"Hong Batian and I? We've been good brothers for a very, very long time."
Hearing his disciple's question, Xiaoyao hesitated for a moment before smiling and speaking.
"Now that matters here are settled, it's time for me to leave."
With his hands clasped behind his back, Ye Lin looked into the distance, his tone weathered with age.
"Now, I have the strength to go and see the Central Continent for myself."
Ye Lin gazed into the distance, his sharp eyes seeming to pierce through layer upon layer of space toward the distant, mysterious Central Continent.
"The Central Continent is already a paradise for the Outer Realm Heavenly Demons. Going there now will be extremely dangerous."
Xiaoyao's expression turned grave. After all, he had not spent all those years in the Southern Continent for nothing; he knew quite a bit about the Central Continent as well.
"I keep feeling that something in the Central Continent is calling to me. I must go and see it for myself."
Ye Lin's tone was resolute. Ever since earlier, he had held a conviction in his heart: he had to visit the Central Continent.
And now, the opportunity had come.
"Since you insist, I can hardly stop you. Be careful in all things."
Seeing that he could not persuade Ye Lin, Xiaoyao nodded.
"Alright."
Ye Lin nodded and took a single step forward, his figure vanishing into space. Hong Batian and Old Garden followed closely behind him.
Elsewhere, atop a sacred mountain, an old man and a young man sat beside a vast lake. The old man held a fishing rod in his hand and sat quietly by the water.
The young man, meanwhile, sat motionless with his eyes closed.
"You've made up your mind?"
At that moment, the old man's aged voice rang out.