Chapter 3016: Make a Wish!
The two Watchers were shoved and pushed away by Jiangnan, forced to serve as his informants, insurance for his future backward time travel!
But before the time travel, Jiangnan still had some things to arrange.
So he directly called for Nian Hongyan!
And she always came whenever called.
(∗❛ั◠❛ั) "Demon Lord? What's wrong? Did something happen on your world again?"
Now, Nian Hongyan had also perfected the Six-Path God-Refining Method, her pupils transforming into Six-Path Divine Eyes!
Over the years, Jiangnan had never stopped supplying Nian Hongyan with Realm Source Energy.
Whenever she finished refining, he would give more.
All this energy was used by Nian Hongyan to nourish her World Seed, which now carried about a hundred drops.
That was already the limit of Nian Hongyan's willpower's capacity.
It was horrifyingly substantial!
But even now, Nian Hongyan still wasn't confident enough to create a world while bearing the pressure of the Heavenly Curse Shackles.
Even if she succeeded, she didn't know how the Starry Sky Will would react, or what consequences this would bring to the era.
Nian Hongyan wasn't ready, and neither was the entire Immortal Cultivation World.
Jiangnan's expression turned serious:
(˵ಠ～ಠ˵) "Listen. I'm leaving. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be traveling backward through time in the Life Forbidden Zone for about thirty years. During that time, I won't appear in the reality of the Celestial Palace Xing Kong World."
"During this period, you need to continuously strengthen your willpower. Don't try to create a world before you're confident, before the era and you are prepared. Don't foolishly try to oppose the Starry Sky Will. That won't end well."
"Hold back. Accumulate power. Strike all at once when the time comes. Understand? After I travel back, I'll give you another wave of Realm Source Energy. How much you can get from me depends on you."
"After that, I'll leave on the Immortal Boat Star and return to the Ten Thousand Races Starry Sky World. The situation there isn't good. I need to go back and deal with it."
Nian Hongyan's expression froze. Although she knew the Demon Lord would eventually leave, she never imagined it would happen so soon.
She had always cherished every day spent with the Demon Lord, treating it like a countdown.
For the next thirty-plus years, the Demon Lord wouldn't appear. That meant she only had a few more days left to spend with him.
Was this really it? Was he leaving?
Nian Hongyan's pretty face paled slightly, her heart fluttering with panic, but she still forced a faint smile:
(⌒﹏⌒;) "I... I remember! Don't worry, Demon Lord. Hongyan won't let you down!"
Jiangnan nodded: "Last chance. Take as much as you can. Clear?"
"Go back and inform Li Daoyan and the others. See you in the future..."
With that, Jiangnan transformed into a black hole and returned to the Life Forbidden Zone, beginning his long-distance backward time travel into the future!
Nian Hongyan opened her mouth, but the words stuck in her throat. In the end, she fell into a long silence.
Her eyes reddened slightly.
"So soon? I knew this day would come, but why do I still..."
Feel this hollow ache in my heart, as if something had been torn out?
Rubbing her eyes, Nian Hongyan turned and went to inform Li Daoyan and the others.
...
In the Life Forbidden Zone, Jiangnan suppressed the restless emotions in his heart and began scanning the future pages of the Celestial Palace Xing Kong World in large swaths.
At the same time, he watched for any sign of the Big-and-Small-Eye boys coming to report.
If they appeared, Jiangnan would immediately exit from that time node.
Xuexue Wolfbane! Mila Lan Bao'er! Everyone!
That dreamlike reality!
Wait for me!
Wait for me!
...
Time passed slowly. Nian Hongyan notified Li Daoyan and the others. When the Seven Sages learned the news, melancholy filled their hearts.
Was he leaving? In the end, he was still leaving.
The Eternal Demon Lord had brought too many possibilities to this Immortal Cultivation World. If he hadn't descended upon this world, perhaps people would have lived forever under the Heavenly Curtain.
The cliché plot of an evil big boss invading the world never happened. Instead, he brought seeds of hope to the people.
Where could you find such a good Demon Lord?
Even if... when he beat people, he really beat them, but when he helped, he truly helped!
How could Li Daoyan and the others bear to see him go?
After the Eternal Demon Lord left, they would have to walk the remaining path on their own.
But at least... there was still Nian Hongyan!
Nian Hongyan didn't dwell in grief for long. Instead, her determination to grow stronger only intensified.
Because she knew that in the future, the Demon Lord would definitely return, to check whether she had finished her homework!
This was a pact between them.
Parting was also for a better reunion!
After the Demon Lord left, she would have no other way to obtain Realm Source Energy. So this last time, she had to cherish the opportunity and eat her fill in one go!
Pushing her willpower to a higher level was the only thing she needed to do now.
...
Before they knew it, thirty years had passed!
The Immortal Boat Star was already approaching the world-crossing node. In three days, it would cross worlds and vanish completely from the Celestial Palace Xing Kong World.
During this time, the Big-and-Small-Eye boys never appeared, meaning the situation in the Ten Thousand Races Starry Sky World was still okay, with no major trouble.
That was an unexpected blessing.
In front of the Immortal Boat Star of the Demon Eye Galaxy, the six great Daoist sects, the entire leadership of the Rogue Cultivator Alliance, and even countless disciples of the Grand Yan Celestial Palace had all come!
They held a farewell ceremony for the Eternal Demon Lord!
Many cultivators also came to watch. The usually quiet Demon Eye Galaxy was now a sea of people!
Looking out, the Immortal Boat lay across the void, with a massive banner pulled by arrays.
On it was written:
"Your merit in teaching surpasses the heavens,
The Eternal Abyss a single blade!
May your journey ahead be smooth,
Through the Star Sea and myriad realms, free and carefree!"
Horizontal scroll: Eternal Demon Lord!
Now, Li Daoyan and the Seven Sages were all present. In fact, almost every expert in the entire Celestial Palace Xing Kong World had come.
Nian Hongyan stood at the front, a red dress strikingly vivid in the starry sky.
Her gaze was complex as she looked toward the black hole.
Sure enough, not long after, the black hole suddenly vanished. Jiangnan's Eternal Divine Body emerged, letting out a long sigh.
The Big-and-Small-Eye boys hadn't come. Everything was going smoothly.
The moment Jiangnan appeared, a huge commotion rose from the sea of people in the Demon Eye Galaxy!
Countless people had never seen the Eternal Demon Lord's true form.
Today, they finally witnessed it!
Looking at the scene before him, Jiangnan's face showed a hint of helplessness:
(•́ω•̀٥) "Wow? Making such a big scene? Are you guys just waiting for me to leave so you can beat gongs and drums, set off firecrackers, throw a feast, and party for three days and three nights?"
Li Daoyan's mouth twitched:
(￢﹏￢٥) "How could that be? Lord Demon Lord, please don't joke. Everyone came voluntarily to see you off!"
And with Jiangnan's appearance, the fierce southern wind that had been blowing for over three hundred and thirty years gradually faded, finally disappearing completely.
The Red Umbrella Immortal Lord started wiping her tears:
(๑ᵒ̴̶̷̥́ωก̀) "Wuu~ You heartless one! We can't bear to see you leave, so we came of our own accord, and you still question our intentions? This is..."
Before she could finish, Jiangnan's flying elbow jabbed straight into her stomach, doubling her over!
(￢̫￢〃) "Acting? Still acting? Not bad at the crying act, huh? Cry a bit more, and you'll probably burst out laughing, won't you?"
The Red Umbrella Immortal Lord clutched her stomach:
(⇀～↼‶) "Damn! Did you see through me? Go! Hurry up and leave! I don't want to get beaten by you anymore!"
At that, everyone burst into laughter.
Yan Xing, watching this scene, reddened eyes and raised a big hand to cover them.
Jiangnan raised a brow: (๑◔◡◔ิ๑) "No way? You're acting too? I bet you're laughing through tears knowing you won't get beaten after I leave, right?"
Yan Xing curled his lip, turned his head, and looked away.
Jiangnan was startled. He ran over to peek:
(*⁰̷̴꒨⁰̷̴) "Oh? Not fake? He's really crying? Everyone, look! One of the Seven Sages, the ancestor of the Ember Demon Sect, is blubbering!"
"This sight is rare. Seize the opportunity! Everyone, use your Image Recording Orbs to capture it! Later, we can blackmail him for Immortal Crystals or something!"
Yan Xing's face darkened. What kind of devil was this? He snapped angrily:
(ꐦథ益థ) "This lord is not crying! I just got some wind and sand in my eyes, so..."
The Thousand Sea Divine Emperor smirked:
(˵ಡლಡ) "Ah? There's wind and sand in the starry sky? I just learned that today!"
Yan Xing: !!!
Do you have to be so smart?
He threw a punch. The Thousand Sea Divine Emperor screamed and was knocked flying.
(ㅎ_ㅎ;)っ)´ﾛ｀;)
People of the demonic path, passionate and true. What's wrong with me crying a little?
Jiangnan grinned and elbowed Yan Xing:
"You're a man, crying and sniveling? What kind of sight is that? I'm going home. For over three hundred years, I've thought of nothing but going home every moment!"
"Now my wish is about to come true. You should be happy for me!"
Yan Xing wiped his eyes:
(￢益ก̀) "After you go back... stay invincible, okay? Beat up those who won't submit to you just like you beat us!"
Jiangnan gave a thumbs up:
(͡°͜ʖ͡°)✧ "Got it!"
Then he turned his gaze to Nian Hongyan.
"Ready? Here I come."
Nian Hongyan nodded heavily:
(*⁰̷̴◠⁰̷̴) "Come on! I haven't slacked off these thirty years. My willpower has made a qualitative breakthrough. I can bear more Realm Source Energy!"
Jiangnan didn't hold back. He pointed a finger at Nian Hongyan's chest.
Realm Source Energy poured in continuously, all stored by Nian Hongyan into her World Seed.
Jiangnan was surprised. Nian Hongyan was really something. Before, she could only bear about a hundred drops' worth of attrition. Now, after Jiangnan poured in another hundred drops, she still had room.
Only when Jiangnan gave her two hundred drops of Realm Source Energy did she reach her limit.
Her World Seed now held three hundred drops of Realm Source Energy!
Once a world of this magnitude was successfully created, it would be enough to break the Heavenly Curse Shackles and contend with the Starry Sky Will.
But Nian Hongyan still needed time to digest it.
Jiangnan glanced at the Great Dao World Tree, a faint smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
He wondered how much longer this thing's good days would last.
Tsk tsk tsk~
At this moment, Nian Hongyan finally mustered her courage:
(งᵒ̌﹏ᵒ̌)ง "Demon Lord! Do you still remember the wish from before?"
"Is it... still valid now?"
As she said this, two blushes rose on her cheeks.
Jiangnan was taken aback, then beamed:
(͡°ꇴ͡°)✧ "Of course! The Eternal Demon Lord never breaks his word. Say what you want! As long as I can do it."
"But now that you're the number one in the Immortal Cultivation World, there's nothing you can't get. Don't make it too hard on me, though. Asking me to stay is something I can't do!"
At this, the Red Umbrella Immortal Lord and the Spirit Sparrow Immortal Lord exchanged mischievous glances.
(˵ಡ‿ಡ)ಡωಡ)⊹
There are still three days left. In a way, it's still possible!
Hongyan, you'd better seize the opportunity!
Nian Hongyan shook her head urgently:
(ﾟ﹏ﾟ٥≡٥ﾟ﹏ﾟ) "No! No, that's not it! I've already thought of the wish. The Demon Lord can easily grant it, no trouble at all!"
"I... I want to know the Demon Lord's name, and I want to see what you look like. Can you take off the mask and let me see?"
"Ah! And I want to know if what you said is true—that you'll definitely come back to check on my homework, right? We made a promise, didn't we?"
For over three hundred years, Jiangnan had always worn his evil ghost mask, never telling anyone his name, and the title of Eternal Demon Lord had been coined by Li Daoyan on the spot.
All these years, Nian Hongyan had addressed him as "Demon Lord."
She had also tried to peek at what he really looked like, but never succeeded.
Now that he was about to leave, she didn't want to leave any regrets.
At least tell me your name, let me see your face.
Let me know... what kind of person I was lucky enough to meet in this life.
Jiangnan was stunned, then laughed out loud: "Wow! That's three wishes all at once, huh?"
Nian Hongyan said anxiously:
(°﹏°〃) "Th-then I'll wish for three wishes, and those are the three. C-can't I do that?"
Jiangnan smiled: "Why not? Of course you can. Who says the Eternal Demon Lord isn't generous?"
As he spoke, Jiangnan raised his hand to his evil ghost mask...