Inside a private room at the Miteer Auction House, Ya Fei scanned the detailed list in her hands with a hint of surprise.
"Tents, insect repellent, medicinal herbs, dried rations… Little Brother Xiao Jietian, are you leaving for a long time?"
Xiao Tian nodded calmly. "Yes. I'm departing today and will be gone for roughly a year. Please help me prepare everything on the list, Sister Ya Fei."
"A whole year?" Ya Fei's beautiful eyes widened slightly. "What exactly are you planning to do?"
"I've come of age. It's time for me to leave Wutan City and temper myself in the outside world."
Ya Fei rested her chin on her delicate hand, a gentle smile blooming on her face. "Indeed. With your current strength, staying here would only limit your growth. I'm actually preparing to return to the headquarters in Jia Ma Holy City soon. If you ever need me, come find me there."
"Understood." Xiao Tian returned her smile. "Please prepare the items as quickly as possible. I won't pay now — I'll settle everything when I'm strong enough to truly rely on you."
Ya Fei let out a soft, charming laugh. "If that day truly comes, I'll be more than happy to help. Wait here. I'll have everything ready shortly."
She stood up gracefully and left the room with a seductive sway in her steps.
After the time it took to finish a cup of tea, Ya Fei returned and handed Xiao Tian a high-quality storage ring. "Everything on your list has been prepared. I also added a few extra wilderness survival items that might prove useful."
Xiao Tian accepted the ring and secretly transferred its contents into his system space. "Sister Ya Fei is truly thoughtful. Thank you."
"Be careful out there," Ya Fei said softly, her voice carrying a rare trace of concern. "I'll be waiting for your return, big brother."
Unable to resist, Xiao Tian stepped forward, wrapped an arm around her slender waist, and pulled her into his embrace. He leaned down and captured her enchanting red lips in a deep, lingering kiss.
Ya Fei did not resist.
When their lips finally parted, Xiao Tian looked into her eyes and whispered, "Wait for me."
He then donned a black cloak, concealing his striking appearance, and strode out of the auction house without looking back.
Behind him, Ya Fei gently touched her lips, a faint smile playing on her face as she murmured, "What a little rascal… always taking advantage whenever he gets the chance."
Three days after Xiao Tian's departure, another figure quietly slipped out of the Xiao Family compound under the cover of night.
It was Xiao Yan.
This time, he chose a different route from his original path. Inspired by his brother's decision, Xiao Yan headed straight toward the Magical Beast Mountain Range from Wutan City. The area was relatively untouched and filled with unknown opportunities — the perfect place to temper himself.
On a wide bluestone path, a handsome young man dressed in black slowly came into view.
After many days of travel, Xiao Tian had finally arrived.
He looked up at the massive stone archway where three bold characters were carved: Qingshan Town.
"So… I've finally arrived," he muttered, a faint smile touching his lips.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Xiao Tian walked leisurely through the archway, his sharp gaze sweeping across the bustling street lined with shops selling low-grade weapons and miscellaneous goods. Nothing caught his interest.
As he strolled, many passersby couldn't help but stare. His striking appearance and noble bearing drew quite a few bold female mercenaries who tried to strike up conversations. Whispers followed him wherever he went.
"Thousand Medicine House?"
Xiao Tian's steps halted in front of a modest medicinal herb shop located at the innermost part of the town. A faint smile appeared on his face.
"This should be the place where the Little Fairy Doctor works."
He stepped inside and casually examined the displayed herbs. They were all low-grade. There was no sign of the Blood Lotus Essence that Xiao Yan had encountered in the original story — perhaps it hadn't appeared yet, or perhaps it had already been taken. Either way, it didn't matter to him.
After a quick look around and failing to spot the Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Tian turned to leave.
Just as he stepped out of the shop, a loud announcement rang out:
"Thousand Medicine House's herb-gathering team is recruiting! Anyone who has reached the level of a Two-star Dou Practitioner is welcome to sign up!"
A large crowd immediately surged forward.
Xiao Tian watched with mild interest but made no move to join.
"Are you planning to join the herb-gathering team?"
A gentle, pleasant voice suddenly sounded beside him.
Xiao Tian turned and saw a young woman in a plain white dress, her face partially covered by a thin veil. Even with her features obscured, her graceful figure and slender waist were impossible to ignore.
'This must be the Little Fairy Doctor…' he thought.
Her waist truly was exceptional — slender yet alluring.
"No," Xiao Tian replied with a polite smile. "There are too many people. I was only watching."
"If you wish to join, I can bring you in directly," the young woman said kindly. "It's much safer to enter the Magical Beast Mountain Range with a team."
Xiao Tian raised an eyebrow. "Are you the Little Fairy Doctor?"
The veiled woman seemed slightly surprised but nodded gently.
"Why are you inviting me specifically?" he asked.
"Because you look quite young and may not have much experience in the wild. The Magical Beast Mountain Range is extremely dangerous. I couldn't bear to watch you throw your life away so easily."
Xiao Tian smiled faintly. "Thank you for your concern, but I must decline."
With that, he gave her a small nod and turned to leave.
Little Fairy Doctor stared at his departing figure, a trace of surprise and curiosity flashing in her eyes.
"What a strange and interesting person…"
After wandering through Qingshan Town and finding nothing of value, Xiao Tian headed straight for the Magical Beast Mountain Range.
Two days later.
Boom!
A powerful collision echoed through the forest as a figure and a massive magical beast separated.
The figure was Xiao Tian.
Opposite him stood a two-meter-tall Tier 2 magical beast — the King Kong Bear.
Golden fur covered its muscular body, and its arms were terrifyingly thick, ending in sharp, gleaming claws that could easily tear apart an ordinary Dou Master.
After a prolonged and intense battle, the King Kong Bear realized it could not overpower its opponent. It pounded its chest furiously and let out a deafening roar before charging forward, claws slashing viciously toward Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian sidestepped effortlessly, then swung the long sword in his hands downward with tremendous force.
The King Kong Bear was sent flying several meters, crashing heavily into the ground. A one-meter-long, ten-centimeter-deep charred wound marred its back, the blood in the area completely evaporated by the halberd's scorching power.
Xiao Tian exhaled slowly, staring at the wound.
"This beast's defense is truly formidable. Even a full-powered strike only managed to cause this much damage… it didn't even reach the bone."
Would you like me to continue polishing the next part of the chapter (the fight scene with the King Kong