I created an extraordinary era

Chapter 668 Winter Farewell, Complete Integration

"Uncle Xia!"

Seeing Xia Yuan sitting at the entrance of the courtyard, Zhang Yao quickly quickened her pace.

"Ok!"

Xia Yuan smiled and nodded, glancing at her briefly.

"Sixth level of Transcendent Realm, not bad!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao couldn't help but give a wry smile.

"Uncle Xia, please stop teasing me!"

She is very self-aware of her talents.

It took more than ten years to break through from the third level of the Mortal Transformation to the sixth level. This speed is not considered fast, not to mention in the Origin Academy, even in the outside world.

If nothing unexpected happens, she might only ever reach the Transcendent Realm.

After all, she is already fifty-six years old!

By the time he breaks through to the Grandmaster level, he'll probably be almost seventy years old.

If her martial arts realm remains at the mid-stage of Dark Force without any progress, her strength will improve very slowly.

If we're talking about the martial arts realm at the late stage of Dark Force, it takes ten to fifteen years to break through from the seventh to the eighth level of Transcendent Realm.

Therefore, it would take at least thirty years for someone in the mid-stage of Dark Force to break through to the eighth level of Transcendent Realm.

As for the ninth level of the Transcendent Realm?

This timeframe will certainly not be less than sixty years.

In other words, if one only has the martial arts realm of the mid-stage of Dark Force.

Even with sufficient resources, it would take at least 150 years to cultivate to the ninth level of the Transcendent Realm.

Therefore, the chances of someone at the mid-stage of Dark Force breaking through to the Unity Realm are actually not very high.

One must reach at least the late stage of Dark Force to be considered relatively stable.

Of course, this only refers to the physical condition and does not include mental strength.

In terms of cultivation speed, the path of laws actually has a greater advantage.

Generally speaking, reaching the second stage of artistic conception is comparable to the cultivation speed of the late stage of Dark Force, or even faster.

However, it is quite difficult to get started with the realm of laws and concepts.

Moreover, breaking through to the second stage is even more difficult than breaking through to the later stage of Dark Force.

Compared to other options, martial arts have a lower barrier to entry and are more suitable for most people.

"Ding Yan!"

While talking with Xia Yuan, Zhang Yao also noticed Ding Yan and the other person who were cultivating in the distance.

"Mid-stage Dark Force?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Yao's eyes as she sensed the fluctuations in Ding Yan's blood and qi during his cultivation.

She could be said to have watched Ding Yan grow up.

When the two first met, Ding Yan was just a level three martial artist who had recently been admitted to the Extraordinary University.

Years later, the boy successfully entered Lingxiao Academy.

At Lingxiao Academy.

In just over four years, Ding Yan broke through from an ordinary person to a grandmaster, and his martial arts realm even reached the level of Dark Force.

With such talent, he would easily be among the top thirty even at Lingxiao Academy.

However, the two never contacted each other again after graduating from Lingxiao Academy!
When they met again, nearly seven years had passed.

What Zhang Yao didn't expect was...

In just over six years, Ding Yan's cultivation level broke through from the first level of the Transcendent Realm to the fourth level, and his martial arts realm advanced from the entry level of Dark Force to the mid-stage of Dark Force.

This rapid progress surprised Zhang Yao, but also brought a bitter feeling to her heart.

She remembered that it took her a full fifteen years to go from the first to the fourth level of the Transcendent Realm.

Despite the different times, we now have more resources and our martial arts are more refined than ever before.

But the difference in talent still stands like an invisible chasm.

It will probably not be long before Ding Yan catches up with or even surpasses him.

Suppressing the complex emotions in her heart, Zhang Yao smiled again.

soon.

Ding Yan and the other person have also finished their cultivation for the day.

"Teacher Zhang!"

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes when he saw Zhang Yao.

When he was at Lingxiao Academy, Zhang Yao also gave him a lot of help.

If it weren't for Zhang Yao's guidance, he might not have been able to break through to the Dark Force level before awakening.

Therefore, Ding Yan was very grateful to Zhang Yao.

“You’ve already graduated from Lingxiao Academy, so you don’t need to call me teacher anymore. Just call me Sister Yao as before.”

Zhang Yao smiled and waved her hand.

Upon hearing Zhang Yao's words, Ding Yan didn't hesitate for long before smiling and replying:

"Okay, Sister Yao!"

Looking at Ding Yan's expression, Xia Yuan's expression suddenly became a little strange.

His gaze lingered on Ding Yan's face for a couple more seconds, keenly catching the fleeting glint in Ding Yan's eyes when he called out "Sister Yao."

Could this kid have a crush on Zhang Yao?

"The age difference is quite significant."

Xia Yuan muttered to himself.

"But these days, it doesn't seem too unusual?"

Indeed, both of them were extraordinary beings at the Transcendent Realm, possessing a long lifespan of two hundred years.

Moreover, Zhang Yao is only in her fifties now, and even if she cannot break through to the Unity Realm, she still has nearly 150 years to live.

So age really isn't a problem.

But when did Ding Yan fall for Zhang Yao?
Could it have been during the time at Lingxiao Academy, or even earlier?
Thinking of this, Xia Yuan couldn't help but glance at Ding Yan again, his expression becoming even more peculiar.

Judging from Zhang Yao's expression, she probably doesn't know yet.

Secret love?

Xia Yuan suddenly became interested.

I wonder when Ding Yan will confess his feelings to Zhang Yao?
How will Zhang Yao react then?

Thinking of this, a slight smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

……

This year's New Year's Eve dinner was especially lively, with Xia Yuan, Uncle Ding's family, and Zhang Changsheng's family all gathered together.

Uncle Ding always had a smile on his face.

He felt a rare sense of fulfillment to have so many people by his side in the final stage of his life.

Occasionally, the sound of firecrackers could be heard outside the window. Inside, the lights were on, and the aroma of food mingled with the warmth of the room, dispelling the chill of the winter night.

Zhang Yao helped her mother and Ding Yan's mother set out the dishes, her movements were skillful and not at all like what a sixth-level Transcendent Realm expert should be like.

Ding Yan was busy pouring wine and tea for the elders, but his eyes kept unconsciously following Zhang Yao's figure.

Xia Yuan observed all of this, leisurely sipping his tea, finding this New Year's Eve dinner more interesting than any other year.

He even thought with a wicked sense of humor that if he were to expose Ding Yan's thoughts now, would the kid just bury his face in his rice bowl?
Of course, Xia Yuan was only thinking about it.

If you expose something too early, it might bring everything to an abrupt end.

He was happy to remain a quiet observer and watch how things unfolded.

The New Year's Eve dinner drew to a close in a warm and peaceful atmosphere.

Uncle Ding was getting old and his spirits were not good, so Ding Yan helped his grandfather home to rest first.

After settling his grandfather in and carefully tucking him in, Ding Yan watched the old man fall into a deep sleep before quietly leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

When he returned, he saw Zhang Yao's family about to leave, and quickly went up to them:
"Sister Yao, Uncle Zhang, Auntie, let me see you off!"

"No need, Ding Yan, you should take care of Grandpa. We can go back on our own."

Zhang Yao smiled and waved her hand.

Zhang Changsheng patted Ding Yan on the shoulder: "Yeah, it's just a few steps, you go about your business."

"It's alright, Uncle Zhang. Grandpa's already asleep. I'll see you off; it'll be a good opportunity for a walk."

Xia Yuan sat at the table, holding a teacup, and casually interjected:
"Let him give him a ride. Young man, it's good for you to get to know people better."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao glanced at Ding Yan, assuming it was Xia Yuan's idea, and therefore did not object further.

"Alright then, thank you for your hard work, Ding Yan."

Panlong Town was exceptionally quiet under the night sky, and the chill of the winter night was somewhat mitigated by the warm light emanating from every household.

The group walked side by side on the bluestone pavement, their footsteps echoing in the empty street.

After a moment, Ding Yan broke the silence by speaking first.

"Sister Yao, how have you been at the academy all these years?"

After saying those words, Ding Yan's heart pounded.

Zhang Yao gathered her hair, which had been blown about by the wind, and turned to look at Ding Yan. She had a feeling that something was off about him.

This question was asked.

What changes can happen at Lingxiao Academy?
Isn't it still the same as before?

"pretty good."

Zhang Yao didn't think much of it, nodded, and continued:
"But speaking of which, the academy has been producing more and more geniuses in recent years!"

"When I first entered Lingxiao Academy, students who broke through to the Transcendent Realm were extremely rare."

"Now, almost every year, several students break through to the second stage of the Transcendent Realm."

"As for the students who have broken through to the Transcendent Realm, there are already no fewer than a hundred of them!"

Zhang Yao's tone carried a faint trace of melancholy, a subtle emotion that Ding Yan was not able to miss.

He looked at Zhang Yao's profile, its soft contours softened by the dim light, and felt a sudden tightness in his heart.

"Sister Yao, you are underestimating yourself too much."

Ding Yan blurted it out, his tone unusually serious.

"Being able to become a tutor at Lingxiao Academy is proof of your excellence."

Zhang Yao smiled and shook her head.

"I was able to become a tutor at Lingxiao Academy only because Uncle Xia gave me the qualification to enter Origin Academy."

"If I hadn't come from the Origin Academy, I probably wouldn't even have had the chance to become a superhuman, let alone become a mentor at Lingxiao Academy."

What she said was indeed the truth.

Even in this day and age, the threshold to becoming a superhuman is still very high.

Most extraordinary individuals actually possess very good talent.

This is why, out of 150,000 extraordinary individuals, the number of Grandmasters exceeds 10,000. In fact, most of the remaining individuals are also capable of breaking through to the Grandmaster level.

Those people are only temporarily stuck at the lower level because of the time and resources available for cultivation.

Given Zhang Yao's demonstrated talent, it's simply impossible for her to compete with others in this era.

Zhang Yao's tone was calm, as if she were stating an objective fact, but Ding Yan could hear a subtle, barely perceptible hint of loneliness hidden within it.

But he really didn't know what to say.

The night is getting darker.

The two of them didn't speak again.

The atmosphere quieted down again, with only the sound of footsteps echoing in the night.

"Ding Yan".

Zhang Yao suddenly spoke, her voice soft.

"Ok?"

Ding Yan's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly responded.

"Thank you."

Zhang Yao turned her head and smiled at him.

"It's nothing really, I just feel a little sentimental sometimes."

"Seeing how quickly you've improved, I'm actually quite happy for you."

She meant it sincerely.

Despite a touch of bitterness from the comparison, seeing the achievements of students I once mentored brings me more joy than anything else.

Or rather, she's come to terms with it!
Her talent was only average to begin with, so to have her current status and strength is already an incredible stroke of luck!

She only thinks about it occasionally.

Would things have been better if I hadn't asked my father for the qualification to enter the Origin Academy?
Giving yourself such an opportunity would be a complete waste.

Anyone else in an environment like Origin Academy would achieve no less than me.

"Sister Yao."

Ding Yan opened his mouth.

But I found myself clumsy and unable to find the right words to comfort you.

At this point, saying anything more would seem pale and powerless, or even hypocritical.

"Okay, we're here!"

"Go back!"

Zhang Yao stopped and turned to Ding Yan.

"Okay, Sister Yao, Uncle Zhang, Auntie, I'll head back now."

Ding Yan nodded, his gaze lingering on Zhang Yao's face for a moment.

"Be careful on the road."

Zhang Yao's mother gently gave her instructions.

Watching Ding Yan's departing figure gradually disappear into the night, Zhang Yao followed her parents into the house.

"Speaking of Xiao Ding, he's really becoming more and more promising."

Zhang Changsheng said this while changing his shoes.

“I’ve heard Xia Yuan praise him several times recently.”

"Yes, to have such a high level of understanding at such a young age, and to be so filial."

Zhang Yao's mother echoed, then looked at her daughter as if she remembered something.

"Yaoyao, I remember Ding Yan is quite a bit younger than you, right?"

"Yes, he's more than ten years younger than me."

Zhang Yao answered casually and walked to the kitchen to pour water.

Her mother followed behind her, her tone casual yet probing:

“These days, an age difference of more than ten years is nothing. You are both at the Transcendent Realm, with long lifespans.”

Zhang Yao paused, then turned around, both amused and exasperated.
"Mom, what are you thinking? I just see him as a younger brother."

"I just said it casually."

The mother smiled and didn't continue the topic, but the meaning in her eyes was obvious.

Zhang Yao shook her head, took her water glass, and went upstairs to her room.

She stood by the window, gazing at the quiet night outside, and couldn't help but recall Ding Yan's hesitant expression and the undisguised concern in his eyes.

"this kid"

Zhang Yao murmured to herself and shook her head.

She wasn't unaware of Ding Yan's thoughts.

Ding Yan's behavior today was so unusual that even a normal person could see it.

However, there are too many real-world distances between the two of them.

Age gaps can be overcome, but the gap in talent is difficult to bridge.

Ding Yanru is like the rising sun; his future is limitless.

But she may be stuck in the Transcendent Realm for the rest of her life.

Decades later, when Ding Yan breaks through to the Unity Realm, his appearance will remain unchanged, but she will gradually grow old.

Such a disparity made her dare not have any improper thoughts.

"Just treat him like a younger brother."

Zhang Yao sighed softly and drew the curtains.

……

The next day.

As soon as New Year's Eve was over, Zhang Yao came over to say goodbye to Xia Yuan.

"So anxious?"

"Yes, there's a lot going on at the college this year, so I had to take a few days off to come here!"

Zhang Yao gave a bitter smile.

"Especially recently, after Dean Wan broke through to the Unity Realm, he made a major adjustment to the internal affairs of the academy. As his mentor, I really can't leave for too long."

Zhang Yao stood in front of Xia Yuan, her tone apologetic.

Xia Yuan nodded.

"Alright, be careful at the academy!"

be safe?

Zhang Yao was slightly taken aback. As one of the top extraordinary academies of the human race, what danger could Lingxiao Academy possibly pose?
Moreover, the dean recently broke through to the Unity Realm, so it's even less likely that anything could have happened.

"I just said it casually, don't take it too seriously!"

"Oh, by the way, when you get back, please congratulate your dean for me."

Could you please send a message of blessing to the dean?
Zhang Yao was stunned again.

In the past, she had never mentioned her relationship with Xia Yuan.

This was to avoid upsetting Xia Yuan.

But now, doesn't this expose my relationship with Uncle Xia?
"Okay, let's go!"

Xia Yuan smiled, but offered no explanation, simply waving his hand and saying:

"it is good!"

Although Zhang Yao had some doubts, seeing that Xia Yuan was unwilling to say more, she didn't press further and could only bow and take her leave.

When she arrived at the village entrance, she saw a familiar figure already waiting there.

Ding Yan.

She deliberately chose to come and say goodbye in the early morning, also in order to avoid Ding Yan.

I never expected to run into him again!

"Sister Yao."

He quickly came to meet him.

"I send you."

She was silent for a moment, then finally nodded slightly:
"it is good."

Neither of them spoke.

Under the winter sun, two figures slowly walked towards the outside.

……

Outside town.

Zheng Hao, who had just returned, happened to see Zhang Yao leave.

"what's the situation?"

"gone?"

Zheng Hao was stunned as he watched Zhang Yao's figure disappear at the town entrance.

Because of Zhang Yao's appearance, he barely slept a wink last night.

So the other person just left like that?

"Should I still leave?"

Zheng Hao muttered to himself, his expression shifting between light and dark.

To be honest, he didn't really want to leave.

What he needs most now is a quiet cultivation environment to transform all his resources into strength.

Panlong Town is very suitable.

This place is in the countryside, so no superhumans would come here.

Moreover, Liu Yuqing, as his "wife," can also provide a good explanation for his long-term stay here.

Is it strange for a prodigal son to return home?

I just want to grow old with her.

So even if there are superhumans, there's nothing to worry about.

The only thing to be careful about is that those cultivation resources are not discovered by others.

After all, none of those things can be explained in terms of their origin.

Purchases made using contribution points are recorded.

He didn't keep any records of these things at all.

So as long as you're careful about this, there won't be any problems.

"In that case, let's wait and see!"

He turned and walked towards Liu Yuqing's house, his gentle mask returning to his face.

He even stopped to chat with some familiar townspeople along the way, complained a bit about the weather, and completely blended into the atmosphere of the small town.
(End of this chapter)