The next day.
After instructing Xiao Yi Xian and the others, Xiao Yan left Burning Flame Valley alone and flew swiftly towards the northwest. Li Bingrui wanted to follow, but was stopped by Lian'er. Surprisingly, after spending several days together, Li Bingrui showed some tenderness towards Lian'er. When the two were together, a rare smile could be seen on Li Bingrui's perpetually cold face.
Compared to the past, Xiao Yan's journey to the southwestern border was much faster this time. In just a few days, Xiao Yan's figure appeared in Liu Cang City, which they had passed through on their way to the Far Southern Land. After a brief reunion with the old man of the Liu Clan, he continued to rush towards the southwestern border. This time, Xiao Yan's destination was the Ancient Wilderness City.
Watching Xiao Yan's departing figure, Liu Ya felt a strange pang of regret in his cloudy old eyes. He hadn't taken the opportunity to befriend him back then. Who could have imagined that in just three short years, Xiao Yan would have grown to such a level, even establishing a connection with the former strongest force in the Far Southern Land, the Burning Flame Valley? Yes, the former. Now, under the combined suppression of the two major sects, the Burning Flame Valley's foundation was far weaker than before, and it had clearly fallen from its position as the overlord of the Far Southern Land.
However, even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, and moreover, the two sects have not yet fought a decisive battle with Burning Flame Valley, and everything is still unknown. Therefore, it is not too late to choose sides now.
" Changsheng, it seems it's time for my Liu Clan to make a choice."
After Xiao Yan left Liu Cang City, within just a few hours, that once familiar Old Gu city reappeared in his mind's sight.
"We've finally arrived at the ancient, Ancient Wilderness City!"
Upon arriving outside the Ancient Wilderness City, those familiar faces involuntarily surfaced in Xiao Yan's mind. Now, thinking back, he felt a sense of things having changed.
A moment later, Xiao Yan stood outside the Alchemist Guild. Although he hadn't entered, with his immense Spiritual Strength, he could clearly sense two extremely familiar auras—those of Gu Li Xiao Yan Chi Lin.
After many years, these two have reached the Origin Transformation Realm in cultivation, which is quite formidable in the southwestern border region. Of course, their alchemy skills, which they are so proud of, have also improved. Now, these two have become Fourth-Tier Alchemist. There are no more disputes in the city. Over the years, the Alchemist Guild has been managed in an orderly manner. With just a simple investigation by Xiao Yan, there are still two Fourth-Tier Alchemist in the guild, and quite a few Third-Tier Alchemist as well. It can be said that the Alchemist Guild is now much more prosperous than it was back then!
As Xiao Yan sensed their presence within the guild, Gu Li and Chi Lin also detected something similar. Of course, if Xiao Yan had deliberately concealed it, they wouldn't have been able to detect it, but there was no need for that.
"I was unaware of which esteemed senior has Alchemist Guild with their presence. I am deeply sorry for my late arrival!"
Immediately afterward, outside the guild, on the street, several figures appeared one after another in front of Xiao Yan. As soon as they appeared, they bowed respectfully to the person in front of them. This scene caused all the pedestrians on the street to turn their heads. These people who appeared on the street at this moment were usually rare figures in the Alchemist Guild, but they did not expect to appear together at this moment and adopt such a humble posture. This caused everyone's attention to be focused on the young man in black robes standing in front of them in an instant.
"Hehe, presidents, it's been many years. How have you been?"
Immediately, a clear, somewhat familiar laugh reached the ears of Gu Li and the other person. The sound startled them at first, but then, deep in their minds, an unforgettable figure quietly emerged. At the same time, the two presidents trembled slightly as they slowly raised their heads, and then, a familiar face slowly merged with the figure that had appeared in their minds.
"You... you are... Xiao..."
" Xiao Yan!"
"President Gu Li, how have you been these past few years?"
Xiao Yan smiled warmly, took two steps forward, and with a gentle wave of his sleeve, the people in front of him were helped up by an invisible force. Instantly, the expressions in the eyes of the people present changed, and the eyes of the two Fourth-Tier Alchemist behind him were filled with surprise.
"Haha, good, good, everything is good!"
"But you, you haven't come back to visit us since you left. We thought you'd forgotten about these two old bones."
Upon seeing that the person before them was Xiao Yan, the two elders couldn't help but show expressions of surprise and joy. Their emotions became even more excited as they spoke. The two alchemists behind them were also shocked when they saw the young-looking Xiao Yan. They had often heard the two Alchemist Guild leaders mention that the Xiao Yan who was now famous Southern Region was once their chief alchemist. They had been somewhat skeptical, but now that they saw him, they couldn't help but have no doubts left.
Hearing what the two people in front of him said, Xiao Yan could only smile awkwardly. To be honest, since returning to the Southern Region, he had been constantly entangled in various matters and had found it difficult to find time. Even now, his return to the Ancient Wilderness City was still for the Battle between the Burning Flame Valley and the two sects, a point that Xiao Yan could not deny.
After catching up, the two elders originally wanted to invite Xiao Yan into the guild for a detailed discussion, but Xiao Yan refused. When they saw the helpless look on Xiao Yan's face, they felt relieved. After all, they had heard a lot about the Burning Flame Valley. Since they were not involved, they naturally could not understand the meaning behind it. If they forced him, it would not be good for them.
After bidding farewell to the two elders, Xiao Yan went to the Cloud-Hidden Pavilion to meet Elder Xuan. After a brief reunion, Xiao Yan finally arrived at his final destination on this trip to the Ancient Wilderness City: the small courtyard in the south of the city.
This was once where Luo Ao temporarily stayed. Although Luo Ao has now returned to the Central Region, there are still some people who remain here, or rather, in another world.
The Ginseng Spirit Clan!
Although Luo Ao left, he couldn't take them with him. The Ginseng Spirit Clan had been living in seclusion for many years and wouldn't easily return to the Central Region.
With the jade token in his hand, Xiao Yan once again opened the entrance to the Ginseng Spirit Realm, and then stepped inside.
Within this vast world, when a certain void suddenly distorted, the Qing Mu deep in the mountains and forests instantly sensed the change.
When Luo Ao left, he clearly told him the approximate time of his next return, but now it seems far too early. Moreover, the aura he exudes is clearly not that of the Luo Ao he knows. So, could it be...?
"Enemy attack?!"
Aside from Luo Ao possessing a special jade token that allows entry into the Ginseng Spirit Realm, no one else can enter his Ginseng Spirit Realm so easily. Therefore, the only other way is to forcefully intervene, which means that a powerful figure from the outside world has discovered the location of his Ginseng Spirit Clan and intends to invade!
Startled, Qing Mu's expression changed drastically. He immediately sent out a signal, and then, from the Ginseng Spirit Realm, several beams of light shot into the sky. Counting them, there were thirty-two pillars of light standing between heaven and earth. Those were the Thirty-Two Spirit Guards of the Ginseng Spirit Clan!
However, as Qing Mu and the Thirty-Two Spirit Guards stood at the entrance where the energy fluctuations were occurring, a young man dressed in black robes slowly appeared amidst their tense expressions.
"Uh... it's been so long since we've all seen each other, is this really necessary?"
Seeing the large group of angry eyes shooting towards him, Xiao Yan's figure, which had just appeared, froze instantly, and he couldn't help but feel a little scared. Then he gave an awkward smile and put on an innocent expression. This scene, however, made all the Ginseng Spirit Clan present instantly petrify.