That the Immortal Master from Tidewatch was from the Shadow Race was something Xu Zimo hadnât expected.
Just like the Celestial Race that was exterminated, the Shadow Race had also been wiped out long ago.
But the reason for their extinction and the identity of the culprit remain unknown.
It was as if, a long time ago, this not-too-big, not-too-small clan suddenly vanished from the Primordial Heartlands.
No one had seen members of the Shadow Race again, and there were no records of them left.
Yet today, in this remote mortal village, Xu Zimo had encountered someone from a supposedly extinct clan.
...
The wings that sprouted from the back of the Immortal Master were enormous.
Black wings with blood-red patterns covering them.
They seemed to be a part of his body.
Now with the wings out, his speed increased dramatically.
At least five times faster than before.
"Seems you know quite a lot," the Immortal Master narrowed his eyes and said.
After all, the Shadow Race had vanished for several eras.
Many people had forgotten about them, or never even heard of them.
With so many races in the world, a race that had never produced a Grand Emperor and stayed relatively low-profile was hard to remember.
"I'm getting more and more curious about whatâs going on here," Xu Zimo smiled.
"This is a swamp, the more you know, the faster you die," the Immortal Master replied coldly.
He flew overhead, light blue spiritforce swirling around him.
Then he dove down from above.
"Still not giving up?" Xu Zimo shook his head and chuckled. "An ant is still just an ant."
He drew Shadow Tyrant and unleashed a technique he hadnât used in a long time, Sword-Drawing Technique.
Brilliant blade light burst forth in front of him.
This blade technique emphasized one thing above all: Speed!
As the blade light intertwined and formed before Xu Zimo, the Immortal Master's two pairs of wings were instantly severed.
The strike was too fast.
Only when the Immortal Master collapsed to the ground and paused slightly did he feel the gut-wrenching pain surge through his body like numbness.
He clutched his back and screamed in agony.
Blood sprayed from where his wings had been cut.
Xu Zimo knew that wouldnât be enough to kill him.
The wings of the Shadow Race were a unique part of their bodies. Even if cut off, they could grow back.
...
"I'm especially curious what your Shadow Race is plotting," Xu Zimo walked forward slowly,
Shadow Tyrant placed at the Immortal Masterâs nose as he asked softly.
"If you want to kill me, do it. Why so much talk?" the Immortal Master replied coldly.
"If you wanted to die, you would've already killed yourself. Why waste time talking to me?" Xu Zimo chuckled.
The three black-cloaked assassins from last night were likely also sent by the Shadow Race.
They had self-destructed with massive bodily decay. Xu Zimo couldnât stop it in time.
Clearly, this Immortal Master had no intention of dying.
âMaster Xu, please show mercy.â
Just then, an old man hurried over from outside.
He wore a green robe and was quite short.
His hair at the temples was already gray and white.
He looked like a candle burning out, frail and old.
âVillage Chief Shao,â villagers watching nearby greeted the elder quickly.
This old man was the chief of Holy River Village.
"What is it?" Xu Zimo looked him over and asked.
"This man must not be killed," Village Chief Shao quickly said.
"He's from the Tidewatch Sect. If he dies in our village, the Tidewatch Sect will take all their anger out on us."
Hearing this, Xu Zimo smiled and said, "How much longer do you plan to keep lying, Chief? You're part of the Shadow Race too, aren't you?"
"Shadow Race? I donât know what youâre talking about," the chief shook his head.
"Really?" Xu Zimo smiled and sent out a palm strike.
The old man didnât dodge and took the hit directly.
His body was knocked backward and slammed into the courtyard wall.
Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.
Seeing this, the surrounding villagers erupted in anger.
They all started shouting, âWhat are you doing? We took you in kindly, and now you repay kindness with betrayal?â
âBrother,â Gu Muyu also looked on anxiously.
âYouâre all really good actors,â Xu Zimo ignored the yelling villagers.
They knew how strong Xu Zimo was and didnât dare get physically involved, only shouting from the sidelines.
He looked at the struggling old man.
His tone turned cold: âIf you keep pretending, then Iâll just kill him.â
Seeing Xu Zimo wasnât bluffing, the village chief stayed silent for a moment.
Then he said to the villagers, âEveryone leave. I need to talk to him alone.â
Though they were reluctant, the villagers all left.
Before leaving, Gu Muyu looked back at Xu Zimo with worry in her clear, beautiful eyes.
Once everyone was gone, the village chief chuckled.
Looking at Xu Zimo with interest, he asked, âHow did you find out?â
âFind out what?â Xu Zimo asked.
âThat Iâm from the Shadow Race.â
âYou all share similar bloodlines. I can sense it,â Xu Zimo replied calmly.
âUnfortunately, you know too much,â the village chief sighed.
Suddenly, the pressure of a God Meridian Realm expert burst from his body, and he lunged at Xu Zimo.
Xu Zimo reacted instantly and quickly backed away.
He didnât bother wasting time and summoned Chaos.
When the overwhelming God Meridian Realm aura of Chaos spread out, the village chief's face changed drastically.
He stared at Chaos and said slowly, word by word, âMeridian Beast!â
âI think itâs time we had a proper talk,â Xu Zimo said calmly.
âWhat do you want to talk about?â the chief asked after a long silence.
âThe reason your Shadow Race is hiding here,â Xu Zimo asked.
âWe offended some powerful enemies back then and were exterminated. Under the protection of our ancestors, a few of us managed to escape,â the village chief said slowly. âWe came here, founded a sect and built a village, and have barely survived since.â
âThen why did you send people to kill me?â Xu Zimo asked.
âIâll answer that one,â a soft sigh came from the nearby hut, and Gu Muyuâs mother slowly walked out, leaning on a cane.
âYiranâŠâ the village chief murmured.
Xu Zimo looked at Muyuâs mother but said nothing, waiting for her to speak.
He had long known she wasnât an ordinary person.
As she began to tell a story, Xu Zimo finally understood.
Tens of thousands of years ago, after the Shadow Race was destroyed by powerful enemies, the few survivors fled to this remote area to escape pursuit and hide from the world.