.
The next morning, sunlight filtered through the slits in the curtains, gently shimmering on Xiao Ling's face.
As he slowly opened his eyes to greet the first rays of morning light, he subconsciously sought the warmth of his surroundings.
However, the moment he turned, he discovered Han Yue was no longer beside him. Only a faint, comforting fragrance remained, as if her scent still lingered in the air, gently caressing his heart.
On the bedsheets, a few strands of silver hair gleamed softly in the morning light, lying quietly, a testament to last night's passion.
Xiao Ling sat up and looked around. Everything in the room was as usual, save for Han Yue's clothes, as if she had never been there.
Shaking his head, a sense of loss washed over him, but it was quickly replaced by a deep longing.
He stood, walked to the window, and opened it, letting the fresh air and warm sunlight fill the room.
At that moment, Xiao Ling's attention was drawn to a note beside the bed. Handwritten in Han Yue's elegant handwriting, it read:
"Xiao Ling,
by the time you read this, I'll have quietly left. I didn't want you to experience the heaviness and reluctance of parting, so I chose this way. Please forgive my leaving without saying goodbye, but please know that my heart is filled with the memories we shared, and they will forever be cherished in my heart.
Please don't worry about me, and take care of yourself, just as you have always taken care of me. I believe that in the near future, we will meet again at some beautiful moment. Then, we can continue our story and share our joys and sorrows.
I look forward to that day. Until then, please remember, no matter where we are, my heart is always with you."
Han Yue
Xiao Ling gently stroked the handwriting on the note, as if he could feel the warmth Han Yue left behind.
"After I've taken all the opportunities in the Northwest Continent, it's time to put my trip to Zhongzhou on the agenda."
He gently returned the letter to its envelope, carefully storing it away.
Then, he stood up, walked out of the room, and greeted the new day.
Xiao Ling stepped out of the room and into the early morning courtyard. The sunlight shone, coating each leaf with a layer of golden light.
Qing Lin was concentrating on teasing his snake pet, which was entwined around his fingertips, appearing both docile and agile.
Xiao Yixian was carefully preparing poison on a stone table. Her technique was skillful, and every drop of the potion was accurate.
Zi Yan took out a pill slowly and gently put it into her mouth. As the pill slowly dissolved, a faint fragrance filled the air, like a flower blooming in spring, which made people feel refreshed and relaxed.
When they saw Xiao Ling walk out of the room alone, Zi Yan's eyes flickered with joy. She put down the pills in her hand and greeted Xiao Ling, "Xiao Ling, good morning."
Xiao Ling smiled and replied, "Good morning, Zi Yan, Qing Lin, and Xian'er."
Xiao Yi Xian's gaze searched behind Xiao Ling, but when she saw no sign of Han Yue, she couldn't help but ask, "Xiao Ling, Han Yue..."
Xiao Ling froze slightly, but quickly regained his composure. "Yes, she's gone..."
The three of them felt a little disappointed after hearing this, but they quickly regained their composure and continued chatting with Xiao Ling.
Xiao Ling sensed the change in their mood and smiled, trying to lighten the mood. "But when we have the chance to go to Zhongzhou, I'm sure we'll see each other again."
Xiao Yi Xian, Zi Yan, and Qing Lin all shared a flicker of longing.
Zhongzhou—a place full of mystery and opportunity.
They were no strangers to it; Yao Chen would often mention the region's history and interesting stories.
Qinglin's eyes gleamed with curiosity. As Yaochen's disciple, she held the title of Young Master of the Xingyun Pavilion, one of the four pavilions in Zhongzhou.
She thought to herself, "I wonder what the Xingyun Pavilion, which Master often speaks of, is like. I really want to visit Zhongzhou soon and see it for myself."
Ziyan's heart was filled with longing. She imagined the vast land of Zhongzhou, home to a teeming variety of magical beasts.
She secretly hoped that perhaps, in those unknown corners, a kindred spirit shared her bloodline might lie hidden.
Little Medical Immortal's eyes gleamed with anticipation. Xiao Ling had once revealed to her that the key to completely eradicating the side effects of the Evil Poison Body lay in finding the magic core of a seventh-tier Sky Poison Scorpion Dragon Beast.
This rare beast was said to inhabit only the Luoshen Gorge region of Zhongzhou.
When the time was right, she would definitely venture there.
Xiao Ling looked at the expectant expressions of the three people, smiled slightly, and said calmly: "Zhongzhou, we must go, but not now."
The little medical fairy blinked and asked curiously: "Since you are not going to Zhongzhou for the time being, Xiao Ling, what are your next plans? Are you going to stay in Canaan Academy to practice?"
Xiao Ling shook his head and replied: "No, I plan to go back to the Jia Ma Empire first to see the situation of my family. After that, I will go to the Luoyan Empire."
Zi Yan raised her eyebrows slightly and asked: "Luoyan Empire? Why go to that place."
Hearing Zi Yan's question, Xiao Ling explained with a smile, "Because I got a map of the Dou Zun ruins before, and the ruins are hidden in a demon beast mountain range in the Luoyan Empire."
"And according to the information recorded on that map, the Dou Zun once subdued a strange fire. After his death, the strange fire is very likely left in the ruins."
After listening to Xiao Ling's explanation, everyone understood. They knew the attraction of the strange fire to Xiao Ling, and swallowing the strange fire could quickly improve Xiao Ling's strength.
Even if he wasn't sure if the strange fire still existed, having received news of it, Xiao Ling would definitely go investigate.
Furthermore, the Dou Zun ruins were inestimable in value; they might contain countless treasures. After all, every Dou Zun master had been a powerful figure in their lifetime, and their legacy must have been immense.
Xiao Ling's gaze slowly wandered across the courtyard, finally resting on the faces of his companions. His voice held a hint of anticipation: "I've explained my plan to you. Now, I'd like to know if you're willing to join me."
As he finished speaking, Qing Lin immediately stood up and said firmly, "Young Master, wherever you go, Qing Lin will follow."
As she spoke, she walked over to Xiao Ling's side and gently took his arm, her eyes filled with trust and reliance on him.
Zi Yan followed closely behind, excited: "I want to go too! I haven't seen Sister Medusa in ages, and I really miss her."
She also moved to Xiao Ling's other side, took his other arm, and pranced around lively, appearing incredibly affectionate.
Seeing Qinglin and Ziyan approaching Xiao Ling so eagerly, Xiao Yixian couldn't help but shake her head slightly, a hint of a helpless smile playing on her lips.
She pondered to herself that since Han Yue and Xiao Ling's relationship became clear, the two girls seemed even more enthusiastic, perhaps hoping to secure a place in Xiao Ling's heart.
Feeling the soft touch on his arms, Xiao Ling smiled slightly, not resisting Qinglin and Ziyan's affectionate gestures.
Then, the three of them simultaneously turned their gazes to Xiao Yixian, questioning her.
Xiao Yixian chuckled softly and replied leisurely, "Since you've all decided to embark on this adventure, I naturally won't stay at Canaan Academy alone. I can also visit the Izumo Empire on this journey. There should be many poisonous creatures I've never encountered, which may help me further enhance my strength."
Xiao Ling smiled slightly, his expression becoming more relaxed.
Although his current abilities made the Northwest Continent virtually impervious to danger and he didn't need to rely on their strength, traveling with his companions was inherently enjoyable.
Immediately, Xiao Ling said, "There is no time to lose, let's pack up and set off soon."
Everyone nodded when they heard this. Zi Yan and Qing Lin also let go of Xiao Ling's arms. The three women turned around to pack their bags and prepare for the upcoming journey.
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Xiao Ling watched his companions pack their bags before heading alone to the backyard, where the two elders, Yao Chen and Yao Tianhuo, slept.
As spirit beings, their mobility was limited, but they felt more at ease with each other than with younger people like Xiao Ling, free from the age gap that might exist with younger generations.
Here, they could let go of their elders' airs, enjoying daily tea and chess games, a truly leisurely existence.
Passing through a lush bamboo forest, Xiao Ling arrived at a secluded courtyard. The tranquil environment, with birdsong and fragrant flowers, was perfect for cultivation.
Within the peaceful courtyard, Yao Chen and Venerable Tianhuo immersed themselves in their chess game and the aroma of tea. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, dappled onto the stone table, adding a touch of liveliness to the quiet afternoon.
As the sound of brisk footsteps gradually became more distinct, the two elders' attention shifted from the chessboard. Their gazes turned to the source of the sound, and when Xiao Ling appeared at the courtyard's entrance, a gentle smile crossed their faces.
"Xiao Ling, you kid, how come you have time to come here? Today is not the day to learn alchemy." Yao Chen put down the chess piece in his hand, with curiosity flashing in his eyes.
Xiao Ling chuckled and walked into the courtyard. His steps revealed a calmness, as if he had already gotten used to the relaxed atmosphere in front of Yao Chen and Skyfire Venerable.
"Yao Lao, although today is not the day to refine medicine, I have more exciting news to tell you." Xiao Ling said, with a smile on his face.
Skyfire Venerable put down the teacup in his hand curiously, "Oh? What news can make you so excited? Tell me."
Xiao Ling cleared his throat and narrated slowly, "I plan to go back to the Jia Ma Empire first to see the situation of my family. After that, I plan to go to the Luoyan Empire, because I got a map of the Dou Zun ruins before..." Yao
Chen's eyes flashed with surprise, and then he smiled and shook his head, "It's you, your luck has always been good. The Dou Zun ruins are a rare treasure land in the northwest continent. Ordinary people will never encounter it in their lifetime. You actually have the opportunity "It's truly rare to meet again."
Xiao Ling gave an embarrassed smile, muttering to himself, "I'm really lucky. I got it from the system." But he remained modest, saying, "Yes, I think I've always had good luck."
Seeing the two seniors' interest in the news about the Dou Zun Ruins, Xiao Ling asked, "Since that's the case, would you be interested in joining me? Would you like to continue enjoying your leisure time at Canaan Academy, or would you like to go on an adventure with me?"
Yao Chen and Skyfire Venerable exchanged glances, each catching a glint of eagerness in the other's eyes.
Yao Chen spoke first, "I've been at Canaan Academy for so long, I'm really feeling a bit bored. With such a great opportunity, there's no reason to miss it."
Skyfire Venerable nodded in agreement, "That's right, and perhaps within the Dou Zun Ruins, we can even gather some materials that will help us refine our bodies."
After all, Xiao Ling had mentioned that the owner of the Dou Zun Ruins was previously an eighth-grade alchemist, and his collection of medicinal herbs must be extraordinary. If they could obtain the ingredients for the Bone-Growing and Blood-Melting Pill from the ruins, successfully refining it would give them hope of regaining their physical bodies.
Receiving Yao Chen and Skyfire Venerable's affirmative response, Xiao Ling wasted no time and said with a smile, "Well, Xian'er and the others should be almost ready. Without further ado, let's go and reunite with them."
Yao Chen and Skyfire Venerable nodded in agreement. With a wave of their hands, two soul-retaining storage rings floated before them. Their figures transformed into streams of light, each glimpsing a single
moment before their respective rings. Xiao Ling's mind moved, and the two rings landed on his fingers. Immediately, he left the backyard.
Returning to the courtyard, he saw Xiao Yixian, Qinglin, and Ziyan chatting, clearly ready and waiting for Xiao Ling.
Seeing Xiao Ling return from the backyard, Qing Lin curiously asked, "Young Master, will Master and Senior Tianhuo be coming along?"
Before Xiao Ling could reply, Yao Chen's voice drifted out, a hint of a smile on his face: "Haha, my dear disciples, I will naturally follow you."
With that, Yao Chen's soul emerged from his storage ring, revealing itself to the crowd
. Not wanting to be left behind, Venerable Tianhuo followed suit, saying, "Of course, this kind of adventure wouldn't be complete without Venerable Tianhuo." As soon as he finished speaking, Venerable Tianhuo's soul also emerged from another storage ring.
Seeing the souls of Yao Chen and Venerable Tianhuo emerge, Xiao Yixian and Qing Lin both showed due respect and bowed slightly.
After chatting with the group for a few moments, Yao Chen and Venerable Tianhuo's souls once again transformed into streams of light and returned to their storage rings.
Xiao Ling glanced around, confirming that everyone was ready to depart. He took a deep breath and said, "Alright, now that everyone is ready, let's set off." A subtle hint of excitement lingered in his voice.
Afterward, Xiao Ling led Qing Lin, Zi Yan, and Xiao Yi Xian through the quiet lanes of Canaan Academy until they arrived at the office of Great Elder Su Qian.
After all, they were leaving the academy, so they felt it was time to let Great Elder Su Qian know.
Xiao Ling knocked gently on the door, and Great Elder Su Qian's gentle voice echoed from within: "Come in."
They pushed the door open and found Great Elder Su Qian seated at a large desk, absorbed in studying an ancient scroll.
Upon seeing Xiao Ling and the others enter, Great Elder Su Qian set down the scroll and gazed at them with a kind gaze.
"Xiao Ling, what are you doing?" Great Elder Su Qian asked with a smile.
Xiao Ling stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and then informed Great Elder Su Qian of their upcoming training trip.
Su Qian didn't seem overly surprised, as if he had anticipated Xiao Ling's departure.
He nodded slightly, a hint of approval in his eyes. "Young man, it's a good thing to have ambitions. Experience can help
people grow rapidly, but it is also full of unknowns and dangers. "Go ahead, but always pay attention to safety." Elder Su Qian warned, his eyes sweeping over Xiao Ling and Xiao Yixian and the others one by one. "Out there, you must unite and help each other. Remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, Canaan Academy will always have your back."
"Thank you for your teachings, Elder. We will keep them in mind. "Xiao Ling responded with a smile.
After a brief farewell, Xiao Ling and the others left the office of Elder Su Qian.
Leaving the space barrier of the inner courtyard and coming to an open lawn, Xiao Ling closed his eyes, and his spiritual power spread like gentle ripples in the air.
Through the special spiritual bond between him and the Split Sky Seat, he began to search for its location.
This ability is the product of the deep relationship between Xiao Ling and the Split Sky Seat. It not only allows Xiao Ling to guide the Split Sky Seat to super-evolution, but also enables Xiao Ling to accurately sense the existence of the Split Sky Seat no matter how far apart the two are.
Xiao Ling concentrated his mind and issued a silent call, which was conveyed to the Split Sky Seat in the distance through the connection deep in his soul.
This call transcended the limitations of sound; it was a unique form of communication between the two.
Since arriving at Canaan Academy, Xiao Ling hadn't always kept Rayquaza with him, instead allowing it to roam freely within the academy.
Students at the academy would occasionally catch glimpses of Rayquaza's imposing presence. They all knew this unique magical beast was Elder Xiao Ling's mount.
Moments later, Rayquaza soared from the sky, its massive body gleaming in the sunlight. In the blink of an eye, it landed beside Xiao Ling and nuzzled his face, expressing its affection and dependence.
Xiao Ling gently stroked Rayquaza's head, then turned and said to the others, "Come on board."
Qing Lin, Zi Yan, and Xiao Yixian nodded, each one leaping onto Rayquaza's back and finding a comfortable position.
At Xiao Ling's command, Rayquaza let out a deafening roar, its body sinking slightly before suddenly leaping upward, soaring into the sky.
Everyone felt a whirlwind of wind as Rayquaza carried them aloft.
Looking down from the sky, the view of Canaan College became smaller and smaller, until it finally became a tiny dot on the ground.
(End of this chapter)