The Vermilion Bird Boat continued onward, piercing through the clouds and soaring over mountain ranges.
By evening, a sprawling range of mountains appeared ahead. At the foot of the mountains, a cluster of buildings could be faintly seen, glowing softly beneath the lingering rays of the setting sun.
They had arrived at Medicine King Valley.
Lu Chen opened his eyes, rose to his feet, and gazed at those familiar buildings.
Yun Qingyue stood as well and said softly, "We're finally back."
The Vermilion Bird Boat slowly descended, landing at the entrance to Medicine King Valley.
Disciples of Medicine King Valley stood guard at the entrance. Upon seeing them, they hurried forward to greet them.
"Senior Sister Yun, Duke Lu, you've returned! The Valley Master instructed that once you returned, you were to go straight to the main peak. She has important matters to discuss with you."
Yun Qingyue nodded. "Understood."
The two entered the valley and followed the bluestone path toward the main peak.
Along the way, the disciples of Medicine King Valley all bowed in greeting. Their gazes lingered on Lu Chen for a moment before quickly shifting away.
News from the Southern Frontier had already made its way back—Lu Chen had slain Corrupt Heart Old Monster, the Black-Scaled Tiger, the Netherworld Ghost Python, a giant python at the late stage of the Longevity Realm, and even a soul fragment of the Undead Monarch.
Any one of those feats would have been enough to shock the world, let alone all of them together.
The way the disciples of Medicine King Valley looked at Lu Chen had changed from reverence to outright awe.
Mu Wanqing was already waiting outside the main peak's great hall.
When she saw them approach, she strode forward quickly. Her gaze fell upon Lu Chen as