Xiang Nan was stunned for a long time, but he did not say why. He only sighed that the situation had changed and that things were different.
However, Xiang Nan was still very happy about the strength of the Haotian Empire.
At the very least, Haotian was an official force willing to work hard for the civilians.
Xiang Nan emphatically warned Xiao He, "In the Haotian Empire, you can't use force easily. This place is different from the Steel Continent."
"In the Haotian Empire, using martial arts in a human gathering place violates the laws of the empire, and will be immediately suppressed by the military."
"So smart." Xiao He nodded in admiration, "Civilians are the root of martial arts. It seems that the Haotian Empire is well versed in this path. No wonder it is so prosperous now."
"Any country that can casually kill civilians is doomed to be unable to go far. History has taught us countless lessons, but many times, many empires are unable to do so."
Protecting civilians required more troops to be dispersed, so although everyone understood the reasoning, most empires did not have the energy and ability to do so.
At the entrance of the former Haotian City, there was already an arch with the words "Haoran Sect" hanging on it.
From the entrance, one could see a huge humanoid sculpture. The sculpture was modelled on the way the Nine Firmaments Continent had created a sculpture for Bai Muchen. It was the hero of the Southern Domain, Xiang Nan.
Xiao He looked at the sculpture and then at Xiang Nan with an extremely exaggerated expression, "I already believe that you are Xiang Nan, but this …"
Xiao He pointed at the sculpture and said, "Isn't it a little too exaggerated?"
Xiang Nan blushed slightly and said awkwardly, "I didn't expect them to do this either. In short, they have a purpose, right? Anyway, I don't care."
It was very important to spread the idea of heroes. The Haotian Empire's goal of attracting countless martial artists was not too pure.
The Haotian Empire was no longer the same as before, and even Xiang Nan was not able to judge the current situation.
Entering the Haoran Sect also took a lot of effort from Xiang Nan. First of all, he couldn't reveal his identity. Feng Xuan had already analyzed the formidable relationship with him on this point.
In the end, Xiao He took out the Fallen Snow Sect's waist token and said that he had come to join the Haoran Sect before being released.
Naturally, Xiang Nan had changed his disguise and could not reveal his true colors.
As for the two of them, they were taken to the inner courtyard of the sect by the five sect disciples, which was the original site of the former Haoran Sect.
"I heard that your Fallen Snow Sect slaughtered civilians." A Haoran Sect disciple suddenly asked Xiao He.
Xiao He was slightly embarrassed and said, "Indeed, that's why I left the Fallen Snow Sect and wanted to join the Haoran Sect."
The sect disciple smiled coldly, "Be honest. Our Haoran Sect's strength has reached the heavens. If you really want to join us, then forget it. If you have any thoughts, hehe …"
Xiao He looked at Xiang Nan.
Xiang Nan shook his head and whispered, "Endure it. When the sect grows bigger, there will always be some arrogant shrimp."
Xiao He looked at Xiang Nan's face and swallowed his anger all the way without saying anything.
The following matters were somewhat tedious and lacking in detail.
After seeing the low-ranking elders of the Haoran Sect, Xiang Nan revealed his identity, causing a huge commotion in the Hall of Elders.
That Shi Beihong personally brought a group of elders to secretly welcome Xiang Nan.
With Xiang Nan's guarantee, Xiao He naturally smoothly joined the Haoran Sect and became another star disciple of the Haoran Sect. Of course, not yet.
In the Hall of Elders, all the elders had high hopes for Xiang Nan. First, they hissed warmly, and then they asked about his cultivation realm, strength, and recent experiences.
Xiao He was shocked by this scene. She had never seen a disciple who could receive such a large-scale treatment in her own sect.
It felt like even if the Sect Master had personally returned, there was no need for him to make such a big fuss.
Seeing that Xiang Nan had always been absent-minded and understood what Xiang Nan was thinking, Shi Beihong smiled and said, "Alright, Xiang Nan's return is naturally a great joyous occasion for our Haoran Sect. But now that he misses his master, let us old fellows stop pestering him."
"Xiang Nan."
"Disciple is here." Xiang Nan cupped his fists.
Shi Beihong smiled happily, "Go, go to Sun Peak and see your master."
Xiang Nan didn't even have time to thank him, so he pulled Xiao He and ran away.
The two flew all the way to Sun Peak.
Sun Peak was no longer the same as before. Yanran had become the liveliest place in the entire Nature Sect. It was only because this was the place where Xiang Nan had once cultivated.
Countless disciples were crowded on Sun Peak, some chatting, some fighting, some sitting cross-legged and cultivating quietly.
However, Sun Peak's martial arts were really difficult to practice. Among these disciples, 90% were not from Sun Peak. They only came here to practice martial arts on a daily basis.
The Sun Palace was still deserted. Apart from the disciples who had entered the Sun Peak, nearly a third of the palaces were still empty.
As soon as he stepped onto the steps of Sun Palace, Xiang Nan's eyes turned red.
The past was vivid in his eyes, and he couldn't help but sigh.
He walked step by step to Xu Caiyue's bedroom door, carefully tidied up his clothes, took three more deep breaths, and then raised his hand to knock lightly on the door.
"Master, unfilial disciple, Xiang Nan is here to see you."
Xiao He looked at Xiang Nan curiously, feeling very strange in his heart. He didn't know what kind of great figure the master Xiang Nan wanted to see was to make him so dignified.
"Come in."
Inside the door, a simple word caused Xiang Nan's tears to roll in his eyes.
He wiped his eyes and pushed the door open.
A ray of sunset shone through the window, and Xu Caiyue sat in front of the window and drank tea dignified.
After a long time, Sun Peak's Peak Master Xu Caiyue became a little thinner.
"Not dead yet?" Xu Caiyue glanced at Xiang Nan.
"Drag your blessing." Xiang Nan grinned.
Xu Caiyue looked up and down at Xiang Nan and nodded, "I'm thinner and stronger."
"When you first came here, you were a sixteen-year-old child. Now you have become an adult."
Xiang Nan was touched, "Master has also lost weight. These clothes are a little loose, but they are also more beautiful."
Xu Caiyue said angrily, "Slip of the tongue, you can't learn it well outside."
Xiang Nan rolled up his sleeves and said, "Master, let this disciple cook a good meal for you. The two of us will have a good drink."
Xu Caiyue's rare lips curled up, "Go."
Xiang Nan personally cooked and prepared a delicious meal. The master and disciple drank wine to relieve their longing.
Along the way, Xiang Nan also introduced Xiao He to Xu Caiyue, explaining how he had formed enmity with Xiao He, resolved it, and finally condensed into a friendship that could be entrusted to one's life.
Xu Caiyue said, "I've already heard about the Fallen Snow Sect. Since Xiao He is here, stay."
"Xiang Nan, how long do you plan to stay here this time?"
Xiang Nan scratched his head and said, "Master knows that I am a person who can't be idle. I shouldn't be staying here for long."
"After obtaining the recommendation letter from the sect, I have to go home and head straight to the Central Plains."
"You should have heard about the Star Guild. I'm going to take a look."
Xu Caiyue said, "You have to be careful when you go to the Central Plains. It is a wider world, more complex and more dangerous than the four domains of the East, South, West, and North."
"Yes." Xiang Nan nodded and said, "Not only is there a Star Guild in the Central Plains, there is also the headquarters of the Huangpu Aristocrat Clan. That place should be very exciting, right?"
In this world, the two most heaven-defying forces were both in the Central Plains, and Xiang Nan had already begun to yearn for them.
