Miao Sanlang had returned, and on the first day of the new year, the news quickly spread throughout Yanzhuang.
The next day, all the villagers gathered at Mingqi's home, and under the auspices of the village chief, Mingqi held the most grand coming-of-age ceremony in Yanzhuang.
When the village chief painted the mysterious symbol on Mingqi's forehead, Mingqi felt a little dazed. He couldn't imagine that after embarking on the path of immortal cultivation, he would still take such a small ceremony so seriously.
The ceremony was simple, taking less than an hour to complete.
The villagers then spontaneously organized a gathering. Mingqi behaved just as he had before leaving Yanzhuang, drinking the cheapest wine and eating ordinary meals with the villagers.
On the first day of the new year, Yanzhuang was peaceful, and an atmosphere of tranquility and peace filled every corner.
At night, Mingqi summoned his two brothers separately.
He couldn't stay home forever; this was destined from the moment he embarked on the path of cultivation. However, in his heart, home remained an inseparable bond.
Although he didn't see any Baifu cultivators near Yanzhuang on his return, the lingering sense of crisis within him remained. He felt a constant presence watching him from the shadows, a constant unease that filled him with an unprecedented sense of unease.
"Brothers, I'm leaving soon. From now on, the family will depend entirely on you."
Ming Qi looked at his two brothers with a hint of melancholy.
He was leaving this time with a determination to let go of his ties. Without exception, he would never return to Yanzhuang!
Miao Sen and Miao Cheng also understood Ming Qi's meaning, and both fell silent. Their younger brother's departure meant they might never see each other again. Having entered the vast world of cultivation, there was no turning back.
"I'll leave something behind to protect the villagers." Ming Qi pulled two similar longswords from his ring and instructed his two brothers to drip blood on each.
"With these two swords in hand, you can contend with ordinary acquired cultivators and low-level demonic beasts, and thus protect the entire Yan Manor."
Miao Sen and Miao Cheng examined the swords in their hands. While they were undoubtedly divine weapons, they were more concerned that Ming Qi would personally visit Yan Manor and return from time to time.
"As for Dabai, it won't be long before he reaches the Xiantian realm, and by then, he can handle ordinary Xiantian masters."
Ming Qi's considerations were truly thorough, encompassing everything from acquired to innate enemies.
Finally, he produced two talismans and handed them over.
"These talismans contain sealed energy and spiritual consciousness. If I encounter irresistible danger, tear them apart."
Miao Sen and Miao Cheng each took one talisman.
Next, Ming Qi took out all the remaining gold and silver from his ring. He no longer needed these items, so he left them for the villagers.
After a long silence, Miao Cheng asked, "Sanlang, will you never come back again?"
Ming Qi was stunned for a moment, shook his head, but then nodded.
Once entering the Xiantian realm, the gap between immortals and mortals becomes as vast as a chasm. To advance on the immortal path, one must sever ties with worldly matters. Although Ming Qi felt reluctant, he had no choice but to do so.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't return to Yanzhuang. However, if Yanzhuang were to face a disaster, he would return at all costs.
"Keep those two talismans."
Finally, Ming Qi said this with a serious expression. The talismans he handed to his two brothers were his only reason for returning to Yanzhuang.
Miao Sen and Miao Cheng nodded solemnly, saying nothing more.
They both knew there was no need for further explanation. They were brothers, and they understood each other well.
Night.
Ming Qi summoned Dabai again.
"Dabai, from now on, Yan Manor will depend on you to protect it."
Ming Qi placed his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the night sky.
"I understand. You saved my life back then. As long as you keep quiet, I will protect Yan Manor for the rest of my life."
Dabai no longer hesitated. Ming Qi had saved his life, and everything he had now was given by Ming Qi. There was no reason for him to refuse.
"Okay!"
Ming Qi said "Okay," and with a wave of his right hand, a massive, majestic axe appeared before him.
"This axe is called Overlord. It's a top-grade spiritual weapon. Today, I will help you enter the Xiantian realm and refine this magical weapon!"
The Overlord axe, a top-grade spiritual weapon, was perfectly suited for Dabai, the king of beasts.
"Okay, I understand!"
Dabai nodded at the enormous tiger head.
Ming Qi pulled out a small section of the thousand-year-old crimson pearl vine from his ring and had Dabai inhale and exhale spiritual energy to refine it immediately, while simultaneously channeling his Yuan Power to assist.
Dabai's advancement to the Xiantian realm is equivalent to advancing from a Level 3 demon beast to a Level 4 demon beast. The difficulty is no less than a human cultivator's advancement from the ninth level of the Acquired Realm to the Xiantian realm; in fact, it's even more difficult.
However, Mingqi now possesses a vast array of elixirs. With the right combination, Dabai's advancement will undoubtedly be much easier.
Dabai had already quietly crouched on the ground, refining the thousand-year-old crimson pearl vine.
Dabai, with his spiritual intelligence awakened, naturally understood the immense dangers of the advancement process, but with Mingqi watching over him, he felt no fear.
Time slipped by, and not a single sound could be heard in the silent mountain.
Only one man and one tiger remained.
...
Three days later.
On the summit of the mountain behind Yanzhuang, Dabai, absorbing and exhaling his Yuan energy, watched as a massive axe whirled and shattered a rock.
With the help of the Millennium Crimson Pearl Vine, Dabai finally advanced to the realm of a fourth-level demon beast, boasting impressive combat prowess.
After observing Dabai's combat prowess, Ming Qi felt a sense of relief. Given Dabai's current strength, cultivators below the third level of the Innate Realm posed no threat to it.
Demon beasts are inherently more powerful than human cultivators of the same level, and Dabai's strength has been further enhanced by the use of elixirs and spiritual herbs. Therefore, defending Yan Manor is no longer a problem, unless the innate masters of the Jinchuan Bai Mansion take action.
However, Ming Qi believed the probability of this happening was slim. Innate masters would not engage in such a scornful act as to kill ordinary mortals, a move that would be ridiculed by all cultivators.
"Dabai, if one day Yanzhuang truly ceases to exist, then you won't have to search the world for me." Ming Qi paused, then continued, "Then, you can just go your own way."
Ming Qi's meaning was simple: if Yanzhuang truly ceased to exist, Dabai's duty would be over, and he would be completely free. Ming Qi would not interfere with any of his actions.
"Hehe..."
Dabai actually let out a rare, faint laugh. "When that day comes, I will search the world to find you."
The fifth day of the New Year.
The festive atmosphere had not yet faded, and Yanzhuang remained peaceful.
Clad in a black robe, Ming Qi stood on a small hill outside Yanzhuang, spreading his spiritual sense, scanning every corner for miles.
Every blade of grass, every tree, every drop of water, every stone, every living thing, he scanned every detail.
The amplifying effect of the Supreme Mountain and Sea Map had already taken effect. He was confident that any cultivator hiding within a ten-mile radius would be undetectable!
After a thorough reconnaissance, finding nothing unusual, he finally felt relieved.
Perhaps those people had never imagined Ming Qi would dare return to Jinchuan at this time, or perhaps the Bai Mansion had been distracted by more important matters and had been forced to let Ming Qi go.
Whatever the possibility, as long as Yanzhuang was safe, Ming Qi could rest assured.
After a while, Ming Qi's sea of consciousness suddenly sensed something unusual. His precise judgment prompted him to dash towards a location without hesitation.
About five miles north of Yanzhuang, a strong fluctuation of Yuan Energy was detected!
Ming Qi rushed a few steps and suddenly stopped. He pointed his hands in the air in front of him, and a golden bridge appeared.
Golden Bridge of the Heavens. Ming Qi immediately chose the Golden Bridge of the Heavens and approached his target at top speed.
Ming Qi soared through the air, and after a few breaths, he arrived above that location.
What he saw was Mo Changli, descending from the sky on a golden glow.
This mysterious Celestial Clan girl didn't keep Ming Qi waiting for long; she had indeed arrived.
Mo Changli's appearance had undergone significant changes. Her long golden hair was now black, her golden eyes were now indistinguishable from those of an ordinary person, and her clothing was now very much in line with the general public.
The only thing that remained unchanged was her adorable, round face.
Huh~~
Mo Changli leaped off the Golden Bridge of All Heavens, retracted the last of his ray of light, and let out a long sigh.
Seeing Ming Qi descend from the Golden Bridge of All Heavens almost at the same time, he immediately beamed.
"Are you here to greet me?"
Mo Changli said to Ming Qi with a grin.
Ming Qi also nodded with a smile. When he first sensed the fluctuations in Yuan Energy, he hadn't expected Mo Changli to arrive. He had been extremely cautious, but now that he saw it was Mo Changli, he felt relieved.
"Let's go to your house."
Mo Changli's mood seemed to brighten upon seeing Ming Qi, and he followed Ming Qi back to Yanzhuang, chatting and laughing all the way.
However, along the way, she didn't mention her return home at all, nor did she ask Ming Qi much. Although he didn't understand why, Ming Qi suspected that her return home wasn't a very pleasant one.
Not long after, the two arrived at the entrance of Yanzhuang Village.
Before they entered Yanzhuang, a deafening roar echoed from the nearby valley, and a white figure rushed towards them at the village entrance at lightning speed.
It was Dabai, of course. Having detected the stranger's presence, it rushed over without hesitation.
"Your friend."
Dabai, now as intelligent as a human, knew immediately upon seeing Mo Changli and Ming Qi walking side by side that the newcomers posed no threat to Yan Manor.
"Oh, what a lovely big white cat!"
Mo Changli smiled at Dabai, then a look of astonishment crossed his face. "He's already a congenitally gifted one! That's truly remarkable!"