Chapter 59: An Unexpected Confirmation of Time
With Cai Die's seal now lifted and Yao Yan having exited seclusion, Hai Bodong no longer needed to act as their protector. Holding the pill in hand, the urge to break through surged stronger within him. He directly voiced his intent, and naturally, Yao Yan didn't object. He smiled and said, "Then let me congratulate you in advance. But I can't wait any longer. I plan to leave shortly on a flying magical beast."
"In such a hurry?!"
Hai Bodong was a bit surprised, looking at Yao Yan with raised brows. If he hadn't personally witnessed Yao Yan refining a Tier 3 pill, he might have suspected Yao Yan of handing him a fake just to flee.
Yao Yan nodded, but he didn't explain further. What he was about to do couldn't be shared—not even with Cai Die. There are some things only one's own heart should know. Especially with his trip to Wu Tan City, he wouldn't be bringing her along.
"…Then I wish you safe travels. If you find time, come see me in the capital. Once I break through, I'll head to the Mittel Family there."
Seeing that Yao Yan didn't want to explain, Hai Bodong didn't pry. After a pause, he looked seriously at Yao Yan and added his invitation.
"You're not worried that the pill I gave you might be fake?"
Yao Yan glanced playfully at the pill bottle in Hai Bodong's hand and smiled faintly.
Hai Bodong paused, then chuckled, a rare smile breaking across his stern face. "Of course I worry—but I trust your character. And my judgment."
Besides, a few herbs were nothing he couldn't afford to lose. If Yao Yan really were a conman, the one who should be most devastated would be Queen Medusa—she'd have lost her own sister. Compared to that, the cost of some herbs was negligible.
Yao Yan smiled noncommittally, not arguing the point.
Suddenly, Hai Bodong seemed to recall something. His expression shifted slightly, and he looked toward Yao Yan. "Half a year from now, the Alchemist Association of the Jia Ma Empire will host the Fifth Alchemist Grand Assembly in the capital. All alchemists under thirty from across the nation will take part. If you're interested, you should attend."
He genuinely wanted to see Yao Yan there. A not-even-seventeen-year-old Tier 5 alchemist… he could already imagine how shocked Fa Ma would be.
"?!"
Yao Yan was startled. If he remembered correctly, in the original story, Xiao Yan participated in the seventh Alchemist Grand Assembly. Since the event occurred every eight years, that meant Xiao Yan's participation was about sixteen and a half years away. And Xiao Yan had been seventeen when he took part.
So if nothing had changed—Xiao Yan should be less than a year old right now!
He hadn't expected to stumble upon such a clear timeline from Hai Bodong's offhand comment. What a pleasant surprise.
Yao Yan's eyes lit up slightly. Looking at Hai Bodong, who had just spoken with such confidence, he smiled and replied, "Alright, if I'm free by then, I'll definitely attend."
At the same time, he began calculating the current whereabouts of the Xiao Clan.
If Xiao Yan was less than a year old, then the Xiao Clan might not even be in Wu Tan City yet. At this time, Xiao Yan's grandfather—the backbone of the family—should still be alive. With his strength as a Dou Wang, the Xiao Clan would most likely be in the capital or another prosperous city.
With this newfound clarity, Yao Yan's next steps became obvious. He would stick to his plan—first retrieve the map of the Purifying Lotus Demonic Flame, then head to Wu Tan City. If the Xiao Clan wasn't there, he'd travel to the capital. If they weren't there either, he'd visit the Nalan Clan. Given their relationship with the Xiao Clan, they should know something.
Just then, Cai Die—now fully unsealed—walked out under the guidance of two maids. Compared to her earlier unease, she now carried a renewed confidence. Having regained her memory, she could meet others' gazes without hesitation, no longer shy and timid.
Power truly grants a person confidence.
It brought out the grace and aura that was her birthright as a member of Queen Medusa's royal line.
"Since Cai Die is out, I'll take my leave. See you in the capital!"
Yao Yan rose and cupped his fists toward Hai Bodong. As for resting—he'd have plenty of time to do that on the flying beast.
Hai Bodong stood to return the gesture, adding a reminder, "Once you arrive at the flying transport station, just show them the token you received earlier. They'll help you arrange travel to nearly any city in the Jia Ma Empire."
"Got it."
Yao Yan nodded, then pulled out a conical hat from his storage ring and plopped it onto the dazed Cai Die's head. With Ling'er slung over his shoulder, he took Cai Die's hand and led her out of the auction house.
Hai Bodong didn't see them off—there was no need. The auction house was just a street away from the transport station. Once they stepped outside, the massive flying beasts were already visible. As friends, there was no need to be overly formal. If fate allowed, they would meet again.
…
With her hand held by Yao Yan, Cai Die stepped out of the auction house. Instantly, the blazing sun poured down on the trio. Ling'er quickly shrank back into Yao Yan's arms. Thanks to her hat, Cai Die didn't feel too hot, but her eyes turned toward Yao Yan, full of confusion as she softly asked, "Young Master, where are we going?"
"Taking you somewhere private to have a baby."
Yao Yan answered without missing a beat, his eyes already fixed on the flying transport station up ahead. A massive avian beast came into view, with an entire pavilion built atop its back—easily visible from a distance.
"You're definitely not a good person, Young Master~"
Cai Die, now fully recovered, instantly recalled recent events. Her cheeks flushed as she pouted at Yao Yan. And to think she had once believed he was a proper gentleman. Turns out he wasn't. Maybe he'd taken her in just because of her beauty. As a daughter of Queen Medusa's line, she was well aware of her charm.
Yao Yan didn't feel any resistance from her hand, and a flicker of amusement flashed through his eyes. He turned to look at her and teased, "So… do you want to?"
When a woman lets you tease her like this, there's no need to say more.
He wasn't some clueless teenage boy.
Cai Die bit her lip, her heart pounding from Yao Yan's blunt teasing. Having grown up in the palace of the serpent-men, she had never met someone so direct. She found herself completely off-guard, her face blushing, her peach blossom eyes misted over, and her deep-blue tail swaying nervously.
She wasn't sure if she should agree or not. She had heard of the phrase "repay a life-saving grace with one's body"… but wasn't that too casual?
If not for the hat covering her, her beauty at that moment could've driven every man on the street wild.
Yao Yan, sensing the moment had reached its limit, didn't push further. He smoothly changed the subject. "I plan to visit the Magic Beast Mountain Range in the Jia Ma Empire. There's something I need there. Oh, and your sister came to find you. She entrusted you to me."
"???"
Cai Die forgot all about her embarrassment. Her face filled with surprise as she stared at Yao Yan. Given her sister's temperament, not attacking him was already surprising—how could she possibly entrust Cai Die to him?
"Surprised? Ask her yourself when you see her again."
Yao Yan chuckled, then tightened his grip on her hand and strode confidently toward the flying transport station.
At that moment, his heart was full of boldness and ambition.
(END CHAPTER)
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