Chat group, starting from the Infinite Terror God Space

If things had followed the original trajectory of the world, the final year of the three-year agreement would have been the darkest and most difficult period of his life.

The road ahead is fraught with thorns, and crises are looming one after another; to protect those around him, he forcibly activates the Buddha's Wrathful Lotus.

The price was that Yao Lao's soul power was almost exhausted, forcing him into a long slumber. The master and disciple were separated from then on, each carrying a heavy burden on their journey.

But in this timeline rewritten by the chat group, none of the suffering occurred.

With the support of resources, guidance on cultivation techniques, and sharing of storylines from fellow members across countless realms, Yao Lao's soul power remained full and abundant, with no further worries about depletion or decay.

If it weren't for the current shortage of materials for the Different Flame, which prevents the gathering of all the rare and precious materials needed to reshape the physical body, Yao Lao, in his current state, would have already been able to use the medicinal power to reunite his flesh and blood and break free from the constraints of the storage ring.

Having shed the layers of shackles and pressures from the original story, Xiao Yan was able to focus wholeheartedly on his cultivation without distractions.

But he never shut himself away to study in seclusion; his training and refinement never stopped.

He once traveled to the capital under the alias Yan Xiao and overwhelmed all the competitors in the highly anticipated Alchemist Competition, winning the championship and stunning the entire alchemy community of the Gama Empire.

He once returned alone to the Monster Mountain Range that spanned the empire, crossed the desolate borderlands, and ventured deep into the heart of the primeval forest, where he fought bloody battles with countless ferocious beasts of the fifth rank and above, honing his combat instincts in life-or-death struggles.

These brutal trials, far exceeding those in the original story, were mostly arranged by Yao Lao.

This wise old man, weathered by life's storms, has always been extremely strict with Xiao Yan's plans:

The stronger one's own strength, the more ferocious the enemies one faces. They may even be deliberately guided to cross an entire realm to confront powerful foes, forcing out all potential in desperate situations.

This is precisely why, although Xiao Yan's cultivation level increased extremely rapidly, his foundation remained incredibly solid and robust, without any risk of being forced to grow too fast.

Recalling the past year of sword fights and hardships in the mountains, Xiao Yan slowly raised his head.

My gaze passed beyond the hazy night, looking towards the majestic, undulating mountains hidden beneath the dark clouds at the edge of my vision.

Enveloped in mist and with its solitary peak, Yunlan Mountain is the sacred place of martial arts in the hearts of everyone in the Jia Ma Empire.

"Yunlan Mountain...Nalan Yanran..."

The gentleness in the boy's eyes slowly faded, and a hint of coldness quietly emerged.

His right hand slowly stroked the heavy, black ruler leaning against the headboard. The cold, heavy feel of the ruler constantly reminded him of the humiliation of his impending annulment three years ago.

A low murmur gently echoed in the quiet room:

"The humiliation of the annulment of the engagement, the three-year agreement... will all be settled tomorrow."

That's right.

His return to the capital was not for travel or alchemy, but solely to keep a long-overdue appointment.

Tomorrow, he will ascend the Heavenly Ladder to Yunlan Mountain to settle old scores.

But when the decisive battle finally arrived, what lingered in his mind was not the arrogant young girl who had come to annul the engagement three years ago.

A gentle and refined face, like a breeze under the moon, uncontrollably surfaced in my mind.

Her hair was dark and soft, her eyes were clear and bright, and her temperament was like a lotus flower emerging from clear water—clean and captivating.

"Xun'er..."

As I softly uttered that name, the long-suppressed longing burst forth, surging in my heart, and I could no longer suppress it.

Xiao Yan relaxed and lay back on the bed, gazing quietly at the bright moon in the sky. The gentle moonlight made his heart feel even more longing and yearning.

"After settling the scores at Yunlan Mountain tomorrow and severing all ties with the past, I will set off for Canaan Academy to find you."

As soon as he finished speaking, a faint cough came from the black storage ring on his fingertip, breaking the silence in the room.

Xiao Yan's body stiffened slightly, a faint blush rising to his ears. He lowered his voice, looking somewhat embarrassed:

"Teacher, are you still not resting?"

Inside the storage ring, Yao Lao did not appear; only an aged, calm soul transmission faintly sounded:

"Someone's coming from outside."

Xiao Yan frowned slightly, instantly regaining his composure. His aura tightened subtly, and his right hand instinctively gripped the handle of the Xuan Heavy Ruler, fully on guard.

But the next moment, a clear and piercingly cold aura slowly seeped in through the crack in the door, familiar yet gentle, without a trace of malice.

Xiao Yan instantly understood, slowly loosening his clenched fist and relaxing his tone:

"Come in, Elder Hai."

The wooden door opened by itself without any wind, making a soft creaking sound.

An elderly man with white hair, dressed in a blue robe with ice patterns, slowly entered the bedroom. His hair and beard were all white, and his eyes held a complex solemnity as he quietly gazed at the young man on the bed.

"Mr. Hai, is your late-night visit due to a problem with the Rejuvenating Purple Pill I gave you a few days ago?"

Xiao Yan turned to the side, his tone relaxed and smiling, completely unguarded.

Hai Bodong slowly shook his head, his brow furrowed with unresolved emotions.

"The pills are extremely effective. They not only helped me solidify my former peak cultivation, but also allowed me to break through the shackles and enter the ranks of six-star Dou Huang. There is nothing wrong with that."

"That would be perfect."

Xiao Yan lay back down on the bed, his posture casual and relaxed, showing no restraint whatsoever when facing a veteran Dou Huang.

Over the past year, the two have ventured into dangerous places together, slaying ferocious beasts and training side by side. They have already forged a deep friendship, trusting each other and becoming as close as friends despite their age difference.

"I came here tonight because I'm worried about you," Hai Bodong said, giving him a disapproving look, his tone full of concern.

"Tomorrow you will ascend Yunlan Mountain to fulfill your three-year agreement, and you are so careless, without making any prior plans or preparations?"

Xiao Yan tilted his head slightly, his gaze indifferent: "Then Elder Hai, why don't you tell me what my current cultivation level is?"

"The Three-Star King of Fighters." Hai Bodong replied without hesitation.

Where is Nalan Yanran?

Hai Bodong hesitated for a moment before carefully speaking: "Even with the meticulous cultivation of Pill King Guhe and countless resources, given her age and background, she can only reach the peak of the Great Dou Master at most."

Xiao Yan's lips curved into a faint smile, his tone calm and composed:

"It would be ridiculous if a three-star Dou Wang had to go to great lengths to prepare in advance to fight a Da Dou Shi."

"You're clearly just making excuses!" Hai Bodong sighed helplessly, his face full of exasperation. "How could you not understand my unspoken meaning?"

"Of course I understand."

Xiao Yan slowly sat up, his gaze fixed on the distant, misty mountains, his expression calm:

"The Yunlan Sect has been established for a thousand years, with unfathomable depths, and its influence has dominated the Jiama Empire for hundreds of years."

On the surface, the area is teeming with elders and powerful figures, but in the shadows, countless reclusive veteran masters lurk.

"If you understand this, why are you so indifferent?"

"Leaving aside other reclusive powerhouses, Yunshan, the former sect master of Yunlan Mountain, was a giant of the older generation, the same generation as my father."

Hai Bodong's expression grew increasingly solemn. "When he voluntarily abdicated and retired back then, he had plenty of lifespan and his strength had already reached the level of an eight-star Dou Huang."

"He has secluded himself for decades of arduous cultivation. If he were to die peacefully of old age, that would be one thing. But what if he were still alive in this world..."

The words were left unsaid, but the underlying danger was self-evident.

Xiao Yan remained calm and replied softly, "If he hadn't perished, Yun Shan would probably have already reached the Dou Zong realm by now."

Hai Bodong gave him a deep look, and seeing his resolute and confident expression, he could only sigh helplessly, "Never mind."

Since you have shown some restraint, I will not interfere further.

Having said that, he turned and strode away.

"Ebiyo."

Xiao Yan spoke softly, a hint of warmth rising in his eyes, gazing at the lonely blue figure as he slowly spoke:

"I will remember your protection and concern. I will be careful on my trip to Yunlan Mountain tomorrow and will not take any rash risks."

Hai Bodong paused slightly, waved casually with his back to him, without turning around or saying a word, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night corridor.