Three Years, Three Stars

Zi Yan and Qing Lin did not notice Ao Qing and Medusa's soul probing. Aside from the gap in strength, they were simply too happy at the moment to pay attention to such things.

Eventually, evening arrived. Nalan Yanran had no choice but to leave; if she stayed any longer, her teacher, Yun Yun, would return and catch her.

Zi Yan and Qing Lin also returned to Ao Qing and Medusa.

"You're back? Looks like you had a lot of fun today, Zi Yan."

Ao Qing's idle questioning was so awkward that even Medusa could not stand it anymore. She shot him a glance, and Ao Qing promptly shut his mouth.

He really had been acting strangely. But he had not done anything guilty, so what was there to be afraid of?

After Zi Yan and Qing Lin returned, they both sensed that Medusa and Ao Qing seemed somewhat strange, but neither said anything.

One was their teacher, while the other was their fellow clansman and elder brother. They were both sensible and well-behaved.

After that day, the relationship between Ao Qing and Medusa rapidly warmed.

In the blink of an eye, three years passed.

Over those three years, Medusa and Ao Qing spent countless days and nights together. Their relationship was practically like living together—at the very least, Zi Yan and Qing Lin knew about it.

Moreover, during those three years, Ao Qing did not maintain much contact with Yun Yun or the Misty Cloud Sect. He had practically never sought Yun Yun or the Misty Cloud Sect out to handle any matters, and the Misty Cloud Sect seemed to have returned to how it had been in the beginning.

Yun Yun had reached the high-tier Dou Emperor realm, cultivating somewhat faster than in the original story. Yun Shan had also broken through to a Two-Star Dou Zong, while even Grand Elder Yun Leng had become a Dou Emperor.

Other than the overall strength of the sect greatly improving because of Ao Qing's arrival, Ao Qing and the Misty Cloud Sect had gradually grown more distant.

Of course, the Misty Cloud Sect was not the only one whose strength had improved over the past three years.

After three years of cultivation, Ao Qing had not only reached the Three-Star Dou Saint realm, but was also just one step away from the peak of Three-Star Dou Saint. This was greatly related to the increased cultivation speed he had gained after devouring the Heaven and Earth Source of the Heavenly Flames.

If they were talking about the fastest progress, however, it would have to be Medusa, Qing Lin, and Zi Yan.

Over the past three years, Medusa had never lacked Dou Saint-level Essence Blood from the Nine Nether Earth Python Royal Clan. Her strength had soared, and she reached the peak Dou Zong realm in only three years. Compared to Two Elders Qian Bai, Medusa was far ahead.

Furthermore, Medusa's bloodline had improved greatly. Perhaps the day Medusa achieved Half-Saint would be the day she became a Nine-Colored Sky Swallowing Python.

Three years ago, Zi Yan had obtained many precious medicinal ingredients from Ao Qing. Before long, she reached the sixth tier, and her body began growing normally as well. Her strength soared directly to the Eight-Star Dou Emperor realm; even Yun Yun now could not withstand many of Zi Yan's moves.

Even if their strengths were close, the difference in cultivation methods, Dou Skills, and bloodlines was still enormous.

Although Qing Lin had not appeared particularly dazzling over the past three years, she had successfully become a Dou Zhe and was now even a Three-Star Dou Zhe.

Moreover, Qing Lin's talent for controlling snakes had begun to reveal itself. Her true strength was far from as simple as what she displayed.

Still, aside from their extraordinary talents, Nalan Yanran had also proven herself quite capable. In just three short years, under Yun Yun's merciless pressure and the sect's concentrated resources, Nalan Yanran had already become a Six-Star Dou Zhe.

At only eleven or twelve years old, she was already ahead of most people. One step ahead meant every step ahead, leaving her with limitless possibilities in the future.

Of course, Ao Qing had not spent these three years solely in seclusion cultivating. He had continued to keep an eye on the Xiao Clan's situation.

Xiao Yan's talent was decent. He had now successfully broken through to the Dou Zhe realm, but Yao Chen would likely drain him dry soon enough.

Ao Qing had been waiting for that opportunity.

Besides constantly watching for news from the Xiao Clan, Ao Qing had also created a new spatial world for the Snake-People Race over the past few years, and the entire race had moved in to live there.

Three years was neither particularly long nor particularly short. For the Northwest Continent, countless matters may have undergone earth-shaking changes.

But for the Central Continent, three years passed in the blink of an eye. Their overall strength was higher, and they were less sensitive to the passage of time.

Yet some things were always changing.

Fewer and fewer people discussed the Heavenly Flames that Pill Tower had lost. It was said that the winner of the Pill Gathering could obtain a Ninth-Grade Pill Formula.

The continent's alchemists once again went mad over the Pill Gathering.

The Soul Clan made no major moves, but Soul Hall's progress in harvesting Soul Bodies grew faster and faster.

The other great clans remained immersed in an age of peace, completely unaware that a storm was approaching.

Meanwhile, within the Magical Beast Domain where the Ancient Void Dragon Clan resided, magical beasts still slaughtered one another every day.

Misty Cloud Sect.

Having just finished a day of cultivation, Ao Qing arrived at Medusa's small courtyard.

The moment he entered, Ao Qing saw Qing Lin asking Medusa about cultivation.

"Qing Lin, in a few days, it will be your match with Nalan Yanran. You've improved tremendously over the past three years. Win or lose, I, Medusa, am proud to have a disciple like you."

Medusa had changed greatly over these past years—not merely in strength, but more in her state of mind.

Medusa no longer had any desire to compete with Yun Yun. Rather than engage in such pointless struggles with her, it was better to cultivate properly and keep pace with Ao Qing.

After all, Medusa and Yun Yun had barely met even once over the past three years.

"Teacher, Qing Lin is already very fortunate. If I had not met you, I would not be where I am today. Don't worry. Although Nalan Yanran and I are fairly good friends, we will both give it our all in this match."

Qing Lin's words made Medusa feel that these years had been worthwhile. At least she had not raised an ungrateful wretch like Yao Chen had.

"Qing Lin, Teacher does not demand that you achieve anything extraordinary. Perhaps when I first took you as my disciple, I did have an ulterior motive—I hoped you could help Teacher curb that woman Yun Yun's arrogance.

"But now, I no longer think that way. So what if Yun Yun is irritating? So what if I keep fighting with her without end?

"If it were not for Ao Qing, I, Medusa, would never have had anything to do with her.

"Now, I only want to work hard to catch up to that guy. I do not want to become nothing more than a vase at his side."

Qing Lin, you will encounter many things in the future. Not every matter is worth our attention or our effort.

There is no need to take what happened between you and Nalan Yanran this time too seriously.

Remember your original aspirations. The road ahead is still long. In the future, becoming a Dou Saint will not be impossible for you, and the gap between you and Nalan Yanran will only grow wider.

Do you understand?"

Medusa's words also stirred Qing Lin's heart. Indeed, there was no longer much of a gap between herself and Nalan Yanran. If she used her innate talent, even Nalan Yanran would not be her match.

Although they had a good relationship, they would ultimately part ways in the future. That had already been decided ever since Medusa took her as a disciple, ever since Medusa and Ao Qing got together.

"Teacher, I understand. I will approach this match with a calm and ordinary mindset.

Neither arrogant in victory nor discouraged in defeat—the road of cultivation is indeed very long.

The Qing Lin of the past only wanted a full meal, only wanted to stay alive, even if life was difficult.

But ever since I came here with Teacher to cultivate, Qing Lin has to admit that I have developed other aspirations.

I have seen the power and the life possessed by the strong. It is so vibrant and colorful. Even if the path of cultivation is difficult, I have already fallen deeply in love with the feeling of growing stronger and being able to control my own life.

My road is still long. I will continue working hard!"

Ao Qing, watching this scene from the doorway, was also moved.

At that moment, Ao Qing felt sympathy. How similar they were to himself.

Perhaps I can help them in the future, help them break free from the so-called curse of fate. The same goes for Xiao Yi Xian. If I can help, then I will.

Medusa and the others would not know what Ao Qing was thinking. Without dwelling on it further, Ao Qing stepped into the room.

"Qing Lin, becoming a Dou Saint will not be your endpoint either. In the future, you may even transcend the cycle of reincarnation and life and death, freeing yourself from the shackles of heaven and earth. But you must strive for all of that yourself."

After entering the room, Ao Qing picked up where Qing Lin had left off. He also wanted Qing Lin to work harder.

"Hello, Brother Ao Qing!"

The moment Qing Lin heard Ao Qing's voice, she knew he had arrived.

In truth, Qing Lin was somewhat confused now. When she was little, she had not known what relationship her teacher Medusa had with Ao Qing. Now that she was older and understood, she did not know what she should call him.

Should she call him Master-Grandfather Ao Qing? Forget it—that would be too awkward. She might as well follow Zi Yan's example and call him Brother Ao Qing.

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