The seasons change, the sun and moon rotate, in the blink of an eye, three years have fully passed.

Zhang Yan’s entire aura trembled as he awoke from meditation, his eyelids slowly opening, and in an instant, a bright essence rainbow flashed across his eyes.

After dedicating himself to cultivation for three years, his appearance has returned to its original state, no longer resembling the look when the God Contract was first formed.

Not only that, his cultivation has greatly advanced; the Gang Cloud at the top has doubled, forming two blossoms, and beside it is an ambiguous light cloud, like smoke condensing, misty and uncertain, showing that with some cultivation, it can step into the Nascent Soul Second Realm.

This place compares to the East Splendor Spirit Cave, where one year can match ten years of cultivation, further aided by the Qiantian Junyang Essence Qi, the effect is extraordinary; had it been outside, he might need seventy or eighty years to reach this state.

If he were merely a common Nascent Soul cultivator, this focused cultivation could have broken through the Boundary; but with his First-class Elixir Formation, deep and vigorous Mana, like a bottomless deep pool, this cultivation consumes more time than peers.

Gazing at the Flying Peaks drifting within the Star Stone, Zhang Yan pondered to himself: "With Junyang Essence Qi in hand, when I return to the sect, even without the help of Spirit Caves, the speed of cultivation will hardly slow down."

Lost in thought, suddenly a sound of gold stone cracking echoed beside his ear, invigorating his spirit; knowing the time of departure was near.

Before the Star Stone returns outside the Nine realms Heavens, it sends cultivators who have extracted Junyang Essence Qi outward, without needing the protection of a token talisman.

Aware of the change within, he was calm and unmoving, focusing intently, only waiting for the moment to arrive.

After a while, suddenly the wind rose fiercely, from every side countless spiritual mechanisms surged, enveloping him with great force; moments later, a brilliant golden light shot down from the sky, encasing him, lifting him up into a dazzling stream of light, swiftly sending him outside the Star Stone, breaking through the Gang Wind with a roar, falling swiftly downwards.

At this moment in Chengyuan Gorge, disciples from various sects had already left, only Wei Zihong, Zhang Boyant, Lu Daoist and the Dragon Carp Siren were waiting here. Seeing the golden light descending from the sky, Wei Zihong’s eyes showed joy, excitedly saying: "It’s the return of Master."

As soon as the words fell, the golden light streaked down swiftly like starlight, even before approaching, the Gang Wind was felt, painfully stinging the cheeks.

At this point, a girl in green suddenly darted out, grabbing his wrist, urgently saying: "Master, quickly dodge, that’s the Gang Wind from the Second Realm Heaven brought by the ancestor, even a Nascent Soul cultivator can’t withstand it."

Wei Zihong’s expression tightened, quickly retreating backwards, moving several yards away, only to hear a rumbling sound as the light fiercely collided with the peak, its momentum so fierce that even the entire mountain trembled violently; had it not been protected by Prohibition, even the Dharma Platform might have shattered.

He widened his eyes, seeing a youthful Daoist with divine clarity and composed presence standing there, he couldn’t help but feel stirred, releasing the girl’s hand, stepping forward briskly, falling to his knees with a thud, bowing his head: "Your disciple Wei Zihong, welcomes Master from the retreat."

"Rise, disciple."

Wei Zihong felt a tight grip on his arm, startled to lift his head, seeing Zhang Yan had come over to help him up, his heart couldn’t help but be filled with excitement and some apprehension, trembling slightly, he said: "Master, how can I be worthy?"

Zhang Yan smiled gently, saying: "You are worthy."

Then Zhang Boyant and Lu Mei Niang also stepped forward to offer salutations, saying: "Greetings, Pavilion Master, congratulations on your great advancement in Daoist Cultivation."

Zhang Yan also returned their salute, after some conversation, he turned to ask: "Disciple, during my absence, has anyone troubled you?"

Wei Zihong hesitated for a moment before answering: "During these three years, protected by Senior Si and guarded by the Forbidden Array, no major incidents occurred, but..."

He dared not conceal anything, revealing the matter of being bullied by Elder Hua from Pingdu Sect.

Zhang Yan’s expression remained unchanged, only a slight coldness in his eyes, nodding: "I am aware of this matter."

Wei Zihong hesitated again, suddenly bending his knees down once more, kneeling: "Master, can Elder Hua be left alone, so that once I have achieved success in cultivation, I may personally seek him to resolve the cause and effect."

Zhang Yan was slightly surprised, then looked at him meaningfully, saying: "You are indeed steadfast, very well, I grant you this, but this also concerns Lu Daoist’s face; if you cannot accomplish it in the future, you must provide her with an explanation."