After Yuyi's exchange with Yanxue, his confusion about technique advancement suddenly became clear. He couldn't forget that one sword he used against Yanxue—that was a perfect sword. That sword, its light dancing like a golden snake, every sword light pointing at Yanxue's vital points. That was the peak of his sword dao, the crystallization of his years of cultivation. But every day as he concentrated in contemplation, he couldn't grasp its essence. He repeatedly recalled every detail of that sword, every angle of every swing, every circulation of spiritual power, but he couldn't find the key to breakthrough.
The essence of that sword seemed right before his eyes, yet unreachable. Yuyi knew he needed stronger internal power, deeper spiritual power, to truly grasp the full power of that sword. But he had lost the Hunyuan Mental Method, his internal power had declined—this was the pain in his heart. He needed to find a new path, needed to find a new breakthrough.
Three days later, Yuyi said to mingjing: "I'm leaving. Will you come with me?"
mingjing looked at Yuyi, a complex look in her eyes: "I will. If you've really decided, take me with you."
Yuyi nodded, taking a deep breath, stepping through Nitian Alliance headquarters' gate. This building he had entered and exited countless times now felt strange. The runes on the gate still flickered with faint light, the guards still bowed respectfully, but Yuyi's heart was filled with complex emotions. He knew that once he entered this time, he might never return. Every step felt like walking on a knife's edge, every step felt heavy. He looked at the familiar buildings, at the residences of those friends he had once fought side by side with, a wave of bitterness rising in his heart. This place carried too many of his memories, too many emotions, too many bonds.
In the council hall, Duan Changjian, Tianya Alliance Leader, Yinyuan Pavilion Master, Yinghao Society Master, Cangqiongzi, Lingxiao, Shaying, and others were all present. Duan Changjian saw Yuyi and called out: "Yuyi, you've come at the right time—help us think of something. Lately Nitian Alliance's affairs are increasing, we need your wisdom."
The atmosphere in the council hall was heated, everyone discussing Nitian Alliance's future development. But Yuyi's arrival focused everyone's attention on him. They saw the determingation in Yuyi's eyes, saw the changes in him.
Yuyi paused, then said: "I'm leaving."
The council hall's crowd had varied expressions. Duan Changjian's expression was strange, Bingxin lightly bit her lower lip, a trace of shock in Shaying's eyes, Lingxiao frowned. No one had expected Yuyi would suddenly say such words.
Jiujiu broke the silence: "Yuyi, take back what you just said—we'll all pretend we never heard it. You must be too tired, just rest a bit and you'll be fine."
Shaying couldn't help calling out: "Yuyi!"
Yuyi repeated: "I said, I'm leaving."
Duan Changjian angrily slammed the table: "Yuyi! Do you know what you're saying? Nitian Alliance needs you, everyone needs you! How can you just leave?"
Yuyi said calmly: "I know. I'm very clear-headed. I said, I'm leaving. These years, I've been trapped in Nitian Alliance's affairs, and my technique advancement has stagnated. I need a breakthrough, need to find a new path. This isn't a momentary impulse, but a decision I've considered deeply."
His voice was calm, but every word was like a heavy hammer, striking everyone's hearts.
Xuantie asked Liekong and Canglong to block the doorway. His eyes were determined, clearly not planing to let Yuyi leave easily.
Shuanghan persuaded: "Yuyi, don't be foolish, sober up... How far can the pursuit of techniques go? Ultimate techniques, once cultivated to a certain level, probably only improve one realm a year. You've already reached a very high realm—why pursue those illusory things?"
Shuangtong warned: "Yuyi, Nitian Alliance has had core members attempt betrayal, attempt to retire—do you know where they are now? In Nitian Alliance headquarters' underground prison, having taken cartilage-dispersing powder, not even able to commit suicide. You're too important to Nitian Alliance, you know more things than they did. Nitian Alliance won't let you leave easily."
Yuyi lowered his head, saying softly: "I'm sorry, everyone, but I must leave."
Shuanghan's words triggered Yuyi's experiences over the years. He remembered kicking Duan Changjian into the lake, laughing together, the water splashing in the sunlight; remembered splashing water all over Xuantie during secret councils, Xuantie's angry expression and everyone's roaring laughter; remembered Liekong singing loudly after getting drunk, everyone joining forces to knock him out; remembered being surrounded by dozens of Cangqiong Alliance masters, blocking blades for the other side, fighting out covered in blood. Those memories surged like a tide, filling his heart with mixed emotions.
Yuyi's heart felt like it was pressed by a giant stone. He knew he couldn't stay. If he stayed, he would be trapped here forever, never able to break through. But leaving meant giving up everything—friends, bonds.
Just then, Bingxin suddenly drew her sword and stabbed toward Yuyi. Yuyi wore a faint smile, not moving a muscle. The sword tip stopped three cun from Yuyi's throat.
Bingxin cried out loud. She remembered Yuyi grabbing her arm in chaotic battles to throw her out of encirclement, himself holding his sword to intercept enemies. She remembered the countless blades Yuyi had blocked for her, everything Yuyi had paid for her.
"Let him go... I can't do it." Bingxin said chokingly.
Xueying silently retreated, Shaying and Lingxiao simultaneously stepped back. They all knew Yuyi had decided—any persuasion was futile.
Duan Changjian threatened: "Do you think Youyue Valley's supreme elder status lets you leave? Nitian Alliance isn't a place you can come and go as you please!"
Yuyi said indifferently: "I temporarily changed my mind. Since stepping into the cultivation world until now, I've always been calculating. When I left, I didn't tell Jianchi—if I can't step out this door, you can announce externally that I was ambushed and killed by Cangqiong Alliance. I really want to gamble once, gamble on something I've been unwilling to believe for a long time."
Yinghao Society Master shouted: "Matters concerning Nitian Alliance's life and death aren't for you to treat as child's play!"
Xuantie shouted: "Shut up!"
Yuyi swept his gaze over everyone: "Today, the seven of you here—any one of you who attacks me, I won't fight back. But if others make a move, I won't show mercy. I'm only betting on you seven. I'm leaving..."
His gaze swept over every person's face—Duan Changjian, Bingxin, Shaying, Lingxiao, Shuanghan, Shuangtong, Xuantie. These seven were his closest friends in Nitian Alliance, and also the people he trusted most. What he was betting on was this friendship.
Yuyi slowly turned, leading mingjing toward the door. Liekong and Canglong dejectedly lowered their long swords and retreated to the side. They all knew Yuyi's strength—if they really fought, they were no match at all.
Yuyi stepped out the gate, no one made a move. He let out a long breath, his eyes moistening: "I really can't believe I actually won the bet."
Duan Changjian's voice came from behind: "Go quickly! Don't let me change my mind."
Yuyi turned back, taking a deep look at everyone. He saw the reluctance in Duan Changjian's eyes, saw the tear tracks on Bingxin's face, saw the complexity in Shaying's eyes, saw Lingxiao's silence. These were his friends, his comrades, his bonds. But he knew he had to leave. A wave of bitterness rose in his heart—all those moments of mutual support in crises, all those toasts after victories, all those encouragements after failures, were deeply carved in his heart. He knew this departure might mean never seeing them again.
"Even if I'm captured by Cangqiong Alliance and imprisoned forever, I will never reveal any of Nitian Alliance's secrets. One day, I will return, and with you, fight side by side again. Goodbye, everyone." Yuyi said.
Duan Changjian roared: "Yuyi, you bastard!"
Yuyi led mingjing, leaving without looking back. He knew that once he looked back, he might waver. In his heart was both reluctance and anticipation. He didn't know what the road ahead was like, but he was prepared. Every step was like saying goodbye to the past, every step was like stepping toward an unknown future. The moment he walked out Nitian Alliance's gate, he felt a wave of relief, as if a thousand-pound burden had been lifted, but also felt a wave of emptiness, as if he had lost something important.
Heavenly Dao Law Announcement: Youyue Valley Master Yuyi passes the valley master position to Jianchi.
Cultivation world rumor: Yuyi, due to being poisoned by Cangqiong Alliance's scheme, was seriously injured and has officially entered seclusion to recover.
Cangqiong Alliance headquarters, Fumo learned of Yuyi's retirement, ordering full tracking of Yuyi's whereabouts. Yingxue said she could grasp Yuyi's whereabouts in real time. Fumo sent Shuanghua, Yingxue, Mihuang, Bixiao with masters to pursue. Bixiao was anxious—Yuyi still hadn't opened his Sound Transmission Jade Talisman.
Yuyi and mingjing rode horses away, meeting Zixiao and Yanqing. Zixiao was surprised Nitian Alliance actually let Yuyi leave, warning Yuyi to be careful of Cangqiong Alliance's pursuit. Yuyi said he was going to Xuantian City, where Xuesha Ren had also retired. Zixiao said after finishing his business he would find Yuyi for drinks. The four went in different directions.
Zixiao's warning made Yuyi's heart tighten. He knew Cangqiong Alliance wouldn't easily let him go. But he was prepared—no matter how many dangers lay ahead, he would walk on.
Yuyi sat on his horse, looking back once at Zhongzhou City's direction. There were his friends, his memories, and his bonds. But he knew he had to leave. Only by leaving could he find a new path.
mingjing rode beside Yuyi, asking softly: "Do you regret it?"
Yuyi shook his head: "No regrets. I won the bet on friendship—this is the thing I'm most proud of since stepping into the cultivation world. My friends in Nitian Alliance didn't disappoint me. They could have stopped me, but they chose to let go. This is friendship, this is trust."
mingjing paused, then said: "We're going to Xuantian City, then what?"
Yuyi looked into the distance, a trace of determingation in his eyes: "Then, I'll find a new path. The pursuit of techniques has no end. I will become stronger, strong enough to protect the people I want to protect. This road may be difficult, but I'm prepared."
The sun set in the west, the two's shadows stretching long on the road. Yuyi's heart held both reluctance and anticipation. He knew the road ahead was full of thorns, but he was prepared. This was the path of a cultivator—lonely but determined.
The sound of horse hooves gradually faded, Zhongzhou City's outline blurred in the sunset. Yuyi didn't look back—he knew that once he looked back, he might waver. mingjing looked at Yuyi's profile, a complex look in her eyes. She knew Yuyi was a person who pursued perfection, and also a lonely person. She was willing to walk this path with him, no matter how many dangers lay ahead.
The two rode through a forest, heading toward Xuantian City. Yuyi's heart had already begun planing the future path. He needed to recover his internal power, needed to find new techniques, needed to become stronger. This departure wasn't escape, but pursuit. He wanted to pursue a higher realm, pursue more perfect sword dao.
The sunset's afterglow fell on the two, stretching their shadows long. Yuyi's heart held both nostalgia for the past and anticipation for the future. He knew this road wouldn't be smooth, but he was prepared. This was Yuyi's choice, and his path. He would on this road rediscover himself, rediscover sword dao.