Hearing Xu Zimeiâs words, Yin Luohangâs expression darkened.
But he still managed to suppress the discontent in his heart and turned his head to leave the Combat Stage.
"Old Yin, when did you get so close to Ao Nan?"
Ming Hu asked with a smirk on the side.
"Going so far as to plead for him."
Among these Saint Heirs of the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect, they had always been competitors vying with each other in the shadows.
They basically wouldnât become friends.
So Yin Luohangâs actions today somewhat surprised him.
Yin Luohang lifted his head, gave Ming Hu a faint glance, but didnât answer and left directly.
At this moment on the Combat Stage, the Two-Headed Python was thoroughly on its last breath.
Without its two heads, blood couldnât stop flowing from its neck.
Xu Zimei, holding Tyrant Shadow, said with a grin, "No need to suffer anymore, let me send you on your final journey."
With a "boom," the entire Combat Stage cracked open with multiple fissures, and the body of the Two-Headed Python was completely split in two.
Dead beyond death.
"Someone clean this up," Xu Zimei said to the person in charge of the Combat Stage before stepping down.
He didnât care about the surprised looks from the others around him and walked towards Ren Pingsheng.
His attitude was clear: Ren Pingsheng is under my protection, if anyone wants to touch him, they need my permission.
The lady in the white dress below the Combat Stage found it amusing, and remarked, "No wonder, I canât see through it either."
Then her gaze deepened again.
Wondering about something.
Xu Zimei reached Ren Pingsheng and said with a smile, "Letâs go, letâs grab a meal together."
"My lord," Ren Pingsheng took a deep breath and quickly followed, with Shang Xiaoxiao in tow.
"How did you get to know that Ao Nan?" Xu Zimei asked.
"Xiaoxiao was originally a disciple of the Ancient Dragon Dynasty," Ren Pingsheng explained.
"We met during a trial.
I initially planned to join the Ancient Dragon Dynasty too, but later, due to Ao Nan, it just fizzled out.
We wanted to leave the Supreme Domain, hoping to elude the entanglements by relocating elsewhere.
But this guy has been continuously sending assassins after me, and Xiaoxiaoâs injuries were inflicted while saving me."
Ren Pingshengâs expression was tinged with self-reproach as he said this.
"We had no choice but to come to this Heavenly Dao Academy, seeking sanctuary.
Unexpectedly, he was persistent and followed us here."
Xu Zimei slightly nodded.
"My lord, wonât this put you in a difficult position?" Ren Pingsheng asked hastily.
"After all, Ao Nan is a Saint Heir of the Ancient Dragon Dynasty, and they surely wonât let it go easily.
The True Martial Holy Sect is too far from here to intervene in such a matter on short notice."
"It doesnât matter, I donât know how many Immortal Gates Iâve demolished already," Xu Zimei waved his hand dismissively.
In todayâs Yuan Central Continent, there were few enemies that could get his attention.
Even if they were strong, if he couldnât overcome them, he was able to escape, and they wouldnât be able to hold him back.
Not to mention, there were the presences of Bai Meng and the Seven-faced Demon General.
There were several dozen dining establishments within the Heavenly Dao Academy for the students.
Spread all across the academy.
The three of them found a restaurant and walked in.
Along the way, Ren Pingsheng also introduced Xu Zimei to Shang Xiaoxiao.
"What are your plans now?" Xu Zimei asked.
Ao Nan had already been killed by him, so temporarily Ren Pingsheng and Shang Xiaoxiao were not in danger.
If the powerhouses of the Ancient Dragon Dynasty came, theyâd be looking for him, and wouldnât bother Ren Pingsheng for some time.
"Iâve decided to take Xiaoxiao away from the Central Continent and prepare to return to our Eastern Continent," Ren Pingsheng said.
"Oh," Xu Zimei looked at Ren Pingsheng with some surprise.
He had thought that the other party would leave the Supreme Domain, but he hadnât expected him to leave the Central Continent directly.
It was well-known that the Central Continent was the strongest place among the five landmasses.
Strong practitioners from the other four continents would all try to come to the Central Continent to gain experience.
Seemingly guessing Xu Zimeiâs confusion, Ren Pingsheng explained with a smile, "At the moment, Iâve already entered the Divine Vein and the inheritance of the Sun Devouring Ancestor is almost completely assimilated.
As long as I donât provoke the Imperial Rule Immortal Sect, self-preservation wonât be a problem.
Our Ren Familyâs ancestral home is on the Eastern Continent, and this trip back is akin to recognizing my ancestors and returning to my roots.
The two of us can find a secluded paradise and living together from then on will be enough."
Xu Zimei suddenly realized that there are many people in this world who, after going round and round, will eventually return to their starting point.
In their youth, they longed to become strong, to make a name for themselves, and even aspired to become Great Emperors.
But after various experiences, the strife and deceit in this world...
Some then think of retiring from such battles and come to realize that simplicity is whatâs true.
The Ren Pingsheng before him was the best illustration.
Perhaps he was tired of everything and no longer had the desire to become a strong cultivator.
Thus, it is said that life diverges into two paths before your eyes.
One is his, Xu Zimeiâs path, to continuously become stronger, and once strong, to seek even greater strength.
And the other path is Ren Pingshengâs.
...
That day, he talked a lot with Ren Pingsheng.
About the otherâs journey ever since they had parted, Ren Pingsheng spoke while he mostly listened.
"Fine, when youâre back at the Eastern Continent, Iâll send a message to the True Martial Holy Sect.
Iâll ask them to take good care of you," Xu Zimei said.
"Thank you, young master," Ren Pingsheng nodded with gratitude.
"I hope you two can spend the remainder of your lives the way you like," Xu Zimei knew that the otherâs decision was made and didnât try to stop him.
After parting from Ren Pingsheng, the sky gradually darkened.
The night at the Heavenly Dao Academy was still as colorful as ever.
On the way back to Vermilion Bird Island, Xu Zimei again encountered the white-dressed woman he had met before.
She seemed to have been waiting for him from early on.
"What a coincidence, we meet again," the woman in white said with a smile.
"Is it?" Xu Zimei replied indifferently.
The woman in white wasnât embarrassed and simply followed behind Xu Zimei with a smile.
Vermilion Bird Island did not allow outsiders in, but Xu Zimei didnât bother with her.
However, when he flew up to Vermilion Bird Island, he found that she still followed right behind him and entered the island.
Xu Zimei frowned slightly.
He headed towards the place where Shi Jian was blacksmithing.
The sound of hammering metal had already reached his ears from a great distance.
Xu Zimei realized that his Senior Brother Shi seemed to do nothing else but blacksmith all day.
"Junior Brother Xu, youâre back," Shi Jian lifted his head, wiping the sweat from his forehead, and asked with a smile.
Xu Zimei pointed to the woman following behind him.
The white-dressed woman didnât seem to mind and just followed with a simpering smile.
"Do you know her?" Xu Zimei asked, looking at Shi Jian.
Shi Jian looked up, his expression stiffening a bit as he nodded.
"Is she from our Vermilion Bird Island?" Xu Zimei asked, puzzled.
Shi Jian shook his head silently.
"So youâre planning not to say a single word?" Xu Zimei asked calmly.
"Junior Brother Xu, donât make it difficult for me," Shi Jian responded, stopping short of saying more.