On the way back to Stone Village, Shi Hao kept pestering Meng Chuan, asking what he had meant.
"Explain something to me. What do you mean, you're leaving too?"
Shi Hao looked upset. Willow God had just left, and now Meng Chuan and the others were leaving as well.
Shi Hao could not accept it.
The people who had kept him company for more than ten years were all leaving today.
"Let me ask you something first," Meng Chuan said. "Do you think the Heavenly Desolate Halberd and Qingjing will stay in Stone Village, in the Eight Domains, forever?"
Shi Hao fell silent, then shook his head. "No."
"I won't stay in Stone Village forever either."
"And when you go out into the world, could we possibly go everywhere with you?"
"No." Shi Hao shook his head again.
"There you have it." Meng Chuan rubbed Shi Hao's head.
"We're not parting in death, only going our separate ways. Don't get all weepy on me."
"Keep acting like a little girl, and I'll tell everyone that you're sixteen and still secretly stay up—"
Before Meng Chuan could finish, Shi Hao sprang up and clapped a hand over his mouth.
"I know staying up late is bad. I won't do it anymore, Uncle Meng. You don't have to tell anyone."
"I'll change. I promise!"
Meng Chuan moved his Dharma Eye, signaling Shi Hao to take his hand away. Shi Hao just grinned.
"A month ago, we fought the Cult Masters of the Three Thousand Dao Provinces. After leaving the Three Thousand Dao Provinces, we happened to reach the Nine Heavens."
Meng Chuan began to tell him what had happened. "We learned a few things there."
"The Nine Heavens and Ten Lands aren't safe. The enemies who destroyed the Immortal Ancient Era are