Chapter 311: The Journey Home (5600 words, please refresh)

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan felt he had dreamed a long dream, someone told him the film shoot wasn't over, so in the dream he was still filming, the latest scene being the ambush of Hun Tian Di.

He blinked open his eyes half-consciously, the blinding sunlight making it hard to adjust, as if he had crossed from the profound darkness of the dream into reality.

"You're the most talented among this batch of newcomers." A magnetic voice sounded beside his ear.

"What the hell?" Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan rubbed his eyes and rose from the ground, beneath him soft, emerald-green grass: "Turn off your damn light, thanks."

Su Lin dimmed the brightness of his God of Light to its lowest setting, and the surroundings became a quiet forest dotted with firefly-like glimmers.

Su Lin asked: "Do you remember what happened before?"

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan shook his head: "Feels like I blacked out from drinking… How long did I sleep?"

"Just a few hours." Su Lin exhaled in relief, patted Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan's shoulder: "Get up, tidy up, check if you left anything behind at Liu Li Ting or somewhere else."

After speaking, Su Lin walked straight toward the group in the distance. Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan looked around and only then realized he was on Shuijing Peak.

He stood up, stretched his limbs, and felt an odd, pleasant ache all over his body; immense power surged through his flesh, Qi continuously spreading from his meridians to every acupoint.

Seventy days ago, Qi Jing's world.

Song Shuhang's expression showed no panic at all—I'm not afraid the setting will come true, I'm afraid of the trouble… I just wanted to go back and finish the Holy Grail War, then return calmly to my job after everything's settled…

"Song Shuhang, take all of that back with you."

The cultivation period had been comfortable too; these two brats had each gone their own way, letting Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan enjoy himself immensely—thanks to the accelerated time flow and lavish resource infusion, his cultivation skyrocketed.

In the final days, everyone gathered to study Meng Qi's world's methods, experimenting with the development of various body acupoints—even though the systems differed, it wasn't without benefit.

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan: "..."

Qi Jing snorted:

"Want me to lend you a few Klains? Though they have some side effects, the Box of Doom as a Sacred Artifact should fit the aesthetic well, right?"

Ye Fan felt confused—wouldn't those two guys wake up soon? They shouldn't.

Unlike the exterior style, the interior was clearly a furnace of steel and fire.

"We'll pay together later." Su Lin waved his hand generously: "Come on, let's first tour your guild's latest batch of weapons."

"Ma Xianhong, Song Shuhang." Su Lin knocked twice on an ancient wooden door: "Are you forging?"

Li Huowang quickly changed the subject: during the recent banquet, I inexplicably experienced an unprotected free fall, barely made it back to my soft bed, tried to let sleep soothe my wounded soul—but had a terrifying dream.

"Your cultivation has improved a lot; even though you didn't specialize in body refinement, your physical strength has grown considerably."

"I planted a resurrection coin in your heart; compared to other resurrection methods you've acquired, my resurrection technique is superior—take it easy."

Ding dong

"Here, let's sign this Divine Court-issued employment form." Su Lin didn't dawdle, immediately pulling out a contract: "From now on, you're our guild's technical consultant—I've set up a banquet in the Shengcheng, later…"

"Of course." Song Shuhang packed up the items, picked up the satchel beside the forging platform: "Then everyone, see you another day!"

Qi Jingxi stood frozen, unsure how to respond.

"Cough cough!"

"I'm returning to Longhu Mountain—after all, fallen leaves return to their roots. I just Googled it—I don't eat human forms, so I should have some ash left." Zhang Chuyan held a stone, carving something on it.

"Any weapon I design and project will be the most artisanal item possible, and with Master Ma's Divine Mechanism Hundred Refinements, these weapons will ultimately leave the forge as 100% high-quality authentic pieces."

"Divine Whipping Whip..." Qi Jingxi exclaimed: "That..."

"All authentic. A full day passed, none have vanished." Ma Xianhong picked up a spear woven with Dao and Principle, saying: "Remarkable!"

"Is that all?" the sealed object asked in surprise: "No other steps needed?"

So in that instant just now, when I saw Su Lin's descendant smiling, I suddenly felt a deep, primal fear—not from any dream-entry talent, but purely because it was too realistic.

"You told me the same thing when I started." Su Lin drew his spiritual awareness into his own Wheel Sea, searching for something: "But some things are like crossing a threshold—even with high safety, once you cross it, you're trapped in a dead end, and for cultivation, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits."

"Maybe you drank too much—you weren't sober yet." Qi Jing sighed again, reviving Li Huowang's consciousness while simultaneously granting a free divine-level resurrection technique: "Hymn of Light."

"Actually, I'm quite interested in your world, but it seems there are too many big shots here—cause trouble and it'll be hard to clean up." Qi Jing smiled and said:

"How long it lasts, I don't know—it's just Li Huowang's subconscious default behavior..." Qi Jing rubbed his chin, deep in thought:

"Just hypothetical." Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan replied indifferently, glancing at Song Shuhang's hesitant expression, a faint smile curling his lips: "Do whatever you want."

"Ordinary mortals who drink this take a month to wake up." Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan found a jade bottle of Zui Xian Niang among the powder, shook off two dust particles, and tossed it aside: "Seventy-eighth bottle... though Li Huowang's case is due to other reasons."

"That place of extreme yin is perfect—Dragon Elder's bones buried there stand a chance to become a Bone Dragon." The Purple Gold Divine Dragon sat behind a stone table, showing a photo to Zhang Chuyan, discussing something.

This woman was chased down by the smiling Su Lin descendant, dragged by one leg toward the boundless, hazy void, clearly trying to say something—but Li Huowang heard nothing, only watched her desperate, tear-filled eyes pleading for help, and silently clasped his hands.

Two women stood bare from the waist down, their mottled, visible muscle contours exposed, swinging iron hammers again and again, each strike spraying sweat like scattered raindrops.

Now just wait until I fully absorb the Immortal Source; later, Qi Jing will find a way to help this big guy eliminate Di Zun, retrieve his original body—the Immortal Cauldron—and then all my accumulated reserves will explode.

"True enough—cultivators of our generation seek inner clarity." Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan ate the last of the Holy Herb, leaving only the roots, planning to take them back for Liu Li Ge to try cultivating.

Ye Fan sidestepped, seeing Su Lin carrying Li Huowang—who wore nothing but his underwear—walking toward him.

After all, I'm going back to participate in the Holy Grail War, not to return with Klain and cause disasters—side effects like those of the Box of Doom are terrifying; if mishandled, my own world could be destroyed.

"The Sword Sect Mr. awakened from reincarnation, beginning the first step of devouring all worlds—hahaha~~"

"One-star upgrade per month is too slow..."

"Fine, I beg you—don't mention that thing again." Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan felt a toothache coming on.

"Huh?" Song Shuhang, packing his luggage, clearly froze: "Aren't these for the customers?"

Su Lin patted the sealed object's shoulder, as if saying, "You didn't misread me."

"What's up? Brother Ye, speak." The sealed object hesitated: "If there's anything I can help with, I won't refuse!"

Dong dong

"Sounding like this one's not even scrapped yet." Wei Gong Shi looked at Qi Jing expressionlessly: "You really are a born diviner—no face, yet instantly digesting everything."

"Hehe... Senior Elders, I'm not being humble... laying a solid foundation matters too..."

In the dream, a woman identical to me crawled toward me in a desperate posture, then wrote a character on my ankle with blood-stained fingers—"Suffering."

"True." Su Lin nodded and said: "But Li Huowang, there's one thing we need your help with."

"Cough… cough…" Li Huowang coughed drowsily, as if choked by liquor, and mumbled, "Bad, bad cultivation, sinking daily…"

A tiny minority is a mini version of youth.

Qi Jing sighed helplessly, shook her head, and prepared to pick up Li Huowang and leave.

Su Lin's divine power surged, making his hair and robes rustle; I smiled kindly, then calmed down and walked toward the teleportation gate.

Qi Jing rolled her eyes and said, "I was already gone then—I didn't even notice you beside me. But why are all of you here to rescue him?"

It's not just one problem…

Ding dong

Li Huowang instantly stood straight. "I didn't want to apply for permission to let Congniang come to Tianyi Sect to cultivate! I've got her right here in my bag."

"Thanks to Qi Jing's immortal liquor and Ye Xiao's resources, I've learned a lot during that time in the simulation universe," the Sealed Object rubbed his shoulder and said sincerely:

He carried Li Huowang into the teleportation gate, and moments later returned through a newly opened one.

At least this time, no absurd actions occurred.

As expected, the place became a complete mess…

Of course, if not, I'd try to attempt turning the Saint…

"I can't hold it anymore—he's still sending coordinates to you, the Multiverse Devourers, so you can divide the world's primordial essence. Hehehe~~" Wei Wei Gong Shi's expression remained smiling, but his laughter clashed oddly with his leisurely tea-sipping posture:

"Huowang, how's your cultivation lately?" Su Lin gave the Sealed Object a light tap on the shoulder: "You've gotten much stronger—still refining your body?"

Qi Jing asked, "After all that time, what did you do?"

Immediately after, my Fourfold Mystery Art officially entered the beginner stage; on days with free time, I learned alchemy, talisman crafting, and artifact forging. On idle days, I personally took on the role of a hidden dungeon boss, wiping out several waves of players—my recent life experience was absolutely full.

"Looks like he's had his fill—woke up and wandered far away," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, and stepped lightly after him: "Boss Su was stingy this time."

"Of course, due to cultivation-level productivity limits, it takes us a long time to produce one Sovereign Weapon—only about one per day."

"Broken? I've mastered the Dark Emperor Scripture well, I'm also skilled with Holy Light spells—I even forged a Legendary Artifact yesterday called Ashbringer. On what grounds do you say I'm useless?"

"The eighth teleportation gate on the right is my home," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan waved his hand, signaling Su Lin to send Li Huowang away.

"Is he going back?" Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan asked, eating a spiritual fruit he'd received from the Zhang Sect as a gift during a meal at the Shengcheng Immortal Pavilion.

Ma Xianhong took the weapon, tapped it while burning a talisman, and sprinkled its ash over it.

As one who had attacked Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan but without lethal intent, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan didn't kill him; after this encounter, he immediately returned to the sect to retrieve a Saint Herb to mend relations with Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan, and also placed a small order at Ye Zhetian's Merchants.

Su Lin said, "Not needed for now."

"I'm different—if not absolutely desperate, only then does the will to live become clear," Qi Jingxi shrugged, looking at Qi Jingxi Lang.

"Miss Kelaien? No! Thank you for your kindness," Qi Jingxi Lang immediately shook his head and politely declined Wei Wei Gong Shi's offer.

Ding dong

Then…

"I thought you'd at least cultivate to Immortal stage before dragging your whole family back to fight for the Holy Grail—aren't you dissatisfied with this isekai plot?"

But the future is limitless—isn't it? The future is promising—disciples and masters grow together—what a wonderful story!

"Traceon!" Song Shuhang Lang traced the outline of a weapon in the air, and instantly a short sword formed in his hand; he picked it up and tapped it a few times.

"You know, Shuhang," Su Lin smiled at Li Huowang on his shoulder: "I swear, when Ye Ge has time, I'll definitely help you lay the foundation. If I don't help you, I'll take your surname!"

"Low-end weapons often require only the most humble, unadorned forging methods," Qi Jing guided the Sealed Object as he observed the weapons around them, gesturing for him to approach Qi Jingxi Lang, who was forging a weapon.

"I'm lending it to you, not giving it to you," Su Lin handed Song Shuhang Lang the ancient, natural wooden whip and grinned: "Give this half-god, half-human who's so arrogant a big shock. Remember—with your strength, if you ambush, don't just endure it head-on."

Although I was the one who brought up this topic, I hadn't truly thought of it before—these juniors are sometimes unreliable, but the teaching staff? They're a top-tier team—their value has shattered the ceiling.

"Tianyi Sect…" Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan muttered beside him: "Don't ruin me—such a Heaven's Chosen talent, if you drag him to Tianyi Sect, he'll just be wasted."

The Dark Emperor Scripture wasn't just a joke—aside from being a bit overly obsessive, Emperor Yufeng's cultivation progress wasn't bad at all; one could even say it was quite impressive.

"As a materialist, if you have a body, where do your wills come from?"

"No problem?" The Sealed Object thought it was nothing serious.

Li Huowang blinked: "Is it really that bad…"

If this big guy didn't want to sign a lifetime contract, Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan even planned to give him the Food System—after all, he'd been farming for Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan daily, and I was growing more and more disgusted with this sect disciple; if he just gained a cooking talent, keeping him around at all times wouldn't be impossible.

"Of course, we won't force you to join—but we hope you'll see this is a win-win arrangement. When you become Confused Siming and your spiritual power grows strong, you'll only need to help us manifest some rare materials and inspect appearances to make our fake products appear even more authentic."

"Very impressive," the Sealed Object glanced at the weapons: "Are these all real?"

Su Lin signaled the Ru Hua women to bring down trays, lift the red cloths, revealing about eighteen different weapons.

"Of course, since you took too many days off, you get no salary this month," Su Lin patted Song Shuhang Lang on the back and pushed him backward: "When you return, we'll pay you by piecework."

"Why are you all staring at me? I'm just imitating Ye Fan's laugh."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan sighed: "Energy is limited—taking one disciple is already the limit. Other elders? Forget it."

"My fellow juniors… cultivating too slowly is exhausting me too…"

"Your Ye Zhetian Merchants' Wei Gong Master is renowned in the artifact forging world for his dedication and precision—he's called the Projection Immortal."

"After seventy-seven days of hard work, Wei Gong Master and Ma Master have successfully forged the Sovereign Weapon."

Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan didn't hide anything from this big guy—he gave him whatever good items or scriptures he had.

Moreover, I'm quite wary of these side effects.

Su Lin said calmly: "Help me overcome my fear of low altitudes."

How to put it—some people's absurdity even leaves me in awe, whether in cultivation speed or their theatrical attitude toward life.

"I'm just here to observe, by the way," Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan bit into a spiritual fruit with his right hand and waved a thick stack of ledgers with his left: "Your Ye Zhetian Merchants' taxes are due."

He ignored the strange glances from Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan and the others, instead enthusiastically demonstrating the manufacturing process and craftsmanship to the curious Sealed Object.

After finishing all this, Qi Jing, to compensate for her lingering fear of authority, pulled out half a bottle of Zui Xian Niang and forced a sip into Li Huowang's mouth.

Qi Jing stood up, walked beside Su Lin, glanced at Li Huowang, and sighed: "Qi Jing, doesn't your conscience hurt? All seventeen of his resurrection artifacts are gone, and you've wasted the Zui Xian Niang."

"Where? I'm only at the Eighth Rank," Li Huowang quickly shook his head: "I found Congniang, then went to a mysterious island—but due to some reasons, I didn't finish the plotline before reaching Eighth Rank…"

"Again delaying for a moment—what if it fails before the customer uses it?" Su Lin smiled. "Is he in such a hurry to rush back and fight in the Holy Grail War? Using it as a Consumable is pretty bad too."

Su Lin paused his step, then continued walking forward.

"To increase production efficiency, meet challenges, and bring better experiences to a vast number of consumers amid increasingly fierce commercial competition, our Ye Zhetian Guild adheres to the core strategic principle of prioritizing talent and actively absorbing new technologies from sects across the myriad worlds, developing products that align with the Ye Zhetian Guild's model. Therefore, we need your addition as this scarce talent."

"Take this too—it's also a Sacred Artifact in your world, isn't it?" Su Lin pulled a wooden whip from his Wheel Sea. "Don't flip over. Come back alive."

Just as Su Lin thought the sealed artifact child might have some resistance to this kind of work.

Gold-red magma flowed upward from the arched ground, turning the sky's dark clouds a blazing red.

Qi Jing didn't know what Su Lin was hinting at, but it didn't spark much curiosity in him—he was merely a Mo De tax collector.

Many identical "Ru Hua" figures moved orderly yet chaotically within the miniature cavern realm, arranging weapons in disarray, batch after batch.

Qi Jing, walking at the back, coughed twice, squinting ahead, and said loudly, "Shu Hang, wait a moment..."

With a creak, the puppet "Ru Hua Seventh Generation," optimized for facial features and covered in flesh, opened the double door in a qipao, bowing respectfully. "Please enter."

"You've already seen his clothes—how much did he drink...?" Ye Fan was shocked that Li Huowang hadn't woken up yet.

"Excuse me, make way..." Su Lin's voice came from ahead.

Qi Jing Qianlang blinked, his gaze filled with gratitude toward the group.

Lu Mingfei couldn't help asking: "Why does he always have to cause big trouble?!"

"Shu Hang, you've been gone two weeks—haven't you reached the Seventh Rank yet?" Especially Especially Especially Xiao Yan bit into a Spirit Fruit and asked Li Huowang.

His words were spoken word by word, utterly serious.

"Heard the Simulation Universe is about to shut down?" Su Lin asked casually, gesturing to the arriving group.

"But I saw that sect leader of yours go to the public alchemy lecture with his senior disciple just yesterday..." Lu Mingfei hadn't finished speaking when Su Lin behind him stopped walking.