The World Was So Big, He Wanted to See It

Once everything was on track, Zhao Li said goodbye to his family and left on his own.

The world was so big, and he wanted to see it.

On Danxia Peak, Zhao Li and Lin Lan walked side by side along a dark green path. The autumn wind blew past, and the forest leaves rustled.

After the usual nagging, Lin Lan was the first to speak, his voice full of emotion. He had never expected that in just a few years, that frail boy from the beginning would have grown to such a level, already stepping into the ranks of the Great Qian Empire's absolute peak.

"Little Li, you've grown up too. Ever since you were young, I knew that with your talent, your future achievements would definitely surpass mine. I just didn't expect that day to come so quickly. If you want to go out, then go. Great Qian can't keep you. The Central Plains Continent is the place you should go."

After Lin Lan returned from his travels and saw Zhao Li's progress, he was shocked yet again. But he had also seen that Zhao Li intended to leave.

"It's all because of your painstaking guidance, Teacher, that I was able to have such a smooth path. All these years, I've made you worry."

Thinking of how his teacher had raised him into someone capable, yet he was leaving before he had even had the chance to be filial to the old man, Zhao Li felt somewhat guilty, and his eyes reddened.

"Why are you making that face, as if I'm about to die? Your teacher already has half a foot through the threshold of Dou Zun. I'm still very sturdy. It's not like we can't meet again, so don't get all sappy."

Seeing that Zhao Li was in low spirits, Lin Lan teased him, but the glimmer of moisture at the corners of his eyes revealed his reluctance, pride, and expectation.

Zhao Li saw that his teacher was clearly somewhat worried yet was trying his best to joke, so he said no more.

"Teacher, then I'll be going. Please take care."

Seeing that Zhao Li was about to leave, Lin Lan's brows tightened for a moment, then relaxed. He said softly to Zhao Li, "Little Li, if you pass through White Cloud City in the Central Plains, go to the Yun Family for me and take a look."

Zhao Li paused, nodded, and left. His voice drifted back.

"Teacher, I understand."

"That Yun Family in White Cloud City must be the family of one of Teacher's old friends."

The thought rose in Zhao Li's mind, but he did not dwell on it. In any case, if he had the chance, he would pay them a visit.

Zhao Li knew that when Lin Lan was young, he had also wandered the Central Plains, and had even participated in the Pill Gathering of Holy Pill City. It was just that luck had not been on his side, and he had barely squeezed into the Top Ten. Even so, he had gained some fame, so it was only natural that he had old friends.

In those years, he must have experienced something before returning to this tiny Great Qian Empire. Otherwise, with his status as a Seventh-Grade Alchemist and his strength at Dou Sect Peak, he might even have broken through long ago in the Central Plains.

In the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, layers of forest were dyed in deep colors. Looking down from the sky, spring green mingled with autumn red, creating a riot of color.

Zhao Li did not linger and went straight to the central region.

Having been reborn into this world, Zhao Li possessed an adult mind. He never fit in with those of his age and generation in the clan, and rarely interacted with them. During these years of training outside, however, he had formed quite a deep friendship with Big Xiong.

"Big Xiong, I've come to see you again."

Outside the Cave Dwelling, Zhao Li called out.

"Roaring here so early in the morning and not letting a bear sleep. Do you have any manners?"

Big Xiong's drowsy voice came over, as if he had not yet woken up.

Though he said that, the bear came out to greet him in his own special way—by swinging a bear paw at Zhao Li.

"Good grief, you've gotten stronger again. You're like this every time we meet. Are you even going to let anyone live?"

The bear paw struck Zhao Li, and Big Xiong immediately sensed that Zhao Li had grown stronger again, so he sighed in amazement.

Looking at Big Xiong's bear-like manner, Zhao Li could not help laughing and tossed out a jar of aged wine.

"With such a fine bear life ahead of you, why are you always sleeping? Come on, drink with me."

One man and one bear began drinking just like that, chatting about everything under the sky and bragging. It dispelled much of the sorrow of parting in Zhao Li's heart.

"Old Xiong, I'll have to trouble you with that valley on the outskirts. If you see her, ask where she's headed. Brother, my future is in your hands."

Over the years, Zhao Li had gone many times to Ye Yunsheng's valley, but he had never seen that graceful figure again.

Big Xiong had once seen him constantly running outside and, driven by curiosity, followed him. Later, with his gossiping heart blazing, he pressed Zhao Li with questions and ended up learning what he was talking about.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely keep watch for you. Do you have any other storybooks? Leave me more. Who knows how long you'll be gone this time? Also, be careful out there. If you make something of yourself, don't forget me, Old Xiong."

Big Xiong leaned against a tree trunk, flipping through the novel storybooks Zhao Li had brought him before, and said it casually.

Back when he had been training in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, Zhao Li would occasionally tell stories to fool Big Xiong. Later, after opening the school, he had copied quite a few novels and given some to Big Xiong. This homebody bear had been overjoyed.

"They're all for you. Don't refuse to go out because you're too busy holing up at home when I call you later. I'm off. I'll leave it to you."

Zhao Li took out the package he had prepared, threw it to Big Xiong, and left just like that.

A round moon like a white jade plate hung over the Milky Way. Stars flickered around it, appearing and disappearing now and then, like mischievous children playing hide-and-seek, making the full moon seem not quite so lonely.

Under the moon, the young man sat alone on the rooftop, looking at the deep-black night sky. The bright moon had stars for company, but Zhao Li had no one at his side.

Zhao Li sighed inwardly.

"Five years. How have you been?"

It was hard to leave one's homeland. This was the first time Zhao Li had felt it so deeply.

He did not know how long it would be before he returned from this trip, so Zhao Li went to every place that had left a deep impression in his memories over the past ten-plus years of his life and bid them farewell.

The next day, Zhao Li boarded a flying Magical Beast heading for the border of the Great Qian Empire. He was preparing to leave the Great Qian Empire and first go to the Jia Ma Empire in the Northwestern Region to take a look.

As soon as Zhao Li boarded the Magical Beast, he sensed several gazes sweep toward him, but he paid them no mind.

In the hall, several people gathered together and talked in low voices.

"Did you hear? Heaven Kill, one of the five First-Rate Forces of the Northern Region, discovered some Ruins while carrying out a mission. Now a lot of people are rushing to the Northern Region, hoping to try their luck and get a share of the spoils."

"Brother, do you think this news is accurate? Why would such important information spread, and just happen to reach you and me?"

"Accurate or not, let's head over and take a look first. Maybe there's even a Dou Di inheritance inside the Ruins."

Zhao Li sat on the back of the Magical Beast, perfectly steady. Hearing the people around him talking, his heart stirred, and he glanced at them without making any move.

Before long, the men dispersed, and Zhao Li returned to his own room as well.

Elsewhere, those same men gathered together again. The one who had asked earlier whether the information was accurate spoke up.

"Brother, why didn't that kid react? Do you think he'll take the bait?"

The leader said indifferently, "Young people like that are the easiest to fool. Every one of them thinks they're a child of destiny, that they can casually obtain an inheritance. Maybe right now he's secretly delighted, thinking, 'Who would've thought I could get news of Ruins just by taking a flying Magical Beast? Looks like the inheritance is bound to be mine.' Don't worry. If he doesn't fall for it, then that's just his good luck."

These men were in the same gang. Their leader had the strength of a Dou Ling, while the other four were all Da Dou Shi. They specifically targeted flying Magical Beasts heading to the border and made a living by killing and robbing.

The flying Magical Beast was not very fast, but its flight was steady. Nothing happened along the way, so Zhao Li closed his eyes to rest and prepared to refine some pills to exchange for money. Away from home, without money, one could hardly take a single step.

Once he decided to do it, he did it. With a casual motion, he isolated the room's aura and condensed a flame.

The flame was clear orange-gold, its tongues dancing casually in Zhao Li's palm. It looked warm and cozy, yet no heat could be sensed from it.

This was the Life Flame Zhao Li had condensed after studying the companion flames of Magical Beasts and summarizing countless attempts. Although it was not a Heavenly Flame, it was no worse than a high-grade Beast Flame, and it could grow along with Zhao Li.

Zhao Li controlled the flame as he wished. One Medicinal Ingredient after another was drawn over and refined into pure Medicinal Liquid.

Time passed, and pills formed in Zhao Li's hands.