At noon that day.
Zhuo Bufan left the Foundation Establishment Court.
He looked up at the bright sky and let out a heavy breath.
Then he lowered his head to glance at the sheet of paper. The whole sheet shook with the trembling of his hands.
Only after a long while did the trembling gradually subside. Then he gently folded the paper and put it away.
Only then did he continue walking, wanting to go back and have a good rest.
Some things in this world could neither be forced nor won through contention.
What mattered was how to accept them.
What of genius? What of invincibility?
It was merely that one had yet to meet a true Heavenly Pride.
For a moment, Jiang Man's words from earlier echoed in his mind.
"It wasn't that you were weak this time. It was that I was too strong."
Zhuo Bufan sighed and descended Cloud Glow Peak.
He looked at the reddish river ahead, then followed it upstream.
He had never paid attention to this Redwater River before.
Now, looking at its waters, he felt that he, too, was merely a fallen leaf on the surface, unable to comprehend the river's vast, surging grandeur.
Finally, he reached Redwater Peak and entered a fairly large winery.
He went straight to the back courtyard and saw a middle-aged man.
The man had just scooped up a ladle of wine and was concentrating on tasting it.
Only after a long while did he look at Zhuo Bufan. Smiling, he put down the ladle and said, "What brings you here, Young Master Zhuo? Have you brought the latest rankings?"
Zhuo Bufan shook his head and looked at him, saying calmly, "I came to inform you of something. The Heavenly Pride of the Eighth Courtyard has returned.