A dozen days passed in the blink of an eye.
During this time, the realm was filled with Hua Buyu’s cheerful laughter and Su Changqing’s presence.
They went to see the broken star river, witnessed the fleeting aurora, and even dared to step into the void for a moment...
During these ten days, the two forgot everything, enjoying the world as much as possible.
And upon learning that Su Changqing needed the divine metal of the Great Emperor, Hua Buyu unhesitatingly took out his entire fortune.
It was a collection of mystical treasures and divine metal, even more than what the Sword Emperor had left behind.
Su Changqing did not refuse, as their relationship had long surpassed the measure of mere resources.
However, joyous times always pass too quickly.
After a dozen days, Hua Buyu, with tear-filled eyes, looked back every few steps as he gradually followed Aunt Liu Hebo away.
Su Changqing stood in the outer realm, watching the other’s departing figure for a long time, his heart filled with reluctance, making him almost chase after them several times.
After a long while, that red figure disappeared from sight completely, and he murmured softly,
"Wait for me..."
He knew Hua Buyu’s goal was deep within the path to the empire.
There, lay an entrance to a secret realm that was extremely difficult to open.
He wished to help, but clearly, his current strength was not enough.
"When the new world opens, and all laws converge, there will not be much in this world that can stop me."
Su Changqing glanced deeply into the distance once more, then turned to the entrance of the path to the empire.
"I await your promise!"
Seeing Su Changqing return, the Little Peng King bid farewell, transforming into a streak of golden lightning and vanishing.
"Come soon, without you, the continent is prone to being bullied."
Chu Xi and Miao Feng didn’t linger any longer either, greeting him as they headed deeper into the path to the empire.
"Sword God, let’s go."
"I await the moment when the name Sword God resonates across the Ten Thousand Races!"
Li Bufan let out a hearty laugh and soared through the air on his sword.
This heir of the ancient sword family acknowledged Su Changqing’s status as the Sword God upon stepping onto the path to the empire.
"Everyone, take care."
Su Changqing cupped his fists, watching the others depart.
He was well aware that the path to the empire was unlike the continent, where even the strongest could encounter unexpected dangers.
This farewell today left the future uncertain.
Su Changqing did not linger either; after seeing the others off, he headed to the entrance of the path to the empire.
With a wave of his sleeve, the two killing arrays lying across the entrance to the path to the empire dispersed like the breeze.
Thus, the obstacle confining the continent’s prodigies was completely removed.
Meanwhile, at the continent’s entrance, countless young prodigies had already gathered.
They watched Su Changqing returning from the path to the empire, each with a solemn expression and an atmosphere so silent it was intimidating.
"What, you want to see how much divine metal I obtained?"
Su Changqing glanced at the many cultivators blocking his path, speaking with a hint of a smile.
The scene of him extorting divine metal from the Ten Thousand Races was witnessed by the continent’s cultivators too.
Everyone understood that he now possessed resources a hundred times stronger than any single faction.
Treasure tempts the heart; he could comprehend their inability to restrain from attempting to become enemies with the world once more.
However, at this moment, the numerous prodigies gathered at the entrance all bowed their heads in unison.
"Thank you, Su Sword God, for breaking the obstacle for our continent’s cultivators!"
The grand voice resounded, momentarily stunning Su Changqing.
But then he shook his head and laughed, his laughter gradually growing louder until it echoed across the sky.
Without saying a word, Su Changqing stepped forward amidst the laughter and vanished from sight.
All the cultivators present looked toward the direction Su Changqing had left, their eyes fervent.
As cultivators of the continent, having someone as monstrous as Su Changqing backing them was their greatest confidence in stepping into the outer realm.
...
"Tut tut, it seems Chang Qing’s reputation on the continent is about to reverse."
High above the continent, watching Su Changqing approach, Wu Jiuling couldn’t help but sigh:
"He’s grown so fast, who would have thought that a little guy who knew nothing about cultivation at first could come this far in just a few short years."
Wu Jiuling clearly remembered the simple, bright-eyed young man who first stepped into the Little Immortal Sect.
Now that young man’s eyes were still bright, but had gained a touch of depth.
And that simplicity had transformed into calmness and authority borne of overcoming challenges.
At his side, Su Nan smiled, showing more interest in the young girl who had just appeared than in Chang Qing.
As Chang Qing approached, he asked with a smile, "Your beloved?"
Su Changqing didn’t conceal anything upon hearing this and replied with a smile, "My beloved."
"Hahaha, that girl is not bad."
Su Nan praised, then patted Su Changqing on the shoulder, "When you have the time, take her to see your mother."
"Definitely!"
Su Changqing nodded heavily, his eyes filled with joy at the thought of that scene.
"Alright, with the divine metal in hand, see if we can open that world."
Su Nan didn’t delay, speaking directly.
During this time, the guiding force of the Great Cyan Spear had grown stronger.
He couldn’t stay on the continent for much longer.
"Let’s go..."
Wu Jiuling and Su Changqing both nodded, and the trio quickly headed to the broken secret realm.
...
With the leadership of two quasi-emperors, Su Changqing soon returned to the screen that covered the sky.
"Hope this works."
Su Changqing took a deep breath, intertwining and merging endless Dao patterns, the Heaven-Opening Axe appearing in his hand.
With a wave of his great sleeve, countless divine metals, large and small, each emitting a varied and brilliant glow, aligned across the void.
Wu Jiuling and Su Nan, watching from the side, though prepared, couldn’t help but show astonishment.
Such a vast amount of divine metal from the Great Emperor, probably more than all the forces on the continent combined.