While in Battle Through the Heavens, one can pre-appoint oneself as an emperor.

"Young master, is Canaan Academy far away?"

"Yes, it's very, very far away."

"Will Qinglin still be able to stay with you, young master?"

"certainly."

Standing on the second floor of Wan Yao Zhai, Little Fairy Doctor watched the two gradually disappear into the distance, their voices growing softer and softer until they could no longer be heard.

Turning her gaze away, a hint of confusion flickered in Little Fairy Doctor's eyes.

Where should we go after leaving Qingshan Town?

...

the other side.

Chen Xiao led Qing Lin along, stopping frequently, and did not neglect his cultivation while traveling.

Although it took him two extra days to return to Wutan City, his strength increased day by day. With the help of the Ice Spirit Cold Spring, the Battle Spirit Realm was finally within reach.

Walking through the market, Chen Xiao paid attention to the conversations of the people around him. He thought he would hear some discussion about Xiao Yan, but no one mentioned him at all.

"Has the genius not yet fallen?"

Chen Xiao felt a sense of doubt. According to the timeline, Xiao Yan's decline in strength should have started in this year.

Filled with doubt, Chen Xiao arrived at the Xiao family compound.

The guards at the gate still remembered him, seemingly unaware that the changes in the political landscape of Wutan City were all caused by Chen Xiao. When they saw Chen Xiao enter with Qing Lin, they greeted him with the same friendly nod as before.

"Uncle Liu, Uncle Wang, has anything major happened to the Xiao family lately?"

Chen Xiao smiled in response and casually inquired.

The two guards shook their heads.

"That's great. Since the Obama family disappeared, the Xiao family has become the dominant force in Wutan City, even surpassing the Jialie family. Even the monthly salaries of us guards who are just trying to make a living have increased."

"If I had to name something strange, it would probably be the Third Young Master Xiao Yan. He used to take people out every day, but lately, if I think about it carefully, I haven't seen him for more than ten days."

The two guards made no attempt to hide it; in their minds, Chen Xiao was one of their own, belonging to the same circle, unlike the young masters and ladies of the Xiao family.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, waved his hand, and left with Qing Lin.

It seems that Xiao Yan has indeed run into some problems, but they may only be beginning to show and are being well hidden.

After a winding journey, we returned to the little house where we used to live.

Even though Chen Xiao had been gone for quite some time, the small house remained untouched, with all the furnishings and bedding inside perfectly preserved and in perfect order.

Chen Xiao was able to enjoy both good fortune and hardship. He originally thought there was no need to go through the trouble of changing his residence, but Qing Lin's next words made him realize the problem.

"Young master, will we be staying here from now on?"

Qinglin didn't mind at all; in fact, because of the small house, which was similar to her previous living environment, she felt closer to Chen Xiao.

However, there was only one bed in the room.

This is a minor issue.

Girls generally mature earlier, and Qinglin blushed as she looked at the only bed.

"No, this is my old residence. I just came to take a look. Let's go find Elder Xiao Shiyi. The Xiao family isn't short of two guest rooms."

Chen Xiao denied it with a calm expression, refusing to admit that he hadn't considered things carefully.

The naive Qinglin chose to believe, and silently breathed a sigh of relief.

...

The Xiao family's backyard is the most central residential area.

A young girl dressed in a purple dress sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, holding an ancient book and studying it carefully.

This ancient book records many anecdotes and interesting stories. Although she had already read it once, she still found it fascinating to read again.

In the vast Xiao family estate, she had a special status and no close friends, so she could only pass the time by reading.

Day after day, day after day.

Occasionally, when she sees those of the same age from the Xiao family playing and laughing in groups, she will miss the boy who grew up in the Xiao family but was not a member of the Xiao family.

When he was around, I would do what my peers did: take two days each month to go to the Mittel auction house to join in the fun, go out to greet the sunrise and return to enjoy the evening breeze, strolling on the street, carefree and leisurely.

While he was practicing his fighting skills on the back mountain, I could watch him from the side like a teacher. A word of encouragement or praise would bring a smile to the face of the boy who was slightly older than me.

Sometimes, she would spot wild berries growing high up, which she could easily reach by simply whispering a word into the shade, but she preferred to rely on the boy and watch him successfully retrieve them, his lips curving into a slight, suppressed smug smile…

The pieces of memory are scattered, but when put together, they form a torrent that can affect one's emotions.

snort~

Suddenly, a ripple appeared in the shadows of the corner, and a ghostly figure emerged from it.

The footsteps were very light, but they still startled the girl who was engrossed in her book.

"Miss, when I came out of the Xiao family's storeroom just now, I saw Chen Xiao return."

Upon hearing this, the calm-looking girl immediately looked up, put down the ancient book in her hand, and a hint of joy appeared on her pretty face. After calming down a bit, she nodded slightly.

"Brother Chen Xiao's trip this time has indeed taken quite a long time."

"Miss, actually, the last time he went out for training, it took him even longer."

"Is there?"

Xun'er was slightly taken aback, as she clearly sensed that Chen Xiao had been away for a longer period this time.

Ling Ying nodded affirmatively. As a guard and errand runner, he had a very strong sense of time.

Xun'er paused slightly, accepting the undeniable fact, and picked up the ancient book again to play with it, as if pondering how she could have made such a basic mistake.

"How is Brother Chen Xiao's strength progressing?"

"He's just one step away from becoming a Dou Ling. Judging from his condition, he could break through at any moment."

"I remember when Brother Chen Xiao left, he was only a Seven-Star Great Dou Master, right? He's about to break through to Dou Ling so soon. It seems he's gained quite a bit from this trip." Xun'er said with a contented smile.

Ling Ying nodded, "Indeed, his growth rate has far exceeded this old servant's expectations."

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I need to tell you, Miss. Chen Xiao brought back a girl. Judging from her appearance, she's younger than you. From what Chen Xiao called her, it seems her name is Qing Lin."

The girl, who was playing with the ancient book, paused slightly, but quickly resumed her normal movements.

"It's a nice name. I'll go check it out tomorrow. To be taken by Brother Chen Xiao, he must have some extraordinary abilities."

...

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

While Ling Ying was tattling to Xun'er, Chen Xiao and Qing Lin had already checked into their guest rooms under the personal guidance of Elder Xiao Shiyi.

Judging from the elder's attitude, he must have some inside information.

After seeing off the familiar elder, Chen Xiao was about to greet Xun'er and check on Xiao Yan's condition.

Unfortunately, plans can't keep up with changes. As soon as he stood up, Chen Xiao noticed that the fighting energy in his body suddenly accelerated and flowed as if it were out of control.

When water is full, it overflows; this is a sign that a breakthrough is imminent!

Chen Xiao's face lit up with joy. He immediately flicked his sleeve and closed the door tightly. He took out the last bit of Ice Spirit Cold Spring from his storage ring and poured it into his mouth.

breakthrough!

Breakthrough priority!