Time flew by, and five years passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, Xuan Zhongtian's inexplicable disappearance caused frequent disturbances throughout the Hao Li Sacred Realm.
Large numbers of True Demons swept back and forth through the territories under its control like a swarm of locusts passing through, conducting endless patrols.
So long as there was the slightest suspicion, regardless of origin or status, they would be seized and subjected to harsh interrogation.
Clearly, the Hao Li Saint Ancestor had discovered that Xuan Zhongtian was missing.
By rights, Xuan Zhongtian had gone to the lower realm and left the Devil Realm for over a hundred years, yet the Hao Li Saint Ancestor had never reacted like this.
Now, he had only been missing for a very short time, yet such a massive operation had been launched. It was particularly abnormal.
In truth, the Hao Li Saint Ancestor had indeed planted a special mark on Xuan Zhongtian.
No matter how far away he was, so long as he remained alive, the mark could be sensed.
Even if he died, the mark would not disappear. Instead, it would rapidly split apart and attach itself to every living being nearby. There was no stopping it.
This was also why Xuan Zhongtian had not been punished when he met the Hao Li Saint Ancestor.
The Hao Li Saint Ancestor had known Xuan Zhongtian's whereabouts like the back of his hand, and naturally knew that he had gone to the lower realm, so he had not paid it much mind.
This time, however, was different. In merely a few months, the Hao Li Saint Ancestor had lost his sense of the mark on Xuan Zhongtian.
Logically speaking, such a short time was not enough for Xuan Zhongtian to leave the Devil Realm.