The Purple-Gold Hood turned into a faint streak of light and landed on the ground in the Eastern Domain.
Before long, two people emerged.
One was Hu Bugui's daughter, Hu Ning, whose pet name was Huohuo.
The other was someone Xu Changqing would certainly recognize—Yu Caiqing.
Though she was now over a hundred years old, her figure remained slender and graceful.
There was still a trace of her former ethereal purity between her brows and eyes, but the cool aloofness of her youth had faded, replaced by the gentle warmth of one weathered by time and hardship.
At first, Huohuo had traveled alone.
But midway through her journey, she was hunted down by Zhu Hong's disciples.
At the critical moment, she happened to encounter Yu Caiqing, who was returning to the Eastern Domain. Seeing Huohuo alone and helpless, pursued by others, Yu Caiqing intervened.
Afterward, the two traveled together and arrived at the Azurewood Sect.
"Up ahead is the Azurewood Sect!"
"Then I... can only escort you this far."
"Don't leave, Sister Yu! Sect Master Xu Changqing is my uncle. He'll reward you!"
"I helped you not because I wanted a reward. Wait... who did you say?"
"Xu Changqing~"
Yu Caiqing fell silent.
She had already made up her mind to leave, but upon hearing the three words "Xu Changqing," she stopped short. A complicated expression flashed across her face, and she hesitated instead.
With a blinding flash of white light, the darkness before Xu Changqing's eyes instantly dispersed.
He had finally returned, still standing where he had been teleported away.
Yet the sight before him made Xu Changqing's pupils contract sharply.
The Hundred Dragons' Procession had long vanished without a trace. The Heavenly Origin Realm, once brimming with spiritual energy and vibrant life, had now become a