Seven days later, under the meticulous care of Mo Yan and the help of healing elixirs, Xiao Chen's injuries slowly began to heal. Although not fully recovered, he was nearly back to his usual self.
"Xiao Chen, how are you feeling?" Mo Yan asked with concern.
Xiao Chen smiled happily, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Mo Yan. I'm almost fully recovered, and I even feel like my cultivation has improved quite a bit, hehe."
"Really? That's great news! Xiao Chen, you're amazing! Brother Mo Yan hasn't made any progress in over a year, yet after just one battle, your cultivation has increased!" Mo Yan said joyfully, genuinely happy for Xiao Chen.
"Hmm? Brother Mo Yan, where's my sword?" Xiao Chen suddenly noticed his sword was missing and asked anxiously.
Seeing Xiao Chen's worried expression, Mo Yan chuckled, "Don't worry, when you returned for healing, I took it for safekeeping."
In no time, Mo Yan fetched Xiao Chen's sword and handed it to him. Then, he said with a smile, "To be honest, your sword is quite strange. I can't discern its quality, but it feels extremely powerful. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to defeat Ling Zhan. I get excited every time I think about your fierce battle with him!"
"Xiao Chen, after your battle with Ling Zhan, a shadow took him away. The speed was too fast to see clearly, but this person's cultivation was definitely above the Nascent Soul stage," the ancient White Tiger communicated telepathically.
Xiao Chen nodded slightly, looking at Mo Yan, he smiled and said, "Brother Mo Yan, I believe you will also become stronger one day. As long as you work hard in your cultivation, you will succeed."
"Hehe, I certainly hope so. But given my aptitude, becoming stronger is very difficult," Mo Yan laughed lightly, not disappointed, but rather acknowledging his limitations.
"By the way, Xiao Chen, what are your plans for the future?" Mo Yan asked, changing the topic.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Chen pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Brother Mo Yan, to be honest, I've been away from home for almost three years. I want to go back and see how my father is doing now."
As he spoke, Xiao Chen's eyes showed a hint of sadness mixed with a trace of expectation. The sadness stemmed from the ridicule and bullying he faced from the Xiao family in the past, while the expectation was the hope that upon returning, the Xiao family would view him with new respect.
Mo Yan noticed the emotions in Xiao Chen's eyes and thought to himself, "It seems Xiao Chen has some stories of his own. Coming all the way from Fengyue City to Tiandu alone, if it weren't for some major issue, who would let a child suffer like this? The Xiao family is truly too much."
What Mo Yan didn't know was that Xiao Chen had left the Xiao family out of necessity. Mo Yan was unaware of Xiao Chen's past, which led to some resentment in his heart.
"By the way, I almost forgot. Xiao Chen, a few days ago, the head of the Liu family sent some medicinal liquid. They said it could help you fully recover. Since you've been healing, I didn't want to disturb you," Mo Yan said with a smile, avoiding topics that would make Xiao Chen sad.
"Medicinal liquid? Hehe, the Liu family head is really courteous!" Xiao Chen smiled slightly, feeling grateful inside.
"Xiao Chen, you're still young and don't understand many things. Although the three major families appear friendly on the surface, they all act out of self-interest. For appearances' sake, you avenged Tiandu by defeating Ling Zhan. If the Liu family didn't show some appreciation, what would the people of Tiandu think?" Mo Yan said with a smile while preparing the medicinal liquid for Xiao Chen.
Being more mature and steady than his peers, Xiao Chen naturally understood the meaning behind Mo Yan's words. He didn't say much because he agreed with Mo Yan's view.
If it were something that brought no benefit to them, the Liu family would not be so courteous. Their actions were entirely for their own reputation and standing in Tiandu.
"Brother Mo Yan, what are your plans?" Xiao Chen asked.
Hearing this, Mo Yan was taken aback, then smiled bitterly, "What plans can I have? Of course, I just want to live a peaceful life, find a wife, have a child or two, and that's it for this lifetime, hehe."
"Don't you think about your former lover?" Xiao Chen asked again.
"Hehe, of course, I think about her. She was my first love. Unfortunately, I couldn't give her a good life. I hope she is happy now," Mo Yan smiled faintly, though he pretended to be indifferent, he was actually feeling quite bitter inside, but didn't want to show his weakness.
"You're just a kid; what do you know? This is adult business. Alright, take off your clothes and get into the medicinal bath," Mo Yan teased, gesturing for Xiao Chen to enter the tub.
"Huh? All of them?" Xiao Chen was shocked and looked a bit embarrassed.
Seeing Xiao Chen's embarrassment, Mo Yan teased, "What? Are you shy? You haven't even grown feathers yet, what's there to be shy about? Hurry up and take them off, or the medicinal liquid's potency will be lost."
With no other choice, Xiao Chen obediently took off his clothes and entered the medicinal bath. Although he felt a bit embarrassed, Mo Yan's meticulous care, like that of a big brother, made Xiao Chen feel happy and warm inside.
As soon as he entered the tub, Xiao Chen felt the powerful medicinal energy from the liquid beginning to flow into his body. Within two minutes, a heat spread throughout his body.
"So hot! It feels like there's a fire burning inside me. Brother Mo Yan, what is this medicinal liquid?" Xiao Chen asked, looking uncomfortable as wisps of white smoke rose from his head.
Mo Yan smiled calmly, "The Liu family head said that your true essence was excessively depleted in the previous battle, causing severe muscle pain and immobility. This medicinal liquid is called Coagulating Blood Elixir. When you soak in it, the medicinal power will be absorbed by your body, helping to heal internal injuries. You'll be fully recovered in two or three days."
"Coagulating Blood Elixir?" Xiao Chen asked, seemingly worried about the medicinal liquid.
Seeing Xiao Chen's concern, Mo Yan smiled and said, "Don't worry. Brother Mo Yan wouldn't harm you. I even had it checked at the apothecary. The shopkeeper said it has strong healing effects. No matter how hot it feels, you have to endure it. You'll be fully healed in two or three days."
"Alright!" Xiao Chen forced a smile, feeling the injuries slowly healing, and felt reassured.
"Xiao Chen, if you feel too hot, try to distract yourself. Soak in the medicinal liquid and cultivate at the same time. Maybe you won't feel the heat then. I'll go prepare more medicinal liquid for you, so don't come out," Mo Yan said with a smile and left the room.
Over the next few days, Xiao Chen soaked in the medicinal liquid in the tub. To ensure his quick recovery, Mo Yan prepared the medicinal liquid for him every day. As soon as the medicinal liquid's potency was about to be absorbed, Mo Yan would pour in more.
In just a few days, Xiao Chen's injuries healed quickly, and now he was fully recovered. Xiao Chen felt deeply grateful.
"Brother Mo Yan, take these spirit stones. You're only at the Fasting stage now, and breaking through to the Golden Core stage requires a lot of spirit stones!" Xiao Chen took out the 20,000 spirit stones rewarded from the martial arts tournament and handed the storage bag to Mo Yan.
Mo Yan immediately refused with a smile, "I can't accept this. These are your rewards from the martial arts tournament, earned with your own hands. They are very significant to you."
"Brother Mo Yan, I have many spirit stones. Just accept them. Besides, when I return to the Xiao family, I will have spirit stones for cultivation. Please take them," Xiao Chen smiled, feeling that since Mo Yan had taken such good care of him, he wanted to repay the favor. At this point, spirit stones were all he could offer.
"Xiao Chen, if you truly consider me as your brother, keep the spirit stones for yourself. Brother Mo Yan doesn't lack these spirit stones," Mo Yan said seriously. Mo Yan wasn't someone who would take advantage of others, so he wouldn't accept Xiao Chen's spirit stones.
"Alright!" Xiao Chen smiled bitterly, scratching his nose, he said, "Brother Mo Yan, I've decided to leave Tiandu and return to Fengyue City today."
Mo Yan nodded. Although he felt reluctant, Xiao Chen had been away from home for almost three years, and his family must be very worried. So Mo Yan smiled and said, "Xiao Chen, you've been out for about three years. It's time to go back. Otherwise, your father must be worried sick."
"Hehe, the Xiao family probably thinks I'm dead by now!" Xiao Chen laughed self-deprecatingly. After all, back then, Xiao Chen was just a useless person. Except for Xiao Changfeng, no one in the Xiao family would worry about him. They would probably be happy if he died.
"By the way, Xiao Chen, don't you plan to say goodbye to Liu Feng and the others before you leave? They've come to visit you several times while you were healing," Mo Yan asked.
Xiao Chen shook his head and smiled, "No need. Liu Feng and the others are the young masters of the three major families in Tiandu. We are from different worlds, so let's just leave it."
"If that's the case, then let's go. I'll see you off," Mo Yan smiled.
"Thank you, Brother Mo Yan!" Xiao Chen smiled. As he turned around, he flicked his fingers, and two storage bags landed on the table without Mo Yan noticing.
Mo Yan and Xiao Chen appeared on the streets of Tianshuang City. Many cultivators greeted Xiao Chen warmly. Compared to the past in Fengyue City, it was like night and day. Xiao Chen was now a famous figure in Tiandu, the number one genius.
Half an hour later, Xiao Chen and Mo Yan arrived at Tiandu's gate. Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Brother Mo Yan, this is far enough. You can go back now."
Mo Yan nodded and smiled, "Xiao Chen, be very careful on your journey."
"I will! Thank you for your concern, Brother Mo Yan. I'll visit you when I have the chance. Take care." Xiao Chen smiled, bowed to Mo Yan, and then turned to leave.
"Take care!" Mo Yan whispered. Watching Xiao Chen's departing figure, Mo Yan felt a pang of sadness. Farewells are always so painful.
Having been away from Fengyue City for almost three years, Xiao Chen missed his father very much. Now that he was no longer a useless person and had gained experience through his travels, it was time to go back and see him.