Chapter 865: The Old Urban Legend

Is there any connection between the people in that building and the Xuan Immortal Continent?

At that moment, Li Shaoqing, suspended in midair, followed the direction of the streaking light—and when he saw it land in the hand of a shadow, his attention immediately snapped to it.

Moreover, for some reason, that shadow felt vaguely familiar.

But the energy field around that figure was too powerful, warping the surroundings and obscuring his view; yet, there was no denying it: this was unquestionably a supreme force. Merely standing there, he drew cosmic energy like a lighthouse, radiating brilliance even in broad daylight.

"And that building—I remember it used to be Li Yi's home." As an Evolved One, Li Shaoqing had a perfect memory; instantly, fragments of past recollections surfaced in his mind.

He paused for a brief moment of thought.

"You all go back. I'll go take a look." With that, Li Shaoqing immediately flew straight toward the Peace Financial Tower.

The closer he got, the more his heart trembled.

Even though he possessed the strength to fight Great Demons, upon nearing the tower's summit, he felt a primal dread wash over him—his hair stood on end, and his body instinctively recoiled, begging him to flee.

This meant the person inside wasn't merely powerful—he was a being of far higher existential tier than Li Shaoqing himself.

"When did Tianchang City gain such a terrifying figure? Could he be connected to those outsiders beyond the city?" Li Shaoqing hesitated, a reluctance to approach gripping him; his flight slowed involuntarily.

Yet the blurred figure inside the tower seemed to sense him—a gaze turned toward him, and a familiar voice rang out: "Li Shaoqing, we're old acquaintances. Since you've come, come in and sit a while."

Li Yi knew the man had been drawn by Cang Erzi's magical energy.

But this also proved that since returning to Earth, Li Shaoqing had truly worked hard to protect Tianchang City—for this wasn't just Li Yi's hometown, but his own as well.

Attachment to one's native land, affection for one's roots, the duty to guard one's home—these were ingrained in every Earthling's bones.

"Li Yi—it really is you," Li Shaoqing said, stunned, yet simultaneously relieved.

They were indeed old acquaintances; back when both were weak, they had once cooperated in Tianchang City.

"Who else would it be? This is my home—I can't let someone else take it over." Li Yi smiled.

Li Shaoqing flew in warily, his body passing straight through the glass, ignoring all barriers, appearing inside the room.

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"Incredible, Li Yi—after just a few years, your cultivation has grown so immensely."

What shocked him most was Li Yi's power.

Back then, when he had gathered a group to cross over, he had trained relentlessly, his strength surging forward—but compared to Li Yi before him, he was a dwarf beside a giant.

"You must have crossed over from Earth and missed many opportunities. Otherwise, with your potential, you could have advanced even further." Li Yi chuckled.

Li Shaoqing sighed: "When I entered the Golden Academy and crossed over, I did so to focus on cultivation. I never imagined things would change so drastically—I returned to find Earth unrecognizable. Thank heavens Tianchang City still stands; otherwise, I wouldn't have known where to go."

"Earth changes daily. Even after being gone for months, I barely recognized it myself—how much more so for you? But you were lucky: you escaped several major disasters." Li Yi said.

Li Shaoqing replied: "If I'd known it would turn out like this, I'd have abandoned the idea of crossing over. But as Vice Chairman of the Cultivation Association, I carried the hopes of many—I had to get them to safety as quickly as possible."

"I understand." Li Yi nodded.

Back then, every promising Evolved One carried the weight of countless others behind them, all striving for a future. He himself had been no different—weren't Lu Jue, Kong Sheng, Zhao Xiaoxiao, and others investing in him then?

And Li Yi had not betrayed them—he fulfilled his promise, helping them and their families cross over to the Four Seas and Eight Continents to survive.

Li Shaoqing said: "Li Yi, with your strength, you must know more about Earth's current situation than I do. Can you tell me? Lately, the ground has shaken constantly—I sensed the terrifying auras of Demon Kings and True Immortals. Has a great battle occurred?"

Li Yi said with surprise, "I didn't expect your information to be this isolated." "There's no way around it," Li Shaoqing said helplessly. "Tianchang City has no signal, and nearby cities have been destroyed. Even though I finally got in touch with a survival base, they're unwilling to give me much information—and they're deliberately blocking some things."

"No choice—Tianchang City has no signal, and nearby cities have been destroyed. Even after I managed to contact a survival base, they refused to share much information, and deliberately suppressed certain things." Li Shaoqing sighed helplessly.

"That's because the survival base recently prepared to cross over from Earth and cut off all external contact. The great battle seven days ago had a massive impact—but it's over now. Many of the invaders have withdrawn. I believe many cities will soon begin rebuilding." Li Yi said: "If you want more details, I can tell you."

"Then I'd be grateful." Li Shaoqing said.

Li Yi gestured for him to sit, then brought out a pot of wine and a platter of Demon King meat to serve him, and proceeded to recount everything that had recently transpired.

When he heard that Demon Kings, True Immortals, and Ancient Gods had all entered the fray, clashing with Earth's defenders in a battle that nearly shattered the entire continental plate, Li Shaoqing broke into cold sweat.

"The dozens of experts outside Tianchang City are the reinforcements I brought in. I've stationed them here to better monitor them."

Then Li Yi looked out the window, explaining the origin of the cultivation experts outside, to prevent future misunderstandings.

"Are they reliable? Won't this invite wolves into the house?" Li Shaoqing whispered his concern.

Li Yi laughed: "You don't need to trust them—trust me. Besides, Earth isn't the first to bring in outside help. The Golden Academy used to do it all the time—it's nothing unusual."

"Good." Li Shaoqing no longer dwelled on it.

These powerful beings were, after all, heroes. His suspicion was somewhat inappropriate—but such was the nature of Earthlings.

"Still, I must thank you. Under your governance, Tianchang City has done well." Li Yi added.

Li Shaoqing waved his hand: "What's there to thank me for? I was just protecting my own hometown—it's what anyone should do."

"It's what anyone should do—but I'm the only one who came back across the void to guard this city." Li Yi said: "Others ran—and they're gone for good."

"That's unavoidable. By the way, Li Yi, do you remember that mission in the old district?" Li Shaoqing suddenly recalled something.

"The one against the walking corpses? I remember. What about it?" Li Yi asked.

"In the old district, one building still stands—undestroyed. It's always lit up, strangely. Some Evolved Ones who entered it vanished without a trace. I meant to investigate it myself, but I think you're better suited for it."

Li Yi immediately understood Li Shaoqing's meaning and narrowed his eyes.

Li Yi immediately understood Li Shaoqing's meaning and narrowed his eyes.

"Perhaps. I tried destroying the building, but failed—it seems to exist outside this timeline, merely a projection, yet still able to affect reality." Li Shaoqing said.

Li Yi said: "That does require caution. But since you mentioned it, I'll go take a look."

At his current level, he didn't believe anything strange could affect him—too bad his cracked short staff had been taken by Xiao Yang; otherwise, it would've been useful now.

"Don't force it. If it's too dangerous, just leave it." Li Shaoqing said: "It's not a big deal—just an urban legend. After the Heaven's Collapse, Earth's full of bizarre things. One more won't matter."

"I understand." Li Yi smiled: "It seems my mother's incident left a deep impression on you—you're still uneasy about it."

Li Shaoqing looked startled, then instinctively glanced around—even though his strength had vastly improved, recalling that incident still sent chills down his spine.

"Don't worry—I've already resolved that matter." Li Yi said.

Li Shaoqing gave a slightly awkward smile.