Walking once more through the bustling town, listening to the surrounding clamor, Xiao Yan, who had been isolated from the world for several months, couldn't help but be struck by wonder—humans truly are a social species. If he were to spend several decades alone in the wild, would he still be able to speak? Shaking his head with a smile, he pushed this unexpected question aside. Gently patting the Xu Chong Chi wrapped once again in black cloth behind him, Xiao Yan stood at the corner, glanced around, paused thoughtfully, then approached a passerby to inquire about the Wan Yao Zhai's branch in Qingshan Town. Afterward, he swiftly walked toward the location indicated. Glancing at the guards, Xiao Yan furrowed his brows. He didn't want to disturb the master of Wan Yao Zhai. He gently shifted his gaze, turned, and made his way to the side of the manor. After carefully observing his surroundings, he climbed in silently. Inside the manor, Xiao Yan cautiously avoided several patrolling guards and then quietly seized a young woman dressed as a maid. Seeing the girl's frightened expression, Xiao Yan lowered his voice and gasped, "Is Xiao Yixian here?" "Mm-mm," the girl could only manage muffled sounds as Xiao Yan covered her mouth. "Tell me exactly where she is. Don't play games with me—otherwise, I'll strip you bare and throw you out!" The quiet, firm threats whispered in her ear sent a wave of fear through the young girl, causing tears to well up in her eyes. She quickly pointed out the route to Xiao Yixian's room, trembling with urgency. Once he secured his position, Xiao Yan knocked out the young girl and concealed her in a secluded spot, then carefully hurried toward the location she had previously indicated. After evading several patrols, he reached a relatively quiet room and quietly approached from the front, only to find four guards stationed at the entrance. Though these four appeared to be on duty, the occasional glances they cast toward the room made Xiao Yan wonder—were they really guarding, or merely monitoring? "Her past few days must have been quite difficult," he murmured softly, then moved to the back of the room. There, a lake lay adjacent, and Xiao Yan carefully stepped to the edge of a wooden platform, slowly advancing toward the open window. After a moment, he gently reached out, feeling along the window frame, and then carefully lowered himself inside. The soles of his feet gently touched the ground. Xiang Yan gazed at this room, thoughtfully arranged and serene, and murmured his admiration. A faint aroma of herbs seemed to drift through the air. His eyes swept across—the figure behind the soft pink curtains was slightly blurred. Taking a few steps forward, Xiang Yan lifted the curtain and cast his gaze inside. Gently flicked her jade onion fingers, the young physician suddenly produced a small jade bottle from her sleeve, then dripped a drop of pale red liquid onto Xiao Yan's palm, lightly spreading it there. "What are you doing?" Xiao Yan asked, surprised by her actions. "The fragrance in the room is a slow-acting poison; if inhaled, it's not good for you," the young physician smiled. "But as long as you apply my specially prepared antidote, you'll be immune to it." "Hmm..." Xiao Yan shook his head in astonishment, then chuckled. "I didn't expect you to have poisoned even your own room." Smiling, the young physician combed back a strand of her dark hair, sighed slightly. "I can't help it—I'm just a weak woman. I've had to resort to these unconventional methods to protect myself." "Where's your weakness? This kind of poisoning is so subtle, even I almost fell victim to it." Shaking his head, Xiao Yan smiled. "What about the people outside?" "Ah... they've been under surveillance." "Smiling and nodding, the young physician casually said: 'The Wolf-Head Guild has spread the news of the treasures I've obtained. The owner of this Ten-Thousand-Herb Shop has also grown greedy about them, and has been trying to take the Seven-Colored Poison Classic from me for some time now—though each time, I've managed to fend him off. Yet lately, he seems increasingly impatient.'" "Why hasn't he left yet? With your mastery of poison, shouldn't no one here be able to stop you?" Xiang Yan asked with a smile. "Wait for you to come and rescue me," the young physician said, her face bright with a warm smile, gazing at Xiang Yan's expression of resignation. "To study the Seven-Colored Poison Classic thoroughly, I naturally need a vast supply of herbs for experiments—doesn't this very place offer the perfect setting?" "Besides, today, I think it's time I should finally go, as this is the very last day of the three-day deadline he's given me." "Collect the powdered medicine from the table into a small bottle. Turning her head to gaze at Xiao Yan with a smile, the young physician said, 'You've once again exceeded my expectations. I never thought you'd not only survive within the Dragon's Peak Mountains, but also make significant gains in strength. It seems my decision to choose you as an ally has been the most astute one.' 'Heh, just lucky,' Xiao Yan chuckled, standing up and said, 'Let's go. I still intend to settle some scores with the Wolf-Head Guild.' 'Heh, I'll count myself among them as well. My current standing is thanks to their support. As I prepare to leave, I'd naturally like to leave them with a token of appreciation.' With graceful poise, the young physician stood up and offered a quiet smile. 'I came to you with this very intention in mind,' Xiao Yan smiled. The young physician's mastery of poison arts, even, he found somewhat formidable. With her assistance, eliminating the Wolf-Head Guild would not be difficult at all." As Xiao Yishen began to pack up her things, a knock sounded at the door, and a middle-aged man's voice drifted in: "Hehe, Xiao Yishen, are you there?" Though his words carried a tone of inquiry, as soon as he finished speaking, he stepped forward and pushed the door open, glanced around the room, then paused, his expression shifting to one of concern as his eyes settled on the young man inside. Frowning slightly, he raised his hand, and the four guards behind him entered in succession, drawing their weapons to face the two figures in the room. "Xiao Yishen, may I introduce this one?" the man said, his gaze shifting to the young woman who was quietly packing her belongings by herself, his smile polite but somewhat forced. "Xiao Yan," said Xiao Yan, glancing at Xiao Yishen before smiling. "Xiao Yan? Didn't you get chased deep into the Beast Mountains?" "Heard that, the middle-aged man's face stiffened slightly, then a gleam of delight passed through his eyes, and he smiled politely, saying, 'Heh, I didn't expect Xiao Yan to be so capable. To have made it all the way out from the mountain range known for being a death zone—truly impressive.' 'It's just lucky,' said Xiao Yan, lifting his eyes casually. 'I'm going to head out with Xiao Yishen shortly. You can't possibly let me go, can you?' The man's face flushed slightly, smiling warmly, 'It's a matter of fate when we meet. Since you've come to our Wan Yao Zhai, we naturally want to keep you around a bit longer. I especially enjoy getting to know young men like you.' With that, he stepped back, and several guards blocked the entrance firmly. He had long heard that Xiao Yan carried treasures obtained from the cave, and now that he had come to them of his own accord, he certainly wouldn't let him leave easily. 'Mr. Yao, take a look at your right hand—do you notice any subtle blueness?' "Pack everything up tightly," said Xiao Yishen, smiling as she took it and placed it on her back. Hearing this, the middle-aged man's face grew pale, and he quickly opened his right hand—indeed, he noticed a faint bluish hue forming on the palm. He immediately exclaimed, "You... you've given me a medicine?" For a long time, delicately balancing between life and greed, Mr. Yao finally sighed with deep resentment, saying, "Give me the formula for the antidote, and I'll let you go." "After staying here at Wan Yao Zhai for so long, I won't believe a word you say about your reliability. When we leave, I'll personally hand you the formula." Shaking her head, the young physician spoke calmly. Xiao Yan stood by, arms folded, watching as the master of Wan Yao Zhai was completely outmaneuvered by the young physician. He couldn't help but smile quietly, yet beneath the amusement, he felt even more cautious—this woman, should she seize the right opportunity, would surely achieve great things. "You—!" Mr. Yao's face turned ashen with anger, and after circling the room several times, he finally waved his hands sharply, and the several guards slowly stepped out of the room. "Then let's go," said the young physician, turning to Xiao Yan with a warm smile. Nodded with approval, Xiao Yan stepped forward first, heading out the door, while Xiao Yisheng closely followed behind. As they exited the room, Yao Mr. moved with a gloomy expression, his guards trailing closely behind—what was about to be secured had now flown away, and he could hardly be pleased.