Chapter 2134

Yan Aohan stepped forward to help, taking the carving knife from Zhu Yanyi’s hand. He began carving a food sculpture, picking up a watermelon directly. "She might be too embarrassed to say it, but she understands one thing: once I make a decision, she can’t change it, no matter how unwilling she is. I never change my mind once I decide."

After speaking, Yan Aohan looked at Zhu Yanyi. "How many dishes do you plan to make this time?"

"Since there are no annoying people around, we should make more delicious food. This is a celebration banquet," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile. "Besides, we need to eat our fill before doing anything."

"Mm." Yan Aohan agreed with this point.

Although some people trained by Yan Zuo would stay here, most of them would likely patrol the entire Tianshui River. This was something Yan Aohan considered very important.

One soul had already been lost. Although Xie Jifan was behind it, the fact that the Yan family hadn’t noticed showed their negligence in this area. Therefore, no matter what, they couldn’t ignore it this time. That was why Yan Aohan finally decided to split the people trained by Yan Zuo into two groups. One group would cooperate with Yu Qingyun on external affairs, while the other would patrol the Tianshui River, protecting everything there and monitoring its dynamics.

As for the Yan family’s side, he didn’t need manpower. Yan Aohan decided to use formations.

She already had formation experts here, such as Zhu Yanyi, Yi Yunfei, and Sikong Xuran. So, setting up formations was somewhat energy-consuming for them, but relatively safer.

Moreover, Yan Aohan had many things to consider. If the barrier disappeared, formations would be crucial. Especially concealment formations were very important. To ensure safety here, Yan Aohan had long discussed with Zhu Yanyi, asking her to help set up a large concealment formation here.

Since it was large, it would take Zhu Yanyi more time alone. Fortunately, Yi Yunfei and the others were there to help. With their assistance, once the formation was determined, it could be set up smoothly.

Zhu Yanyi watched Yan Aohan hollow out the watermelon and said, "Once the formation here is set up, we will also depart for Kunlun. Judging by the time, it’s about right."

Yan Aohan nodded. "They call it your vacation, but I find you are still very busy."

Since leaving the capital, Yan Aohan had noticed Zhu Yanyi never rested. Even when he was there, sometimes he couldn’t help, and instead needed Zhu Yanyi’s help. Just like setting up this formation; he didn’t understand formations, so he needed Zhu Yanyi to take full charge of this part.

Hearing this, Zhu Yanyi smiled slightly. "Actually, this was within my expectations. Although our Dean gave me leave, she clarified beforehand that it was a vacation during training. So, training and vacation coexist."

Yan Aohan focused on carving a red spider lily pattern on the watermelon, then said, "In the Sage Academy, do you feel wronged by being constrained like that?"

"No," Zhu Yanyi laughed lightly. "Others might not know, but you do. I have lived two lives. At least the me with clear memories has lived two lives.

I won’t say more about the rest. Having seen more, my patience has improved considerably. Maybe others think being constrained by the Sage Academy is uncomfortable, but I think it’s fine. Only when one’s ability is insufficient do they feel constrained. If one’s ability is sufficient, they won’t be easily constrained."

Zhu Yanyi was really open-minded about this.

A hint of warmth flowed in Yan Aohan’s eyes. As someone who had been through it, he naturally knew that excessive constraints weren’t always good, but in the beginning, constraints were very beneficial.

Zhu Yanyi’s current abilities indeed didn’t need constraints, but her age in others’ eyes was really too young. People always worried she might become arrogant, so she was constrained to some extent. Actually, it was more about polishing her edges so she wouldn’t be calculated by others.

Of course, Yan Aohan never believed anyone could calculate against Zhu Yanyi. It wasn’t because her luck was so good, but because she had rolled in the secular world for so many years and had seen through many things.

Especially, in her previous life, she was an author. In the writing industry, everyone knew that works required inspiration, and inspiration often came from life.

Why did Zhu Yanyi’s works become popular initially? Because in those works, she condensed some realistic elements, just presenting them in novel form through her unique methods. Others read them for entertainment, yet were subtly attracted by the underlying meanings, which led to Zhu Yanyi’s later success.

Yan Aohan said, "After you return, I think it won’t be long before Xi Muzhi asks you to train in other planes, or perhaps lets you enter the Qixia Secret Realm."

"Qixia Secret Realm?" Zhu Yanyi looked at Yan Aohan curiously.

"Mm. Actually, every academy has a secret realm belonging to them. This realm can only be opened by their own academy. Just like the Divine Emperor Academy, they have a secret realm called the Taoyuan Secret Realm. Other academies have them too.

The Sage Academy’s secret realm is called the Qixia Secret Realm. However, it is said that it hasn’t been opened for many years. This is mainly because many resources were previously provided to students going to the battlefield, so they didn’t think about opening the Qixia Secret Realm again.

Besides, the number of Sage Academy students decreased year by year back then. Even if the Qixia Secret Realm was safe, there were still certain dangers inside. So, he probably couldn’t bear to let his students take risks. But things are different now. Most people have returned, so the Qixia Secret Realm should have been opened these years."

"Doesn’t this secret realm limit the number of people entering?" Zhu Yanyi carefully placed the stir-fried spinach onto a plate and asked casually.

"How could it not limit? The number of people entering each time cannot be too large. The Sage Academy generally controls the number between 150 and 200. However, since no one has entered for years, there might be more people this time, but I guess it won’t exceed 300."

"The academy doesn’t have many people now, but there are still thousands. Selecting 300 people from thousands, I might not even get a quota." Zhu Yanyi didn’t care much about these quotas. If she could enter, she would; if not, there was nothing she could do.

"You will definitely enter. Not only you, but Sikong Xuran, Yi Yunfei, and Ouyang Tianyun will also enter. Do you know why?" Yan Aohan asked with a smile.