This is a kind of mad elegy, yet also a kind of heroic self-transformation. Zhou Yan was even somewhat impacted by this heroic and melancholic atmosphere, surprisingly forgetting the next step!

"Quick, move quickly!"

Zhao Xiaoxiao suddenly exclaimed, then she proactively shielded Zhou Yan, as if wanting to block all dangers first, granting Zhou Yan the time to escape from here.

However, Zhou Yan regained his senses instantly, as thoughts moved, the Thunder Seal Sword-shaped mark suddenly erupted, enveloping Zhao Xiaoxiao and four others. Following that, Zhou Yan and the five were almost all gone in an instant, retreating into the space within the Purple Flame Lotus in the void.

At that moment, a fear originating from the depths of the Origin of Eternal Spirit surged deep within Zhou Yan’s heart, as if that step into the internal space of the Purple Flame Lotus was a terrifying mistake, because next moment, all life will face the most dreadful catastrophe of destruction.

Yet, within this feeling, disaster didn’t occur but merely twisted by a wave of furious chaotic breath, Zhou Yan sensed an overwhelming, irritable and oppressive aura rampant between heaven and earth.

The world shifted from darkness, from the Land of Flames, to a vast yellow desert landscape.

The dry atmosphere generated waves of anxiety in people’s hearts.

The scene of flying yellow sand made Zhou Yan gradually realize that he indeed escaped the Land of Heavenly Fire.

Zhou Yan didn’t know if the Land of Heavenly Fire was destroyed, but this time, his attempts to leave it truly succeeded.

In fact, Zhou Yan wasn’t sure if his means of manifest thought would succeed. The result he derived, the likelihood of success was infinitely approaching zero.

And once it infinitely approached zero, the singularity created by Yun Shiyin was merely a boundless black hole, the outcome of entering was complete annihilation.

But now, clearly, it truly succeeded.

Yet this success cannot be replicated.

Even if completely tried again, Zhou Yan wouldn’t know if he would continue to succeed, those probabilities of success are really too low.

Many of the word spirit gifts Zhou Yan exhibited were merely some fragmented parts combined with his own imagined combinations.

These combinations could succeed, indeed it was somewhat beyond imagination.

Zhou Yan took a deep breath, his mouth filled with scattering yellow sand, oppressive explosive breath sensed in his mouth; this made his heart tremble aware that between heaven and earth there was no origin Qi left to absorb.

This land, compared to the Land of Heavenly Fire, was more perilous and ferocious, more vicious.

Zhou Yan expelled the impurities of yellow sand from his body using origin, then looked around, he saw Qin Ruyu and four others half-buried in the sand.

All four of them had fallen into a coma, their states weren’t particularly bad, but neither were they good.

The unknown void singularity’s compressive force caused severe impacts on them, yet Zhou Yan was unharmed because he possessed the Nine Layer King Immortal Great Perfection foundation and part of the seventh layer of King Immortal Principle foundation; among these foundations, Zhou Yan could withstand some pressure of void singularity crossing.

Zhou Yan employed part of the origin power, gathered the four together, dissipated the sand on them, then provided them certain Nirvana profound meaning for recovery. In such conditions, Zhou Yan shielded them slightly from the impact of the sand, then quietly contemplated the gains from this encounter, silently awaiting the awakening of the four women.

This time, Zhou Yan’s contemplation did not touch on things he should not think about, though these things had already sprouted as a root and sprout in Zhou Yan’s heart, they were indelible.

This time, Zhou Yan comprehended using the same methods to comprehend the endless wind sand elements, transforming them into basic entities.

This path, this time’s comprehension was quite arduous, in the yellow dim world, not only the origin power of wind elements existed, but also the fearsome power of earth elements.

Moreover, the forces of wind and earth combined together, entangled with each other, Zhou Yan comprehended for three full years, yet didn’t make entry.

And during these three years, Qin Ruyu and the others remained in coma, such Eternal Spirit being compressed by void singularity formed an impact akin to Soul Loss of cultivators in the Bitter Sea, demanding extensive slumber for recovery.

After failing to comprehend the Tao, Zhou Yan again bestowed the four women with origin guardian, then continued to perceive the intrinsic link between earth and wind elements.

Under such circumstances, another eight years passed.

During the eight years, Qin Ruyu and Zhao Xiaoxiao and the others gradually awakened, afterward, they didn’t speak but resumed cultivation silently, adjusting their condition to the optimal state.

Ten years passed.

Finally, some day, Qin Ruyu, Zhao Xiaoxiao, and Hong Yuqiao, Yun Shiyin the four women completely restored to their peak condition, and Zhou Yan also hazily grasped the threshold of wind and earth elements, gaining clarity.

At that moment, before Zhou Yan even opened his eyes, a fragrant, elegant figure quietly stood before him.

"An Rufeng, shall I call you An Rufeng, or should I call you Zhou Yan?"

Hong Yuqiao’s expression was rather complex as she gazed at Zhou Yan, her words plunging the scene into utter silence.

Yellow sand swirling in the sky, dim and dark, rustling noises like lonely old men wailing in sorrow.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan sighed lightly, saying, "Call me An Rufeng then, I’m here under the identity of An Rufeng, to comprehend Tao here, and cultivate here."

"No, since we’re here, I still hope you’re Zhou Yan. This way, some of our past can actually be resolved together."

Hongyu Qiao’s eyes were resolute, even emitting a peculiar sheen.

Zhou Yan fell into silence.

Yun Shiyin glanced at Zhou Yan, then at Hongyu Qiao, but said nothing. Instead, she walked forward without looking back, saying, "I’ll go ahead and take a look; this should be the Skywind Land that we haven’t yet explored from the Land of Ice and Snow. I’ll be in front; if anything happens, I’ll watch out for you."

After saying this, Yun Shiyin left first.

Zhao Xiaoxiao was about to speak when Qin Ruyu charmingly smiled and said, "Shiyin, wait for me. I also have some things to discuss with you."

As she spoke, Qin Ruyu glanced deeply at Zhou Yan, her gaze filled with an inexplicable brilliance—appreciation, perhaps a touch of affection.

Such a gaze was moving, yet Zhou Yan, upon seeing it, could only respond with a bitter smile. What else could he do?

Perhaps, the colder the world outside, the fewer inhibitions there are within here.

Or, simply like Zhao Xiaoxiao, maintain a pitch-perfect indifference, keeping their distance?

But this is merely avoidance, merely self-deception.

"Zhou Yan, are my Father King and Mother Queen well?"

Hongyu Qiao couldn’t help but ask Zhou Yan.

Zhou Yan was taken aback; he didn’t know the answer to this question.

"Do you mean Zhou Lingyao, Lee Jidao, or Hou Yi? Is it Ni Chang Fairy Wan Nishang, Lee Xinyu, or Chang’e?"

Zhou Yan asked.

"There’s likely no difference, just like Lei Yan King Lee Yi, Zhou Yan, or Lee Sha—what’s the distinction?"

Hongyu Qiao sighed lightly, turned around, looked away from Zhou Yan, and toward the dim, dust-filled grey sky.

The sky was as dark as if covered by a layer of black grime; it’s formed by gathered flying sand and pebbles, hanging high as if ready to collapse at any moment.

Zhou Yan glanced up as well but only sighed softly, saying, "I truly don’t know their situation. However, I know the Emperor’s condition indeed isn’t good, while many powerful ancient life spirits have mostly perished, facing great difficulties."

Hongyu Qiao seemed to disagree with Zhou Yan’s statement.

"Zhou Yan, in some matters, you aren’t an Evil Spirit, so you don’t know. Despite your deep thoughts, some things you still perceive too simplistically."

"Ten Thousand Immortals and Ten Thousand Buddhas aren’t as straightforward as you think."

"And Evil Spirits sometimes aren’t as bad as you imagine; this is the most direct reflection of us becoming Evil Spirits."

"Like now, knowing our antagonistic relationship, I still haven’t harmed you. Back then, if not for the Lord of Ice and Snow showing mercy, do you think you could have grown? The Lord of Ice and Snow is already in the King Realm, while many from the previous batch of beings are at the Nine Great Perfection of Eternal Nine Rules, able to crush you in every aspect."

"Nonetheless, many reasons prevented us from acting, indifference being one aspect but not the main reason."

Hongyu Qiao spoke thoughtfully.

Zhou Yan was stunned, and then nodded, saying, "After interacting with Evil Spirits, I realized their standing in my heart has undergone an ineffable change. Actually, this recognition began upon encountering part of the Evil Spirit’s strength."

"However, regardless of the outcome, at least for now, the situation remains within our control, and that’s sufficient."

"As for the outcome, I no longer ponder about it; let’s see as we proceed."

Zhou Yan expressed his innermost thoughts.

These were his most direct considerations from the heart.

At this juncture, discussing strategies is meaningless; when it reaches such a point, strategies are unnecessary—just crush with strength.

"Certain matters are difficult for me to discuss due to our positions, but perhaps you can just make a comparison. Currently, one thing is entirely certain: Lee Ran surely wishes well for you. Now, where is he, what forces is he with, and what does he intend to do?"

"As a great sage and Holy Spirit, you need only to follow his path of derivation to know what you must do."

"Past hatred and everything merely occurred within a projection, within a Truth or Falsehood, just as you mentioned—those are all past."

"Future matters, we’ll consider when they’re present. Once outside the boundary, I won’t retain memories of it. Meeting you again is destined to end in a fatal battle."

Hongyu Qiao spoke calmly.

This ending seemed to be something she could face casually, with neither pressure nor concern.