Dean Xinghai was taken aback, looking at Long Jing.

"Return the Heavenly Dragon Divine Sword to you?"

Long Jing's expression was calm, without a trace of pleading, she merely said:

"Without the Heavenly Dragon Swordsmanship, the Heavenly Dragon Divine Sword is just an ordinary weapon in your hands. But to me, it holds a completely different meaning.

The Dean is kind-hearted and cares for the world. Uncle Long Kui greatly praised you when he talked about you during his lifetime."

Xinghai laughed:

"Long Kui has always been conceited, and he praised me?"

"Of course, Uncle Long Kui said that in terms of genetic evolution talent and cultivation, he is not inferior to you. However, in one aspect, he has always been defeated by you."

"Oh? He said something like that? Tell me more."

"Uncle Long Kui once talked about you, saying that of the four deans of the Witch Star, he only admired you. The deans of Xiangshan Academy of the Youming Empire, and Mingluo Academy of the Genetic Store Headquarters, including himself, fall far short of you in terms of vision."

"Haha, did Long Kui really say that? Interesting!"

Xinghai was somewhat pleased and excited.

Long Jing nodded,

"Uncle Long Kui said that only your academy, when nurturing talents, considers the world's people as its mission, rather than serving just the Flying Leopard Empire alone,

He said that Dean Xinghai has always been concerned about the future and prospects of Witch Star, so his academy opens its doors to students from all corners of the world,

Even enemies of the Flying Leopard Empire, as long as they wish to come to Flying Leopard Academy for cultivation, are accepted. His academy does not only serve the Flying Leopard Empire,

but Heavenly Dragon Academy, Xiangshan Academy, and Mingluo Academy are different; they mainly recruit students from within their realms, prioritizing cultivating talents to serve themselves,

Uncle Long Kui always admired your educational philosophy of 'cultivating the people for the world,' saying he could never achieve your realm in his lifetime."

"Haha... I never expected that old Long Kui, who is usually conceited and arrogant in front of me, would recognize my vision in private. If he hadn't died, he could have been considered half a confidant. Alas, what a pity!"

Xinghai was very happy to receive praise from Long Kui, the dean of the Heavenly Dragon Academy.

Xinghai glanced at Long Jing, nodded, and said:

"Long Kui once told me that among the younger generation of the Great Dragon Empire, only you could achieve greatness in the future. You possess the rare Heavenly Dragon Beast Soul, and with proper cultivation, once you break through the Emperor Level Realm, the future is limitless,

Today, your Great Dragon Empire is facing difficulties. With your current Evolution Realm, the Heavenly Dragon Divine Sword in your hands can exert half the power of an Emperor Level Evolver, and I believe it can help you through the crisis,

However, today as I return the Heavenly Dragon Divine Sword to you, you must promise me one thing."

Long Jing bowed:

"Please, tell me, Dean. As long as Long Jing can achieve it, I will do my utmost and never break my word."

"When you break through to the Emperor Level Realm one day and succeed, I hope you can take the world's people as your mission. Do not follow in your father's footsteps for personal gain, seeking to conquer and wage wars that ruin lives,

In case,"

Xinghai paused, looking seriously at Long Jing.

Long Jing maintained a respectful and solemn expression.

"In case one day, Witch Star faces catastrophe, I hope you will not focus on personal gain and loss and unite with other heroes and talents on Witch Star to contribute your strength to its defense."

Long Jing was deeply moved by his words,

"Dean, will our Witch Star encounter disaster?"

Xinghai smiled faintly and said:

"I merely mentioned it in passing, hoping Witch Star will forever be at peace and never face calamity again."

"Very well, I promise the Dean that in the future, I will advocate kindness and take the world's people as my mission, protecting our shared home."

Xinghai nodded approvingly.

"Come with me."

Xinghai led Long Jing to a building within Flying Leopard Academy that stored weapons and took out the treasured Heavenly Dragon Divine Sword, handing it to Long Jing.

Holding the Heavenly Dragon Divine Sword, Long Jing was filled with excitement and emotion, bowing deeply to Xinghai.

"Thank you!"

Xinghai was solemn,

"I hope the Heavenly Dragon Divine Sword in your hands can manifest a different kind of positive energy."

"Dean, please arrange for me to meet Yang Xiao alone."

"Alright, no problem."

...

Yang Xiao was taken by Xinghai to the Flying Leopard Academy's guest residence, arriving at the villa area.

"Dean, why did you bring me here?"

"Don't ask, you'll see soon."

After a brief moment, Xinghai stopped in front of a villa and said:

"I'll take you this far; go in by yourself."

Yang Xiao looked at the villa ahead, noticing more than ten guards outside, and curiously asked:

"Dean, what are you up to?"

Xinghai chuckled and turned to leave.

Yang Xiao walked to the villa's entrance, where the guards automatically stepped aside.

He walked into the courtyard, reaching the villa's hall entrance, where two maids nodded at Yang Xiao and opened the hall door.

Within Flying Leopard Academy, Yang Xiao naturally didn't worry about traps, and besides, Xinghai would never frame him. Without further thought, he stepped in.

Inside the hall, soft veils fluttered gently in the breeze.

By the window in the distance stood a graceful woman, her back facing Yang Xiao, seemingly looking at the blooming flowers in the backyard.

The woman's silhouette was beautiful and elegant, exuding an entrancing aura that compelled one to look again, and once looked upon, it was impossible to look away.

Yang Xiao's heart skipped a beat, and a familiar feeling surged within.

Standing at the entrance of the hall, Yang Xiao faced the distant window where the woman stood with her back to him.

The two stood silently for several seconds.

Yang Xiao coughed lightly,

"Jing'er, is that you?"

The woman's silhouette trembled slightly.

Long Jing felt an inexplicable comfort inside, at least Yang Xiao could recognize her by just a silhouette.

Long Jing turned around with a calm smile, nodding while looking at Yang Xiao,

"You came? Didn't expect it to be me, did you?"

Yang Xiao gave a bitter smile and entered the hall.

"Indeed, I didn't expect it to be you. How did you know I came to Flying Leopard Academy?"

"I just came to Flying Leopard Academy for some business and happened to learn you were back,

How have you been?"

Long Jing looked at Yang Xiao.

Yang Xiao looked at Long Jing, feeling this once happy and pure woman had gained some sorrow and maturity. It seemed Long Jing was also bearing the pressure of the changes in the Great Dragon Empire.

Yang Xiao thought of killing the War God and said:

"Jing'er, I'm very sorry. I killed the War God, he—"

Before Yang Xiao could finish, Long Jing raised her hand to interrupt him,

"You don't need to apologize on my behalf. If I were you, facing an assassination attempt, I would only resist fiercely."

"..."

"Sit down, have some tea. I have something to discuss with you."

Long Jing motioned to the sofa in the hall.

The two sat down on the sofa.

On the coffee table in front of them was already prepared tea.

Long Jing picked up the teapot, poured a cup for Yang Xiao, and another for herself.

Yang Xiao's feelings towards Long Jing were quite complicated now. Their relationship could no longer solely focus on pure personal emotions. Long Jing's identity and status no longer allowed her to consider matters as simply as before.

For a moment, both felt a bit awkward, glancing at each other and then avoiding eye contact,

The spacious hall allowed both to hear each other's heartbeat.

"Do you have something to discuss with me?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Yes!"

Long Jing nodded.

"What is it?"

Long Jing hesitated, then raised her head to look directly at Yang Xiao,

"Yang Xiao, this time I came to see you on behalf of the Great Dragon Empire. The Great Dragon Empire hopes for a ceasefire and peaceful coexistence with you, what do you think?"

Yang Xiao was quite surprised, momentarily stunned, looking at Long Jing.

"Is this your father's intention, or yours?"

"I've convinced my father, so now I represent the Great Dragon Empire."

Yang Xiao remained silent, lifting his teacup to take a slow sip.

The Great Dragon Empire lowering itself to seek peace with him was somewhat exciting and made him feel proud.

The other day, Dean Xinghai also spoke to him about considering a ceasefire with the Great Dragon Empire.

But Yang Xiao's goal was to destroy the Great Dragon Empire; his plan had just begun.

Thinking of the billions of innocent compatriots who died on Earth, Yang Xiao's heart surged with passion.

"What if I refuse?"