"Are you sure you're leaving tomorrow?"
"I'm sure."
"Very good. The fledgling has grown up—it's time to soar."Xiao Lin chuckled as he looked at Xiao Yan.
"I'm about to head out, Grandpa. Aren't you going to give me some traveling money?"
Xiao Yan blinked innocently.
"You little rascal, I knew you'd say that. Tell me, what are you even lacking right now? In terms of resources, you as the Emperor's son have access to way more than I, a lowly Dou Saint, ever could."Xiao Lin glared.
"Hehe."Xiao Yan thought about it. Honestly, he didn't really lack anything.
He had all the techniques and skills he needed, and he could freely choose from the clan's treasury of heavenly treasures. If anything, he was short on Heavenly Flames, but since he hadn't cultivated Burning Art yet, absorbing a flame now wouldn't be that beneficial anyway.
So, his first destination was naturally Starfall Pavilion.
Still, that wasn't exactly fun.
After all, freeloading is the true source of human joy.
"This is part of my collection from before I became a Saint. The resources here should last you a while." Looking at Xiao Yan's still-youthful face, Xiao Lin eventually tossed him two storage rings.
"The red one is an apology gift for the Nalan family. The black one is for you."
Upon hearing that, Xiao Yan immediately sent his soul power into the rings.
The black ring contained over a dozen Earth-level techniques and battle skills, most of them mid-to-high tier. There were also a few eighth-grade pills and many heavenly materials and treasures.
The red ring had fewer items but still included three Earth-level battle skills and techniques, along with a heap of fifth and sixth-grade pills. Value-wise, it was probably equivalent to a full fortune of a Dou Sect powerhouse.
That was plenty. Xiao Yan grinned ear to ear. Even though he already had plenty of treasures, who would ever complain about having too many?
"Look at your face. Go visit your parents now. You're leaving tomorrow—spend some time with them."Xiao Lin laughed and gave Xiao Yan a light kick.
"Will do!"Xiao Yan happily took the rings and left Xiao Lin's room, heading to his parents' quarters.
"Dad, Mom!"Xiao Yan strode into the room and saw his mother, Yao Xian, sobbing in Xiao Zhan's arms.
"Yan'er, you're leaving tomorrow. Here are some things I've prepared for your journey."Yao Xian, eyes red, handed him a storage ring.
Xiao Yan probed it with his soul power—and wow, it actually contained more than what Grandpa Xiao Lin gave. Especially the pills and herbs; enough for a small sect to thrive on.
Besides being the daughter of a clan elder from the Medicine Clan, Yao Xian herself was a quasi-eighth-rank alchemist, so of course she was generous with the pills.
As the saying goes: A loving mother's sword in hand—wait no, thread in hand—clothes on her wandering son.
A mother's love is great. So what about a father's?
Xiao Yan turned toward Xiao Zhan.
"What are you looking at? Your old man's got nothing valuable left. Everything I earn goes into this household."Xiao Zhan waved him off like a pauper.
"Tch."Xiao Yan curled his lip.
The family chatted late into the night. The next morning, Xiao Yan went to visit the various elders.
"Great Elder, I'm leaving today."
"Good! Go out and make your mark."
"I'm leaving."
"I know. I'll see you off."
"I'm leaving."
"??"
"So… you don't have anything for me?"Xiao Yan held out his hand.
Great Elder:"..."
"Third Elder, I came to say goodbye."
"Good child. Here, a little gift from me."Third Elder tossed him a storage ring.
"This is all your 'little gift' is worth?"
Third Elder:"..."
"Fifth Elder, I'm heading out. Just came to say farewell."
"Go on then. Get some solid training in."
"You're not giving me anything?"
"What, you want money? Got none. Want my life? Take it!"
"How dare you! I, the Emperor's son, will lock you in the Demon Suppression Tower!"
The Xiao Realm stretched vast and boundless—larger than any empire on the continent. The border was protected by arrays, and anyone below the Dou Saint level could only enter or exit through the Realm Gate.
The gate stood in the Northeast Mountains, a hundred zhang tall, like a mysterious black hole. Members of the Xiao Clan could be seen coming and going.
Below the gate, two peak Dou Reverends led a garrison, a testament to the gate's strategic importance.
Today, the place was particularly lively. For Xiao Yan's departure, nearly everyone of status from Xiao Lin's branch had shown up: one Dou Saint, nearly ten Dou Reverends, over a hundred Dou Sects, and numerous younger clansmen—a grand display.
Seeing this, many passing clan members wondered, Which young master is heading out?
"Will we meet again, Brother Yan?"
"Be happy when we do..."
Xiao Ning, eyes brimming with tears, looked at Xiao Yan.
"Get lost. You're creeping me out like that."Xiao Yan shoved him aside.
"Be happy! Be joyful, Brother Yan!"
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"Keep it up and I'll punch you."
Xiao Yan stood there, surrounded by loyal followers all reluctant to part.
"Don't worry, guys."Xiao Yan raised his hands to quiet them, the ten storage rings on his fingers glittering brilliantly in the sunlight.
From a distance, the elders squinted—those rings were blinding.
"Once I've settled in the Northwest Continent, I'll bring you all over. Together, we'll make a name for ourselves there!"
Xiao Yan was giving his underlings a pep talk.
"Young Master, it's time to go."Xiao Wen gently reminded him.
"Got it."Xiao Yan nodded, turning to bid farewell to friends and family.
"Everyone, take care! Until we meet again!" With that, he flew into the Realm Gate with Xiao Wen and Xiao Wu.
"Brother Yan! How can I live without you?!"
A chorus of underlings wailed in heartbroken despair.
"This is it—the fledgling takes flight. One day, he will rule the skies." Watching Xiao Yan vanish into the distance, Xiao Lin smiled faintly.
Night fell. In the rear mountains, illuminated faintly by his black flame, Void Devouring Flame still stood guard like a soulless statue. In the shadows, several figures emerged.
"He's finally gone."
"Jie jie jie... He's finally gone. Time to begin our plan."
The black moonlight cast an eerie glow on the Great Elder's wrinkled face, revealing a smile twisted like a chrysanthemum.
"These years, we old coots have been tormented enough by that brat."
"That little devil, Xiao Yan, always had sneaky ideas. Most of the younger generation turned rotten because of him."
"Now that he's gone, these brats are leaderless—no one to stand up for them. Perfect time to deal with them."Third Elder's voice dripped with menace.
"The worst threats come from within. Under Xiao Yan's lead, they even stole from us old men—my sacred lotus for alchemy is gone!"
"My heavenly dragon fish—Xiao Li electrocuted half of them!"
"Even my adorable fifth-rank demonic goat, 'Baa Baa', got roasted by that bunch!"
"..."
Everyone grumbled and raged about the havoc caused by the younger generation.
"But now it's all good. With Xiao Yan gone, we can finally teach them a lesson or two."
Someone muttered, and under the dark moonlight, the elders' grins grew increasingly sinister.
"Jie jie jie..."
"Jie jie jie jie..."
"Jie jie jie jie jie jie jie!"
(End of Chapter)