Tian Yici let out a long breath, a smile appearing on his face.
However, Lu Xueqi, with her meticulous nature, pondered for a moment before looking at Tian Yici and asking, “Uncle Tian, do you mean… he can return to the Azure Ethereal Conclave?”
Tian Yici snorted and said, “Ten years ago, the truth was revealed on the Azure Ethereal Peak. Lao Qi left, and after much reflection, I only felt that he was not at fault. He had done nothing wrong, yet he left the Azure Ethereal Conclave by some strange, inexplicable turn of events. I have only ever taken seven disciples in my life, and though they may not be outstanding, I cannot simply dismiss this matter and act as if I never had this disciple.”
Lu Xueqi, like one who has been in darkness for a long time suddenly glimpsing a faint light, was both surprised and overjoyed.
Tian Yici continued, “I know that pursuing this matter will not be without its complications. However, over these ten years, I have kept an eye on Lao Qi. It seems his conscience is still intact, and I have not heard of him committing any evil deeds.”
Lu Xueqi quickly added, “Yes, I have also been paying attention, and I have never heard of any misdeeds after he joined the demon sect…”
As she spoke, she noticed Tian Yici’s half-smiling gaze, and her face flushed, her voice gradually becoming softer.
Tian Yici nodded and said, “You are indeed a considerate person. These ten years must have been hard on you.”
Lu Xueqi remained silent.
Tian Yici coughed a few times, seemingly short of breath, and then said, “In any case, as long as he still recognizes me as his master, his affairs—no,” he glanced at Lu Xueqi and smiled, “your affairs, I cannot ignore.”
Lu Xueqi bit her lip lightly, and after a moment, she lowered her head and said softly, “Thank you, Uncle Tian.”
Tian Yici nodded but couldn’t help coughing again. The sudden, heartfelt conversation seemed to have made him a bit weary, and the dark aura on his face appeared to have deepened.
Lu Xueqi, somewhat worried, said, “Uncle Tian, you should rest for now. Don’t talk too much.”
Looking up at the sky, she added, “It looks like dawn will break in a couple of hours. I will head back to the Azure Ethereal Peak to inform my master and Aunt Su Ru.”
Tian Yici nodded and closed his eyes once more.
Lu Xueqi took a deep breath, calming her agitated and flustered heart, and closed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips—a small, personal happiness.
Far in the distance, a faint starlight peeked through the heavy clouds, like the innocent eyes of a young maiden, before being covered again by a gust of wind and a passing cloud.
Below the clouds, two figures were seen moving towards their direction.
Zhou Yixian, along with Xiaohuan and the Wild Dog Daoist, hurriedly left the abandoned cemetery, heading toward the main road.
Despite his age, Zhou Yixian walked faster than a young man, leaving Xiaohuan and the Wild Dog Daoist struggling to keep up.
After walking for a while, the road ahead finally became clear. Xiaohuan, slightly out of breath, complained, “Grandfather, aren’t you tired? Why are you walking so fast?”
Zhou Yixian looked at the road ahead and then back at the direction of the cemetery, finally stopping and saying, “You don’t understand. We were extremely lucky to escape. If we don’t get far from that cemetery, we’ll be inviting trouble.”
Xiaohuan recalled the recent events at the cemetery, especially the mysterious cultivator, and shuddered. “I never thought there would be such a powerful evil cultivator near the Azure Ethereal Peak.”
Zhou Yixian gave a cold laugh, “If it weren’t near the Azure Ethereal Peak, you wouldn’t have seen them!”
Xiaohuan and the Wild Dog Daoist were stunned. “What do you mean?”
Zhou Yixian frowned, realizing he had spoken out of turn. He waved his hand and said, “Let’s leave quickly and head to a crowded place. We’ll be safe there.”
Xiaohuan looked at him curiously, but Zhou Yixian ignored her and walked ahead. Xiaohuan hurried to catch up, about to ask more, but Zhou Yixian coughed and looked up at the sky, saying, “Isn’t the night sky beautiful tonight, Xiaohuan?”
Xiaohuan rolled her eyes. “How can you say the night is beautiful when it’s dark and gloomy?”
Zhou Yixian chuckled and walked faster. Xiaohuan, with a suspicious look, watched her grandfather, feeling that he was hiding something.
Suddenly, a figure in black flew past them, causing them to start. They feared the demonic cultivator had caught up, but the figure, though dressed in black, was not the mysterious cultivator but the Black Cloaked Demon Cultist they had seen earlier.
The Black Cloaked Demon Cultist glanced at them and, seeing no interest, continued on his way.
A female voice called out, “Wait!”
The Black Cloaked Demon Cultist stopped, turned, and asked, “Did you call me, miss?”
Xiaohuan hesitated, “Yes.”
“Is there something you need?” the Black Cloaked Demon Cultist asked.
Xiaohuan, unsure how to explain, eventually asked, “Do you know another person who dresses exactly like you?”
The Black Cloaked Demon Cultist shook his head, “No, I don’t.”
Xiaohuan frowned but was interrupted by Zhou Yixian, who pulled her behind him and said, “Sir, please excuse the girl. She doesn’t know better.”
He glared at Xiaohuan and walked away, with the Wild Dog Daoist following. Xiaohuan, feeling awkward, whispered, “But they really look alike…”
Zhou Yixian ignored her and tightened his grip, leading them down the road. As they walked away, the Black Cloaked Demon Cultist stood still, feeling confused.
In the distance, two figures were seen chasing each other, heading towards the abandoned cemetery.
The Black Cloaked Demon Cultist hesitated but decided to leave. The cemetery was not a good place to be.
Back at the abandoned cemetery, Lu Xueqi opened her eyes, finding everything quiet and peaceful. Tian Yici still sat on the stone steps, his clothes unmoved by the wind.
Lu Xueqi, thinking deeply, felt something was off. Tian Yici, who had always been overweight, seemed unusually large, making his clothes appear tight.
She decided to ask Tian Yici for clarification. But just as she was about to speak, Tian Yici suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the dark sky.
Lu Xueqi, startled, stood up and saw a black figure descending from the sky, enveloped in a dense black aura.
Tian Yici slowly rose, and Lu Xueqi, feeling dry-mouthed, asked, “Is it him?”
Tian Yici nodded, “Yes, it’s him.”
Lu Xueqi, her eyes fixed on the figure, sighed but said no more. Her hand tightened around the Celestial Vein, which began to glow.
With a whoosh, the black figure landed in the cemetery, and upon seeing Tian Yici and Lu Xueqi, laughed oddly.
Lu Xueqi, recognizing the figure but not the voice, remained expressionless. The Celestial Vein in her hand glowed brighter.
“Was it she who saved you?” the mysterious figure asked, glancing at the Celestial Vein.
Tian Yici, seething with anger, stepped forward.
Lu Xueqi, emotionless, moved to form a corner with Tian Yici, facing the mysterious figure.
The mysterious figure, laughing, said, “Tian Yici, do you dare to fight me?”
Tian Yici, his voice cold, replied, “You have delved too deep into the demonic path. I must fight you.”
The figure sneered, “How do you know it’s not you who is mistaken?”
Tian Yici raised his right hand, and the Fiery Flame appeared, burning in his grasp. “Your ‘Black Yin Ghost Aura’ has claimed countless innocent lives. What more can you say?”
Hearing the words “Black Yin Ghost Aura,” Lu Xueqi’s face paled. This dark, ancient technique, lost for centuries, required the essence of living souls and was incredibly sinister.
Before she could react further, the mysterious figure turned and looked up, as did Tian Yici and Lu Xueqi, noticing a figure descending from the sky with a thunderous presence.
This night, the abandoned cemetery was drawing all sorts of characters.
Just as the new figure landed, Lu Xueqi, Tian Yici, and the mysterious figure were stunned.
In front of them stood a familiar figure, the one who had raised and taught him, the one he feared and respected most—his master.
Tian Yici, looking at the man, felt a surge of emotion. The man, though older and more haggard, was unmistakable.
Unable to speak, the man, now known as Ghost Li, felt a thousand words in his heart, but all he could manage was a whisper, “Master!”
Tears welled up in his eyes, and he felt a warmth he hadn’t felt in years.
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