Time flows like water; life sings like a song.
Well, that's just the author rambling.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the second batch of students from Super Seminary has graduated.
Zhang Zheng hadn't met any of them. Su Xiaoli is quite popular, but Zhang Zheng claims he doesn't watch live streams, so he doesn't know what she looks like or if she's really as enchanting as people say.
As for why Zhang Zheng even knows about this, it's because that shameless Ge Xiaolun came over to his house again. He said he was there to study with Zhi Xin, but in reality, he was just helping her with the Void Controller.
But Zhang Zheng, being someone who cares about his reputation, couldn't just say that directly, could he?
Zhang Zheng merely hinted at it over the phone, mentioning that if Ge Xiaolun didn't come to study, Angel Leng might miss him too much and end up on the Giant Gorge, pouring out her heart to him.
Ge Xiaolun, being the top student he is, arrived the next day aboard the Dawn Light.
However, seeing the relationship between Yan and Zhang Zheng seemed to stir something in Ge Xiaolun.
As for Zhang Zheng, due to the phone call yesterday, he was once again at odds with Angel Leng.
"Xiaolun, is it true that Su Xiaoli and Brother Monkey have that kind of relationship?" Zhang Zheng asked curiously, pulling Ge Xiaolun aside after he'd finished helping Zhi Xin and Yan with the Void Controller.
After all, it's gossip about Sun Wukong, and Zhang Zheng couldn't help but be curious.
"Zhang-ge, if you want to know, you should ask Brother Monkey yourself! What if I say something wrong and get killed by him?"
Ge Xiaolun started sweating at Zhang Zheng's question. He couldn't afford to offend either Zhang Zheng or Sun Wukong!
What if Sun Wukong finds out that Ge Xiaolun was gossiping about him in front of Zhang Zheng and decides to silence him in a fit of rage? Could his Invincible Body even withstand that? Right now, Ge Xiaolun wanted to ask Zhang Zheng, "Do you think it could?"
"Nonsense, if I could ask Brother Monkey, why would I be wasting words with you?" Zhang Zheng rolled his eyes at Ge Xiaolun, thinking he was really boring and not nearly as interesting as Angel Leng and Rose.
"You're scared of Brother Monkey too, and you're asking me?" Ge Xiaolun widened his eyes in disbelief at Zhang Zheng, as if trying to see through Zhang Zheng's thick-skinned facade and determine if this was the Zhang Zheng he knew.
"Haha..." Zhang Zheng, feeling a bit embarrassed under Ge Xiaolun's gaze, could only chuckle awkwardly.
"Xiaolun, pass a message to Ducao when you get back. Tell him Holy Kaisa is coming to Earth, so he should be prepared."
After laughing, Zhang Zheng remembered the serious matter at hand. He didn't want Kaisa showing up on Earth and heading straight for the Giant Gorge, rendering all his efforts in vain.
"Got it. I'll report it to General Ducao as soon as I get back."
Ge Xiaolun knew this was a big deal, so he responded with an unprecedented seriousness.
"Also, you all should be prepared. If Kaisa decides to wage war on Earth against the demons, you know how to respond, right?"
Seeing Ge Xiaolun's serious expression, Zhang Zheng couldn't help but give him a mental thumbs-up. This guy was finally starting to use his brain.
"Got it, Zheng-ge. I'll just push everything onto you. Our Xiongbing Company won't take the blame." Ge Xiaolun said sincerely, expressing his genuine viewpoint: if it's not his business, he won't worry about it.
"Damn, Xiaolun, why didn't I realize you were so smart before? Maybe I should crack open your head and take a closer look." Zhang Zheng was a bit taken aback by Ge Xiaolun's words.
"Have I not been good enough to you all? Why is it that whenever there's blame to be taken, Ge Xiaolun thinks of pushing it onto me?" Zhang Zheng was now reflecting on himself.
Forget self-reflection! Zhang Zheng was now tempted to chop Ge Xiaolun to pieces.
"Idiot, is that what I meant? If Kaisa asks you, just refuse her as the future main god of Earth."
"Remember, you need to be firm. Angels don't like weaklings."
Zhang Zheng was so angry that he started smacking Ge Xiaolun on the head. What was this guy thinking?
So Zhang Zheng decided to personally teach Ge Xiaolun a lesson, though he wasn't sure what consequences Ge Xiaolun might face.
Ge Xiaolun, still a bit dazed from Zhang Zheng's smacks, remembered that Zhang Zheng had once said he would protect Earth until they all grew strong enough.
But now, with Holy Kaisa, why was Zhang Zheng backing down?
So Ge Xiaolun looked at Zhang Zheng with confusion, hoping for an explanation.
"Xiaolun, if it were Rose's mother standing before you, would you be able to be firm?"
Zhang Zheng said, then smirked at Ge Xiaolun and shifted his gaze to Angel Yan, flashing what he believed to be a very handsome smile.
Seeing this, Ge Xiaolun seemed to understand everything. He gave Zhang Zheng a reassuring look and walked away with a confident stride.
From Zhang Zheng's perspective, Ge Xiaolun's departing figure appeared so grand and resolute, like a warrior heading to his death. It reminded him of the phrase, "Valiant and spirited, crossing the Yalu River." For the first time, Zhang Zheng was moved by Ge Xiaolun.
In Angel City, inside Hexi's castle.
"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you this time? After all, Zhi Xin told you that Zhang Zheng foresaw your death on Earth. (Three billion years, I think that's pretty much the same as being dead.)" Hexi said to Kaisa.
Hexi didn't understand why Kaisa was so determined to go to Earth, considering Zhang Zheng was there as the troublesome main god. Morgana wouldn't likely gain any advantage and might even suffer on Earth.
"Hehe, Hexi, you're overthinking it."
"Since Zhang Zheng knows I'll be in danger on Earth and he told Zhi Xin, he'll definitely help me. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to face Zhi Xin. Besides, dying isn't so bad. After all, we represent the dark history of angels and carry too many burdens of the past."
At first, Hexi thought Kaisa's reasoning made sense. After all, Zhang Zheng might be troublesome, but Yan and Zhi Xin are there with him.
Hexi didn't believe Zhang Zheng would just stand by and let them suffer.
But as Kaisa continued, Hexi began to feel disheartened. After all, Kaisa had a death wish, which was really concerning.
"Hexi, there's no need to think so much. I'm really tired. It's been 30,000 years, and it's enough."
"For me now, whether I kill Liang Bing or get killed by her, either outcome is fine. It doesn't matter."
Kaisa's gaze drifted through the glass, looking out at the distant stars, as if she could see through time. Her wise eyes were filled with weariness.
"My Queen, I want to go to Earth with you."
Seeing Kaisa like this, Hexi stopped trying to dissuade her, as she already knew the outcome.
So Hexi also wanted to go to Earth, to see what it was that all the gods were so concerned about, and to see if it really was a fitting resting place for Queen Kaisa.
"Hexi, it's not the time yet. Besides, I'm not necessarily going to die on Earth. If I come back, Anisid should become a true angel. I plan to have you teach her how to be a qualified Angel King."
Kaisa was a bit exasperated. She was just preparing for the possibility of death, not actually planning to die. Was there really a need for Hexi to be so reluctant to let her go?
"Then, how do you plan to handle the matter of Hua Ye that Zhi Xin reported?" Hexi, seeing Kaisa's expression, realized she wasn't truly seeking death, so she stopped worrying. After all, with Zhang Zheng's control over time, as long as Zhi Xin and Yan didn't want it, Kaisa would have a hard time dying.
"Hua Ye, huh? When I return, we'll find some time to deal with him. After 23,000 years, it's time to let go." When Hua Ye was mentioned, Kaisa's mood soured. She seemed to make up her mind, and a flash of complexity and hatred appeared in her eyes.