After sending Xiao Yan and Xiao Chen to the Heavenly Tomb, Chen Guan took Yao Chen and left the Ancient Realm, returning to Qingce Manor.
He had already received messages from Queen Medusa and Zi Yan, and now all the surviving members of the Yao Clan were arranged here.
Only Elder Shennong was special. He was brought back to Dragon Island early, and was provided with good food and drink. He even took the high position of the Chief Alchemist of Dragon Island, which moved Elder Shennong to tears.
Back at Qingce Manor, Chen Guan immediately gathered the Yao Clan members together.
There were a total of eighty-nine people, all geniuses of the younger generation. Compared with the original trajectory where only a dozen people survived, it was undoubtedly much better, but it was also very limited.
"I made a pact with your ancestor. He helped me break through to the Emperor Realm Soul Realm, so I will do my best to take care of you. Now that the Soul Clan has been destroyed, your feud is settled.
From now on, you are free to choose whether to stay or go. If you wish to stay, I will do my best to protect you. Whether you wish to enter the Pill Tower or go to Dragon Island to recuperate, I can arrange that for you.
If you wish to leave, I will not stop you. But let me be clear: when traveling abroad, danger is inevitable. Even I can't protect everything. I hope you all understand. Okay, now you can make your choice."
Chen Guan said calmly, gazing at the group of young people.
His current strength is inseparable from the generous support of the Medicine Clan and the pact with the Medicine Emperor. He didn't mind protecting these people within his ability.
Moreover, these are all top alchemy geniuses. If they could stay, they would be a great help.
Although Elder Shennong is more skilled, he is alone. Leaving all the alchemy work to him would easily tire him out.
Finding him some help would be beneficial to everyone.
The eighty-nine members of the Yao Clan looked at each other, unsure of what to do. Finally, they all turned their gazes to the three men at the front of the group.
Yao Xingji, Yao Tian, and Yao Ling!
These were the Yao Clan's most dazzling talents, a world above them in status, strength, and alchemy. Without the Clan Leader and the elders, they naturally took the lead.
The three understood their clan's sentiments. In fact, they had already considered what Chen Guan had raised since settling down.
Therefore, when asked this question, they didn't hesitate. Eye contact exchanged, and they all expressed their opinions.
Yao Xingji was the first to step forward.
"Chen... Alliance Leader, I'd like to ask, if I choose to leave now, would you still be willing to accept me back later?"
Just as Chen Guan recognized their value, they too had come to terms with their current situation.
Without the Yao Clan's support, following Chen Guan's lead was undoubtedly the safest option. Recuperate for decades or even centuries, and things would surely be different.
Chen Guan smiled faintly. "As long as you don't make any mistakes of principle, you're welcome to come back anytime. The same goes for those who choose to stay. You can leave anytime you want."
What constitutes a mistake of principle?
The definition is vague.
But Chen Guan's words reassured the Yao Clan members.
"Thank you for your strength, Master. I've discussed this with Yao Tian and Yao Ling. My alchemy talent isn't as good as theirs. I want them to lead a portion of the clan to follow the Master, while I lead the rest of the clan to explore Zhongzhou."
Yao Tian and Yao Ling nodded, clearly having made plans long ago.
Chen Guan didn't interfere, but nodded. "Yes, you can leave at any time. For those who stay, Zi Yan will take you to Dragon Island in three days. Elder Shennong will be there, and you can ask him for advice on alchemy."
"By the way, this is your clan stele. I promised Yao Chen to leave his parents' names on it. You can decide where to place it later."
With a loud boom, the massive clan stele landed on the square.
No one objected to Yao Chen's decision to honor his parents. But looking at the clan monument so close, at his mercy, Yao Chen felt less joy than he had imagined. Instead, he felt a sense of melancholy.
The Yao clan was practically gone; what was the point of leaving their names behind?
Under everyone's gaze, Yao Chen sighed softly and stepped forward to fulfill his long-cherished wish.
Once Yao Chen had finished his business, Yao Xingji approached again, "Yao Chen, I have something to discuss with you."
Chen Guan ignored him and turned to leave. He faintly heard Yao Xingji inviting Yao Chen to return to his roots...
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As for Yao Chen's response, that was none of his business, nor of interest.
Compared to that, seeing his former classmates was preferable to watching the fun.
For the next two weeks, Chen Guan relaxed deeply, basking in the warmth of his family and friends while also balancing his energy and making final preparations for opening the Ancient Emperor's Cave.
One day, Chen Guan and Li Changan were playing chess under a peach tree. Surrounding them stood old men like Venerable Skyfire and Ghost Poison, watching closely and giving Chen Guan no chance to cheat.
"These two lousy chess players are so evenly matched. After a long battle, the score was five wins and five losses, but this one, Changan has the upper hand."
"A true gentleman watches a game without saying a word. Skyfire, don't you understand this?"
"You idiot Xuankongzi! I haven't even said anything bad about this kid, and you're already challenging me? Come on, fight me!"
"Come on, why would I be afraid of you?"
"..."
In terms of skill, Chen Guan and Li Changan were playing at the highest level, not far behind.
But those old men only played at the highest level!
Medusa, Zi Yan, Yun Yun, and the others gathered not far away. The harmonious atmosphere and cheerful laughter were a stark contrast to the surroundings.
Suddenly, Xiao Jiu, whose hair was being played with by Cao Ying and Little Medical Immortal, sat up straight. In a flash of golden light, she arrived beside Chen Guan.
"Daddy, I sense something underground, and it's moving very quickly."
Grasping Chen Guan's sleeve, Xiao Jiu relayed her perception.
Everyone looked at her with a startled gaze.
Xiao Jiu was formidable. Besides Chen Guan, she was the only other high-level Dou Sheng present, even Medusa and Zi Yan were slightly inferior.
But the problem was, Chen Guan was also here, and he was an Emperor Realm soul. Could Xiao Jiu's perception be sharper than his?
It was clearly impossible!
But it was also true that Xiao Jiu wouldn't lie.
Therefore, there was only one answer: the object beneath the ground was special.
Chen Guan had also thought of this, and his terrifying mental power concentrated into a single line, drilling into the ground, probing deeper.
A hundred feet, a thousand feet, five thousand feet…
It wasn't until nearly ten thousand feet that he finally sensed a familiar breath of life.
So that's it!
Probably because they were all spiritual seeds of heaven and earth, Xiao Jiufang could only sense it at a close distance.
If it weren't for her reminder, even if Chen Guan had already reached the Emperor Realm Soul, it would not have been easy to find this old friend.
After all, who would spend all day exploring the ground ten thousand feet below?
Throwing the chess piece aside, Chen Guan stood up and said with a smile, "It's the ancient Bodhi tree. Rumor has it that every time the ancient Bodhi tree appears in the world, it will return to the ground and move around underground, without purpose, at will. In other words, it can appear anywhere. It just happened to pass by us this time."
"I'll go see it. You guys make preparations. When I come back, it's time to open the ancient emperor's cave."
With these instructions, Chen Guan disappeared on the spot.
I've been busy with Potato's tasks these days. Time is so tight that I've been staying up all night for several days, so I haven't updated much. I'll finish that task tomorrow, and I'll speed up the updates later. I'm sure I'll be able to finish the book within this month~
(End of this chapter)