Chapter 741: Tuoba Yaoyao

An Qinghan looked puzzled.

Ye Guan smiled. "Can we count on you?"

"Academy Master, why do you want to visit the An Clan?"

Ye Guan chuckled. "Just to take a look around."

An Qinghan nodded. "Okay."

Zhao Su then began presenting the awards to An Qinghan. The prizes for first place were quite generous, considering cultivation techniques and divine artifacts were among them. Nevertheless, they paled in comparison to the gifts from Ye Guan and Nalan Jia.

Ye Guan walked over to Nan Feng, who looked dejected. He then smiled. "A single loss does not define you. You still have a long road ahead, so do not lose heart over this."

Looking at him, Nan Feng clenched his fists. "I let you and Nanzhou down."

"I’m not disappointed. Remember, losing isn’t the end. What matters is how you handle it. You lost honorably, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Keep that in mind."

Nan Feng nodded. "Understood. The people of Nanzhou can handle both victory and defeat."

"That's the spirit."

"Academy Master, I will earn my way into the main academy through my efforts."

"I look forward to seeing you there."

The main academy was the ultimate goal for nearly every student. It was the true stage where one could meet top geniuses from the Guanxuan Universe and beyond. The competition there was so fierce that even someone as talented as An Qinghan might not be the strongest there.

After the martial contest, Ye Guan and Nalan Jia left the Upper Realm and followed An Qinghan to Qingzhou.

Once Ye Guan and the others had left, Zhao Su stood in the sky above Cloud City, gazing into the distance.

"He probably won’t come back here," she murmured.

Beside her, Luo Zhaoqi, dressed in a bright red gown, nodded in agreement. "Even if he does return, it won’t be anytime soon."

A complex emotion flickered in Zhao Su’s eyes. Even with her talent and strength, it was still almost impossible for her to enter the main academy of Guanxuan.

Opportunities? Everyone encountered a few chances to change their destiny, but only a few seized them.

She had high hopes for Ye Guan back then, but when he was bullied by the An Clan, she chose to remain silent. Hence, she would be lying if she said she had no regrets.

She knew that if she had stood up against the An Clan at the time, even if she couldn’t stop them, the act alone would have drastically changed her life. She might have even entered the Committee Hall of the main academy.

Many who had helped Ye Guan back then had now gone to the main academy.

Luo Zhaoqi sighed inwardly, knowing full well how Zhao Su felt. After all, entering the main academy would mean a complete change of fate. It provided a larger stage and gave more opportunities to reach further beyond.

Now, Zhao Su could only stay in this academy. To make things worse, even her position wasn’t secure. Although she was the Academy Master now, that might not be the case in the future since it was decided by votes.

Zhao Su suddenly smiled faintly. "This is fate."

With that, she turned and left. Luo Zhaoqi looked at the sky for a moment before turning to leave as well.

...

The Siao Clan.

Siao Ge sat on the stone steps, drinking alone. Beside him were an ancient scroll and a storage ring—the gifts that Ye Guan had given him before he left. The book had the Universe Beholdment Skill written on its pages, and the storage ring contained an Ancestral Vein.

Song Fu approached and sat next to Siao Ge. "What's bothering you?"

Siao Ge sighed. "I used to be so ambitious and so intent on keeping up with them, but the gap between us just kept growing."

"So you decided to return to Nanzhou?"

Siao Ge nodded.

Song Fu sighed softly, knowing just how Siao Ge felt. Once, he and Ye Guan were the most talented individuals in Nanzhour. Their strengths were comparable back then, too. However, over time, the gap between them widened.

Siao Ge took a swig of his drink and laughed. "I’m not jealous of my brother’s success. It’s just frustrating... I wanted to grow with him, to fight alongside him. But I know that’s impossible now. This meeting might be our last."

Song Fu patted Siao Ge on the shoulder. "Life is a journey. Along the way, some people fade away. To Ye Guan, you are one of those who faded, just as others have faded from your life. Think about the friends you had when you first joined the academy... those who couldn’t keep up with you have faded from your world, haven’t they?"

Siao Ge remained silent.

Song Fu smiled gently, then looked up at the distant sky. "If we can walk together, great. If not, that’s okay too. All we can do is wish them well. And I believe you will always be friends."

"I understand."

"The path of the strong is lonely. The further Little Guan goes, the fewer people he will have by his side."

Siao Ge smiled. "I hope he comes back and visits one day."

Song Fu chuckled. "Indeed."

...

Qingzhou.

When Ye Guan, Nalan Jia, and An Qinghan reached the An Clan residence, the entire clan came out to welcome them. An He, a man in his thirties serving as the head of the An Clan, felt both nervous and anxious. He did not expect the Academy Master to visit.

At the entrance of the An Clan mansion, An He and his family knelt. However, before their knees could touch the ground, a gentle force lifted them.

Ye Guan smiled. "No need for such formalities."

"Academy Master, please come in,” ushered An He.

Ye Guan nodded. Holding Nalan Jia’s hand, the two walked into the An Clan residence.

Everyone in the An Clan curiously observed Ye Guan and Nalan Jia. Many of them were nervous and apprehensive.

Inside the main hall, Ye Guan and Nalan Jia sat comfortably while An He and a group of elders from the An Clan stood nearby, looking a bit uneasy.

Ye Guan smiled at them reassuringly. "I'm not here for revenge, so please don't worry."

He had long since moved past his grievances with the An Clan, especially since his father had already dealt with them years ago. Besides, he had received help from two of their Martial Gods.

Ye Guan's words lifted a weight off An He's shoulders. Bowing respectfully, he said, "Academy Master, we would like to take the blame for the incident long ago. On behalf of the An Clan, I apologize."

The other clan members quickly bowed as well.

Ye Guan nodded slightly. "Let's put that matter behind us. I came to visit the An Clan today simply to see how things are."

He felt a tinge of nostalgia. Although the An Clan had produced two Martial Gods, their emotional ties to the family seemed weak. He understood this feeling. It was similar to his own experience with the Qin Clan in the Milky Way.

Mother didn’t return because even if she did, she would find it unfamiliar. Her close relatives from her generation were gone, and those who remained were essentially strangers. It doesn't apply to immediate family members, but the passage of time really does make familial and friendly bonds fade away...

As if recalling something, Ye Guan suddenly looked at An Qinghan, who was standing not far away.

"That girl is quite talented. She should be trained properly and sent to the main academy."

Overjoyed, An He began to bow to express his gratitude.

"I want to enter the main academy using my own strength," An Qinghan said, making An He stop.

"I understand. However, with your abilities, very few in the Lower Realm can match you, so why not go to the main academy sooner to meet other geniuses and prodigies?"

An Qinghan was tempted. After all, she knew that defeating weaker opponents would be meaningless. Moreover, the true talents and prodigies were all at the main academy. If she wanted to spar with individuals as strong as her, she would have to accept Ye Guan's proposal.

Hence, she finally nodded. "Alright."

The elites of the An Clan became ecstatic. Since many of the academy's people harbored grudges against the An Clan due to past events, they had been worried about whether An Qinghan could get into the main academy. Now, with Ye Guan’s endorsement, no one would target the An Clan anymore. They could develop and rise once more!

The realization made An He and the others knelt once more.

Without Ye Guan’s support, it would be nearly impossible for them to get back on their feet even with someone as talented as An Qinghan. Since the best resources were in the Guanxuan Academy, failing to enter it would make it difficult for An Qinghan to unlock her potential. Moreover, the other clans deliberately isolating the An Clan made their resurgence even more challenging.

Ye Guan’s friendly stance ensured that the academy would no longer discriminate against the An Clan. Moreover, since Ye Guan favored An Qinghan, the academy would surely give her special attention and support.

After some time, Ye Guan and Nalan Jia rose to leave. An He, An Qinghan, and the others escorted them to the gate.

At that moment, they heard a shout coming from a distance.

"Qinghan, you got first place! Amazing! I told you those kids from Nanzhou were no match for you. They can only act high and mighty because of Ye Guan..."

Everyone was rendered speechless.

"Tuoba Yaoyao! Stop talking nonsense!" An Qinghan quickly exclaimed.