Chapter 286: Without Lack in the Heart, One Faces the Direction of Light

"Many of these children were the same age as you; they had no fortuitous encounters, no teachers, and they died here."

Inside the dim cave, Chen Yan spoke quietly.

Sss, sss, sss...

Wisps of green smoke dissipated from before Chen Yan; that was a Pure Evil Ancient Divine Beast.

The formation within the Pure Evil Ancient Divine Beast's eyes was not powerful, and under normal circumstances, Chen Yan would simply ignore it.

Deep within the cave, a foul stench spread, and a pile of skeletons lay quietly displayed inside.

Chen Yu found it shocking to the eye; the fifteen-year-old girl had experienced all of this, and her face had turned pale with fright.

Her large, watery eyes were filled with tears.

In the world of consciousness, the woman in the red dress parted her red lips.

Although she knew Chen Yan meant well, showing these things to his own younger sister so directly was indeed somewhat cruel.

Chen Yan walked away with steady steps, paying no further mind to the skeletons inside the cave.

Chen Yu tugged on his sleeve, her head bowed.

"Xiaoyu, you have extremely outstanding aptitude, even more outstanding than mine."

Chen Yan spoke, looking calmly at his younger sister behind him.

As the sister of the Master of Will, Chen Yan had surprisingly never once seen a trace of Chen Yu in the martial arts lineage.

If his sister had not entered the path of martial arts, Chen Yan would not have cared.

But Chen Yu had entered the path of martial arts, and with her excellent aptitude, what she was doing now was far from enough.

Chen Yu kept her head bowed, not speaking.

"Brother, is my aptitude really better than yours?"

She muttered, somewhat uncertain.

"It is far better than mine." Chen Yan spoke; although his own aptitude was the fourth in Qinzhou.

But Chen Yan was clear about what he was and what his level was.

His sister had not broken the Saint Tree, yet with only a teacher's guidance, she had progressed this quickly; that already explained the issue well enough.

For Luo Chen to blockade his siblings was truly nothing more than a pipe dream.

"But aptitude is not everything. If you have never seen the real world, you will never be able to walk the true path of martial arts."

Chen Yan stepped through the autumn forest, and from time to time, bursts of beast roars echoed all around.

In one afternoon, the number of Ancient Divine Beasts Chen Yan slaughtered exceeded ten.

High above in the sky.

Three figures flew over.

Zong Heng cast a technique, bringing Zhu Lili and Zhu Yan to hide within the void, quietly watching the two siblings walking below.

At the same time.

Chen Yan's expression trembled slightly, his peripheral vision inadvertently sweeping toward the direction where Zong Heng was.

Zong Heng was stunned.

Was it an illusion?

"Is it an illusion? Why do I feel like he discovered us?" Zhu Yan exclaimed in astonishment.

Chen Yan is only at the Third Rank, right?

Although his involvement is extremely broad, he is still at the Third Rank.

Zong Heng is at the Sixth Rank.

How could a Third Rank martial artist detect the spying of a Sixth Rank martial artist?

Zong Heng did not speak, but Zhu Lili at his side looked quietly downward.

The young man clearly had a weak aura and was still wrapped in bandages.

With such injuries, even moving would be extremely difficult for a normal person.

Yet this person was actually taking his younger sister to kill Ancient Divine Beasts.

The reason for killing the Ancient Divine Beasts.

Was...

To teach his younger sister.

Zhu Lili's red lips parted.

Why choose to teach his sister now?

Clearly, the college entrance exam is tomorrow, and he is still injured.

Rustle, rustle...

The autumn wind arrived, and the fallen leaves were red.

The two siblings walked quietly through this dense forest dyed in red makeup.

"Xiaoyu, I have seen too many geniuses born in comfort, bestowed with the name of heaven's pride.

But once a crisis arrives, their fighting spirit, wisdom, and will all vanish, and they cannot exert even a shred of their combat power."

Chen Yan said calmly:

"Such geniuses are very pitiful."

Chen Yu nodded.

Her brother spoke very vaguely, but she knew he was talking about her.

Today's excursion had indeed shocked her, but she had also gained a great deal.

"What will happen after I enter the college entrance exam, I cannot say for sure either."

Chen Yan finished this sentence.

Behind him, Chen Yu's hand, which was clutching Chen Yan's sleeve, pulled even tighter.

Within the hidden space.

Both Zong Heng and Zhu Lili's bodies visibly stiffened.

This Chen Yan, was he actually also worried that he would encounter danger after entering the college entrance examination?

Beside them, Zhu Lili's breathing noticeably deepened for a moment.

A girl's thoughts are often more delicate.

The reason Chen Yan chose to come here to slay Ancient Divine Beasts after being heavily injured and on the eve of the college entrance examination.

Was because he was worried that he would encounter danger upon entering the college entrance examination and would not be able to come back out.

So...

Was he giving his younger sister a final lesson?

Zhu Lili watched that slender figure quietly.

Even someone with a soaring will, even a heaven-gifted genius with invincible courage, would worry that they might die?

Right.

His courage is great, but he is not a fool.

He is just...

Involuntarily, intense emotions welled up in Zhu Lili's heart.

It was hard to put into words.

Above the ground.

Chen Yan seemed to have noticed Chen Yu's worry and suddenly smiled:

"Don't be nervous."

"I just felt there were some things I needed to tell you in advance."

Chen Yu's small face tightened; she looked at Chen Yan earnestly and nodded heavily:

"Brother, I will become stronger, truly strong!"

Chen Yan was taken aback, and at this moment, a gratified smile appeared on his face.

On the Martial Dao meridian, Chen Yu's image appeared within a terminal point that had never flickered before.

Others might not be able to feel it, but Chen Yan knew.

His younger sister was serious.

"That... is good."

Chen Yan nodded and looked up, seemingly gazing at the vast sky, or perhaps locking eyes with the powerful existence hidden in the void.

Hum.

High above, ripples stirred in the void.

Zong Heng stepped out; he looked at Chen Yan, then his gaze fell upon Chen Yu, his expression complex.

This little girl is Chen Yan's younger sister?

She is so young, why does the aura on her body reveal a strength that even makes him feel surprised?

And Chen Yan, it seems he really did discover him.

For a moment, Zong Heng felt deeply moved.

Others only saw Chen Yan's brilliance, but failed to notice that the younger sister behind Chen Yan also seemed to be an incredible genius.

"Department Head Zong." Chen Yan's expression remained calm as he bowed slightly to Zong Heng.

Chen Yu also followed her brother's movement and bowed slightly.

"Little girl, are you interested in joining my Military Martial Guard?" Zong Heng smiled.

"No..." Chen Yu said softly.

Zong Heng pursed his lips.

Such a straightforward refusal.

Chen Yan glanced at his younger sister and said nothing.

Little Yu has her own teacher, and King Xiayue also promised to send someone to protect Little Yu.

The dignified King Xiayue shouldn't be fooling him, right?

If he wasn't lied to, Chen Yu entering the Military Martial Guard would actually limit her development.

Refusing is fine.

Zong Heng raised an eyebrow; it was clear that Chen Yan also did not want his younger sister to enter the Military Martial Guard.

Alright.

Perhaps Chen Yan's younger sister has her own fortuitous encounter.

Zong Heng looked at Chen Yan and smiled:

"Little Yan, you can earn merit for killing so many Ancient Divine Beasts, but the college entrance examination is tomorrow..."

Chen Yan said indifferently:

"No need for merit; as a martial artist, slaying Ancient Divine Beasts is what I should do."

Zong Heng nodded, admiring Chen Yan even more in his heart.

"Chen Yan, it's like this: I intend for you and Zhu Lili to form a team within the college entrance examination secret realm, so you can look out for each other, and it would also be easier for you..."

High above.

Zhu Lili pursed her lips and did not speak.

To the side, Zhu Yan looked at his daughter and suddenly sighed:

"Xiao Li, if you are truly unwilling, I will help you refuse now."

Looking at his daughter, Zhu Yan also felt extremely conflicted.

As a soldier, mutual help between teammates is only right and proper.

Furthermore, Zong Heng had used an imperative tone to make Zhu Lili team up with Chen Yan.

But as a father, he still felt somewhat conflicted.

Forcing his daughter to do something she did not like, he felt he had been a bit too cold and stern.

However, after Zhu Yan's voice fell, Zhu Lili did not speak.

Zhu Yan sighed deeply in his heart.

…………

Above the ground.

Chen Yan frowned slightly.

Team up?

He did not particularly like teaming up.

More importantly, he still had to seize the 【Youlan】, and there were too many things to handle.

Teaming up, for him, was instead a burden.

Moreover, he also did not like to drag others down.

Thinking of this, Chen Yan said:

"Many thanks for Department Head Zong's good intentions."

His voice fell, and even Zong Heng did not react in time.

"You want to refuse?"

"Yes," Chen Yan said.

"You and Luo Chen are enemies; once you enter the College Entrance Exam Secret Realm, the probability of Yu Changsheng making a move against you is very high," Zong Heng advised.

He had thought that Zhu Lili would refuse.

He had thought that he would need to spend a great deal of effort to make Zhu Lili completely obey the order.

But he had not expected Chen Yan to refuse.

"Yu Changsheng?"

"Yes," Zong Heng said:

"He is Chen Changyuan's disciple, and you have targeted Luo Chen many times. Don't look at how Zhao Tian vented your anger for you yesterday.

But once you are in the College Entrance Exam Secret Realm, if Yu Changsheng wants to harm you, he only needs to find a place where no one will discover him."

Chen Yan nodded, and behind him, Chen Yu's expression became tense.

It was the first time she had learned that her older brother had an enemy like Yu Changsheng.

Chen Yan, however, remained calm:

"If it is like this, why would I need to enter the college entrance exam?"

Zong Heng was stunned.

Chen Yan continued:

"If a single Yu Changsheng is enough to make me worry about this and that, why would I need to enter the Martial Dao?"

Zong Heng pursed his lips:

"Am I not increasing the probability of you surviving?"

Chen Yan smiled:

"That is also lowering the probability of Zhu Lili surviving."

Zong Heng's expression stiffened, and he glanced at the high sky.

Within the hidden space, Zhu Lili's body trembled, and the conflict in her eyes grew even more intense.

"That is how it is..." Zong Heng was speechless.

Chen Yan did not say anything more.

Department Head Zong believed that Chen Yan's value was higher than Zhu Lili's, so Chen Yan could not be sacrificed, but Zhu Lili could.

Everyone could think that way.

But he, Chen Yan, did not need to be like that.

"Many thanks for the Department Head's good intentions, but I still want to walk my own path."

Chen Yan bowed again; Zong Heng was, after all, trying to help him.

"But my heart is set on a path that does not want anything dark, even if that darkness could save me."

Chen Yan took Chen Yu and left.

For a moment, Zong Heng was too conflicted to speak.

He suddenly felt that he had done something wrong from the very beginning.

In the distance.

Chen Yu spoke cautiously:

"Brother..."

If it were her, she would certainly agree with Zong Heng's suggestion.

"Xiaoyu," Chen Yan looked at Chen Yu and smiled:

"Since I rose to prominence, I have sought only one thing."

"What is it?" Chen Yu asked.

Behind them, Zong Heng was immensely powerful, with keen perception, listening from afar.

"My heart is without lack."

Chen Yan spoke.

When the heart is without lack, it is the direction toward which the light shines.

High above in the sky.

Zhu Lili stood quietly, her expression appearing desolate for some unknown reason.

"Dad."

She spoke.

"What is it?"

Zhu Lili shook her head.

She opposed Zong Heng, opposed her father Zhu Yan, and opposed the General Star faction including Shang Yunwu and others.

She was the only one who felt that young man had always been right.

…………

The next day.

It actually ushered in an autumn rain.

In Xiaoyang City, those fine, dense threads of rain drifted down leisurely.

The raindrops leaped, emitting crisp and ethereal sounds as they tapped against the silent autumn pond.

Xiaoyang City Central Square.

Tens of thousands of examinees stood silently.

The prodigies from the three parties—the Martial Suppression Division, the Military Martial Guard, and the Aristocratic Family Alliance—had all arrived.

At the very front was Chen Yan and his group, wearing General Star uniforms.

Zhu Lili, also a Third-Rank General Star, stood beside Chen Yan and took out a spatial ring without a smile.

"For you."

Zhu Lili handed it over.

"What is this?" Chen Yan was surprised.

"Fifteen Time Seeds. We discussed it; since you saved us in the assessment space, each of us is giving you one Time Seed."

Zhu Lili looked at Chen Yan; her gaze was tranquil, lacking its previous arrogance.

A pair of eyes locked onto Chen Yan's face, containing firmness.

It was as if she were saying, if you don't accept it, I will force you to accept it.

Behind them, the group of General Stars all spoke with smiles.

"Chen Yan, accept it; this is what you deserve."

"After entering the College Entrance Examination Secret Realm, all three types of seeds will automatically recognize their owners. If you don't accept them, they will all end up recognizing Zhu Lili later."

"Brother Chen Yan, just take them."

Chen Yan looked at everyone, nodded, and took the spatial ring.

Sensing slightly, there were indeed fifteen Time Seeds inside.

Adding what Chen Yan had previously obtained, there were a total of fifty Time Seeds.

Each Time Seed could create a time-flow space unique to the martial artist themselves, capable of turning one hour into sixty hours.

Chen Yan had a total of fifty Time Seeds.

After entering the College Entrance Examination Secret Realm, he could exchange fifty hours for three thousand hours of time.

Three thousand hours, one hundred and twenty-five days, over four months.

Chen Yan had only been on the path of the Dao for five months.

What level Chen Yan could reach using these Time Seeds, even Chen Yan himself did not know.

This was also one of the reasons why Chen Yan did not fear Yu Changsheng.

As for Enlightenment Seeds, Chen Yan had seven.

As for Dao-Severing Seeds, Chen Yan had thirty.

These were all his capital.

This capital could only be used after entering the College Entrance Examination Secret Realm.

All around, everyone saw the scene of Chen Yan accepting the Time Seeds, and envy appeared in all their eyes.

At the very back of the General Star faction.

An Yunan looked at the Time Seeds in Chen Yan's hand with extreme jealousy.

There were seventeen General Stars in total, and sixteen of them each gave Chen Yan one Time Seed.

The reason Chen Yan only received fifteen was because he, An Yunan, did not give one!

An Yunan gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

The Time Domain Phoenix assessment was his humiliation.

The glory belonging to a boundary-breaking prodigy had drifted away from him these past few days, and some forces that were originally on good terms had also gone silent these past few days.

He was extremely anxious in his heart.

Fortunately, there was still Deacon Hu waiting for him.

As long as he proved himself, he could enter the main lineage of the Chen Clan after the College Entrance Examination.

As long as he proved himself, he could enter the main branch of the Chen family after the college entrance examination.

…………

On the side of the Aristocratic Family Alliance.

Yu Changsheng was wearing a set of mechanical armor, his aura weak.

If it were before, he would never have worn this mechanical armor.

But now, it was because he had been heavily injured.

When his gaze locked onto Chen Yan, his expression was calm, but a surge of fury welled up in his heart.

He had been heavily injured by Zhao Tian; although he had taken medicine, after entering the College Entrance Exam Secret Realm, he still had to use a Time Seed to repair his injuries as soon as possible.

Beside Yu Changsheng, Jiang Yuan was also wearing a set of armor, smiling bitterly from time to time.

Because of the events of the day before yesterday, among the top geniuses of the Aristocratic Family Alliance who were injured.

Jiang Yuan, Yu Changsheng, and Ma Tianyin, who was originally ranked tenth on the Genius Ranking, could still continue the College Entrance Exam.

As for Zhan Yu, he was completely finished; he couldn't even walk, his internal organs were all ruined, and his blood-Qi could not be stabilized.

All around, when people looked toward Yu Changsheng and the others, there was a trace of mockery in their eyes.

The Aristocratic Family Alliance is truly miserable.

They just had to target Chen Yan.

Before targeting him, Chen Yan was still a Fifth-Rank General Star; after targeting him, he became a Third-Rank directly.

Fushan General Star!

With the College Entrance Exam approaching, Chen Yan was absolutely the center of everyone's discussion.

Because he was too brilliant.