Upon hearing what Sage Zixia said, the Dragon City Lord panicked.

He hurriedly replied, “Why do you say that, Sage?

Could it be that you’re leaving?”

"You know I’ve been waiting for someone all along,” Sage Zixia smiled.

"Now that the gentleman has arrived, I naturally want to follow him.”

Upon hearing this, the Dragon City Lord felt deeply disappointed.

He first nodded.

Then he shook his head and sighed.

"Although I knew this day would come, the Sage ultimately does not belong to Shenghai City.

But I didn’t expect it to come so soon.”

"There’s no need to feel this way, Dragon City Lord,” Sage Zixia replied.

"If it weren’t for my obligations.

This Shenghai City indeed is a good place.

When I’m free of concerns one day, I’ll surely return to Shenghai City.”

"Though you say so, the days when the Sage was here always brought peace of mind.

For both me and the citizens of Shenghai City.”

The Dragon City Lord sighed, “But alas, the Sage is leaving.

I can only wish you prosperity in the Martial Path from where I stand.”

"I believe so too, with the Dragon City Lord presiding over Shenghai City, this city will only grow stronger,” Sage Zixia smiled.

"We might need to use this Shenghai City’s Teleportation Array,” Xu Zimei said.

"That’s not a problem, I can teleport you to Phoenix Ancient City,” the Dragon City Lord said.

"As for the small world beneath the Lihuo Abyss, I’m unable to.

There’s no Teleportation Array there.”

"Phoenix Ancient City is fine,” Xu Zimei nodded.

"How about leaving tomorrow?” the Dragon City Lord said, “Let me fulfill my duties as a host.

Besides, the news of the Sage’s departure should be announced city-wide.”

Xu Zimei thought for a while, it indeed made sense.

After all, this Dragon City Lord was a decent person, so he agreed to stay one more day.

While everyone was chatting, a commotion suddenly erupted outside.

"Miss, you cannot enter now.

The City Lord is entertaining distinguished guests.”

"Why can’t I go in? I demand an explanation from my father,” an angry female voice sounded.

"Any concerns, wait until the guests are attended to, alright?”

"I can’t wait.”

With the sound of the argument, a figure immediately walked in from outside the courtyard.

It was a woman dressed in martial arts attire, with a red headband tied atop her head.

The woman had a well-proportioned figure, an oval face, and exuded a certain heroic spirit.

A ponytail hung down from her head.

She appeared spirited, much like a triumphant rooster.

"Father, why did you arrange martial arts marriage-seeking in my name?”

The woman angrily questioned, “The whole city is now gossiping about me marrying a monster.”

"I just wanted to capture those monsters,” the Dragon City Lord laughed.

Immediately, he glanced at Xu Zimei, chuckled, and said, “This is my daughter, Long Wulin.”

Sage Zixia, being Long Wulin’s master, naturally recognized Long Wulin.

Long Wulin also greeted with “Master.”

Then she turned to her father and said, “I don’t care, my reputation is now damaged.

You better explain this.”

"Lin Er, don’t make a fuss. Can’t you see there are esteemed guests here?” the Dragon City Lord explained.

"I will make this known to Shenghai City.”

Seeing the Dragon City Lord’s authoritative voice, Long Wulin could only say, “Oh.”

She understood the gravity of things quite well. subtex./subtex

After the Dragon City Lord finished speaking, he looked at Xu Zimei.

He laughed, “Dragon City Lord, I will go organize now.

I’ll arrange a place for you to rest.

Or if you want to go somewhere, feel free.”

"Dragon City Lord, please go ahead with your work, no need to worry about me,” Xu Zimei waved his hand.

Watching the departing back of the Dragon City Lord.

Sage Zixia stood up and also said, “I should personally explain this matter to the residents of Shenghai City.

After all, I’ve been here for quite some time.

Many people respect me, even considering me as hope.”

Xu Zimei nodded slightly.

Watching Sage Zixia leave, he stood up, intending to wander around the City Lord Mansion.

This City Lord Mansion was rather simple.

But it was quite spacious.

Walking out of the courtyard, Xu Zimei caught a scent.

It seemed to be the fragrance of plum blossoms.

Following the scent, along the path by the roadside, he walked straight ahead.

After walking for several minutes, he finally saw a Plum Garden.

It was the season when the plum blossoms were in full bloom.

Light ink-colored plum blossoms and pure white plum blossoms bloomed in profusion, their fragrance wafting for miles.

From afar, it looked like an ink painting here.

Black and white interspersed with endless artistic conception.

This was plum!

And at this moment, in the plum blossom forest, there was a small pavilion.

"Isn’t it a joy to have friends from afar?”

A man’s hearty laughter came from the pavilion.

He was wearing a white robe, which was very long, not only covering his entire body.

But also dragging several meters on the ground.

The man held a pot of turbid wine, drinking indulgently.

While sketching, cheerfully.

"Would the esteemed guests like to enter this plum blossom forest and discuss the Way with me?”

"This City Lord Mansion truly harbors hidden talents, with such a recluse like you,” Xu Zimei laughed.

This person was very strong, strong not only in skill.

But also in his aura, seamlessly integrated with the world.

At this moment, it felt as though he was the world.

And the world was him.

This person understood the Great Dao and had merged himself with it.

His every move could resonate with the Great Dao.

"Why not,” Xu Zimei smiled and walked into the plum blossom forest.

As he entered the forest, he could more clearly feel an even more intense Way before him.

It felt towering and vast.

The all-encompassing Great Dao surged forth, roaring.

Xu Zimei smiled as he waved his hand, and all auras, like snowflakes upon the March sun, melted away without a trace.

Xu Zimei knew this person was testing him.

With a wave of his hand, an even more powerful aura was pushed back.

Wasn’t he also testing him?

When the aura descended, the man’s expression slightly changed.

But he immediately returned to normal.

He held a brush in his right hand, and with a few strokes in the void.

Xu Zimei’s overwhelming aura seemed isolated in the void.

Step by step, Xu Zimei moved forward until he arrived inside the pavilion.

The man then set down his brush, revealing a painting before Xu Zimei.

The painting depicted the season of plum falling, a man stepping forward.

Xu Zimei took a closer look.

Wasn’t the man in the painting himself?

Having been in the plum blossom forest for less than a minute, he didn’t expect the man had already completed a painting.

"Encounters are fate, this painting is a gift for you!”

The man chuckled.

"Who are you?” Xu Zimei asked.

"Just a nameless person.

The past is gone, history is irrelevant, none of it matters,” the man shook his head.

He asked, “Care for a few drinks?”

He took out a few more pots of wine from the pavilion, tossing one to Xu Zimei.

And started drinking on his own.