Chapter 96: Departure

Xiao Chen brought the old gentleman back to the Xiao family. When everyone in the Xiao family learned that the old gentleman was a fourth-grade alchemist invited by Xiao Chen, everyone in the hall was stunned! Once again, they were shocked by Xiao Chen's abilities!

The hall remained silent for a full five minutes before Xiao Changfeng, in shock, asked, "Chen'er, is it true that this old gentleman was invited by you to help enhance the Xiao family's strength?"

"Father, of course, it's true. Why would I lie to you? If you don't believe me, you can ask this old gentleman," Xiao Chen said happily, glancing at the old man sitting beside him.

"Hmph! You sly boy, if you hadn't threatened me, I wouldn't have come!" the old man thought coldly, glaring at Xiao Chen but not daring to act out.

The old man then smiled faintly and said, "Hehe, Master Xiao, it was indeed Xiao Chen who invited me. Your Xiao family has produced a genius."

Xiao Changfeng quickly responded politely, "Old gentleman, you are too kind. Our Xiao family is extremely fortunate to have your help."

"Xiao Chen, did I hear that correctly? A fourth-grade alchemist? Isn't Liu Jiangyun the only third-grade alchemist in Tianzhou?" Xiao Kui asked in disbelief.

Xiao Chen smiled and said, "Liu Jiangyun is nothing compared to the old gentleman. However, the old gentleman's presence should not be spread around."

"Wonderful! Old gentleman, we will rely on your assistance in the future!" Xiao Yuntian said happily, showing great respect to the old gentleman.

"Hehe, I will do my best!" the old gentleman replied calmly, glancing at Xiao Chen and thinking to himself, "Hmph! Your father and the two elders are much more courteous than you! This is how it should be."

Seeing the old gentleman's gaze, Xiao Chen could guess what the old man was thinking, but he didn't mind. Since the old man had been invited, what he thought was his own business.

"We have an alchemist in the Xiao family! Haha! And a fourth-grade alchemist at that! This is great! Our cultivation levels will now improve faster!" Xiao Lei said excitedly with a hearty laugh.

"Indeed! With the old gentleman's help, the family head might soon break through to the Golden Core stage!" Xiao Kui nodded and said excitedly.

Hearing Xiao Kui's words, Xiao Changfeng became visibly excited. The Golden Core stage was the dream of all cultivators in Fengyue City and even the entire Tianzhou.

Amidst the joy, the old gentleman poured some cold water on them, saying, "Don't get too excited just yet. Although I am a fourth-grade alchemist, I don't have many herbs. We need to grow them, and growing them takes time. The herbs I grow are not yet ready for alchemy, and Fengyue City has very few herbs for refining fourth-grade pills."

"That's indeed a problem. The auction house has very few herbs for refining fourth-grade pills. Where will we get so many herbs?" Xiao Yuntian nodded, realizing that in their excitement, they had overlooked the herb problem.

Xiao Changfeng frowned slightly and said, "If we were in Tiandu, it would be easier. But Tianzhou is too far from Tiandu, and it would take too long."

"Tiandu? If we can get the Su family's help, it might be easier," Xiao Chen's eyes lit up, and he said with a smile, "Father, I know the young master of the Su family in Tiandu. I'll write a letter to him, and maybe he can help. With our current wealth, buying herbs shouldn't be a problem."

"Oh? Xiao Chen, you know someone from the Su family?" Xiao Yunfeng asked in surprise.

"You've been to Tiandu? Then does that mean you're the number one genius in the underage group from the martial arts competition held in Tiandu six months ago?" the old gentleman asked, looking at Xiao Chen in shock.

"What? Number one genius?" Xiao Changfeng exclaimed in shock, staring at Xiao Chen with wide eyes.

Xiao Chen also looked at the old gentleman in slight surprise and asked, "Are you from Tiandu?"

"I lived in Tiandu for a while. Although I didn't watch the martial arts competition, I know the first place in the underage group was called Xiao Chen. When I arrived at your Xiao family and learned your name, I had some suspicions but wasn't sure. When you mentioned knowing the young master of the Su family, I was convinced it was you," the old gentleman said calmly.

"Really? The young master is the top genius in the underage group in Tiandu?" A disciple of the Xiao family asked in shock, finding it hard to believe.

"Six months ago, at the martial arts competition, Xiao Chen made a name for himself in Tiandu. The young master of the Su family was defeated by Xiao Chen. A mysterious young man, stronger than the young master of the Liu family, also appeared and easily defeated the Liu family's young master and the Ge family's young master. This man was arrogant and insulted Tiandu in public, angering everyone. In the end, Xiao Chen used all his strength to unleash a powerful sword beam and defeated him, winning the competition and bringing pride to Tiandu. The Liu family head even gave Xiao Chen 10,000 high-grade spirit stones as a reward," the old gentleman slowly recounted, clearly well-informed about the events.

"Hiss!"

Everyone in the Xiao family's hall gasped in shock, once again in awe of Xiao Chen's immense strength.

"The old gentleman sure knows a lot," Xiao Chen said with a faint smile.

"Tiandu's number one genius, wow, Xiao Chen even defeated the young master of the Su family and that mysterious young man stronger than the Liu family's young master," Xiao Kui exclaimed in shock, his eyes widening.

"Wow! Brother Xiao Chen is amazing! Even the young masters of the three great families in Tiandu are no match for you!" Xiao Ling said excitedly, her admiration for Xiao Chen growing.

The three great families in Tiandu were powerful and highly prestigious, far beyond the reach of Tianzhou. The news that Xiao Chen was stronger than the young masters of these great families caused an uproar in everyone's hearts.

"Father, I have something to discuss today," Xiao Chen said.

It took Xiao Changfeng a while to come back to his senses, then he asked, "What is it?"

Xiao Chen found it difficult to speak, experiencing this feeling for the first time, perhaps due to the strong bonds of family.

"Xiao Chen, if you want to become stronger, you must go to the Cultivation World," the Ancient White Tiger transmitted its voice, sensing Xiao Chen's hesitation.

After a long silence, Xiao Chen finally gathered the courage to say, "Father, I plan to leave Fengyue City and go to the Cultivation World." After speaking, Xiao Chen glanced at Xiao Changfeng, worried that he might refuse.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Changfeng and the two elders showed no change in their expressions, behaving quite unusually, which made Xiao Chen nervous.

"So, this kid invited me here to help the Xiao family improve their cultivation while he plans to leave. I was wondering why he, an alchemist himself, would invite me. It turns out he was thinking about the Xiao family. At the age of 15, he's already thinking so far ahead. This child is indeed extraordinary," the old gentleman thought, feeling an increased fondness for Xiao Chen.

"Xiao Chen, do you think your father will agree?" the Ancient White Tiger asked, worried that Xiao Changfeng might not agree to Xiao Chen leaving.

"Brother Xiao Chen, are you going to the Cultivation World?" Xiao Ling finally reacted, asking anxiously, clearly reluctant for Xiao Chen to leave.

"Yes," Xiao Chen nodded, keeping his gaze on Xiao Changfeng.

After pondering for a while, Xiao Changfeng smiled and said, "Chen'er, I had guessed that you would leave someday, but I didn't expect it to be so soon. A month ago, I discussed it with the two elders. With your talent, staying in Fengyue City is indeed a waste. You should go to the Cultivation World to gain experience and become stronger. I'm not a narrow-minded person; a man's ambitions lie in all directions. As long as you become stronger, it will be a blessing for the Xiao family."

Hearing this, Xiao Chen was overjoyed and quickly said, "Father, does this mean you agree?"

Xiao Changfeng nodded and smiled, "Yes, Chen'er, you are a rare cultivation genius in the Xiao family and even in Tianzhou for a hundred years. Not even the young masters of Tiandu can compare with you. With such talent, I naturally do not want you to waste your time in Fengyue City. The Cultivation World is where you can truly spread your wings. Chen'er, go without worry, but be cautious. I've heard that the Cultivation World is filled with powerful cultivators, so avoid offending major forces."

"Great! Thank you, Father! Rest assured, I will be careful. I'll write a letter to the young master of the Su family in Tiandu," Xiao Chen said happily, feeling immensely joyful. Finally, he could go to the Cultivation World. After speaking, he left the hall and rushed back to his room.

"Master Xiao, you have a good son who always thinks of the Xiao family, and Xiao Chen is truly extraordinary!" the old gentleman said with a smile.

"I, Xiao Changfeng, can die without regret having Xiao Chen as my son! I am truly proud of him," Xiao Changfeng said happily.

"Young master has finally reached a turning point!" Xiao Yuanshan said with a smile.

"Xiao Chen brother just came back half a year ago, I don't want him to leave," Xiao Ling pouted, looking very sad.

"Ling'er, your brother Xiao Chen isn't leaving forever. When he becomes stronger, he will come back." Xiao Yuntian quickly comforted her. Not only was Xiao Ling reluctant, but the entire Xiao family was also unwilling to see him go. However, for Xiao Chen's future, they had to let him go.

A dozen days later, Xiao Chen sent a letter to the Su family. A quick reply came back, with Su Gutian agreeing immediately upon learning it was from Xiao Chen. The letter also mentioned that they would promptly send a batch of medicinal herbs to the Xiao family and promised to send more whenever needed.

"Great! The herb issue is resolved! Su Gutian is really straightforward!" Xiao Chen said happily. He hadn't expected Su Gutian to agree so readily.

Xiao Chen excitedly shared the news with Xiao Changfeng, and everyone was thrilled, including the old master who became visibly excited.

"Chen'er, now that the herb issue is resolved, when do you plan to leave?" Xiao Changfeng asked.

"Father, I plan to leave tomorrow!" Xiao Chen replied calmly.

Xiao Changfeng nodded and said, "Alright, there isn't much happening in the Xiao family at the moment, so you can leave as planned."

The next day, after saying goodbye to the Xiao family, Xiao Chen quietly left. No one in Fengyue City knew about his departure. Before leaving, Xiao Chen left behind a recipe for refining fifth-grade pills with Xiao Changfeng, ensuring the old master would stay.