19: Farewell

In just a few breaths, beneath the surging black clouds, a middle-aged man in a black robe, with an imposing Aura like a majestic mountain, hovered before Xiao Zhuo.

His wide sleeves flapped in the strong winds, and the black iron wrist guards reflected a cold metallic sheen.

Their gazes, like lightning, silently intersected in the air, each scrutinizing the other.

After a few moments of silence, a deep, resonant voice rumbled from the middle-aged man's throat: "Are you the young man who saved Jingxuan and Cen Jue?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhuo immediately understood that this awe-inspiring middle-aged man was definitely the reinforcement sought by the two Demon Suppression Guards.

It was just that... this reinforcement had arrived a bit too "timely."

If he had truly been an ordinary True Essence Realm Martial Artist, by now, there probably wouldn't even be bone fragments left.

He naturally didn't know that after Yu Jingxuan and Cen Jue rushed out of the cave, they didn't dare to stop for a moment, galloping eight hundred li through the night directly to Yuji City to seek aid!

The person before him was none other than Yan Yuxing, the Centurion of the Demon Suppression Guard in Yuji City!

He had originally come, out of consideration for the Yu Family, to collect the body of the benefactor who had saved the Young Miss of the Yu Family, and incidentally, to eradicate the Nightmare-rank Demon causing trouble.

He never expected to encounter a living miracle!

Aside from his slightly unstable Qi and significant True Essence depletion, the young man before him seemed to be unharmed!

Xiao Zhuo, unaware of Yan Yuxing's thoughts, merely cupped his fists and said, "Is Senior referring to those two Demon Suppression Guard adults?"

Seeing Yan Yuxing nod, Xiao Zhuo calmly replied, "It wasn't really saving; I just didn't want them to stay there and get in the way."

"Hahaha!" Yan Yuxing's laughter rumbled like muffled thunder, shaking loose stones from the cliff face.

His vast Divine Sense, like an invisible tide, instantly swept over the scattered remains of the demon bats and into the deep cave entrance.

When his Divine Sense touched the viscous, almost shapeless pool of foul-smelling blood deep within the cave, his pupils suddenly constricted to pinpricks—this young man had actually, with a True Essence Realm cultivation, slaughtered a Nightmare-rank Demon!

His knuckles under his sleeves cracked, Yan Yuxing suppressed the surging waves in his heart, his voice tinged with a hoarseness he hadn't even noticed: "Are you willing to join my Demon Suppression Division?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, he realized his lapse in composure.

Such Heaven-Defying talent, if he could be recruited, would surely become a pillar of the Human Race in the future!

Xiao Zhuo's heart also stirred.

Although the Human Race was weak, the Demon Suppression Guard was an unyielding backbone; leaning against a big tree offered good shade, and it would certainly not lack top-tier Cultivation Technique Legacies.

However, he knew his path—only through continuous slaughter and battle could he gain Attribute Points and rapidly ascend.

To be confined to one place would be tantamount to cutting off his own future.

With this in mind, Xiao Zhuo could only cup his fists again and politely decline: "Thank you for your kindness, Senior Yan. However, Junior is naturally free-spirited, with ambitions for the world. I only wish to travel the lands, slay all demons, and not be confined to one place."

Seeing Xiao Zhuo's firm refusal, a deep sense of regret flashed in Yan Yuxing's eyes, but he did not insist, merely stating, "This Seat is Yan Yuxing, Centurion of the Demon Suppression Guard in Yuji City. I came this time at the request of Centurion Yu to save you. Since you are now unharmed, I will send you back to Heavenly Wolf City."

"In that case, I shall trouble Senior Yan!" Xiao Zhuo was not one to be ungrateful. The other party had offered kind assistance, and he had already refused once; it would be inappropriate to decline again now.

Yan Yuxing nodded slightly and raised a hand in the air.

A gentle yet irresistibly powerful gust of wind appeared out of thin air, steadily supporting Xiao Zhuo.

Their figures transformed into two streaks of light, soaring through the air towards Heavenly Wolf City.

Along the way, Yan Yuxing meticulously inquired about how Xiao Zhuo, Yu Jingxuan, and Cen Jue had met.

Xiao Zhuo truthfully recounted the events.

Upon learning that the three had met by chance, not even exchanging names before experiencing life-and-death combat together, and that Xiao Zhuo had even voluntarily covered their retreat in a desperate situation, Yan Yuxing's estimation of Xiao Zhuo rose several notches.

This young man was single-mindedly dedicated to demon extermination, possessed extraordinary combat power, and even more remarkably, had the innocent Heart-Nature to brave extreme dangers for a fellow Human Race member he had never met!

It was truly a great pity for the Human Race that such unpolished jade would not join the Demon Suppression Guard!

Yan Yuxing then asked about Xiao Zhuo's background.

Xiao Zhuo frankly stated he was from the Xiao Family in Peng City, and as for his cultivation, he claimed he had been exceptionally gifted since childhood but was accustomed to concealing his abilities.

Yan Yuxing also revealed his own identity and the full names of Yu and Cen.

Condensing Aperture Realm Martial Artists could develop Divine Sense, communicate with the elemental forces of heaven and earth, and fly through the air at speeds far beyond ordinary imagination.

In just about the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the majestic outline of Heavenly Wolf City was already visible in the distance.

To avoid alarming the common folk, Yan Yuxing landed in a secluded spot outside the city.

As they parted, he solemnly said, "If you change your mind someday, the gates of the Yuji City Demon Suppression Division will always be open for you."

Xiao Zhuo bowed in thanks, watching the black-robed figure transform into a streak of light and disappear into the horizon.

After Yan Yuxing departed, Xiao Zhuo found a hidden spot, took out a brand new set of dark-colored tight-fitting clothes from his storage ring, changed into them to conceal the traces of battle, and then, alone, merged into the crowd at the city gate and returned to Heavenly Wolf City.

It was time to bid farewell to the Xiao Family.

His destination for this journey was the Yuyang Sect, a thousand li away from Heavenly Wolf City!

Xiao Ningzhi had once said that Zong Qing was a Disciple of the Yuyang Sect, and the clues for the subsequent Cultivation Technique of the Nine Revolutions Profound Essence Art lay within this sect.

Although 3415 Attribute Points now lay on his panel, he was frustrated by the lack of new Cultivation Techniques to comprehend, and his path of advancement was already blocked.

Entering the city, it was daytime.

The streets were bustling with carriages and horses, pedestrians rubbed shoulders, and vendors' cries rose and fell, presenting a scene of prosperity and peace.

The terrifying Invisible Bat Demon, which had struck fear into people's hearts, had been completely eradicated by him. For a short period, Heavenly Wolf City could now enjoy a time of peace.

May this world of human life and activity last longer.

After passing through three familiar streets, the two mighty stone lions guarding the entrance of the Xiao Residence were already in sight.

Since the Xiao Family moved into Heavenly Wolf City, the mansion gate had always been guarded by house guards. Seeing Xiao Zhuo return, the two guards smiled and respectfully greeted him.

Xiao Zhuo passed through unimpeded, heading directly to the study behind the main hall.

This was where Xiao Ningzhi handled affairs.

At this moment, he was frowning in thought over a stack of account books, while sandalwood incense curled upwards from a purple copper censer, hazy like cranes.

Seeing Xiao Zhuo push open the door and enter, Xiao Ningzhi's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, revealing a gentle smile. He raised a hand and pointed to the grand armchair on the left: "Xiao Zhuo, you're here? The servants said you've been in seclusion for several days; why are you willing to come out today?"

His words, though still intimate, subtly carried a hint of the respect due to a strong individual.

"Master," Xiao Zhuo did not sit down. After a moment of silence, his tone was calm but carried an undeniable resolve, "I must leave."

At the same time, he took out three ancient-looking Secret Manuals from his embrace—they were precisely the Blazing Blade Art, Great Void Bright Palm, and Lesser Primordial Pile Stance.

"These three Profound Grade Cultivation Techniques were obtained from the Peng City Lord's Mansion. I leave them to the Xiao Family. That child, Hu Zi, has excellent talent and Heart-Nature; he is a promising talent. Master, cultivate him well, and perhaps someday he can become a pillar of the Xiao Family."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ningzhi sighed softly in his heart.

Although he had long known he couldn't keep this hidden Dragon, at the moment of parting, a sense of reluctance still surged within him like a tide.

This child had been intelligent and quick-witted since childhood, and he and Shao You were like brothers. Although their relationship was that of master and servant, he regarded Xiao Zhuo as a son or nephew.

If not for this, how could the grave mistake of Xiao Zhuo taking Shao You to sneak out of the residence, resulting in the deaths of three house guards, have been so easily overlooked?

He took the heavy three Secret Manuals, his gaze fixed deeply on Xiao Zhuo's eyes: "Where do you intend to go next?"

"The Yuyang Sect."

"Do you know the way?"

"I was just about to ask Master for guidance."

Xiao Ningzhi couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head at this.

He rose and walked towards the tall row of rosewood bookshelves behind him. After searching for a moment in a hidden compartment, he took out a slightly faded leather scroll.

"This is a comprehensive survey map of our Great Chen Dynasty, drawn ten years ago." Xiao Ningzhi slowly unrolled the map on the large desk, his finger precisely pointing to the central area of the map, "Currently, the borders are volatile, and many cities have become forbidden zones. Fortunately, the Yuyang Sect is located in the hinterland of Great Chen, so the path should be safe."

Where his fingertip rested, the three characters "Yuyang Sect" were clearly marked.

Xiao Zhuo's gaze was like lightning; with just one glance, the entire map's network, mountains, and cities were imprinted in his mind.

Having reached the True Essence Realm, photographic memory was merely ordinary.

However, when a corner of the map caught his eye, his heart stirred slightly—the area marked "Cloud Dream Marsh" had a contour that subtly matched the two broken maps he had obtained from the City Lord's Mansion's secret chamber!

"Thank you, Master!" Xiao Zhuo did not accept Xiao Ningzhi's kind offer of the map, merely stating that he had already committed it to memory, then bowed and took his leave.

Leaving the study, he walked directly to the courtyard where Xiao Shaoyou resided.

As he stepped through the courtyard gate, he saw Li Zhen standing like an iron tower in the center, his gaze like a torch fixed on the two people practicing punches in the courtyard—they were the panting Xiao Shaoyou and Hu Zi, whose every move was steady and powerful.

Seeing Xiao Zhuo enter, the chubby boy's eyes lit up, and he made to stop, but Li Zhen's wooden stick smacked him on the back with a "pa" sound, forcing him to grimace and continue swinging his fists.

Hu Zi, on the other hand, seemed oblivious, his fist wind faintly whistling, completely focused.

Xiao Zhuo stood quietly to the side, silently waiting.

After about half an incense stick's time, a set of fist techniques was finally completed.

Xiao Shaoyou was already steaming with sweat, and he quickly rushed to Xiao Zhuo, complaining grumpily, "You finally showed your face! I looked for you last night and couldn't find you! Where did you run off to?"

As he spoke, he haphazardly wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

Xiao Zhuo looked at the chubby boy he had grown up with, his gaze complex, and softly said, "Young Master, I must leave."