Hearing this, Jiang Hao shook his head, his tone gentle yet firm:
"Senior Brother Lu, Senior Brother Nangong and I came specifically to help you stabilize your position as the Human Emperor. Now, it is naturally time for us to retire having accomplished our mission."
Lu Fan fell silent.
He understood how unwavering the Dao Hearts of these two Senior Brothers were; nothing they decided could be swayed by power or profit.
Lu Fan sighed. Though there was regret in his eyes, there was more understanding and respect:
"Senior Brothers, your Dao Hearts are firm, and your ambitions lie with the Great Dao. Lu Fan dares not force you to stay.
No matter when you return, there will always be a place for you here."
"That goes without saying."
Jiang Hao smiled and nodded,
"The Divine Dynasty is also the result of our efforts. If a powerful enemy attacks in the future, or if you encounter an unsolvable problem, just send a message. Even if we are a hundred million miles away, we will certainly rush back."
In the Myriad Manifestations Divine Dynasty, Jiang Hao had personally established the Starfall Army, which was victorious in every battle and invincible in every attack. Although he felt reluctant when bidding farewell, he resolutely gave it up.
Nangong Wenjian had also established the Wenjian Pavilion, which likewise had countless followers, giving him a great reputation within the Myriad Manifestations Divine Dynasty.
However, both still felt that they had done what they needed to do. They had only come to help Lu Fan, and there was no need to accompany him indefinitely.
Nangong Wenjian's words were even more concise and direct. He stroked his sword hilt, his voice sharp:
"Within the Divine Dynasty, there is no longer an opponent capable of honing my sword edge. The heights of the imperial court are not where my Sword Heart resides."
In other words, he had accumulated enough experience, and it was time to return to seclusion.
Just as the atmosphere grew somewhat subdued, a fiery red figure suddenly appeared in the hall—it was Little Red.
He preened his feathers, cleared his throat, and spoke with his usual arrogant tone:
"Hey, are you two still not done talking? This Venerable One also plans to return to Master's side first."
As soon as he spoke, the three people in the hall looked at him in surprise.
"Senior Little Red?"
Lu Fan was especially surprised.
In recent years, Little Red had been guarding the Divine Dynasty, and his terrifying strength was one of the trump cards used to deter foreign enemies and stabilize internal affairs.
He hadn't expected even him to leave.
Little Red flicked his tail feathers, glanced at him, and snorted:
"What are you looking at? This Venerable One has protected you for several hundred years; hasn't that fulfilled my obligation?
This damned Divine Dynasty is very stable now. With so many old Human Race fellows watching over it, my presence doesn't add much, and my absence doesn't diminish much. The Demon Race won't dare to act rashly either."
Most importantly, Little Red was still thinking about Han Xuanji's reward.
Although he seemed incredibly majestic, his actual strength was less than one-tenth of his Peak state. Even though Lu Fan had provided him with countless rare treasures over the years, he hadn't recovered much power.
Even if he had developed some affection for Lu Fan over the years, it wasn't... much.
Of course, Little Red couldn't say this directly.
"Senior Little Red's great kindness, Lu Fan and the Myriad Manifestations Divine Dynasty will never forget it, even for eternity."
Lu Fan stood up and offered Little Red a solemn bow.
Jiang Hao and Nangong Wenjian also bowed to Little Red in greeting.
Little Red seemed a little uncomfortable with the solemn farewell. He twisted his neck and muttered:
"Alright, alright, enough with the formalities. This Venerable One and these two lads are leaving. Take good care of yourself, don't die and disgrace Master's reputation."
Mentioning Han Xuanji, the atmosphere in the hall slightly solidified.
In their hearts, Han Xuanji would always be the highest mountain, impossible to surpass.
"Enough, I'm leaving first anyway!"
Little Red said no more. His figure suddenly transformed into a streak of light, piercing the roof of the hall and soaring straight into the Azure Void, disappearing instantly, leaving behind only a faint trace of Qi.
Watching Little Red leave, Lu Fan felt a sense of loss, yet also a strange relief.
He looked at Jiang Hao and Nangong Wenjian:
"The two of you, when will you depart?"
"Immediately."
Jiang Hao replied.
"Mhm."
Nangong Wenjian nodded.
Lu Fan did not try to keep them, watching the two depart.
The sea of clouds churned, and the Fierce Winds howled.
"Take care!"
"Senior Brother, take care."
Jiang Hao offered one final instruction.
Nangong Wenjian cupped his fist toward Lu Fan, everything unspoken.
Following this, the two transformed into two streaks of dazzling light—one shining with starlight, the other with Lingxiao Sword Qi—and pierced the void, heading toward the Lingxu Immortal Domain. They quickly vanished into the vast expanse of the Heavenly Firmament... Lingxu Heavenly Palace.
Immortal Mountains rose from the sea of clouds, perpetually wreathed in rosy clouds and auspicious mist, with Immortal Birds and Exotic Beasts roaming freely.
Today, the Lingxu Heavenly Palace, from top to bottom, was filled with a solemnity and faint anticipation unlike any other day.
When the brilliant starlight and Lingxiao Sword Qi formed by Jiang Hao and Nangong Wenjian descended, and the two revealed their figures, the sight before them made them pause slightly.
"It's Senior Brother Jiang Hao and Senior Brother Nangong!"
"They've returned from the Myriad Manifestations Divine Dynasty!"
"Such terrifying aura... Senior Brother Jiang Hao, I feel like my Divine Soul might be sucked in if I look at him too long!"
"Senior Brother Nangong's Sword Intent... it feels no weaker than Chief Yu Xuan!"
At the Mountain Gate, countless Lingxu Heavenly Palace Disciples who had heard the news had already gathered, creating a bustling crowd with fervent gazes.
Jiang Hao and Nangong Wenjian's glorious achievements in the Myriad Manifestations Divine Dynasty had long since spread back to the Sect. The names "First God of War" and "Pavilion Master of Wenjian" were famous.
Now that the many Disciples saw them in person, and their aura was even more unfathomable than rumored, their excitement and reverence were naturally evident.
At the very front of the crowd, a man stepped forward with a hearty laugh. Dressed in a dignified green robe, it was Su Ming.
Behind him followed dozens of Disciples with pure aura and extraordinary cultivation—all elites of his lineage.
Su Ming's eyes were filled with the joy of reunion and a hint of subtle emotion. He cupped his hands and said:
"Brother Jiang, Junior Brother Nangong, after hundreds of years apart, you return having achieved great success! Your names, which shake the Universe, have long reached the Sect. Today, I, Su, am here to welcome you!"
Su Ming, now serving as a Chief of a lineage, possessed an increasingly steady demeanor, with profound dao-rhythm flowing around him.
"Brother Su, there's no need to be so polite."
Jiang Hao smiled and returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping over Su Ming and the Disciples behind him, but quickly settling back on Su Ming.
He was secretly shocked; Su Ming's aura was stronger than he had imagined.
It wasn't just him who had progressed over the years; Su Ming seemed to have made even greater strides.
However, Jiang Hao wasn't surprised at all; instead, he felt it was only natural.
"Senior Brother Su."
Nangong Wenjian also nodded slightly toward Su Ming.
Just then, several streaks of light lit up the sky again.
"Haha, Jiang Hao, Nangong Wenjian, Elders, welcome home!"
Immortal Venerable Yu Xuan's hearty laughter was the first to arrive.
Although Jiang Hao and Nangong Wenjian had gone to the Myriad Manifestations Divine Dynasty, they had not abandoned their status as members of the Lingxu Heavenly Palace. While they were not Chiefs, they were both Core Elders of a lineage, holding high status.
Especially the latter; although he was a Disciple of Han Xuanji, he had joined the Sword Lineage and was a member of it.
The other Chiefs arrived together, every one of their faces beaming with undisguised relief and pride.
They hovered in mid-air and did not land, showing exceptional courtesy to these two Prodigies who had earned great prestige for the Sect.
"Greetings to all Chiefs!"
Jiang Hao and Nangong Wenjian bowed together.
Once upon a time, these were beings they had to look up to, but now these beings were proud of them.
This was something they hadn't anticipated beforehand.
But they weren't too surprised; with Han Xuanji's help, their horizons had gradually broadened.
According to Han Xuanji, if one does not achieve Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal, they are ultimately just ants.