When Chen Changan and the others returned to the Heavenly Profound Sect after several years away, the sect had changed considerably.
"Not bad. Looks like the Heavenly Profound Sect has been growing fast while we've been away," Da Huang said with a smile.
"Elder Chen and the others are back!"
"Elder Chen, Elder Mu, Elder Da Huang, you're back!"
"Hey, hey, hey, why aren't you mentioning me? I'm standing right here."
"Oh, Elder Zhan, you're back too. We thought you'd left."
"Come on, I'm standing right fucking here. How did you even think that?"
"Seriously, I'm part of the Heavenly Profound Sect now. You're still holding a grudge over me coming to challenge you back then? Why are you so petty?"
Zhan Tian was utterly speechless. So many years had passed, yet these people still refused to let it go.
"You're an elder now. Why bother squabbling with them?"
"Come on, who here treats me like an elder?"
"As long as you know you're an elder, isn't that enough? Do you really need everyone else's recognition? If they won't recognize you, just recognize yourself."
Chen Changan's words left Zhan Tian even more speechless. Do I... even count as part of the Heavenly Profound Sect? They really fucking don't want me around.
"You've developed well over these past few years. Your cultivation has improved considerably. Very good."
"It's all thanks to you elders. Otherwise, we could never have made so much progress."
"Keep working hard. Go about your business."
"Yes, Elder Chen!"
After the other disciples left, Chen Changan glanced at Mu Yunyao and the others and asked, "Are you coming with me to see the sect master, or are you heading back to rest first?"
"Big brother, I'll pass. I'll go check on Guan Ao and Wang Ba first and