Chapter 22 Thinking of You

Shuang’er returned to the Azure Cloud Pavilion in the evening with a heavy mood. Although Xiao Yan found various excuses to keep her at the Xiao Family, he didn’t make things too difficult for her or give her a hard time. However, before she left the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan mentioned that he wouldn’t come to the Azure Cloud Pavilion himself; he was waiting for Shuang’er to deliver the letter again at the Xiao Family.

When Shuang’er arrived at the room, she discovered that Shangguan Yi had already entered his seclusion. On the sofa, she saw the white letter still lying there.

"It's indeed his style of handling matters. It seems he won't come out anytime soon," Shuang'er murmured to herself.

With her understanding of Shangguan Yi, Shuang'er grasped the meaning behind the letter immediately. She couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions for reasons she couldn't fully understand.

In fact, she had a good impression of Shangguan Yi despite not exchanging many words with him; she still admired him. However, from today onwards, there was another person who would entered her heart, a person who treated her with great enthusiasm. That person was naturally Xiao Yan. Although she felt quite uncomfortable with his attitude, she also didn't have a bad impression of him.

…

Inside the ancestral land of the Mu Family.

Mu Xinghan began her breakthrough after meticulously reviewing the forming the core process. As she proceeded, powerful fluctuations of core essence spread throughout a 1,000-mile area. However, no one in the Mu Family could sense these fluctuations, except for the elder guarding the ancestral land and Mu Xingyao, who stood beside him.

"The talent of the Young Lady in this generation is truly exceptional. She is the most talented person since our Great Ancestor. With her, our Mu Family is progressing in a better way," the elder who guarded the ancestral land, Mu Xuantian, spoke with emotion. Having guarded the ancestral land for four generations, he had seen many prodigies of the Mu Family, but this was the first time he felt such profound admiration.

Mu Xingyao, who was standing beside him, had a surprised expression upon hearing Elder Xuantian's praise. Truth be told, he was two generations younger than Mu Xuantian and had always shown respect when speaking with him. He was accustomed to seeing the elder's solemn demeanor, and it was unexpected to witness such admiration from the old man today.

Still, he was only surprised for a moment before regaining his composure. He then spoke solemnly, “Xinghan, this child, in fact, her talent is not inferior to the Great Ancestor's. It's just that she pursued pill refining more than cultivation, which caused her cultivation to progress slowly. Otherwise, she might have become a Core Formation Cultivator even before the opening of the Xuan World.”

"Oh, then what about her pill refining talent?" Mu Xuantian asked. He had decided that if her talent in this field was lacking, he would try to convince her to focus on cultivation. However, if she showed great potential, he would support her all the way.

Mu Xingyao didn’t hide anything from him as he replied, “In terms of pill refining, she is the first person to understand all the pill refining contents left behind by the Great Ancestor. It could be said that she is the most talented person in the Mu Family.”

"Such talent, hahaha! Our Mu Family will enter a glorious era this time," Mu Xuantian laughed heartily. It was the greatest laugh of his in many years.

He then said solemnly, "Xingyao, you must not let anyone learn of this. Also, you must do whatever it takes to protect her. I will support you with all my efforts. Feel free to look for me in the future."

"Yes, ancestor. I understand. Don't worry, no one besides me, her mother, and a few elders knows about this matter. Even her breakthrough this time was kept secret," Mu Xingyao guaranteed.

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"You did well. Xinghan must be protected at all costs. When she finishes her breakthrough, I'll let her stay in the ancestral land as long as she wishes," Mu Xuantian spoke in a very serious tone.

…

In Xiao Yan’s courtyard.

"Teacher, do you know which pill is the best for helping Foundation Establishment Cultivators?" Xiao Yan asked in his mind.

There was no response for a little longer before the voice of the old man rang in his mind, "Naturally, it's the essence pill, but it has to be at least high-grade. What's the matter? You're not a Foundation Establishment Cultivator anymore. Why are you still bringing this up?"

Hearing this, as honest as Xiao Yan, he didn’t hide anything from Teacher Yao. “It’s like this. I found love. She just dove right in and followed my lead. Well, I found Shuang’er, beautiful and sweet. Oh, I never knew she was the one I was waiting for. I can’t help but fall in love at first sight. I won’t give up.”

He told everything to Teacher Yao.

Teacher Yao listened calmly and quietly for a while before he suggested, "Then, you must become a high-grade pill refiner soon. With your talent, I believe you will achieve it in a few years."

"No! A few years is too long. I will become a high-grade pill refiner as soon as possible. Do you have any methods?" Xiao Yan wasn’t convinced; he wanted to surprise Shuang’er and outshine her Young Master, so everyone would know who the real pill refining genius was.

Teacher Yao shook his head slightly, "It's impossible to progress quickly in pill refining. You must take each step carefully. At most, I can help you become a high-grade pill refiner in two years."

“Two years…” Xiao Yan was not convinced, but he knew that he could do nothing about it.

“I achieve it!” He said confidently as the image of Shuang’er emerged in his mind.

“Then, start with the mid-grade essence pills,” Teacher Yao said.

Hearing about the essence pills, Xiao Yan’s expression turned solemn.

“Teacher, during your sleep, you might not know that we are in lacking of the ingredients of the essence pills.” Xiao Yan spoke as he began explaining the current situation of Xi’An City to Teacher Yao.

"So, it's like this. Then, there's not a matter for you to refine the Cleansing Water Pill and the Blazing Dust Pill. Don't let them outdo you!" Teacher Yao said, expressing his interest in those who could refine these two types of pills as he could use them to instruct Xiao Yan.

Three months later.

The Xiao Family shocked Xi'An by releasing batches of Cleansing Water Pills in exchange for ingredients for essence pills, greatly benefiting from the results. This caused anxiety for the Liu Family, who previously held the advantage in purchasing essence pill ingredients. Simultaneously, Xiao Yan's reputation soared even higher. He was not only considered the most talented cultivator of his generation but also recognized for his top-notch pill refining skills.

Many young beauties chased after Xiao Yan whenever he appeared.

Many young cultivators admired him, some envied him, and others even hated him.

Many of the older generation felt threatened by him.

There are various rumors about him; some said he encountered good fortune in the Xuan World, while others claimed he worked day and night to cultivate and refine pills…

Xiao Yan was very satisfied with his reputation, but outwardly, he pretended to be cold and aloof.

As of now, Xiao Yan hadn't been refining pills or staying at the Xiao Family. Instead, he had come to the Azure Cloud Pavilion.

He had indeed devoted all three months to refining pills, but every day and night, he would think of Shuang’er, hoping she would appear and surprise him. To his disappointment, she didn’t show up. Eventually, unable to wait any longer, he came directly to seek her out.

When he arrived at the azure and white building, he was welcomed by Old Wang and several elders. Given his current status as a Core Formation Cultivator and a mid-grade pill refiner, he now warranted this kind of qualification and treatment.

"It’s our pleasure to have Young Master Xiao visit our pavilion. Please come in and have a seat inside," Old Wang said enthusiastically.

"Please, there's no need for such courtesy. I won't trouble you elders much; I'm here to look for Master Shangguan," Xiao Yan stated his intentions. In fact, he was here for Shuang'er, but as a Core Formation Cultivator, seeking her out didn't give him a good reason to justify to the Xiao Family and others.

Hearing that Xiao Yan was here for Shangguan Yi, Old Wang and the other elders exchanged various expressions. Except for Old Wang, several of them had never even met Shangguan Yi. As a result, none of them really knew what kind of person he was.

They didn’t know much about Shangguan Yi, but they knew about Xiao Yan. Thus, most of them assumed that Xiao Yan was here to challenge Shangguan Yi in terms of pill refining. This prospect excited them as it offered a chance to meet Shangguan Yi in person and observe a display of both of their skills.

However, only Old Wang had a weird expression. He knew and understood Shangguan Yi well enough to realize that he wouldn't come out of seclusion for such a matter.

Old Wang shook his head and sighed, “Young Master Xiao, I understand your intentions in visiting us. I’m also looking forward to seeing both of you competing in terms of pill refining. Unfortunately, Master Shangguan is in seclusion, and I don’t know when he will come out. Therefore…” He lowered his voice, signaling the situation was out of his control.

“There is no matter. I came on the wrong day then. But I heard that he has a maid named Shuang’er. I wonder if I can meet her and leave some words for Master Shangguan.” Despite being a Core Formation cultivator at a young age, Xiao Yan didn’t show arrogance. This impressed them, and Old Wang felt the same way.

“It’s not a big deal, come with me, Young Master Xiao,” Old Wang said without any suspicion of Xiao Yan’s intentions.

Xiao Yan nodded calmly, though he was crazily excited deep down.

Following Old Wang quietly for a while, they arrived at the courtyard near Shangguan Yi’s room. Old Wang then instructed someone to call Shuang’er before leaving.

Shuang’er was still cultivating when a servant of Old Wang informed her that someone wanted to meet her.

Feeling quite puzzled, Shuang’er followed the servant. Upon arriving at the courtyard, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “Young Master, why are you here?”