Night soon descended upon the Xiantu Capital. The earlier feast had ended, concluded with a shocking reveal. Two figures walked the common streets of the capital. They weaved through the loose roars with quiet steps and calm breaths.
Yan Zaizen and Shin Xuanji had shot away, exploring the streets as a duo. Their tall figures, impressive physiques, astonishing looks, and high cultivations went unnoticed by the citizens. With a little exertion of soul power, they traversed as unseen ghosts.
"You’ve told quite a bit. And, I don’t fault you for your failures." Yan Zaizen said, his tone was direct and honest. He felt no bla towards Shin Xuanji for the fate of his clansn. However, his words did little to alleviate the guilt within Shin Xuanji’s heart.
It wasn’t just Yan Zaizen’s family lineage that had been sent away, but his close friend, Yan Muzen. They were brothers in arms, traveling the dangerous world and fighting together. Their relationship was far deeper than his and Yan Zaizen.
While Yan Zaizen had saved his life, was his Junior from the sa master, their relationship could only be defined by this. Their friendly display was more so for Lin Feilin than for themselves.
He could sense that Yan Zaizen may have feelings of togetherness and irrevocable connection due to their master, but it was rely this.
This was the truth. Yan Zaizen didn’t feel close to Shin Xuanji as he did Lin Feilin. In fact, thoughts of killing him in the past had crossed his mind a few tis. He had only given him face, saving his life, bestowing him his Dao, for their Master and Lin Feilin who saved his life. He was important to them, so he respected him.
rely this.
So, he spoke frankly. "I’ll handle my clan’s matters, you don’t have to worry. However," his eyes glinted with a sharpness. The faint illuminating light of amber-gold emitted from his eyes, containing a domineering will and peerless force. He continued, "You explained what happened, but you haven’t explained why you made my clan infamous outlaws to the entire realm. Hunted like animals, to be killed on sight."
The chilling intent within his voice caused Shin Xuanji’s face to fall, darkening like the very night they stood in. For several monts, there was silence. Their steps were the only sounds echoing in the streets. It seed at this ti of night, the worldly society had receded into the comfort and safety of their hos.
Shin Xuanji lifted his chin, his eyes gazing at the cloudless sky, and observed the starry world above. How beautiful it was, was his only thoughts.
"..." Yan Zaizen kept his silence as well. He felt there was more to the story. The only thing he was wondering was whether it was relevant or not. If his entire clan had already left the Xiantu Realm and entered Hell, then hunting them down in this realm was pointless.
This obviously didn’t add up.
It was only after several minutes did Shin Xuanji sigh. It was a deep sigh filled with lancholy and regret. "I...the truth i-" Just as he was about to explain, Yan Zaizen interrupted him.
"It’s fine. You don’t have to answer, nor did I ask for one." His words were calm and carried a faint trace of indifference.
Shin Xuanji was montarily stunned. Only then did he recall the tone and word choice of Yan Zaizen. Indeed, he had rely stated a fact. He never asked him what had happened. He couldn’t help but gaze at this Junior Brother of his.
Yan Zaizen spoke, as if speaking to himself, "What matters the most isn’t the complicated past, but a wanted future. For now, I just want to achieve my goals, not dwell on things unable to be changed." His Dao had always been like that.
A mindset that could be sumd up to: Forward, always.
If one asked whether Yan Zaizen understood the word "regret", they would find out that he did, but he most certainly never experienced it. When he was younger, this was the case even then. He did all sorts of things for Ya Qinqan, lowering his status and worth to the world, yet he never felt an ounce of regret.
While, at that ti, he was muddle-headed and simple, he still held these thoughts that regret was a aningless feeling. If he wanted to change the past, then he would dedicate his life to being able to do so. If he died in failure, then he died.
He knew himself more than anyone else. Not only did he reach the Paragon Soul Realm, a realm defined by introspective comprehension of self, but he ford a Dao.
Shin Xuanji eyes grew hazy. Yan Zaizen’s words seed to contain a profound principle of self. As soone who similarly constructed a Sovereign’s Dao, he felt as if there was sothing missing. Was it regret? Could regret be like sandbags tied to the ankles to a drowning mortal?
As he felt himself lost in thought, the two stopped. They had already left the capital at so point, their steps carried them an exceptional distance. Before them was a small-sized lake that reflected the moon. It was silver and resplendent. Such beauty.
"The world we live in is dangerous. Everyone seeks for betternt, struggling to reach the peak, or simply to be left in peace but I’ve always and rely only wanted to rule my own fate." Yan Zaizen kneeled next to the lake, his fingers gently tracing its waters. The ripples ford seed to affect every aspect of the lake.
Shin Xuanji’s eyes regained its normalcy. He stood beside the lake, upright and strong. His silhouette reflected by the faint moonlight revealed a figure that had built his will step by step, corpse by corpse.
A bloody glow emanated from his eyes. Within that glow was a scene of countless n and won losing their lives, dying horrific and terrifying deaths in pursuit of all sorts of things...wealth...power...love...
They each seed to embody the totality of Shin Xuanji’s self. The Dao of Sovereign Slaughter. To rule the world, obtain it all, by eliminating all in his path.
"I want it all. I wanted it all. I must have it all." His words were shifting along with his every thought. Then, a male figure entered the glow of his eyes. Out of all those deaths, this figure was the only one smiling and reaching out.
"Desire." A voice echoed, "All those who make the Sovereign’s Dao has it. To an extre. To control one’s own fate, to have it all regardless of the cost, or to rule beside the one you love by never falling behind. It was insatiable, yet always far-reaching and elusive."
Yan Zaizen and Shin Xuanji lifted their heads simultaneously. Their gazes looking at the silhouette within the moon’s shadow. An imposing, impressive figure descended slowly.
"Wings?" Shin Xuanji frowned observing the figure. His dual-Heavenly Shrines and vital aura was prid to erupt at their greatest might. He felt a sense of shock and unease in his heart. This figure gave him an unfathomable feeling.
Yan Zaizen saw the two wings on its back. They were beautiful and silver, giving off faint radiance of their own. It seed to contain a power reminiscent to the beginning of the world, yet a chaotic aura of its inevitable end.
Yan Zaizen’s eyes beca solemn and flashed interest, "it’s you." His words were filled with all sorts of mories.
It was only then that the man’s figure was fully revealed. A handso face of the ages, with sharp brows, and bright eyes accompanied by a set of silver wings at his back. His physique was incredibly symtrically perfect, with every muscle fiber and proportion reaching a pinnacle. This was the characteristics of a unique existence, a Herculean!
"Ezekiel Zatanna Saintora...what do you want?" Yan Zaizen asked, this old friend of his had returned.
Ezekiel responded with three words: "I need you."
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