Chapter 37

The night sky over Earth was calm, with stars shining brightly as Xu Han stood on the hill, reflecting on his time back in the city. The simplicity of the world and the interactions with its people had reminded him of what he had once fought for—life, peace, and the ability for people to live without fear of cosmic battles raging overhead. But now, his brief return to Earth was coming to an end. It was time to face the next chapter of his journey.

Though he felt the pull of the multiverse calling him back, there was one more place he needed to visit before he left—one that held echoes of his past battles.

Xu Han descended from the hill and traveled to a remote part of the planet, where few people ventured anymore. The area had once been a thriving metropolis, but after the great battle against the interstellar fleet and the fallout from cosmic forces, it had been left in ruins.

As Xu Han approached the desolate landscape, he saw the remnants of the once grand city: shattered buildings, roads overtaken by nature, and the faint energy signatures of battles long past. The air here was thick with the memory of destruction, a reminder of the price that had been paid to protect Earth.

Xu Han walked through the ruins, his steps silent as he surveyed the wreckage. He had fought here once, defending the planet from an alien invasion that had threatened to wipe out humanity. The battle had been brutal, and the scars it left were still visible in the broken landscape.

But now, the city was silent. Nature had begun to reclaim the land, and the sounds of wildlife filled the air. It was a strange mix of destruction and renewal, a testament to the resilience of both the Earth and its people.

As Xu Han moved deeper into the ruins, he sensed a faint energy—an echo of something familiar. It was subtle, but it called to him, pulling him toward the heart of the city's remains.

At the center of the ruins, Xu Han found what he had been sensing. In a large, open area that had once been a city square, there was a faint shimmer in the air, a distortion in reality. It was a nexus of power—an aftershock of the battles that had been fought here, where the fabric of reality had been torn and then mended.

The energy was unlike anything Xu Han had felt before. It was ancient, but also new—an imprint of the multiverse's influence on Earth. He reached out with his senses, touching the edge of the distortion, and in that moment, he saw flashes of the past.

He saw himself, standing tall against the interstellar fleet, his power overwhelming the enemies who sought to conquer Earth. He saw the alien ships falling from the sky, the people below cheering as their world was saved. He saw the moments where the multiverse had bled into Earth's reality, leaving behind traces of its power.

But then the vision shifted. He saw something else—something more recent. A shadowy figure, moving through the ruins, their presence barely detectable but unmistakably tied to the Cult of the Void.

Xu Han's eyes narrowed. The cult had been here.

The vision faded, and Xu Han stood in silence for a moment, piecing together what he had seen. The Cult of the Void had come to Earth, but they hadn't stayed. They had only passed through, perhaps searching for something or leaving behind a trace of their power. Whatever their purpose, it was clear that Earth was not safe from their influence.

As Xu Han prepared to leave the ruins, he sensed another presence approaching. It was faint but familiar, and as he turned, he saw a figure stepping out from the shadows of the broken city.

It was Yu Xue, his first disciple, who had been training on his own since they last parted ways. Yu Xue's aura had grown stronger since Xu Han had last seen him, and there was a quiet confidence in his gaze.

"Master," Yu Xue greeted, bowing his head slightly in respect. "I sensed your presence on Earth and came to find you."

Xu Han gave a small nod. "I didn't expect to see you here, Yu Xue. How have your training and travels been?"

Yu Xue straightened, his eyes sharp with focus. "I've grown stronger, as you instructed. I've faced many challenges, but I feel that I've only scratched the surface of my potential. The battles ahead will require more than what I have now."

Xu Han regarded his disciple for a moment, sensing the determination and growth within him. Yu Xue had come a long way since their first meeting, and his journey of self-discovery had only just begun.

"The path you're on will only grow more difficult," Xu Han said, his tone calm but firm. "But you have already proven yourself time and time again. You are capable of far more than you realize."

Yu Xue nodded, but his expression grew serious. "I came to tell you something else, Master. I've encountered signs of the Cult of the Void in my travels. They're growing bolder, moving across realms at an alarming pace. I fear they may already be preparing for their final move."

Xu Han's eyes darkened at the mention of the cult. He had sensed their presence here, but hearing confirmation from Yu Xue only reinforced the urgency of their mission.

"They've been here as well," Xu Han said, glancing at the nexus of power. "But they didn't stay. It seems they are searching for something, or perhaps leaving behind a mark."

Yu Xue's expression hardened. "Then we must move quickly. The Void Sovereign's rise is closer than we thought."

Though the threat of the Void Sovereign lingered, Xu Han decided to take this brief moment with Yu Xue as a time for reflection. They both sat at the edge of the ruins, overlooking the rebuilt city in the distance. The quiet of the night offered a strange sense of peace, even as the weight of the multiverse pressed upon them.

For a time, neither of them spoke. There was no need. The bond between master and disciple was one of understanding, and they both knew that their time together was always fleeting.

"Have you ever thought about returning to Earth permanently, Master?" Yu Xue asked after a long silence.

Xu Han gazed at the distant horizon, the city lights twinkling like stars. "Earth is my home, but the multiverse is my responsibility. There are battles that only I can fight, and threats that reach far beyond this world. I cannot stay, but I will always return."

Yu Xue nodded, understanding. "I will continue to grow stronger, Master. When the time comes, I will stand beside you."

Xu Han smiled faintly. "I know you will."

As the night deepened, Xu Han and Yu Xue prepared to leave the ruins. The time for rest had come to an end, and the next phase of their journey was beginning. The Cult of the Void was on the move, and the Nexus Key was still incomplete.

Before they left, Xu Han glanced back at the ruins one last time. This place, like Earth itself, was a reminder of the battles fought and the lives protected. But it was also a reminder of what was still at stake.

The multiverse was vast, and its challenges endless. But for now, Xu Han had found a brief moment of peace, a reminder of the world he had once called home.

As they stepped through the portal, leaving Earth behind once more, Xu Han felt a renewed sense of purpose. The storm was coming, and when it arrived, he would be ready.