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Then he stored this stone in the mory Stone attached to Yan Xiaobao’s belt, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.
The first stone he filled was a gift for his family and village. Even though Xu Yue had been away from ho for a long ti, he still knew where his roots lay. With the funds he had acquired from Lan Feng and the continued cash flow from the Deng Family, Yan Xiaobao believed this was the least he could do for the people he had spent ten years raising money for.
After picking out gifts for his family, Yan Xiaobao finally started gathering items for himself.
Unlike his family, he only purchased dry provisions for himself—dried at strips, military rations like biscuits that could last a long ti, as well as dried fruits and berries.
Since Yan Xiaobao was allowed to buy his own drinks, the first item he purchased was a canteen, enabling him to store water for the journey. Beyond that, he also bought several bottles of fruit wine and lighter alcoholic beverages.
Food wasn’t the only thing Yan Xiaobao prepared. Enough blankets were bought to cover each of his friends, and so were so large they could be used to create a tent for sleeping, should the weather not be warm or cloudless.
A variety of tools were purchased. So were for starting fires, in case Hui Yue ran out, leaving him unable to create sparks. Others were ant for cooking or digging. Ropes were tied with hamrs and a handful of nails.
Though Yan Xiaobao knew most of these items might not be necessary, he also knew it was best to be prepared for all contingencies; he packed everything he used to bring when camping in his old world.
His packing made it seem like he didn’t have a cultivation base, leading his mory Stone to be completely filled with belongings, but Yan Xiaobao had no regrets. He would rather be safe than sorry.
On his way back to the academy, Yan Xiaobao was intercepted by Ma Kong. Everyone had gone shopping to buy supplies, and they had originally planned to et at the Liluo East City Gate in two days.
"Yan Xiaobao!" Ma Kong called out in an unsteady, high-pitched voice, his anxiety apparent. "The old steward asked if you’d like to join us for dinner tonight," he continued, pausing briefly. "You haven’t yet t the other elders of our family—they have gifts for you as a token of gratitude for introducing the concept of insurance to us."
Hearing this, Yan Xiaobao smiled faintly. While the Ma family expressed their thanks for the insurance business idea, they likely hoped Yan Xiaobao would hold positive feelings toward supporting his mysterious teacher. Not that he particularly cared.
After a few monts of thought, Yan Xiaobao quickly agreed and followed Ma Kong back to the Ma Family Manor.
On the way, Yan Xiaobao and Ma Gang needed to pass through the City Lord’s mansion. Just as they were passing by, Yan Xiaobao felt a shiver run through his body—a sudden sense of impending danger washed over him. As the red fog within his lower Dantian began to stir, he swiftly scanned his surroundings.
Yan Xiaobao struggled to suppress the red fog, but when he saw seven black-clad n entering the City Lord’s mansion, he couldn’t help but exhale sharply.
These seven shadowy figures spoke to no one and seed to notice no one. They walked with determined steps, as if every servant instinctively moved out of their way. The guards didn’t stop them but instead opened the gates for them imdiately.
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These seven n were identical to the ones Yan Xiaobao had encountered a year ago when he sold two advanced attack skills at the Black Market Auction House. They had tried to surround him but hadn’t engaged him in combat.
Ma Kong glanced at Yan Xiaobao. It was clear he had noticed the boy’s shift in deanor, but when he saw the cold glint flash in the blue depths of Yan’s eyes, he quickly decided to remain silent.
Yan Xiaobao was left with a lingering question in his heart. He instructed Gao Yan to activate the beggar and servant networks within Liluo City. Yan Xiaobao was willing to pay a high price for any information regarding these seven shadowy figures. He needed to know whether they were still here to capture him or if their target was an unknown expert nad Li Fen.
Dinner at the Ma household exceeded everyone’s expectations. Yan Xiaobao, an adorable yet sowhat naïve eleven-year-old, left a favorable impression on all the elders.
The only people who truly understood Yan Xiaobao’s preferences were Ma Kong and the steward hosting the dinner. Yet neither thought it necessary to inform the elders about this specific detail, as it didn’t affect their dealings with the young boy.
"Young Master Yan Xiaobao," the steward said respectfully. Yan Xiaobao was not truly a young master, but the steward couldn’t find any other title befitting him, considering his significance far surpassed that of a typical young master. "We have heard that you are about to embark on an adventure with your friends, and we wish to gift you sothing to enhance your chances of success."
With that, the steward motioned with his hand, and a servant hurried over. In the servant’s hands was a small pillow, upon which lay a long black knife.
The knife was forged from a black tal unknown to Yan Xiaobao, but its sharpness was evident at first glance. However, at the center of the blade was a circular inscription, adorned with silver radiance.
"This is a knife made of black iron," the steward stated reverently. "It has been ranked by a Duke as suitable for a cultivator with expertise in tal Affinity. The inscription ensures the blade will never dull. It will forever remain sharp—a weapon destined to remain in the hands of any cultivator for a lifeti."
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