"How is this possible, Patriarch, what do you mean?" asked Xu of the Blood Rune Race.
"If he isn’t a fool, then how does he dare to release us?" Patriarch Shuo countered. "So is he the fool, or are we the fools?"
"Patriarch, are you saying he has some trump card to not fear us?" asked Chang of the Blood Rune Race.
"Whether he has a trump card, I don’t know. But what I do know is, we no longer have the capital to gamble," said Patriarch Shuo. "I don’t know how much ambition the two of you have, but believe me, what the clansmen crave now is freedom. Nothing more. And besides, this is no longer the Legendary Era. What era is it now? What changes has the continent gone through? We know nothing. If the Blood Rune Race were to be exterminated again because of my poor decisions, I would not want to bear that eternal crime."
With that, Patriarch Shuo sighed.
"The ship of a new era has already set sail, but where should we, people of the old era, go?"
Hearing the patriarch’s words, the two fell into silence.
Though still somewhat unwilling, they had to admit this era was unfamiliar to them.
"Let the clansmen behave themselves. Everything will be done gradually," Patriarch Shuo said.
…………
The Blood Rune Race rushed out of the seal, but they didn’t make excessive moves.
Xu Zimo found Han Yanrou and the Han brothers.
He told them the whole truth, that the world they had been living in was nothing more than a kind lie.
Compared to the Han brothers’ disbelief, Han Yanrou appeared much calmer.
"From now on, in this world, you won’t be mocked, and there will be many people willing to be your friends." Xu Zimo smiled. "Because we are all the same, we’re human."
In the Blood Rune Space, he had taken the form of a blood beast. Now, this was his true appearance.
Han Yanrou looked at him, pressed her lips together, and shook her head. "I don’t care about mockery or how many friends I have. I only want to stay by your side."
"You should understand, I don’t have much time to linger," Xu Zimo said.
"I will go to the Outer Heavens, even higher realms beyond. There will be more enemies waiting for me. And you… you’re not suited to be by my side."
Seeing Han Yanrou bow her head in silence, Xu Zimo handed her his identity token.
"Take this token to the True Martial Sacred Ground on the Eastern Continent. That is my home, and it can be yours too."
"If one day I become as strong as you, no longer dragging you down, then can I be with you?" Han Yanrou suddenly lifted her head and asked.
Xu Zimo smiled slightly and nodded.
Because he knew, that was impossible.
"Very well, I’ll go to the True Martial Sacred Ground," Han Yanrou said as she took the token, then asked, "And you?"
"I’ll return in a while," Xu Zimo said, lifting his gaze to the distant horizon. "Some matters, some debts must be settled. What must end should end. Those who should die, should die quickly."
…………
Xu Zimo went to see the Lord of Destruction and explained in detail what had happened inside the Blood Rune Space.
He didn’t know whose orders the Lord of Destruction was following to guard the Lands. Most likely, it was the Holy Progenitor’s.
"Enough, enough. Now I, too, can consider myself free," the Lord of Destruction chuckled.
Xu Zimo asked him to send people to escort Han Yanrou to the True Martial Sacred Ground, and the Lord of Destruction did not refuse.
Xu Zimo then prepared to bid farewell to Ji Ruobing.
But just as he turned around, he saw the girl Jing in thin clothes, standing in the autumn wind, smiling at him.
"Young Master Xu, it’s been a few days. Have you missed me?" Jing smiled sweetly, dimples showing.
"I still have things to do, let’s talk later," Xu Zimo said with a smile, ready to leave.
"I have a few big pieces of news, about you, Young Master Xu. Want to hear them?" Jing asked with a smile.
Xu Zimo paused, looking at her suspiciously.
This time, Jing didn’t jest, but said directly, "Seven days ago, on the Eastern Continent, the Blood Nether Sacred Ground’s Sacred Lord, Xue Qianhe, suddenly announced: Grand Emperor Xue Ming came to him in a dream, saying that Xu Zimo, Holy Son of the True Martial Sacred Ground, is a heinous demon who must be eliminated quickly. Six days ago, the Western Continent’s Supreme Unity Sacred Ground and God Wind Sacred Ground also spoke out, saying: To bring peace to the world, the demon must be slain. Five days ago, among the thirty-six empires of the Northern Continent, twelve empires allied, claiming their ancestors appeared in dreams, saying the Ancient Demon confuses the stars and brings chaos to the world. Four days ago, in the Southern Continent’s Little Bright Sacred Ground, a poem was spread: Cut off the devil’s head, spare the birth of devil’s form. Frost blade slays the devil, all becomes pure land. Three days ago, on the Eastern Continent, the Baili Imperial Clan, one Baili Xiao, a woman, claimed to be the first disciple of the Grand Empress Hongtian. Rumor says the Grand Empress gave a decree: slay the Ancient Demon, protect the Heavenly Dao. Two days ago, the Holy Son of the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground, Lu Changhen, declared he was willing to take the lead, to unite everyone and restore the world to clarity. Now the five continent are more united than ever. You’d best be careful."
"You tell me, many of these people have no grudges with me, some don’t even know me, so why are they all so eager to jump out now?" Xu Zimo laughed.
Lady Jing smiled faintly, pointing at the heavens above, and said meaningfully, "Heaven's Will is about to take shape."
"A poem just came to mind," Xu Zimo smiled.
"What is it?" Jing asked.
"See him build his tall tower, see him feast his guests, see his tower collapse!" Xu Zimo grinned. "They let me be proud for so long, and now, just one step from Heaven's Will, they want to tear down my tower."
"So what will you do next?" Jing asked.
"Seclude myself, return to the sacred ground, and then... kill them all," Xu Zimo said with a smile.
"Things have come to this, and you’re still so calm?" Jing pouted in mock blame.
"What else can I do? Fly into a rage? Tremble with fear?" Xu Zimo laughed. "Would that make them stop targeting me?"
Jing rolled her eyes at him, then said softly, "Remember, no matter what, I stand by your side."
"Mhm... Thanks," Xu Zimo smiled.
Whatever her true intentions, the fact that she told him these insider messages was already good enough.
After parting with Jing, Xu Zimo found Ji Ruobing.
"Where are you going?" Ji Ruobing asked.
"I’ll be in seclusion for a while," Xu Zimo replied.
The ten Primordial God-Scriptures he obtained in the Ancient Celestial Court needed time to be digested.
"Then I’ll protect you," Ji Ruobing said.
"No need. You should return to the Immortal Extinction Sacred Ground soon," Xu Zimo refused.
"You don’t appreciate kindness," Ji Ruobing huffed in dissatisfaction.
"The current situation is more complicated than you think," Xu Zimo smiled. "I need time alone."