As the old man's meaningful words fell, everyone's gaze gathered on Zhang Xiaofan.
Zhang Xiaofan's body trembled. He stared at the old man, shock and confusion filling his stern face.
"Me?"
He pointed at himself, his voice uncertain.
"Senior, are you sure you haven't made a mistake?"
"I'm just an ordinary cultivator. How could I be the variable that finds a way for the world to survive?"
His words were full of self-mockery.
But the old man only shook his head.
"I can't be mistaken."
He looked at Zhang Xiaofan, his cloudy eyes full of conviction.
"The Witch God Totem is a relic left behind by the guardians of the previous epoch."
"It contains not only Linglong's insights into witchcraft, but also the unyielding will of that age."
"It would never choose an ordinary person. It would choose only a hero capable of turning the tide in this cataclysm."
The old man's words echoed through the valley, ringing with certainty.
Zhang Xiaofan fell silent.
He looked at the old man, his gaze complicated. He didn't know whether he should believe him.
All Zhang Xiaofan knew was that everything he did now was to bring back the woman he had loved with all his life.
As for being the world's hope or the variable of an epoch, he had never thought of it—and didn't want to bear that burden.
"Enough."
Li Xiaoyu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
He walked over to Zhang Xiaofan and gave his shoulder a firm pat.
"Xiao Fan."
Li Xiaoyu looked at him and smiled warmly.
"Whether or not you're that variable, you'll always be our brother."
"No matter how hard the road ahead gets, we'll walk it with you."
His words brimmed with trust and support.
Zhang Xiaofan's body trembled.
He turned