Atop Duanhun Cliff, clouds and mist swirled. The first light of dawn penetrated the thin mist, spilling onto the green mountain rocks. The wind howled at the cliff's edge, carrying the crisp mountain air, making mingjing's robes flutter. The distant mountain ranges appeared and disappeared in the clouds, like an immortal realm.
mingjing stood at the cliff's edge, turning back to look at Yuyi, a stubborn light flashing in her eyes. Her voice was particularly clear in the wind: "If you truly cannot bear to part with me, you won't let me die."
Yuyi was silent, his gaze deep as an abyss. He looked at mingjing—her stubborn face, her confident eyes—as if trying to see through her soul. The morning light fell on mingjing's face, illumingating her determined expression.
"If you truly want to let go, then push me down." mingjing's voice carried a trace of trembling, yet remained firm, "Let me die, and let yourself be free."
Yuyi's hand slowly rose, his fingertips appearing pale in the morning light. He was silent for a moment, then truly extended his hand, pushing toward mingjing's shoulder. The wind seemed to still in this moment.
mingjing did not dodge, did not even blink. She watched Yuyi's hand drawing closer, a satisfied smile instead appearing at the corner of her mouth. That smile carried stubbornness, and also a kind of release.
The wind suddenly turned sharp.
mingjing's body tilted backward. The gravel beneath her feet rolled down the cliff, disappearing into the depths of the clouds. Her robes traced an arc in the air as her entire body plummeted toward the cliff bottom. Her black hair danced in the wind, like a kite with a broken string.
Yuyi's hand stopped in mid-air, his fingertips still retaining the warmth of contact. His pupils suddenly contracted, his heart as if seized by an invisible hand.
One breath.
Two breaths.
Three breaths.
Object Manipulation Art!
Yuyi's spiritual power instantly surged, transforming into an invisible hand that reached toward the cliff bottom. That power was like a flood dragon emerging from the sea, piercing through the clouds, grasping the falling figure. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as spiritual power rapidly circulated through his meridians.
mingjing's body stopped in mid-air, then slowly rose. Her black hair danced in the wind, the smile on her face still stubborn and satisfied. Clouds swirled around her, as if draping her in a layer of gauze.
Yuyi pulled her back to the cliff top, holding her tightly in his arms. His voice was hoarse, carrying a trace of trembling: "I cannot bear to part with you."
mingjing was in Yuyi's embrace, closing her eyes, feeling the warmth of that embrace. Her voice was soft, yet carried the joy of victory: "I know."
The wind gradually subsided, and the clouds slowly dispersed in the morning light. Atop Duanhun Cliff, two figures clung tightly to each other, as if the entire world consisted only of them. The distant mountain ranges gradually became clear in the morning light, and birdsong came from the forest, breaking the silence at the cliff top.
Yuyi released his embrace, looking at mingjing's face. Those eyes remained stubborn, yet now held a trace of tenderness. The morning light fell on mingjing's face, illumingating her complex expression.
"Let's go back," Yuyi said.
mingjing nodded, following behind Yuyi as they walked down the mountain. Her steps were light, as if some burden had been lifted. The mountain wind blew past, lifting her robes, tracing beautiful arcs in the air.
Youyue Valley, deep in the bamboo forest.
Moonlight was like water, spilling onto the emerald bamboo leaves, raising silvery-white radiance. The bamboo forest rustled, accompanied by the night wind's soft chant, creating a cold and solitary atmosphere. Fireflies danced among the bamboo leaves, their points of fluorescence like stars in the sky.
Yuyi brought mingjing back to Youyue Valley's main hall, convening the valley's core members. Everyone gathered in the main hall, candlelight flickering, shadows crisscrossing on each person's face. The spiritual energy in the hall was abundant, with a faint sandalwood scent permeating the air.
Yuyi stood in the main position, with mingjing standing at his side. His voice was cold, echoing in the main hall: "From this day forward, mingjing is the Valley Master's wife of Youyue Valley."
Everyone's reactions varied. Some were surprised, astonishment flashing in their eyes; some offered blessings, smiles appearing at the corners of their mouths; some were silent, lowering their eyes, not knowing what they were thinking. The atmosphere in the hall became subtle for a moment.
mingjing swept her gaze over everyone, her eyes clear as a bright mirror. The corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a confident smile. That smile carried a trace of stubbornness, as if declaring: I am worthy of this position. Her gaze lingered on each person's face for a moment, as if trying to see through their thoughts.
Yuyi watched everyone's reactions, his expression unchanged. His gaze swept through the main hall, his voice still cold: "Any objections?"
No one spoke. The main hall was silent, with only the crackling of burning candles. All eyes was concentrated on Yuyi, feeling the pressure emanating from him.
"Dismissed." Yuyi waved his sleeve, turning to leave. mingjing followed behind him, her steps composed. The hall doors slowly closed behind them, shutting out everyone's gaze.
Nitian Alliance Council Hall, solemn and dignified.
Dark wooden pillars supported the soaring dome, golden candlelight casting flickering shadows on the walls. In the council hall, dozens of people sat on either side, the atmosphere grave. The air carried a faint spirit tea fragrance, mixed with the scent of sandalwood.
Yuyi brought mingjing into the council hall, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone present. His gaze lingered for a moment on Shaying and Lingxiao, then moved away, as if not seeing them. mingjing followed behind him, her gaze clear as a bright mirror, sweeping over everyone present.
Shaying sat to one side, her expression complex. Her fingers tightly gripped her sleeve, her knuckles turning white. Lingxiao sat beside her, brows tightly furrowed, pain flashing in his eyes. Neither spoke, only silently watching Yuyi's retreating figure.
Yuyi sat in the main position, with mingjing standing behind him. His voice was cold, breaking the silence in the council hall: "Let us begin."
Duan Changjian stood up. He was the Nitian Alliance alliance master, and also a Tianjian Sect expert. His voice was resonant, echoing in the council hall: "Everyone, today there are three major matters to discuss."
"First, the internal chaos in Cangqiong Alliance." Duan Changjian said, "Cangqiong Alliance's internal power struggle is intense, with multiple halls attacking each other, the situation chaotic. How should our Nitian Alliance respond? Watch from the sidelines, or intervene?"
Shuanghan spoke. She was Youming Valley's valley master, Nitian Alliance vice alliance master. Her voice was cold: "Cangqiong Alliance's internal chaos is precisely an opportunity for our Nitian Alliance to expand. But if we intervene rashly, we may bring disaster upon ourselves. Better to watch and wait for them to wound each other, then make our move."
Xuantie nodded. He was a Tianjian Sect expert, his voice steady: "What Shuanghan says is reasonable. Though Cangqiong Alliance is in chaos, its foundation remains. If our Nitian Alliance intervenes, we will surely face their counterattack. Better to quietly observe the changes."
Bingxin snorted lightly. She was Emei Sect's top expert, proud and cold. Her voice was like frost: "What does Cangqiong Alliance's chaos have to do with me? Better to take this opportunity to seize their spirit vein resources."
Xueying shook her head. She was Youming Sect's sect master, her voice soft: "What Bingxin suggests is too radical. Though Cangqiong Alliance is in chaos, their Deity Transformation Realm experts remain. If our Nitian Alliance acts rashly, we may face their revenge."
Everyone discussed animatedly, each expressing their views. Yuyi remained silent throughout, his gaze cold, as if all this had nothing to do with him. mingjing stood behind Yuyi, silently observing everyone's expressions and movements.
"Second major matter." Duan Changjian's voice rose again, "In the depths of Youming Mountain Range, a new high-grade spirit stone vein has been discovered. The scale is considerable, enough to minge for several years. How should each faction allocate it?"
At these words, the council hall immediately boiled over. High-grade spirit stone veins were precious resources in the cultivation world, enough to make any faction covetous. Greed flashed in everyone's eyes.
Shuanghan frowned: "The depths of Youming Mountain Range are within my Youming Sect's sphere of influence. This spirit stone source should naturally be led by my Youming Sect in minging."
Bingxin sneered: "Youming Sect's sphere of influence? Youming Mountain Range belongs to all Nine Provinces—when did it become your Youming Sect's private property?"
Xueying said softly: "What Bingxin says is reasonable. Though Youming Mountain Range is near my Youming Sect, it is not exclusively ours. This spirit stone source should be jointly discussed for allocation by the Nitian Alliance."
Lingxiao spoke. He was Xuantian Sect's representative, his voice gentle: "How about this—the spirit stone source will be uniformly minged by the Nitian Alliance, with each faction allocated according to contribution. This is both fair and avoids internal strife."
Everyone discussed animatedly, opinions differing. Yuyi still remained silent, as if all this had nothing to do with him.
mingjing stood behind Yuyi, her gaze sweeping over everyone, silently calculating in her heart. Her special observation technique allowed her to see many things ordinary people could not—everyone's expressions, movements, and aura were clearly presented in her eyes.
"Third major matter." Duan Changjian's voice rose again, and the council hall immediately quieted, "A new Deity Transformation Realm grandmaster has emerged in the Nine Provinces Cultivation World."
At these words, everyone was shocked. A Deity Transformation Realm grandmaster was a top expert in the Nine Provinces, with formidable strength sufficient to break the existing pattern. All eyes concentrated on Duan Changjian, waiting for more information.
"Who is it?" Xuantie asked in a deep voice.
"Unknown." Duan Changjian shook his head, "But this person's strength is formidable, having broken through the Deity Transformation Realm bottleneck to become a grandmaster of the generation. Their appearance will surely affect the Nine Provinces' power structure."
Shuanghan frowned: "If this person joins Cangqiong Alliance, it will be greatly disadvantageous for our Nitian Alliance."
Bingxin sneered: "If this person joins our Nitian Alliance, Cangqiong Alliance will surely be defeated."
Xueying sighed softly: "A Deity Transformation Realm grandmaster is no small matter. Their choice will determine the Nine Provinces' pattern."
Everyone discussed animatedly, worried and anxious. Yuyi still remained silent, his gaze cold, as if all this had nothing to do with him.
mingjing stood behind Yuyi, her gaze sweeping over everyone, silently pondering. Her special observation technique allowed her to see much—everyone's worries, calculations, and ambitions were clearly presented in her eyes.
The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.
Yuyi rose, bringing mingjing as they walked toward the council hall exit. His steps were composed, his expression cold, as if the earlier discussion had nothing to do with him. mingjing followed behind him, silently accompanying, wordlessly supporting.
Shaying quickly stepped forward, trying to speak with Yuyi: "Yuyi, I..."
"No need to say more." Yuyi interrupted coldly, his steps not pausing. His voice was like frost, without any warmth.
Lingxiao also stepped forward, his expression pained: "Yuyi, we..."
Yuyi stopped, coldly staring at Lingxiao. His gaze was like a blade, sharp and cold, as if piercing through Lingxiao's heart.
"I don't blame you." Yuyi's voice was cold, echoing outside the council hall, "But I will forever hate you."
Shaying covered her face and wept, tears sliding through her fingers. Her shoulders trembled, yet she made no sound. Moonlight fell on her, illumingating her lonely figure.
Lingxiao's expression was pained, regret flashing in his eyes. He opened his mouth, but could make no sound. His hand reached toward Yuyi, but ultimately fell powerlessly.
Yuyi turned and left, his steps resolute. mingjing followed behind him, silently accompanying, wordlessly supporting. Her gaze lingered on Shaying and Lingxiao for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
Moonlight was like water, falling on the two of them, casting long shadows. Youyue Valley's bamboo forest rustled, as if telling something. The night wind gently blew, lifting their robes, tracing beautiful arcs in the air.
Yuyi's figure disappeared into the depths of the bamboo forest, leaving only the cold and solitary moonlight, and Shaying's suppressed weeping. The fireflies in the bamboo forest still danced, their points of fluorescence like shattered dreams.
mingjing followed behind Yuyi, watching that resolute back, complex emotions surging in her heart. She knew that Yuyi's heart still held wounds, wounds that might never heal. But she also saw the determingation in Yuyi's eyes—that was hope for the future.
But she would accompany Yuyi's side, using her stubbornness and confidence to fill that wound. The corners of her mouth slightly raised, revealing a determined smile.
Deep in the bamboo forest, Yuyi stopped and turned back to look at mingjing. Moonlight fell on his face, illumingating his cold and lonely outline. A trace of softness flashed in his eyes, but quickly returned to coldness.
"Do you regret it?" Yuyi asked.
mingjing shook her head, a stubborn smile appearing at the corner of her mouth: "I don't regret it."
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then turned and continued forward. His voice was soft, as if talking to himself: "Neither will I."
The bamboo forest rustled, moonlight like water. Two figures disappeared into the depths of Youyue Valley, leaving only the cold and solitary night, and the lingering echoes of that life-and-death gamble atop Duanhun Cliff. The distant mountain ranges appeared and disappeared in the moonlight, as if witnessing this complex emotion.
The Nine Provinces Cultivation World, winds and clouds changing. Cangqiong Alliance's internal chaos, spirit stone source allocation, the birth of a Deity Transformation Realm grandmaster—how would these events affect the Nitian Alliance and Yuyi's future?
Yuyi declared he would forever hate Shaying and Lingxiao, the relationship between the three completely shattered. mingjing became the valley master's wife, and Yuyi began a new life. But that wound might never heal.
Just like the clouds atop Duanhun Cliff, forever swirling, never dispersing.