Xiaya had become the new economic hub of the Celestial Barren Domain. In just a decade, it underwent a dramatic transformation. Property prices, once a few thousand per square meter, had skyrocketed to over a hundred thousand. Prime locations like Mountain Qingyuan Scenic Area and the University Town were even more exorbitant. Without at least several hundred thousand per square meter, securing a property was impossible. Those who had invested in real estate early on had reaped immense profits over the past ten years. Take, for instance, the courtyard at the foot of Mountain Qingyuan that once belonged to Baili Qingfeng, or the old house in Wu River District, now officially part of Xiaya. The courtyard, in particular, had appreciated to an unimaginable extent. If listed for sale, it would take at least two to three hundred million to acquire. The morning sun cast a gentle glow over the restored courtyard, where traces of its former appearance could still be seen. The main gate stood open, revealing a lush garden where flowers and plants thrived under the sunlight. A narrow gravel path, less than a meter wide, ran alongside the main walkway, lined with vibrant flora. It led straight to a modest-sized osmanthus tree, beneath which hung a wooden swing, swaying gently in the breeze. Beside the swing was a slightly elevated wooden platform, no more than four meters long and three meters wide. It leaned against the wall, with a fixed glass canopy overhead for shelter against wind and rain. The platform itself was sparsely furnished. There was a wooden bench with a backrest, a tea table, and two wooden chairs placed beside it. It could seat at most four or five people comfortably. Any more, and it would start to feel cramped. Every corner of the courtyard bore traces of careful arrangement, blending a strong sense of life with an atmosphere of tranquility and comfort. A man, appearing to be in his early thirties, stepped out of the courtyard. He was holding the hand of a little girl, no older than four or five, with delicate, doll-like features. Dressed in formal attire with glasses resting on his nose, he exuded an air of scholarly refinement. Behind him, a woman stepped out, dressed in a traditional-style long gown. Her features weren't striking, but she carried herself with an unmistakable grace as she closed the gate behind her. Rather than taking a vehicle, the two walked side by side, each holding one of the little girl's hands. They strolled along a tree-lined asphalt path, passing through a lush, green woodland. Beyond the trees, a quiet residential district, filled with the warmth of human life, came into view. After walking for about five or six hundred meters, they arrived at a small kindergarten adorned with cartoon murals. A teacher stood at the entrance, welcoming the children. The two let go of the little girl's hands, and she hurried toward the kindergarten carrying her small backpack. Just as she was about to step inside, she suddenly turned back and waved. "Bye, Mom! Bye, Dad!" They smiled and waved in return. "Bye, Baby Xi." Only after the teacher led her inside did the couple exchange a glance and a smile. Hand in hand, like a young couple in their early twenties, they continued toward the University Town ahead. At a street corner, an electronic screen caught their attention. A promotional video played on the screen, announcing the preliminary selections for the Fifth World's Top Martial Competition, held biennially. The event gathered the world's finest martial artists to compete for the world champion title. The advertisement featured a striking woman, her movements sharp and fluid as she demonstrated her martial prowess. Her battle against ferocious beasts showcased her top-tier strength as a Tier Ten Supreme Expert. Her display of power and grace captivated many onlookers. However, the man only glanced at the screen briefly before shifting his gaze to the woman beside him. Engaged in lighthearted conversation, they soon arrived at a musical instrument store. The sign above the entrance read: Shuiyun Elegant Melodies. Inside, a young woman in a modernized traditional dress was cleaning. She looked to be in her twenties. Upon seeing them, she greeted them with a smile. "Good morning, Boss. Good morning, Madam." The woman nodded with a smile. "Morning, Little You." Then, she turned to the man in formal attire and adjusted his collar slightly, her lips curving into a teasing smile. "Our Professor Baili is as dashing as ever." The man chuckled as he replied, "And our dear Little Ying is just as youthful as always." Watching from the side, Little You rubbed her arms with a helpless expression. Did they have to be this lovey-dovey? "Alright, off you go. Principal Li has been quite strict about school discipline lately," the woman said softly. "Alright, I'm heading out," the man nodded, turned around, and walked toward Shire University, his stride confident as he basked in the morning sun. Atop a nine-story commercial building in the distance. Li Pin, Fang Chunyang, Xu Anping, Lie Qingqing, and Shi Keqing silently observed the bespectacled man below, his refined and cultured demeanor unmistakable. They watched as he casually walked back to Shire University, occasionally greeting students who recognized him. After a long while, Lie Qingqing muttered, "This cycle... is completely ruined, isn't it?" Realizing her wording was a bit off, she quickly corrected herself, "I mean... the contrast is just too much. The mighty Void Emperor... reduced to this?" "It's perfectly normal," Li Pin replied calmly. "One's experiences shape their personality." "But the gap is just too wide, especially when..." Lie Qingqing glanced at the watch on her wrist. "Ten years ago, he was a tier nine martial artist. Ten years have passed, and he's still tier nine? In all this time, he hasn't trained at all? Instead, he pursued scientific research? How does that even make sense?" Li Pin replied, "A top university student who stayed on as a faculty member after graduation, dedicated himself to research, and eventually became a renowned scientist. Why wouldn't it make sense?" "But... but... he's the Void Emperor." For a moment, Lie Qingqing was at a loss for words. She wasn't the only one. Shi Keqing, Fang Chunyang, Xu Anping, and the others also looked bewildered. Shi Keqing pondered for a long time before finally giving up. "I don't understand." Her gaze followed Baili Qingfeng's figure as he disappeared into Shire University. "He can't possibly be unaware of his own martial talent. If he had kept training... there's no doubt he would have reached the True God Realm. "With that power, he would have gained a long lifespan. It would only be a matter of time until he makes further breakthroughs. But if he keeps wasting away ... he..." "What will happen to him?" Li Pin asked. "He'll die," Shi Keqing answered, then added, "Of old age." "Yes, of old age," Li Pin echoed, his tone laced with emotion. His words startled Shi Keqing. A sudden, unthinkable thought flashed across her mind. Her head snapped up, eyes fixed on Baili Qingfeng's vanishing figure. "This... is this what he wants?" She wasn't alone. Fang Chunyang, Xu Anping, and the others shared her shock and disbelief. Li Pin didn't answer. Instead, he changed the subject. "How's the situation in the Twin Moon Domain?" Despite their lingering shock, Fang Chunyang and the others quickly followed his train of thought. "Going smoothly. Mu Yunsheng, Huang Ze, Zhi Xuan, and Wu Tian have regained enough strength over the past decade. Together, with Mu Yunsheng's Astral Formation, their combined power has already surpassed the local Demigods. Right now, they're driving out the Violet-Silver Twin Moons and Scorching Sun." He paused slightly before continuing, "As for the Immortal God Emperor, before they even began the expulsion, Mu Yunsheng had already trapped him within the Astral Formation. Right now, Baili Zhu is using the formation's power to refine the Supreme Divine Sword in his possession." "But because of this, Baili Zhu's path has shifted slightly. At the very least... she and Baili Qingfeng never went through a life-and-death struggle together. Their bond isn't as deep as in the original storyline." Li Pin nodded. "It doesn't matter. As long as Baili Zhu becomes the rightful wielder of the Supreme Divine Sword and refines the Immortal God Emperor, ensuring she remains the sole Ancient God of the Twin Moon Domain, that's enough." The Twin Moon Domain wasn't the main concern. Keeping its general course on track was sufficient. What he was really thinking about was how to handle things on this world's Blue Planet. More precisely, whether or not to tell Baili Qingfeng about Li Xian, allowing him to reunite with his father. After a moment of contemplation, he decided not to make any drastic changes to the storyline. "Once the Violet-Silver Twin Moons and Scorching Sun have been expelled, and the Twin Moon Domain is stabilized, start constructing a spatial gate that leads straight to Blue Planet." Li Pin instructed before turning to Fang Chunyang. "You'll oversee this personally. Also, send Fang Zhiqian ahead to Blue Planet to ensure the safety of one key individual—Li Xian." Fang Chunyang gave a solemn nod. "Understood." Li Pin's gaze returned to the man below. At this moment, he was no longer the Thunder Sect Master, no longer the Chairman of the Knights' Alliance Military Committee, no longer the Conqueror of the Aurora Empire, the Destroyer of the Star Empire, the Pioneer and Terminator of a Legendary Era, or the Guardian Deity of the Celestial Barren Domain. He was just an ordinary man. A man who, during his university years, fell in love with someone and naturally stepped into marriage. For the past ten years, his life had been peaceful and uneventful. His figure blended into the passing crowds, indistinguishable from the billions of others. The morning sunlight cast a warm glow upon him, brimming with youthful energy and vitality. Behind him, a woman watched his departure with tenderness in her eyes. Through the gentle melody flowing from Shuiyun Elegant Melodies, a song drifted in the air. "The evening breeze lifts the silver strands in your hair, soothing the scars left by time. In your eyes, light and shadow intertwine—one smile, a bloom of flowers... The twilight obscures your faltering steps, leading you to the painting hidden by the bedside. In that painting, you sit, head lowered, whispering." Dozens of meters ahead, the man turned back, as if sensing something. He smiled and waved once more. The woman responded with a gentle smile of her own. "I still marvel at the vastness of the world, still lose myself in childhood promises—no longer questioning truth or falsehood, not resisting, nor fearing ridicule." The song, carried by the wind, drifted far, far away. Everything was so serene, so peaceful. Time flowed like a quiet stream. On the rooftop, beneath the boundless sky, Li Pin reached out. As if trying to grasp the wind at his fingertips—or perhaps... trying to catch the song carried upon it. "In the end, I gave my youth to her, along with the melodies of summer strummed from my fingertips. My heart's desire, carried away with the wind." "In the name of love... will you still say yes?"[1] 1. Starting from "the evening breeze," these are the lyrics of the Mandarin song The Wind Rises(起风了). They convey deep nostalgia, love and the passage of time, reflecting on memories, changes, and the emotions tied to a person who has aged, yet remains cherished in the singer's heart. ☜