"Xiao Yan's Cousin?"
Seeing this familiar figure, Mo Yu was slightly startled, then he thought of something and chuckled, "Why, you didn't even say goodbye to your family before you left for a long trip?"
Seeing Mo Yu's 'bad guy complaining first' attitude, Xiao Yan nodded and said innocently, "Cousin Mo Yu is the same. I guess the family doesn't know about Cousin Mo Yu's trip either."
Mo Yu smiled faintly and decided not to pursue the topic further.
"Cousin Xiao Yan, do you have any plans for this trip?" Mo Yu asked, stroking his chin thoughtfully.
Xiao Yan rested his chin on his hand and said lazily, "Not yet. Where are you heading, Cousin Mo Yu?"
Mo Yu curled his lips into a mysterious smile and chuckled, "I'm going to the east of the Monster Mountain Range, then crossing the range to head to the Mulan Empire."
"Oh?" Hearing that Mo Yu was going to the Mulan Empire, Xiao Yan murmured softly but did not press further. He knew Mo Yu had his own secrets.
He was curious about Mo Yu's choice of route and asked, "It must be dangerous to cross the Monster Mountain Range. There are many ways to get to the Mulan Empire. Why didn't you choose a safer route?"
"Haha, I'm a bit rushed. Although crossing the Monster Mountain Range is dangerous, it's shorter and offers a good chance for practice," Mo Yu explained calmly.
After hearing Mo Yu's reasoning, Xiao Yan nodded and felt a deeper admiration for him. Only by facing danger can one unlock their potential. While everyone understands this, not everyone can put it into practice.
Of course, Xiao Yan did not know that Mo Yu had another unexpected plan.
Mo Yu, familiar with the original story, remembered that it was in the eastern part of the Monster Mountain Range where Xiao Yan met Xiao Yixian and Yun Yun. Xiao Yan flirted with them irresponsibly, leaving these two women with countless regrets.
Mo Yu was not concerned with such matters but felt that, since Xun'er had helped him so much, he should offer something in return.
Moreover, he had promised Xun'er to keep an eye on Xiao Yan and prevent him from getting involved with other girls. Mo Yu decided to cut off Xiao Yan's entanglement with them from the source.
Whether Mo Yu had other plans in mind remained unknown.
Indeed, after learning that Mo Yu was heading to the eastern part of the Monster Mountain Range, neither Xiao Yan nor Yao Lao, who was secretly observing, considered this region.
After all, experience is a personal journey. Traveling together might be counterproductive.
Moreover, Xiao Yan had a significant secret and would definitely prefer not to train alongside Mo Yu.
"Alas, your cousin is also going to the eastern part of the Monster Mountain Range. I originally planned for you to train here for a year and then go to the Tagor Desert. But since there's a conflict, let's adjust the plan. The northern part of the Monster Mountain Range is quite good and not far from the Tagor Desert. When you get there, I will personally guide you in your cultivation," Yao Lao's old voice said in Xiao Yan's heart.
Xiao Yan nodded in understanding and then smiled at Mo Yu. "Since Cousin Mo Yu is going to the eastern part of the Monster Mountain Range, I'll head to the northern part instead."
Seeing that Xiao Yan had genuinely changed his plans, Mo Yu also smiled. Just as he was about to say goodbye, Xiao Yan suddenly asked, "Cousin Mo Yu, will you come to the three-year appointment between me and Nalan Yanran?"
Mo Yu stroked his chin, realizing there was still over a year before the three-year agreement between Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran. He wasn't sure if he would be able to return in time.
"I'll try my best, but no matter what, Cousin Xiao Yan, I believe you will win."
Mo Yu, who knew the outcome in advance, looked at the young man about to depart and replied confidently.
Moved by Mo Yu's faith in him, Xiao Yan's eyes showed a hint of determination as he said, "Cousin Mo Yu, take care!"
"Um."
With a faint nod, Mo Yu turned and left gracefully.
As Mo Yu's back disappeared, Yao Lao's soul appeared, and a deep light flashed in his old eyes. He murmured, "After this separation, whether you become a dragon or a worm depends on the results of your cultivation."
…
**Yancheng**
Yancheng is located in the eastern province of the Gama Empire. Its wide avenues make it a crucial route from the empire to the eastern provinces, giving it a strategic advantage.
In Yancheng, apart from the empire's power, the most influential family is the Mohist family.
At this moment in the Mohist family's meeting hall, a middle-aged man with a slightly gloomy expression was holding a teacup and tapping the table restlessly.
Mo Lan was very annoyed, as he hadn't expected a waste expelled from the family in the past to have such an outstanding and talented descendant.
As the reputation of the Xiao family's twin dragons spread beyond Wutan City, two families in the Jiama Empire paid close attention to the news.
One was the Nalan family, allied with the Xiao family. Initially, the Nalan family had disapproved of the marriage between the two families, as Xiao Yan was considered a waste. They were reluctant to let their eldest daughter, with both excellent appearance and cultivation talent, marry someone deemed useless.
When Nalan Yanran came to the Xiao family to cancel the engagement, she was not only supported by the Yunlan Sect but also received encouragement from some members of the Nalan family.
However, as the Xiao family's reputation grew and Xiao Yan shed the label of waste, his cultivation speed became almost more terrifying than when he was at his peak as a child.
The Nalan family, now aware of Xiao Yan's potential, was in an awkward position. Nalan Yanran's actions had created a stalemate, making the Nalan family anxious. If this continued, they might lose a highly promising son-in-law and face potential enmity from Xiao Yan.
Mo Lan, as the patriarch of the Mo family, was equally concerned.
Mo Yu, one of the Xiao family's twin dragons, was a member of the Mo family's bloodline. Despite being expelled, his outstanding talent should have prompted the Mo family to reintegrate and support him.
However, Mo Lan faced a headache due to the family's previous short-sightedness. Mo Yu's father, Mo Jingyun, had been used by the family in experiments and had died at the hands of the Zong family.
Thus, upon learning of Mo Yu's talent, the Mo family was not pleased but rather anxious. A young man with the potential to become a Dou Huang could pose a significant threat if he harbored resentment.
"What's taking Mo Yin so long? It's been almost half a year, and he still hasn't dealt with a mere fighter!?" Mo Lan slammed the teacup heavily on the table and questioned.
Mo Lan had sent the best assassin from the family to Wutan City to eliminate Mo Yu before he could become a threat. Yet, after nearly half a year, there was still no news.
"Clan leader, although Mo Yin is an excellent assassin, his strength is only that of a four-star Grand Master. The Xiao family seems to have several Grand Masters, and its clan leader, Xiao Zhan, is a five-star Grand Master. It is normal for Mo Yin to take longer for safety reasons.
No matter how talented Mo Yu is, he's still growing. You should be reassured, clan leader," an elder from the Mo family said.
Mo Lan's frown eased slightly. He nodded and murmured, "I hope so. It's a pity to give up such a talent. If we could bring him back to the Mohist School, we would dominate the entire Northeast Province in the future. But since grudges exist, don't blame the Mohist School for being ruthless!"
The ominous words echoed in the hall, causing the Mohist leaders to shudder with fear.