Xiao Yan Recovers His Original Intention
Xiao Yan, thick-skinned since childhood, remained unfazed, gently patting Nalan Yanran behind him while reassuring her, and said to Yao Lao and the other man:
"Teacher, I've reached the Dou Zong now, so I should be able to head to Central State, right?"
"Don't rush. You've just broken through, so you should be able to feel that your body's energy isn't quite stable yet, right?"
The Yao Lao looked at Xiao Yan with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan examined his own body and found that it was indeed as Yao Lao had said. He then looked at Yao Lao with a puzzled expression.
"Let me tell you something, and you should listen too, Yanran."
Upon hearing that Yao Lao was about to impart important knowledge, Nalan Yanran disregarded her shyness and stepped out from behind Xiao Yan Xiao Yan stand beside him.
Xiao Yan smiled and glanced at her, then took her hand, and Nalan Yanran returned the gesture by holding Xiao Yan's hand in return.
Yao Lao and Heavenly Flame Venerable were unexpectedly forced to witness this display of affection, and shook their heads helplessly.
"Most people who advance to the Dou Zong will experience a period of adjustment. The specific time for this adjustment depends on their individual talent and the purity of their Dou Qi. Only after passing this adjustment period can they truly reach the One Star Dou Zong."
After speaking, Yao Lao paused, glanced at Xiao Yan with a narrowed eye, and then continued:
"Of course, if you go through some special places or blessed lands, you can skip this step."
When Xiao Yan saw Yao Lao's strange look, he remembered that his Tian Ge had asked him to cultivate in the Cultivation Room in World Mountain, but at the time he didn't want to trouble Xiao Tian too much, since Xiao Tian was always the one helping him.
Given that his Tian Ge had so many women, he was worried that they might not be enough for him, so he politely declined.
I never imagined that I, who used to pluck feathers from passing geese, would end up being pecked in the eye by one.
Nalan Yanran had also heard Xiao Yan mention this matter, and couldn't help but laugh from the side, "Serves you right for being so pretentious. Your master-in-law asked you to go cultivate with him before, but you didn't go. Now you should be slapping your thigh in regret, shouldn't you?"
"I just didn't want to trouble Tian Ge too much, in case he doesn't have enough on his end." Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly.
"I encourage you to move around more often. There are plenty of Cultivation Room there. Apart from a few specific ones, the rest are all empty. Also, my teacher told me that Xiao Tian placed this training area in the Front Palace of the Sky Palace specifically for your convenience."
Nalan Yanran squeezed Xiao Yan's hand and said seriously, "This is nothing like the you of the past. You weren't this indecisive back then."
When Yao Lao heard Nalan Yanran's words, he nodded in agreement. Back then, Xiao Yan was shameless to the extreme, knowing how to seize every opportunity to increase his strength. For example, in the Amethyst Winged Lion King Cave, he would lick up Amethyst Origin on the ground, not wasting a single bit.
Xiao Yan touched the Storage Ring on his hand, which contained a scroll of Soul Cultivation Technique and Dou Technique that Xiao Tian had recently given him, as well as a Peach Tree Branch as thick as an arm that could accelerate soul cultivation.
Xiao Tian had asked the system about the Peach Tree Branch and learned that even if it was broken off, it could still be used for cultivation. However, the cultivation effect was not as good as under the peach tree, and there was a time limit for its use. The specific time limit depended on the size of the trunk, ranging from one to five years.
Xiao Tian also broke off quite a few pieces and gave them to his father and others, as well as some of the Founding Elder of the Free and Unfettered Hall, such as Wen Yanhai Hai Bo Dong.
Even the Yao Lao and Heavenly Flame Venerable possessed this peach tree, which had a tremendous effect on them, enabling their souls to gradually recover.
The Heavenly Flame Venerable, though old and shrewd, had an even more accurate grasp of human nature. He approached Xiao Yan:
"If you want to repay Xiao Tian, I think the most important thing for you is to increase your strength. This world still values strength. Only when you are strong can you repay and help him."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan lowered his head and fell into deep thought. Nalan Yanran also gently released her hand, and the three of them stood quietly to the side, not daring to make a sound.
Looking back on his past, he realized that he had become too complacent because he spent most of his time in the Free and Unfettered World, and he had lost some of his former drive.
In addition, they were mostly under the protection of Xiao Tian and others, and had always lacked a kind of tempering.
If Xiao Tian knew what Xiao Yan was thinking, he would understand what the problem was. However, Xiao Tian didn't have time to pay attention to any of this right now. He was currently holding Medusa's soft and smooth body and sleeping soundly.
In the Original Work, Xiao Yan is basically either fighting or on his way to fight; he's practically the Honey Badger of the Battle Through the Heavens World.
Xiao Yan is currently enjoying a smooth and successful life, without experiencing any hardship, and the Xiao Family has not suffered any damage.
Neither the father nor the teacher were arrested, and over time, they lost their drive to move forward.
Furthermore, he has basically grown up under Xiao Tian's wing, and he is now confused, only thinking about repaying Xiao Tian for his help.
Five minutes later, the Yao Lao frowned, his voice tinged with sternness. "Have you forgotten your original goal and aspiration? Cultivation is about contending with heaven, with earth, with others, and with oneself. The struggles of cultivation are unpredictable, with no certainty of success or failure; one must grasp every opportunity."
Xiao Yan's eyes gradually brightened as he looked down, recalling his past self and vowing to stand at the pinnacle of this world and protect everything he cherished.
Having learned about the Xiao Clan's past from Xiao Tian, he had another goal: to revitalize the Xiao Family Xiao Family and bring it back to its former glory.
Have I forgotten my original aspirations because of this comfortable life?
I, Xiao Yan, will never allow myself to become like this!!!
Xiao Yan raised his head, his eyes burning with renewed fighting spirit, the flame that had once been extinguished reigniting.
He clenched his fist, his eyes resolute, and said, "You're right, I was being stubborn. I need to find my former self again, to rediscover that pursuit and dedication to strength."
Xiao Yan exuded a spirit of courage and determination, and his eyes still held the unwavering resolve of the past.
"I'm glad you understand!"
Seeing Xiao Yan's current state, Yao Lao nodded in satisfaction. However, he was thinking to himself that he should go to Central State as soon as possible, lest Xiao Yan pick up that Buddhist-like behavior from Xiao Tian.
Xiao Tian was the most perplexing figure to Yao Lao. He only cultivated occasionally, spending his days indulging in pleasure and playing around.
But his cultivation level is rising rapidly, and it's estimated that he'll reach his former peak level soon.
Thinking of Xiao Yan, who toiled away every day cultivating and risking his life to subdue the Heavenly Flames, and his past self, he couldn't help but sigh that even among geniuses there are differences.
If the Yao Lao were alive today, he would definitely say: Some people are born in Rome, while others are born to be beasts of burden.
"Alright, we won't disturb you two lovers any longer." Yao Lao laughed heartily, then slipped into the Bone Flame Ring and began to recover his soul beside the Peach Wood. This special Peach Wood was simply too captivating to the soul, as was the Heavenly Flame Venerable beside him.
Xiao Yan simply hoisted Nalan Yanran onto his shoulder and flew towards his palace. "I'm really angry right now. Let's go back and have a chat."