Chapter 71: Destined to Wander Far

  They were immersed in the trials of the psychedelic forest, forgetting the outside world, and the outside world was also indifferent to them. The disaster of the desolate city cemetery occurred like a sword blade storm that formed at that time, sweeping across the three major empires of Bian Nan with fierce momentum. Under the sword blade storm, only a few members of the royal family survived, and many notorious mercenaries were reduced to ruins in an instant, paying a heavy price.

  It's no longer a graveyard of city ruins, but a warrior's graveyard!

  The tragic death of the Six Great Martial Ancestors was an unimaginable blow to their respective forces, even affecting the very survival of these powers.

  "Akatsuki" quickly rose to the top of the list of notorious outlaws, with a massive manhunt launched by the entire mercenary world. However, considering their strength and the power of the "Seven Killings Sword", there was no longer such a frantic pursuit as before. As the main culprit behind this disaster, the "Dihuang" auction house continued to offer a high bounty, but few dared to try.

  The disaster of the abandoned city had the most profound impact on the three major empires. Initially, in order to search for treasures, princes from various countries participated, hoping to gain something and increase their chances of competing for the throne. However, who would have thought that the treasure hunt turned into a disaster? Only a handful of people escaped, and the impact on the already turbulent imperial court was earth-shattering.

  The death of the crown prince of the Sha Luo Empire triggered turmoil within the empire. Various factions vied for power, resorting to all sorts of tricks. The Da Zhou Empire seized the opportunity, mobilizing its troops to launch a distant expedition. King Zhou Ling presented a memorial to the imperial court overnight, dispatching the Hawk Group Army to the Western De Los Empire.

  Originally just a storm of contention for the throne, it eventually evolved into a brutal and chaotic war between the three great empires of the south. For a time, the borders of the three countries were littered with corpses stretching as far as the eye could see! Many towns near the border were ravaged and persecuted, numerous warriors were absorbed into the army to participate in the imperial defense war, or... expeditionary wars!

  Time passed slowly over the past six months, and the outside world was still in chaos. The imperial war continued unabated, depicting their dominance and life and death.

  During this time, Tang Yan and the other two walked through the Illusory Forest on foot and unknowingly arrived at the edge of the Illusory Forest.

  Half a year's time, it's neither long nor short, they are growing steadily in a kind of self-torturing exercise.

  The trials of life and death gave them new insights and epiphanies about their respective martial arts, allowing for a more refined control over their spiritual energy.

  This is a journey of life and death, but also a road of transformation.

  In Irina's words, her growth in these six months far exceeded the six years of regular study within the academy!

  Life and death trials are always the most direct and fastest way to grow.

  It all depends on whether you can persist and withstand the hardship and suffering.

  "Lately, you've been looking like your soul is not at peace, what kind of evil martial arts are you studying again? Don't go crazy, brother, I really can't take the torture." Du Yang casually tossed the roasted lamb leg to Tang Yan who was walking over, scolding with a smile.

  Tang Yan was frowning and thinking about the complementarity between 'Body Destruction Technique' and 'Undying Heavenly Scripture', without noticing Du Yang's call, he was hit by a sheep leg, let out a miserable cry, and fell to the ground with his limbs splayed out in all directions.

  Aileen's cold and beautiful face revealed a few smiles: "We've been wandering in this mysterious forest for half a year, if we don't go back, others will think that we were eaten by monsters. Let's set off in two days."

  "Time flies so fast?" Tang Yan patted his head hard and sat down beside the bonfire: "Are you all ready?"

  "It's already been three months since I became a third-class martial artist, and when I return to the academy, I might receive attention from the principal." Elynda was very satisfied with her growth over the past period of time. Although it had been tough and tiring, the payoff matched the effort, and she had successfully entered the third-class martial artist rank half a month ago. She believed that it wouldn't take long for her to fully stabilize at this level.

  "You're still planning to go back to the academy? Isn't it good like this?" Du Yang lazily leaned against the tree roots, tapping his legs and chewing on a grass root, with a hint of a strange smile at the corner of his mouth: "Actually, I don't mind changing the way we address each other someday."

  "What's with the honorific?" Eriol didn't catch on.

  Tang Yan smiled mischievously and said: "Tang Sao or Young Madam are both pretty good titles."

  Ailinda shook her head in annoyance and remained silent. Every time she was teased by Tang Yan, she would wisely ignore him, and after half a year of getting along, she had almost formed an immunity.

  Tang Yan leaned in close to Elynda: "How about... seriously considering it? We work well together in battle, and I'm sure we'll be compatible in other ways too. Trust me, I'll make you happy."

  "Can you be more shameless?"

  "This is temperament! Extraordinary and transcendent!"

  "Find someone else to accompany you, I don't have that hobby."

  "That's because you're not yet thirty, in a few more years, you'll..." Tang Yan still wanted to continue teasing, but was stopped by Ailin's deadly glare. He smiled awkwardly and simply ate a mouthful of lamb leg before putting it in front of the black girl. Leaning against an ancient tree, he carefully wiped his ancient war knife. After half a year, they had established a subtle connection between each other, which was both tacit understanding and trust.

  Every time I hold it, I feel a strong sense of vitality.

  Ailin gazed up at the starry sky, her long silence broken by a soft smile: "Actually... I'm quite grateful to you... From first-rate martial artist to third-rate martial artist, a realm that others would find difficult to reach even after ten years of effort, I broke through consecutively within a year. This time back at the academy, even if faced with Zhou Lingwang's threats again, the principal will still treat me with caution."

  Tang Yan raised an eyebrow, looking at the distracted Ailinda, and secretly sighed in his heart. She still couldn't shake off her inherent way of thinking, no matter how life's trajectory twisted and turned, it would always return to the main line - Giant Elephant Academy!

  Perhaps she is conservative by nature, neither having her own eccentric ambition nor Du Yang's cold and arrogant personality. She yearns to grow up but does not indulge in the stimulation of life, purely seeking a stable working environment.

  Tang Yan admitted that he had intentions towards Ailinda, and in the past six months, he had made several flirtatious advances, but all he got was silence and clever evasion. Perhaps... Ailinda still held some prejudice against this infamous Tang Second Master, always treating him as a partner or mentor, never thinking of anything else, and would not accept any overstepping between them.

  Du Yang sensed the subtle atmosphere, stretched his waist and picked up Hei Jun who was eating deliciously, walked to the side and said in a self-talking tone: "When it's time to be shameless, one can still be shameless once."

  Tang Yan stuck up his middle finger at Du Yang's back, continuing to wipe the ancient war knife: "Elynda Master, I didn't plan on staying in Giant Elephant City for long. This time back, it might only be a very short stay. After saying goodbye to Grandpa, I'm preparing to travel the world. I actually hope you can come with me, or the three of us, to explore mysterious realms, challenge strong enemies, and grow step by step."

  "You're really interested in me?"

  "Of course! I'd love to rush over right now."

  Ailinda surprisingly didn't get angry, but instead smiled slightly: "Having a student like you is my greatest pride."

  The smile is light and soft, like a snow lotus blooming, beautiful and pure, so beautiful that it intoxicates people. However, the meaning hidden in the smile has a subtle bitterness that is almost imperceptible.

  Tang Yan shrugged: "Alright then, I'll work hard to make you proud forever."

  "These are two bottles of Essence of Life, exactly fifty pieces, you take them." Elinda took out two exquisite jade bottles.

  "I only want one, you can keep the rest as a memento. Maybe someday when I suddenly miss you, I can take it out to ease my longing." Tang Yan's smile was still mischievous, without much loss.

  He just invited and wouldn't force, everyone has their own choices, their own way of survival. Some things are more beautiful when remembered as memories.

  "It's too expensive." Eriinda shook her head in refusal. After all, she had already received too much kindness from Tang Yan. If they continued on like this, it wouldn't matter if she left or not, but since she had just clearly expressed her intention to stay at Giant Elephant Academy, the significance of this bottle of Spiritual Origin Liquid was different.

  Tang Yan furrowed his brow and thought for a moment: "Alright, if you feel embarrassed, then... just kiss me, and we'll call it even."

  Aileen couldn't help but laugh and cry: "When can you be serious for once?"

  "I'm afraid if I get serious, you won't be able to take it. Just accept it, no other meaning, during this period of time, if it weren't for you, Du Yang and I would have died who knows how many times already. If anyone should say thanks, it should be me. Do you still remember what I said to you before? You are my bodyguard, these spiritual energy liquids are the reward you deserve."

  Ailin hesitated for a moment before finally nodding: "Alright... I won't be polite, the secret of the Lingyuan Liquid, I'll keep it for you."

  "Aylin teacher, I want to ask a more serious question."

  "Hmm? Go ahead and ask."

  "You've never had feelings for me, is it... because I'm too young?"

  “…………”

  "Is it still because of the teacher-student relationship?"

  Aileen was thoroughly speechless. "Really?" Tang Yan furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, and said very solemnly: "Go back to the Giant Sound Car, I'll drop out of school immediately, and come back to marry you in ten years."