"Time travel, huh? Is it this again..."

Saito Dosan murmured softly to himself, seemingly not quite believing it.

"I hope that's the case..."

"Lord Dao San..." Minamoto no Yoshiie sighed slightly, perceiving keenly that this elder seemed more aged than before. The sense of being on the verge of old age was evident, completely lacking the aura of a heroic figure, instead exuding a sense of defeat, as if he seldom fell into such a confused state of decline.

"Ah—"

Saito Dosan did not speak. He just looked around the deserted village and let out a long sigh,

His left shoulder was wrapped tightly in white bandages, but crimson blood still seeped through the snow-white gauze. Likewise, his left arm was bandaged tightly and slung around his neck, unable to muster any strength for the time being.

These injuries caused him to walk unsteadily, needing the assistance of Lord Yoshiie to stand by him, truly a bit too severe.

Even for a young and strong lad, these injuries would be considered significant, almost opening him up and ripping out his heart and lungs... Because of this, he recuperated for several days at various bases in the mountain villages before he could walk again.

It wasn't until now that he strongly requested Lord Yoshiie to bring him back here.

However, it wasn't the physical injuries that truly struck the elder, but rather the desolate scenery of this deserted village, dealing a heavy blow to his spirit.

While recuperating at an abandoned base in the mountains, Saito Dosan had almost anticipated what had happened. Kinugasa was an area of dense forests and towering mountains, where the Chuye Yashou village was located. Besides the main stronghold deep within, there were many other bases in the mountains.

These were solitary or a few houses scattered around, stationed at strategic positions, responsible for keeping watch... But all he saw were ruins, with even Demon Ghosts lurking, giving him an ominous premonition at the time.

And after finally reaching the real Chuye Village, what he saw were the village's ruins.

Everything was already broken and abandoned, even mingled with Demon Qi.

The once-fluttering banners no longer clean as new, now torn into ragged strips, swaying in the low night breeze like cries, telling of the village's past richness... Every house, every building, every road here was so familiar to Saito Dosan.

It could be said they haunted his dreams, coming back here every time in his dreams.

—Just like reverting to being a child, running carelessly through the village streets, climbing the watchtower to gaze at the mountain valley, provoking adult scolding, accompanied by the cheerful laughter of his companions...

—Again like returning to his youth, dressed in light armor made of demon fur and teeth, wielding Chuye Shiwan, confidently issuing orders that would immediately stir everyone to respond with cheers...

These memories turned into various images, fluttering endlessly before Saito Dosan's eyes, finally converging into a long sigh as he closed his eyes wearily and painfully, feeling his heart waver.

It had been too long since he returned, only to find now, the village was left as a ghostly place.

Things have changed, people have gone, everything once familiar is no longer there.

What exactly did he do back then? If he hadn't made that decision, if he hadn't left, would the village have remained unharmed? Saito Dosan was overwhelmed with mixed emotions, rare remorse gnawing at his heart like ants.

He believed it was his decision and departure that brought calamity to the village.

It's all because of him!!

Everyone has a soft spot deep in their soul, and although Saito Dosan recently ruthlessly cleared his own family like cutting vegetables, showing no mercy, it was because he never considered those who held him back, even plotting rebellion, as companions, let alone family.

But this village is different; it holds his childhood memories, and is the place that raised him. Therefore, this venomous Viper, Saito Dosan, found himself in rare confusion and self-doubt, and upon snapping back to reality, he even self-mockingly smiled.

He really had grown old, becoming somewhat soft.

"..."

"..."

He walked unsteadily down the desolate street, gazing at the surrounding scenery.

Minamoto no Yoshiie silently supported this shaken elder, slowly moving forward.

In the dimly lit environment ahead, shadows of phantoms seemed to flit by on the street, watching the two with malicious intent.

"Scram!"

A deep and powerful voice spewed out, Minamoto no Yoshiie coldly gazed over, his icy stare wrapped in terrifying Demon Qi and oppressive force, sweeping forth, startling the lurking darkness which, thinking they were about to prey on weak victims, never expected one of them to turn into a terrifying Great Demon.

Instantly frightened, they fled in panic, their shuffling quickly fading into the dark until it disappeared.

"Forgive me, Lord Dao San, these little fairies are not harmful, just somewhat uneducated..." Minamoto no Yoshiie withdrew his gaze, calmly smiled, and said, "But then again, the world of this era is yet to be unified by you, and the peaceful coexistence of humans and demons is yet to arrive..."

Saito Dosan remained silent.

After a moment, the elder suddenly halted. He gazed at the brave and youthful samurai, seemingly weary, and asked:

"Lord Yoshiie, are all these things you mentioned true? Honestly, it's hard for me to believe..."

"Of course, it's true, Lord Dao San. It's a completely new world, beyond anything you could imagine," Minamoto no Yoshiie said decisively. "And it won't take too long; even in this era, you can already see the nascent form of a prosperous age."

He stared at the elder in front of him, understanding his skepticism. Even he sometimes felt as if it were all a dream.

But all of this is indeed real. Even if we don't discuss the glorious era five hundred years in the future, with developments like the Star Ring Great Wall and Moon Ring City, these magnificent world-class projects are enough to prove the prosperity of humankind.

Just in the latter part of this era, we should witness enough dramatic and tremendous changes.

It will sweep across the entire world, driving the wave of the era's transformation—

Collecting guardian spirits worldwide, crafting the "True Spirit Positioning Map" modified from a Daoist prototype, laying the cornerstone for peace...

Strict management and use of spirit stone resources will unveil a grand metamorphosis combining mysticism and industry, bursting forth with cross-era achievements...

Through the Mysterious Side Registration Bill and Fantasy Species Management Ordinance, Alchemists, Onmyoji, Warlocks, and even ghosts or demons, will no longer be perceived as special, but rather integrate into the margins of development...

In just this era, on the eve of the century's turn, we will see groundbreaking technologies or applications such as Spirit Stone Batteries, Cloud City, and the Sky Rail Train, establishing an astonishingly vast air and space transportation system centered on the expansive Eastern Realm, affirming the East Asian hegemony that exceeds the era.

And then...

In this era of geographical discovery and colonialism, the Eastern Great Empire, once akin to a super monster, did not fall into decline but rather became an even more overwhelming behemoth, laying down an evident foreshadowing for the eventual ruling of the planet.

All of this is so natural, and Minamoto no Yoshiie felt honored and proud.

Originating from the Heian Era, he believed it was a highly esteemed Sovereign Country, the rational Eastern Celestial Dynasty, and naturally, it all seemed logical, making it the best outcome.

"This... this..."

Listening to this heroic man's eloquent speech, Saito Dosan's expression became more and more extraordinary, transitioning from skepticism and fatigue to being half convinced or incredulous. Ultimately, he became increasingly excited, his face flushed, as if he glimpsed an unimaginable grand prosperous era through the other's detailed depiction.

Especially since he spoke with such specificity as if personally experienced, the detailed narration would not be possible if it were merely fabricated.

Additionally, many statements unexpectedly aligned with the words spoken by that detestable kid not long ago, so...

Could it be that rascal was serious back then?!

......

...

In the deep mountainous forest.

The fierce wind of demon qi swept around, causing one's perception to feel chaotic, shrill cries with strong penetrative power screamed at high decibels, as if wanting to pierce through gold and stone.

It seemed like gusts of wild winds blew in the local area, trees swayed with a rustling sound, in a pitch-black world where one couldn't see their own fingers, there was only the sound of giant flapping wings hovering back and forth in the sky, swift in speed, vaguely revealing three enormous eyes.

A blood-red hue, a fierce gaze fixed intently on the people below.

"Come down!"

Gu Mo's somewhat impatient voice sounded in the darkness.

The bowstring twanged like a thunderbolt, a whistling sound of a breaking void resounded, and the demon owl, having suffered before, jolted suddenly, flapping its massive wings wildly, creating a fierce and terrifying turbulence, lifting itself swiftly to avoid the lightning-like arrows flying from the darkness.

Even though its reaction was swift, it coincidentally crashed into the incoming attack.

One giant blood-red eye instantly dimmed, like a light bulb shattering, extinguished, accompanied by hot blood raining down, and a shrill, painful screech, the colossal strange bird plummeted!

The Dark Domain abruptly dissipated, the moonlight poured down—

Coinciding with the crackling sound of fracturing, the three of them witnessed the forest ahead splitting like building blocks, plowed into a wide gap where the owl demon, as large as a whole room, crashed, breaking countless trees along the way.

Severely injured and in immense pain, it flapped several times on the ground before barely managing to stand again, its body seemingly twitching spasmodically.

However, in the next instant, a lithe figure appeared in the sky like a swift swallow...