Julong followed Zi Xiao anxiously. They had long left the domain by spatial tear and were just walking through the castle-like manor in the Saint Domain. There was an eery silence, or at least it was eery for Julong. Zi Xiao couldn't help but be rather amused by his anxious side. He was fidgeting constantly, and if she was honest, it was rather cute.
Julong picked up on her amusement and could only conjure one word for her; sadist.
Zi Xiao came to a stop in front of the door to one of the many offices inside of the manor. She seemed rather calm and non-caring, but Julong was anything but that, he could feel another tremendous presence inside of the room. He was right. He was most likely going to meet Wan Zu.
Pushing open the doors, they were both greeted to the site of an older looking man sitting at the table in the middle of the room. He was wearing just some plain robes, and he seemed like a normal person too, that was if his presence hadn't been filling the room with immense majesty. It was like Qi was dancing around him in happiness. It was the exact same as when he was in the presence of Zi Xiao.
He had a cup of tea to his face, slowly taking a sip. He then gently placed it down, and without even looking at the two, spoke.
"So this is where you have been Julong."
He bowed to the Saint in front of him.
"Supreme Sovereign Wan Zu, I mean no disrespect by coming here, I only wanted to escape the Wan family."
Wan Zu let out a hearty laugh as Zi Xiao fled from Julongs side and to one of the empty seats at the table, motioning him to do the same.
"I have no qualms with you leaving that family. I only interacted with them because you were there in the first place."
Julong took a seat slowly, taking in the information he was being given.
"Either way, it is good to see you, both of you. I was rather concerned when you disappeared Julong, but now knowing you were with Zi Xiao, I am reassured."
"I'm flattered."
Zi Xiao spoke indifferently. She didn't need his thanks, she was already Julong's master and he couldn't do anything about it, not that he seemed to want anything to change.
Julong raised an eyebrow at Wan Zu, however. Contrary to Zi Xiao.
"It is good to see you again, too, Supreme Sovereign Wan Zu. I believe we met once when I was around 6 years old."
"Mmm. You were a rather cute little boy back then."
"I'm sure..."
Julong wanted to get back on topic, he was rather anxious about his presence after all.
"I'm sorry if this comes off as rude, but you don't want to take me back to the Wanzu Region do you?"
Wan Zu tilted his head at Julong.
"Of course not, you are Zi Xiao's Disciple, that is something that even I cannot change. Not to mention, even if I took you back I would never hand you back to the Wan family."
"So you hold disdain for the Wan family?"
"Disdain isn't the right word, but I simply have and want nothing to do with them. It was when they had brought you back the day you were born I decided to step in."
Zi Xiao tapped her fingers on the table, her lips pursed in thought.
"You don't like stepping into matters just because someone has potential. What was so different about Julong at the time?"
"I guess I felt rather empathetic at the time, because quite simply, they wanted to kill him before they felt his blessing."
He took another sip from his tea as horror etched onto Zi Xiao's face. Julong remained indifferent. He could have assumed such a thing from the threat his grandfather had made the day he left.
"How heinous."
Wan Zu nodded.
"As I said, I have no intention of sending you back, or even disturbing you, Julong. I merely came by to make sure that it was you, as even I have trouble gazing into this domain thanks to Zi Xiao's presence."
"I see..."
It made sense to Julong, but he couldn't wrap his head around Wan Zu. He was exactly like Zi Xiao. Saints were always gazed upon like gods, but in all honesty, they just seemed like normal people.
"Oh, also I want to congratulate you on topping the rankings for the Qi Nourishing Realm. It is quite an achievement, especially when you were still at the Middle Stage. But that also brings us to the next topic."
Zi Xiao nodded to herself.
"Julong, you know the Spears of Divine Light Technique I have given you?"
"Yes, of course. It's what allowed me to win the battle against Mushin Yuan. Why?"
Wan Zu put down his cup, grinning a little. He was interested to see how the boy reacted in these kinds of situations.
"That Technique, I haven't exactly told you everything about it, and its importance. It was a technique developed by my master back during the World Ending War to fight the Sacred Race."
Julong nodded solemnly, his Master was generally never this serious unless it was important.
"In our region, no, all of the All-Heavens, as I'm sure you know, it is a very famous and sought after Technique. This is partly due to its power, but also because there were only 3 copies ever made."
Julong quickly processed what she had said, and raised an eyebrow.
"The last copy was given to me?"
"Yes."
Zi Xiao nodded.
"It was my mistake giving it to you so early since it means that there are now unexplainable expectations upon you to reach the Saint Stage in the future. However, that does not mean I don't have high hopes, as I'm sure you know."
"I'm rather confident too."
Wan Zu spoke up.
"Under a Saint's guidance, and with your unfathomable potential, I'm sure it is a stage that is possible for you in the future."
"Thank you, both of you. I don't believe that is something you can just say without some form of backlash."
Julong bowed toward both of them in respect. He was greatly touched. Even if he already believed he had a very good chance in the future, hearing it from two Saints own mouths was something unheard of entirely.
"Also, even if you are Zi Xiao's disciple, I will still endorse you with whatever you need. I have done so since you were little, and I will continue to do so. Unfortunately, however, this is on the proviso that you return to your real name when you hit the Divine-Dwelling Stage."
Julong should have known something like that was going to happen. It was too grand of an offer, but now knowing what he did, he did not have any qualms with it. He held no ill will toward Wan Zu.
"I accept these offers. I hold qualms toward you, Wan Zu, I only hold respite against the Wan family. But I'm sure you can help me disassociate with them, and toward you instead."
"I can assure you, such a task is no problem when talking on such a scale."
Zi Xiao at this bowed toward Wan Zu.
"While it is unsightly for me to bow toward you in respect like this, I must show my gratitude in helping my disciple."
Wan Zu simply bowed back to her.
"Then allow me to become unsightly myself. Thank you for taking care of Julong."
Both of their now standing figures returned to their fixed normal posture.
"I must be going now. I can only afford this amount of time since there is a meeting between the Elders soon. I thank you both for your hospitality. I hope you don't mind if I come and visit Julong from time to time either, Zi Xiao?"
"As long as Julong has no issues with it, we can arrange such events."
"I have no issues."
Wan Zu smiled with a nod.
"Then please, call me Uncle."
Julong was caught off-guard with that last comment but grinned anyway.
"Of course, Uncle Zu."
With that, they said their final goodbyes, Wan Zu leaving them to their own devices.
Zi Xiao giggled a little after his figure disappeared.
"To be honest, I prefer Wan Julong."
He rolled his eyes and began to leave the room.
"Yeah, yeah whatever Aunt Xiao."
Whatever she was about to say froze on her tongue. She was surprised, to say the least. Coming back from her stupor, the teasing look on her beautiful face faded and a soft smile appeared.
"Come back here, you!"