Time slipped quietly by. In December, at year's end, Ning Ke silently left Yongzhou on a soundless night and hurried back to the Fifth Family in Xiangzhou. No one knew of this journey except Xiang Yang.
At this moment, the Demonic Sect had focused all its attention on Xiang Yang. With Ning Ke's caution and her Dao Proving Level martial arts, her safety was greatly assured, easing one of Xiang Yang's lingering worries.
Upon learning that Nan Fenglan's great vengeance had been avenged, and that Ning Ke had safely departed, Xiang Yang no longer stayed in any city. In the end, he chose to build a hut deep within a great mountain near the edge of Dai Commandery, waiting for the Demonic Sect Experts to come find him.
This mountain lay in the southwest of Dai Commandery, bordering Xiangzhou and Kangzhou. Its ranges rose and fell without end, its roads were rugged and perilous. Thus, though its vegetation flourished, countless creatures dwelled within it, and its resources were abundant, few people came here to make a living.
Xiang Yang had two reasons for choosing to live in seclusion here and wait.
First, he had taken a liking to the mountain's abundant spiritual essence, which spread through the air in misty swirls. For martial artists—especially Xiang Yang, who had already reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refining realm—living here was exceedingly pleasant.
Well, it was like comparing the smog of modern Beijing with the pure, natural, pollution-free air of ancient times. Setting aside all other factors, most people still preferred fresh and pleasant air, which benefited both body and mind.
The second reason was that Xiang Yang knew a great battle was about to arrive. By his estimation, this battle would likely cause tremendous upheaval. If it took place in or