"Aunt, when I just broke through to Dou Venerate and said I wanted to enter closed-door cultivation, you didn't say it like this." Huo Zhi couldn't understand which of Fairy Huo Ling's words were sincere.
After she broke through to Dou Venerate and received the low-grade Heaven Tier portion of the Fire Emperor Mysterious Scripture, she had immediately said she wanted to seclude herself.
At that time, Fairy Huo Ling had nodded approvingly: "Young people should be able to endure loneliness. It's good to understand the importance of closed-door cultivation for high-level techniques."
Yet now she was saying young people should go out and experience the continent.
"Little Zhi Er, this is where you don't understand Aunt." Fairy Huo Ling pinched Huo Zhi's nose. "Aunt only supports you young people."
"Whether it's closed-door cultivation or going out to the Battle Qi Continent to broaden your horizons, both have their own benefits. Aunt is just encouraging you."
Huo Zhi could tell these words came from the heart. She nodded slightly: "Then Aunt, do you want to come with me?"
Fairy Huo Ling was the second strongest expert in the Yan Clan, the number one female cultivator on the Battle Qi Continent, only half a step away from Dou Saint Eight Stars.
If she could have Fairy Huo Ling accompany her, she could go anywhere on the Battle Qi Continent.
And she would have much more confidence in feeding someone soft rice.
She wanted to become the next Flame Emperor.
A terrifying ambition hid in the depths of Huo Zhi's eyes.
As the clan leader's daughter, she only possessed peak Fourth Grade Dou God bloodline, which caused many clan members to look down on her.
If not for her special physique, which had received the favor of the Red Lotus Karmic Flame after she broke through to Dou King, successfully refining the Heavenly Flame and causing her physique to undergo a transformation, allowing her cultivation speed to match that of Eighth Grade Dou God bloodline, she would have suffered countless disdainful looks.
However, she had never forgotten the experiences of her childhood. She desperately wanted to prove herself.
Fairy Huo Ling was her idol, and becoming an Emperor was her obsession!
"Go with you?" Fairy Huo Ling thought of the bottleneck that had stalled her for hundreds of years.
From Dou Saint Seven Stars peak to Dou Saint Eight Stars seemed like a small bottleneck, but it was actually a heavenly chasm.
The accumulation required for this small step was greater than what she needed when she re-cultivated from Dou Practitioner all the way to Dou Saint Seven Stars.
Going out to the Battle Qi Continent with young people to see and experience things might be good for her state of mind.
"Alright then. Aunt will accompany you with her soul." Fairy Huo Ling agreed.
Her main body would definitely need to remain in the Yan Realm where natural energy was dense to continue accumulating Battle Qi.
But she could turn her soul into an energy body. Its strength would not be inferior to some low-star Dou Saint experts.
"Aunt, you're the best."
….
Time flew like a galloping horse; days passed like a shuttle.
One day passed quickly.
The next day at noon, Xiao Ting, together with Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor, arrived at the Manly Steel Mercenary's station in Rock Desert City within the Tager Desert.
After announcing their identities, the three were warmly received by Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
After several rounds of drinks, Xiao Ting stated his purpose: "Big Brother, Second Brother, I came hoping you two can return to the Xiao Family to develop. Reliable and worthy people in the Manly Steel Mercenary who are willing to follow you can also be brought back."
"Xiao Ting, you should know why Big Brother and I established this mercenary company," Xiao Li still wanted to build the mercenary company well so he could look after Xiao Yan in the future.
"It's precisely because of that that the two brothers should return to the Xiao Family." Xiao Ting took out the tea leaves he had made himself and smilingly handed them to Little Fairy Doctor. "Big Brother and Second Brother should know that Brother Yan has already recovered his talent."
"During the meal earlier, I didn't tell you—Brother Yan has already broken through to Two-Star Dou Practitioner and has taken a teacher who is even more powerful than Pill King Gu He. In the future, Brother Yan will definitely go out and roam the continent. He won't be confined to Wu Tan City."
"What about you?" Xiao Li didn't want to compete with his own brother. "You should become the Young Clan Leader. Wouldn't it be better for you to lead the family's development in the future?"
Xiao Ting did not answer. Instead, he directly materialized Battle Qi armor.
"D-D-D-Dou Grandmaster!?"
Both Xiao Ding and Xiao Li opened their mouths wide in shock, finding it unbelievable.
"Bro, pinch me," Xiao Li said incredulously.
Xiao Ding immediately did so, pinching hard on his thigh.
"It hurts!" Xiao Li looked speechless. "You really pinched!?"
"I was afraid I was dreaming. Now I'm sure it's real." Xiao Ding let out a hearty laugh. "Good, very good. Xiao Ting's talent is actually above Xiao Yan's."
"In the future, you two brothers will roam the Battle Qi Continent together. The Xiao Family will definitely rise because of you."
"Second Brother and I will return to manage the family. That way, you two can venture outside without worries and have a home to return to."
Xiao Ding was actually a very qualified candidate for clan leader. He always thought from the big picture, but he also never lacked care and radiance toward clan members and family. He had never let personal preferences interfere.
Previously, when he felt Xiao Yan couldn't develop well in the Xiao Family, he had stepped out to build a foundation for him and left the Young Clan Leader position to Xiao Ting.
Now that he knew the Xiao Family would hold Xiao Yan and Xiao Ting back, he immediately prepared to return and guard the family so the two brothers would have no worries.
"Xiao Ting, rest assured. I will help Big Brother guard the Xiao Family well. When you and Xiao Yan get tired outside, just come home and rest." Although Xiao Li's cultivation and battle talent were higher than Xiao Ding's, he was very willing to be a good support.
Once the serious matters were settled, Xiao Ting said he wanted to take Xun Er and Little Fairy Doctor for a stroll around Rock Desert City and its surroundings.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, you two handle your own matters. Solve the important issues as soon as possible and just assign us someone familiar with the area as a guide."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ding and Xiao Li naturally complied.
The latter immediately called for the steward and gave instructions: someone familiar with Rock Desert City, good personality, patient, obedient, and pleasing to the eye.
Xun Er immediately sent this situation to the group chat.
…
[Xun Er]: This is an opportunity. Becoming a guide will allow you to naturally come into contact with us. Do you have a way to be chosen?
[Qing Lin]: No problem, Sister Xun Er. These conditions describe me perfectly.
…
Qing Lin, who was working in the backyard, had an excited face. Her porcelain-doll-like fair and delicate little face flushed red.
Finally, she was going to meet the Young Master Xiao Ting she had been longing for!
But dozens of breaths later, she was stunned into a daze.
…
[Qing Lin]: Sister Xun Er, the steward didn't choose me.
[Xun Er]: ...
[Medusa]: Tsk, wasn't it "perfectly" you?
[Yun Yun]: She forgot she is of mixed Snake-People and human blood. The steward is probably afraid of offending the honored guests.
[Qing Lin]: Sister Xun Er, what should I do? Should I use the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils to hypnotize the steward?
[Xun Er]: Don't. Big Brother Xiao Ting might notice. I'll handle it.
…
The short chat lasted only an instant.
Xun Er put down her teacup and spoke with a smile: "Big Brother, Second Brother, why don't you let someone show me around the mercenary company? Let me choose a guide myself?"
"That's naturally no problem." Xiao Li subconsciously glanced at Xiao Ting and agreed.
Xun Er called Little Fairy Doctor and left, leaving only Xiao Ting in the reception hall.
"Big Brother, Second Brother, these are Xuan Tier High Rank techniques. Remember to cultivate them." Xiao Ting handed two scrolls to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li respectively.
"They're from Brother Yan's teacher, so don't be polite with me."
Xiao Ting could naturally ask Xun Er for them—even Earth Tier Low Rank ones—but he would not do so.
Although he ate soft rice with peace of mind, he would not use Xun Er's affection to treat others well.
…