285: A sudden confession

In the abandoned industrial area of Hokkaido, the air was filled with the sweet 腥 scent of demon blood and the burnt smell of scorched earth after being purified by lightning.

Onikiri froze in place, his sole remaining demonic eye fixed on Li Heng, as if trying to discern even a hint of jest from that calm, unruffled face.

To be a slave for a hundred years, guarding the demon suppressing pagoda?

For a Nascent Soul Stage great demon who once roamed freely and viewed the Human Race as mere blood food, what an immense humiliation!

However... compared to having his Divine Soul annihilated and completely vanishing from this world, such humiliation seemed tolerable.

He could clearly feel that his demon soul was firmly locked by an invisible force. With just a thought from the other party, he would follow in the footsteps of those dozen companions on Mount Fuji, leaving not even a speck of dust behind.

"What, unwilling?"

Li Heng's voice sounded again, still calm, but it made Onikiri tremble violently.

"No... no!"

The instinct for survival completely crushed that ridiculous bit of dignity. Onikiri's massive body suddenly prostrated itself on the ground, the hard surface cracking like a spiderweb.

He lowered his hideous head deeply, his voice hoarse and trembling, filled with subservience.

"I... I am willing! This lowly demon Onikiri is willing to guard the gate for master, for a term of one hundred years, with absolutely no second thoughts!"

This scene made Liu Lian, Chen Pingan, and others watching from afar feel a chill run down their spines.

That was a great monster at the Nascent Soul Stage!

It was a terrifying existence that even their group of chosen talents, forming a grand formation and exerting all their strength, found difficult to confront head-on.

Yet now, in front of the Dean, he was as docile as a stray dog wagging its tail begging for scraps.

Is this... the power of the Body Integration Stage?

"Very good."

Li Heng nodded slightly, not at all surprised by Onikiri's reaction.

He flicked his finger.

A slender ray of purple-gold light, faster than lightning, instantly plunged into Onikiri's glabella.

Onikiri's massive demonic body trembled violently. He felt an irresistible, indelible mark branded deep within his demon soul.

As long as the other party had a thought, his life and death would be decided in an instant.

Having done all this, Li Heng no longer spared him a glance, as if he had merely dealt with a trivial matter.

His Divine Sense, like an invisible tide, instantly covered the entire Japan, penetrating every inch of land and every space.

The students were still shocked by the Dean's effortless subjugation of a Nascent Soul Stage great demon, but then they saw Li Heng's brow furrow almost imperceptibly.

His Divine Sense, at an extremely hidden spatial node in the Japan, caught a trace of residual, rapidly dissipating spatial fluctuations.

Within those fluctuations, there was a wisp of extremely faint but incredibly familiar 邪異 Qi.

It originated from Xuan Xi, and it originated from "The Company."

"He ran quite fast."

Li Heng mused to himself. That aura had completely dissipated; the other party had clearly used some extremely costly teleportation method, so much so that even his Divine Sense could not trace its whereabouts.

This organization called "The Company" was more deeply entrenched and mysterious than he had imagined.

However, there would be plenty of time in the future.

Li Heng retracted his Divine Sense, glanced at the students who were ready to depart, and spoke calmly.

"The matter here is concluded. Return to Kunlun."

"Yes, Dean!"

The students responded in unison, their voices filled with excitement and joy.

This trip to the Japan was not just a thrilling midterm assessment for them, but also a battle that would make their names known far and wide.

Everyone gained immensely, not only tangible contribution points but also improvements in their state of mind and cultivation brought about by life-and-death struggles with powerful enemies... Three days later.

The students of Kunlun Academy successively returned to the Dragon Country by special plane, with the Japan official government seeing them off with the highest honors, their demeanor utterly humble.

Kyoto, Yanagawa family residence.

Lin Xiao's figure quietly appeared at the entrance.

In the courtyard, Yanagawa Yoko was sitting cross-legged, her eyes closed, with extremely faint Spiritual Qi swirling around her.

Her grandmother sat beside her, a kindly smile on her face, quietly watching Yoko cultivate.

Lin Xiao's appearance did not disturb the young girl who was in the process of guiding Qi into her body, but the elderly woman noticed him immediately and waved him over, signaling him to come inside.

"Mr. Lin Xiao, are you leaving?"

The elderly woman poured him a cup of hot tea and asked softly.

"Yes, I've come to say my final goodbyes." Lin Xiao nodded.

"Ever since Yoko watched your live broadcast, she's been like a girl possessed, insisting she wants to become a Sword Immortal like you." The elderly woman's tone held a hint of helplessness, but more so, doting affection.

Lin Xiao said nothing, simply drinking his tea quietly.

After a long while, a suppressed gasp came from outside the house.

Yanagawa Yoko successfully guided a wisp of Spiritual Qi into her body, and feeling that unprecedented, peculiar sensation, she excitedly opened her eyes.

When she saw the familiar black-clad figure under the eaves, she froze completely.

"Mr. Lin... Lin Xiao!"

The girl's cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and she stood up awkwardly.

Lin Xiao put down his teacup, rose, and walked towards her, gazing at her calmly.

He could feel the faint Qi sensation that had just been born within the girl's body.

"Good talent."

This was the first time Lin Xiao had praised anyone.

Those simple four words made Yanagawa Yoko feel more beautiful than any sweet talk. Her heart began to pound uncontrollably, and her cheeks were so hot they could almost fry an egg.

"I... I..."

She mustered the greatest courage of her life, raised her head, met those deep eyes, and declared loudly: "Mr. Lin Xiao! Please wait for me at Kunlun Academy! I will definitely get in, and meet you... meet you there!"

The girl's voice was clear and resolute, echoing in the small courtyard.

Lin Xiao looked at her burning eyes and was silent for a moment.

He nodded.

Then, he turned, transformed into a ray of sword light, shot into the sky, and disappeared into the horizon.

Yanagawa Yoko gazed blankly in the direction he had left, and after a long while, she tightly clenched her fists, the light in her eyes growing even brighter.

Meanwhile, in a small alley not far from the Yanagawa residence.

"Pfft ha ha ha! I can't, I'm dying of laughter! Did you guys see that? That little girl's face was as red as a monkey's butt!"

Liu Lian clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he was bent over, tears almost streaming down his face.

"The Kunlun Sword Immortal, a thousand-year-old iceberg, actually had a day where he was confessed to face-to-face! If this gets back to the Academy, will Lin Xiao still have a face to show?"

Han Li, though not as exaggerated as Liu Lian, was also struggling to suppress his laughter, the corners of his mouth twitching wildly, his shoulders shaking.

Fang Yuan, on the other hand, looked at these two clowns with a helpless expression.

Just then, a figure appeared silently behind them.

Liu Lian's laughter abruptly ceased.

Han Li's shoulders also instantly stopped shaking.

The two mechanically turned around and saw that familiar, expressionless face.

Lin Xiao just looked at them calmly.

"..."

"..."

The atmosphere was extremely awkward for a moment.

"Ahem," it was Fang Yuan who broke the silence, "Lin Xiao, have you... finished everything?"

Lin Xiao ignored Fang Yuan. His gaze swept over Liu Lian and Han Li, and he asked faintly.

"Want to return to the Dragon Country together?"

"Yes! Of course!" Han Li immediately nodded, resuming his gentle and elegant demeanor.

Fang Yuan also nodded along.

No sooner had he spoken than Lin Xiao, Han Li, and Fang Yuan transformed into three streaks of light, flying towards the horizon at astonishing speed, turning into three small black dots in the blink of an eye.

In the alley, only Liu Lian remained, still frozen in his exaggerated laughing posture, completely stunned.

"Damn it!"

After he reacted, he let out a strange cry, his face full of exasperation.

"You guys are disloyal! Wait for me!"

The next second, a wobbly sword light also shot into the sky, desperately chasing after the three nearly invisible streaks of light in the distance.