“Otherwise, our two sects wouldn’t have declined so quickly. Back when the Martial Heaven Emperor and the Nine Nights Immortal Sovereign were still alive, this Sovereign Mountain Range was one of the most famous places in the Four Domains. Every year when disciples were recruited, millions of people came to the Sovereign Mountains.”

Xia Wanqing’s expression was somewhat heavy.

“I’ve always wanted to revive our sect, but a single person’s strength is weak and limited. Would you… be willing to stand with me?”

“You’re putting on this pitiful act just to make me stay, aren’t you?” Xu Zimo saw through her intention at a glance.

“I’ve already spoken with Grandfather. When the Mystic Realm opens, you’ll go with me,” Xia Wanqing admitted directly, seeing no point in pretending.

“I also want to take a look at the Star River God-Dynasty,” Xu Zimo nodded. “By the way, help me look into a sect called the True Martial Sacred Ground.”

“Got it. I’ll ask Grandfather to investigate. If we find any leads, I’ll let you know,” Xia Wanqing agreed.

Since the trip to the Star River God-Dynasty was scheduled three days later, Xu Zimo had little to do.

Cultivating in this short time would be pointless.

And as for comprehending the Dao, what is it one comprehends? What is the Dao?

It is the myriad states of life. It is birth and death.

It is the joys and sorrows of the mortal world.

It is not something to be attained by sitting in silence and forcing “enlightenment.”

Because there are living beings, because there are emotions, desires, greed, anger, and ignorance.

These all weave together to form the world as it is.

Only then does the Dao exist.

To “comprehend” and to “transcend” means to rise beyond all beings, yet eventually return to all beings.

And only when one day you are no longer bound by the Dao itself, can you truly become the supreme existence.

Xu Zimo wanted to walk through all Nine Heavens, starting from the Mortal Ascension Heaven, tempering himself, seeing the world, and comprehending all living beings.

The next morning, he was woken by loud shouting outside his door.

“His Highness, the Second Prince of the Star River God-Dynasty, has come to visit Lady Xia!”

“So noisy first thing in the morning… do they not want people to sleep?” Xu Zimo opened his door and said casually.

“This friend is…?” The Second Prince, Chen Luo, looked at Xu Zimo curiously.

Beside him stood Li Xiaoyuan, and the same white-robed woman with her face veiled.

The woman had never once shown her true face.

“He’s Xia Wanqing’s husband,” Li Xiaoyuan lowered his head, speaking deliberately in a quieter tone.

“So this is Young Master Xu,” Chen Luo smiled. “Forgive the sudden intrusion.”

“If you know it’s a sudden intrusion, why come?” Xu Zimo replied flatly. “If there’s something, tell me.”

“This matter, I can only discuss with Lady Xia,” Chen Luo shook his head.

“Then you should leave. She has no time,” Xu Zimo waved him off, turning to head back inside for more sleep.

“Young Master Xu,” Chen Luo called from behind.

Xu Zimo turned his head toward him.

“It’s best to leave room when doing things. That demonic dragon is indeed formidable, but it is only at the Imperial Meridian realm, far from being invincible in this world. In my Star River God-Dynasty, we do not lack God Meridian cultivators.”

Chen Luo spoke calmly.

“Done talking?” Xu Zimo waved his hand. “Little Dragon, see them out.”

The Seven-Winged Demon Dragon appeared once again.

At the sight, Li Xiaoyuan’s face instantly turned pale.

Memories of yesterday’s humiliation came flooding back, his clothes torn to shreds, forced to sneak back in disgrace.

If anyone had seen him, his lifelong reputation would have been utterly destroyed.

Would it happen again today?

As the massive form of the dragon lunged forward, skeletal claws reaching for them, Li Xiaoyuan nearly shut his eyes in despair.

But then...

Bang!

When he opened his eyes again, a white figure was standing in front of him.

It was the white-robed woman. Her robes fluttered lightly, and with one hand she stopped the enormous body of the Seven-Winged Demon Dragon.

No matter how hard the dragon pressed, it couldn’t move her an inch.

Xu Zimo looked at the white-robed woman.

She, too, stared back at him.

“Interesting,” he yawned, muttering to himself.

“Young Master Xu, now we can talk properly, yes?” Chen Luo said.

“What do you want to talk about?” Xu Zimo asked.

“Name your price, and hand Lady Xia over. Whatever you want, say it. Brother Xiaoyuan is devoted to her, I’ll do my best to help him.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Li Xiaoyuan quickly bowed with gratitude.

“This Martial Heaven Sacred Ground has truly fallen,” Xu Zimo shook his head slightly. “You said I could name any condition? Very well. I want her,” he pointed to the white-robed woman. “Tonight, she’ll come warm my bed.”

As his words fell, silence enveloped the courtyard.

Only an icy killing intent emanated from the white-robed woman, locking onto Xu Zimo.

“What’s wrong? Can’t do it?” Xu Zimo asked lightly.

“You’re seeking death,” the white-robed woman finally spoke for the first time.

Her voice was like a block of ancient ice, cold to the bone.

“Young Master Xu, that joke isn’t funny,” Chen Luo also spoke up.

“Forget it then. Boring,” Xu Zimo shrugged.

The white-robed woman pushed forward, the Seven-Winged Demon Dragon’s huge body was hurled back.

With a flick of her sleeve, a ribbon lashed out like a blade, slashing toward Xu Zimo’s throat.

Just as it was about to touch him, a figure appeared beside him, a sword flicked upward, splitting the ribbon apart.

It was Xia Wanqing.

She looked at the group coldly. “You’ve gone too far.”

“He was the one who provoked first,” the white-robed woman said flatly.

“Me? Did I have nothing better to do than provoke you early in the morning?” Xu Zimo replied.

The split ribbon fell into Xu Zimo’s hand. He calmly held it out and smiled.

“This is yours. I’m returning it.”

He tossed it back.

The woman caught it with a cold expression.

But the next moment, a tearing sound rang out.

The ribbon sliced her palm, leaving a deep gash. Blood dripped freely.

The woman froze, looking down at the bloodied ribbon in her hand, silent, unmoving.

“The Outer Heavens are vast. The Four Domains, Mortal Ascension Heaven, they’re just corners of it,” Xu Zimo waved lazily. “Tired. Time for another nap.”

The white-robed woman suddenly lifted her head, staring at Xu Zimo with unblinking eyes.

“You can still consider my proposal,” Chen Luo called after him.

“Let’s go,” the white-robed woman said coolly, glancing at Chen Luo.

She turned and walked out of the courtyard first.

“Wanqing, I...” Li Xiaoyuan turned toward her, wanting to say something.

But she cut him off.

“I’m not some item to be passed around at will. Leave.”

After the group left, Xia Wanqing stood in thought for a moment, then walked straight into Xu Zimo’s room.