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Xiao Yan nodded in agreement. "Alright, Master, I'll follow your advice on taking the pills!"
Just as he was about to begin, he heard the sound of light, quick footsteps approaching from outside.
Frowning, Xiao Yan thought, "Who would come looking for me at a time like this?"
The door opened, and Zi Yan and Xiao Xun'er walked in.
As soon as Zi Yan saw the pills on the table, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, these pills look delicious!"
Xiao Xun'er smiled warmly at Xiao Yan. "Brother Xiao Yan, we came to check on you!"
Zi Yan immediately pounced toward the table, grabbing a Zixin Barrier-Breaking Pill and popping it into her mouth before Xiao Yan could stop her.
Xiao Yan could only laugh helplessly. "Zi Yan, every time you come by, you just can't resist, can you?"
Zi Yan chewed happily, a satisfied expression on her face. "This time, the pills are especially tasty! Brother Xiao Yan, did you make these?"
Xiao Yan chuckled awkwardly, thinking to himself, These were made by Yao Lao himself—I'm not at that level yet!
Seeing Zi Yan's beaming smile, he could only reply evasively, "Uh… sure, something like that!"
Lately, Xiao Xun'er had often brought Zi Yan to visit him, and over time, Xiao Yan and Zi Yan had become quite close. To her, he had become a generous, gentle older brother who always had something delicious to share.
Plus, the clever Zi Yan had already learned his true name from Xiao Xun'er.
"Zi Yan, I'll make you some even tastier pills next time. But you have to promise to behave!" Xiao Yan patted her on the head with a sigh.
This girl—treating pills like food! Only Master Shui Wuya could handle a disciple like her!
Although Shui Wuya hadn't formally taken Zi Yan as his disciple, Xiao Yan believed that if his master promised, he'd follow through.
Zi Yan grinned happily. "Alright, brother, you're the best!"
In the storage ring, Yao Lao sighed softly. "Looks like I'll have to keep a closer watch on this little glutton in the future!"
Meanwhile, Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Yan with warmth and concern in her gaze. "Brother Xiao Yan, you've been so busy with cultivation and alchemy lately. Make sure to rest and not overwork yourself."
Xiao Yan nodded with a smile. "Thank you, Xun'er. I'll take care of myself."
Zi Yan, licking her lips with sparkling eyes, said, "Brother Xiao Yan, remember to save some of these delicious pills for me next time!"
Xiao Yan laughed heartily, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Alright, I'll save some for you next time!"
Zi Yan playfully reached for the storage ring on Xiao Yan's hand, laughing mischievously. "Big Brother Xiao, give me a few more pills! I want to get stronger too!"
Xiao Yan quickly dodged, grinning. "Zi Yan, I need these pills. I can't just give them to you, you know."
Unfazed, Zi Yan chased him, pouting. "Big Brother Xiao, you're so stingy! It's just a few pills—what harm could it do?"
Watching them, Xiao Xun'er's spirits lifted, her eyes filled with gentle affection for the two. But then, a hint of reluctance crept into her heart.
Last night, Ling Ying had urged her, saying the clan wanted her to return home soon. The matter weighed on her mind.
She knew that issues concerning her clan were serious and couldn't be ignored. Yet, at the same time, she didn't want to leave—she didn't want to part with Brother Xiao Yan.
Lost in thought, Xiao Xun'er gazed quietly at Xiao Yan.
Finally, she made up her mind. "I can't leave just yet. At the very least, I'll stay with Brother Xiao Yan until he fulfills his appointment with the Yunlan Sect. Then, I'll return to the clan."
"Brother, I'll stay by your side," she whispered to herself, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Xiao Yan was once challenged by Nalan Yanran, and while she hadn't gone to excessive lengths, her actions had embarrassed the Xiao Clan in front of him. Xiao Yan knew there had to be a resolution to this matter.
Watching the scene unfold, Xiao Xun'er smiled warmly, her gaze filled with affection. "Alright, Zi Yan, let's not disturb Brother Xiao Yan's training any longer."
Though reluctant, Zi Yan followed her out, and Xiao Yan felt a wave of warmth as he watched them leave. He wasn't alone on his path of cultivation; with so many caring and supportive people around him, he felt the courage to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As Zi Yan and Xiao Xun'er left, Xiao Yan resumed his training.
Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard of Jia Nan Academy, students had gathered, their voices filled with anger and indignation.
"Did you hear? Xiao Wuya managed to get off with just a single pill!"
"Yeah, it's so unfair! How could he get away so easily and still claim such a precious Heavenly Flame?"
"It doesn't make sense! We worked so hard to get into the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower, and now, without the Fallen Heart Flame, our cultivation speed has dropped. He's ruined our chances!"
Discontented voices filled the courtyard as resentment spread throughout the campus.
At that moment, a student stepped forward, furious. "We can't let him off so easily! He's gone too far!"
"Exactly! What Xiao Wuya did is truly excessive."
"This is so unfair! Why should Xiao Wuya get away with flaunting the rules? Isn't he subject to the academy's regulations?"
A young man grumbled with a face full of frustration. "He claims such a powerful Heavenly Flame for himself—who does he think he is?!"
In the crowd, envy and resentment continued to simmer, and the students' expressions grew angrier.
"Why do we have to accept the academy's decisions?"
"If given the chance, we should have the right to compete for the Heavenly Flame too!"
"Yeah! Everyone in the inner courtyard is a talent in their own right; we can't let Xiao Wuya overshadow us like this!"
The atmosphere grew tense, and many students harbored deep-seated jealousy and dissatisfaction toward Xiao Wuya. They began to discuss whether they should take action to voice their discontent.
They couldn't understand why Xiao Wuya had escaped punishment so easily, receiving the academy's tolerance and even rewards.
"Is it just because he comes from some prominent family that he gets to do whatever he wants?" someone muttered bitterly.
"We should demand an explanation from the academy!" another student shouted passionately.
The heated resentment was especially intense among the members of the White Gang in the inner courtyard.
Many White Gang students were angrily discussing Xiao Wuya's seizure of the Heavenly Flame.
"Xiao Wuya has gone too far! He actually dared to take our Heavenly Flame!"
"It's all Xiao Wuya's fault! The cultivation speed in the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower has noticeably slowed down."
Bai Cheng frowned, feeling a sense of helplessness, then raised his hand to signal everyone to calm down.
(End of Chapter)