Volume 1, Chapter 52: A Realm of One's Own

Nearly ten years of time was enough to transform a boy into a man, yet upon closer inspection, the traces of passing years could still be discerned.

The white brocade robe worn by Su Ye, though exceedingly precious and comparable in grade to a top-tier magical treasure, bore no insignia of any faction, clearly marking him as a rogue cultivator without a doubt.

Just as Li Rulong—the avatar of the Golden Emperor Scorching Heavens Flame—had finished off the disciples of the Azure Dragon Academy and the Blazing Sun Sect, Li Xianlong and the Evil King Sect arrived on his heels. To Li Rulong's regret, however, Ning Caiwei had managed to escape.

Tang Xiao saw before him a relatively large ice-sculpted fortress nestled against a towering snowy mountain.

Shortly after, the second and third concubines successively motioned for their personal maidservants to withdraw.

Pei Yicheng's lips curved slightly: "Because I am the same." The fact that Nianhua had been reborn was a secret he would guard with his life.

Having walked a dozen meters or so, he realized his fair lady had not followed along. Turning back to look for her, he found her still deeply engaged in idle chatter with old mother Zhang.

All at once, Xiao Yixing recalled what Zhao Dapeng had said a few days prior when he entered Zhao Dapeng's office.

There was only one room, but judging by the Jing family's circumstances, it was impossible for them to arrange another one.

After dinner, Xu Duo helped Mother Jiang clear away the dishes, and the two of them whispered affectionately in the kitchen.

With quite a few people still lingering outside, those who saw Xiao Han emerge could not quite figure out who he was. However, seeing how warmly the mayor's fatherly figure treated Xiao Han, they dared not take him lightly, and successively nodded and smiled in greeting.

(1/3)

Meanwhile, the other silver saints surrounding You Yitian wore expressions of indignation yet dared not speak out.

Although Elder Zhuang had long since retired, his illustrious reputation brought many elderly patients seeking his help. Elder Zhuang never refused; as long as his health permitted, he cared little for extra effort if it could relieve a patient's suffering. Recently, however, Elder Zhuang had discovered a problem that greatly concerned him.

Because the school was already on summer vacation, the campus was desolate, with only a few remaining students playing a half-court three-on-three game on the basketball court, from which occasional shouts echoed.

Having once endured the lightning of the nine heavens and the flames of the five elements to forge an indestructible golden body, he could remain unfazed even upon meeting a golden immortal.

"Galan, are you still the same as ever? You truly haven't made the slightest progress," Leo's voice was dripping with contempt. That harmless attack from just now was truly no different from the ones from all those years ago.

Hou Yi raised his gaze and glanced over, only to see that more than half of his shoulder had been sliced away. Amidst blurred flesh and spurting blood, the gleaming white bone was exposed, looking terrifyingly sinister.

"Understood." The elder paid little heed to the slip of paper, solemnly cupping it in the palms of his hands. Several knights stepped forward to escort Meshita, and the old fellows departed in tow, beginning preparations to interrogate the enemy leader.

Seeing Tathagata appear, Hou Yi hesitated no longer and let out a mighty shout of "Swift!" With that, the white jade arrow resting upon the Pangu Bow shot forth like a flash of lightning straight toward Tathagata.

Although a fortuitous coincidence had this time brought vast improvements to his cultivation and magical power, he had ultimately fallen short of complete success, failing to sever and manifest his own avatar. Constrained by this, he was unable to unleash certain supreme divine abilities.

"Aren't you always fond of listening to this?" Hua Rou stood up, slid open the black box on the wall, and took out the konghou. With a flick of her hand, the instrument rack materialized. Placing the konghou upon the stand, she drifted her fingers across the black strings, and a melody began to flow. Hua Rou became entirely immersed in it, her expression shifting—now blissful, now painful, now lonely, now frenzied.

Jiang Yiwei's call came through at that moment, and seeing the caller ID, Cen Kexin felt an inexplicable pang of guilt.

(2/3)

She could empathize with Tie Yannan's unwavering conviction, and even better understand why he felt compelled to fight Wei Yefeng.

Yang Zhulang scratched his head, offered a silly grin, and gazed out at the vast sea beside him, suddenly overcome with endless emotion.

Though Yang Chen wore a mask, it was primarily to prevent ordinary people from recognizing his identity. As for those cultivators, they saw through it instantly, knowing this was intentional on Yang Chen's part.

Hearing Qi Ming's words, the referee flew into a rage, stepping forward abruptly and sweeping down a massive palm carrying a tempest of spiritual energy.

"Those were all acquired by abusing my official position, and many were tributes paid to me by bars and clubs," Wang Yuande said with a bitter smile.

Ye Zhen shook her head. She knew the old lady's temperament and mindset all too well. The second branch had always been the apple of her eye, and the old lady operated on the principle of protecting them for as long as she could. Yet, Grandmother, are you certain you can protect the Second Master and Lady Lin for a lifetime?

Looking at the piles of corpses, Du Tuo felt a tinge of fear. The stench of the remains was too overwhelming to catch the scent of a human, but he could be certain that the escaping human was right here. Treading upon the bones, Du Tuo swept his massive hand downward.

Therefore, Leng Jiang chose not to pursue Zhang Mao. He felt it was better to first inform his three sworn brothers so they could make their own choice regarding staying or leaving. If they were greedy for life and afraid of death, they could fight him and then go claim credit with the strategist; but if they wished to protect his sworn brother, it would likely mean certain death—and Leng Jiang would stand with them to the very end.

Carved behind the altar were the supreme techniques bequeathed by Aigatha to Cyria at the moment of parting: "Energy Shunting" and "Wind-Riding Art," which were also among the reasons Anya had traveled thousands of miles to this place. He believed this was a gift left behind by Aigatha, and only when he successfully reached the peak would he be worthy of inheriting Aigatha's will and power.

(3/3)