Ten Years, Earth's Great Upheaval (10,000 Words)

"I can't believe I'd be afraid too."

Lin Firmament gave a self-mocking smile.

Originally, every day during these ten years, she had looked forward to them—looked forward to the ten years passing quickly, to reconnecting with Lin Fan, to everything ending and their joyful, even "silly," days returning.

But now, the ten years were almost over.

She was afraid. Not afraid that she could not return, but afraid that something might go wrong, afraid that she would hear terrible news.

"Dog Thief."

On her way back to Earth, Lin Firmament muttered inwardly, "You said you'd make me wait for you."

"Don't break your word."

"Otherwise, I'll never let you off!"

····· Bamboo Academy.

The Empress rose from the lotus platform. The students cultivating nearby were slightly stunned.

"Senior?"

Ye Qingcheng looked somewhat bewildered.

"I'm leaving."

The Empress smiled lightly. "You've all made excellent progress over the years. With you here, Shenzhou's future will be brilliant and blazing."

"You're leaving?"

Teacher and student alike were dazed at this moment.

It was as though they were dreaming—unreal, yet especially real when they felt it carefully.

"In today's words, parting is for the sake of a better reunion. You needn't worry. It doesn't mean we'll never meet again."

The Empress smiled faintly, her gaze deep and distant, as though it pierced through endless void.

"Some matters are too important. I must handle them personally."

"As for Earth..."

"You needn't worry either. He's already on his way back. With him guarding the place, it will be as secure as an iron fortress!"

"And you..."

"You can also try beginning your exploration of this vast world—the Starry Pasture."

The Empress slowly rose into the sky, accelerating faster and faster. At that moment, her peerless bearing made her seem even more like an exiled immortal descending