“Hmm? Hmph!” Huangfu Feng stood tall with his sword across his chest. The green Soul Capturing Stone at the hilt of his blade flickered with a dim light. He stared at it for a while before slowly sheathing his sword. Elder Liu’s face turned pale, and he coughed a couple of times before asking, “Where is the Grand Elder? Has he returned safely?” He got up, preparing to lead the disciples away, but Elder Liu held onto his hand.
Su Xiangxue adjusted her veil that had come off during the battle with a bitter smile and said, “Alright, no need to talk about such depressing things. Sect Master Ji, most of these monsters have been dealt with. Let’s hurry and enter the city to wrap things up.” When she mentioned Jue Yunzi, Ji Lingyun’s expression darkened. She snorted coldly and replied, “However, Sect Master Su, your target will be much harder to handle than mine. All I can do is wish you luck in achieving your goals and taking down that one.”
By the riverbank, Huangfu Feng slowly straightened his body. With a surge of true essence, the wounds on him began to stop bleeding at a visible speed and started healing. Shortly after arranging the formation, Tang Ruwei and Li Jinyao heard faint, agonized moans coming from Elder Liu’s room.
In the next moment, a beam of light in the ancient city suddenly expanded, drowning everything in brightness. Outside stood Bai Qiuran, who had just arrived. Ji Lingyun nodded, and the two female heroes began to step towards the ancient city, but the beam of light grew even brighter.
Yue Qilian looked astonished at Bai Qiuran and asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be exterminating the City of Earth Immortals?” “Great Yuezi,” the two girls exchanged glances and charged out, shouting, “Someone, Elder Liu has awakened!” One of the disciples, trained in the Refiner’s Forge under Elder Liu, informed him, “I saw with my own eyes that Elder Liu has indeed awakened. He is currently surrounded by many senior brothers and junior brothers.”
“Hmph, that guy will sooner or later pay for his blabbering!” The disciples exchanged looks and exited, the last disciple even kindly closing the door behind him. After sensing their auras fade, Yue Qilian sat down beside Elder Liu and asked, “Old Liu, do you have something you want to discuss with me?”
“What? Elder Liu has awakened?” “It’s almost finished over there.” “It’s fine, sect master brother, sorry for making you worry.” “Sect Master!” The physique of cultivators is much stronger than that of ordinary people. Elder Liu had just awakened from his coma; despite still being heavily injured, it was normal for him to sit up. To say the least, the constant coughing from him would be nothing if it were any other elder from top sects; most would remain indifferent and silent.
Suddenly, a voice shouted outside, interrupting the friendly exchanges among the disciples and Elder Liu. “Elder Liu has awakened!” The shouts caused a commotion among many disciples in the Refiners’ Forge, and dozens quickly rushed into Elder Liu's room. One who looked like the eldest senior brother turned and shouted, “Quickly notify the Sect Master!”
Yue Qilian returned to his composure and patted Elder Liu’s hand. “Let’s not dwell on that,” he said while he prepared to leave with the disciples once again, but Elder Liu held onto his hand. “Do you have something to discuss with me?”
“Yes,” Huangfu Feng said calmly, gathering his energy. He slowly stood up, and true essence surged through him, visibly stopping the bleeding and healing his wounds. He mused quietly to himself, “I guess there is finally some good news…”
Elder Liu coughed two more times, his face pale. “Where is the Grand Elder? Has he returned safely?”
Yue Qilian picked up the body of Yue Qianren, now riddled with injuries from being struck down. Holding it for a moment, he sighed, “May you rest in peace.”
As chaos erupted, Li Jinyao and Tang Ruwei quietly slipped away from the scene. A moment later, the beam of light in the ancient city suddenly expanded again, enveloping everything in its brilliance.
“Are you alright? Please rest well; we won’t disturb you any longer,” they said to Elder Liu.
“Hmm? Hmph!” Bai Qiuran was somewhat surprised as he entered, and seeing the reporting disciple, Yue Qilian’s face broke into a smile. “It’s fine, sect master brother; I’m sorry for making you worry,” he reassured.
“What? Elder Liu has awakened?” Yue Qilian’s heart soared as he rushed to the bed, offering support to Elder Liu. The atmosphere in the room became thick with tension and emotions as people rushed to Elder Liu, their hearts eased with hope.
“Is that you?” a soft voice sighed, drawing everyone's attention towards the sound. “Long live the Sect Master!”
“Indeed, the Sect Master has arrived!” Bai Qiuran remarked with a smile.
The two girls’ voices startled the group of disciples, and soon many poured into Elder Liu's room, anxious and eager for news.
“Don’t worry about the larger matters. Just focus on your health now,” they advised him with gentle voices.
In the chaos, Elder Liu suddenly revealed a mysterious expression. “I have something important to discuss regarding Jue Yunzi.”
“Everything is not yet over; we must take action soon.”
As the group buzzed with energy, a sense of purpose grew stronger among them.
This city filled with secrets and destinies awaited their next moves, and the battle was far from over. The preparations were just beginning as cultivation and fate twisted around each other, solidifying their bonds in this turmoil.
With each heartbeat, the light above illuminated their paths, promising a future dotted with trials and triumphs.
“Let’s not waste any more time. We must go!” Su Xiangxue urged, rallying her comrades.
The path ahead was unclear, but the bright future awaited.