Chapter 155: Blood Lotus Essence—For Brother Xiao Huohuo!
Two days later, a flash of bluish-purple light streaked past the outskirts of Wu Tan City, and a figure in black robes wearing a helmet appeared in the city's marketplace. After circling for a while, he left empty-handed, somewhat puzzled.
There were no hidden treasures to snatch, which surprised Jiang Lin a little.
"Yingjiang, let's go—back to Qingshan Town."
Jiang Lin once again mounted Yingjiang and flew toward Qingshan Town.
Before long, Jiang Lin returned to Qingshan and reunited with Xiao Yi Xian and the others. After a bit of small talk, he headed back to the Blacksmith Valley and found that Pei Xuan's body was still in decent condition. After some thought, he sealed Pei Xuan inside the Qingxuan Universe Cauldron with the rest of his Dou Tools to refine with soul fire—just in case Big Brother Pei Suo ever revived.
Pei Xuan: …
Jiang Lin then entered the mountains, heading deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Not long after he did, a youth in black walked down an old dirt path just outside Qingshan Town, his silhouette stretched long under the morning sunlight. On his back was a massive black heavy ruler, nearly as tall as he was. Every step he took left behind a deep footprint soaked in sweat.
Under the sunlight, the black-clad youth wiped the sweat from his brow and looked toward the village at the foot of the mountain. A nostalgic look crossed his face.
"Brother Lin is from Qingshan Town, right? It's been a year—I wonder where he is now."
"Eager to see him?" came Yao Chen's voice from within Xiao Yan's heart.
"I haven't even had the chance to explain things to him yet…" Xiao Yan muttered, a little distressed.
"You'll head to the Jia Ma Holy City eventually. That brat's probably still there… or maybe he's already come back." Yao Chen started speaking in his usual cryptic way again, leaving Xiao Yan confused.
"Teacher, why are you always so evasive? Who exactly is that Brother Lin? Just tell me already." Xiao Yan muttered in his heart while stepping into Qingshan Town. He wandered through the crowd for a while before entering the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, hoping to score some overlooked treasures.
"That kid's identity… I'll tell you the next time you meet him. It'll drop your jaw," Yao Chen said internally. Then, suddenly sensing something, he added, "Over at that herb stand—there's something good. A mature Blood Lotus Essence—can be used in alchemy."
Xiao Yan instinctively looked over and sure enough, spotted a large herb mixed in with some cheap yellow ginseng on display outside the pavilion. Though it looked ordinary, he stepped forward, eager to grab it.
But just as he reached out, a pleasant female voice sounded.
"You… you're sure you want that herb?"
Xiao Yan raised his head, slightly startled. A white-haired girl in a light purple and white outfit had walked out from the back room, gazing at him with a strange expression.
"Uh… miss, is it not for sale?"
Her gaze made him a little uneasy—had he been too obvious?
But she shook her head and said, "No, it's for sale. I just want to know—what's your name?"
Xiao Yan was briefly stunned. His eyes flickered, and then he blurted out, "Yan Xiao."
The name "Xiao Yan" was a bit too well-known, so better to avoid using it. Ever since he began his journey, Xiao Yan's appearance had changed drastically, and with the massive black ruler on his back, he didn't think anyone unfamiliar would recognize him.
"Yan Xiao?" Xiao Yi Xian blinked, then shook her head slightly.
"Sorry, but I'm afraid I can't give you that herb."
"Huh? Why not?" Xiao Yan was confused.
Xiao Yi Xian's gaze became slightly suspicious as she studied him. She had never met Xiao Yan before, so she didn't recognize him. But the fact that he went straight for the Blood Lotus Essence made her curious.
Just days earlier, Jiang Lin had told her that someone almost picked it up, and he had considered taking it back. In the end, he left it, saying something cryptic about "one item in exchange for another."
"Because that herb… Jiang Lin said it's meant for Xiao Huohuo."
Xiao Yi Xian spoke solemnly.
"???" Xiao Yan froze. "Xiao Huohuo?"
Something didn't add up! Xiao Yan was completely dumbfounded.
"He said that's what they call you in the capital," Xiao Yi Xian added with a trace of helplessness on her face.
Xiao Yan: "…"
"She's messing with you, you idiot!" Yao Chen's voice rang out in Xiao Yan's mind.
"Flip that Blood Lotus Essence over and take a look!"
"…"
Xiao Yan turned it over and found a line of tiny writing on the back:
For Brother Xiao Huohuo!
"…Alright. You must be Xiao Yi Xian, then? Brother Lin mentioned you before."
Xiao Yan gave a slightly sheepish smile as he looked at her.
"Huh? Weren't you Yan Xiao?" Xiao Yi Xian looked puzzled, and Xiao Yan felt a little embarrassed under her stare.
"Ahem…" Xiao Yan coughed lightly and said with mild awkwardness, "It's the name I use when I travel."
With people nearby, Xiao Yan didn't want to reveal his real name and risk blowing his "Iron Ruler Youth" alias.
"Alright then. Jiang Lin said if you ever needed it, you could have the herb."
After gathering a few more ingredients from the Myriad Medicine Pavilion, Xiao Yan set off alone for the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
"…Teacher, do you think Brother Lin already knows about the power I've been hiding?"
As he walked through the silent forest, Xiao Yan asked Yao Chen in his heart.
Yao Chen: "…"
"That whole auction was set up for you and me. After that, the brat figured out your identity. And you still have no idea, you clueless fool!" Yao Chen replied in irritation.
"Heh heh…"
Xiao Yan scratched his head and chuckled dumbly.
After laughing for a while, Xiao Yan confirmed that no one was around. He pulled out his Two-Leaf Feather Sheath Wings from his storage ring, equipped them, and began flying low across the ground to train.
"With these wings, travel's gotten way more convenient… just can't use them in Wu Tan City, or I'll blow my cover."
Xiao Yan flew low with precise control. In terms of flight mastery, he was easily among the best within the Dou Zhe realm.
"Find a quiet place to train. I'll teach you an Earth-rank Dou Technique," Yao Chen's voice sounded in his heart.
"Really?! Alright, Teacher!"
Xiao Yan instantly brightened and flew deeper into the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
After several days of searching, Xiao Yan found a waterfall. Behind it was a cave. Yao Chen scared away the cave's original inhabitants and began teaching Xiao Yan the Earth-rank Dou Technique.
"This technique is called… Flame Splitting Wave Ruler."
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 30 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Franklin1