That Wasn't Cowardice, It Was Following My Heart

Xiao Xuan smiled. "Miss Nangong, I made you worry. I'm fine!"

Nangong Ling'er had once been born into the Nangong Family of the Eastern Region.

But later, the family declined, and her parents took her to settle down in a remote village. Unexpectedly, they still failed to live out their lives in peace.

Moreover, Nangong Xian'er's talent and comprehension were not bad either. Although she could not compare to the top geniuses of the clan, she was roughly on par with the ordinary geniuses within it.

To give her the strength to protect herself, Xiao Xuan had also taught her cultivation, passing on the Eight Sounds of the Heavenly Dragon without reservation.

After cultivating for over two years, with the help of Xiao Xuan, a seventh-grade alchemist, she had now reached the Da Dou Shi realm.

Hearing this, Nangong Xian'er's pretty face reddened, leaving Xiao Xuan completely baffled.

"Miss Nangong, now that I've broken through as well, I plan to travel to the Central Plains.

"You're too weak. Even in this barren place, you're only considered weak.

"Once you reach the Central Plains, where experts are as common as clouds, your life could be in danger at any moment.

"Here are three strikes containing my power. Use them only at a life-or-death moment.

"With these three full-powered strikes of mine, barring any accidents, you should be invincible in this northwestern region.

"Your talent is decent, but compared to truly top-tier prodigies, there is still a certain gap.

"But becoming strong does not rely on talent alone. Perseverance and temperament are what matter most.

"These are the pills I refined over the past two years, ranging from fourth to seventh grade. You'll need them for cultivation.

"Alright. I hope we meet again in the Central Plains!"

After saying that, he tore open space, took a step inside, and vanished.

Nangong Xian'er, who had been putting on a brave face with a smile, immediately had tears streaming down her cheeks!

"What an idiot!

"Don't worry, I'll definitely cultivate diligently and go to that so-called Central Plains to find you."

The Tianqing Mountains lay ten thousand miles away from the Black-Corner Region.

As the only city within a thousand-mile radius to possess a Space Wormhole leading to the Central Plains, Tianya City was among the most prosperous cities within ten thousand miles.

Since Xiao Xuan intended to travel through the Central Plains, he had learned quite a bit about it.

The Central Plains Continent was extremely vast. Therefore, many large cities within the Central Plains had established so-called "Space Wormholes" to reduce travel time.

The creators of these "Space Wormholes" were mostly peak experts or senior figures belonging to the respective cities. Thus, if the senior who built a "Space Wormhole" belonged to a certain family, that "Space Wormhole" would become the property of that family.

Of course, even families with immense power would not dare to monopolize such a public means of transportation at will, though few families would do something so foolish.

After all, the profit brought by a single "Space Wormhole" every year could reach an incredibly terrifying figure, enough to support an entire family inside and out.

Therefore, in the Central Plains, the appearance of every "Space Wormhole" would make countless factions green with envy.

But aside from families or sects with formidable strength, everyone else could only watch enviously.

After all, not just anyone could invite a Dou Zun expert and expend enormous effort to build a "Space Wormhole." Thus, in the Central Plains, "Space Wormholes" symbolized wealth and power. Most of those able to possess one were renowned first-rate factions.

Bang...

"Which bastard—don't...

Cough, cough... It's nothing, it's nothing. Please continue, seniors. I've disturbed you."

Xiao Xuan had been lost in thought and failed to notice that he was about to emerge from the Space Wormhole he had torn open.

The moment he emerged, he was caught in the aftermath of two colliding attacks and fell flat on his face.

The attacks were even stronger than his own Five-Star Dou Zun power.

Realizing he could not defeat them, Xiao Xuan immediately chose to follow his heart and admit defeat.

Looking up, he saw two young men who appeared to be around thirty.

Their auras were still those of Dou Zuns, but they were definitely at the Eight-Star level or above.

As for why he was so certain, it was simply because he had seen many such people in his clan.

Just as he turned to flee, the two men, who had stopped fighting, burst into laughter.

"Haha, what an interesting little brother.

"That was our fault just now. We didn't expect a Dou Zun to tear through space and appear here.

"I'm Tang Xiao, and this fellow is Dan Chengzi. He's a peak eighth-grade alchemist. We're both independent cultivators."

Tang Xiao and Dan Chengzi—high-level Dou Zuns in their thirties. Even in the Central Plains, they could be considered rare geniuses, perhaps even peerless geniuses.

He had not expected to encounter two of them today.

"Cough, cough. You two brothers have seen something embarrassing."

"I'm Xuan Xiao, the younger brother. Greetings, two elder brothers."

One did not strike a smiling face. Someone who could apologize to those weaker than himself either had ulterior motives or possessed decent character.

While remaining secretly vigilant, they smiled on the surface.

"We thought the two of us had exceptionally rare talent.

"Who would have thought that your talent would be even more terrifying, little brother? You're only in your twenties, right? Judging from your reaction just now, your Dou Qi fluctuations are at least those of a Five-Star Dou Zun."

Xiao Xuan said, "You flatter me. I've traveled for many years and obtained some treasures that improved my cultivation.

"Are you two leaving the Central Plains for the Black-Corner Region?"

Tang Xiao shook his head. "No. A place like that is of no use to cultivators at our level.

"Having reached our current realm, further advancement is difficult. We travel everywhere in search of opportunities."

What began as mutual wariness gradually turned into a familiar exchange.

Though there was a slight gap in age, they were in the same realm of strength and had quite a few topics to discuss.

After sharing a drink in Tianya City, the few of them hit it off so well that they were only one chicken sacrifice away from becoming sworn brothers.

After bidding farewell, Xiao Xuan continued his travels.

"It is said that the Beast Ruins are a rather famous dangerous area within the Wild Ancient Domain.

"For some unknown reason, the place is filled with extremely dense cold air, while cold mist blocks out the sky and sun.

"If one wanders about recklessly, one will only become lost within it. Moreover, the mountain range contains many powerful and exceptionally bloodthirsty magical beasts, making them quite troublesome to deal with."

"It is said that the Beast Ruins contain a Heavenly Rank Dou Technique and countless cultivation techniques and medicinal pills.

"But more importantly, this ruin is different from before. Those who entered to explore it have vanished without a trace. No one knows what accident occurred."

As soon as Xiao Xuan entered Manhuang Town, he heard countless rumors concerning the Beast Ruins.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan left without revealing any reaction.

Dense clouds and mist blanketed most of the mountain range, making it impossible to see what lay within.

Moreover, the mist seemed to contain an incomparably vast energy. Beneath that immense energy, even Xiao Xuan could not help but feel a chill run through his heart.

No wonder no one dared to fly in from above. The path through the sky was simply a road to death.

Within the dense clouds and mist, the vast energy surged violently. In the end, it even produced the sound of waves rolling like the sea.