In a different room in the Xia family's house, Xiang Shaoyun asked Ye Chaomu, "Are you really going to bring Yingying along?"
Ye Chaomu brushed back her bangs and said, "Yes, it's really boring at the Wuxie Valley. With Yingying by my side, I won't feel as bored anymore."
"Ok, but you still have to respect Uncle Xia and Yingying's decision. If they are not willing to agree, forget it," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Of course, but I have no doubt they will agree," said Ye Chaomu confidently.
"Ok. I won't interfere. Just treat her fairly," said Xiang Shaoyun before taking out an old-looking stone. "This is for you. Consider it a parting gift from your big brother."
"Am I really your little sister? You're giving me a shitty piece of rock as a gift?" grumbled Ye Chaomu.
"Look again. Is this really a shitty rock?" Xiang Shaoyun said.
Ye Chaomu studied the rock. Suddenly, her pupils shrank. She gently stroked the rock, her eyes lighting up as she said, "This...is this the legendary Heavenly Eye Stone?"
"Looks like you haven't turned stupid from staying at Wuxie Valley for too long. Yes, this is the Heavenly Eye Stone," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"That’s a good big brother!" said Ye Chaomu with a wide smile. "I heard with the Heavenly Eye Stone, one can cultivate the Heavenly Eye. This is a treasure for anyone. Not even tier-7 and tier-8 cultivation methods and battle techniques can be traded for one!"
"That's right. Put it away already. With this, you can become the strongest goddess in the future," said Xiang Shaoyun as he rubbed Ye Chaomu's head dotingly.
"Haha, yes. And you can become the strongest attendant of the strongest goddess in the future," said Ye Chaomu with a confident smile. After a slight pause, her smile vanished, and she said, "Keep this Heavenly Eye Stone for yourself. You need it more than me. Even without it, I can still become the strongest goddess."
"This is my gift for you. How can I take back a gift? In any case, I don't need it," said Xiang Shaoyun with a smile.
"You really don't need it?" Ye Chaomu asked.
"Of course. Otherwise, I would have used it already," said Xiang Shaoyun seriously. He pointed at his head. "I am blessed here, and my senses are no weaker than the Heavenly Eye. Just trust me."
Ye Chaomu studied Xiang Shaoyun with her pearl-like eyes before finally nodding. "Ok, I'll take it."
"Good girl," said Xiang Shaoyun with a satisfied smile.
...
Xia Datang, Xia Liuhui, and Xia Yingying had reached an agreement. Both Xia Liuhui and Xia Yingying would leave Xia Hamlet. Xia Liuhui would go with Xiang Shaoyun while Xia Yingying would follow Ye Chaomu.
Xia Datang felt some reluctance to part with his children, but for the sake of their future, he suppressed his emotions. Before leaving, both Xiang Shaoyun and Ye Chaomu left Xia Datang some treasures.
Xia Datang was greatly pleased to suddenly receive such treasures, and they were also the same treasures that eventually helped him reach the Skysoar Realm in the future.
Separation was always sad, and this was even more so for Xia Yingying, who was leaving home for the first time ever. She wept bitterly. Fortunately, Ye Chaomu was there to console her. She even promised they would come back to visit Xia Datang whenever they had time in the future. Only then did Xia Yingying feel better.
Outside Xia Hamlet, they met up with Devouring Ghost, Duo Ji, Du Xuanhao, and the Thirteen Eagles.
"Little Mu Mu, go back to the Wuxie Valley with Yingying. Old drunkard, I will rely on you to nurture Liuhui. I hope he can grow as soon as possible, becoming an expert capable of holding his own," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Huh? Boss, I thought I'll be going with you?" asked Xia Liuhui in astonishment.
"What's the point? It's better if you follow old drunkard. He can help you reach the Emperor Realm at the very least. As for the Sovereign Realm, you will need to rely on yourself," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"How about you, young master?" Duo Ji asked.
"I'll go with Devouring Ghost. I don’t need anyone else with me," Xiang Shaoyun said. He added, "We’ll gather here again in seven years."
"Fine. Don't worry. I'll definitely train him as best I can," said Duo Ji.
For some reason, Xia Liuhui felt a chill creep up his spine when he heard those words.
"Little Mu Mu, take good care of Yingying. Treat her well," said Xiang Shaoyun.
"Don't worry, big brother. I will treat her like my little sister," said Ye Chaomu with a nod. "Remember to be careful, and don't let those traitors catch you."
"Don't worry. After their heavy losses this time, it won't be so easy for them to find me again. In any case, I am no longer the same person," said Xiang Shaoyun confidently. "Alright, this is where we part. I hope when we meet again in the future, everyone will no longer be the same and will have become dragons and phoenixes among men."
"We'll be leaving now. Take care, young master," said Duo Ji before he flew away with Xia Liuhui in tow.
He was no longer worried about Xiang Shaoyun. With an old monster like Devouring Ghost by Xiang Shaoyun’s side, he would be able to remain safe for the foreseeable future. His only task right now was to train Xia Liuhui.
"Big brother, I’ll be leaving as well, then. If you are still weaker than me when we meet again, I won't mind becoming your bodyguard," said Ye Chaomu; an intense reluctance to part could be seen on her face.
"Ok. Take care!" said Xiang Shaoyun.
Thus, Ye Chaomu left with Xia Yingying and the Thirteen Eagles.
Xiang Shaoyun watched on as they left, and his eyes filled with longing as he sighed, "You must all grow stronger. I will be needing your help in the future."
He then turned and looked at Devouring Ghost, who had been remaining silent. "Devouring Ghost, what should I do next?"
After taking over Linggu Haonan's body, the body's cultivation level had not dropped. Rather, it had grown and was now at the peak of seventh-stage Dragon Ascension Realm. As for his combat prowess, it was completely beyond those at the same cultivation level.
A creepy look appeared in Devouring Ghost's eyes as he said, "Since you trust me, I will arrange a hellish training regimen that can help you grow as fast as possible."
"For the sake of strength, even if I have to enter hell, I am willing to do it," said Xiang Shaoyun resolutely.
"Hehe, where you are about to go is even scarier than hell," said Devouring Ghost with a creepy laugh. "The time has come for you to enter the Skysoar Realm. Your immediate goal should be to break through as quickly as possible. Since you have the Xiang Clan's lightning bone, breaking through into the Skysoar Realm should be extremely easy for you. You just need to accept the baptism of the natural lightning and force your cultivation level to the next realm through the power of lightning. The only thing you need is the courage to be struck by lightning."
"So simple?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.
"Simple? When you experience your skin tearing apart as your flesh pops out while you are being cooked alive, you will understand that it is not so simple after all," said Devouring Ghost.
"Sure, let us find a suitable location to break through into the Skysoar Realm first," said Xiang Shaoyun. He hopped onto Jin Wo's back and said, "Go to the Hundred Beast Mountain Range again. The lightning condors's territory is a good location where lightning congregates."