Xiao Ling paid no attention to the shock in Yun Yun and the other two's eyes. Only after the silver spatial passage had completely stabilized and the flowing spatial energy had calmed down did he raise his eyes and sweep over everyone, his tone calm and decisive.
"It's time to go."

After saying that, he turned to look at Mu Qingluan, who was still clinging to his side, a tenderness flashing in his eyes, and whispered, "Be good and wait for me at Xingyun Pavilion. I'll be back soon."

Although Mu Qingluan was still reluctant, she obediently nodded and let go of his arm.

Without further delay, Xiao Ling took the lead and stepped into the space passage, which was about ten feet wide. His figure transformed into a pale moonlight and steadily entered the passage.

Following closely behind, Little Fairy Doctor, Qing Lin, and Xiao Yan merged into the silver halo within the passage.

Seeing this, Yun Yun and the other two no longer hesitated. They each circulated their battle qi, their figures soaring up like graceful swans, and stepped into the spatial passage that spanned the continent one after another.

Once everyone had stepped into the spatial passage, the silver light screen, about ten feet wide, slowly contracted, and the flowing spatial patterns gradually faded, eventually disappearing into the void silently like water droplets merging into the ocean. Only faint spatial fluctuations remained in the courtyard, which were quickly smoothed out by the surrounding void.

Mu Qingluan gazed in the direction where the passage disappeared, her eyes still filled with reluctance, but she did not linger there any longer.

The next moment, a pair of shimmering blue wings suddenly unfurled behind her. The wings flapped, creating a refreshing breeze, and her figure rose up like a kite with a broken string, transforming into a blue rainbow that swept across the mountain forest and disappeared into the morning mist of Lingyue Peak in the blink of an eye.

……

This spatial passage, personally opened by Xiao Ling, leads directly to the Northwest Continent. However, because it spans two continents and the distance is too great, even traveling through the spatial passage requires a considerable journey. But this distance is nothing compared to the vast mountains and rivers that one would have to cross before.

With the strength of Xiao Ling, Xiao Yan, and the others, if they fully activated their Dou Qi to travel, they naturally wouldn't need to spend too much time. However, Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran, who were traveling with them, were only at the Dou Zong realm, and Ya Fei was only a beginner Dou Wang, so the difference in their cultivation levels was huge.

If Xiao Ling and his group were to suddenly accelerate, the three people behind them would likely be left far behind in an instant.

Thinking of this, Xiao Ling did not hesitate. With a slight thought, a spaceship with a smooth, lustrous sheen appeared from his storage ring. The ship's hull had intricate patterns and faintly revealed spatial fluctuations, clearly indicating that its quality was extraordinary.

"This journey is not short. Everyone should board the spaceship and rest. There is no need to expend battle qi to travel further," Xiao Ling said calmly, and with a wave of his hand, he enlarged the spaceship to a size that could accommodate everyone.

In this way, there is no need to accommodate the three people's travel speed, nor is there any need to worry about delaying the journey. Everyone can simply sit comfortably inside the spaceship and wait to arrive at the Northwest Continent.

Seeing this, everyone circulated their battle qi, their figures leaping up and landing steadily on the deck of the spaceship like fluttering fireflies.

The spaceship deck was wide and flat, with a faint sense of weightiness, and standing on it, one did not feel any turbulence.

Xiao Ling slowly walked to the bow of the ship and gently placed his palm on the cool rudder. The moment his powerful battle qi flowed into the rudder like a long river, the entire spaceship suddenly burst forth with a dazzling silver halo. The halo flowed and spread along the hull's patterns, enveloping the spaceship.

The next moment, the spaceship transformed into a silver streak, accompanied by a whistling sound as it hurtled through the air, and flew straight towards the other end of the space passage at extreme speed.

The spatial energy inside the passage was violently stirred and churned, but it could not get close to the halo around the spaceship, and could only let it shuttle and rush through the vast void.

……

Northwest Continent, Gama Empire, Gama Holy City.

The sky was a clear, deep blue, without a trace of impurity. A few wisps of white clouds drifted leisurely like light gauze. A gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees, bathing the entire holy city in the bright and warm morning light.

Sunlight filters through the clouds, casting a warm golden hue over the rows of buildings. The interplay of light and shadow further accentuates the grandeur and vitality of this imperial capital.

As the gaze slowly moves downwards, the entire bustling cityscape of Gama unfolds before you.

The city is flat and vast, with walls made of thick, dark blue-black stones, reaching dozens of feet in height. They stand majestically, covered with the marks of time, yet remain indestructible, protecting the thousands of people within the city.

At the city gate, the streets were bustling with activity, with a constant stream of people. There were guards in tight-fitting clothes walking hurriedly, merchants in brocade chatting and laughing, and alchemists coming and going with haughty expressions. All sorts of people moved about, weaving together a lively and extraordinary scene of the city.

The streets in the city are wide and flat, and the bluestone slabs paved with them have been worn smooth and shiny by the years. The houses and pavilions on both sides have different styles, yet they are harmonious and unified.

The shops along the street were densely packed, their signs fluttering in the wind, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining rose and fell. All kinds of rare treasures, elixirs, weapons, and silks and satins were on display, dazzling the eyes.

The air is filled with the aromas of food, medicinal herbs, and fresh herbs, creating a unique flavor that showcases the city's prosperity and vitality.

In the center of the capital, a massive palace complex stands prominently, the very heart of the Gama Empire's power: the Gama Imperial Palace.

The palace is covered with golden glazed tiles, which gleam in the sunlight, making it look like a golden palace.

The palace walls are dozens of feet high and are made of specially made white jade. They are flawless and carved with exquisite patterns of dragons and phoenixes, creating a magnificent sight.

Before the palace gate, two huge bronze cauldrons were filled with the smoke of burning incense. Dozens of imperial guards, dressed in armor and with upright postures, stood solemnly on both sides, their eyes sharp as eagles, exuding a dignified and righteous aura, guarding the majesty of the palace.

Surrounding the imperial palace lies the gathering place of the top powers in the Holy City of Gama. The mansions of various families are built against the mountainside, grand in scale, facing the imperial palace across the distance. Within these mansions are pavilions, terraces, artificial hills, and flowing water, showcasing the family's rich heritage. The Alchemist Guild's architecture is even more unique, constructed entirely of blue bricks and stones, with roofs carved with medicinal cauldron patterns. A gilded plaque bearing the words "Alchemist Guild" hangs above the entrance. Those who frequent the guild are mostly alchemists in white robes, and the air is filled with a rich medicinal fragrance, highlighting the Alchemist Guild's exalted status within the Gama Empire.

The entire holy city of Gama possesses the solemn grandeur of a royal palace, the bustling prosperity of its streets and alleys, and the profound heritage of a top-tier power.

The constant flow of people and the bustling traffic create a vibrant and energetic atmosphere, showcasing the ever-growing prosperity of the Gama Empire.

On the top floor of a towering building in the city, two figures stood side by side, their clothes fluttering gently in the breeze.

The two leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance, taking in the entire bustling and prosperous scene of the holy city of Gama.

If anyone familiar with the top echelons of the Jia Ma Empire were here, they would surely gasp in astonishment. The old man on the left, dressed in a black brocade robe, with a resolute face and slightly graying temples, is none other than Jia Xingtian, the guardian of the Jia Ma Empire's royal family and a top-tier expert at the Dou Zong level.

The old man on the right, dressed in a blue robe, with a cold face and sharp, icy eyes, is Hai Bodong, the supreme elder of the Mittel family, known as the "Ice Emperor".

"Old Hai, it's been half a year, and your aura has become even more powerful. It seems your cultivation has improved quite a bit." Jia Xingtian raised his hand to stroke his silver beard, his gaze sweeping over Hai Bodong beside him, his tone carrying a hint of mystery.

Hai Bodong's lips curled into a cold, arrogant smile, but his eyes couldn't hide a hint of smugness as he calmly retorted.

"Heh, it was just a lucky breakthrough. As for you, old man, you look exactly the same as you did half a year ago. Now, I'm afraid you wouldn't even last a hundred moves against me, would you?"

"If you really want to settle things, I wouldn't mind sparring with you, old man. We'll see who's stronger then!" Jia Xingtian raised an eyebrow and chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of unyielding determination.

Hai Bodong sneered, and a faint aura of icy coldness instantly emanated from his body, making the air around the pavilion seem to freeze.

"Hehe, since you volunteered, I'll gladly oblige. I just broke through a few days ago and was looking for a place to practice, so it's perfect to give you an old man a try."

After a few playful banter, the atmosphere became a bit more lively, and the conversation quickly turned to business.

Hai Bodong picked up the celadon teacup on the stone table, his fingertips tracing the cool rim of the cup. He took a small sip of the tea, letting its aroma linger on his tongue before looking up at Jia Xingtian, his tone straightforward.
"Alright, old man, stop beating around the bush. You specifically called me out today, you might not really be planning a sparring match. Just say what you want to say."

Jia Xingtian narrowed his eyes, a thoughtful glint in them, then a meaningful smile appeared on his face as he stroked his beard and said,
"Hehe, it's nothing urgent, I just wanted to ask you about something. Didn't your Mittel family's Yafei go to Zhongzhou with Master Xiao Ling? How is she doing there now? Is she still in contact with your family?"

Upon hearing Jia Xingtian mention Ya Fei, Hai Bodong's smile deepened instantly, and his gaze towards Jia Xingtian held a knowing look, as if he had already seen through Jia's thoughts. He put down his teacup, lightly tapped his fingertips on the stone table, and laughed heartily.
"That girl, Ya Fei, has been gone for several years since she went to Zhongzhou with Master Xiao Ling. Although she has never come back to visit, she has never stopped writing letters and often sends messages to the family."

"According to what that girl said in her letter, she has now established herself in the Starfall Pavilion and even gained a place there. However, the forces in the Central Continent are complex and intertwined. She has not been established for long and has many things to deal with, so she is very busy. But she also said that once everything is sorted out and she has some free time, she will come back to visit us old folks."

Seeing Hai Bodong's overflowing pride, Jia Xingtian's smile froze for a moment, then he forced a faint smile and echoed,

"As expected of an outstanding member of your Mittel family, she truly lives up to expectations! The Central Plains is full of hidden talents and capable people. It is truly remarkable that she, a woman, has been able to achieve such a situation. Her abilities are extraordinary."

He had barely finished speaking when he abruptly changed the subject, his eyes filled with expectation as he looked at Hai Bodong and said...

"By the way, Old Hai, you and Master Xiao Ling have some connection. If there's an opportunity in the future for Master Xiao Ling to return to the Jia Ma Empire, could you perhaps introduce him to our royal family?"

“Those two girls, Yaoyue and Yaoye, have made considerable progress in their cultivation and abilities over the years, and their temperaments have also become much more composed. If they could be mentored by Master Xiao Ling and go to Zhongzhou to gain experience and broaden their horizons, it would surely be of great benefit to their future cultivation and the development of the royal family.”

"Hehe, you old codger, this is your real purpose for coming to see me today, isn't it?" Seeing Jia Xingtian's frankness, Hai Bodong couldn't help but shake his head, a knowing smile flashing in his eyes. How could he not guess what his old friend was thinking?
Given Jia Xingtian's suspicious nature and his tendency to plan things out before acting, he must have seen that the Mittel family had Ya Fei following Master Xiao Ling to Zhongzhou, and Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran of the Yunlan Sect had already established this connection. In the future, these forces would inevitably rise to prominence with the resources of Zhongzhou, while the royal family remained confined to a corner of the Jia Ma Empire. He was bound to worry about their future status being shaken and their safety being uncertain, so he thought of finding a way out for Yao Yue and Yao Ye.

Hai Bodong waved his hand, his tone tinged with helplessness and frankness.
"However, you shouldn't count on me for this matter. Although I did have some dealings with Master Xiao Ling back then, that was many years ago. Now, according to Ya Fei's letter, Master Xiao Ling is no longer at the same level as before. Not only has his cultivation broken through to the Dou Zun level, but he also won the championship in the last Zhongzhou Pill Gathering, refining a peak eighth-grade pill. Now he is the most famous alchemist in Zhongzhou. With my old bones, I don't think I can say anything for you in front of such a person."

Seeing Hai Bodong's blunt refusal, Jia Xingtian's expectant expression faded instantly, leaving only a hint of helplessness.

Whether Hai Bodong's words were modest or true, the royal family's hopes of using this relationship to get close to Xiao Ling are probably dashed.

Over the years, although the two prodigies, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan, have long since gone to the Central Plains, their fame has grown ever stronger in the Jia Ma Empire.

Riding on this halo, the Xiao family's influence grew day by day, and they gradually gained a position that surpassed all other major forces. Who in the Jia Ma Empire did not know that the Xiao family had produced two top experts who could shake the Central Plains?
One is a powerful Dou Zun and the number one alchemist in Zhongzhou; the other is a formidable figure at the high-level Dou Zong level, who is not only an honorary elder of Canaan Academy but has also made a name for himself in Zhongzhou.

With such a terrifying foundation, who would dare to provoke them easily? Even if the royal family truly angered the Xiao family, before Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan could even take action themselves, those forces that wanted to curry favor with the Xiao family would swarm in and devour the royal family alive.

Therefore, over the years, the royal family has tried every means to strengthen ties with the Xiao family, but each time with little success. Now in the Jia Ma Empire, the only family that can be considered to have a harmonious relationship with the Xiao family is the Mittel family, which established a connection early on.

A wave of indescribable melancholy washed over Jia Xingtian, and he could only sigh silently in his heart.

He looked up at the direction of the Xiao family mansion in the distance, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

"Yue'er and that Third Young Master Xiao Yan had a pretty good relationship back then. If we could bring them together, it would be a wonderful thing, and our Jia Ma royal family could live in peace for a thousand years..." (End of this chapter)

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