Looking at Xiao Yan standing under the water curtain, yet his clothes were not wet at all, Yu Feng's face slowly regained its composure. He looked deeply at the smiling young man again and said softly: "The little guy really has some skills, I was a bit blind."

  "Heh heh, I was just lucky. If the mentor had used his full strength, I wouldn't have lasted three rounds." Xiao Yan smiled and shook his head.

  "If you're going to deal with a four-star warrior, you'll need to use your full strength. Do you still want me to let you stay in the academy?" Upon hearing this, Yu Lin glared at Xiao Yan and scolded him.

  "Since you've met the conditions I required, I'll give you that year's vacation... *sigh*..." Mu Ru Yue let out a soft sigh and shook her head, it was clear that although Xiao Yan had met the conditions, she was still somewhat reluctant to approve his one-year vacation.

  "Heh heh, thank you so much, Master Ruolin." Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan let out a heavy sigh of relief in his heart, and his face was filled with joy.

  "Alas, others would be eager to stay in the academy for a longer period of time, but you, this little freak, actually want to take such a long vacation. It's really a headache. After returning to the academy, I'll still have to deal with the trouble caused by your vacation." Director Yu Lin sighed as she looked at Xiao Yan's excited appearance.

  Xiao Yan smiled awkwardly and remained silent, he didn't want to say more about that kind of thing.

  "Alright, today's recruitment will end here. For the remaining seven days, we will continue to recruit in the city." Looking at Xiao Yan without explanation, Yu Lin could only helplessly shake her head, put away her long whip and said softly.

  Xiao Yan nodded slightly, and by now, the big stone in his heart had finally been completely put down. Now that the matters in Wutian City were almost all settled, he would be able to set out with Yao Lao to cultivate and gain experience without worries after making preparations for two or three more days.

  "Master, during this time in Wutan City, why don't you come and stay at our Xiao family's residence?" Xiaoyu hastily ran forward, grabbing onto Master Ruolin's arm, and said with a smile.

  "Go to Xiao's home?"

  Weiwei was taken aback, and Tutor Yilin's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as she hesitated, "Kanana Academy has a special reception area in Wutan City, and going to the Xiao family, won't it be a bit of a disturbance?"

  "Hehe, no worries, being able to invite a mentor from Canaan Academy is our Xiao family's good fortune. I think that if Yu Lin mentor knows she's willing to visit the Xiao residence, everyone in the Xiao household will be very delighted." Xiao Yan smiled as he slowly walked forward.

  As a famous academy in the Dou Qi continent, the Ganan Academy has an enormous influence in the Gamara Empire. In terms of strength, even the Miter Auction House is far inferior to it.

  As a transcendent and powerful force, the Canaan Academy views these local powers in Udan City with a condescending attitude. Under this trend, the recruitment team over the years has rarely interacted with the forces in Udan City, let alone accepted invitations from any of them to directly join the local families.

  Moreover, in this case, the various forces within the city are also very self-aware. They know the gap between the two and the weak ones, don't they still want to expect courtesy from the strong?

  With this idea, the various forces in Wutan City did not rush to curry favor with the recruitment team of Canaan College, but instead maintained a respectful and distant attitude, neither daring to provoke nor daring to thicken their skin to stick to the relationship, lest they be ridiculed.

  Having lived in Wutan City for over a decade, Xiao Yan was naturally very clear about what kind of extraordinary power the recruitment team of Jia Nan College belonged to. If he could get Director Ruo Lin to move into the Xiao residence, then the influence of the Xiao family in Wutan City would rise steadily once again, and might even surpass that of the Maiter Auction House.

  As Yilin's mentor, not to mention staying at Xiao's house, even if she shows a little kindness to any small force, I'm afraid that the next day, that unknown small force will experience the taste of being crowded.

  Although it's a bit exaggerated to say so, after all, Director Yu Lin has the power to decide whether or not one can enter Canaan Academy in her hands. For those who are eager to send their children here, as long as there is any chance at all, they will not give up easily.

  So, as long as Yu Lin mentor accepts Xiao Yan's invitation and moves into the Xiao family, many forces in Wu Tan City will give the Xiao family a few more points of favor. The huge profits from the Xiao family's healing medicine were too great during this period, and now if they can make Yu Lin mentor show good feelings towards the Xiao family, then some of the drawbacks of the Xiao family's over-development during this period will be perfectly resolved.

  It's just a temporary stay for a few days, yet it can bring so many benefits to the Xiao family, no wonder Xiao Yan also wholeheartedly recommends it.

  As soon as Xiao Yan spoke, Yu Lin's mentor slightly pursed her red and moist small mouth. With her experience, she naturally knew her identity and what kind of influence she had in Wutian City. According to common sense, the recruitment mentors of previous years generally would not pay attention to these forces in the city.

  However, now that Xiao Yan has spoken personally, it's making it difficult for Director You to refuse. For this student who is considered the most talented in the past hundred years of the Gulan Academy, she wouldn't dare ignore his words casually. Otherwise, if this little guy gets angry and runs away, she would have a hard time finding another outstanding student like him again.

  Knitting her eyebrows in thought for a moment, Yu Lin nodded slightly and smiled: "Alright, then let's disturb the Xiao family for a while."

  Seeing Yolanda nodding in agreement, Xiao Yu suddenly raised a smiling face and hugged the soft willow waist of the former.

  "Luobo, you and Gela can go back to the reception area first. Tomorrow, come here again. Remember, don't cause any trouble for me!" The doting instructor patted Xiao Yu's head and instructed Luobo and his group in the tent.

  "Uh-huh."

  His dry face nodded, gazing at the group of women who were laughing and playing as they gradually went further away. Luo Bu shook his head helplessly, Xiao Yu hadn't invited them, so naturally they didn't have the nerve to follow along. And so, the group of men who had been left without beautiful women by their side could only dejectedly gather their things and weakly walk towards the other side of the square.

  ……

  When the news of Canaan College's admissions director arriving at the Xiao family arrived, Xiao Zhan and three elders who were discussing matters in the council hall suddenly became stunned. After a moment, they all stood up with surprise on their faces, looked at each other, and then rushed out of the hall to hurry to the entrance of the clan. With a smile on his face, he led a group of beautiful women into the clan.

  Under Xiao Yan's introduction, the two parties finally got a preliminary understanding. After learning about the purpose of Master Ruolin and others coming to this place, Xiao Zhan readily agreed without hesitation and immediately sent someone to prepare an empty room in the backyard. This decisive and efficient move also won over many good impressions from Master Ruolin and others.

  Suddenly, a group of beautiful students from Canaan Academy appeared in the family, and the atmosphere inside the clan became much more lively. Many young clansmen rushed over, their eyes constantly scanning the crowd of beautiful girls, and they cast envious glances at Xiao Yan, who was surrounded by the girls and bombarded with questions.

  As night fell, the Xiao family naturally brought out their highest hospitality. After dinner, seeing that both sides were still engaged in heated conversation, Xiao Yan, who had been exhausted all day, found an excuse to quietly slip back to his own room and collapsed onto the soft bed with a thud. Today's battle with You Lin had left him physically and mentally exhausted...

  ……

  The morning sunlight pours in through the window, illuminating the room brightly. On the bed, a young man sits up with sleepy eyes, dazed for a moment before yawning repeatedly and getting out of bed. He simply washes his face and gets ready.

  "Medicine Old Man, when are we leaving?" asked Xiao Yan, wiping the water stains off his face.

  "Let's go out and prepare some things later, water, dry food, tents, insect repellent, low-level medicinal materials, as well as some wound-healing and restorative elixirs. These are all essential items for cultivation, you must be fully prepared, after all, we may spend a considerable amount of time living in the deep mountains." The illusory Medicine Old suddenly appeared on the chair beside the table, saying lightly.

  "Heh heh, I'm really looking forward to it." Xiao Yan quickly put on his clothes and smiled.

  Looking at Xiao Yan's eager appearance, Yao Lao raised an eyebrow and said in a low voice: "From birth to now, you have never experienced life-and-death battles. Human potential can only erupt like a volcano when one's life is threatened. With your previous lukewarm cultivation, it's likely that you will never become a true strongman!"

  "Cultivate your innate talent, you are not lacking, what you lack is the tempering of iron and blood!" The old man carelessly played with the teacup in his hand, glanced at Xiao Yan whose dressing speed had slowed down, and said lightly: "Only after successfully undergoing the trial by blood will you truly undergo transformation."

  Xiao Yan's fist slowly clenched as he smiled and lifted his face towards Yao Lao: "I believe I can pass."

  "As long as you have confidence." Yao Lao smiled lightly and nodded his head, he was also very satisfied with Xiao Yan's self-confidence.

  "Hey, but teacher... when are you going to teach me that Earth Rank fighting technique you mentioned last time?" Xiao Yan asked with a smile, his face filled with eager anticipation.

  He cast a sidelong glance at Xiao Yan, who was smiling slyly, and the old face of Yao Lao rose with a hint of teasing: "Don't worry, since I said I'd teach you, I won't go back on my word. Once we leave Wu Tan City, heh heh... just wait for me to slowly teach you!"

  Looking at Yao Lao's appearance, Xiao Yan's heart suddenly flashed a bad feeling. He dryly laughed twice, stopped talking nonsense, put all the things into his bosom, then opened the door and walked out.

  At this time, Yu Lin and others had rushed to the square again yesterday, conducting today's recruitment, so the family became empty again.

  He casually turned a few small corners and swaggered out of the family gate, looking at the scene outside, but suddenly froze.

  Only outside the grand gate, on the spacious passageway, there were already crowded vehicles. On those beautifully decorated carriages, many emblems were printed. From these emblems, Xiao Yan could recognize that most of them belonged to some powerful forces in Wutian City.

  "Hmm, these guys' news is really fast..." He shook his head in amazement, and Xiao Yan once again realized the kind of powerful influence that the recruitment instructors of Jia Nan Academy had on Wu Tan City.

  With a casual glance, Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze and ignored these people, striding away.

  Walking on the bustling streets due to the recruitment of Canaan Academy, Xiao Yan slowly made his way towards the auction house in the city center. Just as he was about to arrive at his destination, he once again put on a black cloak with a hood, and only then did he walk into the auction house, which was even more crowded than usual.

  ……

  Auction hall, waiting room.

  Ya Fei elegantly sat on the chair, her right foot resting on her left leg, a strip of enticing white skin exposed under her long cheongsam.

  At this time, Ya Fei was holding a long roll of paper in her jade hand. After a while, she finally finished reading the materials on it. A look of surprise appeared on her charming face, and she raised her head to look at the black-robed man beside her, saying in astonishment: "Xiao Yan brother, how did you manage to get so many supplies needed for traveling? Are you planning to go on a long journey?"

  "Hmm, I'll be leaving Wutang City in a few days, maybe... it'll take one or two years to come back." He lightly sipped his tea and chuckled.

  "One or two years?"

  Upon hearing this, Ya Fei was stunned once again and exclaimed: "How can it take so long? What are you planning to do?"

  "Heh heh, I'm an adult now too, so I want to go out and gain some experience. Being stuck in this small Ulan City isn't what I wanted..." Xiao Yan said with a faint smile.

  "Alas, with your innate talent for cultivation, staying in Wutan City all this time would indeed make it difficult to become a true powerhouse." Yafei nodded slightly and said softly.

  "That mysterious alchemist will also go with you, right?" Yafei asked after a moment of silence.

  "Uh, he is my teacher."

  "No wonder..." Xiang Ran nodded, and Ya Fei looked at Xiao Yan deeply, hesitated and said: "Then you... should also be considered a alchemist, right?"

  "The healing medicine of the Xiao family is actually made by myself." Xiang Ye said with a smile, without any concealment this time.

  "Heh heh, Uncle Gu Ni could see some clues from the refinement level of that Blood Congealing Pill, but he didn't know about your relationship with that alchemist, so he didn't guess what was on your mind." In response to Xiao Yan's words, Ya Fei simply nodded calmly and didn't show much surprise, apparently she had already guessed something beforehand.

  "Trouble you to prepare the goods, and deduct the required money from the card. Don't refuse, I don't want to owe anyone a favor before leaving." Xiao Yan took out a pale golden card from his pocket and handed it to Ya Fei, which had more than 400,000 gold coins in it, all of which were profits shared with the Xiao family for selling healing medicine.

  "Alright."

  With a somewhat helpless nod, Yafei took the card and beckoned to a maid, handing her the card and paper, instructing her to hurry off and take care of it.

  "After I leave, I hope Mittel Auction House will take good care of the Xiao family. If there's anything that needs help in the future, Xiao Yan won't hesitate." Raising his head, looking at this enchanting woman in front of him, Xiao Yan smiled and said.

  "Hehe, since you've called me Sister Ya Fei, how can I possibly refuse? Moreover, a talented alchemist like yourself is worth accompanying even if it means sacrificing myself. I must try my best to win your favor." Xiao Yan's sincere greeting made Ya Fei's narrow and beautiful eyes curve into an enchanting smile, her jade-like hands supporting her fragrant cheeks, her gaze fixed on the young man's clear face that peeked out from under his black robes, her long eyelashes fluttering with a subtle wink, a hint of seductive charm floating across her mature and lovely face.

  Her seductive, husky voice made Xiao Yan's heart skip a beat, and he immediately shook his head with a bitter smile. This woman was simply a born temptress, designed to entice men. If they were in a secluded place and the man had slightly weaker self-control, she would probably have already been pressed to the ground and...

  "Hehe, I'm not teasing you anymore."

  The faintly hurried breathing under the black robe brought a hint of a smile to De's rosy lips, she very much enjoyed making this cold and somewhat overly calm young man show his youthful awkwardness and shyness in front of her.

  "Xiao Yan's younger brother, I'm looking forward to it. When you return to Wu Tan City again, what level will you have reached!" The charming smile on Yu Rong's face suddenly disappeared, and Ya Fei said softly.

  "I'm looking forward to it too."

  With a faint smile, Xiao Yan raised his head to look at the maid who was hurrying over from outside the curtains. He slowly sat up and waved his hand, smiling: "I'm leaving, this is probably the last time I'll come here before saying goodbye."

  Yingying stood up, and Ya Fei elegantly stood in front of Xiao Yan, looking at the young man who had been with her for a year or two. Although their relationship was mostly based on cooperation, Ya Fei's heart always had a special fondness for this calm and composed young man who was a few years younger than herself. This wasn't romantic love between men and women, but rather more like a sisterly affection.

  She stretched out her jade hand and gently patted Xiao Yan's shoulder. Her bright eyes had a hint of sadness: "Take care!"

  He raised his eyes, and Xiao Yan gazed steadily at this great beauty who was almost unknown in Wutian City. He suddenly chuckled, took a step forward, and suddenly stretched out his arm to gently wrap around her waist that was full of temptation.

  His arm wrapped around the perfect waist that had been coveted by countless men in Wutang City, Xiao Yan could feel that when he hugged Ya Fei, her body stiffened for a moment before softening again.

  She stood there blankly, Ya Fei's pretty face slightly red from Xiao Yan's special "goodbye" action, fortunately Xiao Yan didn't make any further moves or else she would have really thought that this little guy had suddenly become infatuated.

  "Yafei sister, take care! I know your identity is not just a chief auctioneer, but I still want to say something very seriously." His chin rested on Yafei's fragrant shoulder, Xiao Yan deeply sniffed that faint body scent, and his mouth curled up in a playful smile: "From now on, never let any other man hold you like this, because except for me, all the other men who hold you will definitely be thinking about how to push you onto the bed!"

  Upon hearing this, Ya Fei was taken aback for a moment, then her face flushed with a charming red glow as she scolded: "You little rascal, how dare you tease me! I think it's probably you who thinks that way!"

  "Haha." After laughing twice, Xiao Yan no longer lingered over the softness in his hand and withdrew his palm without any reluctance. He waved his hand at Ya Fei and turned around to head outside.

  "Goodbye, Ya Fei! See you again in a year!"

  Xiao Yan walked to the door, where a maid stood frozen in shock from his earlier intimate actions with Ya Fei. He smiled and took a pale gold card and two small silver rings from a silver plate, thanked her softly, then turned and left without looking back, heading outside the auction hall.

  Looking at the figure that was gradually disappearing around the corner, Yafei's pretty face finally faded away from the flush, her jade hand stroked the place where Xiao Yan's palm had grasped before, and there seemed to be a faint warmth remaining there, a strange feeling that made Yafei's toes feel numb.

  "It's really a reckless little guy, but I'm really looking forward to your return. Such a good partner, I don't want to lose you, and...I'm also very curious, when you come back, what kind of state will you be in?"