Jiang Chen stood beside the teleportation array, gazing at it for a long while. Only when the ripples on the water's surface had completely faded did he let out a soft sigh.
Though it was only a brief parting, sending the woman he loved away still left Jiang Chen feeling terrible.
Yan Wanjun, on the other hand, smiled faintly. "A true man sets his sights on the wider world. There will be plenty of time for matters of the heart in the days to come."
Yan Qingsang stood nearby, chuckling to himself, but surprisingly said nothing.
"Elder Wanjun, I've upgraded the outer defensive formations of Dongyan Island based on Senior Pei Xing's legacy. In their current state, even a Heavenly Position realm powerhouse would find it extremely difficult to force his way in."
"Not bad." Yan Wanjun nodded, but said, "With the current dire situation on Wanyuan Island, Dongyan Island really could serve as an excellent stronghold."
"I'll have to trouble you to remain here and hold this place, Elder Wanjun."
"I'm just a wandering ghost at this point, with nowhere to go anyway. Having a place to settle down is something to be happy about."
There was a note of melancholy in Yan Wanjun's tone. He suddenly asked, "What are your plans going forward?"
"Return to the Eternal Divine Kingdom." Jiang Chen's voice was resolute.
"What?" Yan Wanjun's brow furrowed. "Didn't those people from the Yunlang Sect say that the imperial family and the Xiahou clan are planning to rebel? The rebellion may have already begun. Going back now would be walking right into the line of fire."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "I am, after all, a disciple of the Sacred Land. I've received its grace, and I can't simply stay out of it."
"Right—I'll go back with you." Yan Qingsang hurriedly spoke up.
"You should stay here and keep Elder Wanjun company. Let the old man temper your character a bit. Devoting yourself to cultivation is the right path."
Jiang Chen clearly had no intention of bringing Yan Qingsang along.
It wasn't for any other reason—simply that Yan Qingsang's current strength would make no meaningful difference in changing the Sacred Land's situation. If he rushed back on nothing but sentiment, the only likely outcome was death.
Jiang Chen was unwilling to let Yan Qingsang throw his life away, nor did he want the distraction of having to protect him.
Yan Qingsang was unhappy to hear this. "What's that supposed to mean? Only you're loyal to the Sacred Land? Am I the kind of person who flees at the first sign of battle?"
Jiang Chen smiled but offered no explanation.
That attitude only infuriated Yan Qingsang further. "You look down on me? Think I'll drag you down?"
Yan Wanjun slapped the back of his head. "Enough. What are you squawking about? I think Jiang Chen makes sense. With your rash temperament, going back now won't do any good—you'd only cause more trouble for the Sacred Land. You're staying with me, and you're not going anywhere. If you want to be useful to the Sacred Land, wait until your cultivation improves. For now, just stay put."
Yan Wanjun was, after all, an elder who had experienced much in life, and his thinking was naturally more thorough.
The moment his grandfather spoke, Yan Qingsang wilted. He knew that once the old man had made his decision, the matter was settled.
Jiang Chen produced two pills.
"Elder Wanjun, Brother Qingsang—these are two Heaven-Pillaring Pills. They're extremely rare. As for their effects, I imagine you've already heard of them."
Yan Wanjun started. Back at the Heaven-Mending Grand Assembly, the Sacred Land had mentioned a pill that could unconditionally elevate one's cultivation by an entire sub-realm within the Heavenly Position stage.
But hadn't the Sacred Land said that such a pill was still under development?
"Is this… the Heaven-Pillaring Pill that unconditionally elevates one's cultivation by an entire sub-realm in the Heavenly Position stage?" Yan Wanjun's voice trembled with emotion.
"Yes. 'Unconditional' might be a slight overstatement, but it's highly effective for breaking through a single martial cultivation barrier."
At the Heavenly Position stage—especially in the higher tiers—unconditionally advancing by an entire sub-realm was enormously difficult.
But the brilliance of the Heaven-Pillaring Pill lay in this: while it might not guarantee an immediate breakthrough after consumption, over the long term, breaking through one additional sub-realm would pose little difficulty.
For instance, if a cultivator had reached the seventh tier of the Heavenly Position stage and hit a ceiling with virtually no hope of further advancement, a single Heaven-Pillaring Pill could help them shatter that barrier and reach the eighth tier.
The breakthrough might not produce immediate results, but in the long run, there would be little issue.
"Elder Wanjun, this pill will be of great help in your push toward the ninth tier of the Heavenly Position stage. As for Brother Qingsang, I'd suggest you break through to the third tier first, then take this pill to maximize its effect."
The transition from the third tier to the fourth tier of the Heavenly Position stage marked the shift from the early to the mid-tier. Once you crossed that threshold, you'd effectively be climbing a major step.
"Exactly, exactly! Qingsang, did you hear that? See how thoughtfully Jiang Chen is looking out for you?" Yan Wanjun was overjoyed, feeling that today was truly the finest day he'd had in years.
Yan Wanjun had been stuck at the eighth tier of the Heavenly Position stage for countless years. He had almost believed he would never break through again.
But the sudden appearance of the Heaven-Pillaring Pill had given him a delightful surprise.