In the realm of the Fantasia, there lies a place called Foxcliff Mountain, the headquarters of the Ghost King Sect.
The Great Warlock had passed, and it had been three days since his departure. Azure Ethereal Vapors had ordered the old man’s body to be cremated, and his ashes were now housed in a small, delicate vase. At this moment, the vase lay quietly on the table beside him.
Azure Ethereal Vapors gazed at the vase for a long time, then let out a soft sigh, turning his gaze away. For the past three days, he and Immortalbane Nexus had been handling all the affairs of the Ghost King Sect. After the upheaval three days ago, both the Ghost King and Ghostly Rigor had retreated into their chambers and had not emerged since.
Azure Ethereal Vapors vividly remembered that three days ago, when the heavy stone door creaked open, the two men who walked out—men who feared nothing in the world—were like shadows, their spirits broken and their faces desolate.
The Ghost King, slightly more composed, said softly, “No one is to disturb me for the next three days!” and then returned to his chamber, never to reappear.
As for Ghostly Rigor, he was completely lost, unable to utter a single word. In his daze, he walked straight into a stone wall, cutting his forehead until blood flowed, yet he seemed unaware, slowly turning around and stumbling back to his room.
The eerie scene left everyone shaken, and though they suspected the worst, when they looked into the stone chamber, they found the floor covered in blood, with the Great Warlock slumped in the center, lifeless. The scene was utterly heart-wrenching.
Only Bi Yao, lying on the icy stone platform, remained serene, her face peaceful and lifelike, and the Celestial Bell in her hand emitted a faint golden glow.
The sound of footsteps brought Azure Ethereal Vapors back to reality. He looked up to see Immortalbane Nexus gliding into the room, her gaze drifting towards the room behind him. She whispered, “Has the Sect Master not come out yet?”
Azure Ethereal Vapors shook his head. “Three days, and no word.”
Immortalbane Nexus’s veil fluttered, and she remained silent, but they could both imagine the sorrowful scene inside the room.
If there was anything more heartbreaking than despair, it was seeing hope, only to have it snatched away.
As they stood in silence, a slight sound came from the room behind Azure Ethereal Vapors. The door creaked open.
Azure Ethereal Vapors and Immortalbane Nexus turned to see the wooden door opening slowly, its low creak carrying a hint of the past’s sorrows.
A foot stepped out, and the Ghost King appeared before them, his hair shockingly white.
Azure Ethereal Vapors’ voice, hoarse and hesitant, asked, “Sect… Master, are you… well?”
The Ghost King’s lips twitched, but he did not speak. Instead, he closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and took a deep breath.
Immortalbane Nexus, her voice trembling, said, “Sect Master, take care of yourself.” As she spoke, thoughts of Bi Yao made her voice choke.
The Ghost King’s shoulders quivered, but he soon composed himself. When he opened his eyes, though his face bore the marks of sorrow, his eyes gleamed with a new light.
“I look much older, don’t I?” he said, a bittersweet smile on his lips.
Azure Ethereal Vapors and Immortalbane Nexus lowered their heads, unable to bear looking at him.
The Ghost King took another deep breath and glanced at the vase on the table.
“What is in there?” he asked softly.
Azure Ethereal Vapors stepped forward, picked up the vase, and handed it to the Ghost King. “After the Great Warlock’s passing, I took the liberty to have his body cremated. These are his ashes.”
The Ghost King gently took the vase, running his fingers over it, and sighed. “Though the Great Warlock could not save Bi Yao, he used the last of his strength to collect her soul. Though he failed, he was our great benefactor.”
He handed the vase back. “Prepare to send the Great Warlock’s ashes back to the Southern Lands with the utmost respect.”
Azure Ethereal Vapors nodded. “Yes, Sect Master.”
After a moment of silence, the Ghost King asked, “How is Ghostly Rigor?”
Azure Ethereal Vapors hesitated, but Immortalbane Nexus answered, “Since leaving the icy chamber, he has been in a state of disarray, stumbling back to his room and not coming out since. It has been three days now.”
The Ghost King’s expression darkened. “Let us go see him.”
As they approached Ghostly Rigor’s room, the Ghost King’s presence seemed to grow even more somber. The room was empty, and not even Little Ash could be found. The bed was in disarray, and the room was as if untouched.
Azure Ethereal Vapors called out, and a sect disciple rushed in, bowing. “Sect Master!”
The Ghost King turned to him. “Where is the Deputy Sect Master?”
The disciple trembled. “The Deputy Sect Master shut himself in for three days and nights. This morning, he suddenly left with the gray monkey, heading straight out.”
The Ghost King was taken aback. “Where did he go?”
The disciple stammered, “He left the mountain and flew off. He looked terrifying, so I did not dare to follow.”
Suddenly, the Ghost King noticed a letter on the bedside. He picked it up and read it, then handed it to Azure Ethereal Vapors. “It is for you.”
Azure Ethereal Vapors read it and said, “He asks me to take the Great Warlock’s ashes back to the Southern Lands.”
The Ghost King sighed. “Very well. Let us go.”
***
In the Southern Lands, the Incense Valley was abuzz with activity. The drums of the Heavenly Aroma Pavilion had signaled the return of the valley’s master, Yun Yilang, after years of seclusion.
All disciples assembled, waiting anxiously. Among them, Yan Hong, recently discovered after being captured by Jin Ping’er, stood out. Her face was pale, and she seemed to have endured much.
Yun Yilang, now appearing decades younger, entered the hall, his red hair flowing freely. The disciples were shocked but quickly recovered, bowing to greet him.
Yun Yilang, in good spirits, addressed the disciples. “I will lead the finest disciples to the Central Plains to meet with the Green Cloud Sect and the Temple of Heavenly Sound. We will discuss the future of our world.”
The disciples were surprised but quickly complied. Only Li Xun remained, and Yun Yilang spoke to him. “You will deliver a letter to the Green Cloud Sect. Stay there a few days, and I will join you soon.”
Li Xun, excited, bowed and departed. As he left, Yun Yilang’s smile faded, and he gazed southward, towards the Ten Thousand Mountains.
“If you seek to challenge the world, I will make the entire realm stand against you. I am not foolish enough to bear this burden alone.”
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