Chapter 71

Immersed in the trials of the Enchanted Forest, they forgot the outside world, and the outside world paid no heed to them. The disaster at the Ruined City Cemetery swept through the southern three empires with the ferocity of a Blade Storm, just as it had when it first formed. Under the Blade Storm, only a few members of the royal families survived, and the major mercenary organizations suffered heavy losses, with many once-feared mercenaries left in ruins.

The place was no longer a cemetery of city ruins, but a cemetery of warriors!

The tragic deaths of the six Great Martial Venerables dealt an unimaginable blow to their respective factions, even affecting the very survival of these factions.

The name of 'Crimson God' quickly rose to the top of the list of the most notorious criminals, subject to a full-scale manhunt by the entire mercenary world. However, considering their strength and the power of the 'Seven Kill Sword' in their possession, there was no longer the same frenzied search as before. As the main orchestrator of this disaster, the 'Earth Radiance' auction house continued to offer high bounties, but few dared to attempt it.

The disaster at the Ruined City had the most profound impact on the three southern empires. Initially, to search for treasures, princes from various royal families participated, hoping to gain an advantage in their struggle for the throne. However, the treasure hunt turned into a disaster, and only a few managed to escape. This had a tremendous impact on the already turbulent royal families. The death of the crown prince of the Shaluo Empire caused internal turmoil, with various factions resorting to extreme measures to seize the throne. The Great Zhou Empire seized the opportunity, mobilizing troops for a long march. Zhou Lingwang submitted a report to the royal family overnight, mobilizing the Falcon Group Army to attack the Western Empire of Polos.

What started as a struggle for the throne ultimately turned into a brutal and bloody conflict between the three southern empires. For a time, the borders of the three countries were littered with corpses! Many towns near the borders suffered destruction and persecution, and numerous warriors were drafted into the military to defend the empire or to fight in distant wars!

Time passed slowly over half a year, and the outside world remained in chaos, with the imperial conflicts continuing, playing out their struggles for dominance and survival.

During this period, Tang Yan and his two companions traversed the Enchanted Forest on foot, unknowingly reaching its edge.

Half a year, not too long, not too short, but they had grown steadily in a near self-destructive training regimen.

The trials of life and death gave them new insights and enlightenment in their martial arts, and their control over spiritual energy became more refined.

This was a journey of life and death, a path of transformation.

As Alinda put it, her growth over the past half year far exceeded six years of systematic study at the academy!

The trials of life and death are always the most direct and rapid way to grow.

The key is whether you can persist and endure the hardships and suffering.

"Recently, you seem distracted. Are you researching some evil martial technique again? Don't go overboard, brother. I can't take it anymore." Du Yang casually threw a roasted lamb leg to Tang Yan, who was approaching, and laughed scoldingly.

Tang Yan was frowning, deep in thought about the complementarity between the 'Body Destruction Technique' and the 'Undying Heaven Sutra,' and did not notice Du Yang's call. He was hit squarely by the lamb leg, let out a cry, and fell to the ground, sprawling.

Alinda's cold and beautiful face showed a hint of a smile. "We've been wandering in the Enchanted Forest for half a year. If we don't return soon, others will think we've been eaten by beasts. Let's set off the day after tomorrow."

"Time flies so fast?" Tang Yan rubbed his head and sat by the campfire. "Are you both ready?"

"I'm already a Third Rank Martial Venerable. When we return to the academy, the dean might take me more seriously." Alinda was very satisfied with her recent growth. Although it was hard and tiring, the effort and the results were proportional. She had successfully reached the Third Rank Martial Venerable level half a month ago and believed it would not take long to fully stabilize.

"Are you still planning to return to the academy? Isn't this life good enough?" Du Yang leaned lazily against a tree root, crossed his legs, and chewed on a grass root, a strange smile on his lips. "Actually, I don't mind changing the way we address each other."

"Changing the way we address each other?" Alinda was confused.

Tang Yan grinned mischievously. "Tang Sister, or Madam, are some nice titles."

Alinda shook her head in annoyance and remained silent. Whenever she was teased by Tang Yan, she would wisely ignore it. After half a year of interaction, she was almost immune to it.

Tang Yan moved closer to Alinda. "How about... seriously considering it? We have great synergy in battle, and I'm sure we would work well in other areas too. I believe I can make you happy."

"Can you be any more shameless?"

"It's a quality! Transcendent and extraordinary!"

"Find someone else to work with. I don't have that interest."

"You just haven't turned thirty yet. In a few years, you'll..."

Tang Yan wanted to continue teasing, but Alinda's death glare made him stop. He smiled awkwardly, took a bite of the lamb leg, and placed it in front of Black Girl, then leaned against the ancient tree and carefully wiped the ancient war blade. After half a year of enlightenment, a subtle connection had formed between them, a bond of trust and synergy.

Every time he held it, he felt a strong sense of vitality.

Alinda gazed at the starry sky, silent for a long time, and finally smiled gently. "Actually... I'm quite grateful to you... From First Rank Martial Venerable to Third Rank Martial Venerable, a realm that others take ten years to reach, I achieved in just one year. When we return to the academy, even if we face threats from Zhou Lingwang, the dean will take it seriously."

Tang Yan raised an eyebrow, looking at the lost Alinda, and inwardly sighed. She still couldn't break free from her fixed mindset. No matter how much her life's path twisted and turned, it always returned to the main line—Giant Elephant Academy!

Perhaps she was inherently conservative, lacking the rebellious ambition of Tang Yan and the cold arrogance of Du Yang. She yearned for growth but did not indulge in an exciting life. She simply wanted a stable work environment.

Tang Yan admitted to having designs on Alinda and had teased her multiple times over the past half year, but always received silence and subtle avoidance. Perhaps... Alinda still harbored some prejudice against the notorious Second Young Master Tang, always treating him as a partner or a teacher, never considering anything else, and certainly not accepting any overstepping of boundaries.

Du Yang sensed the subtle change in the atmosphere, stretched lazily, and carried the happily eating Black Girl to the side, muttering, "When it's time to be shameless, you can be shameless once."

Tang Yan gave Du Yang the middle finger and continued to wipe the ancient war blade. "Alinda Mentor, I don't plan to stay in Giant Elephant City for long. This time, I'll only stay for a short while, say goodbye to my grandfather, and then travel the world. I really hope you'll come with me. The three of us, exploring secret realms, challenging strong opponents, growing step by step."

"Do you really find me so interesting?"

"Of course! I can't wait to pounce on you right now."

Alinda surprisingly didn't get angry but smiled slightly. "Having a student like you is my greatest pride."

Her smile was light and gentle, like a snow lotus