The two returned, and Chu Yang gave them a big hug.
Their strength was still at the peak of the Void Return stage, making them the weakest among these geniuses.
Zhang Xiaohu was understandable, as his aptitude couldn't compare to others. However, Shen Yingxue's progress was also average, considering she had the same aptitude as the Myriad Blossom Empress.
But Chu Yang didn't say anything, as the Myriad Blossom Empress had said she would personally guide Shen Yingxue, and everything was under her control.
Chu Yang could only trust the Empress.
"You've worked hard. Keep up the effort in the future!"
He gifted each of them a Xianyao.
After two calls of "Thank you, Immortal Brother," all the geniuses who had been sent for a hundred years of training also returned.
...
Upon their return, they immediately went to play with Xue Qianwei.
Boss Xue was currently at the mid-stage of the Void Return realm. After all, she didn't always stay in the Time Secret Realm and often came out to play.
Boss Xue was now quite renowned, having trained numerous alchemists.
Everyone who practiced fire-attribute cultivation techniques would want to test if they were suited to be an alchemist.
Alchemy was now a very popular profession, almost replacing traditional doctors.
Of course, there were still many other auxiliary professions, such as Talisman Masters who refined talismans, Formation Masters who specialized in studying formations, and Blacksmiths who forged equipment.
These auxiliary professions' methods were derived from some techniques discovered in the Li Fire Palace, the Deep Sea Dragon Palace, and the Winter City.
Later, the complete final human heritage brought back by Wang Teng and Xiao Long, gifted by Su Tianye, also contained many craft methods for these auxiliary professions.
"What the heck, you guys developed so well? You're even picky about my pills?"
Xue Qianwei looked at the items everyone took out, utterly shocked.
"Hehe, Boss Xue, this is a beauty pill recipe I brought back from there. I think Boss Xue will definitely need this!"
"Oh, you're quite insightful!"
"Boss Xue, this is a pill furnace I stole from the sect!"
"Although I don't need a new pill furnace, thank you anyway!"
"You're all too superficial! I brought back top-grade meat from a sixth-tier demon beast from that world! These are ingredients only Saint Sons can eat. Boss Xue, let's have hot pot!"
"Haha! Liang Zifan, I knew you had the aura of an Emperor the moment I saw you! Let's have hot pot, I'll make you an invincible broth!"
"..."
The two groups hadn't seen each other for an era; it was like a reunion of old classmates.
After all, they had fought together since they were just novice cultivators.
There was no scheming or backstabbing, only healthy competition.
Unlike companions from other worlds, they had a common goal: to cultivate diligently for the future of this world.
Furthermore, they had set a target to reach the Immortal Emperor realm by the time the Sky Slaying Clan invaded.
There were no grudges when they chatted.
The biggest lingering issue was the past affair between Li Qingyun and Chen Xiaohan.
However, after a hundred years, Chen Xiaohan had long been completely won over by Meng Zibin, and no matter how outstanding Li Qingyun was, she harbored no longing for him.
"Brother Teng, aren't you going to introduce your sister-in-law to everyone?"
Zhuang Hongxia was not a shy person. Seeing everyone staring at her, she smiled and stood up. "This is my first time in this world. I am Zhuang Hongxia. My cultivation is currently at the peak of the Deity Transformation stage. My world has been destroyed, and from now on, I will fight for humanity! I toast you all!"
"My world has been destroyed" was a lightly spoken yet profoundly heavy sentence.
Everyone stood up. "We are all cultivators, don't you dare say you can't drink! Let's all raise a glass to sister-in-law!"
"To sister-in-law!"
Zhuang Hongxia was also very happy; she even felt like crying.
In the "Kingdom of Hope," she had never seen such a vibrant and spirited atmosphere.
It was a kingdom where hope was unseen, and people's smiles were forced; not as heartfelt as this.
She saw many people. Although they were weak, they were truly happy.
This was Wang Teng's hometown. She now wanted to follow him and help him protect this world. Humanity deserved to live in such beauty.
"Ahem, speaking of relationships, I have to say, you're not young anymore. After a hundred years in the cultivation world, are you all still virgins?"
"Brother Teng, you wouldn't understand. As a sect's Dao Child, sect Saintesses come to me for arranged marriages daily, but I still righteously refuse. Women only slow down my cultivation!"
"Ahem, Zifan is right. I'm also preserving my pure yang. It's said that being single makes it easier to advance to Immortal Emperor!"
"Pfft – where did you learn such fallacious reasoning, haha!"
"..."
However, others noticed Li Qingyun's expression becoming extremely unnatural when this topic came up.
Daoist Bai patted Li Qingyun on the shoulder. "Young friend Qingyun, do you have something on your mind?"
Li Qingyun looked at everyone and said seriously, "Tell me, if I accidentally lose my pure yang, do I have to take full responsibility for that girl?"
Everyone's eyes widened. Li Qingyun was still seen as a good kid in their impression. How could he suddenly say such a shocking thing?
"Holy cow! Brother Qingyun, what are you saying? You lost your pure yang? Didn't the girl lose her chastity?"