Feng Zihuang’s calm gaze fell upon Mo Changxing as he coldly uttered a few words, “Each in his own place, each doing his duty!”
“Hmph!” Before Mo Changxing could respond, Yun Qingxue let out a cold laugh.
“Feng Zihuang! If the blood curse you placed on me remained unbroken, your scheming, though reckless, might still have been profitable.
But unfortunately…
My blood curse is broken. I have no feelings for you, so there’s no need to indulge you!
And Master and the others won’t make concessions for my sake anymore!
Tell me, how do you think the Water Clan will treat you once they learn you used underhanded means to deceive their king?”
“Though the Dragon King hasn’t lost all his dragon qi, his power is greatly diminished now. The Water Clan won’t dare provoke my Feather Clan at this time!” Feng Zihuang said darkly.
“But they’ll remember this grudge!” Yun Qingxue sneered before turning to Mo Changxing. “Senior Brother, let them go.”
“Qingxue!” Mo Changxing frowned.
Yun Qingxue shook her head silently, mouthing the words, “Not yet.”
Understanding immediately, Mo Changxing suppressed his anger and glared at Feng Zihuang. “You are not welcome in Luoyun Mountain.”
With his schemes exposed, Feng Zihuang knew he had no face to stay. He departed with Liuying on the wind.
Yun Qingxue turned to Mo Changxing. “Senior Brother…”
Mo Changxing nodded. “I know what to do next. I’ll spread word of the Feather King’s deeds—how he deceitfully stole the Dragon King’s qi, how the Dragon King, noble and trusting, was tricked…”
“I leave it all to you, Senior Brother.” Yun Qingxue smiled.
The reason she had stopped Mo Changxing from acting against Feng Zihuang was simple: if they attacked him now, outsiders unaware of his schemes would only see Luoyun Mountain in a bad light.
Now that Feng Zihuang had left, once he returned to the Feather Clan, his misdeeds against Jinlin would spread across the Three Realms.
Without them lifting a finger, the Feather Clan would be disgraced.
And if the Water Clan later sought retribution, it would be Feng Zihuang’s Feather Clan that bore the blame.
“Qingxue…” Mo Changxing looked at her deeply. “Jinlin…
Jinlin thought you loved Feng Zihuang. He… was heartbroken.”
“So?” A flicker of sorrow passed through Yun Qingxue’s eyes.
“So… will you go to the Water Clan and clear the misunderstanding?” Mo Changxing asked, his voice restrained.
“No need.” Yun Qingxue smiled bitterly. “I’ve always been grateful for everything Jinlin did for me.
But the feelings he desires… I cannot return them.
Since I can’t give him what he wants, why stir things up again?”
“Fair enough.” Mo Changxing sighed, his tone heavy with melancholy.
“Senior Brother.” Yun Qingxue smiled at him. “Thank you… for always taking care of me.”
“You’re my junior sister. It’s my duty. No need for thanks.” Mo Changxing frowned slightly.
“Senior Brother…” Yun Qingxue gazed at him, her eyes warm.
“Your Majesty, the Flower King!” Mo Su arrived breathlessly.
The moment she landed, she scrutinized Yun Qingxue from head to toe, only relaxing once she confirmed she was unharmed.
“You’ve come at the right time.” Yun Qingxue smiled. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Your Majesty, the Feather King…” Mo Su frowned, concern in her voice.
“That matter is over.
Senior Brother, Mo Su, now that the Locking Frost poison in me is cured, I wish to enter seclusion for cultivation…”
“That’s wise.” Mo Changxing’s voice carried a trace of worry. “Though the Xuanling Continent appears peaceful, undercurrents are stirring.
As the Flower King, standing in such a prominent position, becoming stronger is a necessity.”
“Indeed! This subordinate supports Your Majesty’s decision!” Mo Su agreed.
Yun Qingxue smiled. “Mo Su, before I enter seclusion, there’s one task I must entrust to you.”
“Your Majesty, please speak.” Mo Su bowed respectfully.
“This seclusion may last until I reach divine-level power. I don’t know how long it will take.
If the next opening of the Yunhuang Illusory Realm arrives and I haven’t emerged, you must return there.
The Peony Clan has secluded themselves there for a millennium, as has the Green Bamboo Clan.
I want you to search the Yunhuang Illusory Realm thoroughly—see if any more of our kin remain!”
“This subordinate obeys!” Mo Su replied solemnly.
“Do it with care.” Yun Qingxue smiled distantly, her gaze drifting to the clouds above. “Once I emerge, I will return to the Flora Clan, reclaim my throne, and fulfill my promises!”
“Yes! This subordinate will spare no effort to accomplish Your Majesty’s will!” Mo Su’s face lit up with barely contained excitement.
She could already envision the day Yun Qingxue emerged—the Flower King restored, the Flora Clan’s strife resolved, and prosperity blooming once more.
Time flowed quietly in the mountains…
After Feng Zihuang left Luoyun Mountain, Yun Qingxue entered the seemingly dilapidated but mystical thatched cottage of the Purple Song Sage with Daise, Liuli, Adai, and Huanling to cultivate.
Day after day, she studied ancient tomes and honed her techniques.
Time slipped by like a fleeting steed, like sand through fingers.
Three centuries later…
A gentle breeze swept through the mountains as Luoyun Mountain basked in the glow of dusk.
The three-century-old barrier dissipated like smoke the moment the cottage door creaked open.
Yun Qingxue stepped out slowly, gazing at the crimson horizon, an indescribable emotion swelling within her.
“Master!” Daise stood beside her. The three centuries had stripped away her youthful timidity, molding her into a formidable cultivator at the Longevity stage.
“Qingxue…! My dear sister…! I’ve missed you so much!” A figure came rushing from afar, swift as a shooting star.
The voice was familiar, the exaggerated antics unmistakable. Yun Qingxue didn’t evade, allowing the figure to embrace her.
“Your master said you’d emerge today. Damn, his divination was spot on! Hahaha!” Xiao Xiao laughed heartily, clinging to Yun Qingxue.
“Xiao Xiao?” Yun Qingxue blinked in surprise. “Why are you in Luoyun Mountain? Did the Underworld King bully you? Did you run away?”
“Pah! Qingxue, are we still sisters or not? Huh?
You vanish for three centuries without a word, and the first thing you say when we meet is to jinx my relationship with my beloved?” Xiao Xiao pouted in mock anger, though her eyes sparkled with joy.
“Of course not! I just didn’t want you to suffer!” Yun Qingxue quickly explained with a smile.
“I knew you cared!” Xiao Xiao burst into laughter, only to stop abruptly. “Oh! Qingxue, there’s something I need to tell you!”
“What is it?” Yun Qingxue raised an eyebrow, curious what Xiao Xiao’s first words after three centuries apart would be.
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