Xiao Yan had always possessed a thick hide since his youth; even caught in such an awkward moment, his expression remained as calm as still water. He reached back gently, patting Nalan Yanran's shoulder in comfort while facing Yao Lao and Venerable Skyfire with a steady gaze.
"Teacher, now that I have stepped into Dou Zong, it should be time for me to set out for the Central Plains, correct?"
Yao Lao chuckled, his eyes carrying the wisdom of countless years. "No need to hurry. You've only just broken through — surely you can already sense that your aura remains unsteady, like a river swollen after heavy rain, still churning and unsettled?"
Xiao Yan turned his perception inward at once. Indeed, the Dou Qi within his meridians surged wildly, lacking the smooth, crystalline purity of true stability. He lifted his eyes to Yao Lao, brow faintly furrowed in puzzation.
"Come, both of you listen well — and Yanran, you too."
Hearing the gravity in Yao Lao's tone, Nalan Yanran set aside her lingering embarrassment. She stepped out from behind Xiao Yan and stood at his side. Xiao Yan offered her a warm smile, reaching for her hand; she returned the clasp without hesitation, fingers intertwining naturally.
Yao Lao and Venerable Skyfire exchanged a helpless glance — once again force-fed this bowl of overflowing sweetness — and could only shake their heads with wry smiles.
"Most who ascend to Dou Zong must pass through a period of tempering and consolidation," Yao Lao explained patiently. "The length of this phase depends upon one's innate talent and the purity of their Dou Qi foundation. Only once the aura has been thoroughly refined and stabilized can one be considered a true One-Star Dou Zong."
He paused, casting a meaningful glance at Xiao Yan before continuing.
"Of course… there exist certain blessed lands and secret cultivation grounds where one may bypass this磨合 altogether, achieving instant stability."
Xiao Yan's expression shifted subtly. He suddenly recalled how his sworn elder brother — Xiao Jietian — had once invited him to cultivate within the special training chamber atop Heavenly Beast Mountain. At the time, he had declined out of consideration, unwilling to impose too heavily. Xiao Jietian already shouldered so many burdens, protected so many women… what if the chambers were insufficient? Better not to add to the trouble.
Who could have foreseen that the once-opportunistic Xiao Yan, ever eager to seize any advantage, would now find himself regretting that very restraint?
Beside him, Nalan Yanran had heard the tale before. She could not help but cover her lips and laugh softly.
"Serves you right for being so overly courteous back then. Master's Husband personally invited you to cultivate there, yet you politely refused. Now you must be gnashing your teeth in regret."
Xiao Yan scratched the back of his head, somewhat sheepish. "I merely didn't wish to burden Tian Ge excessively. What if there truly weren't enough rooms on his side?"
Nalan Yanran squeezed his hand gently, her tone turning earnest.
"You should have visited more often. There are countless cultivation chambers within Eternal Heaven Palace — aside from a few reserved for special purposes, most sit empty and waiting. Teacher once told me that Xiao Jietian deliberately placed the primary training grounds in the front hall precisely so that all of you could cultivate without restraint or inconvenience."
She gazed at him steadily. "This hesitation… it is not like the Xiao Yan I once knew. The old you would never waver so."
Yao Lao nodded in silent agreement. The Xiao Yan of former days had been utterly shameless in pursuit of strength — snatching every scrap of opportunity without the slightest scruple. Back in the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave, he had even licked the last traces of accompanying purple crystal source from the ground, unwilling to waste even a single droplet.
Xiao Yan's fingertips brushed the storage ring on his hand. Within lay a soul cultivation technique and several profound Dou Techniques recently bestowed by Xiao Jietian, alongside a peach branch as thick as an infant's arm — a treasure capable of accelerating soul growth even after being severed.
Xiao Jietian had once consulted his mysterious system regarding the branch. Though inferior to cultivating directly beneath the ancient peach tree itself, it retained remarkable efficacy, with a usable lifespan ranging from one to five years depending on its size. He had broken off several such branches: one for his father, several for the elders of Boundless Heaven Hall — Shui Ye, Hai Bodong, and others — and even gifted portions to Yao Lao and Venerable Skyfire, aiding their soul recovery.
Venerable Skyfire, ancient and perceptive, stepped forward. His voice carried the weight of experience.
"If you truly wish to repay Xiao Jietian, then the greatest repayment is to grow stronger. In this world, strength remains the ultimate truth. Only when you stand tall can you truly stand beside him — or shield him when the need arises."
Xiao Yan lowered his head in silence. Nalan Yanran quietly released his hand. The three elders withdrew a few steps, granting him space.
In the quiet of his heart, memories surged.
He had spent far too long dwelling within the sheltered haven of Eternal Heaven World, growing complacent beneath the vast shadow of Xiao Jietian's protection. The relentless drive that once burned within him — the hunger to seize every flame, to defy every tribulation — had dulled. Without the crucible of true hardship, without the destruction of his clan, without the capture of his father or teacher, he had gradually lost the edge that once defined him.
In the old tales, Xiao Yan fought ceaselessly or raced toward the next battle — a honey badger incarnate, fearless and ferocious.
But this life had been too smooth. Too protected.
If Xiao Jietian knew of these thoughts, he would surely understand the root at once. Yet at this very moment, Xiao Jietian lay in peaceful slumber, arms wrapped around Medusa's soft, warm form, utterly unaware.
Five minutes passed in heavy silence.
Yao Lao's brows furrowed. When he spoke again, his voice carried a rare sternness.
"Have you already forgotten your original heart? A true cultivator contends against the heavens, against the earth, against others, and most crucially — against himself. The path is ever treacherous, ever changing. Only by seizing every fleeting chance—"
Xiao Yan, who had kept his head bowed, slowly lifted his gaze.
The light within his eyes kindled anew — first a spark, then a blaze.
He remembered the boy who once vowed to stand atop the pinnacle of this world, to protect all he held dear.
He remembered the tales Xiao Jietian had shared of the ancient Xiao Clan's glory — and the vow he had silently made: to restore his family to its former splendor.
Had comfort already eroded his resolve? Had ease turned him soft?
No!
I, Xiao Yan, will never permit myself to become such a person!!!
His head snapped up. Fighting spirit roared back to life in his pupils; the flame that had dimmed now burned fiercer than ever before.
He clenched both fists until knuckles whitened, voice ringing with renewed determination:
"You are right, Teacher. I was lost in overthinking. It is time I reclaimed my former self — that relentless pursuit, that obsession with strength!"
The vigor of one charging forward without hesitation returned in full. The resolute gleam of old shone once more in his gaze.
Yao Lao's stern expression softened into satisfaction. "Good. That is the Xiao Yan I know."
Yet inwardly he mused: We must hasten to the Central Plains. Lest this boy be tainted again by Xiao Jietian's leisurely ways.
To Yao Lao, Xiao Jietian remained the most enigmatic existence under heaven. He cultivated in fits and starts, spent his days enjoying life, teasing beauties, wandering idly — yet his realm soared ever upward. It would not be long before he reclaimed — or surpassed — his former peak.
Yao Lao could not help but sigh inwardly.
One genius risked life and limb to subdue异火 after异火, cultivating with desperate diligence.
Another lounged beneath peach blossoms and still ascended like a rocket.
Truly — even among heaven's favored children, the gulf was vast.
Some are born in Rome; others are born beasts of burden.
Yao Lao laughed heartily to dispel the melancholy. "Very well. We old fellows shall not disturb you young lovers any longer."
With that, he transformed into a wisp of soul-light and returned to the bone flame ring, nestling beside the peach wood to hasten his recovery. Venerable Skyfire followed suit, equally entranced by the soul-nourishing treasure.
Without another word, Xiao Yan swept Nalan Yanran into his arms and soared skyward toward his palace.
Right now, battle intent surged through his veins like wildfire.
"I'm burning with energy," he said with a grin. "Come — let's return and… talk."
The wind howled past them as they streaked across the morning sky, two figures bound by love and renewed purpose.