Out in the wilderness, the Holy Son would have encountered fortuitous events, ancient inheritances, and near-death experiences that would have catalyzed his cultivation base to terrifying new heights.
He would return to the sect no longer a promising junior, but a bona fide powerhouse ready to challenge the established hierarchy.
And naturally, a protagonist returning with newfound power required obstacles to overcome.
The universe demanded conflict.
The 'World Will' of the novel required stepping stones for Gu Zhiwei to crush beneath his boots to prove his dominance.
In the original timeline, that major, overarching villain, the cruel, insurmountable obstacle that Gu Zhiwei had to overcome during the tournament arc, had been Xie Wangchen.
The Ice Demon was supposed to be the antagonist.
