Chapter 1645: Inspect the Secular World

As Nan Xiao charged forward, Chu Ling just sneered. To him, even Nan Xiao at his peak had been no more than a slightly larger ant. Hence, this reckless rush looked laughable.

With a flick of his sleeve, Chu Ling unleashed a crushing wave of power.

Nan Xiao felt it coming and knew that the attack would kill him.

However, there wasn't a trace of fear in his eyes.

Even if the Divinity were in his path, Nan Xiao wouldn't take a single step back.

The students and commoners were overwhelmed by the sight. Their eyes were red, and their hearts were full of fury and helplessness.

Just as the crushing force was about to land, a brilliant golden light erupted from within Nan Xiao. Like a blazing flame, it surged outward. The terrifying aura vanished the moment it touched the golden light.

At that same moment, something incredible happened.

Nan Xiao's lost cultivation returned in a flash. It didn't stop there; his aura skyrocketed past the Higher God. He made a breakthrough, becoming a Main God, but his aura kept climbing.

In the blink of an eye, he reached the Divine Realm.

Chu Ling and his companions stared in disbelief. Their faces went pale.

Chu Ling's voice trembled. "T-this... how is this even possible...?"

Golden light blazed around Nan Xiao, brighter than ever. He had become more than just a god. He was a Fate God, a god born of his own will and conviction.

"Impossible!" Chu Ling roared. He lashed out again, releasing his Main God Domain to crush Nan Xiao.

How could a Main God Domain suppress a Divine Realm expert?

Nan Xiao didn't move. The moment the domain touched him, it shattered into nothingness.

Chu Ling and the others began to tremble. Reality was hitting them hard. There was only one explanation for what they had just witnessed: someone stronger than them had stepped in.

It had to be the Divinity!

They couldn't see anything, but they knew—the Divinity was watching them from the shadows.

Nan Xiao stood quietly, gazing at the light around him. Deep in thought, he recalled Sang Mei's words.

"If you were just an ordinary man, you wouldn't owe the people anything. But you're not. You've received their faith, and you owe them your strength."

"If you stand for the people, the fire in your soul will only burn brighter. True god seeds can't be cleansed away. And if you ever forget the pain of the people, then now is your chance to learn it."

"You've only suffered for a few days and already want to give up? What about those who suffer their whole lives?"

At that moment, it all clicked for Nan Xiao.

The Divinity had always been there.

He took a deep breath and looked at Chu Ling and his group, who stood frozen in terror. Slowly, Nan Xiao raised his hand. The six could only stare, utterly hopeless. They no longer even considered resisting.

A Divine Realm expert. How could mortals defy a "god?"

It was over.

However, Nan Xiao didn't kill them.

Instead, a flame appeared in his palm. It split into six and sank into their foreheads.

The Purifying Flames.

Boom!

The six screamed in agony as their divine seeds began to wither and burn. Their cultivation faded, and they became nothing more than ordinary men.

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Nan Xiao looked down at them and said, "What the Divinity gave you... I am taking it back on Her behalf."

Without power, they became the very ants they used to trample. Realizing that... what little pride they had left was shattered into pieces.

Nan Xiao didn't look at them again. He turned and walked away.

To him, letting them live like this was punishment enough.

Cheers erupted across the area. Students and civilians surrounded Nan Xiao, shouting in joy. The whole Divine Academy was filled with celebration.

Later, under Nan Xiao's orders, the crowd dispersed, and the students returned to class.

He glanced to the side and there, leaning casually against a pillar, was a man in black robes.

"Brother Ye," Nan Xiao greeted with a smile.

Ye Guan smiled back, "Brother Nan."

Nan Xiao walked up to him, "Want to grab a drink?"

Ye Guan nodded, "I was just thinking the same."

They left the academy and wandered through the streets. The once dilapidated slums had changed thanks to their new commercial value, families and clans had moved in.

Poor families had started small businesses. Life was getting better.

As they walked, people called out to Nan Xiao with genuine warmth and respect. Eventually, they reached a small tavern. The owner recognized Nan Xiao instantly and came running out.

"Teacher Nan Xiao! What would you like today?"

Nan Xiao laughed, "Two pots of green tea and a few side dishes."

"Right away!"

The tavern owner rolled up his sleeves and rushed to the kitchen, eager to cook.

Nan Xiao and Ye Guan picked a window seat.

Nan Xiao looked at Ye Guan, asking, "Brother Ye, what's been happening outside?"

Ye Guan gave a brief rundown of recent events. When he mentioned Sang Mei's sacrifice to seal the Great Daoist Brush Master, Nan Xiao turned pale.

"The Divinity... is no more?"

Ye Guan didn't reply.

Nan Xiao shook his head, "I didn't expect so much to happen in such a short time... What will you do now?"

"Rebuild the Divine Order."

Nan Xiao asked, "But don't you already have the Guanxuan Order? Why not fuse the Divine Order into it?"

Ye Guan shook his head. "No."

Nan Xiao was a bit puzzled.

Ye Guan didn't explain much. Instead, he said, "I'm rebuilding the Divine Civilization. Brother Nan, come serve me as the Divine Minister."

It was a new position responsible for internal affairs.

However, Nan Xiao declined. "They still need me here."

Ye Guan replied, "As Divine Minister, you could do even more for them."

Nan Xiao smiled, saying, "I know. But I want to stay."

Ye Guan didn't push it. "Then how about an honorary title? Divine Emissary. Inspect the secular world in the name of the Divinity. No need for permission, you outrank all officials."

Nan Xiao burst out laughing, "Now that I like!"

Ye Guan laughed too.

Just then, the tavern owner brought over the food and wine himself, placing everything carefully on the table.

"Teacher Nan Xiao, sir, enjoy your meal. Let me know if you need anything!"

"Thank you," Nan Xiao said, smiling.

The owner beamed. "No need to thank me, it's an honor to have you here!"

Then he quietly left.

The two drank and talked freely. About the slums. The future of the Divine Civilization. Even the fate of the entire universe.

They didn't suppress the alcohol with their cultivation. Before long, both were flushed red, talking without filters.

At one point, Ye Guan said emotionally, "The last time I drank like this was in Guanxuan... with a brother of mine. Fang Yu. We should drink together one day."

Nan Xiao laughed hard. "Absolutely! Let's drink... and go for a foot massage!"

Immediate silence descended.

The two looked around. Thankfully, no one else was nearby. They both sighed in relief, and then they burst out laughing again.

After a while, Ye Guan got up to leave.

Nan Xiao suddenly said, "Brother Ye."

Ye Guan turned.

Nan Xiao looked at him and said, "Compared to everything you've done for the slums... what I've done is really nothing. And yet, I reached the Divine Realm. I feel... ashamed."

Ye Guan walked up, gave him a friendly punch, and said, "Stop talking crap. I'm off."

He turned and walked away.

Nan Xiao watched his back, and in his heart, he whispered. "Brother Ye... I, Nan Xiao, pledge myself to your order."

To the people, Nan Xiao was the Divinity. But to Nan Xiao, Ye Guan was the real Divinity. Of course, it wasn't because he was strong but because Ye Guan shared his ideals and goals.

Far away, invisible faith power gathered around Ye Guan. Within him, the fused Guanxuan Laws and the Divine Laws began to evolve into a new kind of Order.

Nan Xiao's faith was the purest kind of faith.

Ye Guan paused for a moment, and then he vanished into the distance.

By the time he left the tavern, the sky had darkened. After walking through a few streets, Ye Guan came to a small garden behind a stone house. There, squatting quietly by a vegetable patch, was a little girl. Hands under her chin, she was staring into the distance... waiting.

She was Little Ran.

Ye Guan walked up to her.

Little Ran sensed something and turned. When she saw him, she rushed over and grabbed his hand tightly. Her voice was trembling as she asked, "Big brother... where's Sister Sang Mei?"