Chapter Six: The Common Traits Among the Group Members

After making their promises, the two men exchanged a meaningful glance and smiled knowingly. Among men, a promise needed no further words.

Yang Qi no longer dwelled on matters of gratitude. "Since you've crossed over into this world, why not rest here for a few days? I’d like to host you properly."

"You know my status as the Young Master of the Yang family," he said. "I hold some influence in this city."

He invited Shi Jian to stay and explore this world for a few days.

"I would like to stay a while," Shi Jian replied, "but I’m unsure how time flows between the two worlds."

"There’s nothing pressing here now," Shi Jian explained. "I must return. My departure was sudden; I didn’t inform anyone back in my village. If I’m gone too long, they’ll worry."

Shi Jian politely declined Yang Qi’s invitation. He was indeed intrigued by this world but concerned about his original one. Lingering here too long would cause trouble if the villagers couldn’t find him. Worse still, if the Spirit Liu were alerted, that would be even more problematic. With Yang Qi’s affairs settled and having acquired the Divine Elephant Prison Suppression Skill, it was time to return.

Yang Qi wanted to persuade him to stay a few days more, but upon hearing Shi Jian’s reasoning, he relented. "Very well. Whenever you have time, you’re welcome to visit my world."

Shi Jian nodded and prepared to leave. Before departing, he instructed Yang Qi, "When you have a moment, check the Sacred King file I uploaded. If I’m not mistaken, your two older brothers will be attacked within these next two days, their cultivation utterly destroyed. Take precautions."

Yang Qi’s face turned grave. He knew Shi Jian had shared their future in the group, but he hadn’t had time to review it yet. He had planned to look as soon as possible. The revelation that his brothers would be assaulted so soon shocked him.

"I’ll notify my father immediately once I return. No need for thanks. As I said, as long as I live, call on me anytime," Yang Qi said firmly.

Shi Jian nodded and then activated the system. In the next moment, he vanished from Yang Qi’s sight.

After Shi Jian disappeared, Yang Qi clenched his fists and set off toward the Yang family estate.

---

As he walked, Yang Qi studied the Sacred King file Shi Jian had uploaded, his eyes shining with unprecedented intensity.

…

Reappearing in his familiar stone cottage, Shi Jian exhaled in relief. He stepped outside to see the children and other villagers still training in the village square.

He glanced at the sun; its position had not changed.

"Did time stand still while I was away?" he wondered. "Or was I bound to a time anchor?"

His eyes lit up. The time in his original world hadn’t moved even after he visited another. Whether time truly paused or he was linked by a temporal anchor, the possibilities were immense.

Moreover, this must work both ways. When someone else in the group travels to another world, their own world remains unaffected.

If faced with mortal danger, one could temporarily flee into another group member’s world and train vigorously for years, then return to reverse their fate.

Contemplating this, Shi Jian opened the chat group.

Several messages flooded in.

[Xiao Yan: "Shi Jian, what happened when you crossed over? Is the problem solved?"]

[Meng Qi: "What happened with that guy Yang Qi?"]

…

There were many messages, mostly expressing concern for Shi Jian and Yang Qi.

After reading them, Shi Jian tagged everyone.

[Shi Jian: "The problem is resolved. I’ve returned to my world. No need to worry!"]

The group breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing his reply.

[Xiao Yan: "You didn’t reply for so long, I thought you both were dead... I wanted to cross over to help, but Elder Yao’s remnant soul is attached to me, so I can’t manage it!"]

[Meng Qi: "I want to help too, but I just started training. I’m afraid I’d be a hindrance rather than an aid!"]

[Fan Han: "You have a remnant soul too? I have one as well — his name is Yan, and he’s mysterious. I’m not ready yet to cross worlds!"]

---

[Lin Dong: "What’s crossing worlds like? What kind of place is Yang Qi’s world? If I weren’t injured and worried about holding you back, I’d join the fun too!"]

Others in the group wanted to help Yang Qi when they saw his message but were held back for various reasons.

Xiao Yan and Fan Han each had remnant souls residing with them, and their relationships were still developing, making cross-world travel inconvenient.

Meng Qi was too weak, coming from a world that began with martial arts, so he feared being of no help.

Lin Dong was injured, otherwise he would have eagerly joined.

[Shi Jian: "It was just a minor trouble, now resolved. Yang Qi’s world is similar in style to yours, just with different cultivation systems."]

At that moment, Yang Qi also spoke.

"Thanks to everyone’s goodwill and Shi Jian’s help, my problem has been solved. I was busy earlier and hadn’t properly introduced myself. My name is Yang Qi; pleased to meet you all."

With Yang Qi’s introduction, the chat lit up once more.

As they talked, they quickly realized many shared similarities.

Shi Jian, Meng Qi, and Xiao Yan all hailed from Earth.

Xiao Yan and Fan Han both had remnant souls assisting them.

Yang Qi had been deceived by a woman, while Xiao Yan had been jilted.

When people find common ground, they naturally grow closer.

Though they hadn’t formed deep bonds yet, they had at least become acquainted.

Notably, Shi Jian had placed restrictions on the files he uploaded. Except for himself, no one could access others’ files. The documents contained sensitive information about everyone’s future, including dark pasts and divine powers—things best kept private. If everyone could see each other’s futures, it would surely cause discomfort.