Chapter 164: Returning to the Star Realm

"Then why not me, Xiao Yan?"

The serene silence of the rear mountain rang with Xiao Yan's resolute voice. For a moment, even Yao Lao was stirred by his disciple's declaration. Gazing at his pupil, now renewed with purpose, the old man's previously dejected heart gradually regained its strength.

On the grassy slope behind them, the sleeping Xiao Xun'er stirred slightly. A soft smile lifted the corners of her lips, sweet contentment radiating from her serene expression.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning.

"Xiao Yan-gege, are you leaving today?"

At the gates of Wu Tan City, Xiao Yan was fully equipped and ready to set out. A night of contemplation had led him to a decision—he would walk his own path.

Even though those pills could elevate him to the rank of Dou Saint instantly, without side effects, Xiao Yan could not overcome the obstacle in his heart.

If he truly ingested them, he knew he would forever carry a shadow in his cultivation—a seed of doubt, a heart demon.

No matter how tempting it was to gain strength through pills, Xiao Yan still preferred the power earned by his own hands. That kind of strength felt real—solid.

"Mm. If I don't work harder, how will I ever catch up to you?"

He gently patted Xiao Xun'er's head. Then, gazing at her with deep affection, he leaned forward. A soft press of lips brushed hers as a shy flush colored her cheeks. Smiling faintly, Xiao Yan turned, said his farewells, and strode away.

"Elder Li, I'll trouble you."

Blushing, Xiao Xun'er watched his figure recede into the horizon. Standing beside her, the old man nodded silently. With a tap of his foot, he vanished—leaving in secret to protect Xiao Yan from the shadows.

"Let's return."

As Xiao Yan completely disappeared into the sky, Xiao Xun'er murmured softly, then turned with her entourage and departed.

And in that moment, a feeling bloomed within her heart—she wouldn't have to wait long before seeing her Brother Xiao Yan again.

Central Plains – Heavenly Star Mountain Range – Star Realm.

Buzz...

The air shimmered as space rippled faintly. High above the Star Realm, a spatial rift tore open, forming a portal. Several figures stepped forth from within.

"Phew... Finally, we're back."

The first out was a handsome young man. Taking a deep breath of the Star Realm's crisp air, his eyes swept across the surroundings.

When the portal had opened, there had been a fair number of disciples from the Titled Palace gathered nearby. But upon seeing the handsome figure appear, nearly a third of the male disciples vanished in an instant.

They bolted like startled rabbits, muttering under their breath:

"He's back already? Damn…"

"You're blocking the path!"

A sharp voice rang out.

Before the pretty boy could react, a boot landed square on his backside. He was sent sprawling by Spear Venerate, who had emerged behind him.

What was he thinking, standing right at the portal exit?

Following Spear Venerate, Xiao Xun'er stepped into the Star Realm. She barely had time to glance around when a figure zipped over from midair.

"Senior Sister! The Palace Master seeks your audience—please go to the Star Tree!"

With a respectful bow, the messenger relayed the command. Xiao Xun'er nodded and looked toward the towering tree beyond the distant high tower.

Whoosh!

In the blink of an eye, she took off, flying straight toward the ancient tree. Spear Venerate and the others watched enviously before quickly turning to attend their own duties.

Xiao Xun'er soared gracefully through the air, arriving shortly thereafter at the base of the great tree.

Beneath its massive trunk lay a slumbering Violet-Gold Lion King, its eyes closed in rest. Each breath it drew in and out exhaled waves of vital blood energy, shaking the surrounding void with its sheer force.

Xiao Xun'er glanced at the massive beast and shook her head.

"Getting lazier by the day… though your cultivation is becoming more stable."

Her gaze lifted.

High above, seated cross-legged on a branch of the towering Azurewood Tree, a white-robed figure meditated silently. Though seated, he seemed to merge with the surrounding space—completely still, yet boundlessly vast.

"Teacher."

Xiao Xun'er flew up to him, bowed respectfully. The man was none other than Chen Xiaoming.

"You're back."

Chen Xiaoming slowly opened his eyes and stretched lazily. Before his arms even dropped, Xiao Xun'er had already appeared behind him, gently massaging his shoulders like a devoted disciple.

"Hmm? Why the sudden affection?"

Chen Xiaoming paused mid-stretch. His disciple was never this attentive without a reason. What was she up to?

"Speak. What do you want?"

Lowering his arm, he continued to enjoy the massage. Her hands were surprisingly practiced. Clearly a new skill she had picked up—and judging by her proficiency, she'd been using it often.

He didn't even need to ask who she'd been practicing on.

"Teacher, I went to see Xiao Yan-gege."

Chen Xiaoming nodded—he'd known that much. But it was clear this was just the lead-up.

"And... I gave him the pills you gave me."

Chen Xiaoming waved his hand nonchalantly.

"It's fine. Just a few pills. If you gave them, so be it."

A few ninth-grade golden pills—nothing he couldn't refine again. He still had plenty of ingredients lying around.

"No, Teacher. He... refused them. He didn't take them."

"...Hmm?"

Now that piqued Chen Xiaoming's interest.

Xiao Yan refused?

If he remembered correctly, Xiao Yan was only at the level of a Dou Grandmaster. The pills he had prepared could easily propel him to Dou Saint in one go.

To resist such temptation…

"He said he wants to walk his own path."

Xiao Xun'er said proudly, as if the one choosing such a noble path were herself.

Chen Xiaoming shook his head and let out a breath.

"Typical... A main character of a lesser world really is determined to be different. Passing up a gift-wrapped opportunity?"

If it were him, Chen Xiaoming wouldn't have hesitated. He'd take the pills, the treasures, the cheat codes—whatever made life easier.

Pay to win? Yes, please.

Pop pills, activate buffs, break realms. Far better than years of hard labor.

Don't talk to him about unstable foundations. He'd never bought into that theory.

In a small-scale Dou Qi system that didn't even touch on the Dao, and relied purely on energy manipulation—what kind of "foundation" were they even talking about?

Boosting energy a billionfold wouldn't block future comprehension of the Great Dao, or inhibit absorbing Chaos Energy, would it?

Of course, he was a walking cheat code.

If unstable foundations were a problem? One Immortal Pill would fix it.

If one wasn't enough? Then ten.

Still not enough? Just throw in a Chaos Pill.

So long as the path of cultivation continued, the answer was always:

More pills. No fear.

Wait—come to think of it, he didn't even need pills. His cultivation advanced just from breathing.

As he thought about his absurd progress, Chen Xiaoming inhaled deeply, listening to the rising chime of added experience points in his ears—and felt a twinge of guilt.

"Indeed, the suffering of cheating one's way to power... I'll bear it alone."

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