merchants who remained are now fleeing to the Jie Lie family's stalls. In just a few days, the Xiao family has suffered a significant economic blow. Uncle Xiao is beside himself trying to handle it."
Xiao Yan's expression turned thoughtful, a cold light flickering in his eyes. "A first-tier alchemist, and the Jie Lie family thinks they can turn the tide?"
Xun'er glanced at him uncertainly. "What do you mean?"
Xiao Yan said nothing, but a sharp, knowing smile played at the corner of his lips.
Later that evening, after Xun'er had retired, Xiao Yan sat alone in his room. He pulled out a small jade bottle and held it up to the lamplight, watching the viscous green liquid inside catch the glow. The Rejuvenation Powder — that was the Jie Lie family's weapon. Cheap, effective enough for the common mercenary, and flooding the market with a steady supply.
But a first-tier alchemist's output had clear limitations. If the Xiao family could produce something better — even marginally so — the tide could turn.
He set the bottle down and reached for the ring on his finger. A faint pulse of energy answered his touch. Within that ring, Yao Lao waited.
"Master," Xiao Yan said quietly. "About that alchemy you mentioned..."
A dry chuckle sounded in his mind. "Getting restless, are we?"
"Can you teach me? Tonight?"
There was a brief silence, and then Yao Lao's voice came again, carrying an undercurrent of approval. "Very well. Let's begin."
Xiao Yan rose from his chair, a new resolve settling over him. Outside the window, the moon hung low over Utan City, casting silver light across the rooftops. Somewhere in the distance, a dog barked once, then fell silent.
He had wasted enough time. Starting tonight, everything would change.