The pattern of the cultivation world was quietly changing. Since Yuyi disappeared, the distribution of power within the Alliance underwent significant adjustments. The emerging force led by Cangqiongzi rose rapidly, becoming ana force that cannot be ignored in the Alliance within just a few years through his powerful strength and shrewd tactics.
His forces expanded quickly, annexing several small and medium-sized sects and gathering a large number of cultivators. Those cultivators were convinced by his strength and methods and flocked to his banner. Cangqiongzi's name became more and more promingent in the cultivation world, becoming one of the outstanding figures among the new generation of cultivators.
At the same time, the Tianming Alliance led by Lingxiao was also thriving, with its position in the Alliance becoming increasingly solid. Lingxiao was generous and valued loyalty, making him quite popular in the cultivation world. His Tianming Alliance absorbed a large number of like-minded cultivators, and its strength continued to grow, becoming a mainstay in the Alliance.
In contrast, after Yuyi left, the development speed of Xuantian Sect slowed down significantly. Although it still had foundations, without a top expert like Yuyi stationed there, its influence in the Alliance was not as good as before. Many small forces that had previously relied on Xuantian Sect switched to other sects one after another, making Xuantian Sect's situation increasingly difficult.
As the acting sect master of Xuantian Sect, Gujian tried his best to maintain the sect's operations. But without Yuyi, Xuantian Sect was like losing its backbone, and its voice in the Alliance became smaller and smaller. Those former allies also began to distance themselves from Xuantian Sect and became friendly with other forces instead.
At the Alliance headquarters, in a magnificent hall, the leaders of various sects gathered together. The hall was decorated magnificently, with various magical treasures and weapons hanging on the walls around, each emitting a powerful aura. In the center was placed a huge jade table, surrounded by dozens of seats arranged according to status.
Liekong sat at the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the crowd below, and he said solemnly: "Today I have gathered everyone to announce an important decision."
His voice echoed in the hall, carrying an unquestionable authority. Everyone's eyes were focused on him, waiting for what followed. The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the faint sound of the spiritual lamps burning.
"After careful consideration, I have decided to appoint Cangqiongzi as the new Regional Elder, responsible for managing various affairs of the Alliance in this region." Liekong's voice echoed in the hall, every word clearly entering everyone's ears, "Cangqiongzi, are you willing to accept this appointment?"
Cangqiongzi stood up, a faint smile on his face. That smile carried a hint of pride and confidence. He adjusted his sleeves and said slowly: "I am grateful for the Alliance Master's trust. Cangqiongzi will do his best and live up to expectations."
His voice was steady and confident, but a hint of triumph flashed in his eyes. This position had been long awaited by him. With this identity, his position in the Alliance would become more solid, and his forces would expand further.
In the hall, some nodded in agreement, some remained expressionless, and others frowned secretly. Those sect leaders who were on good terms with Cangqiongzi nodded one after another, while those who were wary of him secretly worried. But regardless, this appointment was already a foregone conclusion, and no one dared to openly oppose it.
"Very good." Liekong nodded, "From today on, Cangqiongzi will be the Alliance Regional Elder, and all sects must cooperate with his work."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
Meanwhile, in another part of the cultivation world, the conflict between the Tianming Alliance and the Divine State Gang was intensifying. The newly appointed hall master of Divine State Gang was ambitious and not satisfied with the existing territory, and began to covet the spirit vein cultivation point of the Tianming Alliance.
That spirit vein cultivation point was a place with rich spiritual energy, which was of great help to cultivators' cultivation. Whoever owned that spirit vein could be one step ahead in cultivation. Therefore, the two sects had been disputing over that spirit vein for several months.
"That new hall master is simply ignorant!" Lie Ren said angrily, his face flushed with anger, flames of rage flashing in his eyes, "On what basis does she want to forcibly occupy our spirit vein cultivation point? That was discovered by us first!"
Sha Ying remained silent, her gaze looking into the distance, as if she was thinking about something. After Yuyi left, although the Tianming Alliance developed smoothly, when encountering such thorny problems, she would still involuntarily think of him. If he were here, perhaps everything would be different.
He would definitely solve the problem in the most direct way, not dragging like now.
"I'll go meet her." Sha Ying finally spoke, her voice calm and firm, "Some things must be solved personally."
Lie Ren was stunned: "You're going personally? That's too dangerous!"
"It's fine." Sha Ying said, "Moreover, I also want to see what abilities this new hall master has."
A hint of sharp light flashed in her eyes, a kind of longing for battle, an expectation for the strong.
And at the Divine State Gang's Qinglong Altar, Yunzhi was sitting in the robe workshop, holding a black dharma robe in her hands. That was the first Enhanced Battle Soul Dharma Robe she had made after reaching the level of Divine Master Robe Maker. The robe shimmered with a faint light, every stitch and thread condensed with her effort.
She had wanted to give it to Yuyi immediately, but Yuyi had disappeared, and no one knew where he had gone. For three years, she had never stopped searching, but there was no news of Yuyi.
"It's been three years." Yunzhi said softly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, "Where is he exactly? Did something happen?"
Bixiao walked into the robe workshop, seeing his wife's expression, his heart ached. He knew that Yunzhi had been worried about Yuyi and had never stopped searching all these years. He walked to Yunzhi's side and gently took her hand.
"I've sent people to inquire everywhere." Bixiao said, his voice gentle and firm, "I believe we'll have news soon. Yuyi is blessed with great fortune and will be fine."
Yunzhi nodded and carefully put away the Battle Soul Dharma Robe, placing it in an exquisite box: "I will keep this robe until he returns. I believe he will definitely come back."
A hint of firm light flashed in her eyes, a kind of belief, a kind of trust in Yuyi.
At the bottom of the Ghostly Abyss, Ziyan appeared on the high cliff again. This time, her expression was different from usual, with a hint of nervousness and anticipation in her eyes. She had observed Yuyi for three years, and today, she decided not to just watch from afar, but to truly approach him.
She took a deep breath, calming her nervous mood. Her palms were sweaty, and her heart was beating faster. She knew that what she was about to do was risky, but to approach Yuyi, she was willing to take the risk.
For three years, she would come here for a few days every month. Sometimes to avoid sect missions, sometimes to find inspiration for cultivation, but more often, it was to come see this mysterious man.
She watched him cultivate day after day, watched his injuries gradually heal, watched his aura become stronger and stronger. She didn't know what he had experienced, didn't know why he was healing in this Ghostly Abyss, but she knew that this man had an extraordinary story.
That story must be wonderful, and also sad.
She suddenly jumped down from the high cliff, while letting out a scream: "Help! A demonic beast is chasing me!"
Her voice was shrill and desperate, echoing in the empty Ghostly Abyss. Her figure drew an arc in the air, falling toward the bottom of the Ghostly Abyss. The wind whistled in her ears, and her heart rose to her throat.
This was the first time she had done something so risky. If Yuyi didn't catch her, if she got injured, if...
She had too many ifs, but she had no time to think about them.
Just as she was about to hit the ground, a black shadow flashed by, fast as lightning. Yuyi's figure appeared below her, steadily catching her. His arms were strong and warm, giving Ziyan an unprecedented sense of security.
That was a kind of power from a strong person, a kind of calmness that had settled after countless battles.
Yuyi held Ziyan and gently laned on the ground. His movements were light and elegant, as if what he had just caught was not a living person, but a feather.
His gaze was calm, looking at the woman in his arms, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned: "Your acting skills still need some practice."
There was a hint of teasing in that voice, a hint of banter.
Ziyan was stunned, then an embarrassed look appeared on her face: "You... you saw through it long ago?"
Yuyi nodded and gently put her down: "From the moment you jumped down, I could tell. Someone truly being chased by a demonic beast wouldn't be as calm as you."
Ziyan's face turned red, and she lowered her head, not daring to look into Yuyi's eyes: "I'm sorry, I just wanted to get close to you."
Yuyi said nothing, just quietly looking at her. His eyes were deep as an Ghostly Abyss, making it impossible to see through his thoughts.
Ziyan summoned her courage, raised her head, and looked straight into Yuyi's eyes: "My name is Ziyan, a disciple of the Silver Moon Alliance. I... I want to know you."
Her voice was very light, but very firm.
Yuyi was silent for a moment, then said: "My name is Chen Liu. I was seriously injured by someone and hid here to heal."
His voice was calm, without any extra explantion.
"Chen Liu..." Ziyan repeated that name, a smile appearing on the corners of her mouth, "A very nice name."
Yuyi didn't respond, just turned around and walked toward the stream, continuing what he was doing just now. As if the conversation just now was just a small interlude, leaving no ripples in his heart.
Ziyan stood in place, looking at his back, feeling mixed emotions in her heart. She knew that there was still a long way to go for her to truly walk into this man's heart.
But she would not give up.
Because she knew that Yuyi was the person she had been looking for.
That lonely and powerful cultivator, that loner seeking his own path in the Ghostly Abyss.
The sun set, and the bottom of the Ghostly Abyss fell into dimness again. Ziyan had to leave. She stood on the high cliff, waving in Yuyi's direction: "I'll come again tomorrow!"
Her voice echoed in the Ghostly Abyss, with a hint of firmness, a hint of anticipation.
Yuyi didn't respond, just continued his cultivation. His figure gradually blurred in the night, eventually merging with this Ghostly Abyss.
The night grew deeper.
In the Ghostly Abyss, only the sound of the stream echoed, never stopping.
That was the passage of time, that was the rhythm of life, that was the continuation of legend.
And Yuyi's story was just beginning.
Yunzhi nodded and carefully put away the Battle Soul Dharma Robe, placing it in an exquisite box: "I will keep this robe until he returns. I believe he will definitely come back."
A hint of firm light flashed in her eyes, a kind of belief, a kind of trust in Yuyi.
After Ziyan returned to the Silver Moon Alliance, her heart could not calm down for a long time. She lay in bed, and Yuyi's figure kept appearing in her mind.
That man was like a high mountain, making her look up to him, making her yearn for him.
She didn't know what the future held for her and Yuyi. But she knew she would not regret it.
Because she had loved, had worked hard for this love.
That was enough.
The night grew deeper.
In the Ghostly Abyss, only Yuyi's breathing echoed, steady and long.
Like the stream in this Ghostly Abyss, never stopping.