I created an extraordinary era

Chapter 724 Fellow Daoist, take care!
After the seventh day after her father's death, Zhang Yao entrusted the flowers and plants in the courtyard that her father had carefully tended to to a trustworthy neighbor.

She stood at the door of the home she had lived in for over a decade, took one last look at this place filled with her father's presence, and then closed the door completely.

The soft "click" of the lock clicking shut was particularly clear in the quiet alleyway in the early morning, as if drawing a pause to a bygone era.

Zhang Yao stood quietly in front of the door for a moment. The morning light gilded her plain profile with a layer of pale gold, but it could not dispel the sorrow and determination that had settled in her eyes.

She took a deep breath, sealing away the warmth and memories of this little courtyard in her heart, and then resolutely turned and left.

……

"Uncle Xia, I should go back to the academy!"

After a while.

Zhang Yao found Xia Yuan, and her voice had returned to its usual calmness, but there was still a faint red mark deep in her eyes.

My father's funeral arrangements have been made, and the courtyard has been sealed off.

It's time for her to go back to where she is!
"Go!"

Xia Yuan looked at Zhang Yao and nodded.

He could sense that after experiencing this life-and-death separation, Zhang Yao's composure, typical of the academy's higher-ups, had become even more reserved and resolute.

This might help her refine her spiritual essence.

Despite her high position, Zhang Yao always had a soft spot deep inside.

It was a mixture of guilt towards her father and a lack of self-confidence stemming from the difference in talent, a lack that even she herself might not be fully aware of.

Her father not only gave her the opportunity to become an extraordinary person, but also devoted all his affection to having Xia Yuan guide her.

To be honest, her talent might not necessarily be better than Du Zhiyuan's.

If it weren't for Xia Yuan's help, even if she had been able to enter the Origin Academy, she most likely wouldn't have been able to break through to the Grandmaster level.

Do you really think it's so easy to break through to the Grandmaster level?

Countless people have been stuck between the mid-stage and late-stage Dark Force!
Xia Yuan's guidance and resource allocation were crucial to Zhang Yao's achievements today.

And most of this was because of his father Zhang Changsheng's influence.

This realization, like a fine thorn, has been subtly embedded in her heart for many years.

While she enjoyed power and status, she was always accompanied by an unspeakable sense of guilt and unease, as if she had stolen something that did not belong to her.

This inner conflict has invisibly hindered the purity and cohesion of her soul.

This hidden emotion became an invisible obstacle for her to concentrate her spirit and break through to a higher realm.

Now, my father has passed away.

The thorn stuck in my heart seemed to have been uprooted with my father's departure.

With flesh and blood, and with heart-wrenching pain.

But it also forced her to confront her truest self.

She no longer needed to feel guilty about her father's sacrifices, because that immense kindness could never be repaid.

She no longer needs to struggle with a lack of self-confidence.

From now on, she can only rely on herself.
……

Just as Zhang Yao said goodbye to Xia Yuan and was about to turn and leave, her gaze finally fell on Ding Yan, who had been standing quietly to the side.

The morning light also shone on Ding Yan, who stood straight, as steady as a mountain rock.

Those eyes, which always held such intense emotion, were now brimming with understanding, tenderness, and a silent waiting.

Their eyes met, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

The past avoidance, hesitation, and the thin layer of ice created by the difference in talent all seem to no longer matter at this moment.

This shared experience of life and death, like a storm, washed away many things.

"I"

Zhang Yao opened her mouth, but found her throat was a little dry.

She had originally intended to say some formulaic farewell words, but now those words seemed so pale and inadequate.

Ding Yan took a small step forward, closing the distance so he could see more clearly the weariness in her eyes and the sadness she was forcibly suppressing.

"Sister Yao, take care."

"You don't need to feel any burden!"

His voice was soft, yet like a warm current, it flowed precisely into Zhang Yao's heart, which was filled with a thousand thoughts.

Seeing her slightly stunned expression, Ding Yan continued slowly, his gaze honest and firm:
"I may have put pressure on you in the past."

"I always thought about becoming stronger, to be worthy of you, to make you see me. But I forgot to ask you if you really need this kind of pursuit."

Ding Yan smiled; this was indeed his original idea.

He used to think that if he was strong enough, Yao Jie would like him, and he wouldn't even need to take the initiative to speak.

But he never imagined that feelings were not such a simple exchange of equals.

Ultimately, Ding Yan simply lacked experience!

Or perhaps it's because he grew up in an exceptionally privileged environment, surrounded by top geniuses.

This group of people doesn't need to spend too much time or energy on matters of the heart.

In their world, strength, talent, and future prospects are the standards by which everything is measured.

Subtly, Ding Yan naturally developed the belief that "as long as you are strong enough, you can get everything you want."

He applied this understanding to his feelings for Zhang Yao, believing that as long as he became dazzling enough and stood tall enough, he could naturally win her heart.

He overlooked the fact that emotions are the most complex and difficult problem to solve in the world.

It has nothing to do with strength or weakness, it only asks about one's true nature!

At least to some extent, yes!

This is what his father has been telling him over the past six months.

"Sister Yao, now I understand!"

"We should be two independent individuals, walking on our own paths, yet able to look out for each other and support one another."

"We each go our own way, no one needs to stop for anyone else, and no one needs to wait for anyone else."

"If...if one day we meet again at our respective peaks, and if at that time there happens to still be a place for me in your heart..."

"That would be the best arrangement of fate. If not, it doesn't matter."

"Knowing that you are well is enough for me."

Finally, Ding Yan clasped his hands together and solemnly performed the most common farewell ceremony between peers to Zhang Yao.

"Fellow Daoist, take care!"

He pronounced "fellow Daoist" clearly and naturally.

This address of "fellow Daoist" completely separated the two from their previous complicated relationship, which was entangled with affection, the subtle pressure brought about by the difference in talent, and the one-sided pursuit.

It defines a completely new, equal, and independent relationship.

We are like-minded people.

Each pursues their own path, respecting and blessing one another.

Zhang Yao stared at him blankly, looking at the clarity and determination in the young man's eyes after all the worldly dust had been washed away, and at the composure and humility with which he clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

The boy who was only seventeen or eighteen years old back then has really grown up!
He learned to let go, learned to respect, and found his own path.

She looked at Ding Yan for a long time, as if trying to see through time to overlap the figure of that impetuous boy with the composed young man before her.

Then, she slowly and very solemnly returned the greeting with her fists clasped, her lips curving upwards slightly, forming a relieved and gentle arc.

That curve carried a subtle sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion) and utter relief.

Her voice was soft, yet it carried an unprecedented firmness and peace.

"Fellow Daoist, take care."

Ding Yan smiled.

He let go, not by giving up, but by finding peace.

As if a long-standing knot in her heart had been untied, she exuded a relaxed and cheerful aura.

He glanced at Zhang Yao one last time.

His gaze was as clear as ever, but no longer fixated on anything, as if he were looking at a beautiful landscape that was beautiful enough to be appreciated once.

He then turned around and walked steadily in the opposite direction from Zhang Yao.

The two figures walked further and further away on the stone path paved with the morning light, heading in completely different directions.

As the dawn grew brighter, it lengthened their shadows.

Ultimately, they merged into the light and shadow at opposite ends of the street, leaving no trace. Each walks their own path, wishing the others well.
Watching the two disappear into the courtyard, Xia Yuan smiled faintly.

He could see clearly that Ding Yan had finally broken through the fog in his mind and found his own path.

For him, it was only a matter of time before he could condense his divine soul and enter the Unity Realm.

Zhang Yao, having undergone the dual tempering of losing her loved ones and shedding her emotional burdens, has a clear mind and a bright future.

This outcome is perhaps far better than forcing them to stay together.

He slightly raised his eyes and looked up at the distant sky, where the clouds rolled and unrolled, each with its own natural order.

"When conditions arise, people gather; when conditions cease, they disperse."

He murmured to himself, his voice carried on the wind, almost inaudible.

……

After Zhang Yao left, Ding Yan did not stay in the village for long.

Since leaving Wanxiang Tianlu two years ago, he has been promoted to deputy commander of the Northern Legion.

The human race currently has ten legions, and the Northern Legion is one of them.

Each legion consists of five thousand extraordinary individuals, the weakest of whom are all at the late stage of Body Tempering.

From top to bottom, they are divided into Legion Commander, Deputy Legion Commander, Battalion Commander of Thousands, Company Commander of Hundreds, and Squad Leader of Tens.

The ten legion commanders are all at least at the ninth level of the Transcendent Realm, while the deputy legion commanders are Grandmasters at the seventh or eighth level of the Transcendent Realm.

However, not all Grandmasters can serve as deputy legion commanders.

Those who can serve as deputy legion commanders are all top geniuses who have reached the peak of Dark Force in martial arts or have reached the second stage of both of the two realms.

A Grandmaster of Dark Force in the late stage can only serve as a captain.

Of course, captains at the Grandmaster level are still a minority; most captains are only at the sixth level of the Mortal Transformation Realm.

The squadron leader was at least at the fourth level of the Transcendent Realm.

As for the squad leader, they are selected from extraordinary individuals in the early stages of the Transcendent Realm.

In addition, each legion also has a reserve force with a number of personnel far exceeding the formal establishment.

The threshold for entering the reserve force is relatively low, and extraordinary strength is not mandatory.

Anyone who is physically strong and has a strong will can join after undergoing a rigorous screening process.

Many exceptionally talented young people first distinguish themselves in the reserve force, then receive preferential treatment in terms of resources, and finally break through to become extraordinary individuals, thus adding themselves to the formal establishment of 5,000 people.

This is also one of the important channels for ordinary people to become extraordinary.

Of course, it is not an easy thing for ordinary people to join the reserve force.

This requires extremely rigorous screening, physical fitness tests, and psychological assessments to ensure that they have the potential to be developed.

Moreover, even if you manage to get in, you'll face months of hellish basic military training and a constant, brutal elimination process.

Training casualties are a tacitly accepted statistic in the reserves of all major legions.

Only those who truly endure all of this and prove their worth can remain in the reserve force and thus gain the opportunity to become extraordinary individuals.

Becoming a superhuman does not necessarily mean that one can immediately become a full member.

Every official member of the ten legions possesses a cultivation level no lower than the late stage of Body Tempering.

This is also the minimum requirement to become a full member.

Of course, those in the later stages of body tempering are only qualified to participate in the selection process.

The selection process itself is another, even more brutal competition.

They need to compete with their peers and with veterans.

In some extreme cases, one may even need to face low-level monsters or complete high-risk combat tests to prove that one not only possesses cultivation but also the will, skills, and teamwork to survive and fight on the battlefield.

Only after passing this final hurdle will their names be included in the official roster of five thousand people.

Like Lin Hao from No. 7 Middle School, he joined the Northern Army Reserve after graduation.

Although he broke through to the eighth level of the Transcendent Realm after joining the Northern Legion, he did not become a formal member until two years later when his cultivation reached the ninth level of the Transcendent Realm.

Today, the assessment of official members of various legions has become increasingly rigorous.

The late stage of Body Tempering is now just the most basic entry requirement. Often, one needs to reach the tenth level of Body Tempering or even the Innate Realm to have a good chance of being selected as a formal member.

Ding Yan was just a squad leader before entering the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Road.

Now he has risen to become the deputy commander of the Northern Army Corps.

It wasn't just Ding Yan who was like this; most of those who successfully emerged from the Myriad Manifestations Heavenly Path were promoted.

As for those extraordinary individuals who have not yet emerged, their future is even brighter.

Just like Yuan Xiuwen, the former deputy commander of the Northern Army.

Seventeen years have passed, and he has broken through from the eighth level of the Transcendent Realm to the Unity Realm.

Although his position has been taken by Ding Yan, once he is released, he will definitely be able to directly enter the Military Commission.

The Military Commission is the highest decision-making body of the military, above the ten army corps.

Being able to enter it means entering the very core of human power.

"Uncle Xia, I'm leaving now. I'll come back to see you when I have time!"

Ding Yan's clear voice rang out at the courtyard gate.

He paused, a barely perceptible hint of earnestness in his voice:

"I would appreciate it if you could take good care of my parents."

After experiencing the death of Zhang Changsheng, Ding Yan's biggest worry now is his parents.

Ding Hai and his wife are a few years older than Xia Yuan, and are now over ninety years old.

Although he was still in relatively good health, the passage of time was merciless. Zhang Changsheng's death was like a wake-up call, making him suddenly realize the fragility of life and the cruelty of time.

In a decade or so at most, or even less, he may have to face another permanent separation from his loved ones.

"Do not worry!"

Xia Yuan smiled and nodded.

Even if Ding Yan didn't say it, he would still take good care of Ding Hai and his wife.

When Uncle Ding passed away, he specifically requested Xia Yuan's help.

Compared to his exceptionally talented grandson, what he couldn't let go of the most was actually his son, Ding Hai.

He feared that after his death, his son and Xia Yuan would drift apart and eventually sever their friendship.

After all, Ding Hai's personality is indeed a bit dull, and he has been like that for many years.

After Ding Yan left.

Xia Yuan's courtyard returned to silence, never to return to its former bustling state.

The old locust tree by the entrance swayed gently in the wind, casting dappled shadows.

The stone table and benches stand silently, as if still waiting for someone who will never return.

This silence was more profound than ever before.

In the days that followed, Xia Yuan was often alone.

The little fox ended up spending the most time by his side.

As for Wan Chen and Hua Changfeng, they only come to ask for advice when they encounter obstacles in their cultivation.

Moreover, these two were ultimately unable to speak freely with Xia Yuanchang like Uncle Ding and Zhang Changsheng.

Xia Yuan sat on the stone bench, his fingertips unconsciously stroking the warm, smooth stone tabletop.

Here, Uncle Ding's cheap liquor was spilled, Zhang Changsheng's ramblings about his daughter's future were heard, and Ding Yan's boisterous training scenes were witnessed.

Those lively sounds have all faded away with the wind, leaving only this warm, almost stagnant silence bathed in sunlight.

The little fox seemed to notice his momentary lapse in attention, and lightly jumped onto the stone table, rubbing its fluffy head against his arm, making soft purring sounds.

Time

Xia Yuan murmured to himself, his voice carried away by the wind.

He did not feel sad.

I simply have a clear understanding of the trajectory of time and the changes in people and things.

He slowly closed his eyes, his breathing gradually becoming deep and steady.

The little fox found a comfortable spot next to him, lay down peacefully, and swayed its tail gently.

Firstly, it is like an ancient well or deep pool, reflecting the vast universe.

Firstly, like a mountain spirit, untouched by dust.
(End of this chapter)