Li Tianxing Returns, the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit!

"I-is that you, senior brother?" Liu Qingyuan's faint voice suddenly rang out in the cramped stone house.

Liu Qingyuan had heard the conversation between Li Daochen and Qi Bei.

But Liu Qingyuan could hardly believe that Li Daochen had come back and saved her.

It was a scene she would only have dreamed of.

Looking at Liu Qingyuan, whose eyes had even been blinded, Li Daochen was so overcome with guilt that he could not find words for a moment.

He could only untie Liu Qingyuan's ropes in silence.

"Senior brother?" Liu Qingyuan called softly.

"I'm here," Li Daochen answered. His throat was inexplicably dry, making his voice somewhat hoarse.

Hearing that familiar voice, Liu Qingyuan could no longer hold herself together.

It really was senior brother!

Liu Qingyuan could no longer see, but there was no way she could mistake senior brother's voice.

But Liu Qingyuan did not want Li Daochen to come back.

The Battle Sect was too dangerous now. It was as though everyone wanted to harm senior brother.

And the one impersonating senior brother filled Liu Qingyuan with even deeper fear.

How could Li Daochen fight them all on his own?

So Liu Qingyuan wanted Li Daochen to run far, far away.

"Senior brother, why did you come back? Go, quickly, go! I'm not scared, really, sob..." Liu Qingyuan pushed at Li Daochen, but as she spoke, she began to cry.

Liu Qingyuan hurriedly wiped at her tears with her little hands, not wanting Li Daochen to see her like this.

But somehow, the more she wiped, the more tears came.

Liu Qingyuan grew anxious. "I'm just happy to see you, senior brother, really. Senior brother, I'm not crying because I'm scared..."

Looking at Liu Qingyuan's unceasing tears, Li Daochen took a deep breath and gathered her into his arms.

How could she not be scared?

When he, Li Daochen, had escaped from the Battle Sect back then, he had been scared to death himself.

Liu Qingyuan was a young girl left alone in the Battle Sect, surrounded by tigers and wolves. On top of having her cultivation crippled, she had even had her eyes gouged out. How could she not be scared?

"Qingyuan, senior brother is back. Don't be afraid," Li Daochen said in a low voice.

Liu Qingyuan started to speak, then stopped. "But, but..."

"Trust me, senior brother will take care of everything. When the time comes, I'll restore your cultivation and heal your eyes." Li Daochen held her tighter, his voice growing firmer and more resolute. This was a promise he was a thousand years late in making!

Liu Qingyuan could hardly breathe in his embrace, and she felt a little shy.

Li Daochen had never acted like this before, but Liu Qingyuan did not mind. Instead, she felt reassured.

As if sensing Li Daochen's resolve, she finally stopped putting on a brave, strong front. Burying her little head in his chest, she sobbed quietly.

Gradually, the weakened Liu Qingyuan fell asleep.

She had not had a proper night's sleep in a very, very long time.

Li Daochen carried her to the bed, but she still clutched his clothes tightly, unwilling to let go.

So Li Daochen sat by the bed and kept her company.

Only after traveling who knew how many roads, visiting who knew how many places, and seeing who knew how many sights had he, Li Daochen, been able to stand tall between heaven and earth.

Yet however magnificent it had been, he had only served as a backdrop for others. He had also been left covered in scars, unable to make up for the regrets in his heart.

What about this life, then?

Li Daochen quietly watched Liu Qingyuan, who frowned even in her sleep. Flames seemed to burn in his cold, clear eyes, threatening to incinerate heaven and earth.

After changing into Qi Bei's clothes, putting on Qi Bei's face, and telling Little Fire to watch over Liu Qingyuan, Li Daochen walked out of the stone house.

The Battle Sect had grown livelier over the past few days, for the annual ancestor worship ceremony would begin tomorrow.

Li Tianxing would bring out the Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit then. It was the eighteenth-birthday gift he had carefully prepared for Li Daochen, wishing for him to soar like a true dragon.

In the end, Yang Chen had reaped the benefit, using it to take the first step toward forging the Battle Holy Dragon Physique!

By now, Li Tianxing was probably about to return as well.

But Li Daochen was in no hurry. The real show was tomorrow.

He did not go to see Yang Chen either. Yang Chen was using his identity now and was probably very busy.

Whenever the Battle Sect held its ancestor worship ceremony, some nearby sects were also invited to watch.

The Battle Sect worshipped the Battle Sacred Emperor, and the ceremony would also trigger certain phenomena. Those who observed might gain some insight into combat.

Li Daochen headed toward Azure Cloud Peak, where Qi Bei lived, intending to find out whether Li Tianxing had returned.

Along the way, a few disciples' whispers reached Li Daochen's ears.

"The Jade Water Sect came for the ancestor worship ceremony this time too."

"The Jade Water Sect is an upper spirit sect. Why would they come?"

"Mu Qingqing, the daughter of the Jade Water Sect's third elder, is our senior brother's childhood sweetheart. I hear they're very close, so why wouldn't she come?"

Li Daochen's brows rose at that.

Mu Qingqing!

Li Daochen naturally remembered this woman.

Her father was Mu Cheng, the third elder of the Jade Water Sect, and he was on good personal terms with Li Tianxing.

The two families had often visited each other, and Li Daochen and Mu Qingqing could indeed be considered childhood sweethearts.

But that was only how outsiders saw it. In truth, Mu Qingqing looked down her nose at everyone, and, relying on her status as a member of an upper spirit sect, she did not take Li Daochen seriously at all.

Li Daochen still remembered something Mu Qingqing had said.

"Holy Dragon Bone? It doesn't even count as a king physique, so what kind of holy dragon is it? Li Daochen, you don't think growing an extra bone makes you worthy of being my childhood sweetheart, do you?"

Li Daochen felt nothing for this woman.

But what Li Daochen still could not understand was how Mu Qingqing had later become Yang Chen's woman and gained strength completely at odds with her own aptitude!

My father and Mu Cheng have been friends for years, but Mu Qingqing has never come to the Battle Sect before. She probably didn't come this time for me. And if it wasn't for me, was it for Yang Chen?

Li Daochen wondered whether Mu Qingqing knew Yang Chen's true background yet, and his gaze grew a shade colder.

At the foot of Sword Battle Peak.

Mu Qingqing appeared, fair-skinned and beautiful, with a pair of long legs.

She wore a striking red dress, her slender, snow-white neck raised and her eyes proud.

Sword Battle Peak was quite lively at the moment. When the cultivators around her saw her, astonishment and admiration appeared in their eyes.

Mu Qingqing liked being the center of attention, but it depended on who was looking. It certainly was not these good-for-nothings from a lower spirit sect.

On the contrary, their gazes made her feel sick.

If Yang Chen were not here, Mu Qingqing would never have come to this insignificant lower spirit sect!

That was right, Mu Qingqing knew Yang Chen's identity!

Mu Qingqing had met Yang Chen during a training expedition. At first, she had looked down on him too, but as they spent more time together, she had gradually been drawn to the talent and ability he displayed.

Mu Qingqing also knew that Yang Chen cultivated a powerful method of transformation!

She had even been the one to tell Yang Chen about the connection between the Holy Dragon Bone and the Battle Holy Dragon Physique!

She wanted Yang Chen to become a great powerhouse who commanded everyone's attention as soon as possible!

Only an exceptionally gifted powerhouse was worthy of her, Mu Qingqing!

Then she, Mu Qingqing, would fly onto a branch and become a phoenix!

As for Li Daochen?

He was a country bumpkin who did not know the height of heaven or the depth of earth. If he died, he died!

He was only a villain, not worth caring about at all!

Mu Qingqing felt no sympathy for Li Daochen after Yang Chen took his place. Instead, she thought Yang Chen was carrying out justice on heaven's behalf.

Besides, this was a good thing.

Not only could Yang Chen grow stronger faster, but Mu Qingqing could also openly and properly spend time with him!

At the summit of Sword Battle Peak.

Quite a few cultivators visiting the Battle Sect had gathered around Yang Chen, chatting and laughing with him.

When Mu Qingqing saw him, her eyes lit up.

Though he wore Li Daochen's face, she could tell the difference between the two from his bearing alone!

Brother Chen really is different. Even wearing that country bumpkin Li Daochen's face, he stands out so much.

As Mu Qingqing thought this, she was the very picture of a simp.

But there were many people here, and Mu Qingqing could not make her feelings too obvious, so she merely stood quietly beside Yang Chen.

When the others saw them, their eyes filled with envy.

What a golden boy and jade girl!

Yang Chen was quite pleased as well. Mu Qingqing was somewhat snobbish, but she was beautiful and utterly devoted to him.

A few flaws in such a good girl were acceptable. She was worthy of Yang Chen's love.

Just then.

An old man hurried over. He was Li Tianxing's personal servant and had followed him for many years.

He indicated that he had something to report and led Yang Chen to a deserted spot.

Mu Qingqing followed too.

The old man immediately frowned.

"It's fine. She's one of us," Yang Chen said casually, making Mu Qingqing's gaze grow as tender as water.

Considering their relationship, the old man hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Young master, the master has returned. He also brought back a Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit and told you to prepare in advance, so you can consume it at tomorrow's ancestor worship ceremony."

Mu Qingqing's eyes lit up the moment she heard this.

Good, very good. That old thing Li Tianxing did very well, bringing back such a precious treasure for Brother Chen!

Yang Chen was also taken aback, then wild with joy.

The Luo Heaven Dragon Fruit... that can greatly speed up the forging of my Battle Holy Dragon Physique!

At that moment, Yang Chen felt as though the Battle Holy Dragon Physique were already beckoning to him!