Qing Li looked toward the damaged shrine before answering.His expression remained calm,but the worry was visible in his eyes. "He should."He paused for a moment,his gaze lingering on the entrance."But after what he just did..."His fingers tightened at his side."...I don't know what condition he'll be in."Xiao Ren looked toward the shrine again."Then we should check on him immediately."Mu Chen nodded."The spiritual pressure has disappeared,but that doesn't mean everything inside is safe."
Tian Xuan looked toward the broken shrine. "Do you know what worries me?"Xiao Ren glanced at him."What?"Tian Xuan's gaze remained fixed on the ancient carvings scattered across the ground."This shrine was sealed by Heaven long before any of us were born."Mu Chen frowned."Because of the First Weaver?"Tian Xuan nodded. "Because of what happened after him."He looked down at one of the broken pieces of stone."Every generation was told the same thing.The shrine must remain closed.The Threads must remain controlled.And no one must ever attempt to restore what was erased."
Qing Li's expression tightened."And yet you never asked why it had to be erased."Tian Xuan looked at him."We were taught that questioning Heaven's decisions was dangerous."Qing Li quietly answered, "Perhaps that is why Heaven repeated the same mistake for centuries."Xiao Ren glanced between them."If the old records were wrong..."His eyes shifted toward the shrine."...then everything we've been fighting may have been built on a lie."Mu Chen's expression became serious."Not a lie.Maybe a fear that was passed down until nobody remembered where it began."Tian Xuan remained silent for a moment.His eyes moved toward the ruined entrance."That is what frightens me most."
Qing Li looked at him."That Heaven may have been protecting itself from something it no longer understood?"Tian Xuan slowly nodded."And if that is true..."His voice became heavier."...then we may have spent centuries protecting the wrong thing."Before
Anyone could say anything more suddenly crack sound came from somewhere beneath the ruined shrine.Everyone turned toward the sound. The Heavenly cultivator nearest to the entrance instinctively stepped back."Did you hear that?"Xiao Ren swallowed nervously."The formation is still moving."Mu Chen's expression changed as he looked at the broken pillars."That's not the formation." Xiao Ren immediately stepped forward. "Then what was it?"For a brief moment,no one answered.Qing Li's eyes remained fixed on the dark entrance."Whatever it was,we don't have time to find out from here."One of the cultivators looked uneasy."What if the shrine collapses while we're inside?"
Chen Yu's expression tightened."Then we risk it."Lin Chen looked toward the trembling entrance."You saw what happened to the mountain when the spiritual pressure erupted.If another surge comes,we may not even have a warning."Chen Yu's eyes hardened."Which is exactly why we need to move now."Hei Long suddenly looked toward the shrine as another low vibration passed through the ground."Something is wrong."His voice was quiet,but the fear in his eyes was unmistakable."The spiritual pressure disappeared too quickly."
Lin Chen turned toward him."You felt it too?" Hei Long nodded."It wasn't fading."He stared into the darkness."It was cut off." Chen Yu's face became pale."Cut off?"Hei Long didn't answer.A deep rumble rolled beneath their feet,and several cracks spread across the stone near the entrance.Lin Chen immediately raised his sword."Everyone, step back!"
The broken doorway shook violently and dust poured from the ceiling,and a distant sound echoed from somewhere deep inside the shrine.Chen Yu's breathing became heavier."Xu Yang..."Hei Long looked toward the darkness."If that sound came from inside..."Lin Chen's grip tightened around his sword."Then we don't know what is waiting for us."Chen Yu looked at Qing Li. "We have to go."One of the Heavenly cultivators looked uncertainly toward the ruins."Should we wait for the remaining formations to disappear?" Qing Li shook his head."No.If Xu Yang is injured,we cannot leave him alone inside."
Another tremor suddenly passed through the ground.This time,the entire ruined entrance shook and ust fell from the broken roof,and several stones crashed onto the ground.The younger cultivator's face went pale."It's getting worse."Mu Chen raised his hand to steady the surrounding spiritual energy."Don't panic.If the shrine is collapsing,we may only have a few moments."Chen Yu immediately looked toward the shrine."Then we shouldn't waste time standing here."
The group rushed inside.The moment they crossed the entrance,the noise outside seemed to disappear.For several seconds, there was only the sound of falling dust and the distant dripping of water.The interior of the shrine was almost completely dark.Then a pale silver glow slowly appeared ahead of them.The group stopped at once as they saw Xu Yang was stood in the center of the shrine.He was surrounded by broken pieces of stone and fading Threads.His black hair was covered in dust,and his clothes were torn from the earlier battle.His head was lowered,and one hand rested against his side as though he was struggling to remain standing.
Chen Yu's eyes widened."Xu Yang..."Xu Yang slowly raised his head.His eyes were tired,but when he saw them,a faint smile appeared in his face."You came."Hei Long's expression immediately softened with relief. "Of course we came."He took a step toward him."What happened?"Xu Yang tried to straighten himself."Nothing serious."Lin Chen immediately frowned."You look like you've been buried under a mountain."Xu Yang gave a weak smile."I said I'm fine."
Yan Luo stared at him."You're terrible at lying."Xu Yang looked at him."I learned from you."Yan Luo almost smiled,but the moment didn't last.A violent tremor suddenly shook the shrine."Everyone,move!"Mu Chen shouted.The floor beneath them cracked open with a deafening sound and stone fragments shot upward as the ancient formation began collapsing."Get back!"Qing Li shouted.
Chen Yu grabbed Lin Chen by the arm and pulled him backward just as a massive stone pillar crashed between them and Xu Yang. "Chen Yu!"Lin Chen shouted."I'm fine!"Chen Yu pushed him away from another falling stone."Stay behind me!"Hei Long ignored the falling debris and reached toward Xu Yang."Xu Yang!"Xu Yang looked toward him. "Hei Long,don't come closer!"The floor between them split wider."I can't!"Hei Long shouted."I'm not leaving you here!"
Xu Yang tried to move toward them,but the ground suddenly dropped beneath his feet. He staggered."Xu Yang!"Qing Li reached forward."Keep your balance!"Another crack tore through the floor and massive section of the shrine suddenly broke apart between them."Move!"Yan Luo shouted."The whole floor is going!"Xu Yang looked down as the stone beneath him fractured.He tried to leap toward the remaining ground,but the moment his foot touched it,the entire section collapsed."Xu Yang!"Hei Long lunged forward.Qing Li caught him around the chest and pulled him back."No!"Hei Long struggled violently."Let me go!""You can't reach him!"Qing Li shouted."The ground is gone!"
Xu Yang disappeared behind a wall of falling stone.The sound of the collapse shook the entire mountain."Xu Yang!"Chen Yu shouted.His voice echoed through the shrine,but there was no answer."Xu Yang!" Lin Chen immediately rushed toward the ruins."Move!"He began pushing broken stones aside with both hands."We have to get him out!"Chen Yu grabbed his shoulder. "Wait!"Lin Chen spun around."Wait for what?""The structure is still collapsing!" Chen Yu pointed upward as another crack spread across the ceiling."If you keep digging now,the entire roof could come down on you."
Lin Chen looked up,and his expression tightened when another piece of stone broke loose from the ceiling and crashed beside them.He stepped back instinctively,but only for a moment.Then he turned toward the ruins again."I don't care."Chen Yu's eyes widened."Lin Chen..."Lin Chen's voice shook with anger and fear."He was standing right there.I watched the floor disappear beneath him."He pushed another stone away."I'm not going to stand here and wait for the shrine to bury him completely."Chen Yu caught his arm again."And if the ceiling falls on you,who is going to get him out?"Lin Chen froze.His breathing became heavy as he stared at the rubble beneath which Xu Yang had vanished."Then tell me what I'm supposed to do."His voice dropped."Just stand here?"
Lin Chen's eyes burned with fear."He was right there!"His voice broke."I saw him!""I know!"Chen Yu shouted."But if you rush in,you'll be buried beside him!"Lin Chen froze for a moment.His hands trembled as he stared at the ruins.Then he shoved Chen Yu's hand away."I can't just stand here."Hei Long stepped forward again."Neither can I." Qing Li immediately turned toward him."Hei Long..."Hei Long's eyes were fixed on the collapsed section."He was talking to us."His voice shook."He was standing there."
Yan Luo closed his eyes and released his spiritual sense through the ruins."Give me a moment."Everyone became silent.Yan Luo's spiritual energy spread through the broken stones like invisible threads.He searched beneath the collapsed floor, beneath the fallen pillars,and through every remaining trace of spiritual energy.His expression slowly changed."Nothing."Hei Long stared at him."What?"Yan Luo opened his eyes."I can't find him."
Hei Long's face lost all color."No."He stepped closer."Search again."Yan Luo didn't move."I already did.""Search again!" Hei Long's voice echoed through the ruined shrine."There has to be something!"Yan Luo clenched his fists."Hei Long..." "You must have missed him!"Hei Long shouted."He was right there!"Yan Luo's expression tightened."I know where he was.""Then find him!"Hei Long's breathing became unsteady."Please..."
Yan Luo looked away for a moment before closing his eyes again.He pushed his spiritual sense deeper into the ruins.Qing Li watched him anxiously."Anything?"Yan Luo opened his eyes."No spiritual signature." Chen Yu's hand stopped above a broken stone."Not even a trace?"Yan Luo shook his head."Nothing."Lin Chen stared at him in disbelief."That's impossible."He pointed toward the ruins."His spiritual energy was still there when the shrine collapsed."Yan Luo answered quietly,"I know.""Then where did it go?"Lin Chen demanded.Yan Luo had no answer.
Hei Long slowly backed away.His eyes remained fixed on the ruins."No..."He shook his head."No,he can't just disappear."Qing Li stepped toward him."Hei Long..."Hei Long looked at him,his eyes already filled with tears."We finally found him."His voice cracked."After everything that happened,we finally found him."Qing Li's expression tightened."We'll find him again."Hei Long stared at him."How?"Qing Li hesitated. "We'll search every part of this shrine."Hei Long wiped his face with the back of his hand."I promised I wouldn't lose him."Chen Yu looked at him sadly."You didn't lose him." Hei Long shook his head."It feels like I did."
Lin Chen suddenly knelt beside the rubble. "Enough talking."He brushed dust away from a cracked stone."If there's even a small chance he's underneath this,we search." Chen Yu immediately knelt beside him."I'm with you."Yan Luo stepped forward."So am I."Hei Long looked at them."All of you..."Lin Chen glanced at him."We're not leaving him behind."Chen Yu began lifting the broken stones one by one."He came back for us." He looked toward Hei Long."Now we go back for him."Hei Long knelt beside them and placed both hands against a heavy piece of stone."Then move."
Together they began clearing the ruins.Qing Li remained standing for a moment,his eyes fixed on the place where Xu Yang had disappeared.Qing Li closed his eyes briefly. "Xu Yang..."His voice was almost a whisper. "Wherever you are..."He opened his eyes again."...don't you dare give up."For several seconds,only the sound of stones being moved filled the ruined shrine.Lin Chen suddenly stopped and looked around. "Nothing."His voice was strained."We've cleared this entire section,and there's nothing."
Chen Yu wiped dust from his face."Then we search the next one."Yan Luo glanced toward the collapsed ceiling."We don't have much time."Hei Long immediately looked at him."Then don't waste it talking."He stood and moved toward another pile of broken stone."Xu Yang!"His voice echoed through the ruins."If you can hear me,answer!"There was no response.Hei Long's expression tightened."Please..."He whispered the word so quietly that only Qing Li heard it.
Qing Li looked at him but said nothing.He understood exactly what Hei Long was afraid of.Everyone searches among the broken stones.Lin Chen moved pieces of rubble with trembling hands."Xu Yang!"His voice grew louder."Xu Yang!"Chen Yu searched another section."Xu Yang!Answer us!"Yan Luo sent his spiritual sense through the broken walls and fallen pillars,but his brows slowly drew together."Still nothing." Hei Long stood frozen for a moment before suddenly running toward another collapsed section."Xu Yang!"He dropped to his knees and began pulling stones away with his bare hands."Move..."He breathed. "Please, move..."
Chen Yu hurried toward him."Hei Long,don't use your hands.You'll hurt yourself."Hei Long didn't even look at him."I don't care." "You will if you tear your hands apart."Chen Yu caught his wrist."Let me help."Hei Long looked at him.His eyes were red. "What if he's under here?"Chen Yu's expression softened."Then we'll find him."Hei Long stared at him for a moment before slowly releasing his wrist."Then hurry."
Even the Heavenly member began helping search through the ruins.Some used spiritual power to lift heavy stones while others carefully checked beneath the broken pillars.One cultivator suddenly shouted, "There's an opening here!"Everyone turned toward him.Lin Chen rushed over."Where?" The cultivator pointed beneath a collapsed wall."There's a passage,but it's blocked."
Lin Chen immediately began clearing it. "Help me!"Two cultivators joined him.Chen Yu moved closer."Careful.Don't disturb the upper stones."Lin Chen gritted his teeth. "Just get them out of my way."Qing Li stepped forward and raised his hand."I'll stabilize the wall."A faint spiritual light spread across the cracked stones."Now!" The group pulled the rubble away piece by piece.The passage slowly opened but there was no sign of Xu Yang.
Lin Chen stared into the darkness."It's empty."His voice dropped."No..."He stepped inside."There has to be another chamber."Yan Luo followed him."I'll check." He closed his eyes again,but suddenly his expression changed.He opened his eyes. "Wait."Everyone turned toward him."What?" Chen Yu asked.Yan Luo looked toward the passage."I thought I sensed something."
Hei Long immediately moved forward."Xu Yang?"Yan Luo frowned."No.I'm not sure." Before anyone could move,the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed behind them. Everyone froze.A shadow appeared through the dust.Qing Li slowly turned.His eyes widened as familiar voice came from behind them."Why are all of you looking so serious?"Nobody moved.For several seconds,the entire shrine seemed frozen. They slowly turned around.
Xu Yang was standing several steps away from them.His clothes were covered in dust, and his injuries were still visible.There was small cut across his cheek,and his hair was disheveled,but he was standing perfectly well.Lin Chen's mouth fell open."..."Chen Yu stared at him in disbelief."..."Yan Luo's eyes widened slightly.Hei Long simply stood motionless.His hands were still covered in dust from searching the rubble.
Xu Yang raised an eyebrow."What?"Nobody answered.He glanced around at the broken shrine,the piles of stones,and the Heavenly cultivators covered in dust."Why is everyone staring at me?"Chen Yu suddenly took a step forward."WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!"Xu Yang flinched slightly."Why are you shouting?"Lin Chen immediately walked toward him."We thought you were buried!" Xu Yang blinked."Buried?"He looked down at himself."I'm clearly not buried."Lin Chen stared at him in disbelief."We watched the entire section collapse on you!"
Xu Yang looked toward the ruins behind them."Oh.That."Chen Yu's expression darkened."Yes.That!"Xu Yang rubbed the back of his neck."There was another exit." Xu Yang pointed toward the opposite side of the ruins."It leads around the shrine and comes out behind that broken wall."Lin Chen's face slowly turned red."You couldn't have told us that before we nearly tore the shrine apart looking for you?!"Xu Yang gave an awkward smile."I didn't exactly have time."
Chen Yu closed his eyes and took a deep breath."I swear..."He opened them again. "One day,you are going to be the reason I lose my mind."Xu Yang looked around at the destroyed shrine."I can see that."Lin Chen walked closer.His eyes were still red from panic."Do you have any idea what we thought happened to you?"Xu Yang's smile faded slightly."I know."Lin Chen's voice became quieter."No.You don't."He swallowed hard."For a moment,I thought we had lost you."Xu Yang looked at him carefully.Lin Chen looked away,trying to hide the emotion in his face."Don't do that again."Xu Yang nodded slowly."I won't."
Then his gaze slowly moved toward Qing Li.Qing Li was standing a short distance away,his hands still clenched at his sides. His eyes were red,and the moment Xu Yang noticed it,Qing Li quickly looked away.Xu Yang's expression softened."Qing Li..."Qing Li didn't answer.Xu Yang took a slow step toward him."Are you crying?"Qing Li immediately wiped his eyes with the back of his hand."No."Xu Yang raised an eyebrow. "Your eyes disagree."Qing Li gave him a tired look."Don't start."Xu Yang's faint smile disappeared when he saw how badly Qing Li was trembling."You were really scared."
Qing Li looked at him for a long moment."Of course I was."His voice was quiet."Do you remember when we were children?"Xu Yang blinked."Which time?"Qing Li almost smiled,but his eyes filled again."The time you fell into that river because you insisted you could catch the fish."Xu Yang's expression changed."I don't know what are you talkin about."
"But,I remember everything."Qing Li looked down."You couldn't swim.You were kicking and shouting,and I had to jump in after you." Xu Yang gave a small embarrassed smile. "You nearly drowned because of a fish."Qing Li's voice trembled."And when I pulled you out,you were still complaining that the fish got away."Xu Yang quietly laughed."That sounds like me."Qing Li's smile slowly disappeared."Back then,I thought that was the worst thing that could happen to us."He looked directly into Xu Yang's eyes."I was wrong."
Xu Yang's expression became serious.Qing Li stepped closer."We've grown up.We've fought together.We've lost people together. We've watched things we never thought possible happen right in front of us."His voice cracked slightly."But every time I thought I was going to lose you today,it felt like I was that same child again."Xu Yang stared at him.Qing Li swallowed hard."The child who couldn't reach you in time."Xu Yang's eyes softened."Qing Li..."
Qing Li shook his head."Don't say anything." He took a breath,trying to steady himself. "Just let me look at you for a moment."Xu Yang remained still.Qing Li studied his face, the dust in his hair,the cuts across his skin, and the tiredness in his eyes."You're really here."Xu Yang nodded."I'm here."
A short distance away,Hei Long continued staring at Xu Yang.He blinked,and suddenly he saw a mountain path.Young Xu Yang was running ahead of everyone else,his small figure disappearing around the bend."Xu Yang! Slow down!"Young Qing Li's voice echoed behind him.Young Xu Yang turned around and laughed."Catch me first!"Hei Long's eyes widened as the memory became clearer.He could see himself there too.A little boy running after Xu Yang, laughing without knowing why his heart felt so happy."Wait for me!"Young Hei Long shouted.Xu Yang turned back."You're too slow!""I'm not!"Hei Long yelled back.
He ran faster,and the memory suddenly disappeared.Hei Long blinked rapidly.The shrine returned.The broken stones.The dust.The people standing around him.He looked at Xu Yang again,and another memory came."He's impossible."Young Yan Luo stood with his arms crossed,watching Xu Yang and Hei Long argue over who had reached the mountain tree first.Xu Yang pointed at Hei Long."He cheated!"Young Hei Long immediately protested."I didn't!"Qing Li sighed."You both cheated."
Wang Xio stood nearby,quietly smiling at their argument."None of you followed the path."Xu Yang stared at him."Then how did you win?"Wang Xio simply smiled."I walked."The children stared at him.Then Xu Yang burst into laughter.The others soon followed.Hei Long's lips slowly parted as the memory faded."We..."He whispered."We knew each other."His eyes remained fixed on Xu Yang. Then another memory came. Ling Yuan was sitting beneath a large tree while the five children gathered around him. Xu Yang was leaning forward eagerly."And then what happened?"Qing Li immediately asked,"Why did the traveler go there alone?" Yan Luo pretended to look uninterested,but his eyes remained fixed on Ling Yuan.Wang Xio quietly listened.
Hei Long sat against the tree beside them. Ling Yuan smiled patiently."You children ask too many questions."Xu Yang grinned. "Because your stories are interesting."Ling Yuan laughed softly."Then listen carefully." The memory shifted slightly.Hei Long remembered himself becoming sleepy as Ling Yuan continued speaking.His head slowly rested against the tree.Ling Yuan noticed and quietly removed his outer robe. He gently covered the sleeping child with it.
Xu Yang looked at him and whispered,"He's asleep again."Ling Yuan smiled."Let him sleep."Qing Li whispered,"He was awake five minutes ago."Yan Luo quietly replied, "He was pretending."Wang Xio smiled."He always does."Ling Yuan glanced down at the sleeping Hei Long and gently adjusted the robe around his shoulders."Then perhaps we should pretend not to notice."Xu Yang covered his mouth,trying not to laugh."He'll be angry when he wakes up."Qing Li smiled faintly."Only because he missed the rest of the story."Yan Luo looked toward Ling Yuan. "What happens next?"Ling Yuan looked at the children,and his smile became softer. "Next,the traveler finally understands that the treasure he was searching for was never something he could hold."
Xu Yang leaned closer."Then what was it?" Ling Yuan glanced at all of them."The people who walked beside him."For a moment,the children became quiet.Xu Yang looked at Qing Li,then Yan Luo,Wang Xio,and finally the sleeping Hei Long."That's a strange treasure."Ling Yuan smiled."The most important ones usually are."The children slowly leaned against the tree as Ling Yuan continued his story.Hei Long slept peacefully.Hei Long's eyes opened.He was back inside shrine.Tears were already felling down from his eyes.