Everything was on the right track. After saying goodbye to his family, Zhao Li left alone.
The world was so big, he wanted to see it.
At Danxia Peak, Zhao Li and Lin Lan walked side-by-side on a path covered in green moss. The autumn wind blew, rustling the leaves in the forest.
After their usual chatter, Lin Lan spoke first, full of emotion. He hadn't expected that after just a few years, the frail young man he'd known initially had grown to such an extent, already entering the ranks of the Great Qian's peak experts.
"Little Li, you've grown up. I've known since you were young that with your talent, you would surely surpass me in the future. I just didn't expect this day to come so quickly. If you want to go out, then go. This Great Qian cannot hold you. The Central Plains continent is where you need to be."
After Lin Lan returned from his travels and saw Zhao Li's progress, he was shocked yet again. However, he also saw Zhao Li's intention to leave.
"It's all thanks to Master's hard work cultivating me that I could be so successful. You've worried about me all these years."
Thinking that his master had nurtured him into someone capable, yet he was leaving before he could repay his elder, Zhao Li felt a pang of guilt in his heart, and his eyes welled up.
"Why do you have that expression, like I'm about to die? Your master here has one foot already in the threshold of the Dou Venerate realm, and I'm still very robust. It's not like we can't see each other again. Don't be so sentimental."
Lin Lan saw that Zhao Li was a bit down and teased him, but the moisture in the corners of his eyes revealed his reluctance, pride, and anticipation.
Seeing his master clearly worried but trying hard to joke, Zhao Li didn't say anything more.
"Master, then I'll be going. Please take care."
Seeing that Zhao Li was about to leave, Lin Lan furrowed his brow for a moment, then relaxed it and said softly to Zhao Li.
"Little Li, if you pass through White Cloud City in the Central Plains, do me a favor and visit the Yun Family."
Zhao Li paused, nodded, and then left. His voice drifted back.
"Master, I understand."
That Yun Family in White Cloud City must be the family of Master's old friend.
A thought flashed through Zhao Li's mind, but he didn't dwell on it. In any case, he would visit if he had the chance.
Zhao Li knew that Lin Lan had also ventured into the Central Plains when he was young, even participating in the Pill Convention in Holy Pill City. However, due to bad luck, he had only just managed to squeeze into the top ten, gaining some reputation. It was perfectly normal for him to have old friends.
In those years, he must have experienced something that led him to return to this small Great Qian Empire. Otherwise, with his status as a Seventh-Grade Alchemist and peak Dou Sect strength, he might have broken through much earlier in the Central Plains.
In the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, the layers of forest were dyed in color. Looking down from the sky, spring green and autumn red mingled, creating a vibrant tapestry.
Zhao Li didn't linger and went directly to the central area.
Having been reborn in this world, Zhao Li possessed an adult mindset and was out of sync with his peers in the clan, rarely interacting with them. In these years of training outside, he had formed a deep friendship with Big Xiong.
"Big Xiong, I've come to see you again."
Outside the cave, Zhao Li called out.
"Howling here early in the morning, not letting a bear sleep, are you polite?"
Big Xiong's groggy voice came, sounding like he hadn't woken up yet.
Despite saying that, the bear welcomed him in its own special way – by swatting a bear paw towards Zhao Li.
"Good heavens, you've gotten stronger again! It's like this every time we meet. Are you even letting people live?"
The bear paw landed on Zhao Li, and Big Xiong immediately felt that Zhao Li was stronger again, exclaiming with emotion.
Looking at Big Xiong's bearish appearance, Zhao Li couldn't help but laugh and threw out a jar of old wine.
"With such a great bear life, why are you always sleeping? Come, drink with me."
One person and one bear drank together like this, chatting about everything and bragging, which dispersed a lot of the sadness of Departure in Zhao Li's heart.
"Old Xiong, that valley on the outskirts, I'll have to trouble you with it. If you see her, ask about her whereabouts. My future is in your hands, brother."
Over the years, Zhao Li had gone to Ye Yunsheng's valley many times but had never seen that graceful figure.
Big Xiong used to see him running outside often, and driven by curiosity, he followed. Later, his gossip heart burned, and after pressing him, he learned what Zhao Li was talking about.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely guard it for you. Do you have any other storybooks? Leave me more. Who knows how long you'll be gone this time. Also, be careful outside. If you make a name for yourself, don't forget about old Xiong here."
Big Xiong leaned against a tree trunk, flipping through the novels and storybooks Zhao Li had brought him before, speaking casually.
In the past, while cultivating in the Myriad Beast Mountain Range, Zhao Li would occasionally tell stories to trick Big Xiong. Later, when he started the school, he copied many novels and gave some to Big Xiong, which made the homebody bear very happy.
"They're all for you. Just don't be calling you later and you're still staying home and don't want to go out. I'm leaving, I'm counting on you."
Zhao Li took out the prepared package, threw it to Big Xiong, and left just like that.
A full moon, like a white jade plate, hung in the celestial river. The surrounding stars flickered, appearing and disappearing, like mischievous children playing hide-and-seek, making the full moon seem less 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 was alone.
Zhao Li sighed in his heart.
It's been five years. How have you been?
It was hard to leave one's homeland; this was the first time Zhao Li had felt this so deeply.
He didn't know how long it would be before he returned. Zhao Li had visited every place that had left a deep impression on him in his life over the past decade or so, saying goodbye.
The next day, Zhao Li boarded a Flying Magical Beast heading towards 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 got on the Magical Beast, he noticed several gazes sweeping over him but didn't pay them any mind.
In the hall, several people were gathered together, talking in low voices.
"Did you hear? Heaven Kill, one of the five top-tier powers in the Northern Region, found a ruin while on a mission. Now lots of people are rushing to the Northern Region, hoping to try their luck and get a piece of the pie."
"Brother, do you think this news is accurate? Why would such important news spread and just happen to reach us?"
"Accurate or not, let's go take a look first. Maybe there's even a Dou Di legacy inside the ruin."
Zhao Li was very stable on the back of the Flying Magical Beast. Hearing the people around him talking, his heart stirred, and he glanced at the few people, but made no move.
Soon, the few people dispersed, and Zhao Li also returned to his own room.
On the other side, those few people gathered again. The person who had previously asked if the news was accurate spoke.
"Brother, why didn't that kid react? Will he take the bait?"
The leader said indifferently.
"These young people are the easiest to fool. Every one of them thinks they are destined and can easily obtain a legacy. Maybe he's secretly pleased right now, thinking, 'I can't believe I got news of a ruin just by taking a Flying Magical Beast. It seems the legacy is mine for the taking,' Just relax. If he doesn't fall for it, then consider it his good luck."
These few people were a group. The leader was a Dou Spirit, and the other four were all Great Dou Masters. They specifically targeted these Flying Magical Beasts heading to the border, engaging in murder and arson.
The Flying Magical Beast wasn't very fast, but it was stable in flight. Nothing happened on the way. Zhao Li closed his eyes to rest, preparing to refine some Pills to exchange for money. When traveling, it's hard to get anywhere without money.
He decided to do it right away. He casually sealed off the room's aura and condensed a Flame.
This Flame was clear and orange-gold, the flame tips dancing freely in Zhao Li's palm. It looked warm, but no temperature could be felt.
This was Zhao Li's Life Flame, condensed after countless attempts and drawing inspiration from the companion Flames of Magical Beasts. Although it wasn't a Heavenly Flame, it was no worse than a high-grade Beast Flame, and it could grow with Zhao Li.
Zhao Li controlled the Flame as he pleased. Medicinal Ingredients were drawn over one by one and refined into pure Medicinal Liquid.
Time passed, and Pills condensed in Zhao Li's hands.
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