Xiao Yan had thick skin since childhood, and his expression remained unchanged. He gently patted Nalan Yanran behind him, comforting her while saying to Yao Lao and the other person:
"Teacher, I am a Dou Zong now, so I should be able to head to the Central Plains, right?"
"No rush. You have just broken through, and you should feel that your body's aura is not particularly stable yet, right?"
Yao Lao looked at Xiao Yan with a chuckle.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan inwardly examined his body and found that it was indeed as Yao Lao had said. He looked at Yao Lao with a puzzled expression.
"Let me explain something to you two, and Nalan Yanran, you listen too."
Nalan Yanran heard that Yao Lao was about to impart important knowledge, so she put aside her shyness, walked out from behind Xiao Yan, and stood beside him.
Xiao Yan smiled at her, took her hand, and Nalan Yanran also clasped Xiao Yan's hand in return.
Yao Lao and Venerable Skyfire were unexpectedly fed a mouthful of dog food, and they shook their heads helplessly:
"Most people who advance to Dou Zong will have a breaking-in period. The specific duration of this period depends on individual talent and the purity of their Dou Qi. Only after passing this breaking-in period can one truly reach a One-Star Dou Zong."
After speaking, Yao Lao paused, glanced at Xiao Yan, and then continued:
"Of course, if one goes to some special places or blessed lands, they can skip this step."
Seeing Yao Lao's strange gaze, Xiao Yan remembered how his Tian ge had told him to cultivate in the training room inside the Heavenly Beast Mountain before, but at that time, he did not want to trouble Xiao Tian too much, as it was always Xiao Tian helping him.
Plus, his Tian ge had so many women; what if there were not enough rooms for them? So he politely declined.
He did not expect that he, who used to be so opportunistic, would now be outsmarted.
Nalan Yanran had also heard Xiao Yan mention this matter and could not help but laugh from the side. "Serves you right for being so prissy. Master Husband told you to cultivate there, but you did not go. Now you must be regretting it."
"I just did not want to trouble Tian ge too much. What if there were not enough rooms on his side?" Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly.
"You should have visited more often. There are plenty of training rooms there. Except for a few specific ones, the others are all empty. And Teacher also told me that Xiao Tian placed this training area in the front palace of the Divine Emperor Imperial Palace precisely to make it convenient for you all to cultivate."
Nalan Yanran squeezed Xiao Yan's hand and said seriously, "This is not like the old you at all. The old you would not have been so indecisive."
Yao Lao also nodded in agreement upon hearing Nalan Yanran's words. The Xiao Yan of the past was utterly shameless, knowing how to seize every opportunity to strengthen himself, just like when he was in the Amethyst Winged Lion King's cave, he would even lick clean the accompanying purple crystal source on the ground, not wasting a single bit.
Xiao Yan touched the storage ring on his hand, which contained a scroll of soul cultivation techniques and Dou Techniques recently given to him by Xiao Tian, as well as a peach tree branch as thick as an arm that could accelerate soul cultivation.
Xiao Tian had also asked the system about this peach tree branch and learned that even if it was broken off, it could still be used for cultivation, though it was not as good as cultivating under the peach tree itself, and it had a usage period, specifically one to five years depending on the size of the branch.
Xiao Tian had also broken off quite a few, giving them to his father and others, as well as some elders of the Heaven Punishing Divine Palace, such as Wen Yan and Hai Bodong.
Even Yao Lao and Venerable Skyfire received some; this peach tree was also of great use to them, enabling their souls to gradually recover.
Venerable Skyfire, being old and wise, had a more accurate grasp of human nature. He came before Xiao Yan:
"If you want to repay Xiao Tian, I think the most important thing is to strengthen your power. This world still respects strength. Only when you are strong can you repay and help him."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan lowered his head in thought. Nalan Yanran also gently released his hand. The three stood quietly to the side, not daring to make any sound.
He recalled his past and realized that because he spent most of his time in the Primordial Heaven Realm, he had become overly complacent, and had lost some of his former drive.
Moreover, being constantly under the protection of Xiao Tian and others, he had always lacked a kind of tempering.
If Xiao Tian knew Xiao Yan's thoughts, he would understand the problem. However, the current Xiao Tian had no time to pay attention to all this; he was currently embracing Medusa's soft and tender body, sleeping soundly.
The Xiao Yan in the original story was either fighting or on his way to a fight, practically the honey badger of the Dou Qi Continent.
But the current Xiao Yan has had a smooth journey, without experiencing any hardships, and the Xiao Family has not suffered any destruction.
His father and teacher were also not captured, and over time, he lost a certain drive to move forward.
Furthermore, he had grown up under Xiao Tian's wing, and he was now confused, only thinking of repaying Xiao Tian for his help.
---
Five minutes later, Yao Lao frowned, his voice carrying a hint of sternness. "Have you forgotten your past goals and original intention? A cultivator is someone who contends with heaven, with earth, with others, and with themselves. The path of cultivation is unpredictable. Only by grasping every—"
Xiao Yan, who had been looking down, gradually brightened his eyes, recalling his former self, determined to stand at the peak of this world and protect everything he cherished.
Moreover, having learned about the past of the Xiao Clan from Xiao Tian, he had also set another goal for himself: to revitalize the Xiao Family and restore it to its former glory.
Had he, because of this comfortable life, already forgotten his original intention?
I, Xiao Yan, will never allow myself to become like this!!!
Xiao Yan raised his head, and the fighting spirit in his eyes rekindled; the extinguished flame from before burned brightly once more.
He clenched his fists and said with determined eyes, "You are right. I was overthinking it. I need to find my old self again, find that former pursuit and obsession with strength."
Xiao Yan was filled with a forward-charging vigor, and the resolute light of his past reappeared in his eyes.
"It is good that you understand!"
Yao Lao was also satisfied to see Xiao Yan in his current state, but inwardly, he thought that they should head to the Central Plains soon, lest Xiao Yan be influenced by that Xiao Tian's laid-back attitude again.
Xiao Tian was the most perplexing existence to Yao Lao; he only occasionally cultivated for a period of time, enjoying life and playing around every day.
Yet, his realm was rapidly increasing, and he estimated that it would not be long before he reached his former peak realm.
Thinking of Xiao Yan, who cultivated diligently and risked his life to subdue different flames, and his past self, he could not help but sigh. There is indeed a difference even among geniuses.
If Yao Lao were here now, he would definitely say: Some people are born in Rome, while others are born as beasts of burden.
"Alright, we will not disturb you two lovebirds anymore." Yao Lao laughed heartily and drilled into the bone flame ring, staying beside the peach wood to begin recovering his soul. This special peach wood was simply too captivating for the soul, and Venerable Skyfire beside him was the same.
Xiao Yan directly picked up Nalan Yanran and flew towards his palace. "I am very fired up right now. Come on, let us go back and chat."