The bluestone courtyard of the Qiao Family Residence was warm in every season, its plants evergreen.
Here, there was none of Hengwu Domain's scheming, none of the blood-soaked storms of war between worlds, and none of the Through-Ancient Dynasty watching like a tiger eyeing its prey. There was only the peace of his homeland, lingering in every corner around him.
Li Yun sat on a stone stool in the courtyard, watching Qiao Tai and his daughter Qiao Meng bustle about, and Xu Ruhai, Zhang Shenshu, and the others come by to visit.
As he listened to them describe how Blue Star's Martial Dao was changing by the day, the string that had always been taut in his heart finally loosened for a moment.
He longed to hold on to this peace.
On the land he had protected with his own hands, he needed neither fear powerful enemies nor plot his next move. He could simply enjoy tranquil days, watch old friends grow stronger, and see his homeland thrive.
These quiet, warm days were what he had yearned for most during his every-careful step through Hengwu Domain, yet could never enjoy there.
But this peace did not last.
A trace of worry remained in Li Yun's heart.
This time, he had been able to return only because of the hidden Through-Ancient Transmission Gate on the Icefield.
Yet to take the Pale Moon World, he also had to seize control of the Through-Ancient Transmission Gate on that end and sever every connection it had to the Through-Ancient Dynasty.
He was certain that once he did so, his actions on Black Ice Star—and quite possibly his identity—would be exposed.
And that would likely enrage the Through-Ancient Dynasty.
From what he knew of the dynasty in Hengwu Domain, once it was thoroughly provoked into