The dust seemed to have settled, but Zhao Hao lay on the ground, dazed, with dirt sticking to him, mingling with his blood, making him truly feel what it meant to hit rock bottom.

He survived, managed to live, largely because of the woman before him.

His life was saved by such a weak woman, rescued through a plea, an almost hysterical vow.

Humiliation!

Zhao Hao admitted to killing many people, but his arrogance did not allow him to live on in such disgrace, better to die with dignity!

Defeated by Wang Xuan once again, and his life seemed to be granted as a charity, Wang Xuan was now indifferent to his existence.

To be dismissed by someone he once dismissed was unbearable for Zhao Hao; his fingers clenched white, rage eager to explode.

He hated himself for not being strong enough, hated Jiang Xi’s pleas, hated the state he was reduced to.

Perhaps he harbored some hatred for Wang Xuan, but in this moment, he couldn’t evoke it.

The fuse from years ago was merely a Sword-Sharpening Stone.

Due to the enmity over the Sword-Sharpening Stone, he became Wang Xuan’s Sword-Sharpening Stone, allowing Wang Xuan to reach where he is today, an ironic turn of karma indeed.

Compared to his dignity, his arrogance, that bit of hatred seemed meaningless; Wang Xuan didn’t want to kill him, and he could no longer be Wang Xuan’s enemy.

The entangled lines, even once mortal foes, inevitably separated, and although he suffered far more than Wang Xuan, there was no need to hold onto it.

Living held no meaning.

Zhao Hao sat upright on the ground, dirt dissipating from his body, mending his form; before dying, he wished for a dignified death.

Remembering the Transmission Dharma Gate in the Dual Cultivation Technique, he intended to pass his cultivation to Jiang Xi, then proceed to die.

"What are you planning to do?" Jiang Xi calmly asked.

"Die, before dying I will transfer my cultivation to you," Zhao Hao replied.

He was still Zhao Hao.

If he could not proudly walk the heavens, he would die with an unyielding spirit.

"If you want to die, go ahead. After you’re dead, I won’t tell the child who his father is because you’re nothing but a coward," Jiang Xi coldly declared, "Even in death, you should at least die at the hands of the Alien Race, or the cultivation resources you’ve squandered would be wasted!"

"Even you look down on me," Zhao Hao found it laughable; living was painful, an idea for the child and woman’s sake he had once considered, but life itself was his greatest punishment.

As for becoming the type Jiang Xi swore him to be, it would be better to kill him first; he had his own will, changing it was even more agonizing than a Fanatic changing faith.

"I not only look down on you, I despise you," Jiang Xi coldly eyed Zhao Hao, "You think my vow a while ago meant I liked you? No, it was to spite you, only if you live in torment would I find joy.

You must live, if you dare to commit suicide, I’ll overturn this child with one slap, if he’s born I’ll strangle him."

"Crazy woman!"

"Coward! Useless!"

"Ha, useless, maybe I really am useless."

Zhao Hao suddenly found everything uninteresting, life dull, death dull, yet if he didn’t leave behind a lineage for the Zhao Family, his heart felt heavy.

Like a salt fish encrusted with mud, Zhao Hao lay on the ground once more, staring at the moon and stars, spacing out.

Jiang Xi ignored him, tidying up the abandoned valley and the battered forest, restoring them to their original state as soon as possible, and tending to injured animals she encountered.

Performing a hundred good deeds a day was the lifetime vow she wanted to repay.

Why, in her lifetime, did she always feel like sighing?

Gazing at the three jade pendants in her hands, thrown to her by Wang Xuan, she realized the couple before were no mere coincidence.

Whether or not she would live to hang one of them on the child, perhaps she could or couldn’t, but once death was truly accepted, life and death became inconsequential.

...

"To kill or not kill someone, you never leave trouble behind, always cutting the grass and pulling up the roots, yet today you hesitated for a woman?" Di Xuan rested the Heaven-Shaking Rod on his shoulder, stating flatly.

Wang Xuan opened a Space Gate and, fully activating the Celestial Grade Celestial Treasure, a teleportation portal appeared, as he and Di Xuan stepped into it, reaching ten thousand miles away.

He said, "When about to kill him, I sensed something ominous, a premonition stirring within. Not about how we’d fare after killing him, but because killing him would have exceedingly adverse effects."

"If you opt not to kill him, so be it, I too didn’t advise killing him; moments ago I felt needles on my back, the Eye of Truth sensed three hundred eighty-seven True Immortals witnessing this battle."

Clearly, in the outer space battle, only a dozen Celestial Immortals appeared, but few knew so many True Immortals watched.

Wang Xuan shook his head, "It was five hundred thirteen, perhaps more, which I couldn’t sense; among them, thirty-four Sword Masters, all True Immortals from Celestial Sword Mountain." Di Xuan was but an observer; his Celestial Eye endowed demon talents could not perceive as directly as Wang Xuan.

These guys are absent, otherwise I would definitely have killed Zhao Hao. Killing Zhao Hao wouldn’t bring my death, but the True Immortals from the Mother Star always hope that the younger generations maintain a united front against external threats, hoping for the unification of the Mother Star, with all forces directed outward rather than internal strife.

Because of me causing a standoff between the True Immortals of Immortal Martial Mountain and Celestial Sword Mountain, Wang Xuan felt it was unnecessary. And it was all for one Zhao Hao, this kind of person is not worth it!

If Zhao Hao were really killed, Celestial Sword Mountain’s True Immortal might fight to retrieve the True God’s finger bone, insisting on killing me, then that would be ridiculous.

"My will is still disturbed, unable to be completely free. True Immortal, True Immortal, when will I reach the True Immortal Realm!" Wang Xuan shook his head.

In less than ten breaths, he returned to Immortal Martial Mountain through the Space Gate.

Senior Brother Qingniu, still diligently practicing his punches.

A punch came out, Martial Arts Profound Mastery stirred the clouds and wind, he had already entered the Divinity Transformation Realm, honing for several months in the Hell Realm, naturally gaining greatly.

Seeing Wang Xuan coming, looking somewhat solemn, Chen Qingniu was also curious.

"Qi, why the serious look? If there’s something, you can talk to Senior Brother." Chen Qingniu patted Wang Xuan’s shoulder, laughing heartily.

Wang Xuan shook his head and lay down on the big stone with Chen Qingniu, the two looked at the Milky Way, its brilliance and vastness, representing their journey.

"Qingniu, today I had the chance to kill Zhao Hao, but I didn’t act." Wang Xuan felt he owed Chen Qingniu.

The old owner saved his life; both he and Zhao Hao had attempted murder without success. If he really wanted to let go, his spirit cultivation level could manage it, but the old owner’s vendetta couldn’t be let go.

Wang Xuan constantly targeted Zhao Hao, not only for vengeance against the life-and-death crisis from years ago, to wash away the shame, but also to repay the old owner’s life-saving grace.

Chen Qingniu raised an eyebrow, scrutinizing Wang Xuan, concernedly asking, "Are you hurt? Don’t push yourself too hard, you rascal."

He knew how strong Zhao Hao was so he continued to work hard at cultivation, with almost no rest, fearing laziness would hold him back.

"I’m fine, but Zhao Hao’s injury, if he doesn’t fall in realm, would be considered lucky." Wang Xuan said.

"That’s good." Chen Qingniu lay back again, gazing at the Milky Way, remembering his father, saying, "You didn’t kill him for your reasons, I totally understand. Besides, while I want him dead, I want him to die by my hands more."

The revenge for his father’s death should be avenged personally.

"It’s good you don’t blame me." Wang Xuan sighed, if he had come back with Zhao Hao’s head today, Chen Qingniu’s tense nerves might have relaxed, right?

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh again.

Chen Qingniu instead laughed heartily: "Zhao Hao, because of a Sword-Sharpening Stone, ended up being a whetstone for you, spurring your cultivation to today’s level.

I know your nerves have been tight these two years, but from some perspective, Zhao Hao has greatly benefited you.

He is also my whetstone, and I believe that one day I will stand over his head and reach a higher peak, when I will personally seek revenge!"

Chen Qingniu didn’t blame Wang Xuan but rather comforted him, believing he had made the right choice.

"The pressure on you is too great." Wang Xuan said, "Qingniu, regarding your physique and cultivation, I’ll refine some pills for you. As long as your comprehension is sufficient, you’ll surely ascend to Celestial Immortal within five years!

But with Zhao Hao’s talent, who knows what realm he’ll be in eight or nine years later, you still need to work hard at cultivating!"

"Thanks."

"Between us, no need to say thanks."

After Wang Xuan finished speaking, he felt much lighter. Ten years down the line, he should be a True Immortal by then. If Chen Qingniu doesn’t stand a chance, he’ll kill Zhao Hao in advance!

Chen Qingniu stayed at Immortal Martial Mountain for a time, keeping a low profile in his cultivation, Wang Xuan occasionally visited him, feeling at ease.

"Qi, I suddenly recall something sad, I guess you still don’t know." Chen Qingniu lamented, more sorrowful than Wang Xuan earlier.

"What’s wrong?" Wang Xuan raised his eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

Chen Qingniu looked distressed: "Fourth Senior Sister, Fourth Senior Sister she, she..."

Wang Xuan held his breath, feeling the world turn gloomy, and pursued the question: "What happened to Senior Sister Xiyue?"

"She, she... has gained weight, not as beautiful as before..." Chen Qingniu said wistfully.

This matter left him vexed, Lin Xiyue having gained weight and looking plump, though her foundation was so good she still looked beautiful even with the extra weight. But Yang Yuhuan’s cool demeanor was just too conflicting!

If once she was a paragon of beauty, scoring two hundred out of a hundred, now she could only score one hundred twenty. The original peerless beauty gaining weight truly made him sigh.

Wang Xuan let out a breath of relief, replied with slight annoyance, "I was worried over what might’ve happened, it’s just some weight gained, right?"

Compared to Lin Xiyue dying, gaining weight really is a minor issue.

Yet after a while, he couldn’t help but ask, "How much weight?"

"You rascal!" Chen Qingniu laughed heartily.