But if... a Venerable Realm expert cast aside all dignity and stepped in," a cold glint flashed through his eyes.
"Then ask Elder Xia to hold them off for a while and buy me some time."
"I understand."
Miss Tantai nodded, then asked again.
"Then... after dealing with Xiao Beixuan, what are your plans? Will you remain in Great Desolation City?"
Gu Sheng gazed out the window at the pitch-black night sky, as though his eyes could pierce through countless barriers and see somewhere far beyond.
"Great Desolation City is not a place to stay for long. I plan to go to the Central Continent."
He paused before adding,
"This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. It has long been part of my plans."
Miss Tantai did not seem surprised. She said softly,
"The Central Continent... is indeed more suitable for you. However, the Eastern Wasteland may soon undergo drastic changes. If you leave now, you may miss certain things."
"Oh? Drastic changes?"
Gu Sheng raised a brow.
"Yes."
Miss Tantai's expression grew more solemn.
"According to the latest intelligence obtained by the pavilion, two ancient sacred lands seem poised to relocate in their entirety to the Eastern Wasteland from other regions for unknown reasons.
"At the same time, the various sacred lands have dispatched many experts. Officially, they are coming to Great Desolation Sacred Academy for exchanges, but in secret... they likely have far greater ambitions. These seemingly calm waters of the Eastern Wasteland will soon be stirred into turmoil."
"Sacred lands relocating? Experts gathering?"
A contemplative look flashed through Gu Sheng's eyes. Movements by sacred-land-level factions often involved matters of enormous consequence.
Yet he soon shook his head, his expression returning to calm.
"The affairs of sacred lands are still too far removed from me. With my current cultivation