The oppressive atmosphere shrouding the Eternal Sect finally dissipated, because the Sect Master had recovered from madness to normalcy.

The treatment process was inseparable from Hua Meigui and also from a group of high-level disciples’ devoted performances, so Jun Changxiao convened a commendation meeting.

At the meeting.

He reflected on himself.

The Heavenly Demon Emperor suddenly attacked without any warning. If Monkey King hadn’t suddenly come to the rescue, he’d probably already be done for.

The system said, “That guy seemed to come specifically to kill the host.”

“I think so too.”

Though the Heavenly Demon Emperor repeatedly emphasized he’d come to the Crossing Heaven Realm to challenge Gu Tianxing, the fact that he had to kill Jun Changxiao just for interjecting was really unreasonable.

“It’s also possible he didn’t come for you, but in his heart, you’re just an ant he can casually kill,” the system said.

This statement deeply hurt Jun Changxiao’s heart, but he couldn’t deny it. Without Monkey King substituting, he truly was an ant before that guy.

Especially.

It was merely a clone.

In the lower realm and upper realm, Jun Changxiao had encountered many bosses, but only the Heavenly Demon Emperor gave him a feeling of being so powerful as to be unmatchable.

“I want to kill him fair and square!”

“No chance.”

The system was very direct.

Indeed, from the current perspective, Jun Changxiao couldn’t contend with the Heavenly Demon Emperor. He’d either have to blatantly cheat or blatantly find a substitute.

Moreover, whether cheating or using substitutes, there’d inevitably be CD cooldown time. Last time Monkey King stepped in to resolve things—could he be so lucky next time?

“What the host can do.”

The system offered a suggestion. “Is to lie low first and avoid his edge as much as possible.”

“Alas.”

Jun Changxiao rubbed his temples. “I’m afraid that guy won’t give me the opportunity.”

Killing that clone with one staff strike was enough to represent completely tearing off all pretense with the Heavenly Demon Emperor. Since the other party intended to kill him, they definitely wouldn’t give him time to develop.

“Destroying the clone should cause damage to the true body. The host should have a breathing space,” the system said.

Jun Changxiao said, “He has no subordinates?”

“…”

The system fell silent.

“To avoid implicating the Crossing Heaven Realm.” Jun Changxiao stood up. “I must leave as soon as possible.”

Because he had the Eternal Realm as a hiding place, even offending the Heavenly Demon Emperor wouldn’t be too worrying. But the Crossing Heaven Realm couldn’t—after all, it stood openly in the Firmament Cloud System.

…

“Worthy nephew, you’ve regained consciousness?”

In the Star Sea Alliance’s great hall, Gu Tianxing said in shock.

“I’ve regained consciousness.” Jun Changxiao said, “I worried Uncle.”

He didn’t say many polite words and directly informed him of his intention to leave.

Gu Tianxing understood this was to avoid implicating the Crossing Heaven Realm, but he shook his head. “Actually, whether you leave or not, the Crossing Heaven Realm has already been targeted by the Heavenly Demon Emperor.”

“At least twenty realms in the Firmament Cloud System received the Heavenly Demon Emperor’s declaration of war at the same time.”

“He wants to conquer the entire Firmament Cloud System?”

“Correct.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Truly an ambitious hero wanting to change the universe’s structure.”

“During the time you were mad.” Gu Tianxing said, “Four first-tier realms have already been subjugated. With that guy’s ambition, our Crossing Heaven Realm won’t escape disaster either.”

Jun Changxiao’s brow furrowed.

He wasn’t opposed to the Heavenly Demon Emperor wanting to dominate the universe—after all, it was only natural for people living in this world to want to accomplish great deeds. But he didn’t advocate completing it through bloody methods.

“Uncle.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Let’s leave together.”

In the past, he’d done many things to save the world, but most were passive. This time, he sincerely wanted to save the universe, but his strength didn’t allow it, so he could only shamefully choose to lie low.

At this point.

I, Jun Changxiao, admit I can’t fight him!

What about later?

Thirty years on the east side of the river, thirty years on the west side—don’t look down on young people in poverty!

“Leave?”

Gu Tianxing shook his head. “Where could we go?”

“As long as Uncle is willing to leave.” Jun Changxiao’s expression was grave. “I can provide you and Aunt with the safest haven.”

The Crossing Heaven Realm, as a first-tier realm in the Firmament Cloud System, had more living beings and area than the Eternal Realm. Taking everyone in simply couldn’t fit, nor were there enough resources to supply them.

However.

It could accommodate the Gu couple and the Star Sea Alliance.

“Child.”

Gu Tianxing stood up, walked to the entrance, and looked at the azure sky. “Did I ever tell you about Gu Xuanyuan?”

“You did.”

“He was the Realm Lord of the Xuanyuan Realm, the faith of the Xuanyuan Realm. When facing the Heavenly Demon Emperor, he didn’t choose to avoid but used his life to defend his homeland.”

“Such a hero.”

Jun Changxiao said, “Deserves the respect of all people.”

“However.”

“When there’s no strength to reverse a desperate situation, Nephew still hopes Uncle can appropriately step back. After all, as long as the green mountains remain, there’s no fear of lacking firewood.”

“Can’t step back.”

Gu Tianxing turned to look at him. “This is my home.”

“…”

Jun Changxiao fell silent.

He didn’t try to persuade further, because Uncle Gu’s eyes were exactly the same as Gu Xuanyuan’s eyes back then.

Some might say Jun Changxiao didn’t understand the meaning of home. In fact, he understood better than anyone, because the Star Meteor Continent had once shattered before his eyes, and that kind of painful feeling truly couldn’t be described in words.

Because he understood.

Therefore, he didn’t speak.

“Child.”

Gu Tianxing said, “Zhaoxi’s wedding will be postponed for now. Take her and her mother away.”

“Do you think I would leave?”

Mother Gu appeared at the hall entrance at some unknown time.

Seeing this, Jun Changxiao silently withdrew.

He didn’t hear what the two discussed, but when going down the mountain and looking back, he saw this couple standing together outside the great hall, looking at the sky together, their faces showing enviable smiles.

“Boom—”

In the Eternal Sect’s training room, Jun Changxiao punched the testing machine, his eyes flashing with anger and pain.

He wanted to help Uncle Gu.

He wanted to help the Crossing Heaven Realm.

But in the end, he discovered he could do nothing and could only tuck his tail and flee like a homeless dog.

“Unwilling!”

“I’m truly unwilling!”

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

“Boom!”

Violent power echoed through the room, sounds reverberating throughout the entire sect.

Ye Xingchen sat under a tree, fists tightly clenched. As a disciple, he could feel the Sect Master’s rage and frustration, but… could only helplessly feel stifled.

“Swoosh.”

Xiao Zuiji stood and walked toward the back mountain.

Cultivate! Become stronger!

“Alas.”

He Wudi shook his head. “That joyful atmosphere sect is gone, which means many people’s youth is also gone.”

He thoroughly understood the Sect Master’s current pain but could offer no help, because no matter how high-profile he was, with his current strength he still couldn’t fight the Heavenly Demon Emperor.

He Wudi’s strength wasn’t in his realm but in having access to higher heaven and earth attributes, allowing him to gradually comprehend deeper martial arts. But there was ultimately an upper limit, ultimately a ceiling.

If.

In an even higher realm with even stronger heaven and earth attributes.

He wouldn’t dare speak too harshly, but crushing the Heavenly Demon Emperor with one finger probably wouldn’t be a problem.

…

The next day.

The Eternal stopped outside the Star Sea Alliance.

Jun Changxiao didn’t bid farewell to the Gu couple and sullenly entered the cockpit.

“Bro!”

“I want to stay!”

“Don’t stop me… nobody stop me!”

Gu Zhaoxi was held tightly by Liu Sinan, Gongsun Hou, and others, only able to helplessly watch as the hatch gradually closed.

“Swoosh—”

The Eternal tore through the void and disappeared into the spatial barrier.

“His mother.”

Gu Tianxing, standing before the great hall, smiled. “Our son will definitely have great accomplishments in the future.”

Mother Gu nestled in her husband’s embrace and smiled. “I don’t hope he’ll become outstanding in the future. I only hope he’ll start a family and have children and grandchildren filling the halls.”

“He will.”

Gu Tianxing said, “Children eventually grow up and can understand their parents’ intentions.”

Outside the hall.

Vice Alliance Leader Peng and other high-level Star Sea Alliance members stood with heads held high.

The Crossing Heaven Realm was their home. Until their lives reached their end, they would defend it to the death.

…

“Alas.”

In cosmic space, when the Eternal disappeared, a black shadow gradually appeared. Weathered eyes looked toward the Crossing Heaven Realm, looked toward Gu Tianxing and the others, and shook his head. “Another first-tier realm choosing to resist the Heavenly Demon Emperor. When will the person who changes the universe’s structure finally appear!”