Parting

Xiao Yan simply collapsed into Queen Medusa's warm and fragrant embrace, taking the pills to recover while letting the waves of emptiness wash over him like a tide.

The terrifying consumption of forcibly fusing with the Five-Colored Fire Lotus, enduring the possession of the Master of Devouring, and finally driving the Primordial Demon-Suppressing Stele to purify demonic energy completely drained all of his Dou Qi and soul power.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Queen Medusa's usually cold voice softened slightly, as her arms embraced him firmly, as if supporting the entire world.

She looked down at the weak young man in her arms. Her usual domineering Medusa aura gradually subsided, and at this moment, she truly resembled a gentle wife who cared for her husband.

Despite the smile in Xiao Yan's eyes, Queen Medusa stubbornly insisted that as Medusa, she had to take good care of him, the Prince Consort who fought so hard for Medusa.

That sight only deepened the smile in Xiao Yan's eyes. He felt perfectly at ease, even somewhat brazenly, nestling in Queen Medusa bosom. Once he found the most comfortable position, he simply sank in and refused to come out.

Queen Medusa didn't seem shy at all, letting Xiao Yan do whatever he wanted to her.

Li Lingjing stood to one side, her dignified and elegant face also showing concern.

She watched as Queen Medusa unabashedly embraced Xiao Yan, and saw Xiao Yan's unresisting, even somewhat dependent, demeanor, and felt a pang of worry.

Ling Yanfei was like a mother to her, so she naturally understood that with Ling Yanfei's personality, without any external help, she would probably still be Xiao Yan's nominal girlfriend even after Xiao Yan became Dou Sheng.

Seeing the Queen Medusa and Xiao Yan were acting, like a married couple, Li Lingjing had already made up her mind.

For the sake of her daughter Xiao Fei's future happiness, she had to find a way to bring Xiao Yan and Xiao Fei together.

First, she needs to find a pretext to send all the young ladies from the other Ancient Clans back!

This way, the two of them can spend more time together and create more opportunities!

Xiao Yan was naturally unaware that Aunt Jing was secretly plotting to improve her daughter's situation. While enjoying the Medusa's care, he was also concerned about the condition of the three lonely old souls.

"I am fine, and the consumption was not great. It's just that my Primordial Spirit is incomplete and needs to be nurtured in the Ancestor Symbol. If anything happens, you can wake me up through the Ancestor Symbol. Also, the <Primordial Origin-Returning Scripture> is a supreme inheritance, and you must study it carefully."

The voice of the Master of Devouring resounded directly deep within Xiao Yan's soul.

"I understand."

Xiao Yan responded in his heart.

In fact, he could sense that the Master of Devouring's soul fluctuations had weakened somewhat compared to before. Clearly, given his current state of a damaged Primordial Spirit, activating the Ancestor Symbol Devouring Ancestral Symbol and using the divine artifact Primordial Demon-Suppressing Stele had taken a considerable toll on him.

"Hehe, seeing you grow like this, what's a little bit of exertion?"

The Old Yao's voice was filled with deep satisfaction.

"You're even bolder than I am, kid. When it comes to controlling Heavenly Flames, I'm afraid I'm no match for you now!"

Venerable Skyfire also expressed his sincere praise.

"Thank you for your hard work today, Teacher and Senior Tian Huo. Please rest well. I'll try to find some medicinal herbs and refine Medicine Gang you restore your soul power later."

Xiao Yan said seriously.

"No rush, no rush, you should rest and recover first."

Upon hearing this, the Old Yao said with concern.

"Not bad, you've really worn yourself out more than we have. Don't worry so much, just get some rest for a few days."

Venerable Skyfire echoed this sentiment.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled inwardly. After agreeing to the instructions from Old Yao and Venerable Skyfire, he then communicated with the spirit of the Primordial Demon-Suppressing Stele in his Storage Ring.

"The Alien Demon has been destroyed, and its demonic energy has been purified by the Devouring Ancestral Symbol and myself. The hidden dangers here have been eliminated. However, I have suffered some damage from suppressing the Alien Demon for many years and need to recuperate for a period of time to recover."

You have received the inheritance of the <Primordial Origin-Returning Scripture>, the core secret of our sect. Your comprehension and temperament are both of the highest quality, and with the aid of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, you are the only choice to inherit our sect's legacy. I hope you will diligently cultivate it, comprehend the Primordial True Intent as soon as possible, eliminate demons, defend the righteous path, and protect heaven and earth!

The spirit's voice echoed in Xiao Yan's mind.

"This junior will certainly live up to your expectations, senior!"

Xiao Yan solemnly replied.

Even without the spirit of the monument, the Primordial Dharma Eye, the Primordial Dharma Form, and the Primordial Demon-Suppressing Seal are three powerful martial arts techniques that Xiao Yan values highly. Moreover, what's the harm in having too many lice? He can always cultivate them to perfection and then go to the Tianxuan Continent to slay demons.

"Good." The spirit of the monument's voice carried satisfaction. "Once this matter is settled, I will enter a deep slumber to repair my origins. You bear a heavy responsibility; you are the sect's only hope. Take good care of yourself."

As the spirit of the monument finished its last instruction, the light of the Primordial Demon-Suppressing Stele in the Storage Ring completely subsided, becoming as ordinary as any other giant monument.

Xiao Yan also came to his senses, and the first thing he saw Zi Yan very attentively taking a fruit from her Storage Ring and handing it to him:

"Here you go! I'll reward you with a Life-Restoring Spirit Fruit, a wonderful item that can help you strengthen your foundation and replenish your vital energy!"

Without saying a word, Zi Yan stuffed the bright green fruit into Xiao Yan's mouth.

The pure and gentle energy instantly melted in his mouth, nourishing his parched meridians and giving Xiao Yan a slight boost in spirits.

Si Yuan, along with two powerful figures from the Heavenly Snake Mansion, gathered around, their gazes towards Xiao Yan filled with awe and gratitude.

If Xiao Yan hadn't single-handedly defeated the enemy, they would all have likely perished in the clutches of the demon.

"Brother-in-law, we cannot thank you enough! We, Si Yuan and the Heavenly Snake Mansion, will never forget this kindness!"

Si Yuan solemnly clasped his hands in a fist salute.

Xiao Yan shook his head slightly, his voice still weak:

"Brother-in-law, you flatter me. We're all in the same boat. The most important thing right now is to leave this place. We must keep the fact that this place is an otherworldly ruin a secret!" He then looked at Li Lingjing, "Aunt Jing, thank you so much for your help and protection this time."

Li Lingjing nodded and said gracefully, "It's my duty. Xiaofei and the other maids will be happy to know you're alright. Please come with me."

With a gentle wave of her hand, a soft Spatial Strength enveloped everyone, instantly tearing apart the space in front of them!

With a thought, Xiao Yan's Ancestral Devouring Ancestral Symbol mark appeared between his brows, transforming into a black light shield that concealed everyone's aura.

At the same time, the core hall of the entire Primordial One-Qi Sect ruins began to shake violently. After losing the Primordial Demon-Suppressing Stele, this hall, which had stood for ten thousand years, also began to show signs of being eroded by time.

However, no one lingered there. Li Lingjing used her Spatial Strength to envelop everyone, transforming them into a stream of light and flying into the Space Channel in front of her.

A moment later, the group finally broke out of the ruins and returned to the familiar world outside.

However, the three from the Heavenly Snake Mansion did not appear here with Xiao Yan and his two companions. They had already discussed it in the Space Channel and were directly sent to the border of the Tianxin Empire by Li Lingjing. They would then return directly to the Heavenly Snake Mansion.

Xiao Yan scanned his surroundings and discovered that this was not the Soul Burial Mountain Range at the entrance of the ruins, but an unknown, beautiful mountain range.

"Aunt Jing?"

Xiao Yan was puzzled and was about to ask when he received the answer from the familiar figures flying out from the mountains below.

They were the four girls— Yao Ling, Huo Zhi, Shi Xuanxuan, Ling Yanfei— who had been moved away by Li Lingjing beforehand.

Li Lingjing didn't say anything, but simply sealed off the space around her.

"Xiao Yan!" Yao Ling was the first to rush forward. She immediately noticed Xiao Yan's poor condition and her eyes were filled with worry. She took Xiao Yan's Xiao Yan and used her soul power to check his condition while telling him about what had happened outside, "You've finally come out! The Hall Master of the Soul Hall Branch in the Soul Burial Mountain Range personally took action and even invited a Soul Hall Elder of the Heavenly Venerable level. While you were inside the ruins, they slaughtered everyone in Tianxin City!"

Shi Xuanxuan, who followed closely behind, also had a very serious expression on her face.

"If Aunt Jing hadn't discovered us early, the four of us would probably have been in serious trouble. If the Soul Hall had found out we were here, they would definitely have summoned even more powerful experts to surround and kill us."

Huo Zhi frowned, her face somewhat unpleasant, and added:

"Even so, we can no longer accompany you on your adventures. After contacting the clan's strongest members who have been secretly protecting us, the clan has issued a strict order for us to return to the clan immediately."

Ling Yanfei stood beside Li Lingjing, her beautiful face filled with deep worry. Her gaze towards Xiao Yan was also full of concern, but unlike the three women Yao Ling, she did not rush forward. Instead, she asked Li Lingjing about Xiao Yan's condition.

After hearing that Xiao Yan was merely exhausted, her expression calmed down considerably, and her gaze fell upon Xiao Yan, her eyes deep and unfathomable, as if she were lost in thought.

Upon hearing what the three women said, Xiao Yan, though weak, instantly sharpened his gaze to the point of being razor-sharp.

The ruthlessness of the Soul Hall was indeed not beyond his expectations; they had even dispatched a Heavenly Venerable-level expert?

He thought for a moment and asked:

"Celestial Venerable? Do you know exactly who it is?"

Shi Xuanxuan's interface says:

"It seems to be called Heavenly Venerable Zhaixing. The guards the clan initially assigned to us were only Dou Emperor. After Aunt Jing rescued us, we summoned Dou Zun level guards from the clan, but their strength is about the same as Heavenly Venerable Zhaixing. If we encounter him, we won't be able to kill him instantly, and it might attract even stronger Soul Hall Venerable. Therefore, we have been hiding and haven't shown ourselves these days."

Huo Zhi sighed, a hint of reluctance in her eyes, and said softly:

"The Soul Hall has suddenly caused such a commotion; there must be a bigger conspiracy behind it. Even disregarding the potential dangers of staying by your side, we have no choice but to return to our clan in order to focus on our cultivation."

Yao Ling was now certain that Xiao Yan was not seriously injured, only somewhat weak, and finally breathed a sigh of relief, taking out an exquisite jade box from her Storage Ring.

"This is Tier 7 Myriad Wood Life-Soul Pill. After you consume and refine it, it will surely restore you to your original state."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan took the jade box, retrieved the pills from it, and consumed and refined them.

The elixir was extremely effective; Xiao Yan could clearly feel his condition rapidly recovering.

"I really don't want to leave."

Yao Ling lowered her eyelids slightly, and tears welled up in her eyes.

Xiao Yan nodded understandingly, embraced Yao Ling's delicate body, and then pulled Shi Xuanxuan and Huo Zhi into his arms as well, saying softly:

"Of course I'm reluctant to part with you, just like Xun'er and Liuli were when they left. But I don't want you to neglect your cultivation because of me, nor do I want you to be in danger because of me."

This parting is for a better reunion next time. Liuli told me that when the time comes, all the races will send people to the Ancient Clan's Heavenly Tomb. I believe we will meet again there. I hope that by then, you will be even stronger, and we will fight together again!

Hearing Xiao Yan say that, the three women felt a lump in their throats.

They knew the heavy burden Xiao Yan carried.

In the past, when they were around him, they could perhaps do things for him and help him relieve stress.

Now that they have to return to their clan, they will likely be too far away to help Xiao Yan when he needs them again.

A feeling of heartache spread through the three women.

"Don't worry, when we meet again, we'll definitely have enough strength to fight alongside you against the Soul Hall's Dou Zun!"

Shi Xuanxuan's deep voice rang out with unwavering determination.

"Xuanxuan is right. We will train with all our might, and when we meet again, we will fight side by side!"

Crimson flames surged around Huo Zhi, then she leaned forward and pressed her forehead against Xiao Yan's forehead.

The next moment, scorching heat rose from their foreheads, which were pressed together. Xiao Yan clearly felt a blazing flame being sealed into his brow.

That is...

Red Lotus Karma Flame?

No, it's Child Flame of the Red Lotus Karma Flame!

"The Red Lotus Karma Flame is Heavenly Flames passed down in our clan, which I cannot give to you. However, this Child Flame is one that I spent a considerable amount of time separating and nurturing. It should be of some use to you. This is the last bit of help I can give you."

Huo Zhi's telepathic message rang directly in Xiao Yan's ears.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyes widened as he looked at the girl whose eyes held a gentle affection. He felt as if something was stuck in his throat, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word.

The Yao Ling, standing nearby, also quietly slipped a Storage Ring to Xiao Yan, and similarly transmitted his voice:

"This is a gift that Xuanxuan and I left for you. You can look at it after we leave!"

Holding the Storage Ring in his hand and feeling the warm fire mark between his brows, Xiao Yan's gaze swept over Yao Ling, Huo Zhi, and Shi Xuanxuan, finally landing on Ling Yanfei.

Ling Yanfei met his gaze and nodded slightly.

She is already "dead" in the Ling Clan, so naturally she will not return to the Ling Clan.

She wanted to spend more time with Xiao Yan, then follow Li Lingjing to seek her own opportunities, cultivate diligently, and wait until she advanced to the Dou Zun, which would be the day she could reunite with Xiao Yan.

And that day is not far away for her.

"Alright, the experts from your three clans have already discovered my Space Lock. To avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, I must take Xiao Yan and the others, along with Xiao Fei, away from here. You should also return with your clan's experts as soon as possible."

Li Lingjing sensed the auras of the three Five-Star Dou Zun flying from afar, and her expression turned solemn. While constructing Space Channel, she spoke to Yao Ling, Shi Xuanxuan, and Huo Zhi.

Upon hearing this, the three women could only reluctantly step out of Xiao Yan.

"Xiao Yan, take care!"

They said in unison.

Take care, my girls.

Xiao Yan nodded emphatically, and then, along with Queen Medusa, Zi Yan, Ling Yanfei, followed Li Lingjing into the newly constructed Space Channel.

Watching Xiao Yan and his group leave, Yao Ling, Shi Xuanxuan, and Huo Zhi suppressed their tears, composed themselves, and calmly looked at the Dou Zun guards from their clan who were flying towards them.

"Sister Yan Fei was just picked up by Aunt Jing. She sent a signal to the powerful members of the clan to bring us back."

They exchanged a glance, and finally Huo Zhi spoke on behalf of the other two women.

"Yes, Miss Huo Zhi (Yao Ling) (Shi Xuanxuan)."

The three guards from the three races spoke respectfully.