Above the Yunlan Sect, the turbulent energy storm slowly subsided. The tangled spatial fissures began to heal one after another, and the sky gradually cleared until it was a pure, unbroken blue.
Liu Xi's cyan wings trembled slightly as he and Yun Yun flew side by side toward the epicenter of the explosion, cautious and alert, to confirm whether Protector Jiu had truly perished.
The heavens were empty—no clouds, no trace of black mist, and no sign of Protector Jiu's presence.
Yun Yun let out a faint sigh. To her, it was clear—Protector Jiu had been completely torn apart by the energy storm, leaving not even a fragment of his soul behind.
"Today, Yun Yun has finally avenged my teacher's death," she said softly, turning toward Liu Xi with solemn gratitude in her eyes. "I must thank you, Master Liu, for your aid. No matter the consequences that follow, my Yunlan Sect will bear them alone. We will never allow any blame to fall upon you."
Liu Xi smiled lightly. "Sect Master Yun, there's no need for such formality. That man already bore hatred toward me. Even if I let him go, he'd have remained a threat lurking in the shadows. Eliminating him now is better for us both."
"You can't dismiss it so easily," Yun Yun replied, shaking her head. Her tone was soft but resolute. "In the future, should you ever require assistance, Yunlan Sect will exhaust every last resource to help you—no matter the cost."
She folded her wings slightly and descended toward the square below. "I'll see to the aftermath first, then invite Master Liu for a proper discussion."
As she departed, Liu Xi remained suspended in midair. His gaze lingered on the empty sky, a frown forming as unease stirred within him.
'Something's wrong…'
His spiritual strength had already reached the peak of the Mortal Realm. Though Yun Yun could sense nothing, his Spiritual Power extended far beyond her perception. He closed his eyes, releasing waves of invisible energy that spread outward, scanning the air above Yunlan Mountain inch by inch.
And there—it was. A faint, almost undetectable wisp of lingering soul energy.
Liu Xi's eyes narrowed. The aura was weak… but unmistakably similar to Protector Jiu's.
'So, you're not completely dead after all?'
With a flick of his finger, a strand of invisible flame flickered into being. It drifted forward, wrapped around the remnant soul, and drew it back into his palm.
He glanced at it briefly. 'A Hall of Souls Protector, still intact enough to study… might as well keep you for research.'
Once the soul fragment was secured, the sky fell still once more. Satisfied, Liu Xi descended to the plaza below.
Yun Yun's clear, commanding voice resounded across the mountaintop.
"…Protector Jiu, who plotted against my teacher, has been slain by my own hand—with the assistance of Master Liu Xi. From this day forward, Master Liu shall be considered an honored guest of Yunlan Sect. If ever he is in need, every member of Yunlan Sect must lend their full strength to assist him—without error or hesitation!"
"Yes, Sect Master!"
The elders and deacons bowed in unison, their voices thundering through the plaza.
Yun Yun nodded slightly before continuing, her tone hardening. "Additionally, the man named Xiao Yan, who brought chaos to our sect and indirectly caused my teacher's fall—his sins are unforgivable!"
"As the ninth Sect Master of Yunlan Sect, I, Yun Yun, hereby declare Xiao Yan to be the first name on our pursuit list!"
"The bounty: one High Xuan Class Qi Method, one High Xuan Class Dou Technique, one million gold coins, and any three 5th Tier or lower pills of choice! Bring him back—dead or alive!"
Her voice echoed like thunder.
"As for the Xiao Clan…" She paused, her expression softening slightly. "If they remain peaceful, Yunlan Sect will punish only the guilty and spare the innocent. But if they choose to resist—then no mercy shall be shown."
"Understood, Sect Master!"
The elders exchanged grave looks. Such a decree, issued in the Sect Master's name, left no room for dissent. They clasped their fists and shouted in unison.
Liu Xi landed quietly as the echoes faded, withdrawing his Dou Qi wings.
"Sect Master Yun," he said softly, "I must apologize. Your sect has suffered great damage today, and there isn't even a proper place left to receive a guest."
Yun Yun offered a weary smile. "It is I who should apologize, Master Liu. Yunlan Sect owes you greatly for today's aid."
"There's no need," Liu Xi replied lightly. "Yunlan Sect has endured a heavy loss. I'll take my leave for now and return another day."
"Thank you for your understanding. When the time comes, I will personally extend an invitation to you," Yun Yun said sincerely.
Liu Xi nodded, then exchanged brief farewells with Yun Yun, Nalan Yanran, and several elders before striding toward the mountain gates.
Yun Yun watched his departing figure, her expression conflicted. In her moment of despair—when she was ready to sacrifice herself against Protector Jiu—his calm voice had cut through the chaos: "I'll help you."
That single sentence had reignited the hope she'd lost.
For a fleeting instant, she couldn't tell whether what she felt now was gratitude… or something deeper.
"Teacher… I'm sorry."
Nalan Yanran's quiet voice broke the silence. She stood beside Yun Yun, her head bowed low.
Yun Yun turned to her, her tone soft. "Yanran, you've done nothing wrong. Don't blame yourself."
Tears welled in the young woman's eyes. "If not for my Three Year Agreement, the sect wouldn't have suffered such destruction. The Grand Elder wouldn't have lost his arm, and my Grandmaster wouldn't have… died."
Her voice trembled, but determination quickly replaced grief. "Teacher, I want to enter the Gate of Life and Death now. If I survive, I swear—I'll make sure Yunlan Sect never faces such humiliation again!"
Yun Yun's expression changed instantly. "Yanran! The Gate of Life and Death is filled with danger. Only those at the Dou Ling level can enter safely. Even if you're the one chosen by the gate's resonance, it's far too risky! Your Grandmaster may have passed, but your teacher is still here. I won't allow you to risk your life."
"Teacher, please!" Yanran's voice rose, eyes glistening with fierce resolve. "I need strength. Yunlan Sect needs strength. I'll reclaim the honor our sect lost today!"
"If I lack the courage to risk my life for that, then I am unworthy of being your disciple—or Yunlan Sect's Young Sect Master!"
Yun Yun stared at her, taken aback by the fiery determination in her voice. After a long pause, she sighed softly.
"Yanran… very well. Perhaps early exposure to the Gate of Life and Death will indeed benefit you."
"Rest and recover first. When the time comes, I'll escort you myself—and your ancestor's spirit will watch over you. No… the souls of all Yunlan Sect's ancestors will bless your path."
Her hand brushed against the storage ring on her finger—the ring that now held Yun Shan's remains. It had been the first thing she retrieved after the battle ended.
At the thought of him, her eyes grew misty. Her teacher had been more than a mentor; he had been like a father—devoting his life to the honor of their sect.
"Teacher… I miss you."
Seeing her master's grief, Nalan Yanran bowed her head respectfully. "I'll make you proud, Teacher."
(End of Chapter)
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