The night in the Demon Abyss was the same as it had been four hundred years ago. Once all things fell silent, the spiritual water shimmered with light.
Even standing atop the peak of the Nether Hall, one could see the sea of clouds beneath the starry sky exuding a thin, white radiance...
When Chi Ji and Huang Xiao arrived after being summoned, Xu Xian was standing with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the stars.
The night wind brushed past, and his high-bound silken black hair fluttered wildly in the air.
A completely unfamiliar face,
And an unremarkable head of long hair.
This was worlds apart from the figure in their memories.
Even though they knew in their hearts that he was indeed himself, they could not find even a shadow of the man from those years ago in this physical appearance.
“You’ve come.”
Xu Xian’s gentle voice rang out softly in the wind, ethereal and profound.
The two of them snapped back to their senses, retracted their staring gazes, and bowed in unison.
“Chi Ji greets the Young Lord!”
“Huang Xiao greets the Young Lord!”
Xu Xian did not turn around, saying warmly, “It seems you two already knew...”
The two kept their palms pressed to their chests, their lowered heads never lifting.
Xu Xian glanced back out of the corner of his eye, then turned and sat down at the stone table, gesturing to them. “Rise.”
“Thank you, Young Lord!”
The two spoke in unison.
With a flick of Xu Xian’s finger, the teapot rose on its own, and the cups slid into place. He poured two cups of hot tea—a small immortal trick.
“Sit.”
The two exchanged a secret glance, thanked him again, and sat down stiffly.
Four hundred years had passed.
Even though they had known each other in the past, everything had changed.
“Drink some tea.”
The two took their cups and took a symbolic sip before placing them back exactly where they had been.
Xu Xian couldn’t help but smile, though his expression carried a hint of helplessness and bitterness.
What was the price of becoming stronger?
It was being fearless of everything.
Yet, fear did not disappear; it merely transferred to others.
He didn’t care about strangers, but when those who were once close to him acted this way, it was inevitable for Xu Xian to feel a sense of loss.
They had grown distant,
And the bond had faded.
He looked toward Chi Ji, his gaze filled with tenderness and a slight apology. “I lied to you back then. Do you resent me?”
Chi Ji froze. Clearly, she hadn’t expected Xu Xian to suddenly bring this up, much less ask about her feelings.
She was surprised and overwhelmed by the attention.
She remained dazed for a long time without speaking, only shaking her head.
She didn't resent him?
How could that be possible...
A girl was a girl after all; whether she was twenty or four hundred, her heart remained the same.
Xu Xian smiled and looked toward Huang Xiao. “And you?”
Huang Xiao was terrified and hurriedly said, “Huang Xiao would not dare.”
Xu Xian took a small sip of tea, clicked his tongue softly, and said meaningfully, “When one is young and weak, there are always too many things beyond one's control. To protect oneself, one must resort to unavoidable methods. It was only natural for me to do what I did, and it is only right for you to resent me. It’s not a mistake. However... you two are different from most people in this world. I still owe you an apology.”
“I’m sorry.”
He apologized with humility.
The two became even more panicked, their sense of being overwhelmed doubling.
What had they done to deserve this?
How could the Leader of the Sword Dao, Fanzhou’s number one, apologize to them?
Huang Xiao’s tone was frantic. “Young Lord, you must not. This is far too much for us to bear.”
Chi Ji, however,
Was not focused on that. She bit her lip, summoned her courage, and looked directly into Xu Xian’s eyes. “How are we different?”
“Hmm?”
Chi Ji’s tone sharpened, her words clear. “You said we are different from most people in this world. In what way are we different?”
The answer to this question seemed very important to her.
The same was true for Huang Xiao.
Xu Xian realized her meaning. His gaze fell on Chi Ji and then Huang Xiao as he said frankly, “In my life, I have offended many people and have many enemies. Even more people hate me. But those I can truly call friends are very few. Aside from my comrades in the Wendao Sword Sect and my deceased family in my hometown, you count as one, and you count as one.”
Xu Xian frowned as he spoke.
Aside from those two?
Were there any others?
It seemed there really weren't...
Huang Xiao couldn't suppress the upward curve of his lips.
Chi Ji nervously gripped the hem of her clothes.
Friends.
His few friends.
Upon hearing this answer, the four hundred years of hardship and resentment vanished in an instant.
The fact that he could still consider them friends from his current height was enough. Whether he was the Young Lord or Xu Xian no longer mattered to them.
Xu Xian took another sip of tea and shook his head with a laugh. “Unfortunately, there are no benefits to being my friend. Instead, it only invites disaster...”
Before Huang Xiao could state his position, Chi Ji blurted out, “I don’t mind.”
Xu Xian was stunned again.
Chi Ji’s eyes were burning as she continued, “The strong are always misunderstood and hated.”
Xu Xian stared at her, momentarily at a loss for words.
Indeed,
She had matured.
He asked, “Do you know why I have come this time?”
At the mention of this topic, the light in their eyes suddenly dimmed.
Chi Ji answered truthfully, “I’ve guessed some of it, but I don’t know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
Xu Xian looked at Huang Xiao. “And you?”
Huang Xiao didn’t have as many complex thoughts and answered more directly, “I heard that the Young Lord built an Ascension Platform in the Northern Borders. Rumors are spreading everywhere that the Young Lord intends to reopen the heavenly gates and forge the immortal path again. Since you came today and the twelve Demon Gods are gathered in the Demon God Hall, if I’m not mistaken, the Young Lord wants the twelve Demon Gods to ascend to the Heavens with you, right?”
Xu Xian raised his eyebrows. In truth, Huang Xiao wasn’t that stupid.
Huang Xiao asked with a lack of confidence, “Am I wrong?”
Xu Xian replied seriously, “You are entirely correct.”
Huang Xiao breathed a sigh of relief.
Xu Xian continued with an apologetic tone, “I’m sorry. As soon as I return, I’m going to take your fathers away.”
Huang Xiao remained silent.
Chi Ji asked tentatively, “Are all the ninth stage powerhouses required to go?”
“Yes,” Xu Xian confirmed.
Huang Xiao looked slightly surprised.
Chi Ji murmured dejectedly, “Then... ascending to the Heavens is a bad thing.”
Xu Xian asked with interest, “What makes you say that?”
Chi Ji took a deep breath. “A good thing would never fall upon so many people at once.”
Xu Xian laughed. “Haha, exactly.”
Huang Xiao didn’t quite follow the logic yet. Perhaps he was a bit slower, or perhaps it was because he was always too nervous when facing Xu Xian.
Chi Ji said inexplicably, “I don’t blame you.”
“Hmm?” Xu Xian tilted his head.
Chi Ji said with the air of an elder, “When one carries a sharp weapon, the intent to kill arises naturally. That is what you told me back then.”
Xu Xian’s expression became dazed, and he said sincerely, “Thank you!”
Once he left,
There would be no more Xu Xian in Fanzhou. Everyone above the tribulation transcendence stage was a sharp weapon.
Xu Xian was afraid that the tragedy in his dreams would repeat. Therefore, from the very beginning, he intended not only to take away the Twilight Emperor but also every powerhouse above the tribulation transcendence stage in this world...
This was to ensure that,
During the days after he left the sealed Fanzhou, the Wendao Sword Sect would have the absolute right to speak and lead the overall situation.
This was his original intention for building the Ascension Platform.
Chi Ji had seen through it.
He believed,
The others had seen through it as well.
Chi Ji said solemnly, “I have one presumptuous request. I beg the Young Lord to grant it.”
Xu Xian asked despite knowing the answer, “Let’s hear it.”
Chi Ji said gravely, “I want to ascend to the Heavens with you.”
Xu Xian remained silent; this was within his expectations.
Huang Xiao realized what was happening and added, “I’m going too.”
Chi Ji took the initiative to reveal her cultivation. “For four hundred years, I have been practicing hard just as you said. I am very strong now; I’ve already reached the middle-stage eighth-rank greater demon king rank.”
Huang Xiao refused to be outdone. “I’m strong too! I’m even more powerful than her. I’m already at the peak of the eighth stage...”
Xu Xian toyed with his cup and said in a low voice, “People will die.”
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