Beside the Nine Serene Springs, the energy of heaven and earth howled fiercely! Although Zi Yan felt bored, she never left while Gu Fei was cultivating.
During this period, Queen Medusa also surfaced twice from the lake, but seeing that Gu Fei was still cultivating, she continued to delve deeper into the Yellow Springs.
Thus, another year passed.
For the entire year, Gu Fei sat still, without any movement, as if the outside world had nothing to do with him.
Around him, terrifyingly pure energy fluctuated like mist. If you reached out to grab it, it would feel as thick as water...
One day, the surrounding energy of heaven and earth began to violently surge, affecting the area for hundreds of miles. Even many strong members of the Nine Serene Deep Ground Python Tribe sensed the anomaly.
The energy in the heavens and earth seemed to be drawn by something, surging towards Gu Fei. It eventually converged into a massive energy storm above Gu Fei's head, with the eye of the storm directly connected to the top of his skull.
Gu Fei, who had kept his eyes tightly shut, suddenly opened them. Then, he took a deep breath with his mouth!
"Boom!"
With that breath, the massive energy storm, hundreds of feet large, surged downward, funneling into Gu Fei's body.
"It's finally done..."
Seeing the commotion, Zi Yan quickly stood up, her eyes fixed on where Gu Fei was.
After sitting motionless for two years, Gu Fei's body finally started to move. He stretched lazily!
*Crack!* *Crack!*
The sound of his joints loosening rang out.
"Who would've thought that this retreat would last for two years!"
Gu Fei muttered to himself in amazement. Calculating the time, from the peak of Dou Venerate to crossing the Nine Changes, then becoming a Half-Saint, and now finally reaching the rank of a true One-Star Dou Saint, it had taken him more than five years in total.
Although this time might seem long, it would make countless people envious. Many strong practitioners spend their entire lives stuck at the peak of Dou Venerate, never advancing even a bit. Some reach the half-saint stage and stay there for decades, unable to break through until death.
"Gu Fei, you're finally done! I've been bored to death!"
Zi Yan happily rushed over. Perhaps because they were alone, Zi Yan boldly opened her arms and hugged Gu Fei tightly.
In that moment, as the warm and soft embrace filled his arms, Gu Fei's heartbeat involuntarily sped up. This girl had grown up and matured significantly; she truly had an allure to her now.
*Sploosh!*
At that moment, a splash of water rose from the yellow springs, and Cai Lin flew out. Seeing this, Zi Yan, who had been looking forward to making eye contact with Gu Fei, quickly released him, her face flushing red.
"My husband, congratulations on advancing to Dou Saint!"
Cai Lin walked over with a smile to congratulate him. She had seen Zi Yan embrace Gu Fei, but noticing Zi Yan's embarrassed look, she chose not to mention it.
She had always been aware of Zi Yan's feelings for Gu Fei, and she even hoped the two could get together.
"Cai'er, your progress is quite impressive too, reaching Eight-Star Dou Venerate!"
Gu Fei smiled, then reached out and pulled Cai Lin into his arms. Watching this, Zi Yan did not make her usual remark about them flaunting their affection. Instead, she felt relieved that Cai Lin hadn't seen her earlier action.
"During this time, Xiao Yi Xian and the children must have missed you a lot."
After a moment of tenderness, Cai Lin softly whispered in Gu Fei's ear.
"This retreat did last longer than expected."
Gu Fei nodded in agreement. Having been in seclusion for so long, his children had likely grown quite a bit.
"By my calculations, the Gu Clan's coming-of-age ceremony is also approaching..."
After saying this, Gu Fei turned to Zi Yan, who was hanging her head: "Zi Yan, are you sure you want to return to Dragon Island now? Don't you want to stay and attend my coming-of-age ceremony?"
"The coming-of-age ceremony is already so close?"
Zi Yan was taken aback by his words. Having been in the Gu Clan for so long, she knew quite a bit about its customs. The coming-of-age ceremony, held every twenty years, was a major event in the Gu Clan. Only the most outstanding young members of the clan were eligible to participate.
Originally, Zi Yan had planned to return to Dragon Island and come back in time for the ceremony, thinking she had nearly three years before it. But now, because Gu Fei's retreat lasted two years, if she returned to Dragon Island now, she wouldn't be able to witness his coming-of-age ceremony.
"Alright then, I'll delay my return to Dragon Island and stay to witness your ceremony!" Zi Yan nodded. She chose Gu Fei almost without hesitation when it came to these two matters.
"Haha, I knew you cared about me!"
Gu Fei laughed heartily at her response. In truth, he had been delaying Zi Yan's return to Dragon Island because he was concerned for her safety. Even with her strength at the late Four-Star Dou Saint stage, it would be difficult to manage the turmoil within the Dragon Clan, and the clan might suffer great losses due to the conflict.
If Zi Yan could return to Dragon Island with overwhelming power and crush the three Dragon Kings, ending the internal strife within the Dragon Clan, that would be the ideal outcome.
Afterward, Gu Fei, Zi Yan, and Cai Lin set off back to the Gu Realm.
Before leaving, Cai Lin glanced at the Nine Serene Springs. From the moment she entered, she had felt a faint, mysterious summons from the depths of the Springs. However, it wasn't coming from the area where Yao Ming was sealed but from even deeper within.
But she wasn't in a rush. After attending Gu Fei's coming-of-age ceremony, she could return here to investigate further. Plus, she missed Wushuang, her little one, after being away for so long.
…
In Holy Pill City, within the Pill Tower.
After several years, Feng Xian, Yao Chen- still in his soul form, and Xiao Yan had returned here once again.
The Gu Clan's coming-of-age ceremony would send invitations to some factions to witness the event. However, not all factions were qualified to receive an invitation. At the very least, the Falling Star Pavilion wasn't eligible, which was why Yao Lao came to the Pill Tower for help. He planned to enter the Gu Realm with the Pill Tower's people.
"Old man, are you really sure about this?" Xuan Kongzi asked seriously, holding a jade invitation in his hand.
"Yes, this is a rare opportunity for outsiders to enter the Gu Realm during their coming-of-age ceremony!" Yao Lao nodded, "Only the Gu Clan can bring me back to life. If I miss this chance, I might remain a wandering spirit forever..."
(TL/n: Lol he gave up on Xiao Yan then..)
"Alright then, I'll take Feng Xian and Xiao Yan into the Gu Realm this time!"
Xuan Kongzi also nodded firmly.