Chapter 626: Leaving the Tian Xuan Continent (The End of the Arc)
The original mission to eradicate the great fiend suddenly transformed into the second great world war. It was full of unexpected twists and turns at every step. For example, the emergence of the Yimo Emperor was an unforeseen twist that caught all the living beings of the Tian Xuan Continent off guard.
However, this world war ultimately concluded with the death of the Yimo Emperor.
Such a result caused the world to completely descend into celebration. The hope after despair that everyone experienced contained excitement and elation that was difficult to suppress.
Initially, there was fear that the world would succumb to the control of the Yimo. Yet, who could have foreseen such a dramatic turnaround? Not only was the situation reversed, but the Yimo threat was also completely eradicated.
This world, which had suffered the ravages of the Yimo since ancient times, finally found peace.
In the month following the conclusion of the world war, the allied forces began to disband one after another. The souls of the strong practitioners who had survived the battle were all resurrected by that person, and everything returned to its rightful course.
The world would ultimately continue to progress.
However, none of them would ever be able to forget the figure who had saved them from their most desperate moment with his overwhelming strength.
They had come to know his true identity.
Heavenly Emperor Xiao Ming.
And yet, he possessed another identity, one that was unique and unrivaled in this plane—the Dimension Master.
The true master of this plane!
...
Within Dao Sect, Xiao Ming stood beside a cliff on a towering peak. He lowered his head and looked at Dao Sect under the swirling clouds.
Ying Huanhuan, Qing Tan, Mu Lingshan, the Ancient Masters and the others were standing behind him and looking at his back. His figure might not have been the most imposing one. Yet, it possessed an indescribable majesty.
This majesty originated from his position as the Dimension Master.
"It's about time. I plan to leave Tian Xuan and head to the Great Thousand World," Xiao Ming gazed at Dao Sect. He slowly began to speak a moment later.
"The Great Thousand World? Is that the plane where the Dimension Master came from? But isn't this decision a bit sudden? The establishment of the Heavenly Court hasn't even begun!" The Chaos Master and the others looked at Xiao Ming in surprise.
After defeating the Yimo Emperor, Xiao Ming approached the Ancient Masters to discuss the formation of a unified alliance on the Tian Xuan Continent. He even brought back the previously missing Life Death Master for this purpose.
The Ancient Masters did not refuse Xiao Ming's proposal, nor could they. The Dimension Master was not just a title; in the Tian Xuan Continent, he was the supreme existence. Even if others reached the Ancestor Stage, they would still be far inferior.
Moreover, Xiao Ming's establishment of the Heavenly Court was not driven by personal motives but rather to maintain order and facilitate the better development of the continent, so why refuse?
However, the plans had barely been made when Xiao Ming announced his departure. Wasn't this a bit too frivolous?
"Some of you may not know, but my arrival in the Tian Xuan Continent was purely accidental. Years ago, I had planned to leave my original plane for the Great Thousand World. However, due to bad luck, I encountered a terrifying spatial turbulence and got separated from my companions. As a result, I ended up here. Now that the matters on the Tian Xuan Continent have been resolved, it's naturally time for me to move on, especially since I've been delayed for several years," Xiao Ming explained as he turned around with a faint smile on his face.
"But do not worry about the establishment of the Heavenly Court. Huanhuan will remain in charge of completing its establishment and will stand as the pillar of the alliance. I've also found the Ancestral Citadel your Master left behind, which will make advancing to the Reincarnation Stage easier and aid you in cultivating more personnel."
"Moreover, I've already warned those major factions, and coupled with your 3rd Calamity Reincarnation Stage strength, I believe no one will dare to cause trouble."
Each of the Ancient Masters had reached the 3rd Calamity Reincarnation Stage, and indeed, those factions couldn't resist them.
Furthermore, since it was the intention of Dimension Master Xiao Ming, and with his disciple at the helm, the establishment of the Heavenly Court was virtually guaranteed.
It could be said that it was much easier than when Xiao Ming established the Heavenly Court in the Dou Qi Continent back then.
Seeing Xiao Ming's determination to leave, the Life Death Master and the others exchanged glances and could only nod helplessly.
"If that's the case, we'll take care of the Heavenly Court for Big Brother. We just hope that Big Brother won't forget about the Tian Xuan Continent upon reaching the so-called Great Thousand World," said the green-haired little girl named Jiang Yinyin, also known as the Reincarnation of the Life Death Master.
"Haha, I naturally won't forget. With my dear disciple remaining here, how could I not come back? Once I establish a foundation in the Great Thousand World, I'll move the dimensional node of the Tian Xuan Continent and open a spatial passage. Then, you'll also be able to enter the Great Thousand World. That day won't be too far off!"
Xiao Ming replied with a laugh, then waved his sleeve, and eight rays of light that transformed into eight Ancestral Symbols emerged from within him. Among them, three Ancestral Symbol lights flickered and immediately entered the bodies of Mu Lingshan, Ying Huanhuan, and the Chaos Master.
"Lingshan, this is the newly created Life Death Ancestral Symbol. You should nourish it within yourself. A century later, a new Life Death Ancestral Symbol will be born. At that time, you will no longer be restricted by it, and truly turn into a human."
Mu Lingshan was formed from the Life Death Ancestral Symbol combined with the remnants of the Life Death Master's body and faced certain limitations. Now that Xiao Ming had become the Dimension Master and reworked her form, all the hidden dangers were removed.
"Big Brother, make sure you open the passage soon and come back to see me, okay?" Mu Lingshan waved her small hand and said in an adorable manner.
Xiao Ming nodded with a smile, then turned to Ying Huanhuan and the Chaos Master.
The Ice Ancestral Symbol and the Chaos Ancestral Symbol were given to him by the two after he killed the Yimo Emperor. Although he no longer needed them, he still took them and transformed them. Now, he returned them to their hands.
Xiao Ming naturally had little to say to the Chaos Master, but when it came to his disciple Ying Huanhuan, he had some words. However, before he could utter a word, Ying Huanhuan cut him off with a cold snort.
"Then Master will indeed take Qing Tan away while leaving me behind..." Ying Huanhuan's dissatisfaction was evident in her tone as she turned her pretty face away.
"Huanhuan, how much longer do you intend to dwell on this?" Xiao Ming felt a headache coming on.
"Hmph! If Master hadn't uttered such lofty words about his journey to the Great Thousand World not being for leisure and all that nonsense, only to end up taking the weaker Junior Sister with you, I probably wouldn't have anything to say." Ying Huanhuan turned and gave him a blank look as she spoke.
Anyone would be unhappy if their beloved master decided to just take away their Junior Sister and leave them behind.
"Cough cough, you also know that Qing Tan originally came from the Great Thousand World and ended up in the Tian Xuan Continent. Hence, she can serve as my guide there. Moreover, her journey with me presents opportunities for her to catch up with you. As for you, it's just a matter of time until you regain your strength and break through to the Ancestor Stage..."
In fact, Xiao Ming had reconsidered his thoughts about taking Qing Tan with him. After all, she would be separated from her family for an extended period. Yet, it was Qing Tan herself who insisted on accompanying him. Having entrusted the care of her family to the Palace of Darkness and the rest of the alliance members, she expressed a fervent desire to explore her origin plane alongside her Master.
It had to be said that although Qing Tan acted like a timid girl, she harbored a profound adventurous spirit.
Therefore, Xiao Ming hesitated no longer and resolved to bring her along. However, this decision subjected him to constant teasing from his first disciple.
"Hmph!"
The reasoning was sound as always, leaving Ying Huanhuan unable to argue, yet she still expressed her dissatisfaction with a petulant huff.
Xiao Ming watched Ying Huanhuan's petulant manner, but it didn't really bother him. After all, it was true that he had not treated everyone equally in this matter.
"I suppose the opening of the dimensional node will only take a few years. Spend these years well with your father and sister. But don't neglect your cultivation. Otherwise, your junior sister might surpass you, hehe," Xiao Ming teased, causing Qing Tan to giggle and Ying Huanhuan to roll her eyes at him.
"Oh, and..." With a flick of his finger, the remaining Ancestral Symbols and some jade bottles flew towards Ying Huanhuan.
"These Ancestral Symbols are no longer of use to me. Except for returning the Blazing Ancestral Symbol to Mo Luo, you can take care of the rest. These pills will also benefit your cultivation, so keep them."
"Stop nagging already, I got it," Ying Huanhuan muttered as she accepted all the items.
Seeing this, Xiao Ming waved his sleeve and rose into the air with Qing Tan. The others looked up to the sky only to see the space there slowly rip open. The crack was identical to the vast plane crack that had appeared outside the void when the Yimo Emperor first emerged.
At this moment, Ying Huanhuan couldn't contain her feelings any longer and hurried toward the departing figures.
"Master, you should come back soon!" she cried out, throwing herself at his back and embracing him tightly.
Before the world war ended, she felt as if she had entered a strange state. Not only did the Ice Master's power seem to merge with her even more smoothly, but a profound desire also stirred within her—a longing for a life without regrets...
The reason she had agreed to stay on the continent was to spend more time with her family. After all, she had followed her Master since she was a child and had learned of the sacrifice her father had made at that time. Now that the continent was at peace, she felt compelled to make it up to them.
Perhaps her Master noticed this when he asked her to take over the Heavenly Court.
But this was to be temporary, for... there was a figure who had altered her destiny and ushered in peace to the world.
Her rightful place in this life was by that figure's side.
Feeling the soft body embracing him from behind, Xiao Ming's lips curved into a warm smile as he gently traced the hands wrapped around his chest.
"It's a promise."
"Don't you dare forget your promise. Otherwise, I might ignore you in the future..." Ying Huanhuan said softly, her tone carrying a hint of coquetry that instantly soured the Flame Master's expression.
He had thought that this time he might have a chance to get close to Little Junior Sister, but now he realized that he had no chance at all.
The Chaos Master and Thunderbolt Master exchanged sympathetic glances as they patted him on the back. Some things, it seemed, were fated to remain out of reach.
Xiao Ming's smile widened at Ying Huanhuan's words. As he felt those slender hands release their grip in a reluctant manner, he glanced at the crack slowly widening in front of him and clenched his fists with determination. A thought passed through his mind. He subsequently pulled Qing Tan as he rushed forward. The Dimension Power enveloped both of them. Finally, they shot into the dimensional crack in front of everyone.
Everyone watched the crack slowly mend itself and heaved a long sigh. Some curiosity towards that world appeared as they lamented. What would await them there?