With her toes lightly tapping on the mountain rock, Xiao Xun'er was like a purple butterfly. Her graceful figure traced a mesmerizing curve as she lightly ascended the mountain peak. Raising her head, her gaze swept toward the youth standing by the edge of the cliff.
Looking at the youth, Xun'er was slightly dazed. Although they hadn't met for only half a day, she could tell that the current Xiao Yan seemed to have gained something more compared to before...
When their eyes met, Xun'er finally realized what the youth had gained. It was... confidence!
After three years, the youth's most brilliant aura had finally returned.
Gazing somewhat infatuatedly at the youth's faint, fleeting smile, two adorable dimples appeared on Xiao Xun'er's cheeks. She smiled softly and said, "Looking at Brother Xiao Yan's current appearance, it seems you don't need Xun'er's comfort after all?"
"Doesn't a person grow up after experiencing setbacks?" Xiao Yan shrugged and said with a smile.
"She will definitely regret it."
Xun'er pursed her lips and smiled softly, her tone so certain it sounded like a final judgment.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly, casually dusting off his clothes as he walked toward the girl.
Coming to her side, he smiled as he looked at Xiao Xun'er, who was now almost as tall as him. As his gaze shifted to her delicate and beautiful face, a sudden wave of daze washed over Xiao Yan's heart. The child who used to run after him with a runny nose and no pants, begging to play, had now grown into such a breathtaking beauty...
Smiling gently, the youth's eyes softened. He unceremoniously pinched the startled girl's cheek and laughed, "Xun'er has really grown up. But don't forget how Brother Xiao Yan used to end up black and blue all over just to pick wild fruits for you."
Startled by Xiao Yan's intimate gesture, she stared for a moment with her bright, clear eyes into his pitch-black eyes, which held not a single trace of impurity. A gentle smile bloomed in Xun'er's heart.
When they were young, he loved to pinch her chubby face. But ever since that incident three years ago, a wall seemed to have built up in his heart, shutting everyone out. No matter how hard she tried, she would always be turned away by his lukewarm attitude, leaving in disappointment...
"He really is back... But he still treats me like the little tagalong from our childhood. What a blockhead..." Pouting slightly, Xun'er immediately scolded herself for being too greedy.
"Xun'er, don't blame Brother Xiao Yan for these past three years. During that time, I lived in a daze. But fortunately, you were by my side," Xiao Yan said apologetically, scratching his head in embarrassment.
Xun'er smiled sweetly. The grievances she had suffered over the past three years instantly vanished like smoke at the youth's awkward explanation.
"Cough, right, Xun'er... how much money do you have on hand?" Letting go of her soft cheek, Xiao Yan suddenly asked with a dry laugh.
In the clan, apart from his father, only Xun'er had a good relationship with him. Having caused his father to lose so much face today, he didn't have the nerve to ask him for money. Thus, he could only turn his thoughts to Xun'er.
"Money?" Blinking her clear eyes, Xun'er asked in surprise, "Does Brother Xiao Yan need money?"
"Cough... I want to buy some things, but I'm a bit short." Xiao Yan's face flushed. This was the first time he had ever borrowed money from a girl.
Seeing her usually aloof Brother Xiao Yan look so embarrassed for the first time, Xiao Xun'er found it quite an eye-opening experience. She covered her mouth and giggled, "I have over a thousand gold coins left. Is that enough? If not..."
As she spoke, Xun Er's fingers behind her back twitched slightly, and a purple-gold card abruptly appeared between them. On the card were five ripples of different colors.
A five-striped purple-gold card. On the Dou Qi Continent, one had to possess at least the strength of a Dou Ling to be qualified to use this kind of status-representing card. Of course, certain transcendent factions also possessed this privilege.
"Enough, that's plenty..." Nodding happily, Xiao Yan felt a sudden urge to pinch Xun Er's beautiful cheek, but he forcefully restrained himself.
"Don't worry, I'll pay you back later," patting his chest, Xiao Yan promised.
"Who wants you to pay me back..." Pouting slightly, Xun Er quickly put away the purple-gold card behind her back.
"Let's go, it's getting dark. Tomorrow I'll take you for a stroll around Wutan City." Xiao Yan waved to the young girl and excitedly led the way down the mountain.
Standing where she was, Xun Er smiled as she watched the youth, who had finally regained his carefree demeanor from three years ago. She chuckled softly and murmured under her breath, "Nalan Yanran, in the end, should I hate you, or should I thank you?"
...
In the early morning, the sunlight streamed through the window and fell upon the youth sitting cross-legged in cultivation, feeling exceptionally warm...
"Hoo..."
After sitting in quiet meditation for a long time, Xiao Yan took a deep breath. A faint stream of air, visible to the naked eye, entered his body through his nose and mouth, nourishing his bones.
His eyes snapped open, a flash of white light shooting out from them. Xiao Yan stretched his limbs, a look of intoxication on his face: "This is the feeling. Three years... the feeling of growing stronger has finally returned."
Slowly getting out of bed, he stretched his body a bit before changing his clothes. From outside the door, Xun Er's pleasant voice softly drifted in: "Brother Xiao Yan, aren't you awake yet?"
"This girl, she's here so early." Helplessly shaking his head, Xiao Yan turned around, rummaged through a cabinet for a moment, and finally pulled out a small box. As he carefully opened it, a flash of golden light burst out, causing his eyes to narrow slightly...
"This is my entire fortune." Clutching the money box, Xiao Yan shook his head with a bitter smile.
Pushing open the door and stepping out, Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile gently at the sight of the youthful girl standing there.
Today, Xun Er had changed into a light green outfit. The simple, elegant color added a touch of purity to her, while a pair of tight-fitting trousers wrapped around her slender, shapely legs, accentuating their curves.
Long legs, a shapely rear, and a developing chest—the current Xun Er was undoubtedly very similar to the young girls of Earth, brimming with vitality and an alluring youthful aura. Of course, one had to mention her unique, elegant temperament, which Xiao Yan had never seen in any other girl...
"Here, this is what you need." Seeing Xiao Yan come out, Xun Er smiled and handed over a black card. This was an ordinary gold deposit card, with a maximum limit not exceeding five thousand gold coins.
Casually taking the black card, Xiao Yan teased, "Why is this little lass dressed up so beautifully today? Are you going on a date with someone?"
"That's right, that's right! This is the first time in three years that Brother Xiao Yan has invited me out. Xun Er is truly flattered, so of course I have to dress up a bit." Xiao Yan's intimate teasing caused Xun Er's eyes to curve into crescent moons as she giggled.
Helplessly shaking his head, Xiao Yan found himself in an excellent mood and laughed along. The two of them chatted as they walked. Along the way, they ran into a few clan members who, upon seeing them talking and laughing so intimately, couldn't help but wear peculiar expressions.
Whether in terms of beauty or talent, Xun Er was currently the brightest pearl among the younger generation of the clan. She was usually gentle and polite, but behind that faint smile lay an underlying coldness. Greeting her was easy, but holding a conversation was extremely difficult.
Ignoring the expressions of the clansmen, Xiao Yan led Xun Er straight out of the clan compound, then slowed his pace, leisurely strolling down the street...
Wutan City was indeed worthy of being one of the major cities of the Jia Ma Empire. It was extremely bustling; despite the blazing sun, the streets were packed with a surging crowd, and one could even occasionally spot members of some exotic races.
Perhaps because she had Xiao Yan's company, Xun Er became much more lively after leaving the clan compound. She dragged a helpless Xiao Yan back and forth, her soft, charming laughter bringing a touch of cool relief to the sweltering streets.
Once Xun Er had her fill of fun, Xiao Yan took her to a nearby medicinal herb shop. He spent nine hundred gold coins to purchase three stalks of twenty-year-old Purple Leaf Orchid Grass and two stalks of Bone Washing Flowers. These were all low-grade materials that could be easily bought with a bit of money. Of course, if one wanted high-grade materials, they would have to search for them personally or visit places like trading markets and auction houses.
Looking at his remaining funds, Xiao Yan shook his head with a bitter smile. Now, he finally understood just how important money was on the Dou Qi Continent...
With the medicinal herbs in hand, the only thing left missing was a rank-one wood-attribute monster core!