Chapter 739: Five Years Fleeting

Stacks of books lay before Zhuge Ming, all of them part of the vast collection of the Sky Blue Phoenix Clan. Although these books were valuable, in Lan Ning’s eyes, their worth paled in comparison to the modified Starry Sky Myriad Realms technique.

So, when he learned that Lin Qian wanted to borrow a large number of books, Lan Ning didn’t hesitate to lend them. Especially since there was a chance that Lin Qian’s research might further enhance the Starry Sky Myriad Realms technique, Lan Ning went so far as to close the clan’s Scripture Pavilion and allow Lin Qian to borrow everything.

At the same time, the rollout of the Starry Sky Myriad Realms technique was postponed.

Now, Lan Ning and Lan Yi were both in the courtyard where Lin Qian and his family lived. The courtyard’s protective formation had been fully activated, and both Lan Ning and Lan Yi had detection talismans plastered on their bodies, allowing them to circulate their soul energy to the fullest.

On the other side, Lan Feng’er attacked her father and grandfather as instructed by Lin Qian, testing them from various angles and in different situations.

Eventually, Lan Ning and Lan Yi even began sparring with each other.

This scene felt very familiar to Lan Feng’er. It was similar to the process she had undergone when Lin Qian tailored a technique specifically for her.

To ensure the technique perfectly fit their situation, Lin Qian even had them simulate scenarios like exhausting all their soul energy or being seriously injured.

As for the injuries, they had to inflict them on themselves.

Although Lan Ning and Lan Yi hesitated momentarily at Lin Qian’s strange request, they ultimately complied.

What shocked them most was that after injuring themselves, Lin Qian handed them a crystal vial containing a crimson liquid. After drinking it, their injuries healed at a terrifying speed.

Both were stunned. At their level of cultivation, pills capable of such rapid recovery would be extraordinarily expensive, yet Lin Qian had casually given them these potions.

Lan Ning and Lan Yi couldn't shake the feeling that their Sky Blue Phoenix Clan was somehow less wealthy than their young son-in-law, Lin Qian.

In reality, their feelings weren’t far from the truth!

The resources Lin Qian had access to in his Fantasy Star far surpassed anything the Sky Blue Phoenix Clan possessed.

After completing all the tests, Zhuge Ming quickly got to work creating custom techniques for them.

For most in the Sea Spiral Star Region, Lan Ning and Lan Yi were mighty figures. But to Zhuge Ming, they were like children—so easy to handle that creating a technique for them posed no challenge at all. By the afternoon of the same day, Lin Qian handed the techniques to them.

The sheer speed at which the technique was delivered left both Lan Ning and Lan Yi speechless as they trembled while reading through the new manuals.

After reviewing the technique, they sat down immediately and began to cultivate, entering deep meditation for five full years.

To Lin Qian, five years passed in the blink of an eye.

When Lan Ning and Lan Yi opened their eyes again, they were shocked to realize that their cultivation had undergone a complete transformation.

Simply changing their cultivation method had caused a significant leap in their cultivation level—such an outcome was beyond their wildest expectations.

Only then did they notice that the only ones left in the courtyard were Lin Qian and Ye Xin, engaged in a serious discussion.

"Opening a hundred new academies isn’t necessary. It’d be better to focus on improving research academies, which would have a greater impact," Ye Xin said, looking at Lin Qian with a serious expression.

Lin Qian shook his head and explained, "It’s not that simple. The population of Soul Martial Star is booming. If we wait until the next generation grows up to build more academies, it’ll already be too late. By then, many people won’t have access to higher education."

"Don’t forget, the most important thing is to meet the needs of the masses. We already have enough research academies for the Empire; we just need to expand them a bit."

Ye Xin thought about it for a moment, then took out a document and reviewed it carefully before nodding. "You’re right. I hadn’t considered the population growth."

"Then let’s do it that way. You can decide on the locations, you’re better at that than I am," Lin Qian said with a smile.

"Got it." Ye Xin nodded obediently, snuggling into a more comfortable position in Lin Qian’s arms before pulling out a map of the Hua Xia Empire to carefully study.

Just then, Lin Qian felt something and turned his head with a smile. "Great-grandfather, Uncle, have you finished cultivating? How do you feel?"

Lan Ning and Lan Yi had been curious about the conversation between Lin Qian and Ye Xin, but when they heard Lin Qian’s question, Lan Ning couldn’t help but exclaim, "How do we feel? I feel like our old techniques were absolutely worthless in comparison—this is astonishing."

Lan Yi nodded in agreement. "This new technique makes our old one seem like child’s play; the difference is night and day."

"And you’ve broken through," Lan Ning observed, noticing the change in Lin Qian and Ye Xin’s aura. Both had successfully advanced to the first stage of the Qi Refining Realm, breaking through from the Body Refining Realm.

With their advancements, their chances of entering the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy were now much more secure.

Lan Ning then turned to Lin Qian and asked, "By the way, how long were we cultivating?"

"You were at it for five full years!" Lin Qian replied promptly.

"Five years? That’s not too long. But in that case, the trials for the Sea Spiral Sacred Academy should be approaching soon," Lan Ning mused.

Lin Qian nodded. "I heard that the other members of the Sky Blue Phoenix Clan who have slots are already heading to the Sacred Academy."

"Leaving early is a good idea. It allows you to familiarize yourself with the environment and make connections with talented young cultivators from other factions. That way, when the trials begin, you’ll have allies," Lan Yi explained before glancing at Lin Qian and Ye Xin. "Why haven’t you two headed over yet?"

"Mother said we should wait for you and Great-grandfather to finish cultivating so you can escort us to the Sacred Academy personally. That way, it’ll be safer," Ye Xin replied with a smile from Lin Qian’s arms.

Lan Ning chuckled, "Haha, this girl really dotes on her daughter and son-in-law, worrying about even the slightest possibility of danger. I suppose with us escorting you, there’s no safer option."

"But I’ll need to stay behind to oversee things here, so it’s better if your uncle escorts you," Lan Ning added, and Lan Yi nodded in agreement.

Hearing this, Lin Qian’s eyes gleamed with excitement. "The Sea Spiral Sacred Academy, huh?"

At that moment, Lan Yi took out a communication crystal, checked its contents, and then smiled at Lin Qian. "Xiao Qian, your reward has arrived!"

"The materials for the puppet bodies are here!" Lan Yi’s words filled Lin Qian with joy!

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