Without hesitation, Xiao Yan removed the ring once more and placed it into Xiao Tian's hand.
This time, the ring did not fly back.
Both Xiao Yan and Xiao Zhan visibly relaxed, letting out a long breath they hadn't realized they were holding.
"Is… is that all?" Xiao Yan asked, still a little unsure.
Xiao Tian nodded. He tied the ring together with the Heavenly Food jade pendant and hung them around his own neck without the slightest hesitation.
Xiao Zhan opened his mouth, clearly wanting to say something, but Xiao Yan shook his head at him. Xiao Tian noticed the exchange.
Truthfully, Xiao Tian knew his actions weren't entirely noble. But he wanted to stand at the peak of this world. Moreover, with Xiao Yan's talent, even without Yao Lao, his future achievements would never be low. If things truly went wrong, he would compensate Xiao Yan one way or another.
"Why hasn't Yan'er's battle qi recovered yet?" Xiao Zhan asked anxiously when he saw no immediate change.
"Clan Leader, there's no need to worry," Xiao Tian said calmly, cupping his fists.
"Brother Yan battle qi was absorbed by the ring. Recovery will take time. However, without further absorption, cultivating again will be much easier than before. At most a week, his strength will stabilize."
Hearing this, both father and son finally relaxed.
Compared to Xiao Yan's future, losing a storage ring and five thousand gold coins was nothing.
"I know this ring is important to you," Xiao Tian added seriously.
"I'll keep it safe. Once it stops absorbing battle qi, I'll return it to you."
He was waiting for Yao Lao to awaken.
Only then would he truly resolve the issue.
Xiao Yan waved his hand, signaling that he didn't mind. The ring did carry emotional value, but sometimes, forgetting the past was better than clinging to it.
Xiao Tian then spoke again, his tone steady.
"Clan Leader, I believe most people outside already know that Brother Yan has lost his battle qi. There's no need to clarify it. Let the outside world believe it hasn't recovered."
"This can be considered a trial."
"Brother Yan cultivation path has been too smooth. External pressure will better stimulate his potential."
Xiao Zhan pondered briefly, then nodded.
"Yan'er, do you agree?"
Xiao Yan didn't hesitate.
"I agree, Father. Let's do as Xiao Tian says."
He too felt that his path had been overly smooth. Obstacles, though painful, were sometimes necessary.
With the decision made, Xiao Zhan summoned a steward and ordered him not to suppress the news of Xiao Yan's loss of battle qi. The steward accepted the order and left.
Among everyone in the Xiao family, only three people knew the truth.
Xiao Zhan deliberately kept the truth from the three elders. One of them could not be trusted—but such things were better left unsaid. Revealing too much too early would disturb the natural flow of this world, making the future unpredictable.
And unpredictability was the greatest danger.
Leaving the room, Xiao Tian and Xiao Yan walked side by side through the Xiao family compound.
"Thank you," Xiao Yan said sincerely. "For everything."
Xiao Tian smiled and waved it off.
"No need for formalities. We come from the same world—we should help each other. And don't call me 'Brother Tian.' Just call me Xiao Tian. I'll call you Xiao Yan."
"Alright," Xiao Yan said with a smile.
As they walked, disciples greeted Xiao Yan respectfully. But once he passed, whispers followed behind him—mockery, pity, speculation.
Xiao Yan paid them no mind.
Only he knew the truth.
At noon, Xiao Tian was assigned a new residence by Xiao Zhan. Xiao Yan's residence was also changed—to the very place he would have lived in after losing all his battle qi.
Xiao Zhan was meticulous to the extreme.
But that was good.
Everything was proceeding along the correct trajectory.
In the afternoon, both stayed in their rooms to cultivate. Their residences were next to each other—close enough to notice any disturbance immediately.
Xiao Tian looked around his new room and felt genuine satisfaction. It was far better than the weed-filled storage room from before.
Just then—
"Friendly reminder to the host: the system will enter dormancy for three years."
Xiao Ling'er's voice echoed in his mind.
Xiao Tian froze.
"What? Why three years?" he asked, summoning the panel in confusion.
"To maintain the stability of the Dou Qi Continent storyline and avoid unnecessary deviations, the system and host will enter dormancy for three years," Xiao Ling'er explained calmly.
"Afterward, the system will awaken and resume guidance in accordance with the original plot."
"In real terms, three years will pass in an instant for the host."
Xiao Tian understood.
His arrival had already altered events that should not have happened yet. This forced correction was necessary.
The next major event… would be the annulment of the engagement.
What would happen then?
Xiao Tian smiled faintly.
"Alright," he said softly. "Then let's sleep."
Without hesitation, he chose deep slumber.
A wave of exhaustion swept over him, and his eyes slowly closed.
Time passed.
Three years vanished like a dream.
Xiao Tian opened his eyes.
The world before him felt familiar, yet subtly different. The buildings were older, the air heavier.
"Friendly reminder: three years later—Xiao Yan remains at the third level of Dou Qi. The host remains at the third level of Dou Qi."
"To ensure stability, all memories of the Dou Qi Continent have been adjusted."
"In the revised history: Xiao Yan was on the verge of death three years ago. The host intervened and preserved his cultivation at the third level of Dou Qi. Out of gratitude, Xiao Zhan allowed the host to remain by Xiao Yan's side."
Xiao Tian was silent for a moment.
If things had followed normal progression, both he and Xiao Yan might already be Dou Zhes—or even Dou shi.
But this was fine.
Because now—
The real story was about to begin.