Cain was d it wasn''t anything like several years or something. But even as a cultivator who can spend decades of time in close-door cultivation, being without your special partners or some time would prick at any cultivator''s soul.


    Cain could only sigh and say, "I truly never meant to stay out for so long. I was nning oning back quite soon, actually after some recent gains. Here''s what basically happened to me..."


    Using some time, Cain went on to exin most of his travel since leaving Cloudsea Holy Land.


    He omitted numerous details and only kept the key facts. Including the mysterious Heavenly God Sect and their ruse at trying to forcefully capture him.


    At the end of his exnation, the girls were silent for a moment, they all slowly processing the information.


    Lan Rui was the first to murmur, ''Heavenly God sect? Hellfire realm? Hidden Heavenly Venerates? This is all...I don''t know what to say. My master had never once mention things like this.''


    ''And what''s up with all their secrecy?'' Yulong''s tone was aggressive, holding an evident dislike for this Heavenly God Sect.


    She can be increasingly aggressive while saying, ''This should be a call for action! Do they really think they can do as they please? They''re looking down on everyone else far too much!''


    Her roots were deeply seeded within the God Gxy. Those who disdain upon or feel superior to her homnd wouldn''t be wee at all.


    Her sentiments were shared by the girls and even Cain, to a lesser degree.


    Though, Jin Ya brought up a different topic to this issue. ''Even with their actions, I highly doubt it''ll be easy to find them. From what senior martial brother ims, they are experts at hiding their track if the only thing that can find them is a special map. And who knows the depths of their background strength? No, what we should focus on is getting senior martial brother back home.''


    ''Mn. I wholeheartedly agree...but...'' Amber sounded hopeful at first, but concern began to warp her tone secondster. ''You said you''re now in the Central Starfield, right? That''s way too far for even a Heavenly Venerate to travel. Moreover, we can only contact each other through this ring, not find our locations. Looking for you in the Central Starfield would be worse than trying to find a divine peal in an ocean.''


    Her blunt yet truthful words caused a somber mood to permeate. All of them had their own reasons and special experiences with Cain. Such experiences that left an immensely deep impression on their souls. It truly was difficult to bear not seeing him any longer.


    The same could be said for Cain. But even so, Cain knew focusing on depressing matters won''t get them anywhere.


    His tone was calm as he said, "Let''s just keep focus, ok? In this environment, my cultivation will rapidly soar and soon enough, I''ll pull enough resources to see you all again. Focus on the bright future."


    "Oh? Speaking of bright futures." Yulong''s cheeriness had already returned to her voice. Her tone even became a bit teasing. ''I know it''s pretty much destined for some like Cain. So? What woman do you have swooning over you now?''


    ''Swooning over?'' Cain wryly smiled. ''I''ve only met Zexi. And like I said, without her, I would''ve probably been tortured by those damn demons. So, I owe her quite a bit. And since I know you''ll ask Yulong, she is indeed a beauty.''


    ''So you say...but I can tell there''s a lot more to this story.'' Yulong''s curling smile could almost be heard in her voice.


    ''Mn...well, he is a bit troublesome in this regard.'' Amber sighed with slight amusement.


    Lan Rui and Jin Ya didn''tment, but Cain could practically see their blushing faces.<novelnext></novelnext>


    Shaking his head, he focused back on the main topic and said, ''Alright, alright. I need to go now. Those Heavenly Venerates really are expecting much from me. We''ll talk soon.''


    ''Stay safe!'' ''You must stay safe!'' The girls shouted at the same time. With Yulong being the more demanding one of them all.


    Promising the girls to keep his life, Cain dispersed the contact ring.


    A bit of a hollow sensation rippled through Cain. He nearly wanted to call the girls right back. Hearing their beautiful voice was still sending shivers down his soul.


    But now wasn''t the time to lose focus. Cain quelled his nerves with soul energy and began to focus on his mission.


    He had a day to get ready and leave. But Cain found there was no need to take so much time. Entering into a meditative state, he began adjusting himself to his bestbat potential state.


    ...


    A few hours quickly breezed by.


    At this time, Cain snapped his eyes open, his pupils glimmering with blinding electricity and faint rays of divine ice.


    A faint surge of excitement blossomed through his mind and body. Admittedly, he held some anticipation of facing the Divine Decree Lords of the Central Starfield.


    These lords would be superior to the ones he faced in the Starfall Wastnd. True talents who can easily suppress nearly their entire generation.


    Cain hoped somebody there will give him a good chance to stretch his arms.


    Before leaving, he was about to re-check the content of this mission. However, as he picked up his spatial ring, he soon detected a familiar divine aura at his front door steps. It was a pleasant and slight surprise.


    With a thought, the door swung open, revealing the beautiful maiden Zexi.


    Her usual charming face was now warped with slight concern. There wasn''t any hesitation in her steps as she directly walked in and locked eyes with Cain, saying, "Thank the lords I got here before you left, brother Cain. They really weren''t going to let me see you! I swear, these old folks are too uptight about statuses and cement."


    Naturally, Cain wasn''t disturbed by Zexi''s concern. He casually smiled and said, "I''m assuming you got here because you are the direct connection that led me here in the first ce, right?"


    "Mn." Zexi nodded. And a slightly solemn expression emerged on her beautiful face. "But enough about me. Brother Cain, are you sure about epting a mission from the ancestors? I''ve only just barely got information from high Elder Pang. But even so, anything that the ancestors surely won''t just be hard. It will be an immense challenge! Elder Pang had just vaguely mentioned you''ll be facing the more terrifying Divine Decree Lords, right? You can''t underestimate a single one of them!"


    Not a single hint of nerves could be seen on Cain. Though his curiosity was piqued. "It seems you know a bit more than surface level knowledge? That''s all got from my instructions. Apparently, everyone really wants me to watch out for this Master Shao guy."


    "Master Shao..." A tiny quiver was hinted within Zexi''s voice. "Indeed...he''s one of the most frightening among the Astral Demons. The gaps between the minor stages of Holy King are supposed to be wider and wider. Even fighting a slightly talentedte stage master is nightmarish. I''ve heard so many elders speak of horror stories of needing to gang together to kill one talentedte stage master. And this Lord Shao can practically crush anyone in thete stage! There''s a reason why he''s so fear. He goes around challenging thete stage senior masters of various Holy Lands and never once lost a fight."