The familiar, benevolent voice echoed through the starry sky, leaving everyone stunned.

Shen Jianshu's body froze at the sound, causing the thermos cup in his hand and Ji Kun in his arms to fall to the ground.

Bai Xinweng's eyes widened, filled with disbelief, as he stared intently at the hand that had caught Xing Yuanxiao's sword tip, muttering, "Child... is that really you?"

Bai Shiyan, on the other hand, revealed a knowing smile. "I knew it. A scourge lives for a thousand years. How could someone as despicable, shameless, and vulgar as you die so silently?"

In the Yellow Springs Hirasaka, Jia Qiumen and Grand Elder Rui Wei exchanged bewildered glances, as if they couldn't believe their ears.

Ye Xingcheng of the Ye family stared in the direction of the voice. His daughter had been turned into a cream puff, dying in such humiliation. Could the murderer actually be alive?

Ma Fei's eyes widened instantly, his body trembling uncontrollably.

Under everyone's gaze, a young man with a kind smile walked slowly out of the void.

He was a man dressed in black, tall and handsome, with a harmless smile that made him look like a simple, kind, sunny, and cheerful young man.

Many people present were instantly struck by a heavy blow, filled with excitement.

Shen Jianshu laughed, but as he laughed, tears flowed uncontrollably. He lowered his head and picked up his thermos cup.

"It's good that you're back safe, good that you're back safe."

Bai Xinweng's eyes were also blurred with tears.

Those familiar with the young man were shocked by his return.

In contrast, many others showed surprised and confused expressions.

Xing Family was one of the top forces in the Ninth Universe. This suddenly appearing young man dared to say he would destroy the Xing Family? It was simply arrogant beyond belief.

"Who exactly is this guy? Daring to say he'll destroy the Xing Family? Isn't he afraid of biting off more than he can chew?" Someone asked in confusion.

"Shut up! If you want to die, stay away from me. That man is Qiao Yu, who disappeared three years ago!"

Among the crowd were lucky survivors of the Tianhe Star incident, their eyes filled with fear as they looked at Qiao Yu's figure.

"What? He's Qiao Yu?!"

Many of the younger generation instantly widened their eyes. As someone who had once dominated the entire younger generation of the Ninth Universe, they had heard Qiao Yu's name so much their ears were about to develop calluses.

Everyone's gaze converged on Qiao Yu, filled with surprise, fear, disdain, and admiration – a myriad of emotions.

Qiao Yu ignored these people. He greeted Shen Jianshu and Bai Xinweng, then turned his attention back to Ma Fei, who was close at hand.

He patted Ma Fei's shoulder and said softly, "Brother, you've lost weight. You look tired. The journey has left its mark on your face."

Ma Fei: "..."

"Brother, you've changed. You've become silent. Tell me, what's on your mind?"

"Shut up! Don't sing!"

The veins on Ma Fei's forehead throbbed. The somewhat touching atmosphere was instantly dispelled by Qiao Yu's singing.

"Why don't you have any sense of humor? Do you know what the opposite of localized necrosis is?" Qiao Yu asked, looking happily at Ma Fei's dark face.

"No, get lost!" Ma Fei rolled his eyes.

"The opposite of localized necrosis is a whole lotta livin'!" Qiao Yu blinked.

The expression on Ma Fei's face froze for a moment, then twitched, as if he was trying very hard to suppress a smile.

But the more you try to suppress a smile, the more you want to laugh. Anyone who has been made to stand in class for laughing knows this all too well.

*Pfft!*

After twitching his lips for a long time, Ma Fei finally couldn't help but laugh.

But as soon as he laughed, Ma Fei felt even more embarrassed. His face instantly turned red, and his toes began to curl in the void.

In the end, he still needed Qiao Yu to save him. He had wanted to keep a straight face and act aloof, but Qiao Yu had made him laugh again.

Ma Fei was now feeling extremely regretful. He was even wondering why he hadn't just died under Xing Yuanxiao's sword.

If he had died under Xing Yuanxiao's sword, wouldn't he have been spared this hellish torture?

This was probably the moment in Ma Fei's life when he wanted to die the most, bar none.

As he had grown older, his self-esteem and pride hadn't disappeared. Instead, he had hidden them in his heart, no longer easily showing them.

He had imagined many scenarios for his reunion with Qiao Yu, but he had never imagined that it would be such an embarrassing scene.

"That's right, a smile makes you ten years younger. Why are you keeping such a straight face?" Qiao Yu was actually very excited.

He didn't have many friends, and Ma Fei was one of them.

"By the way, where's Yang Xiangdi? Why is it just you?"

Qiao Yu was puzzled. Logically speaking, Yang Xiangdi wouldn't miss such a lively event like this gathering at the Pantheon.

"Xiangdi... his situation is a bit complicated. I'll tell you about it after this is over." Seeing that Qiao Yu had finally changed the subject, Ma Fei breathed a sigh of relief and took the opportunity to step down.

"Complicated?" Qiao Yu frowned, a hint of worry in his heart.

"Yes, it has something to do with this Pantheon." Ma Fei looked up at the Pantheon right in front of him.

Qiao Yu followed Ma Fei's gaze. The Pantheon had appeared after he had gone to the First Universe.

For some reason, Qiao Yu had a faint feeling that the appearance of the Pantheon was related to Hermes, that old schemer.

Logically speaking, Hermes couldn't have remained idle after breaking free from the seal.

If the Pantheon was Hermes' doing, then everything seemed to make sense.

"You two... having a nice little chat, are we?"

Just as Qiao Yu was staring at the Pantheon, Xing Yuanxiao's icy voice rang out, filled with intense killing intent.

His killing intent was even more uncontrollable when he looked at Qiao Yu.

"Qiao Yu! You little bastard, you're still alive! Where's my brother, Xing Yuanhao? Did you kill him?" Xing Yuanxiao roared angrily.

"Him? His death really has nothing to do with me." Qiao Yu shrugged, recalling the situation at the time. "You know Hermes, one of the Twelve Olympian Gods, right? Your brother was killed by him. If you want revenge, you have to go to him."

"Bullshit! You're clearly making excuses. My brother must have died at your hands!"

Xing Yuanxiao's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. Hermes killed his brother? How was that possible?

Even if Hermes had really killed him, he could only seek revenge on Qiao Yu.

The appearance of the Pantheon had already shown that miracles and gods existed in the world. How would he dare to seek revenge on Hermes?

Looking at Xing Yuanxiao's petty appearance, Qiao Yu shook his head and couldn't help but ask, "Xing Yuanxiao, let me ask you a question. Do you know what the opposite of *huigen* (wisdom root) is?"

"The opposite of *huigen*?" Xing Yuanxiao was stunned, seemingly not expecting Qiao Yu to suddenly ask him this question.

Qiao Yu grinned.

"The opposite of *huigen* is you, you idiot!"