Departure

In the northern reaches of the magical beast forest, the sun slowly rose over the mountain town of Ark. The air was crisp, and the stone buildings shone brightly in the early morning sun. Despite the early hour, a large number of citizens were already awake and beginning their daily routines. Despite the knowledge of the demon army, there was no fear in the air; instead, there was a palpable sense of excitement that gripped the town.

On the outskirts of the village, six people made their way towards the village, climbing steadily towards their goal. Longwei, the lord of Ark village, headed this small group, followed by Scarlet, Sylvia, Anastasia, Qin Shi, and Shi Lihua.

"We can finally return to the village," said Shi Lihua as she looked at the thriving village in the distance. She was no longer the same little girl that used to follow Longwei around when they were kids. Now she was a supreme beauty capable of toppling cities and countries. Not only her, but all the women accompanying Longwei were incomparable beauties that could incite mouth-watering greed in almost any man.

The entire group was looking forward to returning to the village as well. After Longwei subdued the entire magical beast forest, he took them on a tour of the Archaic continent with the Kougala demon beast. He knew that his day of departure was very close, which is why he wanted to have some fun before he left. Some of the group were his subordinates, but others were the only family he had left in this world. He doesn't know when he would be able to return, or what awaited him on the Demon Continent, so he wanted to make the best of the time he had available.

"No, all of you will be returning, except for Anastasia and Scarlet," said Longwei as he shook his head. "I won't be going back to the village."

"Where do you want to go?" asked Shi Lihua with a playful smile. Ever since coming to the Ark village with Longwei, she had been riding a roller coaster of happiness. She was never bored, and with her and Longwei being betrothed since they were children, she could almost be considered his wife. Not only that, but her cultivation had skyrocketed as well after Longwei gifted her with one of the Awakening Crystals.

Longwei's eyes narrowed while he looked towards the horizon as if hoping to see what lay beyond it. "The Demon Continent! It is finally time for me to go there."

"Are you joking?!" she exclaimed. Not just Shi Lihua, but even Qin Shi and Sylvia were surprised after this announcement.

Longwei looked her in the eyes and said: "No, I'm not."

Qin Shi remained silent throughout this exchange. She knew that something like this would happen eventually, but she did not expect is so soon. She finally understood why Longwei had been in such a rush to subdue the entire magical beast forest and grow the strength of his army.

Other than Anastasia and Scarlet, Longwei had not told anyone about him going to the Demon Continent until now. He waited until the last minute to tell them so they would not have time to convince him to stay.

"Wei, the magical beast forest is one thing, but do you know how terrifying the Demon Continent is? The 72 Demon Commanders were already strong enough, but there's also the Nine Grand Dukes above them. Rumor has it that two of them have almost reached the Saint Sovereign Rank," said Shi Lihua solemnly. After spending so much time with Anastasia over the last seven months, she had learned a lot about the Demon Continent.

"Saint Sovereign? So what? Sooner or later I will have to face them regardless," answered Longwei nonchalantly. He did not seem concerned in the slightest.

"Is this because they haven't attacked the Archaic Continent again?" interjected Qin Shi. As one of the core members of Longwei's followers, she knew how dangerous the demons were and did not want Longwei to throw away his life. He was the pillar of Ark Village and was one of the last hopes of the human race.

"Yes. I feel that if I don't go, something really bad will befall us," answered Longwei with a solemn look on his face. The entire group noticed the determination with which he spoke, making their hearts heavy since they knew they would be unable to convince him to stay.

Longwei noticed their worry and gently stroked Shi Lihua's hair before saying, "I know how dangerous the Demon Continent is, more than any of you. However, even if I won't be able to defeat one of the Nine Grand Dukes yet, they won't be able to kill me either."

"But, "Shi Lihua began, "let me go with you, then that way -"

Longwei quickly interrupted her. "Don't worry about me. I can't take you there as your cultivation is still too shallow. Wait until you break through to the Saint Rank, and then I'll think about it."

Shi Lihua gently sighed in response. She could tell from his expression that he would not be persuaded in the slightest.

"Qin Shi, I trust you will know what to do while I'm gone. Sylvia, even though you've already broken through to the Saint Rank, I want you to stay with Qin Shi and Shi Lihua in the village. I'll come to get you to give me a hand once I settle myself on the Demon Continent." said Longwei. He gently kissed Sylvia, who had misty eyes, on the forehead in farewell. It would be the first time they would be parted for any length of time. He had raised and taken care of her ever since she was a little dragon.

Longwei turned to Shi Lihua and kissed her on the forehead as well, causing her heart to flutter. She felt that she was about to lose him again, just like when he disappeared when they were kids. She reached out and grabbed his neck firmly, ignoring the audience, and gave Longwei a passionate yet innocent kiss. She daringly explored his mouth again and again. It was a first both of them.

Qin Shi couldn't help but smile awkwardly even as her face flushed. Anastasia, Sylvia, and Scarlet were blushing heavily as well. They were all still girls at heart and knew what this kind of kiss meant, even though they had not experienced it for themselves yet.

With great difficulty, Longwei and Shi Lihua finally parted from each other. He looked at the blushing Shi Lihua and smiled. "Goodbye. Be safe while I'm gone."

"Wei, please don't die," said Shi Lihua with her head lowered. Now that it was over, she was suddenly embarrassed by her previous actions. She took her to leave, walking in the direction of Ark Village without looking back. She was afraid she wouldn't be able to leave if she looked back at him.

Qin Shi also bid him farewell. "I hope you come home victorious, Young Lord."

"Hurry up and get settled so you can come to get me, big brother," said Sylvia before following the other two women towards the village.

Longwei sighed after they left, before turning to Scarlet and Anastasia.

"Let us go on our way as well."

The trio boarded the Kougala demon beast, which quickly flew towards the horizon and out of sight of the village.