BTTH : Wandering Soul

The next day he started his journey toward Wu Tan city. Eyes filled with longing, he hurried to his family.

Last night Yao Lao had given him flame mantra. On top of that he had given him two dou techniques as well. So for next few months he had his hands full.

He had decided to hide his cultivation. There were several reasons, but main one was to avoid people being suspicious of his sudden increase in strength. For that reason he had asked Yao Lao to hide his cultivation.

It wasn't feasible for long term, so he had asked in advance for Yao Lao to teach him how to do that himself. Although it was difficult, with his immense soul power he was sure he'd be able to master it in a couple of weeks.

His journey was mostly quite. Finally after several hours he reached Wu Tan City. As he approached the Xiao clan, he entered with heavy steps. 

...

It had been two and a half years since Xiao Yan left. Although Xiao Zhan knew about his departure and had prepared for his long absence, he was still worried. Xun'er had sent Ling to track his location, but just a few days later, she received news from Ling that he had lost Xiao Yan's trail. Ling had searched throughout the mountain range but couldn't find him. Even a Dou Huang expert failed to locate him. She couldn't help but feel a growing sense of unease.

However, what she feared didn't happen. Months passed, and no one contacted the Xiao Clan demanding anything in exchange for Xiao Yan. She realized there must be another explanation.

Even if he had died, Ling would have found some trace of him. And it wasn't possible for Xiao Yan to hide himself from a Dou Huang expert. So, she decided to wait. There was no other choice. She couldn't contact her clan for help, and even if she did, it wouldn't make any difference.

She hadn't told Xiao Zhan yet, for no other reason than hope—hope that Xiao Yan would return. So, she waited.

News of Xiao Yan's departure had long since spread. Most people believed that he had run away because he couldn't endure their criticism and harsh words. Only a few thought that he had left to train.

...

As Xiao Yan entered the clan with heavy heart, he could hear people in clan whispering. He went straight towards his father. But in the way suddenly got tackled by a slender girl. He surely would've lost his balance if not for his increased strength. The girl was no other than Xun Er.

She looked at him with eyes filled with tears. Xiao Yan patted her head slowly saying, "It's okay. I'm here now." She finally let go of him and started bombarding him with questions. He had already formed a story: He met an expert who took him as his student. And thanks to him he got cured.

She finally noticed his aura when he mentioned that he got cured. And she was pleasantly surprised to know that he was at first stage of Dou Zhe. Soon the news spread like wildfire. His father was most delighted to hear this news. Xiao Yan couldn't help but get emotional when reuniting with his family. Same was the case for Xiao Zhan.

But not all people were happy with Xiao Yan's arrival; some elders as well as people in young generation like Xiao Ning. Xiao Ning was the same person who had beaten Xiao Yan over a medicinal herb. And seeing that Xiao Yan's cultivation had surpassed his own by such a margin, he could only greet his teeth and keep quiet.

After the emotional reunion Xiao Yan finally went to his own room. His next step was to learn some dou techniques. But before that he needed to train with flame mantra. He knew that Xiao clan didn't have any Xuan class techniques. And according to his memories, if he was lucky he could acquire Vacuum Hand at one of the stores in Wu Tan city.

He also had to exchange some of the monster cores, to get funds for his alchemy training. Alchemy materials are often expensive, even supporting one's as well. So he decided to check the market next morning. It'd be good change of pace from his usual hectic days.