Chen Nan continued his journey this time without encountering any interceptions.

Without a doubt, those who had previously wanted to seize the Supreme Demon Artifact were all intimidated by the Purple Bamboo Fairy, and no one dared to challenge her authority.

Thinking about it, who would dare provoke such a formidable person, one who could shatter Qian Yuan's Divine Artifact Bell from thousands of miles away? Unless they've grown tired of living.

Chen Nan and his group of three, along with a chicken, flew southward.

Without any obstructions, their speed this time was significantly faster than when they headed to the Extreme West.

The distance of over a million miles took Chen Nan three whole days, consuming a staggering hundred thousand jin of Spirit Stones, to finally guide the spaceship to the outskirts of the Purple Bamboo Forest.

Still in the distant sky, Chen Nan stood atop the warship, gazing southward. Several dozen miles ahead was a sea of purple bamboo that stretched endlessly. When the strong wind blew, the purple waves rose and fell dramatically, presenting a spectacular sight.

"We've finally arrived."

Chen Nan felt a bit excited, as he was about to return to the Mortal World.

But just at this moment—

"Brother Chen, it's not fair of you to leave without saying goodbye." A familiar voice sounded, and Chen Nan looked forward to see one man and two women flying towards him.

It turned out to be the Tao siblings and Kuang Chenyun.

Chen Nan quickly maneuvered the warship towards them: "Brother Tao, Miss Muxue, Sister Yun Chen, what brings you here?"

Yun Chen stepped forward from the void and said, "I heard someone was leaving, so I came to see you off."

"How did you know I was leaving?" Chen Nan frowned and asked.

"Just a guess." Yun Chen smiled and said, "Regardless, the Purple Bamboo Fairy has publicly acknowledged that you are one of her Purple Bamboo Forest people, so we thought you would come back here sooner or later. Sure enough, here you are."

Hearing this, Chen Nan was amused and teased, "What, after just a few days apart, you already miss me this much?"

Yun Chen laughed and scolded, "Do you need a beating?"

At this moment, Tao Zui approached gracefully, folding fan in hand, and said, "Brother Chen, as for your identity, Miss Kuang has already explained. Last time you left Genius City without a word, that was improper of you. Today, we came to see you off, shouldn't you express something in return?"

Chen Nan smiled bitterly and said, "I don't need you to tell me, I already know—it's those few bottles of fine wine you're after, isn't it?"

Ever since Chen Nan let him taste that strong wine from the Mortal World, Tao Zui had been dreaming of having a few more bottles. So Chen Nan didn't even need to think to know what this wine lover was after.

Tao Zui laughed heartily and said, "You got half of it right, but there's one more thing I'd like to ask."

"What is it? Brother Tao, please speak." Chen Nan said.

Tao Zui smiled slightly, seriously said, "Since Brother Chen is from the Eastern Martial World, then that Su Yixuan girl you mentioned last time, she must also be from the Martial World, right? Though I don't know why I dreamt of her and fell for her, I only hope to see her once more in this life without regret. So, if Brother Chen has a way to return to the Martial World, I wish to go with you."

Upon hearing this, Chen Nan frowned.

In his mind, he thought, my sworn brother Zhao Han has been fond of Su Yixuan for quite some time now, yet has never won her heart. This Tao Zui, although looking like Zhao Han, is far more charismatic and skilled in wooing women. If I were to bring him to the Mortal World, wouldn't I be bringing a rival in love for my old brother Zhao Han?

So the first thought that came to Chen Nan's mind was that he absolutely couldn't take Tao Zui to the Mortal World.

Of course, these were just self-justifications, in reality, he didn't want to take Tao Zui because of another reason—

Su Yixuan and he himself also shared an ambiguous relationship. Just back when he first descended the mountain, he had not only seen her body in the woods but had also touched her... Moreover, he could sense that Su Yixuan's feelings for him weren't as simple as they seemed on the surface.

In the end, Chen Nan felt a bit sour about Tao Zui treating Su Yixuan as his dream lover, he just didn't want to admit it himself. He thought that since his old brother Zhao Han finally found a woman he liked, he couldn't compete with him over her.

Unfortunately, though he could control his own heart, he couldn't control Su Yixuan's.

The girl had already secretly given her heart to him long ago, but because of her younger sister's relationship with Chen Nan, she had no choice but to hide these feelings deeply.

"Brother Tao, I'm truly sorry, but this matter I find hard to agree to." Chen Nan said.

Upon hearing this, Tao Zui rushed to ask, "Why?"

"If there's a chance in the future, I will definitely tell you the reason, but for now..." Chen Nan took out a few bottles of wine, tossed two towards Tao Zui, and said, "Today we part, and who knows when we'll meet again. Brother Tao, Miss Muxue, Sister Yun Chen, come, let's toast to our farewell today."

Tao Zui, unwilling to give up, accepted the wine and continued to speak about going to the Martial World, his tone even containing pleas.

Helpless, Chen Nan found a large rock and sat beside it, placing his hand on the stone slab, and laughed, "Come, arm wrestle with me. If you can win, I'll agree to your request. But if you can't, please don't ask me the reason again. Alright?"

"It's a deal."

Tao Zui was determined and agreed to arm wrestle with a martial artist.

The two clasped hands, each exerting force, trying to bring the other down. But neither of them was one to back down.

Though Tao Zui was a cultivator, his physical strength wasn't weak. From the exertion, veins bulged on his forehead, and soon both applied their Inner Strength, neither willing to yield.

In the blink of an eye, the time of an incense stick passed, and still, there was no winner.

Chen Nan grabbed a bottle of wine with his other hand and brought it close to Tao Zui: "Come on, how can such a thrilling match not be accompanied by a drink?"

Tao Zui reluctantly picked up the wine bottle, clinked it with Chen Nan's, but said nothing; though it appeared as a draw, he was actually falling behind. If he spoke and let down his guard, he might lose.

Tao Zui thought to himself, this guy is indeed a martial artist, his strength is immense.

Both grimaced and strained, and after finishing a bottle of wine, Chen Nan let out a loud shout, unleashing all his strength, and finally, Tao Zui couldn't resist and was defeated.

After all, physical strength wasn't a strong point for cultivators.

Chen Nan had already factored this in when suggesting the arm wrestling, knowing that if it was any other contest, he might not have beaten him.

Though Tao Zui was unwilling, a man of his word can never go back on it, so he refrained from bringing up the matter again, instead picking up a wine jug to drink and chat with Chen Nan and the others. Naturally, Chen Nan also introduced Yu Wenqingxue to them.

Without using Inner Strength to dispel the alcohol and feeling downhearted, Tao Zui was slightly drunk an hour later.

Chen Nan looked towards the direction of the Purple Bamboo Forest, realizing it was time for him to leave.

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