Start in Terra, immortal

"Grandpa West Wind, are those... the imposters from the story?"

Looking at those distorted figures that would terrify ordinary people, the little one protected by Xifeng did not show fear in his eyes, but was instead filled with pure curiosity.

"Yes, these are the monsters created by the Blood Curse." Xifeng's voice was calm, but it contained anxiety. "Don't be afraid, little one, with Grandpa here, I will never let anything happen to you."

He knew perfectly well that the few old comrades left behind to cover the rear could not possibly withstand such a large number of imposters.

They chose to sacrifice themselves for the sake of the child in his arms at that moment.

The child's origins remain a mystery. When he was found, he was alone, surrounded by imposters.

Several elderly people fought their way out of the encirclement to rescue him. Who could have imagined that the imposters would dare to be so rampant, pursuing him directly to the former headquarters of the Anti-Demon Corps?

The secret passage is deep and winding, with many branching paths, resembling a maze, where ordinary people can easily get lost.

Fortunately, Xifeng knew this place like the back of his hand. He suppressed his anxiety and the faint sounds of fighting behind him, and relying on his memory, skillfully bypassed one trap and dead end after another, finally reaching the vicinity of the exit.

Seeing that the exit was safe and sound, Xifeng felt a little relieved. Holding the little one, he rushed out without hesitation.

However, the moment the light suddenly filled his vision, Xifeng's heart sank to the bottom.

What the eye can see is no longer a pure land.

The densely packed imposters, like a black tide, surrounded the exit, leaving only a "clean" open space within a few feet in radius, as if specially prepared to welcome their arrival.

With the situation so critical, West Wind no longer hesitated.

He quickly took off his coat, carefully wrapped the little one in his arms, and tied it tightly to his chest.

At the same time, he reached for a seemingly ordinary ornament at his waist, his fingers twitching and trembling—

"Clang!"

With a clear, melodious hum, the "decoration" instantly unfolded, transforming into a supple, gleaming metal sword, its blade reflecting a faint light.

"Little one," Xifeng's voice was extremely low, trembling almost imperceptibly, "we might... not be able to get out. Are you scared?"

The little boy looked up, his clear eyes reflecting the resolute yet aged face of Xifeng: "With Grandpa Xifeng here, I'm not afraid."

"Haha, good lad! We old guys were right about you!" Xifeng laughed heartily, all traces of dejection vanishing from his eyes, replaced by a renewed burning fighting spirit.

Before he finished speaking, he stomped his toes on the ground and shot forward like an arrow, charging into the dark, surging tide of demons!

"Watch closely, little one! This move is called—Fierce Dragon, Skybreaker!"

With a roar, Xifeng's aura surged, and the pale blue energy merged with the remaining divine power, transforming into a roaring dragon-shaped energy!

He transformed himself into a sword, carrying an indomitable and void-splitting momentum, and fiercely crashed into the enemy ranks!

"roar--!"

The illusory roar of a dragon reverberated across the land!

Wherever it passed, the imposters were swept up, torn apart, and thrown away like withered grass by the sharp force of the energy!

Xi Feng's figure tore a gap in the black tide, unstoppable, and he actually managed to forcefully break through the encirclement!

However, the moment they broke through the encirclement, excruciating pain overwhelmed the west wind like a tidal wave.

The aging body could not withstand such an explosive force beyond its limits; the tendons and bones in its legs seemed to break inch by inch, and the remaining strength was instantly drained away.

He staggered a few steps, but finally couldn't hold on any longer and collapsed to his knees with a thud.

Behind them, the rustling sounds of the imposters rapidly approached.

Xi Feng gritted his teeth, trying to prop himself up, but his arms trembled so badly he couldn't muster any strength. All his attempts were in vain.

A helpless, bitter smile appeared on his face.

"Little one... Grandpa's out of ideas." His voice became hoarse. "From now on... you'll have to rely on yourself."

With trembling hands, he untied the clothes binding him and gently placed the little one on the ground.

"Run! Run as far as you can, and don't look back! Keep running until you can't run anymore!"

The west wind roared out those words with almost its last ounce of strength.

He knew that a child facing an imposter alone had little chance of survival. Letting him escape was simply to prevent the child from witnessing his final, miserable state; at least... let him leave with a sliver of hope.

The little one always listened to his grandfather. But this time, he didn't move.

Tears welled in his eyes, and his small body trembled with fear and sorrow. But instead of backing away, he suddenly threw himself back into Xifeng's arms, his little hands tightly wrapped around the old man's thin waist, burying his face in his chest.

"You... sigh, never mind..." Xifeng sighed deeply, his heart filled with mixed feelings, which finally turned into a sigh of relief.

He stopped urging the child and simply used his calloused hands to gently stroke the top of the child's head again and again.

An old man and a young boy, nestled together in the shadows and low growls behind them, quietly awaited the end.

"Don't give up!"

Just as despair gripped them, a sacred, majestic, and undeniably powerful voice boomed in their hearts like thunder!

Immediately afterwards—

A dazzling golden light suddenly appeared on the horizon!

At first, it was just a few points of starlight, but in an instant it expanded and stretched, transforming into a golden meteor that pierced the sky and crashed down in front of the two people at a speed beyond visual perception!

boom--!!!

The moment the meteorite hit the ground, a pure and vast wave of energy erupted!

The golden shockwave, like a real tsunami, spread wildly in all directions from the point of impact.

The waves swept by, leaving the rocks and vegetation unchanged, as if a gentle breeze had blown by.

Those hideous imposters, however, were like ice and snow under the scorching sun; they melted away in the golden tide of light before they could even scream.

A moment later, the dazzling golden light slowly faded, and the forest returned to silence.

The two, still in shock, then realized that what had caused this miracle was not some enormous object, but merely a long spear stuck diagonally in the ground, its shaft still shimmering with the last rays of intense golden light.

Once the light on the gun had completely faded, a tall, pine-like figure seemed to materialize from the light and quietly stood beside the gun.

"The legends... are all false! The true Holy Blade is a thousand times more magnificent than any description in words!"

Gazing at that face that was both familiar and utterly unfamiliar, Xifeng opened his mouth, only to find himself too excited to utter a sound. He could only scream wildly in his heart, denouncing those pale and powerless historians.

Zhao Xin reached out, grasped the spear shaft, and with a slight effort, the spear nimbly lifted off the ground and into his hand.

He immediately stepped forward and gently helped Xifeng, who was kneeling on the ground, to his feet with one hand.

The moment they made contact, a warm energy quietly entered Xifeng's depleted body, quickly soothing the hidden injuries caused by his overexertion and even invigorating his listless spirit.

"Lord Zhao... Lord Zhao Xin..." Xi Feng felt his throat was dry, and a youthful embarrassment appeared on his face. "I... my name is Xi Feng, and I used to be..."

The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to say "I was once a member of the Order"—in front of the person before him, this identity seemed to carry an unspeakable shame.

"I'm sorry I arrived too late and couldn't save them." Zhao Xin's voice was calm, but carried a clear hint of regret.

Sensing the lingering divine aura emanating from Xifeng, he understood everything.

"If everything is alright, I will take my leave first. There are still other places on the mainland that need to be cleared."

Seeing that the two had recovered, Zhao Xin did not intend to stay any longer; it was his duty to fulfill it.

"Lord Zhao Xin!"

Just then, the little one suddenly spoke, her voice trembling with tears, yet unusually firm, "Could...could you take us with you?"

Zhao Xin turned his gaze to him.

The little one sniffed and tried to make his voice clear: "I... I only have Grandpa West Wind left."

I don't want to see Grandpa get so badly injured again while protecting me, almost... almost...

Tears welled up again, but he wiped them away forcefully. "I want to become stronger! As strong as Lord Zhao Xin! I want to protect Grandpa Xifeng! So... please teach me! I'll do anything!"

After saying this, the little boy knelt down on the ground and performed the most solemn apprenticeship ceremony. Although his posture was immature, his heart was as heavy as a mountain.

Zhao Xin stared at the child, and in a daze, he seemed to see a small figure in another time and space, with a similar light burning in his eyes, stubbornly calling out "Uncle", wanting to protect everything he cherished.

"What's your name?" he asked, his voice softening slightly.

"I...I don't have a name yet." The little one looked up, tears still wet on his face, and seemed a little hesitant. "The grandfathers always call me Little One."

His eyes suddenly lit up. "If...if Lord Zhao Xin is willing, you can help me choose one!"

The hopeful, expectant look in those eyes stirred something within Zhao Xin.

He looked at Xifeng, whose face showed both relief and tension, and then at the child on the ground.

"How about calling him 'Xilin'?" Zhao Xin pondered. "He takes your grandfather's surname, and since we met in this forest, I hope you can grow as resilient as the trees and protect those you cherish."

"Xilin... Xilin!" the little one murmured twice, his face beaming with immense joy. "Thank you, Lord Zhao Xin, for bestowing upon me a name! I have a name! My name is Xilin! Grandpa Xifeng, can you hear me? I share your surname!"

He swirled happily around the west wind, the fear and sorrow he had felt earlier seemingly diluted by the joy of this new life.

Xifeng's eyes were full of doting affection and emotion as he repeatedly said, "Good, good, good..."

"Let's go," Zhao Xin's voice rang out at the right moment, interrupting the brief moment of joy. "It's time to go to the next place."

Even with more followers behind him, the path to eliminating the imposters remains urgent.

He turned around and started walking. Xifeng quickly picked up Xilin, who was still excited, and hurried after him.

Three figures, one in front and two behind, quickly disappeared into the mountain path that had just undergone purification and rebirth.