The journey

An endless expanse of azure sky stretched out before a gentle breeze stirred the white clouds, causing them to shift slightly. A gust of wind howled past, and several dark dots appeared on the distant horizon, quickly darting across the sky. Moments later, these dots transformed into figures, streaking across the heavens.

The person in the lead was dressed in a black robe with a cold expression. It was Xiao Yu and his group, who were heading from the Black Corner Region to the Black Mountain Fortress. Behind them were Yun Yun and Cai Lin. Cai Lin tilted her head and looked at Xiao Yu, asking, "How much longer until we reach the Black Mountain Fortress?"

While controlling his movements, Xiao Yu quickly took out a map from his Storage Ring, glanced at it, and said, "We haven't entered the territory of the Jia Ma Empire yet, but we're already far from the Black Corner Region. If we speed up a bit, we should be able to reach Black Mountain Fortress within half a month!"

Upon hearing Xiao Yu's words, Zi Yan said bitterly, "Ah? It's going to take this long? We've already moved very quickly, why is it taking so long!"

Xiao Yu chuckled, "Now you know you're tired? I told you not to come, but you never listened to me. Now you're complaining?"

Zi Yan snorted and said, "I thought it would only take a few days to get there, who knew it would take so long? Why don't we stop ahead and rest for a bit?"

A city appeared before them. Xiao Yu could see from the map that it was a small country called Wanyan, but it wasn't too far from the Jia Ma Empire.

Xiao Yu nodded slightly and said, "Alright, let's rest up ahead for a while, and set off again tomorrow!"

The others had no objections; for them, it didn't matter where they went. So, they gradually lowered themselves from a grove of trees Wan Yan Country.

Yun Yun and Cai Lin covered their faces with white veils. Yun Yun held Little Xiao Nian's hand, and the group walked towards Wan Yan Country. When they got closer, they realized that Wan Yan Country was just a city plus some surrounding towns. Although it was called a small country, it was actually about the size of a city in the Jia Ma Empire!

Entering the city of Wan Yan Country, the local customs and culture are somewhat similar to those of the Black Corner Region. Mercenaries can be seen everywhere on both sides of the city. These burly men with bare chests chat together, while merchants set up stalls around them and hawk their wares.

Xiao Yu and his companions found a decent-looking inn on the street and checked in. Zi Yan, always restless, immediately dragged Cai Lin outside, while Xiao Yu said to Huo Yue'er, "Come to my room in a bit, I'll teach you some alchemy techniques!"

Upon hearing Xiao Yu's words Huo Yue'er immediately nodded and said, "Okay!"

Xiao Yu then went directly into Yun Yun's room. Little Xiao Nian rushed over to hug Xiao Yu, and Xiao Yu picked her up before looking at Yun Yun and saying, "Once we enter the Jia Ma Empire, would you like to go to Black Mountain Fortress with me first, or to the Misty Cloud Sect?"

A hint of sadness flashed in Yun Yun's eyes as she pondered, "I won't go to Black Mountain Fortress. I want to go back to the Misty Cloud Sect first!"

Looking at Yun Yun's exquisite face, Xiao Yu asked, "Are you angry with me?"

"Hmm?" Yun Yun looked at Xiao Yu with a hint of doubt.

Xiao Yu looked at Yun Yun and said, "I killed Yun Shan, and the Misty Cloud Sect can be said to have been directly destroyed by my hand. Have you ever blamed me?"

Yun Yun shook her head slightly and said, "No!"

Yun Yun then turned to look at the beautiful sunset outside the window and said softly, "Actually, I understand all of this. It's all Teacher's own fault. Over the years, my impression of Teacher has long since changed. Teacher's pursuit of strength has become increasingly extreme, so it's only natural that he would eventually cooperate with a force like the Soul Hall!"

"Speaking of which, I should actually thank you. If it weren't for you, the Misty Cloud Sect would have disappeared long ago. The Imperial Family of the Jia Ma Empire and other forces would absolutely not want a force like the Misty Cloud Sect to remain!"

Seeing the serious expression on Yun Yun's face, Xiao Yu understood that Yun Yun had truly let go. Then Xiao Yu continued, "Actually, what happened in the Monster Mountain Range was truly an accident. However, my feelings for you in the end were genuine. I saw you in the desert back then. You must have already discovered the existence of the little one, right? Why didn't you ever think of acknowledging me?"

When Yun Yun heard Xiao Yu mention the Monster Mountain Range, she immediately thought of the time in the cave, her face turning crimson. She then said, "Back then, I almost killed you, but in the end, I couldn't bring myself to do it. Later, in the desert, I never expected to meet you again. Only after seeing you consumed by the Heavenly Flames during the evolution of the Cai Lin did I realize that your image had already taken root in my heart!"

Xiao Yu chuckled and said, "Looks like I stumbled into your heart by accident!"

Yun Yun gave Xiao Yu a reproachful look, while Little Xiao Nian, who was in Xiao Yu, widened her eyes slightly, unaware of what her father and mother were talking about.

After chatting with Yun Yun for a while, Xiao Yu returned to his room. Not long after, there was a knock on the door. When he opened the door, he saw Huo Yue'er standing outside.

After welcoming Huo Yue'er into the room, Xiao Yu began to teach Huo Yue'er about the knowledge of refining pills found in the Alchemy Canon.

The next day.

Xiao Yu and the others set off for the Jia Ma Empire again. Five days passed in the blink of an eye, and they had already entered the territory of the Jia Ma Empire. Yun Yun took Little Xiao Nian and headed straight for the Misty Cloud Sect, while Xiao Yu led Cai Lin and the others to continue towards the Black Mountain Fortress.

North of the Imperial Capital of the Jia Ma Empire, there once stood a magnificent mountain range, like a giant dragon lying prostrate there, with a faint spiritual energy emanating from it. This was the location of the Misty Cloud Sect!

Now, when Yun Yun once again stepped onto this mountain range of the Misty Cloud Sect, the former glory was long gone. The huge mountain range was also cut in two by a huge sword mark in the middle, and the originally soaring spiritual energy was now only shrouded in clouds and mist!

Little Xiao Nian grasped Yun Yun's slender hand and asked sweetly, "Mother, is this your home?"

Yun Yun's expression shifted slightly, then she looked at Little Xiao Nian and smiled, saying, "Yes, this is Mother's home. Mother grew up here. Let's go upstairs and take a look!"

After saying that, Yun Yun carried Little Xiao Nian and flew towards Misty Cloud Mountain. When Yun Yun brought Little Xiao Nian to the gate of the Misty Cloud Sect, she saw that the disciples who should have been practicing swordsmanship in the square in front of the gate were now only covered with withered yellow leaves. The once prosperous Misty Cloud Sect was now so desolate!

After Yun Yun withdrew her gaze, she took Little Xiao Nian's hand and walked towards the main hall of the Misty Cloud Sect.