The Blade Named Zhengdu

Hodan thought about how he needed to struggle to reach the pinnacle, struggle to annihilate the Four Divine Beasts Clan, and struggle to find a way back home. Reflecting on the nature of this world, he spoke, "Let's call it 'Zhengdu'. From this day forward, it shall be known as 'Zhengdu'."

"Zhengdu? Struggle to cross? Not bad." Huoxie nodded. In this world, one must struggle for everything they desire. The name fit this blade, and it also aligned with Huoxie's expectations for Hodan. As a Paragon at the peak of power, Huoxie naturally did not want his friend to lag too far behind him.

By naming it 'Zhengdu', Hodan demonstrated his resolve to reach the pinnacle. With such determination paired with Hodan's talent, Huoxie knew that 'Zhengdu' would not be wasted in his hands.

However, Huoxie still warned, "'Zhengdu' does not show its edge; its exterior is worn, which will not draw unwanted attention. This blade was forged from Black Obsidian Gold Iron fused with the Dragon Marrow of a Red-Winged Flame Dragon, so its extraordinary nature was destined from the moment of its creation. Even without being nurtured by divine power, it is not inferior to a High-God artifact. As long as you nurture it slightly, it will have no trouble accompanying you to the pinnacle."

"'Zhengdu' was constructed based on your palm prints and physical attributes, making it a perfect fit for you. However, this blade is extremely heavy. To wield it with agility, you need at least the strength of a Six-Star Fiend."

"Although you cannot use it with ease right now, you should still carry it on your person to familiarize yourself with its weight as soon as possible."

"Furthermore, your body should be nearing the level of a High-God artifact after this tempering. You should seize the time to nurture your body further; that way, you will find wielding 'Zhengdu' much easier."

"Many thanks, Senior. I will keep this in mind!" Hodan said respectfully, "I wonder what the payment for this should be?"

Even brothers must settle accounts clearly. Although Hodan had done a favor for Huoxie, he did not intend to exhaust that friendship. Hodan was planning for his future path.

Huoxie waved his hand and said, "Enough, just call me Brother Huoxie. Come to think of it, without you, I don't know when I would have reached the level of a Paragon, nor when I would have been able to leave this godforsaken place."

"Besides, you are just a little guy who has newly reached the High-God level; what ability do you have to pay me right now? I think you know the price of a weapon belonging to an Asura. Furthermore, do you think there is anything a Paragon like me cannot obtain, aside from items belonging to a Chief Sovereign?"

"This..." Hodan felt a wave of embarrassment, not expecting Huoxie to see through him so easily.

"Alright, alright. I already told you to call me brother," Huoxie continued, "You are planning to go out and train, right?"

"Yes, Brother Huoxie." Hodan followed Huoxie's request and accepted him as an elder brother. To be called brother by a Paragon was something countless gods across countless planes dreamed of.

Huoxie thought for a moment, took a necklace and a set of leather armor from his Space Ring, and tossed them to Hodan. "These two pieces of equipment are for you. They're just gathering dust with me anyway."

Then, Huoxie explained to Hodan, "The necklace is a soul-defense artifact. I crafted it myself; it can withstand about three soul attacks from a peak Asura. A Six-Star Fiend would be unable to break this defense."

"The leather armor is made from my own molted skin combined with various materials. It doesn't compare to a Chief Sovereign artifact, but among High-God armor, it is top-tier."

After a moment's thought, Huoxie took out a plaque, carved his unique mark onto it, and imprinted it with his soul aura—the aura unique to a Paragon—before tossing it to Hodan.

"I believe these two pieces of equipment will ensure your safety to a certain extent. If you truly find yourself in a desperate situation, report my name. This plaque signifies that you are my friend. I believe there are not many people in this world who would dare not show respect to a Paragon."

"Of course, I hope you can resolve problems using your own strength so that you can grow rapidly. At the same time, I do not want you to use my reputation to act recklessly. I hope you remember that."

Hodan was stunned by Huoxie's generosity. One item was a rare soul-defense artifact capable of defending against attacks from a peak Asura, and the other was a physical-defense artifact that Hodan desperately needed. Although it was not a Chief Sovereign artifact, given that it was made from the molted skin of a Paragon—which was comparable to a Chief Sovereign artifact—its defensive power was not to be underestimated. It was, effectively, a top-tier physical-defense artifact.

With these two pieces of equipment, as long as Hodan did not provoke peak powerhouses, he could basically guarantee his safety. Even if he did provoke one, with the defense of these two items, Hodan would have enough time to report Huoxie's name.

Of course, the most important thing was the plaque imprinted with Huoxie's Paragon aura, which was a significant testament to the friendship of a Paragon.

"Thank you, Brother Huoxie. I will make good use of these two pieces of equipment and will not bring shame to you." Hodan accepted the items and the plaque with profuse gratitude.

After Hodan took the items, Huoxie said, "Let's go. We are leaving this place. We'll stay at the Silvermoon kid's place for a while."

Huoxie had stayed here for tens of billions of years. He had long wanted to leave this barren place where not a blade of grass grew. It was only due to his oath that he could not leave. Now, with Hodan's help, he had finally reached the level of a Paragon. Huoxie was impatient to leave this godforsaken place.

Huoxie gathered everything he wanted to take into his Space Ring. Looking at the place where he had spent tens of billions of years, although he couldn't wait to leave, he felt a tinge of reluctance when the moment of departure finally arrived.

Hodan said, "Brother Huoxie, Flame Mountain will still be here. If you like, you can just come back and stay for a few days."

Huoxie laughed heartily, "That is true."

He then brought out his Metal Lifeform, and Hodan flew inside after him.

When Hodan came, it took him and the Silvermoon Fiend half a month, but on the way back, Huoxie tested his willpower-enhanced speed. In less than three hours, they returned to Silvermoon City.

As a peak powerhouse, Huoxie naturally possessed something akin to a Fiend badge—a seven-star "Judge" badge from the Celestial Realm.

However, as a Paragon, Huoxie simply piloted the Metal Lifeform directly toward the City Lord's Mansion. The Prefecture Guards did not dare to stop them, nor could they; judging by the speed of the Metal Lifeform, it was definitely a powerhouse.

Such matters involving powerhouses were not for low-level soldiers to manage. Regardless of how the leadership changed, as long as they didn't get involved, their lives would remain secure.

The guards at the City Lord's Mansion saw the Metal Lifeform flying straight toward them at an astonishing speed and were so frightened that they hurriedly reported it to the Silvermoon Fiend.

The Silvermoon Fiend even thought for a moment that a powerful enemy had arrived or that someone was coming to challenge his position as City Lord.

To his surprise, just as he walked out of the City Lord's Mansion, he saw Hodan and Huoxie stepping out of the Metal Lifeform.

The Silvermoon Fiend immediately stepped forward in pleasant surprise, "Hodan, you're back! Brother Huoxie, how did you get out of Flame Mountain?"

"Hahaha, once I became a Paragon, the oath could no longer bind me, so I naturally came out. I'm here to stay with you for a while. What? Not welcome?" Huoxie laughed loudly.

"Welcome, of course you are welcome." The Silvermoon Fiend hurriedly ushered Huoxie and Hodan into the City Lord's Mansion.

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