The air crackled with a mixture of awe and admiration as the onlookers absorbed the display of Eli Shan's formidable strength.

Behind Eli Shan, the headmaster stood in silent wonder, his gaze fixed on Eli Shan. This formidable and benevolent young man was his student!

Eli Shan turned to face his headmaster, a respectful bow gracing his movements. "Thank you for protecting me, master," he said, gratitude lacing his words.

The headmaster shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "What are you saying? You didn't even need me with your strength," he replied, his voice tinged with admiration.

Eli Shan shook his head, didn't know what to say. However, in his heart, he felt the respect for his headmaster akin to the reverence he held for his parents. Then, he turned his attention to Luo Xiao and Chao Xen, "Now you and your village are free from the hand of the city lord. You can go anywhere you want."

Chao Xen smiled with a mixture of gratitude and determination, though due to blood, his smile looked ferocious, "Thank you so much, brother Eli Shan."

Eli Shan placed a reassuring hand on Chao Xen's shoulder, his gaze firm. "Now become stronger," he said, his voice carrying the harsh truth. "Your village and the people you love can only be safe when you are stronger, so keep cultivating with all you have got, understood?"

Chao Xen nodded solemnly, his resolve evident in his eyes. "Yes, brother Eli Shan. Next time we meet, I will be much stronger than now!"

Eli Shan nodded in acknowledgment. He had already done everything he could for these people. He couldn't babysit every weak person for his whole life. Even now, he saved this girl because of his childhood promise; otherwise, there was no reason for him to fight against the city lord. Thinking of this, he made a decision to never dwell in others' business ever again.

Well, in the past, he made the promise in the innocence of his childhood. Now, as he looked back on it, he realized that he could not be a saint.

In the gritty reality of their world, justice seemed like an abstract concept. What was justice? From the villagers' perspective, his actions may have been perceived as justice, because he liberated them from the oppressive rule of the city lord. But what about the city lord himself? Did he truly deserve to be overthrown? Did he exploit the girl as a slave? Or attempted to violate her body? No! He didn't! All he did was marry the girl he loved! What's so bad about that? He could've made her the happiest girl in her village!

The only mistake he made was not considering her feelings. But in this world, do feelings even matter? In this world, people kill each other without a second thought, but they are not punished. However, the city lord was punished for marrying someone he loved?

Lastly, now that the city lord has been overthrown, who would manage the city?

If one were to consider things from the perspective of the city lord, Eli Shan's actions might indeed seem villainous. It all boiled down to the narrative, the viewpoint, and the individual's interpretation of events. From the city lord's standpoint, Eli Shan could easily be perceived as the antagonist.

Reflecting on everything, Eli Shan decided he was done playing the hero. Justice? Forget about it. In this world, power was the justice! If one wants justice, he needs to become stronger than others!

With that, Eli Shan surveyed his surroundings, looking at the mess he had made, and pondered about who would now manage the city. But then again, this wasn't the first time a city lord had bitten the dust. In a world filled with hidden dragons who kill without hesitation when provoked, such occurrences were not uncommon.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Eli Shan turned to the person he deemed most trustworthy.

"Headmaster, I have a favor to ask of you."

Hearing him, the headmaster felt an ominous feeling, "What is it?"

With an innocent smile, Eli Shan said, "I will leave this city and these villagers under you, please take care of them."

Before finishing his last word, Eli Shan clasped Xie Meng's hand, and in the blink of an eye, they vanished into thin air.

Staring at the spot where Eli Shan had stood moments before, the headmaster was left dumbfounded. After a moment, realizing something, he shouted, his voice trembling with anger, "Y-You cunning brat."

The Headmaster didn't even get time to retort before Eli Shan vanished. Left standing amidst the chaos, he let out a tired sigh and muttered to himself, "Haah, this student seems to have a talent for giving me headaches."

Outside the city walls, Eli Shan materialized with Xie Meng by his side, her hand still nestled in his.

The news of his fight would soon spread like wildfire, and Eli Shan didn't want to become the center of attention and hastily ran from the city.

From the news, he realized something - why the king's death news hadn't spread?

Maybe it was the work of his father!

He is really reliable!

As he was lost in thought, he suddenly felt Xie Meng's gaze upon him.

"What happened?" Eli Shan asked.

Xie Meng simply shook her head. "Nothing, just someone forgot to let go of my hand," she replied with a gentle smile.

Eli Shan glanced down, realizing he was still tightly holding her hand. Flustered, he quickly released it, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I-I apologize. I was lost in thought," he stammered.

Xie Meng waved off his apology. "So, where are we heading now?" she asked.

Eli Shan's eyes gleamed with excitement as he shared his plan. "I have a destination in mind – the central plain!"

Although Xie Meng was unfamiliar with the location, she could sense the significance of the place by Eli Shan's enthusiasm.

"Let's go!" Eli Shan said with a wide grin.

And so, they set off together, embarking on their journey towards the central plain. Along the way, Eli Shan shared stories of their destination, his past experiences, and his reasons for wanting to reach the central plain.

They journeyed together, and the passage of time blurred into a seamless span of days melting into weeks, and weeks stretching into months. Along the way, they ventured through bustling cities teeming with life, explored quaint villages nestled in the countryside, and beheld majestic kingdoms with towering fortresses.

Amidst their travels, Eli Shan and Xie Meng encountered moments of kindness and beauty, as well as moments of darkness and danger. They extended a helping hand to those in need, offering assistance wherever they could. But when faced with threats to Xie Meng's safety, Eli Shan didn't hesitate to kill those who posed a danger.

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Together, they marveled at the breathtaking scenery and encountered kind-hearted individuals who welcomed them with open arms. Yet, they also witnessed the stark contrast of desolate cities and encountered individuals driven by greed and malice.

Through it all, they stood by each other's side, facing the challenges and adversities of their journey together, their bond growing stronger with each passing day.

As they reached the forest near the central plain, rumors had already begun to circulate about a strikingly beautiful girl and a handsome young man roaming the lands, aiding those in need while swiftly dealing with anyone harboring ill intentions.

With nightfall fast approaching and their bodies weary from their journey, Eli Shan suggested they take a break. "Let's rest here for today," he said, halting their progress.

Xie Meng agreed with a nod. "As you wish."

After spending so many days together, they had grown close and trusted each other implicitly, making the idea of resting in the middle of the forest together seem natural. Moreover, with Xie Meng having reached the Tian realm, the presence of monsters posed little threat to her.

As Eli Shan reflected on Xie Meng's remarkable progress, he couldn't help but compare her to himself. In his eyes, she was nothing but a monster! He knew that he had the best potential, but her speed of cultivation shocked even him. In just a few short months, she had ascended to the Tian realm from the nothingness!

Leaving all of his thoughts behind, Eli Shan took a step forward, spreading his consciousness throughout the forest. "There's a lake inside this forest. Let's stay there for tonight," he suggested to Xie Meng.

Xie Meng nodded in agreement, following Eli Shan towards the tranquil waters of the lake. Once they arrived, Xie Meng couldn't help but marvel at the serene beauty surrounding them. The gentle rustle of leaves, the soft lapping of water against the shore, and the distant calls of birds all contributed to the peaceful atmosphere.

Eli Shan closed his eyes, extending his senses into the surroundings, probing for any signs of danger. As his spiritual consciousness enveloped the forest, every creature within felt as if a mountain was pressing down upon them. Normally, they are drawn to the lakeshore, but now, they instinctively shrank back from the unseen force, their primal instincts urging them to flee.

After probing the area for a while, he reopened his eyes, whispering to himself, "The monsters here are so weak that they won't even come near us. We can stay here without worrying about anything."

Turning his attention to Xie Meng, he saw her sitting by the edge of the clean lake, her graceful figure illuminated by the soft glow of the full moon. Mesmerized by her beauty, he watched as she dipped her slender hands into the clear water, the ripples dancing in the moonlight like liquid silver.

Looking at the beautiful scene of the celestial being, Eli Shan found it relaxing and continued to look in a daze.

Suddenly, Xie Meng turned her eyes, and when Eli Shan's lost eyes locked with her, his cheeks flushed red with embarrassment.

To conceal his blush, he playfully splashed into the cool waters of the lake, sending droplets flying in all directions. As he resurfaced, he shook his head to clear the water from his eyes, his laughter mingling with Xie Meng's infectious giggles.

"Hey Xie Meng, why don't you jump in too?"

Before finishing his sentence, he swept his hands through the water, conjuring a playful wave of water aimed at Xie Meng. With a playful grin, she raised her hand in defense, but the water found its mark nonetheless, enveloping her in its refreshing embrace.

Giggling like a carefree child, she turned towards Eli Shan, her eyes sparkling with mischief and delight. "I will also play."

With a swift motion of her hand and the aid of her cultivation, she also created a wave, sending it crashing toward Eli Shan.

However, Eli Shan didn't use any of his cultivation and when the wave of water crashed into him, he stumbled and was swept away with it.

"Y-You! Take this!" With a mischievous glint in his eye, Eli Shan created a massive wave of water, channeling a bit of his cultivation into its force. With a triumphant grin, he sent the wave crashing towards Xie Meng, expecting her to be taken aback by its power.

"Hahaha, I am the king, you are nothing in front of m—"

However, before he could finish his sentence, a sudden surge of water rose up and engulfed him once more, cutting him off mid-sentence. Caught off guard, Eli Shan found himself swept away by the unexpected counterattack, his laughter echoing through the night air.

Xie Meng emerged from the water with a playful smirk, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Hmph, you think I'll let you win that easily?" she teased, a beautiful grin hanging on her face.

For a while, they played and laughed together, enjoying the simple joy of the moment. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with them, and they sat together on the lake, their backs resting against each other.

"Huff huff"

Breathing heavily but filled with laughter, they shared a moment of contentment. "That was fun, hahaha," Eli Shan chuckled.

"I've never felt this excited before," Xie Meng admitted with a smile, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

"You've never felt this excited before?" Eli Shan inquired, his tone filled with curiosity, but his expression quickly shifted as he realized his blunder. For a brief moment, he had forgotten the circumstances of their first meeting, how Xie Meng had been trapped inside the cave in his universe for an unknown period of time.

Xie Meng shook her head gently, "I don't have any good memories before being imprisoned in that cave, and inside, I was all alone."

Eli Shan remained silent, grappling with a flood of emotions. He didn't know how to respond. All he wanted was to bring happiness to Xie Meng, to make up for the pain and loneliness she had endured. He resolved not to pry into her past, trusting that she would share her story with him when she was ready.

Standing up, Eli Shan turned towards Xie Meng with determination in his eyes. "I apologize for my question," he began, his voice firm. "But from now on, I will show you the world, the beautiful places you haven't seen, and I will give you the happiness you deserve."

Xie Meng also stood up, her smile growing wider, touched by Eli Shan's sincerity. "Thank you, Eli Shan," she replied softly.

Eli Shan's cheeks flushed with embarrassment at his outburst. Quickly changing the subject, he suggested, "Now, let's take a bath and change our clothes."

Xie Meng looked at Eli Shan curiously, "Do we have any other clothes to change into?"

Eli Shan was taken aback and slapped his forehead. "I completely forgot to bring extra clothes, but..."

With a wave of his hand, he summoned a few garments from within his universe. "I had these clothes inside my universe. But I don't have any girl's clothes, so... you'll have to wear my clothes for the night. In the morning, when your clothes are dry, you can change into them."

Xie Meng nodded in understanding, recognizing that there was no other option.

Eli Shan flew up to a nearby tree and removed his shirt, hanging it on a branch to dry.

"Eh?" Xie Meng exclaimed, covering her eyes with her hands. "W-What are you doing?"

Eli Shan looked at her in confusion. "What? I am just drying my shirt... oh, don't tell me you've never seen a man's upper body before?"

Xie Meng continued to squeeze her eyes shut with her hands and simply nodded.

"Really? Hahaha, you are truly a strange girl."

"W-What strange? It's you who's strange for removing your clothes without saying anything."

Eli Shan smiled mischievously and dived into the lake. From there, he saw Xie Meng standing in the middle of the lake, and created a large wave, sending it toward Xie Meng, catching her off guard.

Because of her closed eyes, she didn't notice the wave and fell into the lake with a splash.

"Ahhh!"

Watching her, Eli Shan couldn't contain his laughter, but his joy quickly turned to concern as he noticed Xie Meng struggling in the water.

"What's happening?"

In the next instant, he realized that Xie Meng had stopped moving her arms and was beginning to sink into the water.

"Eh? A cultivator drowning in water? Was she so shocked by my handsome body?" he joked, but the jest fell flat as he saw her distress.

Eli Shan quickly dove into the water and saw that Xie Meng's eyes were tightly shut.

Her mind was not really working as she continued to drown inside the lake.

Just when she thought that it was getting harder to breathe, she suddenly felt a warm touch.

Opening her eyes, she found herself enveloped in Eli Shan's strong embrace, her body pressed against his as he carried her out of the water. In that moment, she was closer to Eli Shan than she had ever been to anyone before. She could even hear the rapid thumping of his heart, matching the rhythm of her own.

Feeling the warmth of his embrace, her cheeks flushed a deep shade of red. She couldn't quite understand why, but her heart was also beating much faster than usual... maybe coz of drowning? Who knows?

Normally, she always felt a strong aversion towards anyone who approached her. She despised when people even glanced in her direction or attempted to approach her. But for the first time, she was so near to someone, and she wasn't truly hating it. Instead, being near to this person, she experienced a sense of security and warmth that she had never felt before.

Eli Shan continued to hug her tightly as he brought her out of the lake. With a mere thought, he created a bed of wind and gently laid her down upon it.

Observing her pale complexion, closed eyes, and the downcast expression on her face, Eli Shan felt a wave of fear wash over him. As he gently touched her forehead, he recoiled in shock as he realized that her skin was burning hot with fever. And it wasn't just hot; he felt his hand burned by the touch of it!

"How could a cultivator of the Tian Realm have a fever? And one so high?" Eli Shan muttered to himself, his confusion evident.

Uncertain of what to do next, Eli Shan's hands trembled with the fear of losing her. The mere thought of her slipping away filled him with dread, causing his entire being to tremble with fear.

Gazing at her, Eli Shan's eyes hardened with resolve as he made a solemn promise, "I won't let anything happen to you!"