82: Qingyun Town Parents' Memorial Ceremony

The evolved Rift Blade War Mantis's strength advanced by leaps and bounds. This widening gap in power put pressure on the Poison Flame White Wolf. After being repeatedly and foolishly beaten, the Poison Flame White Wolf successfully Broke Through Level 1, reaching Bronze Rank Level 5.

And now, three days had passed since the Supersonic Mantis evolved into the Rift Blade War Mantis.

During this period, Xie Ning ignored everything else, focusing solely on Cultivating.

However, as the registration deadline for Lingnan Academy drew closer, Xie Ning left Flower City, but instead of heading toward Lingnan City where the academy was located, he went somewhere else first.

“So this is Qingyun Town. It's so beautiful...”

The Poison Flame White Wolf, which had been galloping the whole way, stopped outside a beautiful small town. Mo Yu looked around, unable to suppress her admiration.

She saw that the area was surrounded by mountains, covered in lush, dense vegetation. Unmutated Phoenix Trees and Crape Myrtles bloomed with summer flowers, decorating a landscape like a secluded paradise, as if one had accidentally stepped into a painting.

Xie Ning looked at the picturesque scenery, but his heart was filled with melancholy. He gazed at the town ahead, sighed, and his eyes held a touch of sadness.

Every brick and tile here carried his memories. Although the town had been rebuilt, even restoring some details exactly as they were in the past, many familiar faces had turned into cold, white bones.

After a long pause, Xie Ning said in a deep voice, “Five years ago, this town of less than a thousand households suffered a Gold Rank Beast Tide. Over a dozen Gold Rank Yao Beasts attacked together... Now, only the families of the victims and the Grave Keepers live here.”

Hearing this, Mo Yu was visibly stunned. She looked at Xie Ning's serious expression, then at the beautiful scenery around them, and finally at the peaceful town before them.

“Master, do you mean... this is the Ansi Domain?”

Xie Ning nodded.

Mo Yu's smile immediately vanished. Her pretty face serious, she bowed respectfully to the surroundings and the town before her, softly saying, “I apologize, I meant no offense. Please forgive me.”

Xie Ning watched quietly, not stopping her.

The Ansi Domain is a unique type of place specific to Huaguo. There are multiple Ansi Domains across the country, which are areas—possibly towns or cities—destroyed by Yao Beasts, then rebuilt and permanently guarded by descendants.

Such places carry the memories of too many people. At some unknown point, they were named Ansi Domain, and the tradition has continued ever since.

In Huaguo, regardless of one's strength or social status, no disrespect toward an Ansi Domain is tolerated.

After Mo Yu finished apologizing, Xie Ning got off the Poison Flame White Wolf, patted its head, and recalled it. He then said to the air diagonally above him, “You can come down now.”

The air rippled, and the figure of the Rift Blade War Mantis materialized, landing on the ground.

“Let's go, we're going in.” Saying this, Xie Ning walked toward the ancient town with the Rift Blade War Mantis.

Mo Yu pointed at the Rift Blade War Mantis and asked, “Master, what about Little Mantis...”

“It is also a child of this town.”

In the Ansi Domain, no Demon Tamers Beast or Yao Beast is allowed entry, except for those Demon Tamers who survived that war.

The arrival of Xie Ning and Mo Yu had already attracted the attention of many people.

As Xie Ning drew closer, those people recognized him.

“Little Ning? Is that you, Little Ning?”

The first person to see Xie Ning was a strong, healthy man near the town entrance, whose hair was completely white.

Xie Ning nodded to him and said, “It's me, Uncle Sun. I got accepted into a Demon Tamer University and am preparing to leave for school. I came to say goodbye to my parents before I go.”

Uncle Sun was only about forty years old. His parents, wife, and three children all died in the Beast Tide. Only he survived, having been working out of town, but his hair turned white overnight.

“It really is you, you brat! That's wonderful, getting into university is great! And who is this?”

An older woman chuckled and scolded him playfully, then looked at Mo Yu, giving Xie Ning a knowing look.

“Aunt Feng, you misunderstand. This is my friend. We got accepted into the same university and are going together. We just came here along the way.”

“Alright, alright, I'm an adult, I understand.” Aunt Feng completely ignored Xie Ning's explanation.

Xie Ning gave a wry smile and shot an apologetic look toward Mo Yu, who returned a smile, seemingly unbothered.

At that moment, the Rift Blade War Mantis walked up to Aunt Feng, squatted down, and tugged on her pant leg, causing her to frown.

“You brat, you should know the rules of the Ansi Domain! Why did you let a Demon Tamer Beast in? Where is Little Mantis?”

Xie Ning smiled wryly and patted the Rift Blade War Mantis's head: “Aunt Feng, this is Little Mantis, it just evolved.”

“Little Mantis?! How did you turn into this monstrous appearance? Auntie didn't even recognize you. Do you want to eat Spirit Silkworm Cocoons? I can tell this brat hasn't fed you. Wait here, Auntie will go get some for you.” Saying this, Aunt Feng quickly left, ignoring Xie Ning's calls. She ran all the way, occasionally shouting, “Little Ning is back!” which attracted a lot of attention.

When the others saw that this strange Demon Tamer Beast before them was actually the original Little Mantis, they couldn't help but laugh and start playing with it.

Xie Ning looked at everyone's reactions and couldn't help but smile.

Before the Beast Tide, Xie Ning and Little Mantis were notoriously mischievous. Whenever his parents were away on missions, he would always bring Little Mantis to exploit their family's delicious food. Over time, Little Mantis became half the darling of Qingyun Town.

Xie Ning looked at the crowd gathered around and asked, “Uncle Sun, Uncle Wang, Aunt Lan, and everyone else, are you all doing well here?”

“We're doing great. Don't worry about us. Take care of yourself out there, and when you get to your new school, make sure to unite with your classmates. There is strength in numbers.”

“That's right. Guarding our family here gives us peace of mind. We won't go out into the outside world. Just come back and visit us often when you have time.”

“I really didn't expect the little guy from back then to become so huge. Evolution truly is...”

Just then, someone spotted a white-haired, withered, one-legged old woman approaching them in an automatic wheelchair, and everyone quickly made way.

“Look, Town Head Grandma is here.”

“Quick, make way for Old Shen.”

Hearing these voices, Xie Ning squeezed through the crowd, walked up to the Town Head Grandma who had arrived before him, squatted down, and called out, “Town Head Grandma.”

“Oh, my dear~” Upon seeing Xie Ning, the Town Head Grandma's eyes welled up with tears. She cupped Xie Ning's head in her hands, rested her forehead against his, and sobbed uncontrollably.

The Rift Blade War Mantis also leaned closer, initially startling the Town Head Grandma. But when she saw the Rift Blade War Mantis shake its head from side to side, she knew it was Little Mantis. She affectionately rubbed Little Mantis's head and looked at the person and the beast with doting eyes.

“You're going to see your parents, aren't you? Grandma will take you.”

Xie Ning nodded slightly, greeted everyone, and then began pushing the Town Head Grandma toward the distance. Mo Yu and the Rift Blade War Mantis quickly followed.

Halfway there, Aunt Feng ran over, carrying a large bag of Spirit Silkworm Cocoons, which she stuffed into the Rift Blade War Mantis's grasp, making Xie Ning feel amused and helpless.

They walked all the way toward the cemetery.

The Town Head Grandma suddenly asked, “Child, which university did you get into?”

“Lingnan Academy, Grandma. It's the Lingnan Academy that saved us five years ago.”

After Xie Ning finished speaking, the Town Head Grandma nodded vigorously: “That's wonderful, truly wonderful. When you go, you must study hard and not bring shame to Lingnan Academy...”

“Absolutely!”

Mo Yu, walking beside them, now understood why Xie Ning was so determined to go to Lingnan Academy—this was the reason.

“Oh, right, I also saw the female teacher in white clothes who saved us back then. Do you still remember her, Grandma?”

The Town Head Grandma narrowed her eyes and said, “The one with the sword, right? She was a good girl. Grandma's life was also dug out of the dirt by her; I can never forget that until the day I die...”

“Yes. It's just... Grandma, you told me before that I should find her and thank her, but...” Xie Ning paused, “I feel like she has changed, she seems a bit cold now, and I heard that quite a few people are speaking ill of her... I don't know how to approach her.”

“Child, Grandma doesn't understand Demon Tamers Beast matters. But when it comes to being a person, Grandma has some things to tell you.” The Town Head Grandma patted Xie Ning's hand and continued:

“People, they used to feel very complicated, but after everything happened, you realize they're actually quite simple. It's like planting sweet potatoes. If everyone in town says this Sweet Potato isn't sweet, doesn't taste good, is hard to grow, and talks about all its flaws, well, that's their business.

But if the Sweet Potato grown in your own home is sweet, tastes good, and is easy to grow, what are you going to do? Are you going to tell it, 'You are a bad Sweet Potato'? Good things shouldn't turn into bad things just because of a few bad words from others.”

Xie Ning frowned and said, “But... I don't know if that female teacher is still as good as she was...”

“Silly child, when Grandma was young, I never listened to others. Whether something tastes good or not, you only know after eating it yourself. Whether it's easy to grow or not, you have to plant it yourself. For right and wrong, you must listen to yourself, not others.” The Town Head Grandma smiled kindly.

Xie Ning's eyes suddenly lit up. The confusion that had plagued his mind was instantly swept away, like the clouds parting to reveal the sun. He said excitedly:

“I understand! You mean I should act according to my own judgment and not be influenced by others. If I can't judge something myself, I must personally go and learn about it, and interact with it, without prejudice based on what others say.”

“Yes, that's right. Don't let the opinions of others influence you from doing what you believe is right.” The Town Head Grandma smiled exceptionally happily.

“Thank you very much, Grandma~” Xie Ning said gratefully.

Mo Yu, standing nearby, looked at Xie Ning and also started smiling.

What made Xie Ning different was that no matter what talent or strength he possessed, he maintained a humble attitude.

Gradually, they could see a large expanse of gray-white gravestones, arranged neatly.

Xie Ning's steps slowed as the cemetery grew larger, until he finally stopped, his eyes unfocused, staring blankly at the cemetery gate.

The Town Head Grandma on the wheelchair also showed sadness in her cloudy eyes, and her whole body trembled slightly.

“Master...” Mo Yu's mood also became very low. Seeing Xie Ning stop, she asked cautiously.

Xie Ning let out a soft sigh and said, “Let's go in.”

After speaking, he pushed the wheelchair into the cemetery.

Once inside the cemetery, the three became even more silent. Sadness and stillness enveloped the area.

They walked uphill to the highest point, where there was a grave, a Cenotaph for Xie Ning's parents.

This grave was slightly larger than the others and beautifully carved. Clearly, the people who built it had expended considerable effort. In front of the grave, there were many chrysanthemums and offerings; some chrysanthemums were withered, while others were still fresh.

Xie Ning traced the names of his parents on the tombstone, and two streams of tears dripped down. The Rift Blade War Mantis beside him also trembled, and the sound of its weeping echoed in Xie Ning's mind.

The Town Head Grandma, sitting in her wheelchair behind him, bowed. Mo Yu also placed a bouquet of chrysanthemums on the tombstone and bowed solemnly.

After a long time, Xie Ning placed the offerings, took a deep breath, stepped back two paces, and said to the Town Head Grandma, “Grandma, would you like to step away? It might get a little bloody soon.”

“Silly child, we survived the disaster five years ago. Is there anything bloodier in the world than that?”

Xie Ning thought for a moment, nodded, and took out a bloody package from his Storage Space.

It was the head of the lame Wang Jin.

Mo Yu gasped in shock, quickly covered her mouth, and stared in astonishment at the head of the man she had seen once in Huajing Residential Area.

“Dad, Mom, you must recognize this person. This beast was one of those who poisoned you, preventing you from using your Gold Rank strength, causing your deaths, and harming so many people in Qingyun Town! Today, your son brought him here. I will make sure he repents before you forever, is always trampled underfoot, and never finds peace!”

After speaking, Xie Ning chiseled a hole in front of the grave where people usually stood, buried Wang Jin's head, and covered it very lightly.

After doing all this, Xie Ning knelt down, bowed his head three times to his parents, and said solemnly:

“Dad, Mom, there is still one main culprit missing: the Black-Robed Person who was in the air at the time. My strength is not enough yet, but one day, I will bring his head too, to make a pair for you both to step on.”

The Town Head Grandma beside him, watching the bloody head and listening to Xie Ning's words, excitedly slapped her leg, tears streaming down her face, unable to stop sobbing.

Mo Yu gently patted her back, comforting her.

After kneeling for a while, Xie Ning stood up and took the equally emotional Town Head Grandma down the hill.

He wasn't worried that the shallowly buried head might be dug up and discarded by someone, because everyone living there harbored deep hatred for those who caused the disaster.

After eating a home-cooked meal in Qingyun Town, Xie Ning and Mo Yu set off toward Lingnan Academy, watched by the crowd.