Space stretched.
Time veered onto another track.
At last, the viewpoint returned to the distant beyond.
Snow and wind filled the sky, whirling and scattering.
An ancient church stood tall in ruin.
The prayer hall was desolate and spacious.
Light from outside streamed through the stained-glass windows onto the young man's shoulder, bathing half his body in a kaleidoscope of colors.
Ye Chen turned his sapphire-blue eyes, briefly savoring the warm light before lowering his head and exhaling a long breath of stale air.
"Whew."
Then, he reached out and gently rubbed the sturdy neck of Heiqi, the old horse beside him. He then looked toward his mentor, Lyle, and spoke in an even tone:
"Teacher, those stories I just told are roughly the summary of my life over the past few years. I wonder... are you satisfied?"
Lyle's expression remained calm. He gave a slight nod and replied evenly:
"There is no question of satisfaction or dissatisfaction."
"You have experienced much, and grown much."
"Knowing that alone is already enough for me."
Ye Chen froze at those words and fell silent at once, a hundred emotions churning within him.
"..."
After several seconds of silence, Lyle turned and questioned Ye Chen again:
"Then, Ye Chen, if you were to evaluate it yourself, what have these past years of life been like, since leaving the Eternal Winter Hidden Domain?"
Hearing this, Ye Chen gave another soft, bitter smile before voicing his thoughts.
"Just as you said back then, the world outside truly is far larger, far broader, far more advanced, and far more wonderful than the Eternal Winter Hidden Domain. At the same time, it is far more dangerous."
"If it hadn't been for the solid foundation you laid for me from childhood, there is no way I could have