Because of Xiao Zhan's appearance, Xiao Feng's shopping plans were completely ruined, and he was now standing in the main hall, surrounded by onlookers.
"Father, you said Brother Feng defeated Galeo?" Xiao Yan asked incredulously.
It wasn't that Galeo was particularly strong; Xiao Yan was confident he could easily defeat him. The problem was that Xiao Yan was a Dou Zhe, while Xiao Feng was only at the first stage of Dou Qi!
Moreover, the outcome was decided in an instant!
What a joke! Shouldn't I be the protagonist?
Xiao Zhan ignored Xiao Yan, or rather, he didn't even notice Xiao Yan speaking. At this moment, all his attention was drawn to Xiao Feng.
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"Feng'er, just how deep are you hiding?" Xiao Zhan asked with a smile.
Originally, Xiao Zhan was already very happy that the Xiao family had produced a once-in-a-century talent like Xiao Yan. Turning around, he found another cunning old fox squatting right under his nose, seemingly even more outrageous than the former. This time, he couldn't control his grin!
Goodness, how could such a small family like the Xiaos have raised two such brilliant talents? Wuhu, take off!
Xiao Feng smiled wryly, "Uncle Xiao Zhan, you've misunderstood. I just spent more time honing my body in the past, so my physical strength is a bit stronger than my peers. And as you all know, this gap will definitely gradually decrease as cultivation improves."
Xiao Zhan seemed to have been doused with cold water, his brows furrowing involuntarily, "Is that so..."
Xiao Yan, however, became suspicious, "No, Brother Feng, you're lying."
Xiao Feng blinked, a look of doubt on his face, "Uncle Xiao Zhan treats me like his own son, how could I lie to him! Besides, we grew up together, don't you know what I do every day?"
"That's true, but you've been at the first level of Dou Qi since your first year of cultivating Dou Qi, how could you not have improved at all after all these years? You must be hiding your strength, right?" Xiao Yan had a look on his face that said, "Your lie has been seen through."
Xiao Feng sighed, "Little brother, please don't bring up my lack of talent, okay?"
"No...no..." Xiao Yan was interrupted by Xiao Zhan before he could finish speaking.
"Alright, Yan'er, you don't need to say anymore." Xiao Zhan sighed as he looked at Xiao Feng's dejected expression. "Let's leave it at that. You two should go back and rest."
"Yes, Uncle Xiao Zhan, you should rest early too."
"Understood, Father."
The two left together.
"Huo Huo, do you think Uncle Xiao Zhan will be lonely at night?" Xiao Feng suddenly asked. (Uncle Xiao Zhan, seeing how free you are every day, your nephew has to think about your marriage!)
"Ah...huh???" Xiao Yan was stunned for a moment, then stunned again, completely dumbfounded.
"That's true, this matter needs to be taken slowly." Seeing Xiao Yan's worldview collapse, Xiao Feng felt a great sense of relief.
Back in the courtyard, Xiao Feng immediately sat cross-legged and began to cultivate his Qi.
In this life, besides striving to defeat the Soul Emperor and survive, there was now another person he had to risk his life to protect!
That night, Xiao Feng cultivated until dawn.
Although those who cultivate Dou Qi have much lower sleep requirements, he was not yet a Dou Zhe, so he ate breakfast with his eyes half-closed.
"Brother Xiao Feng, are you alright?"
Xiao Xun'er came close to him right after dinner, her delicate face full of worry.
His wife was worried…
Xiao Feng thought to himself, forcing his eyes open and forcing a gentle smile. "Don't worry, it's nothing. I just stayed up all night cultivating and was a little sleepy."
"Go back to sleep if you're sleepy! Why are you killing dogs here!"
Xiao Yan was very annoyed. The girl he secretly loved had run off with another guy and was still showing off their love in front of him—he couldn't swallow it!
Xiao Xun'er rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan, said nothing, and helped Xiao Feng back to his courtyard.
"Xun'er, I'm sorry, we were supposed to go shopping today." Brother Xiao Feng squinted, looking incredibly sleepy.
"Shopping is fine anytime, Brother Xiao Feng, you should go to sleep, your health is important." Xiao Xun'er held Xiao Feng's hand, smiling slightly.
"Mm."
Xiao Feng didn't hesitate, enjoying the warmth of her hand as he drifted into a similarly warm dream. "
...
Hahaha, Xiao Feng, are you really that strong? You can't even protect your own woman!"
A hazy figure stood in the distance, one hand gripping the girl's fair neck, lifting her up. The voice was icy, as if it came from the depths of hell, "See? The ancient clans have all surrendered, yet she stood up to protect you. This foolish woman, she died because of you!"
The girl also gazed in this direction, her exquisite face filled with tenderness and a smile. Her lips moved slightly, without making a sound, yet her meaning was clear.
"Brother Xiao Feng, Xun'er has been so happy in this life..."
Before she could finish speaking, boundless battle energy surged from the black shadow, its momentum like a rainbow, rushing towards the girl in its hands.
"No!"
He wanted to speak, but no sound came out; he wanted to save her, but he couldn't move...
Xiao Feng could only watch helplessly as the girl turned into a rain of blood, dissipating into specks of light along with the Golden Emperor's Burning Heaven Flame.
"Ah!!!!!"
A heart-wrenching scream escaped Xiao Feng's lips.
"Huff... huff... huff..."
The dream had ended, but the grief from before still lingered in his heart; the bleeding pain, the feeling that every breath was filled with sorrow, had not yet dissipated.
"Brother Xiao Feng, what's wrong?"
Not long after, Xiao Xun'er appeared before Xiao Feng, her face full of worry.
Immediately after, Xiao Yan arrived. "Brother Feng, are you alright?"
"I..." Xiao Feng's eyes still held a trace of confusion and lingering fear.
Soon, the confusion and fear transformed into determination. Ignoring Xiao Yan's gaze, he pulled the girl into his arms, caressing the real feeling of the three thousand green ribbons, and murmured, "Xun'er, I won't let you leave again..."
The worry on Xiao Yan's face vanished instantly, his expression darkening. However, due to Xiao Feng's emotional turmoil, he left without saying anything.
In the courtyard, only the embracing boy and girl remained.
"Brother Xiao Feng, Xun'er won't leave you." The girl's voice was gentle, but a trace of confusion lingered in her eyes.
After a while, Xiao Feng's emotions calmed down, but the lingering feeling remained. He looked outside. "Xun'er, what time is it?"
"Just finished lunch. Because Brother Xiao Feng was too tired, I didn't come to call you." Xiao Xun'er replied softly.
Xiao Feng rubbed his stomach, seemingly a little hungry. He gently pushed the girl away and jumped out of bed. "Perfect timing, let's go shopping!"
"Brother Xiao Feng, if anything happens that you can't handle yourself, you must tell Xun'er!"
Xiao Feng's sudden change in mood made Xiao Xun'er even more worried.
Pinching Xiao Xun'er's cheek, Xiao Feng laughed. "Don't worry, the world is vast, there's nowhere I won't go!"
Seeing Xiao Feng's spirited demeanor, Xiao Xun'er laughed as well, but a vague unease lingered in her heart: Brother Xiao Feng... has he found out something?
Wutan City wasn't a big city.
Xiao Feng had always thought so... and this thought persisted until today.
"How can it be so big..."
Xiao Feng looked despairing. A city that was comparable to a town in his previous life—how many people and how much time must have taken to build such a massive city wall?
Fortunately, there were only a few bustling markets, which gave Xiao Feng a glimmer of hope amidst his despair.
Xiao Xun'er smiled. "Brother Xiao Feng seems to have no idea about Wutan City?"
Ignoring the girl's objections, Xiao Feng ruffled her hair. "I rarely leave the Xiao family compound, how could I possibly know anything about Wutan City?"
Xiao Xun'er hummed in agreement, her light voice ringing out, "Wutan City currently has three major markets and more than ten commercial streets of varying sizes. Near the Mittel Auction House, a small commercial street has also formed. When the auction house isn't open, many vendors who don't want to pay protection money will set up stalls there. After all, near the Mittel Auction House, generally no one dares to cause trouble. Besides these, there are many scattered exchanges throughout Wutan City, managed by the city lord. I wonder where Brother Xiao Feng plans to visit today?"
Xiao Xun'er finished speaking with a mischievous smile.
Xiao Feng rubbed his stomach. "Let's find something to eat nearby first."
Xiao Xun'er, however, showed a hint of reluctance.
"What's wrong?"
"Brother Xiao Feng, don't you know? In a place where every inch of land is precious, who would run a restaurant?"
Xiao Feng was stunned. Who knew that all the people of Wutan cooked for themselves?
"Ah..." Xiao Feng let out a painful groan. "We've already come this far, are we going to go back?"
"Here, Xun'er was worried that Brother Xiao Feng would be hungry, so she brought this out. If it's not enough... then shall we go back first?" Xiao Xun'er took out a palm-sized pastry from her bosom, wrapped very carefully in a handkerchief.
"Hmm, maybe it won't be enough to fill me up, but I definitely won't be hungry." Xiao Feng smiled. The pastry was still warm from his body heat, and it tasted comforting.
The market near the Xiao family was naturally under their control. As soon as the two arrived, someone approached to greet them. The man, who introduced himself as the captain of the guards, was an uncle named Payne.
"Young Master Xiao Feng, Miss Xiao Xun'er, please feel free to call if you need anything. We have people all over the market."
Looking at Payne's sincere tone and respectful demeanor, Xiao Feng smiled and nodded, thinking to himself: Uncle Xiao Zhan is so thoughtful.
The market streets were numerous, filled with shops and stalls, a dazzling array of goods. Most sold weapons, armor, and healing potions, with the occasional magic core and fighting techniques. Mostly, there were many people looking, but few asking about prices.
"It's really simple..." Xiao Feng remarked. Not only was there no food, but there wasn't even anything to play with.
No wonder Xiao Huohuo always liked to tease people; it seemed that the only things to play with in this world were women...
"What's simple?" Xiao Xun'er didn't understand Xiao Feng's meaning and looked at him with confusion.
"You'll understand later." Xiao Feng smiled slightly. After he had thoroughly defeated the Soul Emperor, even if he shouted that he was the successor, no one dared to stand up and say: No, you're not.
"Huh? There are maps for sale here too?"
Xiao Feng noticed an unusual stall out of the corner of his eye and walked over.
"Boss, how much is this map?"
"One hundred gold coins." The shopkeeper didn't even raise an eyebrow.
Although he had never bought anything before, Xiao Feng received pocket money every month and had a certain understanding of the prices in this world. The price of this map was truly... terrifying!
Seeing that the shopkeeper didn't seem to be prepared to explain why it was so expensive, Xiao Feng couldn't help but curiously pick up a copy, ready to see what was strange about it.
"Don't touch it if you can't afford it." The shopkeeper said again.
Xiao Feng clicked his tongue, unfolded the map in his hand and glanced at it, "Your map looks ordinary, how could it be worth one hundred gold coins?"
"Tear it open and see." The shopkeeper still didn't care about the two of them, not even looking at them, but when he said this, there was a clear hint of pride.
A map made of the hide of a high-level magical beast?
Xiao Feng raised an eyebrow, gripped the map in the middle with both hands, and exerted a little force.
*Sizzle*...
the map cracked...
The shopkeeper finally opened his eyes. "Hmm, one hundred gold coins."
(End of Chapter)