Heirs to Carry On

The mountain breeze was gentle, a sea of clouds stretched a thousand miles, and spiritual energy flowed through the mountains, washing away every trace of worldly dust.

The old members stood beside the bluestone rocks by the stream. The gloom of their long confinement in the soul gourd had been scattered by the fresh breeze sweeping over the mountain.

"Everyone."

Shen Hui looked around at them, his voice clear.

"When disaster struck Clear Wind Temple, our lineage was scattered. We had no choice but to shelter in the gourd and drift without a home."

At his words, everyone fell silent.

Shen Hui continued:

"Now our chance has come. We have obtained this blessed land, and it is the perfect place to rebuild our temple and lay its foundations anew."

He took a deep breath and said slowly:

"From this day forward, we have a place to call home."

Silence held the streambank for a moment after he finished. Then conversation broke out again.

First Senior Uncle strode forward, his face full of hope.

"This mountain floats a hundred fathoms in the air, and its spiritual energy is abundant. If we establish our temple here, won't one day of cultivation be worth three?"

Second Senior Sister nodded slightly and murmured:

"After so long adrift, we finally have a home. The fresh breeze will keep blowing, and our lineage will endure."

Everyone nodded. Voices rose one after another, and the streambank grew lively.

Only two people remained unmoved, out of place amid the celebration.

One was Shouyuan.

He stood at the edge of the crowd with his hands tucked into his sleeves, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow.

The other was Mao Yong of the Plague Emperor Sect.

He was still crouched where he had been, looking utterly defeated, as though