The clamor of Tian Shu City gradually settled after the grand celebration and memorial ceremony concluded one after another. The Alliance's various affairs began to enter a proper track, with the parliamentary body led by senior brother Mu Qingfeng demonstrating efficient operational capabilities, transmitting reconstruction and aftermath orders in an orderly manner to every corner of the Three Realms. Temporary peace and order, like the thin ice of early spring, covered the once devastated land.
In this seemingly calm transitional period, the core partners who had fought side by side with Tang Xiaoqi through life and death had also reached a time when they needed to make choices for their respective paths. On this day, in Xiao Qi's secluded bamboo cottage courtyard, several people gathered together, a rare occurrence. There was no grand banquet, only a pot of clear tea and several plates of seasonal spirit fruits, yet the atmosphere was more sincere than any formal occasion... and carried a touch of melancholy about parting.
Mu Xue maintained her usual snow-pure, cold demeanor, dressed in white that seemed unstained by any dust. She sat beside Xiao Qi, her gaze calmly sweeping across everyone present before finally landing on Xiao Qi's face, her voice ethereal yet firm: "The Alliance has been initially established, and the Three Realms' structure reshaped. The matters here, with Senior Brother Mu coordinating, no longer require our intervention. I have been away from the Xuanji Sacred Land for a long time, and the sacred inheritance cannot be without leadership for long. A few days ago, I received an urgent message from my master, ordering me to return immediately to take up the lineage and stabilize the Sacred Land both internally and externally."
Her words were concise yet carried undeniable weight. As the paramount sect of the Northern cultivation world, the Xuanji Sacred Land had also suffered considerable losses in the demonic tribulation and urgently needed her, the long-designated successor, to return and take charge, integrate forces, and pass on the core teachings. This was her responsibility, and also her destiny.
Xiao Qi looked at her. Though his heart was filled with countless reluctances, he knew this was the path she must take. He nodded, his gaze gentle: "The Xuanji lineage has a long and storied history. With you at its helm, it will surely regain its glory and guard the peace of the North. However... the journey is far, so please be careful in all things." He paused, then took from his chest a carefully refined jade pendant containing pure ice-attribute spiritual resonance and a trace of Green Lotus protective intent, handing it over: "I give this to you. In idle moments... we can communicate."
Mu Xue, with her ice-and-snow intelligence, how could she not understand his unspoken words and the deeper meaning of this jade pendant? A very faint warmth flickered in her cold eyes. She extended her slender jade hand to accept the pendant, her fingertips brushing imperceptibly against Xiao Qi's palm before withdrawing. She didn't say more, only nodding slightly: "Mm." Everything was understood without words.
Sitting opposite them, Ao Qin had transformed into human form today, still unable to conceal the dignified bearing of a dragon prince, though his brows carried a steadiness gained after experiencing the great battle. He interjected: "Fairy Mu Xue is absolutely right. The Eastern Sea, after this tribulation, though our main forces remain intact, the various vassal water tribes have suffered heavy casualties, and the undersea spiritual veins are also damaged, urgently needing rectification and appeasement. My father has sent word for me to return quickly to assist with Dragon Palace affairs and reestablish order in the Four Seas." He looked at Xiao Qi, his dragon eyes holding sincere gratitude and unwavering friendship: "Xiao Qi, if not for you and everyone here this time, the Eastern Sea would have been hard-pressed to escape this calamity. The dragon race will forever remember this kindness. In the future, if you have need, simply send a dragon scale message, and the thousands of water tribes of the Eastern Sea will come to your aid with full strength!"
Xiao Qi raised his cup, substituting tea for wine: "Brother Ao speaks too heavily. Protecting this realm is our duty. The Eastern Sea's affairs are complex; upon your return, Brother Ao will surely accomplish great things. When there's time in the future, I'll come find you for drinks and pleasant conversation."
Ao Qin laughed heartily, raising his cup and draining it in one go: "Certainly! Once I've sorted out those trivial matters in the Dragon Palace, I'll definitely come find you and taste your Qingxu Temple's new tea!"
The atmosphere lightened slightly, and everyone's gaze fell upon Zhao Tiezhu, who had been smiling honestly. After the baptism of the demonic tribulation's bloody battles, this body cultivator's presence had become more condensed, his muscular body seemingly harboring explosive power, and his cultivation had stabilized at the late Foundation Establishment stage. He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed as he said: "I... I don't have any great ambitions, and no sect to inherit either. I just feel Qingxu Temple is really good, and Senior Brother, Third Senior Sister, and you, Xiao Qi, have all been good to me. This body of mine, I don't have anything else, just can take a beating and have great strength. I've thought it through—I'll stay at Qingxu Temple, be some kind of physical training instructor, help train the newly admitted disciples, and can also earn my meals, and... and stay closer to everyone."
His words were plain and unadorned, yet revealed genuine sincerity and attachment from his heart. To him, Qingxu Temple had long been a second home, and the partners here were his family. Staying was the most natural choice.
Xiao Qi and senior brother exchanged a smile. Senior brother Mu Qingfeng spoke gently: "For Brother Tiezhu to stay is a blessing for Qingxu Temple. Your practical body cultivation experience is the best whetstone for young disciples. The sect is preparing to expand the body cultivation lineage and needs a pillar like you."
Zhao Tiezhu's eyes lit up at these words, his honest smile growing even brighter as he nodded repeatedly: "Eh! Good! Senior Brother, don't worry, I'll definitely do a good job!"
Finally, everyone's gaze focused on Third Senior Sister Liu Yun. Unlike her usual sharp and assertive image, at this moment her face showed a faint pallor that was not easily noticed, her presence weaker than usual, and her brows were locked with an inescapable weariness. In the final battle, to sever the demonic chains binding Xu Zhan, she had not hesitated to burn her sword soul. Though she had successfully broken through, she herself had suffered severe damage to her essence.
Feeling everyone's gaze, she raised her eyes, her look still sharp but lacking some of its usual brilliance. She twitched the corner of her mouth, seeming to want to produce her customary somewhat mocking smile, but ultimately failed, only saying faintly: "Why is everyone looking at me? I'm fine." She paused, her tone becoming low and serious: "It's just... the sword soul is damaged, and cannot be healed by ordinary pills or secluded cultivation. I need to find an extremely quiet place to slowly nurture it with my own sword intent and reignite the sword heart. Short term, ten years; long term... perhaps even longer. I've already recommended reliable successors for the Alliance Enforcement Hall to Senior Brother. Qingxu Temple... for now, I can't help much either."
Her words made the atmosphere heavy again. Damage to the sword soul concerned the very foundation of one's path; one careless move could result in the complete loss of cultivation. She chose to heal alone in seclusion—the dangers and loneliness involved were imaginable.
Xiao Qi's heart tightened. Third Senior Sister was both teacher and friend to him, and had protected him through many dangers. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but discovered that any words of comfort seemed pale and powerless in the face of such severe injury.
It was Liu Yun herself who finally broke the silence. She looked at Xiao Qi, her eyes complex, finally becoming a soft sigh: "Xiao Qi, you've grown up. You're no longer that little waste I had to constantly watch, worried you'd slack off and cause trouble. Now you're the World-Purifying True Lord, the leader of the Three Realms, bearing a heavier burden than anyone. In the future... take care of yourself, and take care of Qingxu Temple." She looked at senior brother again: "The sect is in your hands."
Senior brother nodded solemnly: "Junior Sister, rest assured in your seclusion. I will handle everything."
Liu Yun nodded, saying no more. She picked up the tea cup before her, drained the cool tea in one go, then stood up: "Alright, everything that needed to be said has been said. I'm leaving." She had always acted decisively, and this was no exception. She nodded slightly to everyone, then turned and strode away without any lingering attachment. That straight back still carried her pride and stubbornness, only now with a few more traces of desolation.
Inside the bamboo cottage, a brief silence fell.
Mu Xue, Ao Qin, Zhao Tiezhu—all had chosen or were about to choose their respective paths. Parting was for better growth and protection.
Xiao Qi gazed at the empty courtyard gate, then looked at Mu Xue beside him, Ao Qin and Zhao Tiezhu opposite, his heart filled with mixed emotions. There was sorrow of parting, reluctance to let go, but more than that, there was relief at seeing all his partners have clear paths forward, and a heavy sense of responsibility—he must protect this world they had bled together to save, making everyone's sacrifice and choices worthwhile.
He took a deep breath, raised his refilled tea cup, his gaze sweeping across those present, his voice steady and powerful:
"The mountains are high and the waters long. Everyone, take care. May we each forge ahead and meet again at the peak!"
Mu Xue, Ao Qin, Zhao Tiezhu, and even second senior brother Luo Feng's spirit form that had been quietly hovering, all simultaneously raised their cups (or projected the intent of raising a cup).
"Take care!"
"See you at the peak!"
The clear tea entered his throat—slightly bitter at first, then sweet in the aftertaste. Like life itself—though parting is bitter, the road ahead is promising, and friendship endures. The scroll of the future awaited each of them to paint with their own brushes.