Grave of the Honored—Mother of the Dragon Emperor Sword Saint Dugu Nan!
In just one hour, several gravestones stood atop South Peak, billions of cultivators either on the ground or standing in the boundless void, all gazing upon the myriad happenings on South Peak.
The silhouette quietly kneeled before the gravestone, wordless for a long time, unmoving, until snow covered the fresh earth, burying the shoulders, wrapping the entire South Peak in silver, as if a thousand years or ten thousand years had passed.
Countless strong ones from the Hundred Broken Mountain Range stood silently in all directions, yet no one dared to speak.
Now that the undying elder has appeared, it can be said that no one in this world can move that young man, indicating that a Sixth Grade Forbidden Martial Soul monster is about to emerge.
Thinking this, billions of cultivators breathlessly reacted, some fearful, some excited, some with tears in their eyes.
Gale winds roared through the heavens, cold snow covered the world.
Ye Xiaofan didn’t know how long he had stood on the pinnacle of South Peak, as if it lasted an entire century, scenes of the past replaying in his mind, like walking through a brief Chapter of life.
Until memories were frozen on this day, until the biting cold wind slapped against his chilly face, only then did he awaken from his self-forgetfulness.
The only person who loved him like a father in this world, his master, had departed, but his cultivation must continue, everything must look forward, if his master were still alive, he surely wouldn’t want to see him fall into despair.
The Sword Saint did so much to pave the way for him; what right did Ye Xiaofan have to disappoint the Sword Saint’s expectations?
Even with deep sorrow in his heart, Ye Xiaofan knew now wasn’t the time for mourning; there are too many things waiting for him to address, too many people waiting for him to rise in strength.
Slowly, the once awkward youth gradually learned to bury certain emotions deep within his memories.
At this moment, that once young boy would never return, losing all innocence and dreams henceforth.
Embedding all memories of the Sword Saint deep within, Ye Xiaofan slowly stood, and those eyes, deep and profound, seemed to shed all naivety.
He turned slowly, facing the endless Magicians who had long descended around South Peak. At this moment, the Sword Saint’s successor seemed to transform into a formidable presence, even if his cultivation wasn’t yet very high, the transformative aura was enough to make billions of cultivators tremble.
Suddenly, a faint voice echoed atop South Peak.
"Celestial Demon Elder."
Upon hearing the call, Yunmo Baitian immediately came to his senses, unable to resist stepping forward and responding, "My lord...?"
Yunmo Baitian hesitated, unsure of how to speak for a moment.
But before he could say anything more, Ye Xiaofan gazed at this Demon Realm leader, and a gentle voice infused with a subtle compelling strength reached everyone’s ears: "Does the Elder’s previous words still hold true?"
"My lord means...?" Yunmo Baitian, upon hearing, felt his heart tremble and hurriedly replied.
Ye Xiaofan then spoke a startling declaration: "From this day forward, the Demon Realm will follow Ye’s orders."
Whoosh—!!!
The moment those words fell, Yunmo Baitian immediately jerked his head up. Though the Demon Realm had early expressed its position, the silhouette had never responded until now; as soon as the words were mentioned, the breath of the Demon Realm saints became instantly urgent.
It must be known that atop the divine peak now stands an ancient Sixth Grade Forbidden Martial Soul monster, and a nemesis of Demon Trees, if the Demon Realm can really hitch onto this connection today, the future fruits it could yield for the Hundred Sects would be unimaginable.
And the fact that Ye Xiaofan could ask this question shows his intention to accept the Demon Realm, to integrate with it, rising and falling together.
In that instant, even Yunmo Baitian couldn’t help but become agitated, this high-level visionary saw a future that others couldn’t.
"My lord saved the souls of the Demon Realm, he is the eternal benefactor of our Demon Realm, and the lives of all beings in the Realm are his gift; these words are eternally unchanging. We wish to follow the lord forever, swearing by the Great Dao, witnessed by the heavens."
As Yunmo Baitian finished speaking, the Demon Realm saints echoed, softly chanting ’Swearing by the Great Dao, witnessed by the heavens’!
For the Demon Realm saints, it was that young man who saved the entire Demon Realm, who saved them, allowing infinite Demon Realm cultivators to see the dawn in the dark, furthermore, following a Sixth Grade Forbidden Martial Soul monster is not a disgrace for the Demon Realm, but a supreme honor.
Perhaps today that silhouette hasn’t grown to this point, but one day, as long as he doesn’t fall, he will surely stand atop the Martial Soul Continent pyramid, becoming one of those radiant, supreme presences.
When that day comes, let alone a small Demon Realm, even the Nanming Dynasty might not be able to forge ties, much like now with the undying elder, even if the Demon Realm offered all its allegiance, it might not suffice.
This is repayment, yet also an astounding investment, into the future of the Sword Saint’s successor, wagering the Demon Realm’s ultimate glory.
Seeing the stance of the Demon Realm saints, Ye Xiaofan heard and slowly closed his eyes, then deeply exhaled, as if sealing all his pain within the deepest part of his heart.