In the blink of an eye, eight years had gone by

As the stern voice from outside echoed, the icy glint in Gu Xun'er's eyes gradually faded.

If anyone within the ancient clan dared to subject her to such an ordeal, the outcome would undoubtedly be a lifeless body. However, in the context of the Xiao family, and considering the mission at hand, she had no choice but to let the matter go for the time being. It was a compromise she deemed necessary.

Shaking her head, Gu Xun'er withdrew a black fish-shaped jade pendant from her attire. Bathed in the gentle moonlight, she gazed at the jade pendant in her palm, her fingers absentmindedly caressing its surface.

"Brother Gu Xiao, I've heeded your counsel and focused on safeguarding myself. But where are you now, Brother Gu Xiao? I'm truly longing to be with you."

Gu Xun'er's soft murmurs gave voice to the yearning that had surged within her heart like an unyielding tide...

...

At the outskirts of an endless desert, a massive city rested in quiet repose; this was Mocheng.

Desert City marked the initial gateway into the Tagore Desert and served as a pivotal hub for numerous individuals seeking to restock their supplies within the desert.

Due to its close proximity to the arid expanse, Mocheng boasted an exceedingly hot climate, with the air saturated with potent fire elemental energy. This ambiance made it a haven for those who practiced fire and earth attributes.

On the very fringe of the desert, a solitary figure ambled steadily forth.

Standing at approximately 1.8 meters tall, the figure's long, ebony tresses cascaded over their shoulders. Their nose was chiseled, eyebrows slender, and their visage emanated a captivating allure. Even in the simplicity of their white attire, their robe exuded an air of exceptional refinement.

This was a young man, strikingly handsome.

In their left hand, the young man held a stainless steel longsword, while a small cloth bag dangled from his right. The bag bulged with its contents, clearly brimming with items.

Turning away, the young man walked determinedly in a singular direction.

Wanbao Pavilion, a well-known establishment in Mocheng, was renowned for its provision of elixirs, magic cores, and other such supplies. Simultaneously, the establishment procured various materials from other individuals and mercenary groups.

"Boss, let's do an inventory!" The young man entered Wanbao Pavilion with an air of familiarity, casually tossing the cloth bag onto the counter.

"Oh, Master Lu, welcome."

A middle-aged woman, elegantly attired, turned around upon hearing the voice. As her gaze fell upon the teenager before her, her eyes lit up, and she greeted him with a warm smile.

The young man reciprocated the smile, giving the cloth bag a slight shake. Instantly, a cascade of brilliant magic cores tumbled out, striking the counter with a musical clatter.

Although these magic cores were of modest quality, merely first-order magic cores, their sheer number was astonishing.

"Wow, Lord Lu, you're truly remarkable. To gather so many Tier 1 Demon Cores, one would have to hunt for years even at the Qi of Fighting stage. I've only witnessed Master Lu achieving such a feat."

The middle-aged woman's laughter held unabashed admiration.

Typically, monsters held an advantage over humans of the same rank. Yet the young man before her had managed to slay numerous Tier 1 monsters with the cultivation level of the ninth stage of the Fighting Spirit. This went beyond mere genius.

Listening to the middle-aged woman's praise, the young man's demeanor remained composed. A gentle smile graced his lips as he replied, "Boss, you should calculate the value of these items. Time is running short, and my guardian is waiting for me to return and prepare his lunch."

"Alright, Master Lu, you're always in a hurry. Boss Hai is truly fortunate to have a son as sensible and capable as you."

Though tinged with envy, the middle-aged woman's tone was admiring. Swiftly, she tallied the first-order magic cores brought in by the teenager.

"The total value is sixty-four thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine gold coins. Rounding it up, that's sixty-five thousand gold coins. Considering our history, we're practically old friends."

The middle-aged woman rapidly calculated the collective worth of the magic cores.

"Very well. Deduct the amount from this ring and retain twenty thousand gold coins for yourself," the young man shrugged nonchalantly.

"Alright, after deducting, the price comes to forty-five thousand gold coins, leaving you with twenty thousand gold coins."

The middle-aged woman was efficient, procuring a ring and a golden card. She handed both to the young man, saying softly, "The ring holds twenty thousand gold coins. Please keep it safe."

"Thank you. I'll be on my way," the young man slipped the ring onto his finger and stored the card and steel sword within the ring's storage space.

"Take care, Master Lu!" the middle-aged woman called after him.

The young man waved in acknowledgement and left Wanbao Pavilion with a leisurely stride.

This young man was none other than the original Gu Xiao. After leaving the ancient world and to elude the ancient clan and soul clan, he had abandoned the name Gu Xiao. He now went by Lu Yunxiao.

Lu Yunxiao – that was his original name.

"Buy some meat and prepare lunch for my guardian. In the afternoon, prepare to advance to the Fighter rank. After years of anticipation, the day has finally come."

Lu Yunxiao muttered to himself. Eight years had elapsed since he exited the ancient world, making him fourteen years old at present.

By the time he was nine, he had already reached the ninth stage of the Fighting Spirit, poised to break through to the Fighter rank.

To establish a solid foundation for future endeavors, he had spent five years within the Jiuduandou realm. During this period, he refined his Fighting Qi, strengthened his physique, and cultivated his meridians according to the techniques provided by the system. His Fighting Qi was now exceptionally pure and condensed, resembling iron.

His muscles and bones had become exceedingly robust, imparting formidable strength to his strikes.

The most significant transformation occurred within his meridians. Over the five-year nurturing period, all obstacles had been eliminated. His meridians had been purged of impurities, rendering them versatile and conducive to quicker cultivation compared to others.

Though it might appear that five years had been squandered, these years facilitated his progress and paved.