The graceful figures at the head of the group were the fastest: Yu Yunyi, Lu Ruoxi, Liu Ruyan, Zhao Qi, Xing'er,
and Yue'er, the six women.
Their beauty remained unchanged; indeed, their advancing cultivation had only added to their charm. Now their faces brimmed with irrepressible excitement and joy, and tears even glimmered in their lovely eyes.
"Yunjing!"
"Husband!"
"Brother Li!"
Different forms of address, yet all carried the same profound longing and affection.
They reached the bridge exit in an instant, their eyes fixed intently on the slowly opening hatch.
Next, the acting sect leader, Li Yunjing's eldest disciple Lin Xuan, and his second disciple Yan Yang arrived with a great procession of True Disciples and Inner Disciples.
Lin Xuan looked composed and dignified, already bearing the air of a sect leader. Yan Yang still retained a trace of his irrepressible nature, but his eyes were sharp, and his cultivation was impressive as well.
"Welcome back, Master! Welcome back, Sect Leader!"
Lin Xuan, Yan Yang, and the many disciples bowed together, their resounding voices filled with heartfelt reverence and joy.
Farther away, Li Yunjing's old friends and acquaintances-Fu Chao, Fu Hengkong, Yu Zongzhe, Fang Long, Fang Yuxuan, the siblings Yang Wenzheng and Yang Wenyue, Ma Xingyuan, and others-hurried over from seclusion or their respective cave residences, sincere smiles lighting their faces.
Even some elders who had been in seclusion attempting to break through their bottlenecks forcibly ended their retreats to welcome him after hearing the bells and sensing that familiar yet far stronger aura.
The entire square before the sect gates was instantly engulfed by a sea of people.
Every gaze focused on the silver-gray Sky Patrol Warship, on the figure about to emerge.
The hatch opened fully.
Li Yunjing stepped out, standing once more on the soil of