Chapter 1776: Chapter 1777 Heavenly Punishment Seeks Someone

“Who’s going over there? No, who’s worried about him! He’s your son! He’s not my son!”

Whether it was because her innermost thoughts were uncovered or because she was enraged by Su Zhedian’s indifferent attitude, Ye Qingci spoke with great dissatisfaction.

Su Zhedian didn’t mind, scratched his face, and said, “It’s not that I don’t want to act all high and mighty with this kid. We haven’t met for so many years, and jumping in with an ‘I’m your dad’ attitude is bound to be annoying, right?”

“You finally realize this!”

Ye Qingci glared at Su Zhedian.

Su Zhedian smiled awkwardly: “That’s why I’m trying to learn from you, right? Jie Yu mentioned that your relationship with him is great, like siblings.”

Ye Qingci paused for a moment, then pondered over her past interactions with Su Chengyu.

She had always regarded Su Chengyu as a junior but never saw herself as a senior, a fact unbeknownst even to her. Su Zhedian’s observation made Ye Qingci understand the root of it all.

“Actually, I was just emulating how you were back then.”

Whenever she saw Su Chengyu, Ye Qingci couldn’t help but think of Su Zhedian, so she subconsciously emulated his approach in treating Su Chengyu.

“Don’t worry, he’s more mature than you think. He probably won’t hold much prejudice against you.”

“That’s not certain.”

Su Zhedian spoke softly, watching Su Chengyu disappear at the bridgehead, uttered those thought-provoking words, and then watched Su Chengyu completely vanish from his sight.

“Let’s go. This path can only be walked by him. Although I’ve left a lot of my influence in that world, it’s unlike this one, where old men like me have paved the way for him. Ultimately, how far he can go depends on his own fortune.”

With a touch of disappointment in his words, Ye Qingci curiously turned her head, seeing the noticeably downcast figure, yet instantly snapped back to her senses.

This disappointment was not aimed at Su Chengyu but rather at himself.

Inside the Luo Clan’s Blessed Realm.

The effects of the One Realm’s fragmentation were minimized under Su Zhedian’s control.

Not to mention Feng Jie Yu had long been aware of everyone here. If anything unexpected happened, she would ensure their safety.

However, Feng Jie Yu did not directly appear, merely revealing a hint of goodwill, letting the few who noticed her drop their guard without further remarks.

The Heaven-Mending Stone, which sent Xu Nanzhi out of the Shattered Cave Heaven, had already found the gathering place of Bai Qiu and others, joining them.

Upon learning that Su Chengyu was one of only two who hadn’t returned, the atmosphere among the crowd remained heavy.

Apparently, no one was willing to accept this fact.

“He will return.”

Finished her meditative rest and regained a bit of spirit, Xu Nanzhi struggled to get up from the ground, then looked toward the location where a recent fluctuation originated.

Yet even at that position, she could no longer find any connection to the Shattered Cave Heaven or sense the realm she had just escaped.

“Lady Saintess…”

Luo Changping looked worriedly at the still somewhat pale Xu Nanzhi, trying to speak but was stopped by Xu Nanzhi shaking her head.

She knew she still needed rest at this moment, but she equally understood that everyone needed some reassurance at this time.

“Though I also hope he could return, forgive my frankness; it doesn’t appear optimistic.”

Speaking was the ever straightforward Ling Xiao.

Her association with Su Chengyu was the shallowest, coupled with her nature, she expressed the thought that lay in everyone’s hearts.

“There’s no need for you to remind us.”

Bai Qiu glared, evidently thinking Ling Xiao’s words were somewhat inappropriate.

However, Ling Xiao didn’t mind at all, straightforwardly said: “This isn’t a reminder. I’m merely stating that whether he returns or not, we all have work we must proceed with. I believe none of us here would completely lose the meaning of life just because Su Chengyu isn’t around, right?”

Bai Qiu and Long Ao Tian exchanged a glance without offering a rebuttal. For them, it was indeed the case, only in the next moment, their gaze fell upon Xu Nanzhi.

Both of them equally understood, for Xu Nanzhi, perhaps the reality was just that harsh.

Xu Nanzhi sensed the gazes cast upon her, barely managed a smile and reflected: “It’s alright. Right now, Chengyu is indeed my everything, the final meaning of my life. But I believe he will definitely return, no matter how long it takes. So before he comes back, I won’t stand still either.”

Upon hearing Xu Nanzhi speak like this, Bai Qiu and Long Ao Tian relaxed, while at this moment, an aura emanated from a distant place, approaching their direction.

Sensing the aura that didn’t harbor doubt good intentions, Long Ao Tian was the first to manifest into a dragon form, standing at the forefront of the crowd.

“There’s no need to be nervous, everyone. I’ve brought only one person along; isn’t that enough to demonstrate my sincerity? Even at this time, I have no intention of engaging in battle with you all.”

As the words fell, Han Xiaotian and Secret Envoy Zigui from the Heaven Punishment Department appeared before everyone.

Even though Han Xiaotian showed goodwill, Long Ao Tian and others still exhibited an unwelcome demeanor, forcing Han Xiaotian to halt his steps, then shifted a seeking glance toward the woman beside him.

Though the woman disliked Han Xiaotian’s tactics, as a member of the Heaven Punishment Department, she had her duties to perform and stepped forward to speak.

“I am the Secret Envoy from the Heaven Punishment Department, codenamed Zigui, equal in rank with the Han Secret Envoy. I can use the name of Xia Country’s Heaven Punishment Department to guarantee that we truly bear no intentions to harm anyone further.”

“What nonsense Heaven Punishment Department, this dragon has never heard of it!”

Long Ao Tian spoke with utmost bluntness, still showing no intention to give the opposition face.

Instead, upon hearing the disclosed identity of the opposite party, Xu Nanzhi stepped forward a few steps, speaking: “Words of assurance hold no real value; even if the two of you could represent the Heaven Punishment Department, I doubt anyone here would see any authority in it.”

For the Luo Clan, the Heaven Punishment Department was the Xia Country organization that defied promises made years ago, striking against the Ancient Clan.

For Long Ao Tian and those of the Demon Clan, what real difference is there between the Heaven Punishment Department and the Demon Slayer Department?

Zigui quickly comprehended, her gaze swept over Long Ao Tian and the others, speaking.

“The Three Divisions and Six Supervisors of Xia Country each have their specific duties. The Dragon Soul Department may intersect with the Demon Slayer Department’s work for the safety of the populace, but we from the Heaven Punishment Department have never held any supervisory duties over the Demon Clan. Our visit this time is merely to ask you all to adhere to the agreement promised by the Heavenly Balance Saint Envoy at the time.”

Upon hearing Zigui’s words, the expressions of Bai Qiu and Ling Xiao immediately altered, exchanging looks while their eyes unintentionally darted toward Xu Nanzhi.

Under the strange gazes from the crowd, Xu Nanzhi quickly realized that this agreement might concern her, instinctively asked.

“Agreement?”

“Yes, the Heavenly Balance Saint Envoy once promised, willing to exchange your life for all cultivation secret techniques from the Luo Clan. So please, Miss Luo, take this trip with us.”