Quick, help me!
Little Fairy Doctor panicked inwardly. She shot a subtle pleading look at Xun Er.
"Big Brother Xiao Ting, how can you even ask that?" Xun Er gave a reassuring look, then glanced sideways with coquettish annoyance. "You're staring at Big Sister Little Fairy Doctor's face like that. Even if it were Xun Er, I'd blush too."
Thinking back, he had been distracted writing in the Journal and seemed to have "spaced out" while looking at Little Fairy Doctor. It was normal to be misunderstood; he felt embarrassed. "Sorry, I was thinking. That was rude."
"It's fine." Little Fairy Doctor breathed a sigh of relief and gave Xun Er a thumbs-up under the table. "With Little Sister Xun Er here, I believe Young Master Xiao Ting didn't mean it."
"Even if Xun Er weren't here, I wouldn't mean it." Xiao Ting defended himself. If he had meant it, he would still do it even with Xun Er present—daring and doing are different.
"Big Brother Xiao Ting, stop explaining." Xun Er stood up with a trace of jealousy. "You've never looked at Xun Er like that."
Xiao Ting's mouth twitched. In the past he had mostly treated her as a little sister. Now their relationship was clearer, and he couldn't act too lecherous.
"Since you've spoken with Uncle, shall we set off for Qingshan Town now?" Xun Er quickly changed the subject.
"It's already evening. Traveling would be inconvenient." Xiao Ting took the opportunity. "Let's set off tomorrow morning. I also need to tell Brother Yan and Yao Lao." He needed time for Xiao Zhan to "accidentally" spread the information.
"Then I'll take my leave first." Little Fairy Doctor stood. Her complexion had returned to normal.
"Big Sister Little Fairy Doctor, are you going back to the inn?" Xun Er asked. After Little Fairy Doctor nodded, Xun Er invited, "There are guest rooms in my courtyard. Why not stay with me tonight? It'll be more convenient for leaving tomorrow."
"Wouldn't that be inappropriate?" Little Fairy Doctor looked troubled.
"There's nothing inappropriate about it." Xun Er smiled. "I have many books you can borrow."
"Staying at Xun Er's place is more convenient." Xiao Ting chimed in.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony." Little Fairy Doctor nodded.
"Let's go." Xun Er seemed to glare at Xiao Ting before leading Little Fairy Doctor away.
"This girl." Xiao Ting smiled and shook his head.
The incident reminded him to write in the Journal when no one was around. Although others couldn't see the Journal, constantly spacing out wasn't good—unless something truly important appeared.
…
Boom!
In the Black-Corner Region, Jia Nan Academy's Inner Academy, a large building shook. "Little Ancestor, what are you doing now?" An old man in black robes with white beard and hair spoke helplessly, eyes full of affection. If any Inner Academy students were present they'd be shocked—because the speaker was First Elder Su Qian, usually cold and rigid. He was speaking kindly to a girl who looked twelve or thirteen, wearing a white dress, appearing completely helpless. But anyone who knew the girl would find it natural—she was number one on the Inner Academy's Strong Ranking: Zi Yan.
"I want to go out and play." The girl raised her chin. Deep in her lively eyes hid a crafty glint. "The Outer Academy is recruiting soon, right? Give me a token so I can sneak into the outer recruitment team and wander around nearby."
"You..." Su Qian laughed helplessly. Recruitment was serious, yet she wanted to sneak out. This was very much like Zi Yan. With Zi Yan's Dou King strength, she could have graduated long ago under Inner Academy rules. But she was an orphan with no known origins, so she stayed.
"Do you really want to go?" Su Qian asked.
"Old Su, are you annoying?" Zi Yan flashed to the table, sitting cross-legged with a cocky look. "If I say I want to go, of course I'm going."
"Alright then." Su Qian agreed. "With your strength, going out is fine. This old man has only one request: listen to the team leader teacher."
Zi Yan reached out. Su Qian didn't give her a token; he messaged Hu Gan, the Outer Academy Vice Dean and person in charge.
Hu Gan hurried over.
"First Elder, you were looking for me?"
"Zi Yan wants to follow the recruitment team. Take her to the Outer Academy and arrange a team with a steady lead instructor." Su Qian resumed his serious expression.
Hu Gan knew this genius.
"Outer Academy instructor Ruo Ling has a gentle, principled yet flexible personality. She's perfect."
"I don't want her." Zi Yan objected. "I heard the northwest continent borders the Black-Corner Region. I want to go play there—like the Jia Ma Empire, Chu Yun Empire, Mu Lan Empire..."
Su Qian showed surprise—Zi Yan had prepared. Could she be recalling childhood memories and wanting to verify them?
He didn't ask further and nodded to Hu Gan.
"Hehe, little girl, following Ruo Ling's team is even more correct." Hu Gan stroked his beard. "Her recruitment route includes the empires you mentioned."
"Alright." Zi Yan nodded.
Once settled, Su Qian said, "Hu Gan has a meeting. Wait here; she'll take you to the Outer Academy."
"Got it." Zi Yan lay down on a bench and took a fruit from her storage ring.
Hiss.
Hu Gan's pupils shrank. If he wasn't mistaken, Zi Yan was eating a fifth-tier spiritual fruit—a waste. But seeing Su Qian's look, he pretended not to notice. After spitting out a few pits, Zi Yan stared at the Journal copy with expectant eyes.
"Jie jie jie."
Zi Yan gave the Hall of Souls's signature weird laugh. "Xiao Ting, huh."
"You seem to know me well. I'm coming to play with you."
…