A year passed, and Li Xuan departed, but Shi Lezhi remained.
Li Xuan was quite satisfied with this outcome. Wang Xiao being able to apprentice under Shi Lezhi eased much of Li Xuan's guilt. Moreover, with Shi Lezhi's guidance, Li Xuan believed Wang Xiao would quickly recover to his peak from his previous life, and his future achievements would undoubtedly be astonishing.
Although Shi Lezhi had not yet fought for Li Xuan, Li Xuan felt no dissatisfaction. Shi Lezhi's decision to stay was already a great help. At the very least, Wang Xiao would not be relentlessly pursued by the Rakshasa and Asura clans in the coming times.
"Brother Wang, I hope when we meet again, you will still be the same young man," Li Xuan murmured outside the spatial barrier, then turned and shot towards the direction of the Vast Continent.
After seeing Li Xuan off, Shi Lezhi returned and brought back the spatial ring that Wang Xiao, in his last moments of his previous life, had given to Li Xuan. Li Xuan had kept this ring for a long time. Within it lay everything that belonged to Wang Xiao.
"Disciple, cultivate diligently. His pace is fast, yet his foundation is incredibly stable. If you still cherish his friendship, only by becoming strong can you continue to fight alongside him," Shi Lezhi spoke.
Wang Xiao nodded resolutely upon hearing this. Li Xuan had journeyed to the Nine Nether Realm to find him, and from Shi Lezhi's words, Wang Xiao learned of everything Li Xuan had done against the Rakshasa and Asura clans. Wang Xiao was filled with gratitude.
"Master, rest assured, I will work hard!" Wang Xiao declared, then immediately moved to the side and began cultivating.
Shi Lezhi nodded with a smile, his eyes filled with admiration.
On the Vast Continent, in Wuyue City of the Central Region.
"Little friend has returned?" Xuan Ye asked with a hint of surprise as Li Xuan appeared. However, Xuan Ye soon understood. The flow of time in the Nine Nether Realm and the Vast Continent differed. Although Li Xuan had been away from the Vast Continent for less than two months, a year had likely passed in the Nine Nether Realm.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and then asked, "Brother Xuan Ye, has there been any result regarding the matter I entrusted to you before my departure?"
Upon hearing this, Xuan Ye shook his head with a complex expression. Over the past two months, Xuan Ye had joined forces with the domain lords of the Five Domains, but there were no clues. The only thing known was that Li Xuan's parents were indeed besieged by the Chen family and had disappeared. Nothing further was known.
Li Xuan's expression grew somber. If even Xuan Ye could not find any clues about his parents, how would he ever find them?
"Little friend, do not be discouraged. If they are still alive, there will be a day you find them," Xuan Ye said, seeing Li Xuan's low spirits and attempting to console him.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Things had come to this point, and there was nothing else to do but think that way.
"Oh, right, little friend, your two friends are in Wuyue City. A month ago, they found me asking about your whereabouts. For their safety, I did not reveal where you had gone. Now that you have returned, you can go meet them," Xuan Ye suddenly said as if remembering something.
Li Xuan felt a bit curious. Yue Fuyao and the others knew the purpose of his departure. Soon, Li Xuan guessed who they were. He had not expected them to seek out Xuan Ye.
"Brother Xuan Ye, thank you. I will go find them now," Li Xuan said.
Xuan Ye nodded and accompanied Li Xuan as he left.
In Wending Plaza, as Li Xuan stepped out, he saw two figures shooting towards him. Li Xuan smiled slightly and stopped in place.
"Li Xuan?!"
The approaching figures stopped abruptly, calling out in surprise.
"Two, how have you been?" Li Xuan nodded with a smile. These two were indeed Zhou Wenjing and Liu Jiaqi. Li Xuan had already guessed that the two friends Xuan Ye mentioned were them, and seeing them confirmed it.
"You fellow, you've truly been elusive these past few years. We finally learned you were back, but when we reached Qingcheng, you left. Now that we're back in the Central Region, you've disappeared again," Zhou Wenjing said with an exasperated eye-roll.
Li Xuan chuckled wryly and quickly clasped his fists in apology. Li Xuan genuinely hadn't known that Zhou Wenjing and Liu Jiaqi would come looking for him.
"Huh? You've already reached the peak of the Martial God realm?" Liu Jiaqi glanced at Li Xuan, her beautiful eyes widening, and then asked.
Li Xuan nodded. It was then that Li Xuan noticed that both Zhou Wenjing and Liu Jiaqi had reached the peak of the Martial God realm. This speed surprised Li Xuan greatly.
"Shall we spar?" Zhou Wenjing said, her fighting spirit surging as she looked at Li Xuan.
Li Xuan gave a wry smile and replied, "Will you two attack together?"
"Jiaqi, can you stand for this?" Zhou Wenjing asked, stunned for a moment, then turned to Liu Jiaqi.
Liu Jiaqi smiled and shook her head, "I cannot."
Zhou Wenjing nodded with satisfaction and then looked at Li Xuan, "Then we will attack together!"
Li Xuan: "..."