Chapter 17: What Will I Do Without You?
"Are you sure you're leaving tomorrow?"
"I'm sure."
"Good. The fledgling has grown its wings; it's time for you 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, feigning innocence.
"You rascal! I knew you'd ask for that. Tell me, what are you even lacking? As an Emperor's Son, the resources at your disposal far exceed anything a mere Dou Sheng like me can offer." Xiao Lin glared at him playfully.
"Hehe..." Xiao Yan thought for a moment and realized his grandfather was right. He lacked nothing. His cultivation techniques, martial skills, and rare treasures were abundant. What he truly needed were Heavenly Flames, but without mastering the Flame Mantra, even swallowing one wouldn't yield much benefit.
His first destination was naturally Starfall Pavilion, yet he still found joy in the thought of freeloading. After all, nothing beats the happiness of getting things for free.
"Here, these are part of my collection from before I reached Dou Sheng. They should last you a while." Despite his stern tone, Xiao Lin couldn't help but hand over two storage rings.
"The red one is for the Nalan Clan as an apology gift. The black one is for you."
Xiao Yan eagerly inspected the rings. The black ring contained a treasure trove: over a dozen mid to high level Earth tier techniques, several eighth grade pills, and various rare materials.
The red ring, although less impressive, still contained three Earth tier techniques, a collection of fifth and sixth grade pills, and enough resources to rival a Dou Zong's fortune.
"Perfect, perfect!" Xiao Yan grinned ear to ear. Although he already possessed a wealth of treasures, who would complain about having more?
"Look at you, so greedy! Go spend some time with your parents. You're leaving tomorrow, after all." Xiao Lin chuckled, giving Xiao Yan a playful kick.
"Got it!" Xiao Yan left his grandfather's room with a spring in his step, the storage rings in hand. He headed straight for his parents' quarters.
"Father, Mother!" Xiao Yan called out as he entered, only to find his mother, Yao Xian, weeping softly in his father's arms.
"Yan'er, you're leaving tomorrow. These are some supplies I've prepared for your journey." Yao Xian's eyes were red as she handed him a storage ring.
Xiao Yan peered inside with his soul force and was stunned. The contents exceeded even his grandfather's gift. The ring was packed with pills, herbs, and rare materials enough to supply a small sect.
As the daughter of a Medicine Clan elder and a quasi eighth grade alchemist herself, Yao Xian had gone all out for her son.
"Mother's love truly is boundless," Xiao Yan thought, touched.
But what about fatherly love? Xiao Yan turned his gaze to Xiao Zhan, his father.
"Why are you looking at me? I'm broke. Every penny I have goes to supporting this household," Xiao Zhan said, waving his hand dismissively.
"Cheh." Xiao Yan clicked his tongue, unimpressed.
The family chatted late into the night, reminiscing about old times.
The Next Morning
Xiao Yan made his rounds to bid farewell to the clan elders.
"First Elder, I'm leaving today."
"Good, go out and make us proud."
"Second Elder, I'm heading out."
"Understood, I'll see you off."
"Third Elder, I'm leaving."
"..."
"Don't you have anything to show for it?" Xiao Yan extended his hand expectantly.
The Third Elder: "..."
"Fifth Elder, I came to say goodbye."
"Goodbye, and take care."
"Aren't you giving me anything?"
"Nothing but my best wishes! Take them or leave them!"
"Daring, are we? I'll have you locked in the Suppression Tower!"
The Departure
The Xiao Realm was vast, its territory surpassing even the largest empires on the Dou Qi continent. Its borders were protected by powerful formations, and only those below the Dou Sheng level could use the Boundary Gate to exit.
The Boundary Gate, a towering structure over a hundred meters tall, resembled a mysterious black hole. Guarding it were two Dou Zun peak level experts leading an elite garrison.
Today, the gate was bustling. Nearly all of Xiao Lin's branch had gathered to see Xiao Yan off. The group included one Dou Sheng, nearly ten Dou Zun, over a hundred Dou Zong, and numerous younger clansmen a spectacular entourage.
Passersby were left wondering which esteemed young master warranted such a grand sendoff.
"We'll meet again, won't we, Brother Yan?"
"You must find happiness in the future!" Xiao Ning tearfully clung to Xiao Yan, his face drenched in sorrow.
"Get lost! You're creeping me out!" Xiao Yan pushed him away.
"You must be happy, Brother Yan!"
"If you keep this up, I'll punch you!"
Standing before the crowd, Xiao Yan addressed his followers.
"Don't worry." He raised his hands for silence, the ten storage rings on his fingers glinting in the sunlight.
Not far away, several elders squinted at the dazzling sight, muttering about how obnoxious the display was.
"Once I've established myself in the Northwest Continent, I'll summon all of you to join me. Together, we'll carve out a glorious future!"
His words stirred a wave of excitement among his supporters.
"Young Master, it's time," Xiao Wen reminded him.
"I know." Xiao Yan nodded, bidding farewell to his family and friends.
"Farewell, everyone. Until we meet again!" With that, he and his guards stepped into the Boundary Gate and disappeared.
"Brother Yan! Without you, how will we live?!" A chorus of wails erupted from his tearful followers.
Xiao Lin watched his grandson's departure with a proud smile.
"Off he goes, the fledgling takes flight. One day, he will dominate the skies."
Nightfall
In the distant Void Swallow Flame's Watchtower, the ever depressed Void Swallow Flame continued his dull duty. His black flames faintly illuminated the mountains as several shadowy figures gathered.
"He's finally gone."
"Yes, he's gone. Now we can begin our plan."
Under the eerie black moonlight, several elders of the Xiao Clan exchanged sinister smiles.
"That rascal gave us so much trouble over the years."
"Under Xiao Yan's lead, those youngsters became outright terrors! They even stole my Heavenly Lotus to cook soup!"
"My prized Dragonfish was zapped to death!"
"And my adorable fifth tier Mystic Sheep roasted!"
The elders took turns venting their frustrations.
"But now, he's gone. It's time to deal with those unruly brats!"
As laughter echoed across the dark mountain, the elders' faces twisted into grotesque grins under the black moonlight.
"Kehehe."
"Kekekeke."
"Kehehehehe!"
(Chapter End)
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