three

The first to rush over was a round little chubby boy, holding a plump little unicorn lamb. He casually tossed a piece of broken silver to Xiao Ziyu, who was sitting on the steps in the backyard, dumbfounded, and said, "Bring out the good food and drinks quickly, and make sure it's clean! If we enjoy our meal, there will be generous rewards." Then he continued to complain to his companions, "It's so hot, I'm drenched in sweat, I've probably lost at least five pounds, and the little lamb is panting from the heat."

Suddenly, several shadows swept across the sky, accompanied by strong winds that sent sand and gravel flying in all directions

The young man with the sword felt somewhat awkward

Xiao Zijian loosened his foot and reached out to snatch the cloth bag

The young girl is also helpless

Since the villagers claimed that his parents were thieves, he had long grown accustomed to the gossip and had also become used to being excluded and isolated by the children. Even when wronged or treated unfairly, he rarely defended himself. He never believed in the existence of deities, nor did he believe that anyone would believe in him. When he was beaten, he could only try to curl his body up as much as possible to minimize injury and pain. He thought that this would lessen the suffering, but it did not, it never did.

Is your rooster like this? What a bumpkin! This is the mount of a spirit mage! Those with knowledge, please respond.

The flustered demeanor of the sword-wielding youth overshadowed the shock of the magical artifact speaking, as the latter was somewhat prepared for it—after all, it is said that more formidable monsters can speak, not to mention a magical artifact specifically designed to deal with them. It is rumored that many magical artifacts can transform into human forms and, naturally, can speak. ... However, the tone in which this magical artifact spoke is truly difficult to describe ...

Xiao Ziyu recovered from her astonishment and hurried to report to the tigress.

Yue Wuxia stopped in her tracks, turning her head in confusion to look at him

The medicine worth a house is indeed very effective. As soon as he took the medicine, Xiao Ziyu's complexion began to improve. He coughed violently and slowly regained consciousness. Listening to the frenzied praise for Yue Wuxia around him, he quickly realized what had happened. He raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his eye with his sleeve and said softly: "Thank you"

The little tyrant, who had never suffered a loss, turned red in the face when confronted. He argued defensively, "Nonsense! I... I just accidentally misspoke. It's just an ordinary thing; who looks at it every day? Counting a few vines? A few flowers? It's people like you, who want to steal from others, that deliberately count them! Nonsense! Scoundrel! And you even deceive passing nobles to help you!"

The unicorn lamb leisurely approached, sniffed at Xiao Ziyu, wagged its tail, and walked towards Xiao Zijian

Could it be that he will spend his entire life as an ant

He must be unhappy, right

Elder Zhou patted him on the shoulder to express comfort

The sword-bearing youth fell silent for a moment: "Perhaps, in this world, no one can protect him after all"

Xiao Ziyu was in so much pain that she was almost fainting, yet she still shook her head and said, "I won't give it!"

Yue Wuxia felt quite embarrassed by the praise. When he turned back to return the jade pendant to Xiao Ziyu, he took a closer look and immediately noticed something was amiss

He was approximately fifteen years old, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. Although he appeared somewhat youthful, it was already evident that he would grow up to be charming enough to captivate girls. His attire was no different from that of his companions, featuring a modest blue robe and a proper outfit. The only distinguishing accessory was an ancient jade pendant hanging from his waist, and he carried a resplendent long sword on his back

Xiao Ziyu suddenly felt a pang in his nose, an impulse to cry welling up within him. He held back his tears and, like a little man, said firmly: "Mm, I will come."

The young man with the sword, upon hearing this, became particularly displeased. He retorted in a heavy tone, "Fatty, not everything in this world can be measured by money, especially principles and justice"

The old ox nodded vigorously: "Surely, the magical artifacts must possess such elegance and demeanor, far more refined than the extravagant and superficial young master of our Xiao family!"

I did not steal anything!" Xiao Ziyu's face flushed with humiliation as he exclaimed, "This is mine! It is something my mother left for me! My mother's name is on it, and it was passed down to me by Uncle Liu.

Yue Wuxia asked: "There are inscriptions on the back of this pendant, do you know what they say?"

Clearly, he has done nothing wrong

Xiao Ziyu felt somewhat perplexed, not understanding why he was embarrassed

Xiao Ziyu apologetically explained: "I am sorry, this is the best tea we have in our store"

The elder Zhou suddenly remembered something and frowned

Yue Wuxia shook her head, turned to look at her companion, and asked: "Using fallacious arguments, it is impossible to reason with him. Fatty, can you persuade him to be convinced?"

Some bystanders criticized Xiao Zijian for being unscrupulous, while others praised the chubby boy for his honesty and playfulness. However, the majority lauded Yue Wuxia as a young hero, full of wisdom and resourcefulness, who upholds justice and acts chivalrously

The overweight man said in a huff: "I don't believe it, I want to ask him."

Indeed, observing how he spoke and acted just now, one might think he is quite clever, little do they know he is a thief; one should not judge a person by their appearance

Every word he utters is resolute and carries weight

Xiao Ziyu awkwardly smiled and said: "You jest, esteemed one. The Heavenly Gate Sect is composed of the elite of the heavens; how could a country bumpkin like me ever gain entry..."

The young man from the teahouse is covered in patches on his clothes, looking nothing like a wealthy person. How could he possibly have the spare money to buy a jade pendant? Jade pendants are not cheap items. Although the man who hit him is somewhat fierce, he is dressed neatly and wears a silver collar around his neck. From his appearance, he seems to be someone with spare money. Perhaps the young man from the teahouse picked up something that he dropped and then refused to return it

In an instant, countless words of praise surrounded the spiritual youth, making him blush and feel warm at heart

It is said that spiritual sorcerers each possess their own magical instruments, which they manipulate through qi. Some can harness the elements of nature, some can control birds and beasts, some can command magical tools and formations, and some can achieve astonishing feats using qi. Moreover, they hold a transcendent status, wield immense power, and killing a few commoners is as ordinary to them as eating and drinking.

Because his vow was too sincere and his expression too serious, it was hard to doubt him. Meanwhile, Xiao Zijian was glaring with anger from the side, and the fury in his eyes seemed capable of burning himself alive. Thus, after much hesitation, Xiao Ziyu was willing to believe once more, carefully placing the jade pendant into Yue Wuxia's hands, yet hesitating to let go: "The jade pendant... is truly mine"

Xiao Zijian struck down with a heavier fist: "Will you give it or not?!"

Unexpectedly, this time the timid rabbit resisted; it seemed to have turned red with anger, its ten fingers tightly clasped like iron locks, holding the cloth bag firmly in its embrace. It forcefully charged at Xiao Zijian, with such strength that it actually pushed the robust Xiao Zijian back two steps, then defiantly raised its head and said: "This cannot be given to you"

He did not say much, for such kindness cannot be expressed through words

The crowd was astonished, all of them craning their necks to watch the spectacle

Xiao Ziyu gratefully accepted the handkerchief, knowing it was a valuable item. Feeling embarrassed to soil it, she only gave it a light wipe and said again, "Thank you"

The old ox delivering firewood, upon seeing something new and interesting, did not hurry home to face his wife's scolding, but instead ran over to join the excitement. After listening to the introduction, he asked Xiao Ziyu: "What kind of magical tool is that man in black? He looks quite disciplined, and is handsome, with an aura even stronger than that of a young master from a wealthy family"

Xiao Zijian had seen some of the world, and when he heard the sword speak, he was startled to the core. He guessed the identity of the youth with the sword and quickly let go, retreating repeatedly. His two lackeys, who had been following him, were already terrified. Xiao Zihe stood at the door, slipping away in a panic, while Xiao Zijiang, unable to escape due to his position, shrank his head and trembled in fear. Xiao Zijian, gasping for breath, tried to force a flattering smile at the corner of his mouth: "It doesn't hurt, it doesn't hurt at all." In his heart, he had cursed this meddlesome fellow's ancestors a hundred and eight times.

After the initial shock, Xiao Ziyu finally understood the feelings of his companion. He too was struggling to suppress his laughter, feeling quite uncomfortable. At this moment, the old cow had squatted down, holding its belly and rubbing it vigorously.

What a stunning sword! This sword is truly exquisite! The scabbard is made of pure gold, engraved with a phoenix poised to take flight. The phoenix is adorned with various gemstones, including rubies, sapphires, emeralds, cat's eyes, and pearls, almost dazzling everyone present. Each person feels an impulse to become a thief, contemplating how much they could live without worry for generations if they sold this sword.

Heaven knows whether a high and mighty figure like the spiritual master would become enraged after being mocked, and strike down two unfortunate souls with a single sword swing

Xiao Zijian stiffened his neck and insisted: "That... that is the jade pendant my second aunt gave me, it is very valuable"

The matriarch did not dare to be negligent, putting in her utmost effort to prepare the finest tea and snacks, and instructed Xiao Ziyu to present them with the utmost respect

Xiao Ziyu, belatedly realizing the intricacies of the situation, noticed that the old cow had already slipped away, making a hasty retreat home. He did not dare to linger, fleeing in a hurry to tend to the horses. After running just a few steps, he collided with a hard chest. A terrifying roar echoed: "Tuberculosis ghost, where do you think you're going?"

Each person holds a different opinion

The three boys approached with ill intentions, and following them would lead to even worse consequences. His hand, which had just appeared to tremble, actually shifted slightly to the side, causing the teacup to fall to the ground. This was an unnecessary small gesture, so it was not an accident; he calculated the distance precisely, ensuring that the teacup would land on the stone and make a sound to alert the landlady. The landlady dragged him away while scolding him, appearing very unfortunate, yet it was a show of weakness, giving those ruffians an outlet for their frustrations, preventing her from continuing to obstruct him or settling scores with him later. The sword-bearing youth analyzed leisurely, "Did you not notice that his hand stopped trembling after he was dragged away?" The landlady dragged him away while scolding him, appearing very unfortunate, yet it was a show of weakness, giving those ruffians an outlet for their frustrations, preventing her from continuing to obstruct him or settling scores with him later. The sword-bearing youth analyzed leisurely, "Did you not notice that his hand stopped trembling after he was dragged away?"

"Hitting others is not good," said the young man with the sword earnestly. "Everyone has a mouth, and any words should be spoken properly. Don't you think?"

It is not a dog

As the truth comes to light, the previously subdued atmosphere suddenly becomes lively

Is that so? The young man with the sword said softly, "Being scolded is always better than being beaten"

"Yes, yes, yes," Xiao Zijian nodded repeatedly, "Hitting people is not good, it is really too bad, we should talk things over, let's talk..."

The girl in the tree quickly stepped back a little, held her breath, and concealed her figure more thoroughly in the shadows

Why does everyone treat him this way

If such a noble figure has compromised, what can the common people protest about

The paper crane gently descended and unexpectedly landed in the backyard of the tea house

The sword once again emitted a rude sound: "It's your granduncle!"

The boy with the sword was so embarrassed that he almost wanted to find a hole to burrow into, and he whispered to the sword: "Jiangyu, stop causing trouble."

Yue Wuxia felt somewhat nervous. He bent down to help Xiao Ziyu up and cautiously asked, "Are you injured?" Seeing that the other party could not respond, he quickly checked for injuries but found no external wounds. In desperation, he had no choice but to call for help towards the teahouse, "Master! Master!"

"Trust me." Yue Wuxia took the jade pendant and examined it closely

The ice python lowered its head in shame and said: "Yes."

Be more reserved, stop chattering. Do you resemble future sorcerers at all? Don't embarrass yourselves in this rural area

Xiao Zihe and Xiao Zijiang clapped their hands and sang their self-composed nursery rhyme: "In the Xiao family, there is Xiao Laosan, who is disliked by everyone for stealing chickens and dogs. He marries a thieving wife and has a son who also becomes a thief. After stealing from the east, he steals from the west, and after stealing gold, he steals silver. When passersby encounter him, they shout, scaring the little thief into covering his head and fleeing. He escapes into a latrine, and with a splash, he falls in. Falling into the latrine, he meets his end, meeting his end..."

Yue Wuxia smiled: "Xiao Ziyu? That is a beautiful name, I will remember it."

The little chubby boy proudly explained to everyone: "Little Mie is a descendant of the Xiezhi. Do you know what the Xiezhi is? It is a divine beast! Both fierce and just, it can distinguish loyalty from treachery, and it can determine who is lying. Little Mie, stop grazing and get to work..."

Isn't the Xiezhi impressive? Alas, my little sheep is still young, and its horns haven't fully grown. When it encounters a bad person, it can at most just nudge them a couple of times, and it can't even break the skin! The little fat boy was speaking with great enthusiasm when he noticed the other party had run away, feeling somewhat puzzled, "Huh? Where did that guy go..."

The two youths were unaware that their fate, as well as the fate of this world, quietly changed in the blink of her thought

Four enormous paper cranes flew in from the distance, their colorful bodies crafted from talisman paper tracing smooth lines in the air. The eyes inlaid with spirit stones sparkled brilliantly under the sunlight, and their massive wings stirred up gusts of fierce wind. The leading azure paper crane emanated a powerful aura.

The ten fingers are connected to the heart, and the pain penetrates to the bone marrow

Xiao Ziyu let out a sigh of relief and quietly retreated to the backyard, yet his eyes remained fixed on several spiritual practitioners, unable to look away. The physique of the magical tools appeared less robust than that of Uncle Niu; how could they possibly perform feats of splitting mountains and crossing seas? That chubby fellow didn't seem particularly impressive either, and what about that sheep? It was probably a pet. The tastes of the wealthy truly are peculiar, beyond the comprehension of ordinary people

Xiao Ziyu nodded repeatedly: "I will work very hard! Harder than anyone else!"

The young man with the sword released his grip, and a faint fiery glow appeared in the palm of his hand. Xiao Zijian covered the back of his hand and retreated repeatedly, as several blisters had formed on the area that had been touched, causing him excruciating pain. He shouted loudly, "Do you think it's your business to meddle in my affairs?!"

Yue Wuxia felt a bit embarrassed to get up, yet smiled openly, with no trace of insincerity in her eyes: "We are all just children, what does it matter if there are distinctions of wealth or status? This little matter is nothing serious. I find you quite interesting. It's a pity you are not in the Tianmen Sect, otherwise we could have been friends and played together often..."

The noise startled everyone in the teahouse, and they all turned their attention this way. Xiao Zijian, accustomed to wielding power and authority, did not pay attention to who the guests were. He only noticed their fine clothing, which made his face even more embarrassed. He argued unreasonably, saying: "You thieving woman gave birth to a little thief! A poor wretch who has never seen two coins, daring to steal my jade pendant in broad daylight, and still refusing to admit it. Let's see if your mouth is tougher than my fist!"

Everyone was momentarily taken aback, and they all focused their attention on the young man in the center

The young man with the sword asked again: "Whose jade pendant is this?"

"Get away!" Yue Wuxia scolded angrily, "Fatty, how can you have money on your mind all the time?! Don't you know there are many important things in this world that money cannot buy?!" He forcefully pushed the Fatty aside, pried open Xiao Ziyu's mouth, and without hesitation stuffed "a set of house" into it, then poured in some tea, "This medicine can protect the heart meridian and will make his future days a bit easier."

The forehead was injured, and blood flowed from the corner of the eye, resembling tears

He began to feel uncomfortable under the gaze of his companions

In this lively scene, the young sorcerers in the teahouse watched with great interest. The chubby one felt he had found a kindred spirit and sighed towards the boy with the ornate sword on his back: "Wuxia, that guy is also clumsy and unfortunate, truly pitiful"

This is a change that no one could have anticipated

What? The fat man was confused for a moment, then suddenly understood, "Are you saying that he intentionally dropped the teacup? That can't be possible, can it?"

The new body, the control of strength is not yet perfect, still requires restraint

Xiao Ziyu gritted her teeth tightly, holding onto her beloved treasure, refusing to let go and not offering any rebuttal

Yue Wuxia still wanted to say something to him, but the old man, who had been quietly watching the performance of his disciples, suddenly stood up, threw down a few pieces of silver, and shouted: "Enough rest, let's set off." The disciples hurriedly followed, and the chubby boy sat on the flapping white paper phoenix, waving his hand towards this side: "Hurry up!"

Yue Wuxia hurriedly took out a white porcelain bottle from her bosom and poured its contents out

Xiao Zijian trembled all over, stepping back step by step. As the unicorn lamb approached him, he let out a startled cry, spread his legs, and turned to run. Seeing the eldest brother fleeing and the lamb closing in, Xiao Zijiang waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "It's not my fault! It was all his instigation! Don't kill me!" He stumbled and fled in panic.

The crowd was in an uproar, casting disdainful glances at Xiao Zijian

The young boy's tightly clenched hands loosened and he departed

How noble you are! How meddlesome you are! How much you resemble a sorcerer!

All eyes in the teahouse were focused on them, even the fierce woman returned from the backyard, crossing her arms and watching the commotion. All discussions overwhelmingly favored Xiao Zijian. This left the arrogant young man feeling somewhat trapped; he shouted nervously: "The bag has been in his hands! He has already seen what is inside! He might have even taken some money out, which naturally makes it easier for him to prove the contents and their quantity! This is unfair!"

The long sword of the sword-bearing youth suddenly erupted with a man's roar. Although it was a very elegant voice, the words were extremely rude and unpleasant: "Damn it! Who are you calling talkative, narcissistic, and reckless? Are you taking advantage of me while I'm sleeping to speak ill of me? You say I'm willful, but a powerful and handsome magical weapon has the right to be willful! But what do you mean by saying I'm narcissistic? Is it wrong for me to be handsome and charming, like a jade tree in the wind? Are you jealous that everyone loves me and flowers bloom for me? You say I'm willful, but a powerful and handsome magical weapon has the right to be willful! But what do you mean by saying I'm narcissistic? Is it wrong for me to be handsome and charming, like a jade tree in the wind? Are you jealous that everyone loves me and flowers bloom for me? What do you mean by being talkative and reckless? I must be blind to have found you, a petty-minded master! How dare you be jealous that your own magical weapon is more handsome and more popular than you! Shameless!"

For some unknown reason, the previously picky and noisy little sorcerers fell silent, each burying themselves in their meals, with only one who had an upset stomach switching to a cup of warm water. Xiao Ziyu heard the chubby one gritting his teeth as he drank, muttering softly, "You’re not being picky? The tea you usually drink costs three hundred taels of silver per pot, I can’t afford that. At least this time, the tea I can buy amounts to three hundred jin, I can drink the same as you every day..."

Since his birth, it is the first time someone has believed in his dreams

There is an opportunity

The little chubby boy was still talking non-stop: "The Xiezhi is truly formidable. Once it determines who is lying, it will gore them with its horn until their intestines are ruptured, leading to their demise. It will also trample them with its four hooves. If it weren't powerful, how could it be called a divine beast? My family has been connected to the Xiezhi for generations. I remember back in the day, that notorious bandit Tan Lang, who killed countless people and stole without remorse, pretended to be a virtuous gentleman. After several trials, the truth remained elusive. Later, my father intervened, and Tan Lang even attempted to lie in front of my father's Xiezhi. The outcome was utterly tragic..." My family has been connected to the Xiezhi for generations. I remember back in the day, that notorious bandit Tan Lang, who killed countless people and stole without remorse, pretended to be a virtuous gentleman. After several trials, the truth remained elusive. Later, my father intervened, and Tan Lang even attempted to lie in front of my father's Xiezhi. The outcome was utterly tragic..."

Xiao Ziyu looked enviously at him as he turned to leave, this handsome, strong, kind, and promising young man was like the hero he had transformed into countless times in his dreams, humble and courteous, neither arrogant nor impatient, punishing evil and upholding justice, enjoying the admiration of the crowd, how spirited he was. Yet upon waking from the dream, he remained that poor, frail boy, lacking any skills, and even without support, unable to see a future or harbor any hope. Just like the supporting character in a storyteller's tale, who highlights the brilliance and martial prowess of the protagonist, he felt as insignificant as an ant on the ground. Yet upon waking from the dream, he remained that poor, frail boy, lacking any skills, and even without support, unable to see a future or harbor any hope. Just like the supporting character in a storyteller's tale, who highlights the brilliance and martial prowess of the protagonist, he felt as insignificant as an ant on the ground

Ah ah ah ah ah—" Xiao Zijian was in so much pain that he almost rolled on the ground

Listening to these favorable remarks, Xiao Zijian felt even more pleased, as his fists fell heavily like rain upon the small frame of Xiao Ziyu: "Dragons give birth to dragons, phoenixes give birth to phoenixes! The son of a rat digs a hole! The son of a thieving woman becomes a little thief! I will beat you to death, you shameless little thief!"

Yes, Master, Xiao Yunfan has no biological brothers, only this child has inherited his bloodline. As she called out, the silver-gray snake-shaped bracelet named Ice Python on her wrist came to life, its slender body coiling around her wrist, winding around her neck, and it flicked out a scarlet tongue, while a deep voice emanated from its body, as if it came from the soul. "Since his birth, I have guarded him for fourteen years. His useless mother was overly frightened during childbirth, resulting in a premature birth. At that time, amidst the chaos of war, I was forced to steal him from the hands of evildoers, but I was unable to raise him. Thinking that humans value blood relations the most, I sent him back to Xiao Family Village, but unexpectedly... perhaps due to congenital deficiencies and inadequate care afterwards, his body has serious defects; he cannot be overly excited, nor can he be overworked." Ice Python hesitated for a moment, lowered its head, glancing at the girl's expression while quietly explaining, "Master, he is more fragile than you imagine... Fortunately, the old man who adopted him had good medical skills and brought him back from the brink of death several times. Now that old man has passed away, I have noted down a few prescriptions; if he has an episode, they can be tried, it seems there is something like safflower or yellow something..." Now that old man has passed away, I have noted down a few prescriptions; if he has an episode, they can be tried, it seems there is something like safflower or yellow something...

Yue Wuxia reached into her bosom and fished out a piece of white cloud-patterned silk handkerchief, handing it to him: "Here, use this to wipe."

After the paper crane came to a stop, an elderly man carrying a magical artifact and several young individuals descended. The elderly man had an imposing appearance and was dressed in luxurious attire, while the youths were spirited and all wore ordinary-style azure robes adorned with cloud patterns, though the fabric was of exceptional quality, and their faces radiated confidence. The magical artifact had black hair and purple eyes, dressed in black clothing, with a countenance as cold as ice. Apart from the three deep purple lines on its forehead, it looked exactly like a human—Xiao Ziyu could not discern this at first; it was only because the traveling uncle mentioned that those with markings on their foreheads were magical artifacts that he became aware of it.

"I won't give it to you, this is what my mother left for me!" Xiao Ziyu exerted all his strength, tightly gripping the cloth bag, unwilling to let go even if it meant breaking his fingers. Surprisingly, even the strong and robust Xiao Zijian could not pry open his palm for a moment, and he was even bitten on the shoulder. Xiao Zijian let out a painful scream, jumped to the side, and angrily raised his fist, striking heavily at his frail stomach, demanding, "Will you give it or not?!"

The old man frowned at the onlookers, thinking that this was typical of rural areas. He endured it and did not take it to heart. After ordering Xiao Ziyu to bring food and tea for the fourth time, he forbade her from serving any further

The chubby man stared in astonishment at the kitchen for a long time: "Are you trying to fool me? Is it really necessary to be so cunning at such a young age?"

She withdrew her hand, took a deep breath, suppressed her anger, and instructed: "I confirm once again, is this the only option?"

Finally, someone could no longer hold back and let out a "pfft," turning their head to cover their mouth as they laughed.

Heaven shows mercy, as a small cloth bag containing a jade pendant lies by the wall. The smooth and delicate jade pendant reveals half of its head, resting on the sandy ground, likely having slipped out of Xiao Zijian's embrace when he grabbed his collar. Fortunately, it has not been discovered by anyone. Xiao Ziyu joyfully pounces over, but unexpectedly, the moment his fingers touch the cloth bag, a black boot stretches over from the side, heavily stepping on his fingers without regard for anyone else, and the toe twists forcefully.

"Stop laughing," as he watched that pair of bright eyes gradually dim, Yue Wuxia hurriedly stopped his companion's mockery. He walked in front of Xiao Ziyu and said earnestly, "Only heaven knows what the future holds. I have believed since childhood that as long as you work hard towards your dreams, there will come a day when you will succeed."

"What you said is incorrect," Xiao Zijiang laughed even louder, "How could your mother's belongings be in the hands of Sixth Grandpa?" Xiao Zihe also mockingly sneered without any mercy: "It seems your mother is not only a thief but also an unfaithful woman, which is why she gave birth to a deceitful wretch like you." They held Xiao Ziyu's arms tightly, securing him in place, allowing Xiao Zijian to reach out and pry open his palm, "It clearly belongs to me, hand it over quickly, let go! Let go!" "How could your mother's belongings be in the hands of Sixth Grandpa?" Xiao Zihe also mockingly sneered without any mercy: "It seems your mother is not only a thief but also an unfaithful woman, which is why she gave birth to a deceitful wretch like you." They held Xiao Ziyu's arms tightly, securing him in place, allowing Xiao Zijian to reach out and pry open his palm, "It clearly belongs to me, hand it over quickly, let go! Let go!"

Xiao Ziyu, having no parents to protect her, has always been very obedient and never dared to disobey his orders

The fat man laughed: "Ha ha, you have been slapped in the face."

The sword-bearing youth ignored them, pointed to his own chest, and said to Xiao Ziyu: "My name is Yue Wuxia, 'Yue' as in the Yue Mountain, 'Wuxia' as in the flawless white jade. I am a disciple under Elder Zhou of the Tianmen Sect. I swear to all the deities of this world by my own name that I will never lie or deceive you"

The teahouse was momentarily silent, with only the faint sound of sipping water.

Xiao Ziyu had no choice but to run to the backyard, crouch in the corner of the wall, and hide while watching

"You poor little brat." Xiao Zijian felt a bit embarrassed; originally intending to play around, he suddenly became furious. He fiercely grabbed the boy's collar and shouted, "All the money in your family has been given to your relatives, you are utterly broke, what valuable things could you possibly have?! Clearly, you stole it from me! Hurry up and return it to me!"

A faint black aura emerged from the girl's hand, and the branch she was supporting gradually withered, the tender green leaves turning into a dull yellow

The young man with the sword felt utterly embarrassed, his face flushed with shame. Amidst the incessant complaints of his own magical artifact, he sipped his tea in silence. Then, with a look of melancholy, he glanced at Xiao Ziyu and Old Niu, before turning back to continue drinking his tea. After a moment, he cast another sorrowful glance at the two who were still standing there, foolishly smiling.

Xiao Zijian, seeing him being scolded so miserably, did not find it appropriate to get angry. He spat to the side and prepared to seek other amusements

What kind of tea leaves cost three hundred taels of silver for a pot? It is unheard of!

Yue Wuxia sat on the red paper phoenix, soaring into the sky, continuously waving at Xiao Ziyu on the ground, then flying into the clouds, becoming increasingly distant, until disappearing from sight

... ... ''

"What do you want?" Xiao Zijian, seeing the escaped prey regained, felt delighted, and his steps became heavier. He twisted and turned fiercely, laughing arrogantly and boisterously, "You better plead with me! Plead properly!" The two henchmen who often accompanied him in his misdeeds joined in the mockery: "Come on, bow down properly; Master Jian has a heart of gold." "Come on, don't forget to bow to Master He and Master Jiang as well."

The fat man laughed so hard that he pounded the table, and even the unicorn lamb following him kept bleating incessantly, laughing until it fell over.

A strong sense of envy swept through his mind, and the fire of desire burned fiercely in his heart. Xiao Ziyu suddenly felt the greatest courage of his life; he struggled to rise and called out to Yue Wuxia without a care: "Wait!"

The fat man was taken aback upon seeing the bottle and exclaimed, "Are you crazy? This is Master Li's Purple Gold Life-Prolonging Pill, meant for your father's protection of your life. Didn't you say each pill is worth a fortune? Just one of these pills could buy a house in the capital, or even dozens of unparalleled beauties! Are you really going to give this to a poor kid who is not even related to you? Have you lost your mind?"

The overweight man was dumbfounded and after a long while said: "Why do I feel that such reasonable words coming from the only son of the world's richest man sound particularly pretentious?"

The young sorcerers were in an uproar

Ice Python! Is this the 'only' choice you found for me? This waste? On the tree by the post road, a girl in white sat on the highest branch, hidden among the leaves, intently watching every move of Xiao Ziyu, her expression somewhat angry. "I have waited for five hundred years, the demon clan has waited for five hundred years, we can no longer wait! Xiao Ziyu? He is so weak that he is not even as strong as an ordinary human. How could the son of Xiao Yunfan be so inadequate?" I have waited for five hundred years, the demon clan has waited for five hundred years, we can no longer wait! Xiao Ziyu? He is so weak that he is not even as strong as an ordinary human. How could the son of Xiao Yunfan be so inadequate? How have you taken care of him? How can such a child assist me in my revival? Does Xiao Yunfan have no other children or brothers?

The short-haired youth gradually extinguished the red light. He looked at his palm for a moment and said somewhat shyly: "I still do not quite know how to manipulate my energy, nor can I effectively control the power of the Fire Sword."

The old man on the black phoenix glanced at Xiao Ziyu's frail figure and shook his head helplessly. This poor child is simply daydreaming; he takes a few comforting words seriously. His own disciple is good in every way, except that his temper is too good. As a person in a position of power, one should maintain a certain demeanor. The people in the teahouse couldn't help but burst into laughter. The little chubby boy laughed so hard that he almost rolled off the paper phoenix, and everyone began to jeer, mocking this dreamer. The fierce-looking woman had a very unpleasant expression, but due to the presence of esteemed guests, she dared not lose her temper.

Elder Zhou was initially unwilling to involve himself in this matter, but knowing his precious disciple's stubborn nature, and hearing him call out time and again with an unyielding attitude, he could only sigh, step out, and check the child's pulse. He then shook his head and said: "Give up, it has nothing to do with the injury. He has a congenital heart defect, cannot withstand stimulation, and his condition is progressing rapidly, leaving no time to fetch medicine or prepare a remedy for treatment. This is a pitiful child, so unfortunate." Then he shook his head again and reiterated: "Give up, it has nothing to do with the injury. He has a congenital heart defect, cannot withstand stimulation, and his condition is progressing rapidly, leaving no time to fetch medicine or prepare a remedy for treatment. This is a pitiful child, so unfortunate."

As soon as the words fell, Xiao Ziyu rushed out from the kitchen

Suddenly, the sword at his waist emitted a strange murmuring sound: "Hmph! Blaming me for being strong when you are so pathetic yourself?"

Xiao Zijian smiled. Although he had never seen what was engraved on the jade pendant, being a fellow villager of Xiao Family Village, he had heard from his parents about the given name of Xiao Ziyu's mother. Coupled with the conversation during the recent snatching, he was further convinced. Without a moment's hesitation, he said: "It is engraved with 'Wisteria', referring to the wisteria flower. The coincidence of it sharing the same name as his mother is just that, a coincidence. My second aunt loves flowers; she has a complete set of jade pendants with flower names. She just casually took one to give to me. Hey, she also has jade pendants for peony and jasmine."

Yue Wuxia smiled and looked at Xiao Ziyu: "What do you think?"

Soon, he understood

Xiao Ziyu let out a muffled grunt and stubbornly said: "I won't give it!"

The fat man was initially unwilling to meddle in others' affairs, but seeing this arrogant and overbearing fellow was too much for him, and he felt a bit angry. He took a deep breath, sucked in his belly a little, and tried to strike a heroic pose like Yue Wuxia, thumping his chest and saying: "This little matter is nothing for me! Little sheep! Go!" The ram lamb trotted over eagerly, scratching the ground with its hind hooves, echoing its master with great spirit: "Baa—"

What is this? It looks quite similar to a rooster, asked a curious ignoramus

The expression of the sword-bearing youth was somewhat awkward as he explained to those around him: "My family's magical artifact has a bad temper"

Xiao Ziyu seemed to be stunned with fear, trembling all over, unable to hold onto the teaware in his hands. A coarse porcelain teacup fell to the ground, landing precisely on the gravel, producing a crisp sound of shattering. The sound traveled neither too far nor too close into the adjacent kitchen, reaching the keen ears of the "mother tiger." She instantly removed her apron, grabbed a bone-cutting knife, and leaped out of the kitchen door, fiercely pushing aside the dazed Xiao Zijian. She glared at him and scolded, "Get lost! Dare to sneak around, and be careful or I’ll chop you up!" Then, she grabbed Xiao Ziyu by the ear and dragged him back to the kitchen, where he was met with a barrage of scolding, with faintly audible insults like "fool" and "good-for-nothing."

The young man with the sword felt extremely embarrassed and quickly explained: "Don't speak carelessly, it can mislead people. Magical artifacts are quite similar to humans, with diverse personalities; not all of them have a good temper. My master's Mo Yan indeed has a good character, being silent and capable, but there are also many magical artifacts that are particularly talkative, narcissistic, and unruly..."

Every day at home, the husband and wife engage in arguments, and the old bull's voice is somewhat loud, inadvertently carrying his voice over there. The old man's eyebrows twitched, but he remained silent. The young men looked at the handsome youth, who was drinking tea worth three hundred taels of silver, with a half-smile, as if they had heard the most amusing thing, struggling to suppress their laughter.

Xiao Ziyu agreed: "Even if a magical instrument transforms into a human, it is not an ordinary person; it possesses a celestial appearance and a demeanor that is also proper."

Yue Wuxia asked him, "Then you surely won't remember the style of this jade pendant incorrectly, will you?"

The youth's demeanor is exceptionally elegant; even when drinking the most humble tea and eating the most common food, his movements still resemble those of someone dining on the finest delicacies at the most luxurious banquet. He carries the most expensive sword, yet his attitude is so casual, as if he were bearing the most ordinary iron sword. He is the foremost among the stars, lofty and elevated, yet does not seem distant; rather, he easily evokes a sense of closeness in others

The crowd of onlookers was growing larger, and the old man in black felt it was inappropriate. He whispered a few words to the fat man, who hurried over to relay the message: "Wuxia, the master says it's getting late, and you should stop meddling in other people's affairs. Let's go quickly. Ah, it's just a broken jade pendant; how much can it be worth? Why make such a fuss over it? We need to leave on time. If you feel sorry for this poor kid, just give him a hundred or so taels of silver and buy him ten or so, and that will be the end of it."

What is this? Xiao Zijian shifted his gaze to the cloth bag he was tightly holding. He had just noticed that the jade pendant peeking out from the bag had a very nice color, seemingly worth a considerable amount of money. A sense of greed arose within him as he reached out his hand and commanded, "Hand it over." He had used this method to snatch many things from children, from food to copper coins. Most of the children understood that resisting would only lead to more severe bullying from the little tyrant. After receiving a couple of slaps, they would generally comply. Watching them tearfully hand over their cherished possessions brought genuine pleasure to Xiao Zijian.

"Damn you! Damn your grandmother!" The magical artifact roared once more, "How dare the master tarnish the reputation of their own artifact and not allow others to speak? You are beyond redemption! Do you still think you can sleep tonight? Just wait and see how I deal with you! You better practice your energy for the whole night! Wahahaha—"

The people in the teahouse listened to this conversation, glanced at the two individuals' attire, and whispered among themselves

Even though hope seems faint, Xiao Ziyu still mustered the courage to ask hopefully: "Do I also have the chance to become a person like you? Is it really possible for me to cultivate my spirit?"

Xiao Ziyu forced herself to sit on the ground, breathing rapidly, her complexion pale, yet she still persisted: "My ... ... "

Yue Wuxia was stunned for a moment and then joyfully asked, "As long as it is a heart-protecting medicine, is that sufficient?"

The sword-bearing youth smiled and said, "Just wait, those few rascally boys won't leave, and he won't come out of the kitchen."

Xiao Ziyu gritted his teeth: "Xiao Zijian, move your foot away!"

Suddenly, the pain came to an abrupt halt, and the fist remained suspended in the air. The anguished cries of Xiao Zijian echoed from above. After a moment, Xiao Ziyu cautiously lifted her head from the gaps between her fingers that were covering her face, only to see that the sword-bearing youth had approached at some point, firmly grasping Xiao Zijian's fist. A few wisps of blue smoke were rising from his palm, emitting a faint scent of charred flesh. Then, in a tone of negotiation, he gently asked, "Are you done?"

The fat man took a sip of tea, quickly spat it out, and banged on the table, complaining: "Pah, pah, pah, what is this? It's terrible, almost like dishwater. Truly a remote and impoverished place, is there nothing decent here?" The other young sorcerers also began to clamor, shouting for better food

The sword-bearing youth glanced at the arrogant and overbearing Xiao Zijian, showing a hint of hesitation

"Will the grace of saving a life earn trust?" The girl in the tree seemed to be deep in thought

Xiao Ziyu stood tall and proclaimed: "My name is Xiao Ziyu. 'Xiao' is the Xiao from 'Xiao Sa', 'Zi' is the Zi from 'child', and 'Yu' is the Yu from 'beautiful jade'"

The elder in black beside him slightly nodded, feeling quite proud of his discerning apprentice's judgment.

Yue Wuxia shook her hand vigorously twice and said with certainty: "I will wait for you at the Tianmen Sect. If you come, be sure to find me"

Xiao Ziyu: "Will we have the chance to meet again?"

After hearing the scolding, Xiao Ziyu originally intended to stay in the kitchen to tend to the fire, but suddenly felt a sense of emptiness. Habitually, he reached into his bosom, only to find that the cloth bag containing the jade pendant left by his mother was missing. He was terrified and, disregarding the fact that Xiao Zijian was still outside watching him closely, rushed out the door in a frantic search.

Such a foolish magical artifact, paired with a seemingly very serious master

"I have arrived," Yue Wuxia replied hastily

The chubby boy elongated his tone and deliberately made faces at Xiao Ziyu, saying, "Indeed, magical artifacts are the most disciplined and refined in nature"

Although Xiao Ziyu was sitting, his complexion was extremely poor, his skin devoid of color, his lips darkened, and his body was convulsing continuously, drenched in cold sweat. He slowly collapsed, curling into a ball, his breathing becoming increasingly short and rapid, like a fish pulled from water. He opened his mouth but lacked the strength to even call for help. His health had always been poor; he could not afford to be injured, nor could he withstand intense emotional fluctuations. In the past, he would try to remain calm, keeping his emotional fluctuations within a safe range. However, the events of today had dealt a blow that was simply too great. After the deep despair and the joy of surviving a dire situation, he could no longer control his collapsing emotions. The pressure shattered the last nerve, and his out-of-control heart raced wildly, leading him toward death. His health had always been poor; he could not afford to be injured, nor could he withstand intense emotional fluctuations. In the past, he would try to remain calm, keeping his emotional fluctuations within a safe range. However, the events of today had dealt a blow that was simply too great. After the deep despair and the joy of surviving a dire situation, he could no longer control his collapsing emotions. The pressure shattered the last nerve, and his out-of-control heart raced wildly, leading him toward death.

Alas, stubborn and unrepentant, I wonder what kind of person I will become when I grow up

Xiao Ziyu immediately straightened her back and said loudly: "The jade pendant has no inscriptions, only a butterfly formed by black spots, entwined with carved wisteria. There are two vines, three clusters of flowers, and nine leaves! This is something my mother left for me, temporarily kept by Uncle Liu, and later handed over to me"

Yue Wuxia extended her right hand, smiling very sincerely: "I believe in you"

"Stop messing around, fatty. Didn't you say you were going to get heatstroke from the heat and needed to come down and rest?" A classmate stopped his shouting and then curiously tasted the tea in the cup. After savoring it for a moment, he swallowed and exclaimed, "Is this the tea that ordinary people drink? It's my first time tasting it, and the flavor is indeed unique, with a special taste to it." He then took a piece of sweet cake, bit a small piece, smiled at the embarrassed Xiao Ziyu to ease the awkwardness, and said, "The taste is quite special, really good." He then carefully swallowed the food and tea, addressing everyone, "Is this the tea that ordinary people drink? It's my first time tasting it, and the flavor is indeed unique, with a special taste to it." He then took another piece of sweet cake, bit a small piece, smiled at the embarrassed Xiao Ziyu to ease the awkwardness, and said, "The taste is quite special, really good." He then carefully swallowed the food and tea, addressing everyone, "A spiritual master should not be picky about food; you should all try it, it's edible."

Xiao Ziyu gritted his teeth, feeling the sharp gravel on the ground cutting into the skin of his palms, yet he still held tightly to the cloth bag in his hand, neither begging for mercy, nor bowing down, nor crying

The arrival of the sorcerer at Xiaojia Village, and still choosing to stay in such a humble teahouse, is truly a first in the history of the world

The sudden turn of events left the trio of villains dumbfounded. Once they regained their composure, Xiao Zihe, in astonishment, stuck out his tongue and said, "This kid actually dared to defy the boss; he has certainly grown bolder." Following suit, Xiao Zijiang fanned the flames, saying, "It seems he no longer regards the boss's authority with any respect."

The person who came was none other than Xiao Zijian, who was filled with frustration and looking for someone to vent his anger on. He did not notice the arrival of the spiritual master; he only saw the unfortunate Xiao Ziyu, which provided him with the perfect excuse to act. He felt a surge of joy in his heart, grabbed Xiao Ziyu's collar with one hand, and lifted her up forcefully. Suddenly, he remembered the fierce demeanor of the tiger lady in the teahouse with her kitchen knife, fearing she might intervene, and he quietly threatened, "Come with me, if you dare to utter a word, I will turn around and throw you into the pond to feed the fish."

The chubby man cried out: "Master, I despise wealthy people the most..."

Xiao Ziyu looked at this and that, feeling that his eyes were not enough, and he made three trips to fetch water. Many shared the same thought as him, but unfortunately, they were not servants and lacked the advantage of time and place, so they could only watch from a distance, staring in vain.

Xiao Ziyu was stunned for a long time before understanding his meaning. In a bit of a fluster, she reached out her right hand, gripping tightly. The warmth emanating from the other person's palm felt like a small hand warmer heated in winter, warming her heart and making it feel cozy, as if she could see the arrival of spring

"Where is that sound coming from?" Xiao Zijiang and Xiao Zihe were still looking around, "Who is speaking?"

Xiao Zijian found himself in a difficult situation, and with a forced expression, he said: "My! Just look at his attire, how could he possibly afford expensive items?"

That is why it is called unbearably hot

The crowd erupted in laughter