Lin Juemie was also helping manage things. To rule the Nine Heavens in his lifetime had always been his dream.
Only Xu Zimo seemed relaxed, resting in the courtyard and occasionally cultivating his Heaven-Shattering God-Scripture. By now, he had fully mastered his strength and begun condensing his Power Vortex.
Summer had reached its final stretch, the sun doing its best to cast one last bit of heat onto the earth.
That afternoon, Jiang Changsheng came to Xu Zimo’s courtyard.
“Senior brother, I’ve completed the task you assigned. From today on, there is no more Little Qing in this world,” Jiang Changsheng said respectfully.
“Not bad,” Xu Zimo said with a smile as he lay on a lounge chair. “It’s about time I leave.”
“You’re leaving, senior brother?” Jiang Changsheng froze for a moment.
“Yeah. Things in the Nine Heavens Sect are taken care of. What’s the point of staying?” Xu Zimo replied.
“But the Nine Heavens Sect needs you now more than ever,” Jiang Changsheng said.
“There’s no one in this world who’s truly indispensable. The future of the Nine Heavens Sect depends on itself, and on the younger generation like you,” Xu Zimo said.
“Then where are you going, senior brother? I’ll come with you,” Jiang Changsheng said.
“Focus on your cultivation. Your strength is too weak. I may never return after this journey,” Xu Zimo waved his hand.
He pulled out a pile of items from his storage ring and handed them to Jiang Changsheng.
It included various techniques, pills, and herbs, resources that could significantly boost Jiang Changsheng’s strength in a short time.
In the Myriad Beast Realm of the God World, the Dragon Race had begun to flourish. Xu Zimo even gave him a dragon egg that was close to hatching.
Jiang Changsheng held the egg and looked at the pile of items, remaining silent for a long time.
“Senior brother… what did I ever do to deserve this?” Jiang Changsheng said with deep emotion.
“Now that the nine Imperial Sons are all dead, you’re the one I have my hopes on in the younger generation of the Nine Heavens Sect. I hope you can lead this sect to greatness,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
“Don’t worry, senior brother. From now on, my life belongs to the Nine Heavens Sect,” Jiang Changsheng said solemnly.
Xu Zimo waved and smiled. “Go on. If one day you reach the Immortal Dao Bridge, perhaps we’ll meet again.”
“Senior brother…” Jiang Changsheng gave Xu Zimo a deep look, then knelt and bowed three times before leaving.
He knew that the things Xu Zimo gave him today could very well change his fate.
A mentor’s grace is like rebirth. Xu Zimo had treated him like no less than a brother.
Though he hadn’t helped Xu Zimo much, these resources would allow him to grow immensely.
…
After Jiang Changsheng left, Jiu You asked, “Are we going to the God Race Ruins next?”
“No, first to the World Sovereign Empyrean Sect,” Xu Zimo shook his head.
“What for?” Jiu You asked curiously.
“Don’t ask so much. Just follow me,” Xu Zimo replied.
Time passed like a fleeting shadow. By dusk, the sky had grown dim.
After a busy day, Lin Juemie and Lin Beisheng came to find Xu Zimo.
“Qiu’er, you’re leaving?” Lin Beisheng asked in surprise.
“Yes. I’ve got other things to handle. But don’t worry, I have ways of dealing with the Empyrean Sect,” Xu Zimo replied.
“You’ve grown up. Once you’ve made up your mind, I can’t stop you,” Lin Beisheng sighed. “Take care of yourself out there. No matter what happens, don’t forget, you always have a home here.”
Xu Zimo nodded and handed Lin Beisheng a token.
It was forged from black iron, with the image of a ferocious beast carved onto it.
“What’s this?” Lin Beisheng asked, surprised.
“The Myriad Beast Token. Only when the Nine Heavens Sect is on the brink of destruction should you use it,” Xu Zimo said. “Pour your spiritforce into it, and the guardian beast will appear.”
“This…” Lin Beisheng looked at the token in shock. “Something like this actually exists?”
“If the Supreme Void Grand Empyrean descends one day and cannot find me, and he dares to slaughter the sect without regard for a Grand Empyrean’s dignity, then use it,” Xu Zimo said.
“I understand,” Lin Beisheng said, nodding heavily as he took the token.
The three of them chatted a little longer before Lin Beisheng and Lin Juemie finally left.
…
Xu Zimo sat cross-legged on his bed and sent his spirit into the God World.
He entered directly into the Myriad Beast Realm.
“My Lord,” the God Beasts hurried over to pay their respects.
The Dragon Race was still dominant. After years of recovery, it had begun to thrive again.
The ten ancient God Beasts had also begun to regain their strength, including the Jade Beast and the Void Spirit Monkey Xu Zimo had previously captured.
“Chimera,” Xu Zimo called out to one of the God Beasts.
From among them, a beast that resembled a lion but looked even more ferocious stepped forward.
It had two horns, long and sharp fangs, and thick fur. A strong, bloody aura radiated from its body.
“Yes, my Lord,” Chimera lay down and replied respectfully.
“Go cultivate beneath the Dao Mountain. That’s the center of the Nine Heavens Grand Formation, where the spiritforce is most abundant,” Xu Zimo said.
“I also grant you a portion of world origin. When you ascend to the immortal path, it will be useful. Protect the Nine Heavens Sect for three thousand years. After that, you are free to leave and pursue the martial path on the Immortal Dao Bridge.”
“Thank you, my Lord,” Chimera said gratefully.
Xu Zimo opened a spatial gate to the God World and sent Chimera directly to Dao Mountain.
That day, deafening beastly roars echoed around Dao Mountain. The sounds struck terror into people’s hearts.
The roars alone felt like they could stop a person’s heart.
Spiritforce surged around the peak. The purple sun rose across three thousand miles, and the entire Nine Heavens Grand Formation activated, endlessly drawing in surrounding energy.
The phenomena lasted for a while before calming down.
The next morning, Xu Zimo didn’t say goodbye to any of the other disciples. He and Jiu You simply set off on their journey away from the Nine Heavens Sect.
…
On Grand Heaven Mountain, Lin Beisheng and Lin Juemie stood at the summit.
“Qiu’er is gone,” Lin Beisheng sighed.
“Don’t speak of anything that’s happened these past few days. Let’s seal the mountain for a while,” Lin Juemie said as he looked out toward the distant horizon. “I have a feeling that behind this calm is a coming storm.”
“Actually, I’ve been thinking too,” Lin Beisheng said. “Though the Nine Heavens Sect is in chaos now, I see hope. As they say, destruction brings rebirth. I suppose that’s what this means.”
He added freely, “You and I are the same. If we don’t reach Grand Empyrean in this life, we’ll have less than a thousand years to live. It may be better than mortals, but still, it passes like a fleeting shadow. So why not throw ourselves fully into this grand endeavor? Maybe we’ll carve out a future. Laughing up to the sky as we walk out the door of life and death, how could we be mere nobodies?”