Gazing at Xiao Yan, standing beneath the water curtain yet completely dry from water stains, the astonishment slowly faded from Professor Ru Lin's face. She stared at the smiling youth once more, and softly said, "The young one truly has some talent—I must admit, I've underestimated him." "Heh, it's just lucky. If the professor had truly given me my full strength, I'd definitely have been defeated within three rounds," Xiao Yan replied, giving a slight nod. "If you need to exert your full strength just against a new student of four-star rank, do you still expect me to stay in the academy?" Professor Ru Lin gave Xiao Yan a withering look, scolding him. "Since you've met my requirements, then here's your year-long leave—ah, well..." With a sigh, she shook her head, clearly still reluctant, despite Xiao Yan having fulfilled the conditions. "Heh, thank you so much, Professor Ru Lin." "Heard that, Xiao Yan breathed a deep sigh of relief, his face glowing with delight. 'Ah, everyone else is eager to stay in the academy for as long as possible, but you—this odd little one—have to take such an extended leave. It truly is a headache. Once I return to the academy, I'll have to keep working on your leave issues for quite some time,' the mentor sighed, watching Xiao Yan's excited expression. Xiao Yan offered a slightly embarrassed smile but remained silent, not wanting to elaborate on the matter. 'Alright,' the mentor said, shaking her head with a touch of resignation, 'today's recruitment session concludes here. For the next seven days, we'll continue recruiting throughout the city.' Seeing that Xiao Yan had no intention of explaining, the mentor simply nodded and gently folded her long whip. Xiao Yan gave a slight nod of his own. Now, the weight of his worries had finally lifted completely. With the affairs in Wutan City mostly settled, he only needed a few more days of preparation before he could confidently accompany Yao Lao on his journey of cultivation and exploration." "Master, during your stay in Wutan City, why don't you stay with our household at the Xiao family?" Seeing Master Ruolin about to turn and walk away, Xiao Yu hurriedly approached, grasped her arm, and smiled gently. "Stay with the Xiao family?" Master Ruolin slightly paused, her dark brows furrowed with mild hesitation, "The Cangnan Academy has a designated reception center in Wutan City. Moreover, visiting the Xiao family might be somewhat disruptive." "Ah, no problem at all. To have a master from the Cangnan Academy as a guest is truly a blessing for our household. I'm certain that if the entire Xiao family learns that Master Ruolin is willing to visit us, they will be delighted." Xiao Yan stepped forward with a warm smile. As a renowned academy across the Continent of Qi, the Cangnan Academy holds immense influence within the Gamah Empire, far surpassing even the Midel Auction House in terms of strength. As an omnipotent and detached force, the Canaan Academy naturally views the local power factions in Utan City with a sense of superiority. Under this prevailing mindset, its recruitment teams have historically maintained limited engagement with these local powers, rarely accepting invitations to reside directly within family estates. Moreover, the various factions within the city are fully aware of the gap between themselves and the Academy. Given this disparity, can the weaker parties truly expect the stronger ones to show courtesy and respect? With this understanding, the city's factions refrain from making impulsive efforts to "warm the cold back" and thus maintain a respectful yet cautious distance toward the Academy's recruitment teams—neither daring to provoke them nor insisting on building close ties, lest they end up being ridiculed. Having resided in Utan City for over a decade, Xiao Yan naturally understood the exceptional stature of the recruitment team from the Ganan Academy. If Master Ruolin could be settled into the Xiao family, the Xiao family's influence within Utan City would steadily rise once again—potentially even surpassing that of the Mitel Auction House. Given Master Ruolin's unique status, it wouldn't merely be sufficient for her to reside in the Xiao household; even a mere gesture of goodwill toward any smaller faction would likely result in that otherwise obscure faction experiencing a sudden influx of visitors the very next day. While this may sound somewhat exaggerated, it is true that Master Ruolin holds the decisive power over whether any aspiring family's children gain admission to the Ganan Academy. For families eager to secure such placements, any opportunity at all would be fiercely pursued and never easily relinquished. Therefore, as long as Master Rulian accepts Xiao Yan's invitation and moves into the Xiao family's residence, numerous factions within Wutan City will naturally develop greater goodwill toward the Xiao family. Previously, the Xiao family's exceptionally strong profit margins from healing medicines had created certain imbalances; now, if Master Rulian demonstrates favorable sentiments toward the Xiao family, these earlier drawbacks will be perfectly resolved. The benefits the Xiao family gains from merely hosting Master Rulian for a few days are truly substantial—hence, it is no surprise that Xiao Yan enthusiastically recommends the arrangement. Upon hearing Xiao Yan's proposal, Master Rulian gently purses her red-lipped mouth. With her experience, she naturally understands the significance of her position and influence within Wutan City. Typically, annual recruitment mentors do not pay much attention to the city's various factions. However, now that Xiao Yan has spoken directly, Ms. Ruolin can't easily refuse. As one of the most promising students in the last century at the Gan-Can Academy, she certainly won't overlook his words casually—otherwise, should this young student grow impatient and leave, she'd find it hard to locate another such outstanding talent. After furrowing her brows and thinking for a moment, Ms. Ruolin gently nodded and smiled warmly, saying, "Very well, then, we'll disturb the Xiao family for a few days." Seeing Ms. Ruolin agree, Xiao Yu immediately beamed with joy, happily wrapping her arms around the soft waist of her mentor. "Robu, you and Go-La and the others go back to the reception area first. Come back here tomorrow, and remember—don't give me any trouble!" With a fond pat on Xiao Yu's head, Ms. Ruolin turned to the group of people gathered at the tent and gave them instructions. "Understood." Nodding with a dry mouth, Luo Bu shook his head in resignation, watching the group of women laughing and playing, gradually fading into the distance. Since Xiao Yu had not invited them, they naturally had no face to insist on following. Thus, the group of men, now without the company of beautiful women, wilted, gathered their belongings, and then, feeling utterly drained, walked slowly toward the other side of the square. Under Xiao Yan's introduction, both parties finally established a preliminary acquaintance. Upon learning the purpose of the visiting mentors, including Ruolin, Xiao Zhan immediately agreed without hesitation and promptly dispatched staff to prepare vacant rooms in the back courtyard. His decisive and efficient actions earned the mentors considerable goodwill. The sudden arrival of a group of beautiful, accomplished students from the Ganen Academy brought a lively atmosphere to the family. Many young members of the clan gathered around, constantly glancing among the graceful young women, and cast envious glances toward Xiao Yan, who was being surrounded by them and continuously questioned by the girls. As the night deepened, as the host family, the Xiao family naturally offered the highest level of hospitality. After dinner, seeing that the conversation between both parties remained lively, the weary Xiao Yan, after a long day of work, found an excuse to quietly slip back to his room and collapsed onto the soft bed, utterly drained. Though he had ultimately been aided by the old medicine master during his battle with Master Ruolin today, the encounter had left him both physically and mentally exhausted. "Let's go out and gather some supplies soon—fresh water, dry food, tents, insect repellent, basic herbs, and some healing and revitalizing pills. These are essentials in cultivation; you must prepare thoroughly, since we might end up living in the mountains for an extended period." Suddenly, the ethereal elder appeared on the chair by the table, speaking calmly. "Hehe, I'm really looking forward to it," Xiang Yan said, quickly donning his clothes and smiling. Observing Xiang Yan's eager demeanor, the elder raised an eyebrow slightly, murmuring, "Since birth, you've never faced life-or-death battles. Human potential only erupts like a volcano when life itself is threatened. Your previously steady and composed cultivation—so calm and unhurried—may never lead you to become a true powerhouse." "You have excellent cultivation talent. What you lack, is the trials of iron and blood." Gently playing with his teacup, the elder physician glanced at Xiao Yan, whose dressing pace was gradually slowing down, and said in a calm tone, "Only after successfully enduring the trials of blood will you truly undergo your transformation." Xiao Yan slowly clenched his fists, then smiled and lifted his face toward the elder. "I believe I can make it." "That's what matters," the elder nodded lightly, pleased with Xiao Yan's confidence. "Hehe, though, Teacher—when exactly are you going to teach me that Terran Technique you mentioned last time?" Xiao Yan chuckled, stepping closer, his face bright with eager anticipation, as he had long looked forward to mastering that Terran Technique. With a sideways glance at the smiling Xiao Yan, the elder's weathered face lifted a touch of amusement. "Don't worry," he said, "since I promised to teach it to you, I won't break my word. Once we leave Wutan City, hehe—just wait and patiently learn it from me!" Seeing the elder's condition, Xiao Yan immediately felt a sense of unease. He cleared his throat, spoke no more, put all the items into his coat, and then opened the door, stepping out. By now, the mentors, including Ru Lin, had once again arrived at the square from yesterday to conduct today's recruitment, making the family compound even more deserted. As he casually turned down a few small pathways, Xiao Yan strolled out of the family gates, only to pause suddenly upon seeing the scene outside. The broad pathway beyond the gate was now crowded with vehicles. On the elegant carriages, numerous badges were displayed—many of which Xiao Yan recognized as belonging to several strong local powers in Wutan City. "Well now, these people must have really been quick to gather information," he remarked, shaking his head in admiration. Once again, he was struck by the immense influence the recruitment mentors of Cana College held within Wutan City. He casually glanced around and then withdrew his gaze, paying no further attention to the people, simply walking off. As he strolled along the bustling streets—now lively due to the college's recruitment drive—he made his way slowly toward the city center's auction hall. Even as he neared his destination, he repeatedly donned his black great cloak, only then feeling at ease and entering the auction hall, which was drawing even more crowds than usual. "Um, I'll be leaving Utan City within the next few days, perhaps coming back only after one or two years." Sipping gently at his tea, Xiao Yan smiled lightly. "One or two years?" Upon hearing this, Ya Fei was taken aback, gasping, "How long will that take? What are your plans?" "Hmm. Now that I've reached adulthood, I'd like to step out and gain some experience. To remain confined within this small city of Utan is far from what I'd hoped for." Xiao Yan spoke with a calm, gentle smile. "Ah, with your exceptional talent in cultivation, it would indeed be difficult to become a true powerhouse if you stayed in Utan all your life." Ya Fei nodded slightly, her voice soft. "Will the enigmatic alchemist also be joining you?" After a brief pause, Ya Fei asked. "Yes, he is my teacher." "Then that makes sense," Ya Fei nodded, her expression suddenly clear. She gazed at Xiao Yan with a thoughtful expression, then murmured, "So then, you could also be considered an alchemist, could you not?" "The healing remedies of the Xiao family are all crafted by "Xiao Yan didn't hide a single detail this time, smiling. "Heh, Uncle Gu Ni already sensed something from the refinement level of the Blood-Nourishing Powder, but since he didn't know your relationship with that alchemy master, he hadn't guessed it at first." To Xiao Yan's words, Yafei only nodded calmly, showing little surprise—clearly, she had already pieced together some of the clues beforehand. "Could you please prepare the supplies for me? The funds will be deducted directly from the card—please don't hesitate; I don't want to owe anyone more before I leave." Reaching into his sleeve, Xiao Yan produced a pale golden card and handed it to Yafei. The card contained over forty thousand gold coins, all profits from the sales of healing medicines shared with the Xiao family. "Very well," Yafei nodded with a touch of resignation, accepting the card and summoning a maid with a wave of her hand. She handed the card and the paper to the maid and instructed her to proceed immediately. "After I leave, I hope Mittel Auction House will take good care of the Xiao family. Should Lady Yafei ever need any assistance in the future, Xiao Yan won't hesitate to help." Looking up at the woman before him—indeed a beauty of exceptional grace—Xiao Yan smiled. "Heh, since you've already called me 'Lady Yafei,' how could I possibly refuse? Moreover, a promising alchemist with such potential—should I have to give up even my own position to please her, I'd surely make every effort to win her favor." The sincerity in Xiao Yan's tone, more heartfelt than ever before, caused Lady Yafei's slender, elegant eyes to curve into a warm, delighted smile. With her jade hands resting gently on her cheek, she gazed intently at the young man's refined face, the black robe slightly revealing, his delicate features shimmering with a subtle, alluring charm. Her long, graceful lashes trembled slightly as she blinked, casting a soft, enchanting allure across her mature, captivating face. A voice tinged with allure and a pleasant tingling sensation made Xiao Yan's heart tremble slightly. He shook his head with a wry smile. This woman was simply born to captivate men—had the setting been more private and the man less composed, he'd surely have been overwhelmed by desire and pinned to the ground long before now. With a gentle smile, Xiao Yan looked up at the maid hurrying toward him through the silk curtain, slowly sat upright, and waved his hand, chuckling, "I'm leaving. This might well be my last visit before my departure." Yingying stood up, gracefully standing before Xiao Yan, gazing at the young man they had known for over a year and a half. Though their relationship had mostly been one of collaboration, there was a unique fondness in Lady Ya's heart for this calm, slightly younger youth—something that went beyond mere romantic feelings, more akin to a sisterly bond. Extending her delicate hand, Lady Ya gently patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, her lively eyes slightly touched with sentiment, "Take care!" Raising her gaze, Xiao Yan steadily looked at the renowned beauty in Wutan City, suddenly smiled softly, took a step forward, and then reached out, lightly wrapping his arms around the alluring, sinuous figure of the maid. With his arms encircling this perfect waist—long coveted by so many men from Utan City—Xiao Yan could feel, as he held Yu Fei, her body stiffen momentarily, only to gradually soften again after a while. Standing there, stunned by Xiao Yan’s unusual "farewell" gesture, Yu Fei blushed slightly, though fortunately, Xiao Yan did not pursue any further actions, otherwise she would have genuinely thought that perhaps this young man had suddenly grown quite enthusiastic about her. "Heard this, Yafeng stepped back, her cheeks flushing warmly, scolding, 'Little one, dare to tease me like this? I think you've been thinking exactly that all along!' "Indeed, you're quite a bold one. Yet, I'm truly looking forward to your return. Such a valuable partner—I absolutely don't want to lose you. Moreover, I'm curious: by the time you return, how far will you have climbed?"