Shi Hao froze in place.
His eyes widened, as though he could not believe what he was seeing.
After a brief moment of stunned disbelief, the coldness instantly melted from the face of "Desolate," whose fearsome reputation resounded throughout the Three Thousand Provinces and whom countless Heavenly Prides dreaded.
He dropped all his defenses, and a smile as pure and radiant as a child's spread across his face.
He broke into long strides, racing toward the figure in blue robes.
"Big Brother Ye Xuan!"
Shi Hao shouted excitedly.
His voice echoed through the empty mountain ridges, brimming with excitement he could not conceal.
At that moment, Shi Hao bore not the slightest trace of the savagery he had shown when he drove his light sword through the Six-Crowned King's skull.
He was like a little rascal who had been away from home for ages and, after suffering grievances outside, had finally found his own elder.
Ye Xuan stopped and looked at Shi Hao as he rushed up to him.
A gentle smile curved his lips, and he reached out to pat Shi Hao's shoulder.
"You've grown quite a bit, and your cultivation has improved too! You fought well just now," Ye Xuan said with a note of approval.
Shi Hao rubbed the back of his head and chuckled.
Across the entire lower realm and Upper Realm, there were few people for whom he felt genuine respect and affection.
Apart from Willow Deity, the village chief, and the others, Ye Xuan-who had guided him repeatedly in the lower realm and was like an elder brother to him-undoubtedly held an immensely important place in his heart.
Seeing this, Qin Hao, who stood nearby, immediately withdrew his Five Elements Divine Light and the oppressive aura of his longevity battle robe.
He strode forward