Chapter Twenty-Two: Farewell, Utan City!

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As usual, Chen Xiao returned to the Xiao family residence, with Xun’er walking just ahead of him.

The moment he stepped through the main gate, Chen Xiao spotted Xiao Zhan and the three elders nearby, watching in the distance as if waiting for something.

“Looks like Brother Chen Xiao’s identity has been exposed,” Xun’er said, sharp and perceptive, immediately guessing the situation from their expressions.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly but gave no further thought to it.

Back when he lived with the Xiao family, Chen Xiao deliberately concealed his strength to avoid indebting others. He performed all his daily chores flawlessly, leaving no room for complaint, exchanging hard work for his daily meals.

Now that he planned to leave, revealing his true power was no longer a problem.

Indeed, when he had gone to the Oba family, he hadn’t bothered hiding anything.

He had gone openly and returned openly.

As a result, many from the Oba family had seen him, even people like Jialebi had crossed paths with him.

Since the Xiao family was involved in dividing up the Oba family’s assets, it only took a bit of effort for them to uncover the whole story.

“Let’s go see,” Xiao Zhan said.

As the two approached, Xiao Zhan and the three elders quickly stepped forward to greet them.

Xun’er’s identity went without saying.

As for Chen Xiao, his ability to single-handedly take down Oba Pa was enough to earn their respect.

“Uncle Xiao Zhan.”

“Clan leader, three elders.”

Xiao Zhan and the elders had prepared a whole bundle of words to say, but as they listened to such ordinary greetings, they suddenly found themselves at a loss.

They had realized Chen Xiao had grown up in the Xiao family, but only now had they truly remembered that such a person existed.

Trying to build connections?

With whom?

The thought made Xiao Zhan sigh softly, regretting the discovery had come too late.

“Xun’er, and Chen Xiao… young friend, you’re back.”

“Clan leader, please just call me by my name. Although I’m not a Xiao by blood, I grew up here, so there’s no need for formality.”

Xiao Zhan understood this immediately, as did the first and second elders. Only the third elder reacted a bit slower.

“Alright, then I won’t be formal. Thank you, Chen Xiao, for letting Xun’er know in advance about last night’s events; it brought considerable benefit to our Xiao family. Also, since you and your guardians have been living there until now without us knowing, it’s inappropriate to continue. I will have someone arrange a new place for you.”

Xiao Zhan expressed his gratitude first and then quickly made arrangements.

Standing before Chen Xiao, he realized he couldn’t gauge his true strength at all.

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What this implied was obvious.

In comparison, even his proud youngest son seemed insignificant.

“Clan leader, no need to trouble yourselves. The family feud is settled, and I’ve already decided to leave tomorrow. These years, it was thanks to the shelter of the Xiao family that I could cultivate in peace. I sincerely thank you. If the Xiao family ever needs help in the future, I will not refuse within my means.”

Chen Xiao spoke earnestly, but Xiao Zhan and the three elders knew well that such feelings wouldn’t last long.

Maybe once or twice Chen Xiao would lend a hand, but if it happened too often, that goodwill would be exhausted.

So to think of him as a helper to be summoned or dismissed at will was a grave mistake.

“Leaving tomorrow? So soon?”

“I decided long ago. I still need to pack. Clan leader, elders, farewell.”

Chen Xiao bowed slightly without further words and headed straight for his quarters.

Xun’er followed closely behind.

Watching them walk away, the third elder grew anxious.

“Clan leader, we should at least see him off properly. Also, although the Xiao family isn’t large, we can offer some cultivation resources to cultivate goodwill. It can only help, not harm!”

Hearing this, Xiao Zhan remained silent, shaking his head.

The first elder spoke up: “Third elder, forget it. Too much is as bad as too little. If Chen Xiao really wanted to deepen relations, he would have revealed his strength by now. With his talent, how could the Xiao family not nurture him?”

“Exactly. His name is Chen Xiao, not Xiao Chen. Maintaining the current goodwill is enough. Forcing attachments will only annoy him. Let him be. From the matter with the Oba family, it’s clear he’s a man who distinguishes clearly between gratitude and grievance. Since he said what he did today, if the Xiao family ever faces trouble, he won’t stand aside.”

The second elder agreed.

After hearing them, the third elder finally understood.

Indeed, Chen Xiao’s gratitude for the years of shelter was commendable. A colder person might have severed ties completely without a word.

“Alas, it’s a pity we found out too late. Or rather, he hid himself too well. Probably only Xun’er knew some of it,” the third elder sighed, accepting reality.

“The past can’t be changed, but the future must be grasped well. Xiao Yan’s talent is also a once-in-a-century phenomenon. When he grows, perhaps he and Chen Xiao will have more interactions.”

“Looking at it this way, the future of the Xiao family seems bright indeed.”

The first and second elders smiled warmly despite their aged faces.

At this moment, the atmosphere among the Xiao family’s top ranks was unusually harmonious.

Unfortunately, this mood likely wouldn’t last long.

...

Elsewhere.

Packing was merely an excuse. With the storage ring, Chen Xiao always carried his important belongings with him.

As for the bedding and miscellaneous items in the small house, he had no intention of taking them along—unnecessary and too bulky.

Storage rings of this level offered limited space, so every inch had to be used wisely.

Therefore, Chen Xiao circled around and brought Xun’er to the back mountain of the Xiao family estate.

Today, no cultivation, no martial skill practice—just lying back to watch the clouds drift leisurely, stealing a rare moment of peace.

Looking up at the blue sky and white clouds, Chen Xiao glanced sideways at the girl quietly sitting beside him.

“Xun’er…”

The girl looked back.

Words caught in his throat, Chen Xiao shook his head and smiled softly.

“I wanted to say something parting, but then I thought, we have plenty of chances to meet again, so no need to spoil the mood.”

“I remember Brother Chen Xiao said you’d be going to Canaan Academy in half a year. Xun’er has thought carefully and it seems the only chance to see you again is when you return to register. Where’s this ‘plenty of chances’ you mentioned?”

Usually obedient and well-behaved, the girl today showed a rare playful side, blinking innocently with clear eyes, seeming genuinely puzzled.

Chen Xiao chuckled lightly. “Utan City is too small, too mismatched with your temperament. If I stay, chances to see you will only grow fewer and fewer.”

“Only by leaving, leaving the Gamma Empire, leaving the Northwest Continent, can I see those breathtaking wonders we dream of. Maybe only then can I meet you at the peak.”

Xun’er was startled, her gaze shifting as if seeing Chen Xiao in a new light.

“To meet at the peak”—what a beautiful phrase.

Perhaps he didn’t even realize how lofty a goal he had set for himself.

“Then Xun’er will look forward to that day.”

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, saying no more, quietly savoring this rare moment of leisure.

...

The next day.

Outside Utan City.

Dressed in new clothes, Chen Xiao stepped out facing the rising sun, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon.

The past was sordid and unworthy of praise; today, boundless dreams run wild.

“Farewell, Utan City!”