Grandpa, times have changed.

The next morning.

The sky was not yet fully bright; the dark blue sky was dotted with stars, and the full moon hung high in the sky.

In the distance, where the sun rises, a bright golden line runs along the edge of the rolling mountains, appearing exceptionally dazzling.

Scattered among the settlements nestled halfway up the mountain are a few stone houses.

On the watchtowers on both sides of the entrance, the guards on night watch were changing shifts with their arriving companions.

At this moment, in front of a stone house within the settlement.

Xu Xing leaned against the wall, an iron sword beside him, gazing into the distance, looking somewhat dazed.

That night, he forced himself to rest, but he could only sleep for an hour before he couldn't fall asleep again.

"We finally have a chance, shouldn't we rest a little longer?"

A familiar voice came from the side.

Xu Xing paused, looked in the direction of the sound, and saw a slender figure walking towards him in the morning breeze.

It was Wu Shi.

"Master."

"What's wrong? Did you get a blow?"

"..." Xu Xing was silent for a while, then smiled bitterly, "Yes, it's a little hard to accept."

After two years of rigorous training in swordsmanship, others caught up with him in just ten minutes.

"But I guess I've come to understand myself better," he added.

Ok?
Wu Shi's words of comfort stuck in his throat.

"Why do you say that?"

“Master, you also know my background.” After a pause, Xu Xing continued.

"Although I know that I have this or that shortcoming, I also feel very bitter when you train me, Master."

"But to be honest, I'm still a little happy that you value me, Master."

Wu Shi remained silent and continued to listen to him.

emm...

The main problem is that he didn't understand what Xiao Xing was trying to express.

Sometimes he even envied the 'masters' in Xiao Xing's stories.

Before the apprentice could even speak, they seemed to know what the apprentice was thinking and what he was going to do, as if they were precognizable.

But he...

Xue Ning is alright, but Xiao Xing is truly unfathomable.

"Perhaps it's because I'm a 'time traveler,' and things have gone too smoothly since I met my master and senior sister," Xu Xing sighed.

Ever since he revealed his origins, his master believed that he would be the one to change everything.

During these two years, although his rationality clearly told him that he was just an ordinary person who would escape and be swayed by emotions, he had no ability or possibility to really change anything.

But deep down, he still believes that he is the destined 'savior'.

It's a very awkward and pretentious mindset.

"Although I know what kind of person I am, apart from my master and senior sister, I have always viewed other people with a... somewhat abnormal mindset."

Simply put, he saw himself as a player, and everyone else except his senior sister as NPCs, or rather, natives.

He can act humble and polite in order to 'clear the level,' but deep down he still looks down on NPCs...

More accurately, they don't care.

Even if the other party is better than him in every aspect.

"Yuan dislikes me, perhaps precisely because she discovered this."

He spent the entire night, and even during the one hour he finally managed to fall asleep, he reflected on himself in his dreams.

But it wasn't until just now, when he saw his master approaching, that he truly realized the problems he had.

"Speaking of which, I have to thank her for waking me up," Xu Xing said earnestly.

The world is vast, far greater than he could have imagined.

The dangers involved far exceeded his expectations.

If he continues down this path, he'll definitely run into problems.

"..."

To be honest, Wu Shi still didn't quite understand.

"It's good that you've figured it out."

"Don't worry, Master, I'm fine."

He just needs some time to find his place in the world and get rid of that awkward and pretentious mentality.

Of course, mindset isn't something that can be changed overnight.

And to be defeated by Yuan in that way...

The damage caused will not be quelled in a short time.

"By the way, how many days are we going to stay here this time?"

"..."

Upon hearing this, Wu Shi's expression turned ugly, a clear flash of anger appearing in his eyes. He said in a deep voice:

"We'll leave at noon."

Xu Xing was taken aback.

……

……

Soon, the sun rose.

The darkness was swept away.

The once quiet settlement has become lively again.

San Shi even had most of the remaining meat and some treasured spiritual fruits brought out from the settlement, seemingly preparing to hold a party.

He remained as generous as ever, and earnestly invited Wu Shi and his two apprentices to stay and join the gathering.

But Wu Shi remained indifferent, a stark contrast to his attitude the night before, and even Shi Jiu's smile seemed somewhat forced.

Xu Xing, who was still somewhat dejected, also sensed something was wrong. Although he remained calm, he kept Bie Xuening by his side and followed closely behind Wu Shi.

noon.

The aroma of meat filled the entire settlement.

At the entrance and exit of the settlement.

"Xiao Xing, you go over with Xue Ning first. I'll talk to Senior San Shi for a few more minutes and then I'll be there," Wu Shi said in a deep voice.

Xu Xing understood immediately.

"Let's go, senior sister, let's go ahead and wait for Master."

Although Bie Xuening didn't understand, she still obediently followed Xu Xing and set off first.

Soon, the two figures disappeared around the corner. "Tsk! This kid may like to do some fancy tricks, but he's really clever." San Shi grinned.

Yesterday, seeing that the boy had been defeated by Yuan, he wanted to tease him and asked if he still wanted the Huangyang Fruit.

Despite being deeply hurt, the kid still insisted on taking the Huangyang Fruit.

“You should be aware of how risky what you’re doing is.” Wu Shi’s face was extremely grim.

“In this world, no matter what you choose, there are risks.” San Shi’s smile faded slightly. “Even not choosing carries risks, didn’t we already know that?”

"But what you're doing now is like dancing on a knife's edge; the slightest mistake could lead to utter ruin!" Wu Shi's voice rose higher and higher. "Have you forgotten what happened before?!"

"Dancing on the edge of a knife... Hey! That's an interesting saying."

After chuckling, San Shi's expression suddenly turned serious.

"Brother, of course I won't forget what happened before."

"It is precisely because I have not forgotten that I chose to do this."

"I know very well that if we don't try to fight for it, there will never be a place for us in this vast world."

"But definitely not now!"

Wu Shi grew increasingly angry.

"You should know where you, I, and Shijiu escaped from!"

“I’ve always been very clear about this.” San Shi’s tone was unusually calm.

As he spoke, a surge of magical power, having reached the pinnacle of perfection, emanated from his body.

As one of the important 'appetizers' of the Thousand Spirits Banquet, after being cleansed by spiritual energy, he was fed a rare spiritual item.

Whether it's Shi Jiu or Wu Shi, all the other 'talents' who have withstood the baptism of spiritual energy are merely ingredients for his 'appetizer'.

But how can one rise to the top in one step without paying a price?
Three years at most!
If he cannot find a way to advance to the Divine Forging Realm within three years, the remaining Extreme Yang medicinal power in his body will completely overwhelm and destroy his soul!

Of course, he didn't tell anyone about this.

Even Shi Jiu thought he was just acting impulsively.

Only Hong, his most outstanding child, could easily surpass the fetal breathing level in Qi cultivation.

It was with Hong's help that he found a glimmer of hope.

"So if something happens to me, please take care of my daughter."

As he spoke, he handed a roll of animal hide to Wu Shi.

"This is a kind of embryonic breathing cultivation method derived by Hong Tui. If certain conditions are met, Qi refining can easily surpass embryonic breathing. Give it to your two disciples."

"..."

Wu Shi remained silent for a long time, but said nothing. He simply took the animal skin, turned around, and followed Xu Xing and Bie Xuening.

Within the settlement.

Yuan stared blankly at the entrance and exit, somewhat lost in thought.

"What are you looking at?"

The voice came from behind, and a young man with red lips, white teeth, a handsome face, and bright eyes came to Yuan's side.

A dazzling light shone in his pupils.

鸿！
"It's nothing," Yuan said, turning her head away.

……

……

Not far from the settlement.

Xu Xing and Bie Xuening stood by the roadside waiting for Wu Shi.

Soon, a slender figure appeared in their sight, holding a roll of animal hide in his hand.

The two immediately went to meet them.

"Master." x2
"Ah."

Wu Shi handed the animal hide in his hand to the two men.

"Take a look at this when you have time, and think about it carefully."

This is……?
Xu Xing took the animal hide, but did not open it immediately.

"Where do we go next? Go back?"

"not going back."

Originally, I planned to go back after meeting with San Shi and Shi Jiu, but what San Shi is about to do will definitely cause some turmoil.

This area is unlikely to be peaceful.

Xiao Xing and Xue Ning...

Given their current level of skill, they wouldn't even have the basic ability to protect themselves in such a chaotic situation!

Perhaps we should take them with us to lay low for a while.

I should go see the other people and spread the techniques for refining true fire, swordsmanship, and the special breathing technique I just acquired as far as possible.

“I have a few friends. Since we’re all out here, let’s meet them all,” Wu Shi explained.

Xu Xing, however, sensed something was wrong.

But considering that his senior sister was still there, he didn't ask.

The master must have told her everything that the senior sister knew.

I'll wait until I have another chance to ask my master privately.

Just as he was about to open the animal hide in his hand to take a look, he caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye and suddenly looked up at the sky.

Wu Shi and Bie Xuening did the same thing.

Several dark figures suddenly appeared in the sky.

Upon closer inspection, one can clearly see that they are several birds of prey with wingspans of nearly three meters, grayish-yellow plumage, and reddish eyes.

Leading the way was a pale yellow stream of light, with magical fluctuations unique to the Condensation Realm spreading outwards.

Killer Eagle!

They came from afar, heading straight for the settlement.

At that moment, Xu Xing suddenly understood.

The reason why Senior Sanshi held the banquet was to entertain them.

Seeing this, Wu Shi sighed softly.

"Let's go."

The Moon Dragon Clan, responsible for hunting them down as "ingredients," ran into trouble.

The Moon Dragon Emperor of Yangwu Realm was injured in a battle with other races in Yangwu Realm in Huangshi Domain, and all the Moon Dragon Kings were transferred there.

Therefore, San Shi thought of joining forces with the Sha Ying clan to plot against the Howling Moon Demon Wolf Spirit Essence treasured by the Sha Yue Dragon Clan.

but……

Can it really work? (End of Chapter)