454: Xie Nanqiao's realm

One must know that the Extraterritorial Battlefield and the Yuan Ling Sect were originally situated on completely different spatial planes, separated by layers of obstacles and distinct Laws. Yet, Xun Xiuyuan was able to ignore such boundaries, crossing both spatial dimensions in an instant to appear accurately at his target destination.

Over two years had passed quietly, and even Ji Siyuan, who was once in swaddling clothes, had now grown into a six-year-old child.

At this moment, he was chasing and playing with a playmate of similar age in an exquisite and quiet garden, their laughter crisp and clear. Xun Xiuyuan's Divine Thought stirred, and he perceived this heartwarming scene. The next moment, he appeared silently in a corner of the garden, standing under the shadow of a tree not far away, watching his son's joyful figure with a loving smile.

Thinking back to his previous children, due to the special circumstances of the Time Secret Realm in the past, Xun Xiuyuan had been unable to personally accompany them as they grew up, often harboring regret in his heart.

By the time he returned, except for Ji Yunshu, all his other children had already established their own families and careers. This missed time of familial affection became a debt he found difficult to repay.

Precisely because of this, ever since Ji Siyuan was born, whenever Xun Xiuyuan had a moment of leisure, he would rush back to the Heavenly Palace, wishing only to spend more time with this youngest child, unwilling to miss any bit of his growth.

Although Xun Xiuyuan had concealed his aura during this trip and had not alerted anyone in the Heavenly Palace, he had failed to deceive Xie Nanqiao's perception.

Even Xun Xiuyuan himself could not help but show a look of surprise, looking toward her as she appeared quietly.

Seeing this, Xie Nanqiao just smiled slightly and said softly, "Cultivating seems exceptionally simple for me. If we go by your usual standards of Daoist attainment, I am now at the Seven-System Saint King Realm."

Hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan was shocked beyond words—what kind of astonishing talent was this? To be able to reach such a terrifying Realm by just Cultivating behind closed doors within the Yuan Ling Universe?

Seeing the expression of surprise on Xun Xiuyuan's face, Xie Nanqiao, just like when she first met him, pouted slightly and said with a bit of nonchalance, "Cultivating is not really difficult at all."

Hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan just smiled gently, shook his head, and said with a touch of emotion, "What you call 'not difficult' is a Realm that some Senior experts find hard to reach even after spending tens of thousands of years."

He paused and continued, "Take True Person Yuan Ling, for example. He was the first existence in the Yuan Ling Universe to achieve the Saint King position, but from first entering the Saint King Realm to Cultivating to the six-system, he still spent an incredibly long time. And to Breakthrough from the six-system to the Seven-System, it took him nearly ten thousand years."

Looking at Xie Nanqiao, although there were training aids like the Time Secret Realm in the outside world, in the past two-plus years, she had actually rarely entered such Secret Realms.

As for that fragment of the Time Secret Realm belonging to Wen Ruyu in the abyss, because Xie Nanqiao's Realm was already too high, she simply could not enter; the Secret Realm would instantly collapse because it could not withstand her power.

And the Time Secret Realm discovered by the Great Barren World in the Extraterritorial Battlefield was completely sealed off due to the secluded Cultivation of True Person Yuan Ling and Jiuyou.

The Realms of these two powerhouses had already reached the limit that the Time Secret Realm could bear.

Therefore, Xie Nanqiao was also unable to use it for Cultivation.

However, even so, it only took Xie Nanqiao a little over two years to Breakthrough from a Three-System Saint King all the way to the Seven-System.

According to Xun Xiuyuan's understanding of Xie Nanqiao, in these past two-plus years, she had actually spent most of her time accompanying Ji Siyuan and had not devoted all her energy to Cultivation.

Precisely because of this, Xun Xiuyuan felt exceptionally shocked—the speed at which Xie Nanqiao's Realm improved was simply so fast that it defied common sense and was difficult for people to understand.

"How exactly did you manage to do this?"

Even the usually composed Xun Xiuyuan could not suppress the astonishment in his heart and blurted out this question.

He had spent hundreds of years in secluded, arduous Cultivation in the Ling Tian Pagoda before finally reaching his current Cultivation Realm, and even that was only achieved by relying on the System to realize the Fusion of the cosmic core.

Yet Xie Nanqiao, while merely raising children and managing household affairs among the Mortals, with her daily life seemingly mundane, had a Cultivation Realm that was almost catching up to his.

Although in terms of actual combat ability, she still had a gap compared to him, Xun Xiuyuan knew very well—at this moment, Xie Nanqiao was probably the undisputed second-strongest person in the entire Yuan Ling Universe.

Even True Person Yuan Ling, if he had not successfully broken through the limits of the eight-system Laws, would definitely not be her match.

After all, Xie Nanqiao had already successfully integrated ten whole Laws into her divine body; compared to him, she was only lacking the comprehension of the Law of Time.

"Hmm? Are you referring to my current Realm?"

Xie Nanqiao paused slightly, not immediately grasping the deeper meaning of his question.

She naturally did not know that in these few moments, countless thoughts and conjectures had flashed through Xun Xiuyuan's mind.

Xun Xiuyuan did not speak; he merely reached out and gently picked up Ji Siyuan, who was standing to the side, and then nodded solemnly at her.

The young child who had been playing with Ji Siyuan remained silent throughout, walking slowly to Xie Nanqiao's side and stopping there.

Xie Nanqiao leaned down slightly, gently stroking the child's head with a gentle smile in her eyes, and said softly, "Perhaps, it is precisely because of his existence."

Xun Xiuyuan had naturally long since sensed that this young child was not a Mortal, yet his origin and essence were difficult to discern at a glance. A sense of confusion rose in his heart, and he could not help but cast a questioning gaze toward Xie Nanqiao.

Seeing this, the smile on Xie Nanqiao's lips deepened, and she explained, "He is the artifact spirit newly conceived within the three artifacts of time. Not long after he recognized me as his master, he quietly manifested in the world."

Hearing this, Xun Xiuyuan suddenly recalled the ancient legend regarding the three artifacts of time and could not help but take another deep look at Xie Nanqiao.

Xie Nanqiao, who was already gifted, progressed in her Cultivation by leaps and bounds after receiving the assistance of the three artifacts of time, so fast that it was astonishing.

Xie Nanqiao continued with a smile, "Originally, my path of Cultivation was already quite smooth, but since Xiao Guang came to my side, everything seems to have become even more effortless, and many difficult barriers have been easily resolved."

The artifact spirit named Xiao Guang was currently hiding timidly behind Xie Nanqiao, his small hand slightly clutching her hem, and a pair of clear eyes cautiously sizing up Xun Xiuyuan, his demeanor like a child dependent on his mother.

Ji Siyuan did not show any resistance toward Xun Xiuyuan, as he still vaguely remembered the figure of his father.

However, at this moment, he was more eager to play with Xiao Guang, so he gently broke free from Xun Xiuyuan's embrace and ran unsteadily in the direction of Xiao Guang.

Xun Xiuyuan watched their swift figures disappear into the depths of the garden. Although there was a trace of worry in his heart, he soon calmed down.

They clearly already had proper arrangements, and he did not need to be overly concerned.

"Let's go. They have people looking after them. Let's return to Xiuyuan City." Xie Nanqiao spoke softly, reaching out to naturally take Xun Xiuyuan's arm. Her tone carried reassurance and firmness, and the two then turned and left, saying no more.