Journey to the Central Plains

Silver light shimmered within the Space Channel. Xiao Yan leaned against Queen Medusa's embrace, feeling the immense medicinal power of the Ten Thousand Wood Life Soul Pill within his body.

The gentle, pure energy, like a sweet spring, quickly nourished his overdrawn meridians and soul, and the deep-seated weakness was receding like the tide.

He exhaled a breath of stale air, and his pale face visibly regained its rosy hue.

Queen Medusa lowered her head, her cool gaze falling on his face. Sensing the steady breathing of his body, she loosened her grip on his arms slightly.

Zi Yan leaned closer, her big, dark eyes blinking as she observed Xiao Yan. Seeing that his complexion had improved, a relieved smile appeared on her face as she put the few spiritually vibrant fruits she was still clutching back into her Storage Ring.

Ling Yanfei stood quietly beside Li Lingjing, but her gaze involuntarily fell on Xiao Yan.

She watched him being held intimately in Queen Medusa's arms, and saw Zi Yan's undisguised affection and concern for him.

Thinking of Yao Ling, Huo Zhi, and Shi Xuanxuan's undisguised reluctance to part with Xiao Yan, a barely perceptible ripple flickered in her calm, deep eyes, as if there was envy, and also a complex emotion that even she herself did not fully understand.

Unconsciously, she quietly clenched her fingers beneath her sleeve.

Li Lingjing took in Ling Yanfei's subtle changes in expression and sighed inwardly:

This child had clearly developed genuine feelings for someone at some point, but she herself was unaware of it. It was the pressure that she shouldn't have had to bear that prevented her from enjoying the stirrings of youthful love like other girls.

Thinking of this, Li Lingjing understood that it was time to give her daughter a helping hand. She looked at Xiao Yan, who had recovered considerably but was still nestled in Queen Medusa's soft, magnificent embrace, and asked with a smile:

"Xiao Yan, where are you planning to go next?"

Xiao Yan had already planned ahead and trusted Li Lingjing quite a bit, so he said directly:

"Aunt Jing, before entering the ruins, I sent my forces away, ordering them to return to the Jia Ma Empire. Judging by the time, they should be back soon. I plan to go back to let them know I'm safe and sound, and then head to Holy Pill City in Central Plains to take care of some business."

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Li Lingjing's heart stirred. This coincided with some of the things she had already arranged. At the same time, her gaze swept over the two Storage Rings on Xiao Yan's hand, one black and one white.

When Xiao Yan went all out before, although he didn't summon Old Yao and Venerable Skyfire to fight on his behalf, his act of borrowing soul power from the two of them naturally couldn't be hidden from Li Lingjing, a Ninth-Turn Peak Dou Zun expert.

"If it's just to let you know you're safe, it's not that complicated. Just leave a soul message, and I'll arrange for someone to deliver it to the Jia Ma Empire. We can go directly to Central Plains."

Li Lingjing said with a smile.

Xiao Yan hesitated upon hearing this:

"Aunt Jing, isn't this too much trouble for you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Lingjing waved her hand and said casually:

"What's the trouble? Although Xiaofei told me she wanted to stay by your side, as an elder, I don't want her to neglect her cultivation because of this, so I plan to take her back to Sound Valley to cultivate for a while, so she can help you better then."

If Ling Yanfei herself said these words, it would be fine; Ling Yanfei Xiao Yan would understand her.

It's just that saying that staying by his side will ruin one's cultivation isn't very pleasant to say.

Now that Li Lingjing, as an elder, has said this, it's quite fitting.

In short, by placing Ling Yanfei and Xiao Yan on the same side, and by subtly acting as an "opposing force," she made the two of them subconsciously feel closer to each other.

If it's just this once, the effect might not be very obvious, but there's plenty of time. Little by little, she'll accumulate experience, and the two young people will naturally get along more closely and harmoniously.

Otherwise, given Ling Yanfei's personality, she might still be acting like a "contract girlfriend" even when Xiao Yan's other women are already pregnant.

After all, Xiao Yan and Ling Yanfei were tacitly aware of each other's feelings. Xiao Yan desired her body, while she needed Xiao Yan to help her save the Ling Clan. As for feelings, there were some, but they certainly couldn't compare to those of the other girls who had developed feelings for Xiao Yan.

The root cause is that although the two have known each other for more than three years, they have not spent enough time together.

However, there was nothing that could be done about it. Although Ling Yanfei did not reject some physical contact with Xiao Yan, she did not compete with the other girls for time alone with Xiao Yan she was by his side over the years. Instead, she focused on cultivating.

If she could cultivate in the Spirit Realm, she would probably already be a four- or five-star Dou Zong powerhouse.

Even so, given her current age and cultivation level of Half-Step Dou Zong, she can be considered one of the best among her peers.

However, in Li Lingjing's opinion, Ling Yanfei's current behavior is simply that she wants both things at once, but the progress on both sides is not very good.

As a possessor of God-Grade Bloodline of the Ling Clan, Ling Yanfei's talent is naturally beyond question.

Even so, after witnessing that Xiao Yan's Dou Emperor Bloodline had been completely severed, yet he still cultivated extremely quickly, possessed terrifyingly high combat power, and had a remarkably powerful soul, Li Lingjing understood that Ling Yanfei was cultivating recklessly, even if she ultimately exhausted her potential and stopped at the Half-Saint level in the future. Her speed of advancing to Half-Saint definitely not be faster than Xiao Yan's!

Moreover, with Xiao Yan's heaven-defying combat power, if he really advances to the level of Half-Saint, he might be able to directly clash with Dou Sheng.

Under these circumstances, Ling Yanfei is actually no longer suitable to stay by Xiao Yan's side.

It's really too difficult to expect her to seduce Xiao Yan in front of Queen Medusa.

It would be better to bring her to the Sound Valley, secretly utilize the resources of the Ling Clan, and help her improve her strength. Then, let her travel the continent with Xiao Yan and experience life and death together. Their relationship will naturally develop naturally.

Although Li Lingjing was unaware that this operation utilized the suspension bridge effect, that did not prevent her from doing so.

After all, she's been through it all. A woman can't remain unmoved by a handsome man who's willing to risk his life for her, and a man can't remain unmoved by a beautiful woman who's willing to follow him through thick and thin.

"Is Aunt Jing from Sound Valley?"

Xiao Yan, somewhat surprised by what Li Lingjing said, asked...

Sound Valley, one of the Three Valleys of Central Plains, is not described in much detail in the original novel. It is only mentioned that such a force exists. Therefore, Sound Valley is a mysterious force in Xiao Yan's mind.

Even Old Yao Venerable Yao, who once roamed the Central Plains, didn't know much about Sound Valley.

Although he had heard of Li Lingjing, the Fairy Jing Sound Valley, who was on par with Fairy Qing Flower Sect Fairy Hua, back then, Li Lingjing had actually become famous earlier than them. Their status as equals was only in terms of beauty; in terms of seniority, she was actually older.

When Old Yao was at the Dou Zong, Li Lingjing was already a Dou Zun expert. She ran away with Ling Yao, the Clan Chief of the Ling Clan, to enjoy a carefree life, ostensibly to gain experience.

Unfortunately, her talent was indeed limited. She had been stuck at the peak of the Nine Revolutions for decades before finally reaching the threshold of becoming Dou Sheng. Although she was Ling Yao's woman, the Ling Clan simply couldn't spare any more resources to help her break through and become a Saint.

"Could it be the Fairy Jing of Sound Valley?"

It seemed that the Old Yao had finally guessed Li Lingjing's identity from his distant memories, and he took the initiative to show himself and bow to Li Lingjing.

Although he expended a lot of energy, he was still a Peak Dou Zun expert in life, so protecting himself in the Space Channel shouldn't be a big problem.

"Hmm? Who are you?"

Li Lingjing had never seen Old Yao look so old before, and she tilted her head slightly to think.

"Junior Yao Chen."

The Old Yao politely introduced himself.

"Oh? Venerable Yao Chen? Everyone says you perished due to a backlash from refining medicine. I never expected to see you here."

Li Lingjing looked at Old Yao with surprise, and after a moment she said in astonishment.

"Alas, I was blind back then, I misjudged him, and that's why I met my end. If I hadn't met Xiao Yan, I'm afraid my soul would have been scattered to the winds."

The Old Yao sighed and remarked with emotion.

"No wonder this little fellow cultivates so quickly and is quite accomplished in Alchemy; it turns out he's been secretly mentored by you, the number one alchemist in Central Plains."

Li Lingjing suddenly realized.

"Speaking of which, I once recommended you, the number one alchemist in Central Plains, to the Ling Clan. However, the clan seemed to have some concerns and did not agree. Otherwise, they certainly wouldn't have let you perish so mysteriously."

She then added.

Upon hearing this, Old Yao naturally understood that the Ling Clan's concerns stemmed from his status as an outcast of the Yao Clan.

If recruiting him into the Ling Clan incurs the displeasure of the Yao Clan, it would be a loss for the Ling Clan.

Moreover, given his original temperament, he probably wouldn't want to have any further dealings with these Ancient Clans.

He gave a wry smile and shook his head, saying:

"Thank you for your kind words, senior. However, I was used to living a carefree life. I was unwilling to stay long in the Starfall Pavilion that I founded and the Little Danta that I joined. Even if the Ling Clan really had such thoughts, I would probably refuse them without knowing how to be gracious."

However, thanks to that ordeal back then, I met Xiao Yan. Some things seem to be predestined. This kid is not only my only disciple and successor, but also my most outstanding achievement in this life. If all the hardships and setbacks of the past were for the sake of being able to take this kid as my disciple, then I think it was all worth it."

Finally, Old Yao patted Xiao Yan's shoulder with his slightly ethereal hand, his eyes filled with pride and smugness.

For someone like him who has weathered many storms and even died once, nothing could be more fulfilling than watching his most prized disciple, Xiao Yan, grow stronger step by step.

"Yes, this child is indeed quite good."

Upon hearing this, Li Lingjing nodded slightly.

Compared to Xiao Yan, those proud and arrogant prodigies of the Ancient Clans who were proud of their bloodline seemed like a walking joke.

Even though the Ling Clan has declined, there are still many in the race who cling to their deep-rooted pride and their utterly worthless sense of face.

People like Ling Yao, who are willing to travel and train in the Central Plains, are actually in the minority.

But that's precisely why she was willing to be with him and help him raise Ling Yanfei.

As for Ling Yanfei's biological mother...

Anyway, she'd never seen it before.

He's probably dead.

If she didn't possess the strength of Ninth-Turn Peak Dou Zun, making her a top expert in the Ling Clan, she might have been discriminated against by some of the Ling Clan elders.

It can only be said that the decline of some ethnic groups is not without reason.

"So, you're going to Holy Pill City to use its resources? If so, why not come with us to Sound Valley? Xiao Fei's father has been working hard to integrate the factions within the Ling Clan for years, and now the Ling Clan is practically his personal fiefdom. Xiao Yan is only Dou Emperor now, so the clan doesn't lack his cultivation resources."

As for Sound Valley, I naturally have the final say in that matter, and I won't let Xiao Yan suffer any injustice."

Li Lingjing then turned her gaze to Xiao Yan.

"I appreciate Aunt Jing's kindness, but the main purpose of my trip to Holy Pill City is to improve my Alchemy and enhance my soul power. The three giants of the Danta are all old friends of my teacher, and each of them has their own unique style in Alchemy. If I can learn from their strengths, it will be of great benefit to my Alchemy."

This was a difficult question for Old Yao to answer, but Xiao Yan reacted quickly and immediately replied with a smile.

"Alchemy..."

Li Lingjing felt somewhat helpless upon hearing this.

It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but the Ling Clan only has five Ninth-Grade Alchemists, let alone Eighth-Grade Alchemist, and their skill levels vary greatly. They certainly can't compare to Yao Chen, the number one alchemist in Central Plains, or the Three Great Elders of Danta whose Alchemy are also at their peak.

So it's not that Ling Yao is unwilling to provide her with resources to advance to the Half-Saint level; it's just that the Ling Clan no longer has the resources for that.

"Since that's the case, then I'll take you to Holy Pill City first. Speaking of which, it's been quite a few years since I've properly explored the Central Plains. I might as well take a stroll around there later."

Knowing that she couldn't bring Xiao Yan to the Sound Valley as well, Li Lingjing nodded with some regret, glancing almost imperceptibly at Ling Yanfei beside her.

Xiaofei, it's not that your aunt doesn't want to help you, your aunt really did her best!

With a sigh in her heart, Li Lingjing waved her hand and took out an exquisite, streamlined flying boat from her Storage Ring, then tossed it out.

The small flying boat, no bigger than Li Lingjing's palm, swelled in the wind and transformed into a giant flying boat, hovering in front of everyone.

Li Lingjing smiled and waved to everyone:

"This journey to Central Plains will take quite a while, so let's all board the ship."

After saying that, she took the lead and flew onto the ship. Ling Yanfei looked at Xiao Yan, then at Queen Medusa was openly holding his arm, and Zi Yan was standing very close to him. She pursed her lips, turned around and was about to follow her onto the ship.

Upon seeing this, a strange smile flashed deep in Old Yao's eyes before he flew back into his Storage Ring.

Having more women isn't necessarily a good thing!

Xiao Yan wasn't flustered at all. He casually grabbed Zi Yan, placed her on his shoulder, and with a swift movement, embraced Ling Yanfei's soft and slender waist, then flew onto the Space Ship.

On the ship, Li Lingjing, who was pretending to tinker with the Space Ship's activation device but was actually eager to listen and whose eyes were constantly on Xiao Yan and Ling Yanfei, saw this scene and a smile appeared in her eyes.

"Let's go!"

She didn't expose the two of them, but simply chuckled, activated the Space Ship, and transformed into a silver streak as fast as lightning, heading towards Central Plains!