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The green mountains remained as ever, the red sunsets unchanged through time.
After being away for so long, even visiting the Eternal Lands, Xu Zimo found that the True Martial Sacred Ground remained the same through the ages.
On Green Mountain, the trees were lush and vibrant, taller than when he left, their branches thick with life.
He retracted the Darksky Tiger and made his way up Green Mountain.
At the summit, the view was beautiful. A gentle breeze swept by.
A small river flowed slowly, its waters crystal clear. Red carp rolled about within.
“Mo’er!” Wenren Yun cried out in surprise and rushed over.
“Mother,” Xu Zimo called out with a smile.
“You child, gone for years and never thinking to come home and visit,” Wenren Yun complained as she hugged him.
A coughing sound followed as Xu Qingshan walked out from the straw hut.
“A man should venture through the world. You’re too soft,” Xu Qingshan snorted coldly and added.
“You act like you know everything,” Wenren Yun muttered. “If anything had happened to Mo’er, I wouldn’t let you off.”
Xu Zimo shook his head with a wry smile. These two still loved to bicker.
“Now that you're back, take a good rest. The Heaven's Will is starting to form,” Xu Qingshan said.
“Afraid there’s no time for that. I just came back to take a look,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile. “The closer it gets to the moment, the tighter the schedule becomes.”
“Is there anything your father can help with?” Xu Qingshan asked.
“No need. I’m heading to the Scripture Pavilion soon to look something up,” Xu Zimo shook his head.
“You’ve grown up. We can’t control you anymore,” Wenren Yun sighed. “Just take care of yourself out there. As long as you’re safe, I’ll be at ease.”
Xu Zimo nodded with a smile.
He spent the afternoon on Green Mountain, talking with his parents.
At dusk, he returned to his own South Goose Mountain.
Chunxiang and Xiaqiu had been maintaining the courtyard all this time.
The room was spotless, despite having not been used in ages.
With their help, Xu Zimo took a hot bath.
In the pavilion of the courtyard, autumn winds swept through, rustling the large tree in the center.
That night, Xu Zimo didn’t cultivate. He simply lay back on a lounge chair, enjoying the autumn breeze, and fell into a peaceful sleep.
It may have been the most restful night’s sleep he’d had in a long time.
Silence through the night.
As dawn slowly approached, Xu Zimo stirred from his slumber.
He stretched, and only then noticed that Lin Ruhu had already been waiting in the nearby pavilion.
“Brother Zimo,” Lin Ruhu scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
“How have you been lately?” Xu Zimo asked with a smile.
It had been a while, and Lin Ruhu’s aura had grown significantly stronger.
Having fused with the Celestial Tiger Tyrant Physique, the ferocity and power radiating from him were overwhelming, like a humanoid beast.
His skin had darkened to a bronze tone, and he’d grown taller and more muscular.
“I’ve been doing well. I’ve fully merged with the battle body,” Lin Ruhu said. “Maybe when you fight for Heaven's Will, I can even help you.”
Xu Zimo patted his shoulder with a laugh. “Walk with me around the sect.”
The two left South Goose Mountain and began strolling through the True Martial Sacred Ground.
Lin Ruhu told Xu Zimo many things. Between them, there were no secrets.
They were the best of brothers.
As winter approached, the autumn wind howled through, putting on one last display of strength.
“By the way, Senior Brother, the was recently opened by the sect,” Lin Ruhu said suddenly.
“Abyss of Life and Death?” Xu Zimo recalled.
It seemed that every time the battle for Heaven's Will neared, the sect would open the Abyss of Life and Death for core disciples to enter.
Legend said that at the end of the cavern lay Imperial Valley.
Imperial Valley was the home of the True Martial Sacred Ground’s past emperors and their war generals.
Those who could meet the ancestors and receive personal guidance would be greatly honored.
But to the current Xu Zimo, it was neither here nor there.
“Has anyone made it through?” Xu Zimo asked.
“The top disciples are going crazy,” Lin Ruhu chuckled sarcastically. “Xiang Qianheng and Unbeatable Sword Monarch tried multiple times but failed.”
“Shame,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“You want to try it, Senior Brother?” Lin Ruhu asked. “I heard from Grandpa that to pass the Abyss of Life and Death, you must comprehend the essence of life and death. I don’t really get it.”
Just then, a disciple in a blue robe ran over from a distance.
“Holy Son,” the disciple greeted Xu Zimo and said, “The Sacred Lord wishes to see you.”
“Got it. I’ll head there shortly,” Xu Zimo waved him off.
Watching the disciple leave, Lin Ruhu said with a smile, “Probably just wants to give you some guidance. This era’s Heaven's Will is too important to our sect. We haven’t had an emperor since Grand Emperor Shen Xing.”
Xu Zimo nodded.
He walked around the sect a bit more with Lin Ruhu before heading to Heaven-Genesis Mountain.
Heaven-Genesis Mountain floated high above the sect, suspended in the void by massive chains.
It was like a lone mountain, covered in flowers and trees.
Xu Zimo walked up the peak, along a cobblestone path shaded by thick greenery.
He arrived at a familiar riverside.
The Sacred Lord Xiao was still fishing at the bridge.
Nearby stood Meng Chenxue with her sword, respectfully silent.
Seeing Xu Zimo approach, a flicker of emotion passed through Meng Chenxue’s eyes.
The impression he had left her once was unforgettable.
Her former arrogance had been completely shattered.
“You’re here,” Sacred Lord Xiao put down his fishing rod and smiled at Xu Zimo.
He still looked young, untouched by time.
Wearing a blue robe, a little worn but clean.
“Sorry to interrupt your fishing, Sacred Lord,” Xu Zimo smiled.
“Not at all,” Sacred Lord Xiao shook his head. “So, how confident are you about the upcoming Heaven's Will?”
“There’s no need to be overly concerned, Sacred Lord. Heaven's Will is nothing special. Even an emperor is just another realm,” Xu Zimo replied.
“You brat. Been gone from the sect, traveled the world, and now your tone’s grown too,” Sacred Lord Xiao laughed. Then he said, “But this world… countless people stop at the threshold of becoming a Grand Emperor. Their bones are stacked high, it’s not that easy!”
Then he shook his head and murmured, “I suppose asking you was pointless. Never underestimate the heroes of the world. Until the fight truly begins, no one knows how it’ll end.”