The Story Took Many Twists, but Thankfully You Were There

"So weak—far too weak!"

After dealing with Yao Lao's matter, Xiao Yan silently lay back down on the bed. He had not experienced this feeling of weakness for tens of thousands of years.

In his current state, everything was inconvenient. He might as well rest properly and consider other matters after recovering his strength.

"Although I only possess Dou Qi Level 3 now, my memories of my previous life still remain.

"With the accumulation from my previous life, forget Heaven Rank Cultivation Methods and Ninth Grade Pill Formulas—even methods for reaching the Heavenly Sovereign and divine realms...

"Hm? My memories... what happened to my memories...?"

Xiao Yan, who had just closed his eyes to rest, abruptly opened them, disbelief in his gaze.

Of his memories from his previous life, only the first few decades remained relatively clear. As for everything afterward, he could only vaguely remember what had happened at certain exceptionally important points in time.

"Damn it. My current body must be far too frail, able to bear Soul Power only at the level of a First Grade Alchemist at most."

Xiao Yan gritted his teeth. With the memories of a supreme expert spanning tens of thousands of years, even a Dou Emperor would have to exert some effort to absorb them all at once, let alone a frail body that had not even reached the Dou Zhe realm.

If all the memories from the centuries before Xiao Yan cultivated to the Sovereign realm were poured into him, his current soul would probably burst apart instantly.

"Truly, when it rains, it pours."

Xiao Yan sighed, closed his eyes, and pondered carefully. Only after a while did he slowly open them again.

"Fortunately, although most of my memories have become extremely vague, they still left me with some useful things."

Xiao Yan knew clearly that aside from the heart of an expert tempered over tens of thousands of years, what his rebirth had brought him was likely the countless insights he had gained in those memories.

His memories contained all kinds of Secret Arts that even deities would take seriously. As for Heaven Rank Dou skills and Peerless Mystical Powers, they were too numerous to count. Toss out any one of them, and the Dou Qi Continent—even the Great Thousand World—would descend into madness.

However, due to his limited Soul Power, what he remembered now was basically limited to some cultivation methods and secret techniques he had created himself.

"This isn't much of a problem. Once my cultivation recovers to around the Da Dou Shi or Dou Ling level, I should be able to recall many memories from before reaching the Sovereign realm.

"With Yao Lao's help, I probably won't need long to recover to that day."

Xiao Yan gently shook his head. Fortunately, some of the cultivation methods and mystical powers he had created still lingered in his mind.

Unfortunately, before becoming a Dou Zhe, he could not make much use of those things. Some remaining pill formulas might instead be more useful in his current condition.

After taking stock of everything in his mind, the weakness of his body quickly made Xiao Yan tired. Before he knew it, he had fallen into a deep sleep.

When Xiao Yan woke again, he felt a slender little hand gently wiping his forehead with a damp cloth.

As he slowly opened his eyes, he found that the sky outside had already turned dark. It seemed he had slept for quite a long time.

Turning his head, he saw a fairly pretty little face staring blankly at him. It was not Xun'er, but Xiao Mei.

"C-Cousin, you're awake!"

The moment she saw Xiao Yan awaken, delight clearly appeared on Xiao Mei's little face. Yet a complicated look flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes.

Memories of his past and present lives echoed through his mind. Before losing his Dou Qi in his previous life, he had been so high-spirited—the Xiao Family's designated Young Clan Leader. All the younger members of the family had followed behind him like little tails, including Xiao Mei before him.

But after he lost his Dou Qi and became a cripple, those people had gradually revealed completely different faces.

"Cousin, this is the Recovery Pill the Family Head told me to bring. He said your body will recover quickly after you take it."

Xiao Mei picked up a small Jade Bottle from beside the bed, obediently took out a pill the size of a longan, and brought it to Xiao Yan's lips.

Xiao Yan took one look at it and did not refuse. He swallowed the Recovery Pill directly, washing it down with a sip of water.

The Recovery Pill was one of the most common First Grade Pills. It was merely used to restore vitality and nourish the body, but even so, a single pill was worth several hundred Gold Coins.

Fortunately, the current Xiao Yan was still the family's treasured darling. Not only Xiao Zhan, but even the other elders attached immense importance to him.

"Mei Er."

Xiao Yan stared at the ceiling, then turned to look at the young girl's face, which had begun to carry a trace of charm.

"If all my Dou Qi were destroyed and my cultivation could never return to what it was before, would you still treat me as well as you do now?"

"Huh? Cousin, what are you talking about?"

Xiao Mei was first stunned, then her face turned slightly pale with fright. A faint glimmer of tears even appeared at the corners of her eyes.

"You're the family's greatest genius, the future of our Xiao Family. The Family Head and the elders will definitely find a way to cure you."

Seeing Xiao Mei like this, Xiao Yan suddenly laughed.

"Cousin, what are you laughing at?"

Xiao Mei asked blankly. She suddenly realized that she could no longer understand the Xiao Yan before her.

He still looked like the same youth, and even his manner of doing things remained the same, but beneath those pitch-black eyes was always a calmness that made one's heart tremble.

"Nothing. I was overthinking it."

Xiao Yan shook his head with a smile. He had been able to forgive them in his previous life, so why was he instead dwelling on such things in this life?

For the dignified Flame Emperor to fuss over such trivial matters—if word got out, people would laugh their teeth out.

"Mei Er, after taking this Recovery Pill, I'm feeling sleepy again. I won't chat with you much today. Go back and rest early."

After speaking, Xiao Yan closed his eyes again. The Recovery Pill's effects had already begun to show, and a warm current rose within him, making him feel drowsy.

Besides, he was no longer that twelve-year-old boy. Why would he have any desire to discuss things that only children and young teenagers found interesting with a little girl barely in her teens?

"Oh... then rest well, Cousin."

Xiao Mei nodded somewhat dejectedly. She had worked so hard to earn this chance to care for her cousin, but unfortunately, the current Xiao Yan had no interest in playing house with her.

After Xiao Mei left, Xiao Yan still did not open his eyes, though a smile appeared at the corner of his lips.

"People's hearts are fickle. Those that do not change are rare. As long as my strength remains great enough, the hearts of those around me will never change. Dwelling on this only shows that I, Xiao Yan, am being too narrow-minded."

The next morning, Xiao Yan was slowly awakened by an itch on his face. The moment he opened his eyes, a pretty little face came into view.

The morning sun streamed through the window, scattering golden light across the girl's fair, tender face. Her jade-like skin glowed with an intoxicating radiance.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you're finally awake."

Looking at that adorably innocent little face, still childish yet already possessing beauty capable of toppling kingdoms, a gentle smile suddenly appeared on Xiao Yan's lips. He could not help reaching out, catching a lock of her hair, and lightly playing with it.

"A lad rode in on a bamboo horse, circling the bed to play with green plums. Living together in Wu Tan City, we were childhood sweethearts without a trace of suspicion.

"Xun'er, the story took many twists, but thankfully, you were always by my side."