Published: March 8, 2025
Chu Yang chuckled, "I don’t need to ask about that. I am at the throne of the ninth rank. This is my junior brother, Tan Tan, also at the throne of the ninth rank. Brother Ao, when you have time, please give us your guidance."
"Guidance? Haha," Ao Xieyun bit his lip, overwhelmed by a sudden urge to cry!
A group of ninth rank throne holders, plus the sword emperor and blade emperor!
These were all people who used to be on par with him. Several of them not long ago weren’t even as strong as he was… Now, he was merely at the sixth rank throne…
He felt utterly humiliated! Too self-deprecating!
"Brother Ao, may I ask what your current cultivation level is?" Ji Mo interjected, his eyes glinting.
"Ah!~~~" Ao Xieyun sighed deeply, his tears already flowing before he could speak…
Miao Butong snorted coldly and comforted him gleefully, "Brother Ao, there’s no need to be like this. Look at the achievements we have now! How much hard work did we put in? How much effort did we expend? We practiced to the point of fainting dozens of times nearly every day… What kind of rewards can we expect for our sacrifices? You are already quite outstanding!"
This guy was just reiterating what Chu Yang had said to him back then. He must have thought he was giving good advice, but damn it, who could know how I felt when I first heard those words… "…Better to enjoy together than alone."
Ao Xieyun’s face turned pale, then flush, as he lowered his head and walked on in silence.
After a long while, he sighed loudly, "I, Ao Xieyun, have wasted my surname 'Ao'!"
Suddenly, a strong sense of unwillingness surged within him: If they could achieve it, why couldn’t he? One day, he would reclaim this 'Ao'!
Pride should be for the world!
The frontrunners always faced immense pressure, yet lacked motivation. Now that he was a pursuer, he was full of energy and felt no pressure!
Once Ao Xieyun let go of his arrogance, he instantly felt invigorated!
First, I want to be Ao Xieyun, the one and only Ao Xieyun! Second, I want revenge! I will collect the debts owed to my uncles with my own hands! I will take good care of their families to the best of my ability! Third, I will catch up to them and surpass them! I will reclaim my title as the number one in the Central Martial World!
We are all human, born of parents, made of flesh and blood! I will not admit defeat!
As the group journeyed, they faced several more assassination attempts and skirmishes, focusing solely on escaping rather than engaging in battle. Ao Xieyun and Miao Butong sustained some injuries but finally managed to break free.
Looking back a month ago, after Mo Tianji stirred up the turbulence in the Central Martial World, it had become a place of chaos. The Ou Clan, Dream Clan, and Tian Family were all on high alert; the Xie Clan, Mo Clan, and Dong Clan had set up formidable defenses!
A great battle was imminent.
That day…
After discussing matters with Dong Wulei, Luo Kewu, Ji Zhu, and others, Mo Tianji remained silent for a long time, appearing conflicted.
"Mo brother, what are you thinking? Why this frown?" Dong Wulei, impressed by Mo Tianji's planning, couldn't help but ask upon seeing his distress.
"You all just mentioned that Dreamfall, Tian Buhui, and Tu Qianhao are not among their families… This could mean they are the main force chasing after Ao Xieyun! I am pondering how to deal with this," Mo Tianji said gravely.
"We didn't say those people weren't in their families," Luo Kewu scratched his head, confused.
"Because although the storm is looming, it’s too calm. A battle is a battle—if there's no rain, just mutual vigilance, what kind of war is that?" Mo Tianji said softly, "Earlier, when you all came, you mentioned it was peaceful nearby, which led me to speculate."
"If those people were around, things wouldn't be so quiet. Even if they don't make any big moves, there would still be continuous small frictions. Since it’s so tranquil, it indicates that a bunch of cunning old foxes are in charge; the youngsters are all absent! If they are not present, where could they be at such a critical moment? They are either chasing after Ao Xieyun or nothing else is happening."