197: Life is more than just fighting and killing...

Yao Zhenchuan's gaze was burning as he stared at Lu Yuan, awaiting his answer.

He was primarily curious, and also investigative.

He really wanted to know how Lu Yuan had avoided the rule-based transformation!

What exactly was inside the rule-based transformation?

After all... he had a son who died in a rule-based transformation!

This matter had left him unable to let go for a long time.

It was also considered his biggest regret in life...

Lu Yuan pondered for a moment.

The secrets concerning Blazing Flame, the flame heart crown, and the Sai'an Clan were too significant.

Once leaked, they would likely attract immense disaster.

He decided to be partially frank.

"Old man, this is a long story."

Lu Yuan organized his thoughts, then slowly began to speak.

"That day, when the volcano erupted, I was swept into it and accidentally triggered an ancient teleportation array."

"That teleportation array seemed to have been damaged for a long time and was extremely unstable."

"It directly teleported me to... Mobei Province."

"Mobei Province?!"

Yao Zhenchuan's pupils suddenly contracted, and an expression of disbelief appeared on his face.

A cross-province teleportation array!

Such arrays were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns, even across the entire Alliance!

Every single one was either held by top-tier powers or had long been lost to the river of history.

Lu Yuan actually encountered one and was even teleported there?

This luck...

"Yes, Mobei Province." Lu Yuan nodded in confirmation.

"This junior barely survived that chaotic teleportation."

"Afterward, this junior wandered in Mobei and found a relatively stable teleportation node, which allowed me to return to the Lost Water Realm."

He simplified the process, omitting the true origins of the temple, Blazing Flame, and the flame heart crown.

He only vaguely said: "Along the way, I had some fortuitous encounters, and my strength fortunately improved."

Yao Zhenchuan listened with a pounding heart.

"Ancient teleportation array... cross-province teleportation..."

He murmured to himself, his eyes filled with shock.

Every word Lu Yuan spoke represented unimaginable danger and opportunity for ordinary people.

He could sense the calmness in Lu Yuan's tone, but he could even more imagine the magnificent experiences hidden beneath that calmness.

Although he didn't elaborate on the rule-based transformation.

But regarding Lu Yuan's "fortuitous encounter," Yao Zhenchuan's imagination ran wild.

What kind of astonishing opportunity could allow an already monstrous genius to further improve his strength in just a few days?

However, he was also an old and cunning man.

Seeing that Lu Yuan was unwilling to discuss the details, he wisely did not press further.

Everyone had their own secrets, especially a prodigy like Lu Yuan.

Asking too deeply would be counterproductive.

Yao Zhenchuan took a deep breath, calming the turmoil in his heart.

He looked at Lu Yuan, his eyes filled with admiration.

"Nephew is truly blessed with profound fortune; a good person is always blessed by heaven!"

"This experience, though extremely dangerous, must have also greatly increased your strength, right?"

Yao Zhenchuan's tone was filled with emotion.

From Lu Yuan, he felt a sense of pressure that was more stable, more restrained, yet also more unsettling than before.

That's right, it was pressure!

Even as a Sixth-Rank Expert, he felt a faint sense of being suppressed when facing Lu Yuan at this moment!

How many days had it been since they last met?

It was simply a complete transformation!

Lu Yuan nodded slightly, acknowledging it.

"Fortunately, I broke through some bottlenecks, and my strength has indeed improved."

He changed the subject, saying with a hint of apology: "Speaking of which, I still have to thank the Yao Family."

"During the time I was 'missing,' I caused the old man and the entire Yao Family to worry and run around for me. This junior truly feels bad about it."

Yao Zhenchuan laughed heartily at his words and waved his hand.

"Nephew, what are you talking about!"

"We are one family, no need for formalities!"

His tone was bold, and his eyes were filled with sincerity.

"It is truly our Yao Family's great fortune to be connected with Nephew!"

"In the future, if you ever need anything, Nephew, just speak up. The entire Yao Family will definitely give its full support, and the family's resources are yours to command!"

These words undoubtedly reaffirmed the Yao Family's unreserved investment and high regard for Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan felt warmth in his heart and solemnly said: "Old man's great kindness, this junior will engrave it in my heart."

After a detailed conversation, the banquet had long been prepared.

This banquet was not only to welcome Lu Yuan but also to celebrate the Yao Family's resolution of a major hidden danger.

The atmosphere was even more lively than the previous celebration banquet.

During the banquet, the members of the Yao Family were even more enthusiastic towards Lu Yuan, with toasts constantly being made.

Lu Yuan also accepted every toast, exchanging drinks with everyone.

He could feel that the Yao Family's attitude towards him had reached a new level.

After the banquet, night had already fallen deep.

Stars dotted the sky, and moonlight, like water, spilled into the courtyard of the Yao Family's residence.

Lu Yuan stood alone in the courtyard, enjoying the evening breeze and processing everything that had happened today.

The Zhou Family's demise, his improved strength, and his closer relationship with the Yao Family.

Everything seemed to be moving in a good direction.

"Lu Yuan."

A soft voice came from behind him.

Lu Yuan turned around and saw Yao Xiao standing gracefully not far away, the moonlight outlining her exquisite figure.

She had changed out of her battle attire and into an elegant long dress, losing some of her heroic spirit and gaining a touch of girlish tenderness.

"It's so late, why aren't you resting yet?" Lu Yuan asked gently.

Yao Xiao pursed her lips, walked to his side, and whispered: "I can't sleep."

"I wanted to come out for a walk."

She looked up at Lu Yuan, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation: "Can you... can you accompany me?"

Lu Yuan smiled: "Of course."

The two walked side by side along the path within the residence.

Moonlight, like water, quietly fell upon them, stretching their shadows long.

The surroundings were silent, with only the chirping of insects and their faint footsteps.

The atmosphere was warm and carried a subtle hint of ambiguity.

After walking for a moment, Yao Xiao suddenly stopped and gently leaned against Lu Yuan.

Her voice was very low, with a barely perceptible tremor.

"Lu Yuan, do you know?"

"A few days ago, when the Zhou Family released the news that you... that you had fallen in the heart of the volcano..."

Her voice choked up, and her body trembled slightly.

"I... I really almost collapsed."

"I didn't believe it! I didn't believe at all that something would happen to you!"

"But everyone said so... even Daddy and Grandpa... they had prepared for the worst."

Tears silently streamed from the corners of her eyes, sparkling like crystal in the moonlight.

"Those few days, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't eat. As soon as I closed my eyes, it was you... it was you in trouble..."

"I was so scared, so scared of never seeing you again..."

Lu Yuan listened quietly, not interrupting her.

He could feel the sadness, despair, and the persistent refusal to give up in the girl's words.

Yao Xiao took a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm her emotions, but her voice still carried a sob.

"Later... later, Daddy and the others went to the volcano to search, but they didn't find your Heavenly Thunder Light Falcon, nor did they find your Raging Waves Sea Soul..."

"They said that as long as your Origin Card was still there, you must still be alive!"

"At that moment, I... I was truly so happy! It was like grasping the last straw!"

"I just knew you would be fine! You're so amazing, how could you die so easily!"

She looked up, her eyes misty with tears, at Lu Yuan, her gaze filled with the joy of reunion and deep affection.

Lu Yuan's heart was filled with mixed emotions.

He reached out and gently wiped away the tears on the girl's cheek, then tightly held her slightly cool small hand.

Her hand was soft, with a hint of dampness from sweat, clearly due to her emotional agitation.

"I'm sorry."

Lu Yuan's voice was low and solemn.

"I made you worry."

"In the future, it won't happen again."

He promised.

Yao Xiao felt the warmth and strength from Lu Yuan's palm, and her heart felt as if it was filled with a warm current.

All the grievances, all the worries, vanished at this moment.

She nodded vigorously, tears mixed with a smile.

"Mhm!"

Under the moonlight, the girl's cheeks glowed with a charming blush.

She looked at Lu Yuan, at his deep eyes, at his firm face.

In her heart, an unprecedented impulse surged up.

That impulse made her forget shyness, forget restraint.

Yao Xiao suddenly stood on tiptoe.

As Lu Yuan looked on in a slight daze, she mustered the greatest courage of her life.

Her soft lips, like a dragonfly touching the water, lightly and quickly pressed against Lu Yuan's cheek.

A fleeting touch.

Warm, soft, with a faint, unique fragrance of a young girl.

Lu Yuan froze entirely.

He could clearly feel the soft touch on his cheek, and the instantaneous, electric-like thrill.

After the kiss, Yao Xiao felt as if all her strength had been drained.

Her cheeks were so red they seemed to bleed, even her earlobes were burning hot.

She didn't even dare to look at Lu Yuan's reaction.

"I... I'm going back first! You... you should also rest early!"

Dropping these words, Yao Xiao, like a startled bunny, turned and ran.

Her figure quickly disappeared into the night, leaving only a faint waft of fragrance.

Lu Yuan stood in place, subconsciously touching the cheek that had been kissed.

There, the soft touch of the girl's lips and a faint fragrance seemed to still linger.

He was somewhat amused and bewildered.

This girl...

A moment later, he chuckled softly.

Moonlight fell upon him, his smile warm and gentle.

"Life isn't just about fighting and killing."

He murmured softly to himself.

"Being ordinary is also very interesting."

That night, Lu Yuan slept very soundly.

At this moment, he only wanted to enjoy this rare tranquility and warmth.