Chapter 19: The Return

Page 1 of 3

At the San Yi Sect gate, in the square before the main hall.

Except for those disciples who were out on missions, all the sect members had gathered here at the summons of Si Chong.

Lu Jin glanced at Li Ang beside him, whose left arm was wrapped in bandages, and quietly asked, "Junior Brother Li, what happened?"

"And where are Yunsheng and Yunze?"

He had naturally noticed that the two new disciples were nowhere to be seen, and with Li Ang injured before him, a vague unease stirred in his heart.

Li Ang merely shook his head slightly in response to Lu Jin’s question and said nothing more.

Seeing this, Lu Jin did not press further.

Instead, he anxiously looked toward Si Chong and Cheng Zhen at the front of the crowd, and the empty seat before the hall.

Soon, Zuo Ruotong took the vacant chair under everyone’s watchful eyes.

He looked down at the disciples gathered below, their expressions varied, then closed his eyes slightly.

In the tense, uneasy atmosphere, Zuo Ruotong spoke the first words: "I have decided to change the name of the San Yi Sect."

"Whether it’s Ni Sheng Sect or San Chong Sect, everyone speak your minds."

At these words, silence fell over the square.

"Master..."

"Head of the sect..."

At the front, Si Chong and Cheng Zhen lowered their heads, their faces dark and unhappy.

They already knew what had happened earlier and were aware that Zuo Ruotong had now broken through to the third level of the Ni Sheng Triple Realm.

It should have been a cause for celebration, but after Zuo Ruotong declared that the third level could not reach immortality, the blessing turned to misfortune.

The two had tried to persuade him, but to little avail.

‘Wu Gensheng...’

The name of the previous sect leader flashed through Si Chong and Cheng Zhen’s minds, their expressions growing grimmer.

But when they looked up and saw Zuo Ruotong—though his face appeared youthful, his entire being emitted an aura of age—they chose to obey his decision.

They were to avoid seeking Wu Gensheng.

At this moment, Li Ang finally understood what Zuo Ruotong intended.

Since the third level of the Ni Sheng realm could not lead to immortality, the San Yi Sect had no reason to continue existing. When a disciple could truly prove they could become immortal at that level, they could reclaim the name.

...Of course, the next sect leader might just revert the name anyway, but by then it would have nothing to do with Zuo Ruotong.

At least he had not lied to himself, nor to the disciples who had pledged themselves to the San Yi Sect.

‘Why do I suddenly feel like I’ve taken on the role of restoring the glory of San Yi—a task I cannot refuse...’

Thinking this, Li Ang couldn’t help but complain silently.

If he really had a game system, an epic quest would probably have popped up by now.

Page 2 of 3

Seeing that no one below spoke, Zuo Ruotong sighed deeply: "Fine, fine..."

"Then I shall decide."

However, by this time, Li Ang had no mood to listen to his master.

Because a new message had popped up on his profession panel.

"Follow the current to avoid disaster; only by moving against the tide can one attain the essence of the Dao."

"Major Event: The Tragedy of San Yi has come to a close."

"You personally participated in this event and changed its outcome, despite your weakness."

"You will soon return to your journey’s starting point (23:59)."

Upon reading the message, Li Ang felt little joy.

This solo journey had left him somewhat powerless; he had only managed to persuade Zuo Ruotong through argument because he knew the storyline well. If he had been stronger, none of this would have been necessary.

He could have dealt with Wu Gensheng and Li Muxuan when they ascended the mountain.

After calming himself briefly, Li Ang focused on the last line.

‘Given another day to prepare?’

Before entering the solo world, he had escaped the insectoid attack immediately, never lingering.

But this time was different; he was in no rush to return. He had to rest properly first.

And he wanted to test if he could bring items back.

While Li Ang pondered his return, Zuo Ruotong announced the sect’s new name: "Let it be called the Ni Sheng Sect. The Ni Sheng Triple Realm will remain the means for our sect’s survival."

He wore a self-mocking smile.

Hearing this, even the dullest disciples present understood what had truly occurred.

"Master..."

They choked back tears, kneeling on the ground, unsure of what to say.

Seeing this, Zuo Ruotong rose and turned toward his quarters.

Before leaving, he left one last sentence:

"Go prove me wrong."

After Zuo Ruotong’s departure, the square fell silent.

Only moments later, Si Chong’s voice broke through: "Everyone, return to rest. Do not speak of today’s events outside."

Hearing this, Li Ang headed toward the disciples’ dormitory but was soon caught up by Lu Jin.

"Junior Brother Li, you knew Master was going to do this all along?"

Li Ang stopped and looked at Lu Jin beside him.

"Those who understand, understand. For those who don’t, I can’t say much—this matter involves too many things."

He patted the white-haired youth on the shoulder.

"If you really have questions, ask Master."

"?"

Lu Jin’s face darkened. Damn riddler!

But after what had just happened, he dared not question Master and could only watch Li Ang walk away.

Time passed into the deep night.

While everyone else slept, Li Ang opened his eyes.

‘It’s time to return.’

He certainly couldn’t vanish before so many eyes.

After folding his bedding, Li Ang took from his pocket a letter he had prepared in advance and placed it on the bed.

The letter simply explained that he was going down the mountain to seek the Dao of the Ni Sheng Triple Realm, and urged Master and senior brothers not to worry.

Stepping outside, he took one last look at the silent San Yi Sect under the night sky before choosing to return.

With a flash of white light, he disappeared from the spot.

The next day.

Lu Jin, holding the letter Li Ang left behind, stumbled toward Zuo Ruotong.

"Master! Junior Brother Li is missing!"

...

Elsewhere.

Suddenly shifting from light to darkness, Li Ang squinted slightly in discomfort.

After more than half a month, he had grown somewhat accustomed to life in the Republic of China era, and the sudden return to this interstellar age was disorienting.

He recalled how some protagonists in the “All Worlds” novels he had read had to endure hundreds or thousands of years in a single world—he had no idea how they managed.

Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he glanced at the broken prison door and quietly thought:

‘I wonder if time flows here when I’m traversing other worlds.’

But the sharp stench of blood reminded him that a massacre had occurred here not long ago.

So even if time flowed, little must have passed since his disappearance.

Rustle—

At that moment, a faint crawling sound came from the corridor outside the cell.

‘More bugs...’

Li Ang lowered his eyelids slightly, his body beginning to pale.

For the first time, the Ni Sheng Triple Realm from the solo world had appeared in this interstellar era.

Hiss—

A terrifying screech suddenly pierced the air as a massive insect with four pairs of crimson compound eyes burst into the cell and lunged at Li Ang.

Seeing the bloodied mandibles and the insect’s body nearly covering him, Li Ang exhaled lightly.

Then he stepped forward and struck a punch.