The Ancient Realm.
The Ancient Realm had become a wasteland. Mountains and rivers had crumbled, the earth had split, and devastation stretched as far as the eye could see!
Long Xiao stood amid the ruins, surrounded by corpses, their blood flowing in rivers!
His white robes were stained with blood. He held a longsword, his eyes red, his lip bitten bloody!
A black feather drifted down from the sky before Long Xiao, finally settling in his palm.
"Black Feather, they're all dead. Did you see?"
His voice was cold enough to pierce the bones, laden with unbearable pain and sorrow.
"Master... please don't grieve."
Dao Slayer took human form and steadied Long Xiao with her delicate arms. She knew how deeply her master was hurting.
Black Feather had transformed himself into the Heavenly Dao to create an opening for Long Xiao. Not even his bones remained.
The black feather in his hand was Black Feather's artifact, but it no longer held a trace of spiritual energy.
"Dao Slayer, let's go home."
Clutching the feather, Long Xiao slowly walked out of the ruins, a trail of tears slipping down his cheek.
"Yes, let's go home..."
Upon reaching the Ancient Realm's exit, Long Xiao looked back at Gu Yuan with an impassive glance. "I'll leave Xiao Huohuo in your care. In a few days, I'd like the Ancient Clan Chief to attend the auction in person."
With that, Long Xiao and Dao Slayer turned and left.
"Alas."
Gu Yuan watched Long Xiao's retreating figure, guilt written across his brow.
The Xiao Realm.
A Nine Nether powerhouse stood behind Gu Xiu.
"Young Master Gu Xiu, everyone we planted in the Ancient Realm has fallen."
As he spoke, the Nine Nether powerhouse kept his fists tightly clenched, betraying the fierce anger and hatred