The following few months were uneventful until two months ago, a crisis descended.
The Xiao family's herb business suddenly plummeted as many consumers abruptly shifted to another market.
The main reason is that the Jia Lie family has somehow managed to invite a first rank alchemist to refine Qi healing pills in large batches.
This caused many mercenaries who depend heavily on these pills to crowd over to Jia Lie family shops thus reducing Xiao family's influence over the herb industry in Wutan City.
Chaos descended and all the top brass of the clan were anxious.
Xiao Zhan also tried to hire an alchemist but he couldn't afford it. It was then that he knew that the Jia Lie family could invite an alchemist only due to their connections to the Liu family, a family from another city.
This made him a little worried.
The Liu family is a major family in a big city which is not comparable to them.
Jia Lie family's involvement with them is definitely bad news for the Xiao clan.
Since they have always been at odds with each other, they will definitely find ways to make things difficult for them.
Meetings were held with the elders and important members but nobody could come up with a solution.
The other disciples were also aware of this predicament but they were helpless.
It seems this time the status of Xiao family in Wutan City is going to take a serious hit.
When everyone was anxious about the future, Xiao Lin and Xun'er casually roamed around the Xiao family market.
Their laughter and chatter was a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere permeating everywhere.
Although there were less people in the market, it wasn't completely empty. Food and accessory stalls were still crowded but the medicine shops looked a bit barren.
But this didn't affect Xiao Lin and Xun'er's mood to shop together.
Especially Xun'er, who stepped on her lotus steps to visit any shop that attracted her attention.
Xiao Lin, seeing her so lively and energetic also felt happy inside.
Suddenly, he noticed a shop selling candied hawthorns. Recalling that Xun'er likes them quite a bit, he decided to buy some for her.
When he came back with two sticks in his hand, he saw some people in the distance obstructing Xun'er.
After coming closer, he heard their conversation.
"Xiao Xun'er right. Miss Xun'er, fate allowed us to meet today. As a gift for our first meeting, please accept this necklace inlaid with a first rank water attribute monster core. It can not only help in concentration but can also promote healing."
A pale young man with an otherwise handsome appearance spoke with a somewhat gentle tone.
Although his words sounded polite, his eyes kept ogling Xun'er's delicate figure like she was some kind of prey to catch.
Behind this man, stood a slightly older man in his 20s. This was Jia Lie Ao, the young master of the Jia Lie clan.
Seeing Xun'er standing there without accepting the necklace, he instantly stepped forward to introduce: "Miss Xun'er, this is Mr. Liu Xi, a first rank alchemist with great power and high status. You should be honoured to receive a gift from him."
Every word was full of praise and the flattery was about to overflow.
Xun'er's face however only turned colder. She could see the man's intention at a glance which disgusted her very much.
She flatly denied the offer and turned to leave.
Looking at her straightforward refusal, Liu Xi's face darkened but he didn't back down.
He intercepted her again: "No need to deny so quickly. I just want to be friends with you. After you accept this, I can also refine some beauty pills for you which can keep you young forever."
According to him, women love their appearance very much. No matter how reserved they are, they can't resist this kind of temptation.
This is also why he had used this trick to bag who knows how many girls in the past and it always works!
After hearing this, Xun'er felt even more annoyed and impatient at the same time. It's like a fly continuously buzzing by your ear.
Just as she was about to take action and teach this ignorant guy a lesson, Xiao Lin arrived.
Along with him, came the Xiao family guards who are responsible for patrolling this area.
With his normal disciple status, it would be difficult to seek help from the family guards.
But.
Xiao Xun'er is now hailed as the No.1 genius of the Xiao family. Xiao Lin just had to inform them that she was in danger and they immediately came to assist.
Jia Lie Ao looked at the approaching guards and his face changed slightly.
If he is caught causing trouble within the Xiao family property, the consequences won't be good.
His father explicitly instructed that it was not the time to confront the Xiao family yet.
He hurriedly whispered something to Liu Xi before pulling him away from the scene.
Liu Xi licked his lips, his eyes wandering unscrupulously for one last time.
"Miss Xun'er, I think we will meet again soon."
He said with deep meaning before leaving.
Xiao Lin who heard this, narrowed his eyes with a dangerous glint.
"Xun'er, are you alright?"
Although he brought the guards pretty fast, Xun'er still had to deal with the situation alone.
"I'm fine Brother Xiao Lin. Let's continue shopping."
Xun'er shook her head and continued with a slight smile.
Xiao Lin felt Xun'er's anger but he was helpless.
It wasn't that he couldn't stop the previous incident but he was unwilling to expose himself.
So, he immediately informed the guards about the situation.
Xiao Lin looked at the direction where the two left and a killing intent flashed in his eyes. This matter must be resolved.
After this, they didn't encounter any trouble again.
They spent a lot of time together. Although they didn't buy many things, they still covered almost the entire market, tasted various foods and had a lot of fun.
As the sun was about to set, they finally made their way home. Xun'er kept smiling like a flower the entire way which made Xiao Lin feel fulfilled.
"Brother Xiao Lin, thank you for today."
Coming to an intersection, Xun'er turned to face Xiao Lin and thanked him from the bottom of her heart.
This is probably the most enjoyable time she spent with Xiao Lin until now.
"No need to thank me. I also enjoyed your company. Let's do this again sometime."
Xiao Lin also had a lot of fun today and he naturally wanted to experience this again.
Hearing this, Xun'er's eyes lit up and she readily agreed.
After coming to his room, Xiao Lin's smiling face vanished and his eyes turned colder.
It's time to act!
Soon, it was midnight.
When the moon hung high in the sky illuminating the world with a silvery glow, a black figure emerged from the shadows, passed through the clan guards and quietly left the Xiao family premises.
On the empty streets, the moonlight fell on the figure, partly illuminating his face.
It was Lin Yu, Xiao Lin's disguise!