When Guo Xingyue returned to the Martial Arts Hall, Sun Chengwu and the thirteen eagles had been waiting for a long time. Upon seeing Guo Xingyue arrive, they all surrounded him, reporting the results of their actions. Being able to teach the usually arrogant Zhang Guanmaster a lesson and intimidate the high-ranking officials of the court brought great joy to everyone. However, Sun Chengwu still expressed some concern, asking, "Master, do you think this will work? I'm still a bit worried."
Guo Xingyue smiled slightly and said, "No need to worry. Just do as I say, and you can run your martial arts hall smoothly." After a pause, he continued, "This gathering is also a rare bond. You should support and help each other as brothers from now on, and I won't have anything to worry about. Since we've reached this point in our teacher-student relationship, it's time to part ways."
The mood shifted dramatically; upon hearing that Guo Xingyue intended to leave, everyone felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over them, their spirits plummeting. After a long silence, Sun Chengwu finally asked, "Master, why do you want to leave? Did we do something wrong? If we made a mistake, please point it out, and we'll definitely correct it."
Guo Xingyue chuckled and said, "There's no banquet that doesn't end. Gatherings and partings are part of fate; our teacher-student bond has run its course, and it's time to say goodbye." Wan Ming suddenly felt a surge of emotion, his eyes reddening as he choked out, "Master, will you come back?"
Guo Xingyue smiled gently and said, "Perhaps I will, perhaps I won't. It all depends on fate. After I leave, you all must train diligently, and you will achieve something."
Meanwhile, the usually silent Sheng Zheng stepped forward and knelt before Guo Xingyue, saying, "Disciple has no father or mother and nothing to hold me back; I wish to follow my master forever. Please grant me this wish."
Seeing Sheng Zheng kneeling, Guo Xingyue felt a twinge of sadness. Although Sheng Zheng lacked a spiritual vein, his talent in martial arts was remarkable, rivaling Ye Kai. Furthermore, he was bold and meticulous. If he took a foundation-building pill, he might achieve something substantial. Under normal circumstances, in a realm of cultivation, Guo Xingyue would certainly take him as a disciple. However, this was a demon cultivation planet, and his own safety was uncertain. Bringing along an ordinary person would only increase his danger. Still, Sheng Zheng had always won his favor, leaving Guo Xingyue unsure of how to refuse him.
Noticing that Guo Xingyue had been silent for a while, Sheng Zheng repeatedly bowed his head, saying, "Master, although I am dull-witted, I am willing to work hard. Please grant me your approval."
Guo Xingyue shook his head and said, "Enough, enough; perhaps this is fate. You may rise and come with me." Upon hearing that Guo Xingyue accepted Sheng Zheng, everyone hurriedly knelt, requesting to accompany him. Guo Xingyue raised his hand and said, "You all may rise. My journey is fraught with danger, and I truly cannot take you all with me. Furthermore, you all are people of privilege, and it wouldn't be proper for me to take you along. After I leave, you must all strive to improve yourselves. Perhaps we will meet again in the future."
Once he finished speaking, Guo Xingyue took Sheng Zheng's hand and used the technique of shrinking the earth to inches, and the group only saw him take a step before he disappeared into the night, realizing that their master was no ordinary person but rather someone of a celestial caliber.
Among them, Sun Chengwu was the most astute. Recalling Guo Xingyue's warning of great danger before he left, he understood that Guo Xingyue's identity was certainly not simple. If it were to be leaked, there would be immense risks involved. He hurriedly instructed everyone not to divulge any information regarding Guo Xingyue and to refrain from discussing anything related to their master in front of outsiders. Everyone swore that they would never mention anything concerning Guo Xingyue.
The next day, when the king of the Liro Kingdom convened his court, he was surprised to find that several ministers in charge of security had simultaneously taken ill and failed to attend. These officials were all martial artists, strong and in their prime; it was one thing for one or two to fall ill, but how could they all be bedridden? The king quickly dispatched medical officers to diagnose them. After their examination, the officers reported back that the officials were indeed unwell, and the simultaneous nature of their ailments might be mere coincidence. The king then sighed in relief, although the medical officers' pockets were filled with bribes from those officials.
Who wouldn't be frightened by such a situation? Imagine waking up in the morning to find a knife stuck beside your pillow. Not only that, but the knife was also attached to a piece of paper that detailed the bribe amount and time given to Zhang Guanmaster, even listing the dialogue at that moment. This was terrifying! The officials' first instinct was to assume Zhang Guanmaster was responsible. However, when they sent people to inquire at Zhang Guanmaster's home, they learned that Zhang himself had also been attacked and was still unconscious. Upon hearing this news, the officials collectively gasped: the assailant's methods were exceptionally clever, and their secrets were now in someone else's hands, leaving them at risk of losing their positions at any moment. Anxious, they found themselves unable to attend the court, so they feigned illness and stayed home.
While these officials were in a state of panic at home, Sun Chengwu appeared. Not only did he bring generous gifts, but most importantly, he also provided guarantees—if these officials refrained from acting against the Martial Arts Hall, nothing would happen, and they would be allowed to hold a stake in the hall. Consequently, all the officials sighed in relief, for no one wished to offend someone capable of freely entering their bedrooms.
After years of development, the Martial Arts Hall finally became the largest in the Liro Kingdom, with people from all over coming to train in martial arts. The remaining members of the thirteen eagles found various paths; some stayed at the Martial Arts Hall as instructors, while others joined the military, each finding their own fortune. Wan Ming ultimately became a general of the Liro Kingdom, and everyone achieved favorable outcomes.
As for Guo Xingyue, he took Sheng Zheng away from the Martial Arts Hall but did not leave Praying Wish City. He knew that it would not be long before many powerful demon cultivators would be hunting him in this city and throughout Lingyan Star. However, the most dangerous places often turned out to be the safest, provided one was cautious enough to avoid detection by the demon cultivators. Guo Xingyue led Sheng Zheng back to the vicinity of the palace, signaling for Sheng Zheng to remain silent. He then released his spiritual awareness to carefully survey the palace for any signs of danger. After confirming it was safe, he gripped Sheng Zheng's shoulder and leaped high into the air, soaring over the tall palace walls, skillfully avoiding the patrolling guards as he navigated swiftly through the palace, eventually arriving at a spacious hall.
Every royal palace in various nations has secret escape passages, and the Liro Kingdom's palace is no exception. While these secret paths are well hidden, they are no match for Guo Xingyue's spiritual awareness. The entrance to the secret passage within the Liro royal palace is located in this hall. Having undergone extensive training in traps during his time as an assassin, Guo Xingyue possessed exceptional skill in mechanisms. Although the design of the mechanisms in this hall was clever, it posed no challenge for him. He executed a hand gesture, sending a faint golden true essence into the wall of the palace. With a soft clicking sound, a door appeared in the wall. Guo Xingyue smiled slightly, leading the utterly stunned Sheng Zheng through the door. Moments later, the door slowly closed behind them, and the empty hall remained unchanged, as if nothing had ever happened.