As one of the major cities in the Jia Ma Empire, Wu Tan City had a considerable flow of people.
Despite the scorching sun, the streets were still bustling with crowds, and occasionally, one could even spot some unusual races.
With Xiao Yan by her side, Xun Er, who was usually aloof and reserved within the clan, became much livelier. She pulled Xiao Yan, who wore a gentle smile at the corner of his lips, darting around various stalls. The girl's light, cheerful laughter seemed to bring a refreshing coolness to the street under the blazing heat.
Xiao Yan naturally knew that, given Xun Er's discerning eye and status as the young lady of the Ancient Clan, it would be difficult to find anything in all of Wu Tan City that could catch her attention. However, what Xun Er cared about was not these ordinary worldly items but rather his companionship.
Leading Xun Er through the wide streets, Xiao Yan turned a few corners before finally slipping into a medium-sized marketplace located in the southern part of the city. There were several such medium-sized marketplaces in Wu Tan City, each controlled by one of the city's three major families. The marketplace Xiao Yan had come to was under the control of his Xiao family...
To say it was controlled was more about maintaining order and security within the marketplace. As compensation, the mercenaries or merchants setting up stalls and conducting business in the marketplace had to pay a commission to the family. This had always been the rule on the Dou Qi Continent, and it was rare to see anyone causing trouble.
At the entrance of the marketplace, there were two guards from the Xiao family. They clearly recognized Xiao Yan and Xun Er, and upon seeing their arrival, they were momentarily stunned before respectfully saluting.
They knew that this young master Xiao Yan was now a Dou Fighter!
Nodding slightly, Xiao Yan stepped into the marketplace. Gazing at the endless stream of people inside, he couldn't help but marvel. The income generated by the marketplace could essentially be considered the Xiao family's most important pillar industry. Unfortunately, this money had little to do with him.
Although he could rely on Xun Er's support, he truly wanted to earn some money for himself to spend.
After all, he couldn't use Xun Er's money to buy things for her, could he?
Even though Xun Er likely wouldn't mind, Xiao Yan himself felt uneasy about it.
"Third Young Master, Miss Xun Er, have you come to the marketplace to buy something?"
Just as the two were slightly dazed by the bustling crowd, a respectful voice came from behind.
Hearing the voice, Xiao Yan turned around. Seven or eight burly men dressed in the Xiao family's uniform were standing behind them, and the speaker was a robust man in his late twenties leading the group. The man wore a badge on his chest, adorned with four golden stars, indicating that he was a Four-Star Dou Fighter.
Noticing Xiao Yan's puzzled gaze, the man smiled honestly and said respectfully:
"Third Young Master, my name is Pei En. I was personally appointed by the clan leader as the captain of the guards, responsible for the safety of the marketplace. Ah, I came to see you last year for your birthday, Third Young Master..."
"Oh, it's you, Uncle Pei En."
Xiao Yan blinked. Although he had no impression of this man's face, he was quite familiar with his name.
Moreover, he had just said that he was personally appointed as captain by the father, so his loyalty was certainly beyond doubt.
Although the family was divided into several factions, Xiao Yan didn't mind.
By the time he turned fifteen at most, he was confident he could cultivate to at least the Dou Grand Master level. By then, even if several elders teamed up against him, he wouldn't fear them in the slightest. Therefore, these factional disputes were nothing more than petty squabbles in his eyes.
"I've been cultivating in the clan for too long and got a bit bored, so I came out for a stroll to unwind. Uncle Pei En, you can go attend to your duties. If anything comes up, I'll call for you."
Xiao Yan nodded with a gentle smile.
Just the word "uncle" made Pei En's smile grow even warmer. He bowed respectfully and said with a grin, "Then please feel free to stroll around, Third Young Master. Our people are everywhere in the marketplace. Just call out if you need anything."
Nodding politely, Xiao Yan took Xun Er's hand and slipped into the crowd.
"Pa Li, take two men to guard the Third Young Master. Warn those pickpockets in the marketplace—if anyone dares to set their sights on the Third Young Master or Miss Xun Er, they'd better start thinking about how to secure a better reincarnation in their next life."
Watching the disappearing figures of the young man and girl, Pei En turned around and barked softly, the honest expression on his face instantly turning cold and stern.
"Yes, Captain!"
The burly man named Pa Li replied in a deep voice, waving his hand as he led two team members into the flow of people.
"Hah, the Third Young Master is such a dazzling genius, yet he treats others with such warmth—truly like the sun in the sky!"
Watching the three figures merge into the crowd, Pei En couldn't help but sigh with admiration, his face filled with loyalty.
Following lazily behind Xiao Yan, Xun Er subtly glanced at the crowd behind them and said with a faint smile, "Brother Xiao Yan, that Pei En isn't bad."
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and gave a soft hum of agreement.
His soul perception was far stronger than that of ordinary people, so he was fully aware of the guards following them. Withdrawing his gaze, Xiao Yan slowed his pace to walk side by side with the girl beside him. The refreshing, lotus-like fragrance of the young girl drifted over with the breeze, soothing his mind.
"At the eighth stage of Dou Disciple, yet able to sense three Three-Star Dou Fighters skilled in concealment. Xun Er, you really are hiding your talents well."
Although Xiao Yan knew Xun Er's true identity, he still had to put on an act of curiosity and inquiry.
Hearing this, Xun Er tilted her head with a smile and remained silent.
Gazing at the girl's tight-lipped expression, Xiao Yan's lips curled into a gentle smile. He softly ruffled the girl's hair and said warmly, "It's fine if you don't want to say. You'll tell me sooner or later."
"Brother Xiao Yan really understands Xun Er. Then guess why Xun Er is so happy today?"
Xun Er quickened her pace to catch up, asking with a bright smile.
"Hmm…"
Xiao Yan thought for a moment, raised an eyebrow, and turned to carefully examine the girl before him, slightly surprised. "Have you reached the ninth stage of Dou Disciple?"
"Hehe!"
The girl giggled playfully, blinking her eyes and nodding cutely.
Then, she smiled mysteriously and said, "You guessed half of it. As for the other half, Xun Er will tell you after Brother Xiao Yan finishes accompanying her on this stroll!"
Just as Xiao Yan was about to say something, a clear, cheerful laugh suddenly came from ahead.
"Oh, isn't this Miss Xun Er? Haha, I never expected to meet you here. What a coincidence."
Xun Er's delicate brows lightly furrowed as she followed the sound, only to see a crowd surging forward. Among them, a lavishly dressed young man was being surrounded like a star in the moon's embrace.
The young man appeared to be around fifteen, with a rather handsome face, though his complexion was somewhat pale. His eyes, burning with intensity, were fixed firmly on the adorable girl not far away, his gaze filled with undisguised admiration.