Confidence stems from strength. After ascending to Dou Zun, Chen Guan's mindset had undergone a significant change.
Knowing that the noise was too loud to conceal, Chen Guan simply let loose.
His Dou Zun aura was unstoppable, his overwhelming spiritual power enveloping the entire Holy Dan City. This was the first time Chen Guan had so ostentatiously declared his presence.
Dou Zun experts, Alchemy Conference champions, and candidates for the Danta throne—a halo of auras converged as they gazed at the figure in the sky. For a moment, the atmosphere within Holy Dan City erupted in excitement.
"My goodness! He was only a Dou Zong a few months ago! How did he suddenly become a Dou Zun?"
"Chen Guan has been in the Star Region for almost half a year. I imagine the Three Thousand Flames are already within his grasp. That would explain his surge in strength."
"A Dou Zun expert in his early twenties! Hey, I have a feeling that from now on, the Danta might dominate Zhongzhou. Even the Soul Palace will have to steer clear."
Proof that if you stand high enough, flattery is always plentiful!
Under the gazes of countless spectators, Chen Guan smiled faintly and stepped forward to stand before the three giants.
"Teacher, two senior uncles."
"Haha, we sealed the Three Thousand Flames for so many years, only to find you'd benefit from it in the end. But it's worth it to help you break through to Dou Zun." Tian Leizi spoke first, a bright smile on his face.
While they could accept keeping the Three Thousand Flames out of the hands of the Soul Palace, they wanted it most for their own people.
Xuan Kongzi also smiled and nodded, then pulled a scroll from his storage ring and threw it over.
"You've caused such a commotion this time that it's hard to avoid spreading rumors in Zhongzhou. In the eyes of the Soul Palace, your threat will undoubtedly increase dramatically. Keep this teleportation scroll. From now on, whenever you need to go out, you must inform us. If you encounter any danger, tear it up immediately, and at least one of us will come to your aid."
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Chen Guan gripped the scroll tightly and thanked him solemnly.
The bond between him and this latecomer might not be as deep as the father-son bond between Xiao Yan and Yao Lao, but he held his safety in the highest regard.
"No need for that. Listen to what the people below are saying. You are the future of our Danta now. No caution is too great. Now, stop standing here and being looked down upon. Now that you've come out, return home quickly. There are many people waiting for you."
Xuan Kongzi waved his hand gently, his whole heart focused on Danta.
Hearing this, Chen Guan looked towards the courtyard, his heart warmed by the delighted glances he received.
Without further ado, he bowed slightly and headed towards the courtyard.
Xuan Kongzi and the other two watched with a smile, then quickly averted their gazes, their attention returning to the star field. With
the Three Thousand Flames already tamed, there was no need for this star field to exist!
...
In the courtyard.
As Chen Guan landed, a group of people approached.
Zi Yan, with her head bowed, rushed into his arms, her movements surprisingly faster than those of Xiao Yixian and Yun Yun.
However, given Yun Yun and Little Medical Immortal's temperaments, they probably wouldn't dare throw themselves into each other's arms in public, which made things easier for the little dragon man.
Behind them was the heartily laughing Skyfire Venerable, the eager-to-join Phantom Poison Old Monster, and finally, the naive, scratching-headed Xiong Zhan.
"It feels like yesterday we met at Canaan Academy. If I could go back and tell myself you could make the leap from Dou Huang to Dou Zun in just three years, I'd never believe it."
Watching the young man soar to new heights, Venerable Skyfire sighed.
Life is fascinating because tomorrow is filled with uncertainty!
Due to the large crowd, he didn't elaborate on the underground magma world.
Chen Guan held Zi Yan in one hand, his thoughts drifting back to the time he first met Venerable Skyfire.
An alluring image from deep within his heart surfaced, a memory he couldn't shake.
"Yes, it's been almost three years. It's time to go back!"
Now that everything is complete, there's still some time before the next phase of the plan. Furthermore, after his surge in strength, he needs some time to settle down. This is the perfect time to return to the northwest.
And, most importantly, judging by the timeline, it won't be long until Queen Medusa is ready to give birth.
This woman, with whom he has the deepest bond, not only bore his first child, but also single-handedly supported the Heavenly Alliance from the rear, freeing him from any worries...
At this crucial moment, Chen Guan didn't want to miss it, or he would regret it for the rest of his life!
Most of the people present knew about this, and judging by Chen Guan's expression, they guessed his thoughts and nodded in agreement.
"I miss Sister Dieyi too. Hehe, she'll be shocked to hear my origins. And Old Man Su, I'll show off to him on the way back. He used to forbid me from stealing herbs, and I'm going to show him my collection when I get back. I'll eat every plant and throw them away without even licking the juice, to piss him off! And Sister Yaoyue, by the way, shouldn't I get her a gift?"
The thought of returning to the northwest made Zi Yan restless, planning each and every thing she had to do. She twisted and turned in Chen Guan's arms, causing pain.
"I also want to see Teacher, and Yanran. She'll be very disappointed when she comes out of the Gate of Life and Death and finds me gone."
Yun Yun gazed into the distance. Perhaps, besides Chen Guan, she was the one who missed the northwest the most, but because of her temperament, she usually kept it to herself.
Chen Guan reached out and took Yun Yun's hand. Unusually bold, she ignored the others' gazes and clasped it tightly, a frank smile her response the best she could muster.
Though she missed him, she had no regrets.
If she had remained in the northwest, even with the resources Chen Guan had Skyfire Venerable send back, she would have struggled to reach Dou Zong status.
And the gap between them would only widen!
Standing to the left, Xiao Yixian was unusually silent, a hint of nervousness in her downcast eyes.
Although Medusa's eyes had given her some clues when she and Chen Guan had left the northwest together, the thought of facing her honestly upon return still filled her with trepidation.
What if she had misunderstood her?
And what about the royal family...
Just as she was lost in thought, a hand quietly grasped hers. Looking up, she met Chen Guan's reassuring gaze.
Sometimes, a simple gesture can soothe the mind, and in an instant, Xiao Yixian felt the pressure lift.
"Yes, I was the one who came first!"
"Chen Guan, I'm falling!"
The warm atmosphere was shattered by the little dragon's yelling. Like a slug, it coiled tightly around Chen Guan, looking ridiculous and making the crowd burst into laughter.
"Chen Guan, they're laughing at me! Big guy, even you dare to laugh at me!"
Retracting his hand and grabbing the threatening little dragon, Chen Guan gazed off into the distance.
"It's settled then. I'll go tell the teachers later."
"Tomorrow, we'll set off for the northwest!"