The past is now past, the future is too far away.

The past is now past, the future is too far away.

Emperor Chu District, with the skies darkening above, Chu Tianjiao glanced at the encroaching night and said, "It's getting late. Let's call it a day. I believe tomorrow's competition will be even more exciting."

With his words, Chu Tianjiao rose from his seat. Despite his relatively young age, he exuded a mature aura that belied his years. Growing up in the Royal Clan exposed him to political intricacies and cunning from an early age, naturally fostering a sense of maturity not found in his peers.

As Chu Tianjiao stood, the other esteemed guests rose too, raising their cups in a toast to honor him. They respectfully drank in his name before he departed, acknowledging the farewells from the spectators surrounding him with a smile.

Qin Wentian watched Chu Tianjiao's departing figure and couldn't help but notice that he always stood half a step behind those gathered around Luo Qianqiu. This subtlety might go unnoticed by the crowd, but Qin Wentian, privy to the backgrounds of those accompanying Luo Qianqiu, couldn't help but connect the dots.

The Nine Mystical Palace, operating behind the scenes, was the true power supporting not only the Chu Country but also the Snowcloud Country and ten other nations. While only a few of their representatives attended the event in Chu, they held positions and statuses equivalent to Chu's future emperor. Chu Tianjiao couldn't afford to offend any of them.

Qin Wentian understood the source of the Nine Mystical Palace's immense influence. A sect standing above an empire could only be attributed to one thing: strength and power.

As cultivators advanced, the gulf between the early and next realms grew wider. In Chu, numerous cultivators reached the Arterial Circulation Realm, but only a small minority successfully crossed the significant threshold to reach the Yuanfu Realm.

Those who achieved this, however, usually left Chu, as the nation couldn't contain their burgeoning potential. Most chose to join the Nine Mystical Palace or similar-tiered powers.

"Lost in thought, are we?" Suddenly, Mu Rou appeared by Qin Wentian's side. Observing him gazing at the horizon, she couldn't help but smile and ask.

"Nothing. You seem to be in a good mood," Qin Wentian replied, his face lighting up upon seeing Mu Rou.

"I still haven't properly thanked you. I only now realize what an extraordinary figure Senior Gongyang is. A past Jun Lin Banquet champion with profound accomplishments in Divine Inscriptions. Thanks to your painting, Senior Gongyang made me a promise, which proved to be of immense help," Mu Rou explained, hinting at something more significant but leaving the details unspoken. Qin Wentian understood what she meant.

"It was just a birthday gift; don't mention it. After all, aren't we friends?" Qin Wentian said with a smile, appreciating the warmth Mu Rou's presence brought.

"What about my birthday? Will you give me a present too?" A mischievous voice interrupted their conversation. Qin Wentian turned and saw Mo Qingcheng's silhouette approaching.

Her stunning countenance adorned with a smile resembled pure sunlight, brightening his heart.

"What's your wish?" Qin Wentian asked with a smile.

"Hmm, I need to think this over carefully. A gift from a third-level Divine Inscriptionist Grandmaster is a rare opportunity; I mustn't squander it," Mo Qingcheng replied, appearing adorably serious.

Watching from a distance, the remaining crowd, who hadn't yet dispersed, felt a pang of envy. Why did this guy have such incredible luck with women?

Luo Huan, Qin Yao, Mu Rou – they were all considered top-class beauties. On top of that, Mo Qingcheng, Chu's number one beauty, had such a close relationship with Qin Wentian. How could this not stoke envy and jealousy in others' hearts?

"Don't make me regret your request," Qin Wentian said with a helpless shrug as he gazed at Mo Qingcheng.

"Don't worry; just think of it as paying back your debt to me first, okay?" Mo Qingcheng laughed. "Keep working hard tomorrow—I'm rooting for you."

With that, Mo Qingcheng departed, a smile gracing her face. Mu Rou, standing beside Qin Wentian, couldn't help but feel a strange emotion as she watched Mo Qingcheng walk away. Though she considered herself beautiful, she knew she couldn't compare to Mo Qingcheng.

In the spectator stands, Autumn Snow's gaze remained fixed on the youth standing in the distance. Her expression was a complex mix of emotions.

Once, this youth had been her fiancé, but she had looked down on him. Now, surrounded by countless peerless beauties, the gap between her and them seemed insurmountable based on talent and strength alone.

That night outside the Bai residence, the youth's words, filled with unwavering determination, had gradually become a reality.

"Autumn Snow, let's go," Bai Qingsong whispered. Autumn Snow nodded, and the two of them left.

While many had already departed, intending to rest for the night, some chose to stay, waiting for the competition to resume the following day.

"Boss, want to take a walk?" Fan Le squinted at Qin Wentian. "Heaven's Wonder is offering odds of 1:400 if you win. How about we bet a few Yuan Meteor Stones? Your chances are slim, of course, but what if you defy the odds and emerge victorious?"

"That high?" Qin Wentian was surprised. Heaven's Wonder clearly didn't hold him in high regard, but with powerhouses like Luo Qianqiu and Sikong Mingyue, it was only natural. Although he entered the Jun Lin Banquet with the aim of claiming the top spot, he couldn't be certain of his victory.

"They're underestimating you," Fatty commented, as if trying to ignite Qin Wentian's spirit.

Qin Wentian glanced at Fan Le. "You go ahead. I need to cultivate."

With that, he bid farewell to those around him and mounted Little Rascal before speeding away. Little Rascal moved like a white blur, racing at the speed of a tornado.

Out on the outskirts of the Royal Capital stood Bamboo Lodge, nestled against the towering peak of the Dark Forest. A serene river flowed nearby, creating a peaceful ambiance. Here, an elderly man with a mane of snow-white hair sat, fishing by the riverside. The gentle murmur of the water seemed to harmonize with the tranquil atmosphere.

"Why have you come here?" The old man spoke softly, having already sensed Qin Wentian's approach from behind.

"The first day of the Jun Lin Banquet just ended. I came to visit you, Senior, to check if you're doing well since the day we last met," Qin Wentian replied as he took a seat beside Gongyang Hong. It had been a considerable amount of time since their last encounter when Gongyang Hong's hair had turned white overnight. Naturally, Qin Wentian felt concerned about his well-being.

"You indeed have a caring heart," Gongyang Hong remarked, a hint of a smile in his eyes. Compared to the day Qin Wentian had seen him in the Display Hall of the Royal Academy, the old man had visibly aged.

"The Jun Lin Banquet is the grandest event in the Chu Country. Instead of coming here, you should focus on your cultivation and strive to secure a spot in the top nine rankings. Not only will you reap many rewards, but if you somehow become the champion, you'll also be able to ascend to the seventh level of the Heavenly Star Pavilion," Gongyang Hong advised calmly. Though he had long stopped paying attention to such events, his formative years had been spent in Chu, and he naturally remained knowledgeable about many things.

"One night spent here is equivalent to one night spent cultivating elsewhere," Qin Wentian replied with a smile. "I recall that you once warned me. If I encounter someone who can move my heart, I should take the initiative and never miss the opportunity. Since you have regrets about the past, why haven't you tried to make amends?"

"Make amends? That's impossible," Gongyang Hong shook his head.

"How would you know if you never tried? Even if making amends is impossible, are you content with the way things are now? This doesn't seem to align with the logic behind the warnings you gave me. You didn't want me to have any regrets, right?" Qin Wentian continued to smile.

Gongyang Hong slowly turned to face Qin Wentian. Seeing the radiant smile on the young man's face, his heart trembled slightly.

Years ago, he had been like Qin Wentian—an elegant and graceful youth. But now, the difference between him being alive and dead was negligible.

Time was the cruelest force in the world.

Qin Wentian's gaze shifted, and the radiance of his smile intensified. "Is it possible that you, Senior, yearn for a return to your youthful days? If you had the chance, wouldn't you choose to live a life free of regrets? But in reality, for cultivators, we can maintain our youth and even reverse the aging process. With your cultivation base, you aren't considered old. If you lament the regrets of your past, won't you also regret not taking action today, a thousand years from now?"

Speaking in a hushed tone, Qin Wentian shifted his gaze to the majestic mountain peak in the distance. "How many people regret and mourn the passage of time, yet how many of them genuinely want to atone for their mistakes? If they truly desire redemption, why don't they make the most of the present? The past is gone, the future is distant, but the present is all that matters."

"The past is gone, the future is distant, but the present is all that matters."

Qin Wentian's words stirred profound emotions within Gongyang Hong's heart. How could such a young man articulate such wisdom?

A serene silence enveloped them, with only the gentle murmur of flowing water breaking the stillness. The atmosphere was remarkably tranquil and harmonious.

"In the end, I'm still no match for this youth," Gongyang Hong muttered to himself as he rose from his seat. Slowly, he made his way back to the lodge, his heart embroiled in a tumultuous struggle.

Could he still make amends for the chance he had missed all those years ago?

Qin Wentian didn't follow him. Gongyang Hong needed to untangle the knot in his heart on his own. Qin Wentian strongly believed that, with Gongyang Hong's current cultivation, he had everything he could wish for. Why couldn't he cherish what he had and pursue the things he desired? Even if he failed in his attempts to make up for past regrets, he would at least have tried.

Withdrawing several Yuan Meteor Stones from his spatial ring, Qin Wentian closed his eyes and began to cultivate, entering into his dreamscape.

As the night deepened, the constellations in the sky continued to shine brightly. Beams of Astral Light descended, bathing the young man's body. On the rooftop of the bamboo lodge, Gongyang Hong sat, bathed in starlight. His gaze was fixed on the youth sitting by the river. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

The young man before him surpassed Gongyang Hong's past self many times over. Such a remarkable young individual—how could anyone not admire him?

"After the conclusion of the Jun Lin Banquet, I will leave Chu. I wonder if your name will shake the world?" Gongyang Hong smiled, his heart filled with hope. In this moment, it felt as though he had shed the burdens of his past, leaving him utterly relaxed.