Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

"..."

Yang Xian remained silent for a moment, his right hand gripping the mask tightly in his pocket.

He didn't know whether he should tell the girl the truth.

The character "Yang Yang" does not actually exist.

That was just a fake identity he had created.

Yang Xian slowly exhaled:

"But……"

"That man is no longer here..."

Upon hearing this, Tao Tao's body trembled violently, and tears instantly blurred her vision.

"No...impossible!"

"Uncle Yang Yang...he's so amazing!"

"How could he...?"

The girl's voice trembled.

Large tears rolled down her delicate face, slid down her chin, and dripped onto the hem of her tightly clenched clothes.

Tao Tao shook her head, refusing to believe Yang Xian's words.

"No, don't cry..."

Looking at the girl in front of him, Yang Xian felt a lump in his throat.

He hadn't expected the other party's reaction to be so strong.

Even if one feels grateful to a stranger one has only met once, it wouldn't warrant going to this extent.

But for Tao Tao, "Yang Yang" was not just a savior.

Without "Yang Yang," the girl might have continued to be bullied.

You may be looked down upon by others for the rest of your life.

They may never see hope in their lifetime.

The appearance of "Yang Yang" allowed her to find someone to rely on again and to experience a long-lost sense of security once more...

That was the only light to shine into her dark life.

It was also her last act of defiance against fate.

Even though "Yang Yang" only passed through her life briefly, she left an indelible mark.

"Little sister, you've misunderstood."

Yang Xian sighed softly.

He can't stand seeing girls cry.

I couldn't bear to see the girl crying so desperately.

Yang Xian continued:

"When I said 'not here,' I meant he has already left Area G."

"Uncle Yang Yang is still alive."

Tao Tao raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears.

Her face was small, and due to days of anxiety, it appeared almost transparently pale.

Several tear tracks, still wet, hung on her cheeks, yet a stubborn flame burned in her eyes.

Her neat, black, tousled hair was slightly messy, with uneven ends as if she had haphazardly trimmed it herself in front of the mirror.

She was wearing an old school uniform that had been washed until it was slightly faded, and a pair of straight legs were visible under the skirt.

This pitiful appearance evokes a certain protective instinct in people.

"real……?"

"But if he's still alive, why doesn't he go back to Zone G?"

Tao Tao wiped her eyes. "Brother, you're not just making up an excuse to comfort me, are you?"

Yang Xian looked at her suspicious gaze and found it somewhat amusing.

They must still be alive!

Otherwise, who's standing here talking to you?

"Of course."

"Uncle Yang had something come up, so he left early."

"He's incredibly capable. Don't you believe in his abilities?"

Yang Xian's tone was certain.

He boasted a bit, which gave Tao Tao confidence.

Tao Tao's mood calmed down slightly, and she asked eagerly:

"Where did he go?"

Where can I find him?

"Uncle Yang had already guessed that someone would ask this question." Yang Xian pondered for a moment.

"Before he left, he told me that if any girl in District G wanted to find him, she should tell her to keep trying."

"He will naturally appear once she gets into the best university in South China Sea and graduates successfully."

Yang Xian did not give a clear answer.

Instead, it gave the other party a target...

A very, very difficult goal.

Yang Xian thought the girl had mistaken gratitude for affection.

That's why I'm so persistent.

Time heals all wounds.

She'll figure it out once she calms down.

Tao Tao's eyes lit up after hearing Yang Xian's words.

"Will he come to marry me by then?"

Yang Xian was taken aback, but since things had already come to this point, he had no choice but to nod.

"Yes, he will!"

"Okay! I will definitely do it!" the girl said firmly, while extending her little finger.

"Hey bro, let's pinky swear!"

Yang Xian smiled helplessly and made the same gesture.

"Pinky promise, hang yourself, never to change for a hundred years!"

Afterwards, Tao Tao showed a long-lost smile and jogged away.

Yang Xian watched her retreating figure, shook his head helplessly, and turned to head towards the association branch in District G.

"well--!"

"How did things turn out like this..."

Not far away, Tao Tao hadn't gone far.

She hid in the corner, secretly watching Yang Xian's departing figure, and murmured softly.

"Uncle Yang Yang, no... Brother Yang Yang."

"I will definitely get into the best university in Nanhai City to prove you right."

"By that time..."

"There's no reason for you to refuse me now, is there?"

------------

G Zone, Martial Arts Association Branch Hall.

It took Yang Xian some time to get here.

On the way, he also took the time to let Jiang Mengyun and Su Lingling know that he was safe.

"Hello, I'm here to submit a task..."

"This is the magic core for this mission."

Yang Xian handed the magic cores needed for the mission to the staff and informed them of his identity and mission number.

After receiving the backpack, the staff opened it and took a look.

It was completely filled with the magic cores of the Corruption Hounds.

"Okay, please wait a moment."

The staff immediately began to count them.

While waiting, Yang Xian overheard a conversation nearby.

"The official team has decided to organize a selection competition for the upcoming South China Sea No. 121 Secret Realm."

"Only the top sixteen martial artists from the civilian ranks are qualified to enter with the official team."

"Top sixteen? That's incredibly competitive!"

"Yeah, getting a spot isn't easy; countless people in the entire South Sea City are eyeing it..."

Yang Xian's heart stirred.

The Mysterious Realm of Shipwreck No. 121 in the South China Sea?

Is it about to open?

Is this the secret realm that Tang Dao told me about back then?

"Excuse me, gentlemen, for bothering you."

"Where can I register for the competition you mentioned?"

Yang Xian walked over quietly, his face showing just the right amount of curiosity.

The martial artists looked over upon hearing the sound and sized Yang Xian up and down.

"Young man, you want to participate too?"

Yang Xian nodded, "Yeah, I'd like to give it a try."

Just then, the staff at the counter spoke up.

"Mr. Yang, your mission has been confirmed."

"Level 2 mission - 'Eliminate the Corruption Hounds' has been completed."

"A total of 36 valid magic cores were submitted. The merit points have been credited to your account, for a total of 226 points."

226 points.

A respectable achievement for a second-realm warrior, but in the eyes of these third-realm warriors, it seemed insignificant.

After all, a third-realm magic core is worth 100 points.

"A second-realm mission...?"

"Hahaha, did I hear that right? You, a mere second-realm cultivator, want to participate in the secret realm selection?"

"Are you just going to join in the fun, or are you worried the judges won't have enough fun?"

"Young brother, to tell you the truth, this secret realm is different from the past. It can accommodate martial artists at the peak of the third realm."

"Anyone who can participate in the competition is among the best in the three realms."

"Even if you get incredibly lucky and make it into the finals, what then? What will you use to compete with others for those sixteen spots?"

"Ultimately, it all comes down to the number of spots this time..."

"This wasn't made for someone like you in the second realm!"