"You'll be able to see what the second realm's like for yourselves soon, too—you're all ready to advance, after all. However, I'm still a little worried about Hanxiang, so I'd like all of you to stay for a little while longer in the first realm. Would you mind doing that?"

"Of course not! We'll treat your sister like our own," Sun Mengmeng promised. The others nodded in assent.

"Very well. In that case, I'll spend some time with Hanxiang today before returning to the second realm. There's work that I have to be doing there."

Zhang Lie's safe return had wiped the anxiety off the others' minds, and they left the conference room with a burden lifted off their hearts. 

Zhang Hong followed suit, but just as she was about to head out, she suddenly turned back. "Ah, wait, Dojo Leader! I've almost forgotten about Jun Jiuxiao and Ye Xianchen. Ever since you lost contact, they've locked themselves up in a training chamber and been training themselves to death there. I think you had better meet them to reassure them of your safety."

Zhang Lie nodded. "I don't have much time left. Will you summon them to this conference room?"

"Yes, immediately!" Zhang Hong rushed out toward the training chambers in which Zhang Lie's two apprentices were located.

A few moments later, however, she retraced her footsteps.

"I apologize, Dojo Leader, but there's another thing I've forgotten. The starbeasts, aquatic, nightdemons, and night spirits have each sent teams of researchers to Earth, and they're demanding to see you. Will you give them some of your time?"

She knew that these were four of the strongest races in the Milky Way. Even though Zhang Lie—and, by extension, mankind—had won the Void Cup, she still held considerable respect toward them.

"Making a fuss, are they? Let them be. There's no need to be so polite to them; have them wait for my return."

"Have them... wait?"

"Right. Tell them that I'm extremely disappointed with their behavior to date. Those who are willing to wait can do so; otherwise, send them back to their home planet immediately."

"Yes, Dojo Leader!" Zhang Hong nodded firmly, then walked off—this time without returning.

Zhang Lie and Zhang Hanxiang were left alone in the conference room.

"Well, we can finally have a private conversation now, Hanxiang! How was it like to enter the dimensional world for the first time?"

"Whatever emotions I felt, your sudden disappearance superseded them all. I went with the others in search of you for so long, so long that I even ruined a few pairs of shoes!"

"I know, Hanxiang. I'm really sorry—I hadn't intended it to happen. I promise that I'll keep myself safe if I ever disappear again."

"Really?"

Zhang Lie patted his chest. "Of course! When have I ever reneged on a promise to you? But this also means that, no matter what happens in the future, you have to believe in me, do you understand? Trust me: I'm strong enough to take care of myself in the dimensional world and in reality. There's no need to get so nervous in the future if I disappear, alright?"

Zhang Hanxiang was of utmost importance to Zhang Lie, and he knew just how hurt she was by his sudden disappearance, especially because it mirrored their parents'. His goal with this conversation was to calm her down in case such situations were to happen again—and given his personality and his plans for advancement, he was sure that they would.

Zhang Hanxiang felt that her brother had never looked at her so firmly before. She contemplated his words carefully, then smiled all of a sudden. "I understand, Brother. Of course I'll trust you."

The two of them then began to chat about frivolous affairs, but, not long later, their conversation was interrupted by Jun Jiuxiao and Ye Xianchen, who bulldozed through the door to the conference room.

"Master!"

"Master, have you really returned? We thought... we thought that..."

"Thought what? That it was time for you two to inherit my legacy? Don't worry, I don't plan on letting that happen just yet!"

When Zhang Hong told them that Zhang Lie had returned and wanted to see them, the two youths had entertained the notion that they were so tired from training that they had seen a mass hallucination, but it was real—Zhang Lie was back!

Their faces shone with unadulterated relief and joy.

Zhang Lie smiled; he hadn't taken in these two apprentices for nothing.

However, his expression suddenly turned serious. "I heard that the two of you have been ensconcing yourselves in a training chamber ever since my disappearance. Is that so?"