At Xiao Yan's suggestion, Yao Lao quickly brought him to the Cao Family's resting area. As one of the five great families in the Pill Domain, the Cao Family's location was not far from the Dan Family.
In terms of grandeur and decoration, the Cao Family was on par with the Dan Family.
But if it really came down to comparison, even all the clans across the continent combined might not outshine the Xiao Family.
Inside a rest room of the Cao Family, a subtle fragrance lingered. Cao Ying lay on the bed with a pale face, and beside her stood the Cao Family Patriarch, Xuan Yi, Xiao Yan, and Yao Lao.
"Why are you two here?" Xuan Yi asked coldly upon seeing Xiao Yan and his master.
Before Yao Lao could respond, Xiao Yan stepped forward and said, "Aunt Xuan, I think the outcome of the competition might have been too much of a blow to Cao Ying, possibly because of me. I wanted to talk to her properly once she wakes up. I'm also here to check on her."
Whether it was because of that "Aunt Xuan" or something else, Xuan Yi gave Xiao Yan a look, then glanced at the unconscious Cao Ying, seemingly lost in thought.
After a moment, her expression softened slightly and she spoke gently to Xiao Yan, "Ying'er is no longer in any serious condition, but she will still need a period of quiet recovery. Since you're being so sincere, I'll leave her care to you. When she wakes up, be sure to comfort her properly. If she ends up bottling up more internal injuries, I'll come after you."
"Don't worry, Aunt Xuan. I'll definitely help Junior Sister Cao Ying clear her mind." Xiao Yan smiled.
"This brat clearly has ulterior motives. I tried so hard to talk him out of going to the Northwest Continent, but the moment he hears there's a beautiful girl here, he comes rushing over," Yao Lao sighed to himself as he watched Xiao Yan.
"You really will do anything for women, huh?"
Just as he was thinking this, Xuan Yi's voice suddenly reached his ears: "You, come with me."
"Hehe, I think I'd better stay here and take care of my disciple." Yao Lao forced a smile.
"Hmm?" With a cold snort from Xuan Yi, Yao Lao's face fell, and he reluctantly followed her out.
"Senior, I hope you don't mind me sticking around here?" Xiao Yan looked toward the Cao Family Patriarch.
"Not at all, not at all," the Cao Family Patriarch waved his hand.
With a smile on his aged face, he said, "This girl of mine has had everything go too smoothly in her life. Maybe being defeated by a more monstrous genius like you is actually a good thing."
"Since you're here to help guide her, I'll have to trouble you then."
"Senior, your words are too flattering." Xiao Yan was a bit surprised by the Cao Family Patriarch's attitude—it felt a bit too friendly.
"Hehe, Xiao Yan my friend, since you're willing to accompany and take care of my family's little girl, I thank you. Once she wakes up, the two of you can have a proper talk. Since you're both geniuses, it'll benefit you both in the long run to help one another. I won't stay here to get in the way. If you need anything, just let Qingcui know."
With a meaningful smile, the Cao Family Patriarch left behind a Dou Spirit-level maid before vanishing from the room.
"That old man's really generous..." Xiao Yan stared dumbfounded at the spot where the patriarch had disappeared. Giving his precious granddaughter to a near stranger he's only met twice? That's bold.
Still, with his naturally outgoing nature and incurable social charm, Xiao Yan had no trouble chatting with the maid Qingcui, even with Cao Ying still unconscious.
Qingcui wasn't exactly stunning—maybe a six out of ten—but she was pleasant enough to talk to.
Elsewhere in another room in the Cao Family's resting area, the Cao Family Patriarch suddenly appeared on a chair. A flame flickered in his palm, and in moments, he boiled a pot of tea.
"Seems like this kid Xiao Yan might have some feelings for Ying'er."
Taking a light sip of tea, the Cao Family Patriarch began plotting.
In his eyes, Xiao Yan had already become the number one potential talent.
Being Yao Chen's disciple wasn't the impressive part—after all, Han Feng was also a disciple of Yao Chen, and he was over a hundred years old and still only a mid-rank seventh-tier alchemist.
But if Xiao Yan was really the Young Pavilion Master of Starfall Pavilion, then that was a whole different story. It meant he was bound to become a major figure in Central Plains.
Of course, for the Cao Family, this only meant equality. Without Yao Chen, the Starfall Pavilion might not even be stronger than the Cao Family.
But Xiao Yan's current talent—that was what truly shocked people.
Fifteen years old, two-star Dou Huang, sixth-rank high-tier alchemist!
In the Pill Domain, no one had reached that level at that age for centuries. With his talent, becoming a ninth-tier alchemist wasn't out of reach. Becoming a Dou Saint didn't seem impossible either.
And because of Cao Ying, he had just heard from Xuan Yi that Xiao Yan was from the Xiao Clan—one of this generation's Holy Sons.
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The Xiao Clan, head of the ancient seven clans, rarely revealed itself, but even a sliver of its power could shake the entire continent.
Especially since it was said that the clan harbored the only known Dou Di in the world.
"Emperor Xuan, Xiao Xuan!" Even though this mighty figure hadn't appeared in nearly a thousand years—and some even speculated he had perished—any name tied to him carried immense weight.
Because that realm… was the absolute peak of this world!
If Cao Ying and Xiao Yan could become a couple, the Cao Family might even surpass the Dan Family, perhaps reaching even greater heights.
"I just wonder… do they have that kind of fate?" The Cao Family Patriarch took another sip of tea, his old eyes narrowing.
Meanwhile, in the Dan Family's grand hall, Danyangzi was grinning ear to ear at Dan Chen, his old face blooming like a flower.
"Chen'er, aren't you close with that little girl from the Cao Family? She's your good sister, right? She's sick—shouldn't you go visit her?"
"Grandpa, Xiao Yan is with Sister Cao Ying too... I-I'm a bit scared of him." Dan Chen pouted pitifully.
"Silly girl, I want you to go because Xiao Yan is there!" Danyangzi thought inwardly.
With his ties to Xuan Kongzi and Xuan Yi, and already envious of Xiao Yan's talent, Danyangzi had been further shaken when Xuan Kongzi revealed that Xiao Yan was a Holy Son of the Xiao Clan.
"That little rascal has a thing for my granddaughter, so I'll play matchmaker. Hand her over to him on a silver platter—can't let the Cao Family snatch him first!"
"Chen'er, I know that boy seems a little flippant, but he's not a bad person. With his talent, you two will definitely cross paths again. Getting to know outstanding young people will benefit you in the long run." Danyangzi tried to ease her anxiety.
"But… but I'm really afraid of him..." Dan Chen said pitifully, her timid expression tugging at the heartstrings.
"Sigh, this child has everything going for her—except she's too timid and introverted," Danyangzi sighed as he rubbed his forehead.
Dan Chen was born with a Primordial Spirit Physique, destined to become an eighth-rank alchemist. But with her personality, she'd easily suffer at the hands of the wicked.
"No. You must go today! Chen'er, you are the future of our Dan Family. You have to overcome fear and hardship!" Danyangzi's tone turned serious.
"I-I won't lose..." A weak murmur echoed.
Cao Ying slowly opened her long, beautiful eyes, and the first thing she saw was a handsome, familiar face she had dreamed about countless times.
....
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