In the Brave Return dimension, Phoenix Island.
Hongmao stood alone in the rainy night, clenching his fists.
He wished he could fly to Lantu's side right now, kill the man who dared to touch her with his own hands.
Tell her, he's here, everything is alright now.
Every time he thought of that figure he yearned for, on the other end of the sea, being coveted by another man, touched by another man, it felt like Hongmao's heart was being sliced by a thousand knives, with countless ants crawling over it.
Ninety-nine percent of the reason for his darkening was because of Lantu!
He couldn't wait any longer.
Even if he had to sell his soul to the devil, even if he became a demon ten thousand times more cruel than Heixin Hu of the past, he had to go before Lantu and win his beloved back.
[Dark Group Owner has sent a map coordinate.]
[Dark Group Owner: @Master of the Changhong Sword, do what you want to do. In today's martial world, aside from the reclusive Santai Pavilion of Santai Mountain, no one can stop you.]
Hattori sent the coordinates without hesitation, encouraging him.
[Master of the Changhong Sword: Thank you, Group Owner. I will never forget your great kindness, Group Owner.]
In the rainy night, Hongmao clasped his hands in a salute, tears streaming down his cheeks.
[Dark Group Owner: No need to thank me. These are all your own choices. Everyone who steps onto the path of darkness has countless past grievances knotting their heart. Now, go and resolve yours.]
[Young Master of the Demonic Sect: Hmph, Hongmao, remember my words. Don't let Lantu down, and don't make me look down on you.]
[Master of the Changhong Sword: Mm.]
Hongmao nodded heavily, fastened the Demonic Rainbow Sword at his waist, and headed northwest without looking back.
That was the location of Coconut Island!
This time, he was determined to kill until rivers of blood flowed and the heavens and earth turned dark.
Not for all living beings, but for his beauty!
Coconut Island, Fighting Arena.
Lantu sat by the bed, watching Hantian, whose eyes were tightly closed, with a worried expression.
She constantly used a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his temples.
"Hantian, you still have your mother's necklace to redeem, so many dreams to fulfill... If something happens, you'll never get to see that day." Lantu glanced at the letter on the corner of the table with complex gaze and sighed softly.
Today was the seventh day she and Hantian had been in the fighting arena.
Starting from the fifth day, the opponents Hantian faced had already become very difficult to deal with.
That was a blood-red bull.
Its powerful limbs and sharp horns had gouged a hole in Hantian's stomach.
If he weren't proficient in ice-based martial arts and used cold ice to seal the wound, he would have long since died from excessive blood loss on the spot.
After that hard-won victory, every subsequent match added to the severity of Hantian's injuries.
On the sixth day, a swamp python struck Hantian's neck with its venomous fangs.
It was a slow-acting neurotoxin.
Over time, it would gradually invade the victim's body, causing irreversible damage.
But for the sake of the match, Hantian only did simple first aid and continued to grit his teeth and fight.
On the seventh day, the opponent was a mighty gorilla wielding a meteor hammer, which had developed a trace of intelligence.
It sent Hantian flying with one hammer strike, slamming him into the arena wall, leaving a deep dent.
Since then, Hantian had been vomiting blood and unconscious.
The physician said he had broken multiple ribs, which had pierced his internal organs, suffering severe internal injuries.
If there were no miraculous medicines or someone with powerful internal energy to heal him, the situation would be dire.
"Mother... Mother..."
Hantian's eyes were tightly closed, his brows deeply furrowed, constantly murmuring his mother's name.
An unhealthy flush also rose on his pale, cold face.
Lantu's pupils contracted slightly.
Vague memories in her heart told her that this kind of flush should be a deathbed resurgence.
'Hantian is going to die.'
"Hantian, I will find a doctor for you. You won't die. To repay the debt for saving my life, I won't let you die." Lantu clenched her fists, her expression becoming determined.
She and Hantian had stayed in the cave for seven days.
During these seven days, his attitude towards her had visibly changed.
At first it was:
"Hey, what's your name?"
Cold, aloof, like a wolf from the north.
Later, Hantian's cold mask slowly lifted.
His expression became softer, and he began to confide his past.
"Lantu, you know what? When I was little, my mother loved that necklace the most. For that necklace, she almost fell off a thousand-meter cliff. I called her stupid, but she just laughed and said I didn't understand, said that necklace was a token of love given to her."
Hantian's gaze was distant, implying something.
By the fifth day, he was already certain.
He liked Lantu.
This woman, as pure as a lotus, as gentle as sweet dew, was a presence as perfect as his mother, if not more so.
Her every smile and frown, her every movement and stillness, could pluck at the strings of Hantian's heart.
From that day on, Hantian's goal shifted from working hard to earn money to redeem his mother's necklace… to pursuing Lantu, making her forget Hongmao, and eloping with him!
But, Lantu's heart never changed.
Her longing for that elusive 'Hongmao' not only didn't fade with time but grew stronger.
Every day when she opened her eyes, that blurry phantom appeared before her.
Every day when she closed her eyes to sleep, that piercing cry echoed in her ears.
It seemed to be saying,
Don't go!
Don't leave him!
Lantu would often wake with a start, a crystal clear tear at the corner of her eye.
Gradually, Lantu was no longer confused.
She was certain.
Hongmao must exist in this world.
If Hantian wasn't Hongmao, then this person must be somewhere outside the fighting arena.
Even if she had to trample the world, travel to every corner of the mountains and rivers, Lantu wanted to find 'Hongmao'.
Find this person who was more important than her own life.
Therefore, Ten minutes ago, Lantu had already left a letter, preparing to leave.
But, the sudden bad news about Hantian interrupted Lantu's plans, forcing her to stay here temporarily to take care of Hantian.
However, upon realizing Hantian's critical condition and the necessity of finding a miraculous doctor, Lantu once again suppressed the urge to leave here.
At the very least, she had to save Hantian's life before going to find Hongmao.
Given her character, she couldn't ignore the life and death of her savior.
"Rest well. I'll go find a doctor for you..."
Tap.
Lantu's voice froze at that moment.
Hantian's weak, trembling hand suddenly erupted with an irresistible force, tightly gripping Lantu's hand.
His pale, trembling lips, gritting his teeth, let out an unconscious cry.
"Don't go!"
"Don't leave me!"
Hantian's two piercing cries were filled with deep emotion.
In that instant, Lantu's pupils contracted sharply.
This voice, these words...
Were actually exactly the same as the ones she dreamed of every day!
Lantu's shoulders trembled uncontrollably, large tears streaming from her eyes.
'Could it be that Hantian had deceived me, and he really was that 'Hongmao'?'