The Return

At daybreak.

Ye Xianyu left and returned, her footsteps making a rustling sound against the snow.

The snow was still falling. The youth’s hair had turned white from the accumulation, and he remained motionless.

There was nothing by his side, but in his arms, he held a sword robe. It bore traces of damage and was stained with blood that could not be washed away.

Ye Xianyu stood beside him and said softly, "It’s light out. Let’s begin the journey back to the sect."

Xu Xian looked up, his long eyelashes trembling as a few flakes of snow fell from them.

"What about you?"

Ye Xianyu looked toward the horizon. "Winter came a bit too early to the Demon Suppression Abyss this year, and the wind is cold. I’m afraid things might not be peaceful, so I’ll stay for a while."

Xu Xian frowned slightly. "Can you handle it alone?"

Ye Xianyu glanced toward a small hill in the distance. A figure stood there, looking down at the Wild River.

"I’m not alone. Your Seventh Senior Brother is here too."

Xu Xian followed her gaze and saw his Seventh Senior Brother. He looked like a general, clad in cold armor amidst the snow.

The latter seemed to sense his gaze and looked over. His face was as stern as a mountain peak, showing no hint of emotion.

However, he gave Xu Xian a slight nod.

Xu Xian bowed his head in a polite response.

Seventh Senior Brother, Lei Yunche.

This was essentially the first time Xu Xian had seen him in person.

Curious, he asked, "When did he arrive?"

"He arrived last night," Ye Xianyu replied.

Xu Xian gave an 'oh' and moved his slightly stiff body before standing up.

He carefully folded the only remaining clothes of Yun Zheng and held them in his arms, saying bitterly, "Only a set of clothes is left."

Ye Xianyu took a deep breath and said meaningfully, "Born from heaven and earth, return to heaven and earth. To come into this world with nothing and leave with nothing—this is the Dao that Senior Brother has always pursued."

Xu Xian raised an eyebrow.

He understood the logic, but in his mind, he still felt it would be best if a person could leave a whole body behind after death.

But Yun Zheng had cultivated for thousands of years; he was an immortal of the mountains, an Earth Immortal, a saint of the mortal world. Naturally, he could not be compared to ordinary mortals.

Ye Xianyu tilted her head and leaned toward Xu Xian, asking out of the blue, "Are you very sad?"

Xu Xian pursed his lips. It was a redundant question, yet he found himself answering anyway.

"A little."

Ye Xianyu nodded thoughtfully.

Xu Xian asked casually, "And you? Are you not sad?"

"I’m alright," Ye Xianyu said, though her words didn't quite match her feelings.

Xu Xian scoffed, his expression clearly saying he didn't believe her for a second.

Ye Xianyu said, "Senior Brother died a worthy death and has no regrets. As his junior siblings, we should be happy for him."

She looked at the sky as the pure snow fell, smiling brightly. "Besides, Senior Brother’s spirit in heaven surely wouldn't want us to be miserable."

Xu Xian didn't argue. He simply placed the folded clothes into the Divine Sword Pool.

"I’ll take the clothes back and build a cenotaph for Senior Brother on Guidao Slope. Though they say every green mountain in the world is the same and one should be buried where they fall, it’s always better to return to one's roots. That way, we can offer him incense and burn some spirit paper during the holidays."

Ye Xianyu narrowed her eyes. "Hmm... you put that quite beautifully."

Xu Xian gave a bitter smile. "Senior Brother would rather risk his life in battle than live a mediocre existence. He surely wanted the world to remember him—to know there was a sword immortal named Yun Zheng. Since that’s the case, he shouldn't be forgotten. I’ll erect a monument so the Wendao Sect remembers him for ten thousand years. And I... I will guard the Wendao Sect for ten thousand years."

Light and shadow flickered in Ye Xianyu's eyes as she scanned Xu Xian. She leaned forward, suddenly smiled, and held out her pinky. "That’s a promise. Let’s pinky swear. No taking it back."

Xu Xian was stunned, finding it utterly bizarre. He reached out to push away her hand, which was almost poking his face. "Childish!"

Ye Xianyu pouted and gave up, looking a bit dejected.

Xu Xian suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, what should be done with that auspicious beast?"

Ye Xianyu said lazily, "You caught him, so you decide."

Xu Xian asked again, "Alive or dead?"

"I said, it’s your call."

Xu Xian hesitated for a moment.

"Fine."

He then bid her farewell. "Then I’ll take him back first. I’ll leave this place to you and Senior Brother."

Ye Xianyu nodded.

"Mhm, go on."

Xu Xian glanced at Lei Yunche on the distant mountain before quickly looking away. He stepped through the snow and headed down the slope.

Behind him, Ye Xianyu suddenly shouted, "Little Junior Brother, I’ve remembered what you said!"

Xu Xian didn't turn back. He simply smiled faintly and raised a hand, waving it.

"I’ll wait for you in the mountains, Senior Sister."

Ye Xianyu pursed her lips and smiled, whispering to herself, "This Little Eleven is truly becoming more and more mature."

Xu Xian returned to Spirit Elixir City. The demons were gone, and the city was cold.

Amidst the raging wind and snow, it looked even more desolate.

Wen Qingxue was still in the same spot; she must have waited all night.

The red-haired boy was bound in chains, crouching in a corner. He was still wearing those tattered cloth robes, looking exactly like a beggar.

However, his red hair floated upward like a flame, unyielding.

The snow didn't touch it.

The wind didn't disturb it.

He had been resting with his eyes closed, but sensing Xu Xian’s approach, he slowly opened them. Looking across the distance, a sense of brokenness and emptiness emanated from his gaze.

He stared blankly at Xu Xian.

It was impossible to tell what he was thinking.

However...

His gaze gave Xu Xian a strong feeling.

This wasn't a newly born auspicious beast; rather, he seemed more like an ancient monster that had lived for an eternity.

He seemed even more ancient than the Xiushe.

Perhaps it was just an illusion.

Xu Xian didn't care to look into it.

How to settle him was still a problem.

As soon as Xu Xian landed, Wen Qingxue came forward to meet him.

"Little Grand-Uncle."

Xu Xian gave a nod and looked around, asking casually, "Where are the others?"

Wen Qingxue reported one by one, "The Peak Master took people back to the sect last night. Yao Zhijian also left ahead of us. Most of the disciples returned to the sect overnight on the Sect Master's orders. As for the others, they’ve all retreated to Demon-Slaying City."

Xu Xian nodded to show he understood.

He took the cold iron chains from Wen Qingxue’s hand and said calmly, "Let’s go too."

"To where?"

"To Demon-Slaying City first, then back to the sect."

Wen Qingxue didn't ask further and followed him.

The red-haired boy was initially resistant and showed no intention of moving. Xu Xian’s cold eyes swept over him as he gave a grim warning:

"I’m in a bad mood and don't feel like making soup out of you. You’d better behave."

The red-haired boy knew he couldn't win and didn't dare provoke the youth's wrath. He helplessly compromised.

Like a dog, he was led back to Demon-Slaying City by Xu Xian.

Although Demon-Slaying City hadn't been affected by the flames of war this time, it was currently hard to hide its desolate state. The bustling prosperity of the past was gone.

Seventy to eighty percent of the people in the city had left, and most of the shops and houses were tightly shut.

The few remaining demon hunters were scattered in groups, most of them dead drunk.

The ruin of the Demon Suppression Abyss also signaled the downfall of Demon-Slaying City. It was unlikely to ever see its former glory again.

Just as Xu Xian returned to the forging workshop, he saw Zhou Yashan and several other spirit forgers waiting there from a distance.

They actively came forward to greet him.

"Master Xu."

"Master Xu."

Xu Xian’s gaze slowly swept across them as he responded, "Is everyone here?"