The silence was oppressive, as if the only sound in his ears was the pounding of his own heart. The fear of the unknown, like an endless, icy sea, threatened to drown him.
He couldn’t help but shiver…
Countless eyes were fixed on this lonely and pitiful figure, but he held on, trembling hands gripping the Black Heart Token tightly, so very tight.
This scene felt oddly familiar, as if it were a memory from long ago, a young boy who was stubborn and resilient, with an inexplicable determination.
The red light in his eyes slowly faded, and his arm moved silently in the darkness. Suddenly, countless dark-clothed figures surged out like a tide, disappearing in an instant.
The dog’s ragged breathing gradually calmed, though he remained wary and afraid. He slowly opened his eyes, only to find that, at some point, there were only two people left: himself and the other.
The smell of blood that had filled the air had vanished without a trace.
The man, standing with his back to him, gazed down into the abyss, as if lost in the deepest darkness, reliving old memories.
A gentle breeze blew, making the small figure seem even more fragile against the vast, ominous abyss. A sudden, reckless thought crossed the dog’s mind: take advantage of the moment and push him down…
Once this idea took hold, it burned in his heart like a wildfire, spreading heat through his body. He felt the urge to act, but his body, betraying his will, remained frozen.
Until the man turned around and looked at him.
The dog felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him, chilling him to the bone.
“Were you just thinking of pushing me down into the abyss?” he asked calmly, as if discussing something trivial.
*Clang!*
The Black Heart Token slipped from the dog’s hand and fell to the ground. He hurriedly picked it up, his face pale, but he straightened himself, as if to bolster his courage, and shouted, “Go ahead and kill me, I’m not afraid of you!”
The man, known as Ghost Li, gave him a brief glance and said, “I won’t kill you. If you die, the Blood Refining Sect will truly be wiped out, and I’m sure the Black Heart Elder would not rest in peace.” He walked past the dog, continuing, “From now on, you will stay by my side.”
The dog, stunned, shouted, “You almost annihilated our Blood Refining Sect, and now you want me to follow you?”
Ghost Li ignored him, walking forward, but his voice carried clearly, “Your cultivation is too low. Without me, the Ghost King Clan would kill you first, and those who surrendered, like Elder Brother Nian and the others, would also seek to eliminate you for your stubborn loyalty to the Blood Refining Sect.”
The dog was speechless, sweat breaking out on his forehead. As the man’s figure receded into the darkness, he finally stomped his foot and ran after him, shouting, “Hmph, I’m not afraid to die, but I’m willing to endure this for the sake of reviving the Blood Refining Sect…”
In the darkness, their footsteps echoed as they walked one behind the other through the ancient cave. Suddenly, as if struck by a thought, the man behind him spoke, “Hey, Zhang Xiaofan, why are you treating me like this…”
His voice trailed off, and a deep, eerie roar echoed from the darkness, followed by a thick, suffocating stench of blood. The dog shuddered.
After a while, the stench gradually dissipated. The man, silent in the darkness, finally spoke, “I haven’t heard that name in many years.”
The dog let out a sigh but couldn’t help asking, “What should I call you then?”
There was no answer. The man continued walking, and the dog muttered under his breath, perhaps cursing, but he followed anyway.
Ahead of them, the darkness stretched endlessly.
—
Azure Ethereal Vapors.
The mysterious and magical mountain, still as enchanting as ever ten years later.
The destruction caused by the battle between the righteous and the evil had long been repaired, but whether the wounds in the hearts of the people had healed was uncertain.
Ten years ago, the war had taken the lives of Chief Merchant Shang Zhengliang of the Rising Sun Peak and Chief Taoist Tianyun of the Falling Cloud Peak. Chief Taoist Cangsong of the Dragon Head Peak had defected, leaving only Patriarch Daoxuan among the six chiefs, dealing a heavy blow to the sect.
Now, the Rising Sun and Falling Cloud Peaks had new elders as chiefs. Only the Dragon Head Peak, due to Taoist Cangsong’s defection, had fallen into disgrace. In a surprising turn of events, the young generation’s Qi Hao had taken over as the chief.
As if a trend, more and more of the younger generation appeared in the various factions within the Azure Ethereal Conclave. For example, Zeng Shushu of the Wind Return Peak, Song Daren of the Great Bamboo Peak, Wen Min and Lu Xueqi of the Small Bamboo Peak, were all taking on more responsibilities.
Even within the main sect, Patriarch Daoxuan had gradually withdrawn from worldly affairs, entrusting daily matters to his favored disciple, Xiao Yicai.
—
Behind the Heavenly Reaching Peak, the Ancestral Hall.
Soft sunlight illuminated the grand hall, making it appear solemn and mysterious. The hall was still dimly lit, with the flickering lights of the eternal flames and candles, honoring the countless ancestors of the Azure Ethereal Conclave.
Lin Jingyu sat alone in the open space before the Ancestral Hall, meditating. The greenish-glowing Dragon Slaying Sword floated above his head, enveloping him in a mystical green aura.
His once innocent face now bore the marks of resilience and experience.
In the shadows behind the Ancestral Hall, a pair of eyes watched him quietly. After a while, a figure emerged.
It was the mysterious, wrinkled elder. He slowly stepped out of the shadows, sitting on the steps of the Ancestral Hall, his gaze fixed on Lin Jingyu. After a long while, he said, “That’s enough.”
The green glow of the Dragon Slaying Sword faded, and Lin Jingyu took a deep breath, opening his eyes. He stood up and turned to the elder, smiling, “Elder!”
The elder looked at his youthful face and smiled slightly, “Your talent is exceptional, and you’ve worked hard. Your progress is far beyond what I expected.”
Lin Jingyu’s face showed gratitude, and he bowed deeply, saying, “Elder, your kindness, I will never forget.”
The elder waved his hand and sighed, “It has been ten years. I have nothing more to teach you. And you have stayed with me in the Ancestral Hall for ten years. It’s time for you to go.”
Lin Jingyu was startled but the elder continued, “Do you know about the events in the Dragon Head Peak?”
Lin Jingyu, regaining his composure, nodded, “Yes, Senior Brother Qi Hao came to visit me a few days ago and told me about it.”
The elder nodded, “I heard that the outstanding disciples of the Azure Ethereal Conclave are gathering on the Heavenly Reaching Peak today. There might be something important. The main sect also sent a message, you should go as well.”
Lin Jingyu’s lips trembled, looking at the elder with a hint of reluctance. The elder smiled, his face showing a faint sadness, but it quickly disappeared. He waved his hand, “Be a man, go!”
Lin Jingyu took a deep breath and bowed, “Elder, your teachings have been as great as a mountain. I will always remember your kindness and use my skills to fight evil and repay the sect, fulfilling my lifelong ambition!”
The elder smiled and nodded, “Go, then.”
Lin Jingyu bowed again, glanced at his surroundings, and turned around, striding forward, leaving the Ancestral Hall.
The sunlight on his back seemed to shine brightly.
The elder watched his retreating figure, lost in thought. At some point, another figure appeared behind him.
“He’s gone,” the figure said softly.
The elder’s lips moved, and he slowly rose, turning to face the supreme patriarch of the Azure Ethereal Conclave.
“Thank you,” he suddenly said.
Patriarch Daoxuan seemed slightly surprised, frowning, “What?”
The elder walked past him, heading into the Ancestral Hall, saying, “Thank you for letting this young man stay with me for ten years.”
Patriarch Daoxuan was silent for a moment, then slowly entered the Ancestral Hall. In the main hall, the flickering lights of the eternal flames and candles illuminated the countless ancestral tablets, casting a dim and uncertain light.
The elder walked to the altar, taking a new candle from the incense table and lighting it, replacing the nearly burned-out one.
Patriarch Daoxuan watched the elder’s slow and practiced movements, then suddenly said, “Back then, I risked everything to save you, keeping it a secret from the other elders, and you didn’t even thank me. Why are you thanking me now for a mere youth?”
The elder did not speak, stepping back into the shadows, holding the half-burned candle. He looked up, gazing at the ancestral tablets, which stood tall and majestic before him, overwhelming him with their presence.
He remained silent, simply gazing.
Patriarch Daoxuan could not see the elder’s expression, but he saw the hot wax dripping from the candle, falling onto the elder’s withered hand, where it slowly hardened.
The hand trembled slightly.
From the depths of the shadows, a faint sigh echoed…
—
When Lin Jingyu arrived at the Jade Purity Hall on the Heavenly Reaching Peak, there were already several people present. Some were familiar, while others were strangers he had seen only a few times, fellow disciples.
But all knew that the young people here were the finest of the next generation of the Azure Ethereal Conclave.
Among them, the most outstanding were the icy and beautiful Lu Xueqi and the dignified Qi Hao, now dressed in the robes of a chief. Notably, Qi Hao was the only chief among the six peaks present.
Qi Hao, seeing Lin Jingyu enter, was surprised and laughed, going up to embrace him, examining him closely, “Junior Brother Lin, I thought you were tending the Ancestral Hall, why are you here?”
For the past ten years, Lin Jingyu had been living in the Ancestral Hall under the pretense of tending to it. The elder’s true identity was tied to a secret from the past, so no one knew the truth. Lin Jingyu smiled, “My ten years are up, and I’m here because someone called me. I didn’t expect to see you, Senior Brother Qi.”
Qi Hao smiled, “Patriarch Daoxuan called the outstanding young disciples of each peak to discuss something important. I had nothing else to do, so I came to see.”
As they talked, a tall figure approached, Song Daren, the senior disciple of the Great Bamboo Peak. Ten years had changed little about him.
Song Daren, who was familiar with Qi Hao, came over to greet them. His gaze fell on Lin Jingyu, and he smiled, “Junior Brother Lin, it’s been years. You look even more dashing, and your cultivation must have improved significantly.”
Lin Jingyu lowered his head, smiling, “Senior Brother Song, you flatter me.”
As Song Daren was about to say more, another voice rang out, “Ah, Senior Brother Qi, do you remember me?”
Qi Hao turned to the speaker, laughing, “Junior Brother Zeng, how could I forget you!”
The speaker was Zeng Shushu, the most outstanding young disciple of the Wind Return Peak, accompanied by the beauties Wen Min and Lu Xueqi from the Small Bamboo Peak.
Most eyes were on the cold Lu Xueqi, but Song Daren looked at Wen Min, chuckling. Wen Min smiled and gave him a reproachful look.
Qi Hao and the others greeted Wen Min and Lu Xueqi, and Zeng Shushu said, “Senior Brother Qi, when you became chief, I was in trouble and couldn’t come to congratulate you. I hope you understand!”
Qi Hao laughed, “Don’t worry, your thoughts are what matter.”
Zeng Shushu smiled and nodded, then looked around, “Senior Brother Qi, what’s the big deal that Patriarch Daoxuan called us for?”
Qi Hao shrugged, “I’m not sure, but I heard something happened in the western swamps. Patriarch Daoxuan wants to send some of the outstanding young disciples to investigate.”
“Ahh,” the others exclaimed, curiosity and excitement filling the air. Zeng Shushu, who had been smiling, suddenly became serious, “Young, outstanding disciples on a mission? This sounds familiar.”
He and Qi Hao exchanged a glance, understanding each other’s thoughts. Looking back, they remembered the four of them, and now…
They turned to look at the beautiful woman, Lu Xueqi, standing quietly, as if she had not heard anything, or as if she had buried everything deep inside. Her eyes met Lin Jingyu’s briefly, as if searching for something, but then she looked away.
At that moment, the chimes of the hall rang, and everyone stood up. Patriarch Daoxuan, accompanied by Xiao Yicai, emerged, smiling and greeting them, then sat in the main seat.
Everyone bowed, and Qi Hao, standing at the front, bowed as well. Patriarch Daoxuan smiled and waved, “Enough, sit down.”
Except for Qi Hao, who now held a higher position, the others remained standing.
Patriarch Daoxuan looked at Xiao Yicai and said, “Yicai, tell them.”
Xiao Yicai nodded, “Yes, Master.”
He stepped forward, looking at the crowd, and said, “Fellow disciples, we are here to discuss an important matter that requires the best of our young disciples.”
There was a stir, and Xiao Yicai continued, “Recently, there have been rumors of strange lights appearing in the western swamps, lasting for days. It’s believed that a treasure of great power may be about to emerge. While we are not interested in such things, the news has spread, and the demonic sects are moving westward to claim it.”
“What?!”
“Outrageous!” The young disciples of the Azure Ethereal Conclave were visibly angered.
Xiao Yicai waited for the noise to subside, then continued, “If the rumors are false, it doesn’t matter. But if a powerful treasure falls into the hands of the demonic sects, it would be a disaster. As the leader of the righteous path, Patriarch Daoxuan has decided to send a group of our outstanding young disciples to the western swamps to uphold justice and eliminate evil.”
He paused, adding mysteriously, “Additionally, it’s rumored that the Temple of Heavenly Sounds and the Incense Valley are also sending disciples. Since the great battle ten years ago, everyone knows they are eyeing the leadership of the righteous path. Let’s not disappoint our sect!”
The crowd murmured, and someone shouted, “Patriarch, we will not dishonor the Azure Ethereal Conclave!”
“Exactly, we’ll show the demonic sects, the Temple of Heavenly Sounds, and the Incense Valley what we’re made of!”
Patriarch Daoxuan smiled and stood up, “The journey to the western swamps may be perilous, and the demonic sects are cunning. Be cautious.”
Everyone responded, “Yes, Master.”
Patriarch Daoxuan turned to Xiao Yicai, “Arrange the departure, and leave as soon as possible.”
With a glance at Lin Jingyu in the crowd, he turned and walked into the inner chamber. The others respectfully bid him farewell. When he was out of sight, Xiao Yicai began to organize the team.
Meanwhile, Lin Jingyu asked Qi Hao, “Senior Brother Qi, are you not going?”
Qi Hao laughed, “Junior Brother, I can’t go now.”
Lin Jingyu, realizing, blushed, “Ah, you’re the chief now, I hadn’t thought of that.”
Qi Hao patted his shoulder, “This is your first major mission, a great opportunity. I hope you make a name for yourself!”
Lin Jingyu smiled, “Senior Brother, you flatter me.”
Qi Hao chuckled, but his expression grew somber, “To be honest, since Master Cangsong betrayed the sect ten years ago, our Dragon Head Peak has suffered greatly. The Rising Sun and Falling Cloud Peaks treat us like enemies. Being the chief has been tough, and I hope you can help restore our honor!”
Lin Jingyu, silent for a moment, nodded, “Senior Brother, I understand. I won’t let you down.”
Qi Hao smiled, patting Lin Jingyu’s shoulder.
Song Daren, who had walked over, asked, “Is Junior Brother Lin from the Dragon Head Peak going?”
Qi Hao smiled, “Yes, and who from the Great Bamboo Peak?”
Song Daren chuckled, “Originally, it was going to be me, but my master found me too clumsy, so my sixth junior brother, Du Bishu, is going.”
Qi Hao smiled, “Brother Du is clever, he’ll be a valuable asset.”
Song Daren, less eloquent than Qi Hao, chatted a bit and then, as he was about to leave, turned back, “Oh, Senior Brother Qi, my master has been missing my little sister Ling’er. Can you ask her to visit the Great Bamboo Peak for a few days?”
Qi Hao smiled, “Brother Song, you didn’t know? This morning, before I left the Dragon Head Peak, Ling’er went to the Great Bamboo Peak, saying she missed her mother. It seems my mother-in-law and daughter-in-law share a special bond.”
Song Daren, startled, then laughed, his hearty laughter echoing in the Jade Purity Hall.
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