Ch. 287 - Arrival At The Holy Mountain

As Xu Zimo's voice echoed across the sky, the onlookers around Heaven-Severing City felt another tremor ripple through their hearts.

No one knew how Heaven Ascension Holy Mountain had provoked Xu Zimo.

But people’s attitudes immediately shifted, everyone began talking at once.

“Heaven Ascension Holy Mountain’s in trouble now.”

“This harbinger of slaughter even wiped out the Heaven-Severing Sect, a lineage with two Grand Emperors! How can a small sacred mountain like theirs survive?”

“True. Though the Celestial Sage is said to be the most brilliant genius since the Mortal Emperor ten thousand years ago… Under his leadership, Heaven Ascension Holy Mountain rivals even the imperial lineages. But they still can’t compare to the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground.”

Xu Zimo ignored the chatter.

After destroying the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground, he returned briefly to Heaven-Severing City, preparing to leave.

The Holyflower Region might be where many powerful figures ultimately claimed the Heaven's Will…

But he didn’t plan to linger. Affairs in the Eastern Continent weren’t finished. He had too much to handle.

Just as he arrived in Heaven-Severing City, Xu Zimo encountered Cai Yueting.

“Young Master Xu, if you're not too busy, I’ve prepared some calming tea,” Cai Yueting said with a warm smile. “After such a great battle, it may help soothe the body and mind.”

Her delicate waist bowed slightly, the light blue silk of her dress fluttering gently with the breeze.

Her smile was warm and inviting.

Xu Zimo stepped forward and gently lifted her chin.

Her light fragrance lingered between his lips and teeth.

Her eyes locked boldly onto his, completely unafraid, neither shy nor hesitant.

Instead, they shimmered with confidence.

“Very well,” Xu Zimo smiled. “Maybe I won’t leave tonight. Would it be alright if I stayed over?”

Cai Yueting froze slightly, her cheeks slowly flushing pink.

Her long eyelashes fluttered, and her head dipped slightly beneath Xu Zimo’s hand.

“As you wish, Young Master.”

Xu Zimo laughed heartily, then lowered his hand.

“You do have an alluring charm,” he said calmly. “But women, to me, are like tea. And your family's tea doesn’t interest me. Unless you have something that can make me stronger, your beauty alone isn’t enough.”

With that, Xu Zimo turned and walked away, leaving Cai Yueting stunned in place.

The Cai Clan wanted to bet on Xu Zimo’s rise, hoping to latch onto his ship.

He didn’t necessarily oppose that, but even if someone wanted to ride his ship, they needed the qualifications.

And beauty alone wasn’t enough.

…

Leaving Heaven-Severing City, Xu Zimo didn’t care how the world would interpret or react to the destruction of the Heaven-Severing Sacred Ground.

He and Dark River continued toward Heaven Ascension Holy Mountain.

After several days of travel, they finally arrived outside Fireflow City.

Just as they reached the city gates, a young man came running toward them.

He wore black robes, had a handsome face, and carried himself with refined charm.

“You must be Young Master Xu,” the man greeted respectfully.

“And you are?” Xu Zimo asked indifferently.

“Let me introduce myself, my name is Xiao Teng, from Azure Mountain,” the man replied quickly.

“Azure Mountain?” Xu Zimo frowned slightly.

He remembered hearing about it during his earlier travels, this Xiao Teng was the reason the sect had been destroyed by the Abyssal Dragon Prince.

“You need something from me?” Xu Zimo asked with some interest.

“I want to ask a favor of you,” Xiao Teng said seriously.

“Go ahead.”

“I want you to help me destroy the Abyssal Dragon Empire,” Xiao Teng’s eyes flickered with deep hatred. “He wiped out my entire sect. I won’t let him go unpunished.”

“Do I look like someone who does favors for free?” Xu Zimo replied flatly.

“Please don’t misunderstand. I’m willing to offer the inheritance of a Grand Emperor as payment,” Xiao Teng explained confidently.

“A Grand Emperor’s inheritance?” Xu Zimo raised a brow.

Seeing Xu Zimo's doubtful look, Xiao Teng quickly said: “It’s real. I discovered the inheritance by accident. I don’t possess it, but I can tell you whose it is.”

“Whose?” Xu Zimo narrowed his eyes.

“Sky Vault Emperor,” Xiao Teng replied with unwavering certainty.

It was said that the Sky Vault Emperor had once been part of the Cai Clan, but due to poor aptitude, he was cast out.

He then became a lone wanderer and never returned after ascending to the imperial throne.

As for his legacy, no one ever knew where it went.

“And you really think I’ll help you just like that?” Xu Zimo asked with a smile.

“Who wouldn’t want a Grand Emperor’s inheritance? It could be a one-step path to the heavens,” Xiao Teng replied.

“Then why don’t you get the inheritance yourself and take revenge afterward?”

“The trial for the inheritance is dangerous. I’m not confident I’d survive, let alone claim it,” Xiao Teng admitted honestly. “Besides, I’ve met someone I love. I just want to live my life in peace now.

“A noble thought,” Xu Zimo nodded with a smile. “But I’m sorry, I can’t help you.”

“Why not?” Xiao Teng asked in surprise.

“Others might chase after Grand Emperor’s inheritances like mad dogs. But to me, it’s not that special,” Xu Zimo replied with a shake of his head.

…

As Xu Zimo walked past him into the city, Xiao Teng stood there awkwardly.

He was silent for a long time before finally turning and walking away.

Just inside the gate, Dark River couldn’t help but ask: “That was a Grand Emperor’s inheritance. Are you really just going to let it go?”

“It doesn’t mean much to me, unless it’s from a very specific Grand Emperor,” Xu Zimo said calmly.

“Still… if the opportunity falls into our lap, might as well take it. Follow him quietly. See if he goes somewhere strange.”

Dark River nodded slightly.

“By the way,” Xu Zimo added, “Once I’m done with Heaven Ascension Holy Mountain, I’ll be leaving the Holyflower Region for a while.”

“What about me?” Dark River asked, stunned.

“You’ll be free. Isn’t that a good thing?” Xu Zimo smiled.

Dark River lowered his head and said nothing for a long time.

At first, he really hadn’t wanted to travel with Xu Zimo.

But after all they’d been through, he realized,

Following Xu Zimo might’ve been the best decision of his life.

“I’ll wait for you in the Holyflower Region,” Dark River said quietly.

Then, bursting with energy, he left Fireflow City to begin tailing Xiao Teng.

Watching Dark River disappear, Xu Zimo chuckled and shook his head.

“Another one won over by my charm…”

…

Heaven Ascension Holy Mountain wasn’t far from Fireflow City.

As a dominant power in the region, its name rang out like thunder across this land.

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