ETR | Chapter 74

Xiao Xueman used to think his son was cold and distant to others, and after all this time, he only had Yun Rong as a friend.

He was worried that when they came to the Blue Sea Competition, Xiao Wan would be out of place. But now it seems, there are actually many kids who like Xiao Wan.

He didn't touch those gifts. Whether Xiao Wan wanted to accept them was his own business. However, during dinner, he couldn't help but mention it with interest.

"Uncle Xiao has only seen a part of it," Yun Rong said with a smile, his eyes curving. "After the preliminary rounds of the individual competition, that's when it really gets crowded."

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

"I'm not exaggerating at all," Yun Rong blinked. "Besides, even though we did it together, Xiao Wan is more popular than me."

Xiao Xueman glanced at him, a bit incredulous. Yun Rong wasn't as cold as Xiao Wan to outsiders, and being a well-known Lin Ziyun Cat, he should be more popular.

"That's because of you, Uncle Xiao," Yun Rong explained. "Many people came because of you."

They certainly didn't accept those gifts, but they could see the little notes outside, many of which clearly stated "For Xiao shixiong."

Xiao Xueman had been moving around a lot these days, but Xiao Wan's residence was fixed and relatively easy to approach.

Xiao Xueman: "..."

Delivering things to his son's place, quite creative.

Xiao Wan didn't care about these things. If he didn't want to be friends with these people, he wouldn't say a word. As for those who wanted to approach his daddy through him, that was even more impossible.

But Yun Rong was a member of the demon clan. Although the Lin Ziyun Cat clan had always been indifferent to worldly affairs, he also bore the responsibility of his clan. Maintaining harmonious relations with other demon clans was something he should do, a kind of assurance for the future.

He consciously made connections with some promising demon clan members in this Blue Sea Competition, knowing these relationships would be useful sooner or later.

While talking to Xiao Xueman, he was playing with a shiny crystal stone in his hand, not knowing who gave it to him, probably aware that the Lin Ziyun Cat clan liked shiny things.

Xiao Wan's eyes hurt from the sparkle of the stone, so he turned to Yun Rong, took the crystal stone from his hand, and set it aside.

"Don't just talk to anyone," Xiao Wan advised. "Some have ulterior motives, and it's better not to associate with them. Your Lin Ziyun Cat clan doesn't need you, a little one, to establish so many connections. Your dad is still around, just focus on the competition. Why bother with other things?"

Yun Rong wasn't upset. Having been with Xiao Wan for so long, he was used to it and knew Xiao Wan was actually concerned, afraid he'd get distracted. He had plenty of similar crystal stones, so he switched to playing with another one.

"We have different perspectives and think differently," Yun Rong said. "But after observing for a while, there aren't many truly worthwhile ones, just a few."

He and Xiao Wan were friends who fought side by side. With others, of course, both sides had interests in mind, naturally different in nature.

"Didn't Xiao Wan see any other friends worth making?" he teased, not forgetting to joke. "There are actually a few good ones. We won't stay in the Middle Realm forever. Coming to the Upper Realm is only a matter of time, and we'll have to interact with them."

Xiao Wan thought for a moment and said, "Let's talk after the fight."

Hearing this reply, Yun Rong couldn't help but laugh. This was indeed Xiao Wan's character.

"Uncle Xiao must have met quite a few people recently," Yun Rong said after laughing, not continuing about the others he interacted with, and looked at Xiao Xueman. "In a while, the alchemist competition will start, and you're a joint judge."

With Zong Manluo there, Xiao Xueman didn't need to worry much for now.

Xiao Xueman agreed to be an alchemist judge because Zong Manluo had persistently persuaded him, and it was a favor. So later, when Xiao Xueman asked her for materials, she readily agreed, considering it as repaying the favor.

The medicine for Qin Lou was certainly not ordinary. It was an eight-star top-grade pill, and the materials Xiao Xueman needed were rare. He initially asked Yu Zhengrong and Shen Guan, who had some, but the most crucial ones could only be immediately provided by the Alchemist Association.

Zong Manluo was generous in giving them, and Xiao Xueman even borrowed an alchemy furnace from her. Her generosity made Xiao Xueman feel a bit uneasy.

Zong Manluo was already famous before the Wangtian Immortal Gate became the top sect, and she was the president of the Alchemist Association. Although she admired Xiao Xueman's alchemy talent, she wasn't purely kind-hearted.

After Xiao Xueman refined the medicine for Qin Lou, he specifically confirmed repeatedly, did Zong Manluo really have no ulterior motives?

"I'm also curious. The arena and the Fox Clan couldn't find the materials, but the Wangtian Immortal Gate surely has them," Zong Manluo said. "Aren't you going to ask Qin Lou? I think he'd be very willing to give them."

Xiao Xueman: "I'm giving it to him to repay a favor, and I haven't told him yet. If all the materials come from the Wangtian Immortal Gate, then it wouldn't count as me giving it."

Since the Alchemist Association had them, he naturally wouldn't go to Qin Lou.

"Consider it my payment for you participating in the alchemist competition," Zong Manluo laughed. "Xueman, without exaggeration, you're the best alchemist on the Spirit Realm Continent. Just these materials to invite you, the entire Alchemist Association has profited."

Xiao Xueman: "..."

If he hadn't known Zong Manluo for a long time and understood her character, he might have believed this compliment.

But since Zong Manluo wasn't saying anything now, he didn't bother asking. Anyway, he already had the medicine, and whatever Zong Manluo was planning, she'd eventually bring it up.

When Xiao Xueman gave the pill to Qin Lou today, he couldn't imagine how happy Qin Lou was. He didn't dare show it to Xiao Xueman, but when he got back, he held the medicine bottle like it was a treasure.

With this bottle of medicine, even if he didn't take it, he felt full of energy in whatever he did.

A few days later, there was a meeting for the judges of each group. Xiao Xueman happened to meet him and saw he still carried the medicine bottle. He reached out to check his aura and frowned, "You haven't taken the medicine?"

Qin Lou didn't dare say he was reluctant to take it, holding the bottle tightly, just unwilling to part with it.

"The medicine was made specifically for you. If you don't take it, there's no point in refining it," Xiao Xueman said helplessly. "You should see if it works, so I can continue refining for you. It's not just a one-time thing."

Qin Lou's injuries couldn't be healed with just one dose; it needed gradual treatment.

With these words, Qin Lou couldn't suppress his inner joy, naturally agreeing to whatever Xiao Xueman said.

After the meeting, Xiao Xueman watched him take the eight-star pill. After taking it, it needed guidance to fully absorb the spiritual power, and Xiao Xueman waited to see the effects.

When he checked Qin Lou's aura again, he could feel a noticeable improvement.

He breathed a sigh of relief, glad it worked.

Qin Lou still had old injuries from the great battle and deficiencies left from extracting spiritual power crystals for Xiao Wan's pill in previous years. Old and new injuries intertwined, so it was better to treat them early.

During the great battle, Xiao Xueman should have also had old injuries, but the Tianxi Divine Tree's recovery speed was fast, and Qin Lou had saved him with all his might, ensuring Xiao Xueman was fine now.

Whether for the past, for Xiao Wan, or for the box of pastries Qin Lou diligently made when Nan An had just left, Xiao Xueman was grateful and would naturally help him if he could.

Qin Lou wasn't foolish. This was an eight-star pill. Even if Xiao Xueman was an extremely skilled alchemist, he couldn't make it without materials.

Now that Xiao Xueman promised to continue refining for him, Qin Lou understood the whole story. There was no reason for others to provide the materials; the Wangtian Immortal Gate could fully afford it.

"I'll have Su Mingming send the materials over. There's no need to trouble Zong Manluo again," Qin Lou said. After taking the medicine, he felt comfortable in body and mind, and looking at Xiao Xueman, he couldn't hide the love in his eyes. "Xueman, I don't know what to say... but thank you so much."

Even though the medicine was finished, he still discreetly kept the empty bottle as a keepsake.

Xiao Xueman didn't notice this small action. He closed his eyes, carefully checking Qin Lou's aura.

As an alchemist, Xiao Xueman knew that no matter how powerful a pill was, it was only an aid to a spirit cultivator. The time for complete recovery depended on Qin Lou's physical condition.

"You..." He was about to say something, but when he looked up, he met Qin Lou's gaze, and for a moment, he couldn't continue.

That gaze felt familiar. Back when they first got together, Qin Lou was overjoyed after successfully winning his love, wanting to stay by Xiao Xueman's side forever. He rarely spoke much then.

But when Xiao Xueman saw that gaze, he knew there was no need to say more.

In those eyes, it seemed like only he existed. This was what love was all about.

Qin Lou had been cautious, not daring to be too forward with Xiao Xueman. His eyes often held caution, even pleading, and sometimes even his happiness was careful.

Since their reunion, this was the first time Xiao Xueman had seen him like this.

So, for a moment, he didn't know what to say. Maybe it was because of the memories, his mind a bit hazy, but it was only for a moment. Xiao Xueman quickly cleared his mind and shifted his gaze elsewhere.

He and Qin Lou had long passed the stage of mutual affection. Such a gaze was too heavy for him and no longer suitable.

"You should rest," Xiao Xueman said. "I have things to do, so I'll leave first. When I refine more medicine, I'll have someone send it to you."

Qin Lou wanted to talk more, but Xiao Xueman was determined to leave, so he didn't insist. He was already very happy today. Even though Xiao Xueman later avoided his gaze, his joy didn't diminish.

For Qin Lou, who had been in despair for a long time, since he and Xueman could become friends, every little bit of sweetness was enough to keep in his heart and secretly be happy for a long time. Even saying one more word felt precious.

He watched Xiao Xueman's hurried departure, feeling that the jealousy and heartache he had felt recently were insignificant.

As Xiao Xueman left, he seemed to feel Qin Lou's gaze on him, almost tangible.

He quickened his pace, and once outside, he felt his heart beating a bit faster. But with Qin Lou no longer in sight, he quickly calmed down.

Forget it.

He rubbed his temples, feeling like he was overthinking again.

Those days were over, and he shouldn't dwell on them anymore.