He Walked Toward His Fortune, and Toward His Calamity

Jiang Yan gazed at Tao Ziyan's beautiful eyes, which kept drifting towards the Guanyun Pavilion, and a faint bitterness welled up in his heart.

How could he not know what his senior sister was thinking at that moment?

Not to mention his senior sister, even he himself, after spending a brief time with his Eldest Brother...

That yearning for the Dao seemed to have been cleansed, and an uncontrollable curiosity and longing arose for that figure in Green Robe.

But he knew very well that his Eldest Brother Qing Wangchuan, was completely different from the arrogant and lustful Xiao Duantian of the past.

In the Eldest Brother's eyes, there was only the pursuit of the vast Dao, clear as a mirror, untouched by dust.

It was a detached focus, as if worldly desires and passions had long been banished from his world.

Faced with such a person, Jiang Yan felt no jealousy whatsoever, nor even the urge to compare himself to them.

Only deep reverence and an unattainable longing remain.

Perhaps it was to suppress the subtle bitterness in her heart, or perhaps it was to truly capture her senior's attention for a moment, or perhaps it was simply to say goodbye to the person in front of her.

Jiang Yan took a deep breath, his expression becoming more resolute than ever before. He looked at Tao Ziyan and said earnestly:

"Senior sister, I'm leaving the Lower Realm and heading to Middle Thousand Provinces."

Tao Ziyan was indeed stunned, finally turning her gaze away from the direction of the Guanyun Pavilion and landing on Jiang Yan, her eyes filled with obvious surprise. "Middle Thousand Provinces?"

She frowned slightly. "Is... that That Lord taking you along?"

Jiang Yan nodded, remaining silent, secretly hoping that his senior sister would say something else.

Tao Ziyan hesitated for a moment, her slender fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes.

She looked up, and asked tentatively, "Then... can I come along?"

Jiang Yan's heart tightened upon hearing his senior sister's request.

Was it to hone his own skills? Or was it because he couldn't bear to leave his always-worrying junior brother and wanted to look after him from the sidelines? Or perhaps... deep down, was it a yearning to be closer to that mysterious and powerful Green Robe Young Master in blue?

Jiang Yan didn't know, but he thought it should be the last one.

To be honest...

How could he not want to travel with his senior sister?

Over the years, his senior sister has been a constant companion and caregiver in his heart. She is not only like family, but also embodies an inexplicable and deep-seated affection.

But...

Jiang Yan slowly shook his head, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable resolve:

"No."

Before Tao Ziyan could retort, he continued, his tone heavy. "This journey is by no means a leisurely trip; the road ahead is fraught with peril. My Eldest Brother's strength is unfathomable, so he has nothing to fear, but I... am too weak."

"I can't protect my senior sister, and I can't protect anyone."

Jiang Yan clenched his fist, feeling the cool touch emanating from the Little Pagoda within his body. His eyes sharpened. "This is a fortuitous opportunity for me, but also a calamity. A slight misstep could lead to my Dead Path."

He gazed deeply into Tao Ziyan's puzzled eyes, finally letting out a soft sigh, filled with unmistakable concern:

"So, Senior Sister, it's safest for you to stay in the sect."

After he finished speaking, the atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

Jiang Yan said no more, bowed to Tao Ziyan, then turned and walked firmly toward his Outer Sect Hut.

He walked towards his fortuitous opportunity, and also towards his calamity.

The familiar gaze behind him felt like a thorn in his back, yet he never turned around.

Walk along the familiar bluestone path, with lush and verdant Spirit Plant on both sides.

He and his senior sister had walked this road countless times together.

And today, perhaps, is the last time.

His thoughts drifted uncontrollably into the distance.

What will my senior sister look like when we meet again in the future?

Perhaps she has already become famous throughout the world, a leading figure of the new generation in the sect, and is admired by thousands.

With her talent and temperament, this was the only natural outcome for her.

Or perhaps... she will find a good match, marry, become a wife and mother, and live a peaceful and stable life.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yan's heart tightened suddenly, and an indescribable sense of sorrow surged up like a tide, almost overwhelming him.

He clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palm. The pain instantly brought him to his senses.

Now is not the time to indulge in such sentimental matters.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing all distracting thoughts, and his eyes regained their resolve.

The goal now couldn't be clearer—become stronger!

Then he went to the Upper Realm to find his mother and reunite the family.

As for the rest...

Jiang Yan looked up at the distant, cloud-shrouded mountain peaks, his gaze seemingly trying to pierce through the layers of mist and reach that higher, more distant world.

"Let fate decide everything."

[New Mission: Life is short, ascend to immortality as soon as possible!]

[The host's strength has almost reached the limit of this world. You are invincible in this world. Every breath you take seems to be squeezing the barriers of this world.]

This world is far too small for you.

You look up at the sky and silently vow: It's time to ascend to the Upper Realm!

[Mission Objective: Travel from any realm in Lower Thousand Provinces to the Tongtian Realm in Middle Thousand Provinces and complete the check-in at the "Ascension Platform".]

[Quest Reward: A Fragment of an Immortal Bone]

(Note: Immortal Bone are objects that Defy Fate. Although they are incomplete, they are still an unparalleled treasure for a host from a humble background!)

This mission was the reason Qin Wangchuan Lower Realm.

You can't have someone else do it for you; you have to clock in at a designated location.

The problem is...

Qin Wangchuan's gaze swept over the bright red notification on the system panel, finally settling on the so-called "supreme treasure"—a fragment of an immortal Immortal Bone.

I felt completely unmoved, and even felt a little like laughing.

Immortal Bone? Or incomplete ones?

He looked inward at himself and saw that the flawless Immortal Bone within him, flowing with brilliant Dao Rhyme, were quietly rising and falling, resonating with each other, and forming a perfect Great Dao Foundation.

Qin Wangchuan shook his head slightly and sighed almost imperceptibly.

"It would be better to just give us Simulation Count."

"System, oh system, when will you finally abandon your Unrealistic Fantasies and get down to reality?"

[It is the host who should abandon Unrealistic Fantasies and be down-to-earth.]

Okay.

Keep pretending.

He raised his eyes, his gaze once again falling upon the mountain peak deep within the clouds.

Since there's nothing left to linger over here, then... let's set off.