“So fast,” Rock Solid said in surprise. “Stay a few more days, my clansmen also want to thank you.”
“No need, I always feel that something will happen at the Academy in the next few days, so I want to go and join the fun,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “To welcome the storm.”
“You’re right, I almost forgot about that,” Rock Solid nodded. “Then let’s go together. No matter the outcome, we must stand on the side of the Academy.”
As the two were talking, Shi Shaoshuo came over with many elders.
“There’s no need for too many words of thanks. One, I did it for the sake of the Supreme God Hammer, and two, for Brother Rock’s sake,” Xu Zimo waved his hand and said.
“Is Young Master Xu leaving?” Shi Shaoshuo asked.
Xu Zimo nodded slightly and said, “Your Stone Race has just suffered a great calamity and been reborn. Isn’t it time for some reorganization?”
“What does Young Master Xu mean?” Shi Shaoshuo asked in confusion.
“Some ill-intentioned people within the race. Of course, you can investigate that yourselves,” Xu Zimo waved his hand and asked, “Where is the Feather Race’s territory?”
“From Sacred Stone Mountain, thirty miles east, it should be Jade-Sky Ridge,” Shi Shaoshuo quickly said. “But now that the Feather Race’s main force is gone, the rest won’t be able to stir up much trouble.”
Xu Zimo nodded slightly.
After briefly bidding farewell to Shi Shaoshuo and the others, he didn’t bother with Lu Ze from the Mortal Immortal Sacred Ground or the others. He left it to the Stone Race to handle, since Lu Ze hadn’t provoked him. He had already given Shi Shaoshuo a reminder.
……
He and Rock Solid set off eastward.
After about an hour, they arrived in Jade-Sky Ridge.
This was the Feather Race’s territory, the place where they lived.
The ridges and mountains were covered with lush, towering trees.
The morning sunlight shone down, and the air was especially quiet.
After confirming their direction in the sky, they descended into the heart of the Feather Race’s territory.
“Who dares trespass into our Feather Race?” A loud shout rang out as more than ten Feather Race members flew over.
Xu Zimo ignored them and examined the surrounding buildings.
There were also places like the Technique Pavilion and the Weapon Hall here.
He had come to plunder the Feather Race’s resources to strengthen his God World.
Naturally, these people were left to Rock Solid to handle.
Xu Zimo entered the great halls, not bothering to choose. He swept everything into his God World.
……
At this moment, on the God World.
All beings had already stepped onto a path of cultivation.
The inheritances and techniques Xu Zimo had placed within had been discovered and were being practiced.
The spiritforce grew increasingly dense.
He deliberately guided the myths of the God World, aligning them with the cultivation system.
Now, some True Meridian Realm experts had already emerged.
They were the first beings to cultivate, and the best among them.
Of the vast resources plundered from the Feather Race, most were useless to Xu Zimo. He scattered them across the God World.
They would await those fated to find them.
Once the first true cultivators emerged, those who could reach the God Meridian Realm, he would no longer need to invest resources.
After plundering the Feather Race completely, Xu Zimo prepared to leave.
As for the remaining Feather Race members, when they heard that their main force had all perished at the Stone Race, their expressions varied.
Some believed, others did not.
As for their final fate, Xu Zimo figured the Stone Race would handle it.
He and Rock Solid then set out toward the Heavenly Dao Academy.
………
Though the two had only been gone a few days,
Compared to before, Heavenly Dao City now felt desolate.
The city was not bustling as imagined. Occasionally, small groups walked the wide streets.
Even the street vendors were listless, no longer shouting their wares.
When Xu Zimo and Rock Solid returned, they found that many students had already left the Academy.
Now, less than one-tenth of the students remained.
And that was already considered good.
This cradle of the human race, founded in the Desolate Era, was facing desolation for the first time.
“It seems something really is about to happen,” Rock Solid said beside him.
Their figures descended into the Academy.
Coincidentally, a few students nearby were preparing to leave.
Rock Solid quickly stopped them and asked briefly.
“Senior brother, you must have just returned to the Academy,” a young man said. “The Academy has issued a notice. A disaster is coming soon. The Academy is not certain it can resist. Everyone is free to stay or leave. You may depart, or you may remain and share life and death with the Academy.”
“Are you leaving?” Rock Solid asked.
“Senior brother, you should leave early,” the young man said with a sigh.
“I heard this time several imperial lineages are leading the attack, and even forces from other continents are joining. What can we do? Staying will only add to the Academy’s burden.”
“You cowardly fools,” hearing this, Rock Solid grew furious. “How have the Academy and the teachers taught us all these years? Even if you do not repay their teachings, at the very least you should not abandon the Academy at such a time. You are unworthy of being human, unworthy of being students.”
Hearing Rock Solid’s rebuke, the few students looked ashamed.
“We don’t want to leave either, but with everyone else gone, what use is it if we stay?”
“Enough,” Xu Zimo laughed and waved his hand. “Everyone has their choice. Don’t demand too much.”
“I just can’t stomach it,” Rock Solid said.
“Let’s go find Master Nu and ask about the situation,” Xu Zimo said.
Venerable Nu was still on Vermilion Bird Island.
The two stepped through the air and returned to the island.
At that moment, Venerable Nu was strolling around Vermilion Bird Island with a woman, seemingly unconcerned with the Academy’s current plight.
“Master,” the two greeted him.
“You’ve returned,” Venerable Nu said with a smile.
“Is the Stone Race’s matter resolved?”
“Yes, thanks to Junior Brother Xu,” Rock Solid quickly nodded.
“Let me introduce you, this is Zhu Qian. From now on, she will be your Master’s wife,” Venerable Nu said, pointing at the beautiful woman with a smile.
Xu Zimo could tell that this woman was the Vermilion Bird he had resurrected, now in human form.
The two greeted her briefly.
Rock Solid then began asking about the Academy’s current situation.
Venerable Nu sighed softly and said, “The situation is grim.”
“Why are they attacking our Academy? There shouldn’t be any grudges, and this time so many imperial lineages are joining,” Xu Zimo voiced his doubts.
“Just a bunch of flies wanting to share the spoils,” Venerable Nu snorted coldly. “This matter involves the Sky Blue Demon Roc. You could say it’s a hidden danger from the past.”