Hearing Xu Zimo’s words, Lin Ruhu nodded heavily.
“That Baili Xiao, I’ve long found her an eyesore. These past days in the Eastern Continent, she’s been acting recklessly. Even wanting to form some so-called Demon-Slaying Alliance,” Lin Ruhu said angrily.
“I heard Grand Empress Hongtian issued a decree, is that true?” Xu Zimo asked.
Lin Ruhu was silent for a moment, then finally said, “I heard it, just a rumor. The Empress did issue a decree, but it wasn’t about capturing you. Instead, it told the Sacred Ground not to get involved in this matter.”
“What about the Sacred Lord then?” Xu Zimo asked.
“I’m not too sure, the Sacred Lord hasn’t spoken clearly,” Lin Ruhu replied. “Grandfather said, the Sacred Lord’s thoughts are the deepest of all. Until the very last moment, no one can guess them. After all, a single word from him affects the future of the True Martial Sacred Ground. He can’t be careless. That’s understandable,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “I never thought of relying on the Sacred Ground anyway.”
“With things blowing up this big, what are you planning to do?” Lin Ruhu asked.
“I haven’t thought that much. Just with the blade in my hand, whoever blocks my path, I’ll cut them down,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
“Good. Then we brothers together will stir this world upside down,” Lin Ruhu laughed.
“Your grandfather probably doesn’t want you getting involved in this, right?” Xu Zimo asked.
“He can’t make my decisions,” Lin Ruhu muttered. “You rest here a few days first. I’ll go gather more information about what’s happening outside.”
After Lin Ruhu left, Xu Zimo’s life grew quiet again.
He slept an entire day. Early the next morning, a disciple came to report that Sacred Lord Xiao wanted to see him.
Xu Zimo yawned, straightened his robes a little, and walked toward the island where Sacred Lord Xiao resided.
The island floated in mid-air, with green waters and lush forests.
Xu Zimo walked all the way, coming once more to the same bridge where he had last met him.
Sacred Lord Xiao was dressed in pure white robes, far more formal than usual.
The hem of his robe fluttered though there was no wind. By the riverside, he was sharpening a sword, stroke by stroke.
“Long time no see,” Sacred Lord Xiao looked toward Xu Zimo and smiled.
“Yes, it has been quite some time,” Xu Zimo nodded slightly.
“May I ask what the Sacred Lord seeks of me?”
“To reminisce,” Sacred Lord Xiao smiled. “And besides, with such a major matter happening, don’t pretend as if nothing’s wrong.”
“And the Sacred Lord’s meaning is?” Xu Zimo asked.
“You should be able to understand the difficulties of the Sacred Ground,” Sacred Lord Xiao paused for a moment before finally sighing softly.
“I understand. Everything for the sake of the Sacred Ground,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
“If one day the Sacred Ground’s decision is not to your liking, don’t blame me or the Sacred Ground,” Sacred Lord Xiao continued. “I don’t want the situation to escalate further either.”
“So Sacred Lord called me here to ease my heart?” Xu Zimo laughed aloud.
“There are some things I should tell you. I think you’ve already heard,” Sacred Lord Xiao said. “The Grand Empress’s decree is indeed real. Many elders of the Sacred Ground hold a unified opinion. They choose to maintain a wait-and-see attitude on this matter.”
“Alright then, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back,” Xu Zimo waved his hand.
He was too lazy to waste words with Sacred Lord Xiao. His return to the Sacred Ground had been just to enjoy some peace.
“My meaning is this: if you stay within the Sacred Ground, the Sacred Ground will exhaust its strength to protect you. Until you bear the Heaven’s Will. But if you leave the Sacred Ground, then the Sacred Ground may be powerless to help,” Sacred Lord Xiao said. “You know well, this time the Imperial Lineages involved are not few. Think carefully for yourself.”
“Then many thanks to Sacred Lord Xiao,” Xu Zimo nodded and walked out of the island.
Sacred Lord Xiao truly had done his utmost, giving him a choice, and giving the Sacred Ground itself a chance to wager on him.
Halfway across the bridge, Xu Zimo suddenly stopped. Turning back with a smile, he said, “Sacred Lord Xiao, this True Martial Sacred Ground really hasn’t changed for ten thousand years.”
His words carried some lament, with hidden meaning.
But Sacred Lord Xiao’s eyes narrowed, deep in thought.
…………
Not long after returning to South Goose Mountain, Lin Ruhu came again.
He looked at Xu Zimo, hesitating to speak.
“If you’ve got something to say, then say it. The sky’s not going to collapse,” Xu Zimo said with a smile.
“Uncle Xu resigned from his position as Vice-Lord,” Lin Ruhu said.
“Oh?” Xu Zimo frowned slightly.
“I heard that today, during the Sacred Ground’s high council meeting, Uncle Xu had a big quarrel with several elders,” Lin Ruhu said carefully. “In the end, he resigned from the Vice-Lord’s seat.”
“My father…” Xu Zimo was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. Thinking inwardly, “Still the same personality as in the past life.”
Although Xu Qingshan appeared calm before him, never even mentioning it, when it came to taking action, he never hesitated.
“Anything else?” Xu Zimo looked at Lin Ruhu and asked.
“I already sent the battle challenge to Baili Xiao, but she doesn’t seem to care,” Lin Ruhu said.
“And I also heard, the Baili Imperial Clan is about to hold some Demon-Slaying Alliance Assembly. Basically, to elect the leader of the Demon-Slaying Alliance.”
“Interesting,” Xu Zimo smiled. “These grasshoppers seem to be getting fonder of hopping around.”
“Ruhu, do you know why they’re targeting me at this time?” Xu Zimo asked.
“They fear you will bear the Heaven's Will,” Lin Ruhu replied.
“Exactly. They’re afraid that once I bear the Heaven's Will, I’ll already be invincible. Even if they unite, they’ll still just be a rabble,” Xu Zimo smiled. “But they don’t understand one thing. Even without the Heaven's Will, I am invincible.”
“I believe in you, Brother Zimo,” Lin Ruhu nodded heavily.
“When we go to the Baili Imperial Clan, make yourself a battle outfit. Handsome, imposing,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “Your aura has to be overwhelming.”
“Alright,” Lin Ruhu nodded heavily.
Then he left, not disturbing Xu Zimo’s rest.
Time quickly passed, and five days later, Xu Zimo rose from his lounge chair, stretching lazily.
Patting his purple robe, he sighed, “This outfit should be changed.”
Leaving South Goose Mountain, he went straight to the Pavilion of Rare Treasures.
This was where the True Martial Sacred Ground collected rare treasures. Though not as vast as the Myriad Treasures Tower of Heavenly Dao Academy, it was still absolutely a forbidden place.
As the Holy Son, Xu Zimo naturally had the qualification to enter.
“The Holy Son may claim one item each year,” the elder in charge of the pavilion said flatly as he looked at Xu Zimo.
“Help me find a Heaven-Shadow Stone. I remember the Sacred Ground should have one of those,” Xu Zimo said.
He sat down on a chair to wait. The elder searched inside the pavilion for about three minutes.
At last, he placed a box in front of Xu Zimo.
“This was obtained from the cave mansion of an ancient powerhouse.”