Chapter 20 - 20: Old Man Lao (1/2)

”...She's a friend of mine.” Xiao Yan said with slight hesitation.

Honestly speaking, he didn't know what she is to him. Xun Er, after their battle that ended in a draw with some small burns and cuts, decided to follow him because she was curious of the outside world, though mostly at him but Xiao Yan didn't know that.

Although she didn't said it out loud, Xiao Yan knew that she was a hundred thousand year old spirit beast reincarnated into a human, cause, what kind of parents or any sane person leaves a genius nine year old with two purple rings and a heavenly flame spirit essence in a spirit beast infested forest? Or better yet, how did she survive and communicate with him properly at the moment? If she lived in this forest for all her life then doesn't that mean she hadn't received any knowledge of the world? Which includes language and communication.

Xiao Yan wanted to refuse her as it's obvious that she would be trouble in the future when Xun Er opened her mouth and said.

”Decide later, first, we need to go now. Ten thousand year old spirit beasts are coming here.”

Xiao Yan froze at that moment and silently cursed. Of course spirit beasts would notice their battle of flames. Even if he didn't trusted her, it was just obvious that there would be someone or something to investigate a battle that had involved large amount of spirit power and powerful flames gathered in one area.

Staring at Xun Er, he knew that they had only came at this moment because they were being vigilant and fearful at the lord of the forest territory at the start. They didn't dare to take a step until one of them decided to be smart and took a sniff.

Which they immediately smelled was not one spirit beast against a human in their lord's territory. But TWO humans in a now vacant territory.

Even an idiot would know that staying still would result in them being slaughtered by dozens of ten thousand year old spirit beasts.

His only hope of escape was Xun Er, someone who was very knowledgeable about the forest's routes for escape.

And so, after eating what remaining pills he had and given some of the rest to Xun Er to recover their strength, the two of them escape the forest unscratched and Xiao Yan couldn't deny the request of having her tag along with him cause she did help him escape.

'Also...' Taking a small glance at Xun Er, who was sipping tea once more, he thought to himself, '... I'm also quite curious about you Xun Er. Your one of the many anomalies that I have found in this world since I was reborn. I wonder, will you be an ally of mine in the future, perhaps even more? or an enemy?' Xiao Yan then took a sip of tea as well.

”This is really nice tea.”

”By the way Xiao Yan-gege.” Xiao Wu turned towards him as she mysteriously took out a carrot out of nowhere and took a bite out of its tip.

”Hmm?” Xiao Yan arched an eyebrow towards Xiao Wu as he continued to sip on his tea.

”Have you already tell your grandpa that your alive–”

”PFFT---!!” Xiao Wu didn't even get to finish asking as she, Tang San and Yu Xiaogang who were just inspecting the refined purification fruits, were completely doused in warm tea.

The trio with deadpanned and bemused expressions blinked their eyes as they stare at roughly coughing of Xiao Yan who was getting back pats from a rather concerned Xun Er who immediately put down her tea cup to the wooden table.

”Xiao Yan are you alright?” Xun Er asked with a slight frown.

”Cough! T-Thank you Xun Er–Cough! Y-Yeah–Cough! I-I think I'm fine now...” Xiao Yan thanked Xun Er for her concern and help for him before waving her that he was now fine.

Turning towards his two sworn siblings and teacher, with a grim expression set on his face and the light in his eyes turned a little dim, he took a deep breath and with serious voice he said.

”No.”

Tang San wiped the tea from his face with an irritated expression and said.

”Well, you're dead. May you rest in peace.”

”Yeah! You've seen the state we were in when we thought that you were missing. Although we looked better than yesterday, except for teacher as he still looks like an undead, think about the state of your grandpa would be in right now? Fortunately for us that we know and see that your alive and well. But for him? Think about it Xiao Yan-gege.”

Yu Xiaogang nodded to everything Xiao Wu had said as he wiped the tea out of his face, including looking like an undead part as he truly did looked like one and besides he had heard worse before, and turned towards Xiao Yan with a sharp and serious expression. Making Xiao Yan guilty and ashamed.

He opened his mouth and only said one word.

”Go.”

Xiao Yan nodded. Finishing his tea he stood up and turned towards the door to walked out before noticing a set of footsteps behind him.

Looking behind him, he stare at a very curious and concerned Xun Er.

He first thought of asking her to stay but thought otherwise as he would be leaving her in the company of three strangers to her. Even though he trusts them, Xiao Yan doesn't have the heart to leave a, maybe, socially inept girl in the company of others.

Without saying he continued walking towards the door alongside Xun Er.