After several days of steady travel across mountains, rivers, and vast plains, the familiar outline of Wu Tan City finally appeared on the horizon.
For Xiao Chen, this place was home.
For Su Qian, it was a place he had only heard about—but now, seeing it with his own eyes, even he couldn't help but feel a trace of curiosity.
"This is Wu Tan City?" Su Qian asked, his gaze sweeping across the bustling streets and expanding infrastructure.
Xiao Chen nodded with a hint of pride.
"Yes, Dean Su Qian. It may not compare to the black corner region or some empires capital cities , but in this region, it's already considered quite developed."
As they descended from the sky and entered the city, Xiao Chen quickly took the lead.
"Please follow me, Dean. I'll take you directly to the Xiao Family residence."
The two moved swiftly through the streets.
Along the way, many people cast curious glances at them—especially at Su Qian, whose aura was calm yet unfathomable.
Soon, they arrived at the Xiao Family estate.
However, compared to what Xiao Chen remembered from before, the current Xiao Family residence had undergone a massive transformation.
The courtyard was significantly larger.
The outer walls were reinforced with special materials.
There were even faint fluctuations of defensive formations around the perimeter.
Clearly, ever since Xiao Feng rose to fame and gained immense wealth, the Xiao Family had not held back in strengthening their foundation.
Even the surrounding area had been subtly cleared, giving the estate a more imposing presence.
Behind the residence, one could even see the faint outline of the Magical Beast Forest.
Su Qian raised an eyebrow slightly.
"It seems your Xiao Family has developed quite well."
Xiao Chen smiled.
"All thanks to Xiao Feng. Not only did he provide resources, but he also gave instructions for strengthening defenses."
He paused briefly before adding,
"He even arranged for the family to purchase one or two flying magical beasts for local transportation."
Su Qian looked mildly surprised.
"Flying magical beasts? For a family like this, that's quite a luxury."
Xiao Chen nodded.
"Yes. Xiao Feng said it was for emergencies. If something ever happens, the family members can evacuate quickly."
Hearing this, Su Qian gave a small approving nod.
"That boy… he thinks ahead."
As they approached the main gate, several guards immediately straightened their posture.
The moment they recognized Xiao Chen, their expressions turned respectful.
"Master Xiao Chen!"
Without hesitation, they stepped aside and opened the gate.
Xiao Chen waved his hand lightly.
"No need for formalities. I've returned with an important guest."
The guards quickly shifted their attention to Su Qian.
Although they couldn't gauge his strength, his calm and imposing presence alone made them instinctively lower their heads.
Xiao Chen then spoke in a serious tone.
"This is Dean Su Qian from Canaan Academy. Treat him with the utmost respect."
The guards' expressions instantly changed.
"Dean… Su Qian!?"
A trace of shock flashed through their eyes.
They had all heard of Canaan Academy—and naturally, they understood what it meant for someone to be its Dean.
One of the guards immediately cupped his fists respectfully.
"Welcome, Dean Su Qian!"
Xiao Chen nodded before giving further instructions.
"You—go inform the Patriarch and the elders immediately. Tell them I have returned, and that I have brought a distinguished guest."
"And make sure to clearly explain Dean Su Qian's identity. There must be no mistakes."
"Yes, Elder!"
The guard quickly rushed inside.
Meanwhile, Xiao Chen turned to Su Qian with a slight smile.
"Please forgive any lack of preparation, Dean. The family wasn't expecting such an honored visit."
Su Qian waved his hand casually.
"No need for such formalities. I'm here mainly to see that little girl… Qing Lin, right?"
Xiao Chen nodded.
"Yes. She should still be within the inner courtyard."
As they stepped through the gates, the atmosphere within the Xiao Family became lively.
Servants hurried about.
Clan members whispered among themselves.
News of Xiao Chen's return—and the arrival of a powerful guest—spread rapidly.
Xiao Chen gestured forward respectfully.
"Please, Dean. This way."
As they walked deeper into the residence, even Su Qian couldn't help but think inwardly—
That boy, Xiao Feng…
Even while far away, he has managed to elevate his entire family to this level.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Interesting… very interesting indeed."
Knowing how eager Dean Su Qian was, Xiao Chen didn't waste any time. He immediately led him deeper into the Xiao Family estate, heading straight toward the inner courtyard—the place where the younger generation usually resided.
"Dean, Qing Lin should be here," Xiao Chen said as he quickened his pace.
Su Qian nodded, his eyes already scanning the surroundings with anticipation.
As they approached, a small, peaceful scene came into view.
A young girl was sitting quietly in the courtyard, while two others stayed by her side.
One of them was a gentle-looking woman—Qing Lin's mother, Qing Lu.
The other… was Xun'er.
Seeing her there wasn't surprising.
After all, ever since Xiao Feng brought Qing Lin and her mother to the Xiao Family, he had left almost immediately due to urgent matters. He hadn't even properly met Xun'er or Xiao Yan during that visit.
Instead, he had left behind a handwritten letter.
That letter had been personally handed to Xiao Zhan, with instructions to give it to Xun'er.
When Xun'er read it, she was slightly surprised.
In the letter, Xiao Feng clearly wrote that from now on, Qing Lin would be like a younger sister to her.
He asked Xun'er, as the elder sister, to take good care of Qing Lin.
He also briefly mentioned Qing Lin's past—hinting that she had gone through hardships far beyond her age.
More importantly, he emphasized that Qing Lin was "special."
However, he didn't explain further, only writing that he would personally tell her when the time was right.
That single word—special—had piqued Xun'er's curiosity.
But since Xiao Feng had clearly written that he would explain it himself later, she didn't pry any further.
Instead…
She simply accepted Qing Lin wholeheartedly.
As the only daughter of Gu Yuan, Xun'er had grown up without a younger sister to dote on.
Now, suddenly having such a quiet, delicate, and adorable little girl by her side…
She naturally poured all her affection onto Qing Lin.
"Qing Lin, don't sit too close to the wind," Xun'er said softly, adjusting the girl's position.
Qing Lin looked up shyly.
"Sister Xun'er… I'm fine."
Qing Lu, standing nearby, watched this interaction with a gentle smile.
"Miss Xun'er, you've already done so much. You don't have to worry this much."
Xun'er shook her head lightly.
"She's Xiao Feng's sister now… which means she's my sister too."
Her tone was calm, but there was a firmness in her words.
Even Xiao Yan had occasionally felt a bit jealous seeing how much attention Xun'er gave Qing Lin.
"Xun'er, you never fussed over me like that," he once joked.
But that feeling didn't last long.
Because in his heart, he also accepted Qing Lin as family.
Soon enough, his jealousy turned into protectiveness.
After all… she was now his little sister too.
Meanwhile, the entire Xiao Family treated Qing Lin and her mother with utmost care.
This wasn't just because of Xiao Feng's instructions.
It was also because they knew his past.
After losing his parents at a young age, Xiao Feng had always maintained a certain distance from the rest of the clan.
He was respectful.
Polite.
But never truly close.
He treated them as clan members… not as family.
And now—
For him to personally bring someone back and declare them as his "family"…
That alone showed how serious he was.
Which meant one thing.
Qing Lin and her mother were not to be neglected.
Not even slightly.
At that moment, footsteps approached.
Xun'er turned her head.
Qing Lu also looked up.
Qing Lin blinked curiously.
Xiao Chen walked in first, followed by a calm yet imposing figure.
The moment Su Qian appeared, the atmosphere subtly changed.
Even without releasing any aura, his presence alone carried an invisible pressure.
Xiao Chen spoke immediately,
"Qing Lin… this is Dean Su Qian from Canaan Academy."
Hearing this, Qing Lu's expression changed slightly in shock.
Even Xun'er's eyes flickered with surprise.
Dean of Canaan Academy…?
Why would such a figure come here personally?
Meanwhile, Su Qian's gaze had already locked onto Qing Lin.
A hint of excitement flashed across his eyes.
"So… this is the girl?"
Seeing a new face, Qing Lin hesitated for just a brief moment. Her fingers curled slightly in nervousness, but instead of retreating, she gathered her courage and stepped forward.
"G-Greetings, Senior…" she said softly, bowing her head.
Su Qian's originally sharp and imposing gaze softened almost immediately when he saw her timid yet brave gesture.
"Good child… no need to be afraid," he replied in a calm, reassuring tone.
But before the atmosphere could settle—
His expression abruptly changed.
A subtle ripple spread through the air, and his eyes turned cold.
"Hiding your aura this well… interesting."
Without warning, he raised his hand.
Buzz—!
A powerful invisible force surged outward, compressing the surrounding space. The air seemed to freeze as if locked in place.
"Come out!"
With a sharp pull—
A hidden figure was forcefully dragged out from the void and landed heavily on the ground.
Ling Ying appeared.
Xun'er's face changed instantly as she stepped forward.
"Dean Su Qian, please stop! He's not an enemy—he's my guardian!"
Su Qian's gaze remained fixed on Ling Ying, weighing him for a few seconds before shifting toward Xun'er.
"…Your protector?"
"Yes," Xun'er replied firmly.
Ling Ying cupped his fists respectfully.
"Ling Ying greets Dean Su Qian. I meant no offense. My only duty is to protect Miss Xun'er."
The tension lingered for a moment… before suddenly disappearing.
Su Qian withdrew his pressure and let out a faint snort.
"Hmph… Seven-Star Dou Emperor, yet hiding like a shadow. Not bad."
Ling Ying relaxed slightly but maintained his respectful posture.
Then, without another word, Su Qian flicked his finger.
A jade bottle shot through the air at high speed.
"Catch."
Ling Ying reacted instantly, grabbing it.
"This is from Xiao Feng."
The moment those words fell—
Everyone froze.
"From… Big Brother Xiao Feng?" Xun'er asked, unable to hide her surprise.
Su Qian nodded calmly.
"Inside—one Dou Emperor Pill… and one Breaking Sect Pill."
The air went silent.
Ling Ying's grip tightened unconsciously, his calm expression finally showing a crack.
"…Breaking Sect Pill?" he repeated, his voice slightly hoarse.
"A Peak Sixth-Grade pill," Su Qian continued, his tone steady but impactful. "It can greatly increase your chances of breaking into the Dou Zong realm."
He paused slightly, then added,
"A one Dou Emperor Pill which can increase dou emperor level by one or two by taking"
"And both pills… are of perfect quality."
Even Ling Ying couldn't maintain his composure now.
Xun'er's eyes widened in disbelief.
Before she could fully process it, Xiao Chen stepped forward, holding another jade bottle and a letter.
"Miss Xun'er, these are also from Xiao Feng."
Xun'er accepted them slowly, her mind already in turmoil.
He knew about Ling Ying… and even prepared this in advance?
Seeing her expression, Su Qian chuckled lightly.
"That boy… there's very little he doesn't know."
He continued,
"He's already a Sixth-Rank Alchemist. These things are no longer difficult for him."
"…Sixth-Rank…" Xun'er whispered, stunned.
Even she couldn't remain calm hearing it confirmed.
Su Qian shrugged slightly.
"He even prepared cultivation-boosting pills, but for Ling Ying, they won't be useful once he steps into Dou Zong, so I didn't bring them."
Ling Ying immediately bowed deeply.
"This is already more than enough. I am deeply grateful."
Meanwhile, Xun'er slowly opened the letter.
As her eyes moved across the lines, her expression shifted again and again—
Shock… realization… silence…
"…Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils…" she murmured, instinctively glancing at Qing Lin.
Qing Lin blinked innocently, then quietly moved closer to her.
The letter continued—
Firm, direct, unmistakably Xiao Feng's style.
Stop holding back.
Show your true strength.
Let the Xiao Family see who you really are.
Crush all doubt… and rise.
Then the final line—
If you wish to stand beside Xiao Yan with dignity… then become strong enough to do so.
Xun'er froze completely.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she lowered the letter.
"…Big Brother Xiao Feng…"
Her voice was soft, filled with emotions she couldn't fully describe.
Before she could recover, Xiao Chen handed her the jade bottle.
"This is yours."
She opened it carefully—
A rich, powerful aura spread out instantly.
"Peak Sixth-Grade…?"
Xiao Chen nodded.
"Refined with Earth Core Body Tempering Liquid and Scarlet Fire Fruit. Made specifically for you."
Almost instinctively, Xun'er spoke—
"I should give this to Xiao Yan or Qing Lin—"
"No need."
Xiao Chen interrupted at the perfect moment.
Xun'er blinked, confused.
"…What do you mean?"
He smiled knowingly.
"Xiao Feng already prepared separate ones for both of them."
Xun'er froze again.
"He… already thought of that?"
Xiao Chen chuckled softly.
"Not only that… he also said you would definitely try to give yours away first."
For a moment—
Xun'er was completely speechless.
Then, a helpless yet warm smile appeared on her face.
"…That guy…"
She held the jade bottle gently, her eyes softening.
"He really sees through everything…"
Even my thoughts…
Beside her, Qing Lin tugged her sleeve gently.
"Sister Xun'er… are you happy?"
Xun'er looked down at her, then smiled softly and placed a hand on her head.
"Yes… very happy."
Not far away, Su Qian watched the entire scene unfold, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"That brat…" he muttered under his breath.
"…he really doesn't miss a single thing."