In a perfect world, you start by relying on your own strength.

Shi Geng was taken aback, filled with confusion. The Human Emperor ruled the vast Stone Kingdom, holding a position of great prestige. Even if he had caused a great disturbance in the Void God Realm, surely he wouldn't be summoned?

"Um... can I not go?"

Shi Gen asked timidly, as his cultivation was still shallow and he was unwilling to face the emperor of the Shi Kingdom directly.

To his surprise, the Apocalypse King slowly nodded: "It's acceptable."

"ah??"

Shi Geng blinked, his face full of surprise. Was the Human Emperor really that easy to talk to?

Seeing Shi Geng's surprised expression, Emperor Tianqi smiled slightly and explained, "His Majesty has always been kind and benevolent. Since he has summoned you, there must be a deeper reason. However, whether you go or not is ultimately your choice, and His Majesty has not forced you to go."

Upon hearing this, Shi Geng felt somewhat relieved. After a moment of contemplation, he began to weigh the pros and cons. The Emperor's summons was undoubtedly a great opportunity, but at the same time, it was also a great crisis.

He was still unclear about the Emperor's purpose in summoning him, and if he went rashly, he might fall into unknown risks.

"Senior, could you please tell me the reason why the Emperor summoned me?" Shi Gen asked tentatively.

King Tianqi shook his head: "His Majesty's thoughts are beyond our comprehension. However, I can tell you that His Majesty greatly admires your performance in the Realm of the Void Gods. Perhaps he simply wants to meet you, this mischievous junior."

Shi Geng nodded, having already made up his mind. Although he didn't know why the Emperor had summoned him, he didn't want to get caught up in the vortex of power too soon.

He understood that as the emperor of the Stone Kingdom, his summons was often accompanied by the attention of many powerful forces, and might even involve deep-seated power struggles.

Shi Geng, however, is still weak and does not want to be targeted by various forces too early.

"Senior, I won't go to the imperial city. I've been away from home for a long time, and it's about time I went back," Shi Geng said to King Tianqi, directly refusing the offer.

The Heavenly King looked at Shi Geng, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes, and slowly said, "Yes, remember to say goodbye to Wan'er later."

He didn't ask where Shi Geng's home was. As long as he had the blood of the Shi clan flowing in his veins, he didn't care at all whether he was a descendant of the Martial King.

Shi Geng nodded, bowed to the King of Tianqi, and then found Shi Wan to tell her that he was leaving.

Although Shi Wan was somewhat reluctant to part with him, she did not try to persuade him to stay. She simply told him to be careful on the road and to remember to visit her in Tianqi City when he had time.

After saying goodbye to Shi Wan, Shi Geng, with Xiao Bai, embarked on his journey back to the village. It was the first time he had been away from the village for so long, and he did miss it.

……

Chongyun Town

The diamond wall stretches for miles, with the two characters "Chongyun" on the city wall written in bold, powerful strokes, while dust and sand swirl along the ancient road outside the town.

A unicorn trod in, majestic and extraordinary. Its body was pure white without any other color, its spiral horn gleamed with a warm, jade-like light, and its limbs were long and agile, its hooves leaving no dust as it stepped on the earth.

It carried a child on its back, about six or seven years old, with disheveled hair, dry and tangled strands, and the animal skin covering its body was tattered and worn, with rough edges, covered in mud and dark brown bloodstains. The exposed skin was covered in scratches, making it look like a wild man who grew up in the wilderness.

The unicorn stopped in front of the town gate, lowered its head and gently nuzzled the child's shoulder, letting out a soft snort. The child looked up, his dark eyes shining brightly as he gazed at the passersby coming and going at the town gate.

The guards at the town's entrance stared in disbelief, nearly dropping their spears. They instinctively gripped the shaft tightly, whispering to their companion, "That...is that the child who killed over a dozen experts from the Yu family?"

Upon hearing the sound, the companion suddenly looked up, staring intently at the child on the unicorn's back, his face filled with disbelief.

The story of the Yu family had already spread throughout Chongyun Town. The Yu family had dispatched more than a dozen experts to hunt down a child at the Blood Transformation Realm, but they were all killed in the process.

At first, everyone thought it was just a rumor, but as news from Tianqi City came and was confirmed, everyone finally believed it.

The snow-white unicorn slowly moved forward, its horn shimmering with light, and its body faintly exuded a terrifying spiritual aura, causing several guards to subconsciously take a half step back.

Shi Geng's hair remained disheveled, ignoring the gazes of others. He simply raised his hand and gently patted the beast's neck, signaling it to continue forward. His dark eyes were calm and still, showing no trace of the childishness one would expect from a child.

"It really is him... so young, yet his skills are terrifying."

The guards swallowed hard, exchanging bewildered glances. The Yu family wielded immense power in the area, and even they had fallen; one could only imagine how terrifying this child was.

Shi Geng ignored the guards' tension; he was only passing through Chongyun Town and had no intention of entering the city.

He gently patted the unicorn's neck, and Little White understood, turning around and heading straight into the vast wilderness along the open path.

The man and the beast traveled for over a thousand miles before finally stopping.

The sun was high overhead, its intense rays illuminating the open field and filling it with warmth. Yet, the desolate village before them stood out starkly from the surrounding landscape, shrouded in a heavy atmosphere of twilight and devoid of any life.

Most of the dilapidated houses are in ruins, with broken walls and crumbling beams hanging precariously. Many walls have already collapsed, and wild grass grows wildly from the cracks in the bricks and the foundations, revealing a sense of desolation and decay everywhere.

The unicorn paused slowly, letting out a low hiss. Shi Geng brushed aside the messy hair blocking his eyes and glanced at the dilapidated manor.

"This should be it."

Shi Geng gazed at the broken walls and ruins, muttering to himself. This village, though seemingly desolate and dilapidated, was actually still inhabited; it was the destination he had traveled thousands of miles to reach—the second ancestral home of the Shi clan.

Under the blazing sun, no matter how bright the light, it could not dispel the somber atmosphere that lingered in this place. One could vaguely see the figures moving between the dilapidated houses, all with withered faces and slow steps, showing no signs of vitality.

He flipped off the unicorn's back, straightened his tattered animal skin, and strode toward the manor.

"Stop right there! Where did this brat come from? Get out of here right now, this is not a place for you."

A servant dressed in coarse cloth and shorts emerged from behind the broken wall, carrying a wooden stick, and blocked the road.

His face was sallow, and his eyes held a hint of arrogance as he looked Shi Geng up and down, his eyes flashing with contempt.

Shi Geng glanced at the other person indifferently, completely ignoring him, and continued walking straight into the depths of the manor without stopping.

Seeing this, the servant was both anxious and angry. He immediately swung the wooden stick at the man's back, cursing incessantly, "You ungrateful wretch, see how I teach you a lesson!"

The unicorn beside it immediately raised its hoof and stepped forward, a faint light flashing around its body, and an invisible pressure suddenly spread out.

The servant felt a numbness in his arm, and the wooden stick fell to the ground with a clatter. He staggered back several steps, his face turning pale instantly. He dared not step forward to stop him and could only watch helplessly as Shi Geng walked into the manor step by step.