"What do you mean, Master?"
Ji Yuan stared at Hua Yaoyue, stunned and almost unable to believe what he had heard.
...What did she mean, the Water Dragon Sect's fate didn't matter, and what mattered was where I would go from here?
Wasn't I part of the Water Dragon Sect, Master?
Hua Yaoyue had been facing away from him. At his question, she turned and glanced at him.
Her eyes held a tangle of emotions. Ji Yuan saw hope in them, disappointment in him for failing to live up to his potential, and even... regret?
But most of all, he saw reluctance to part with him.
"You've only just returned, and your thoughts are too unsettled. Come find me once you've had time to steady yourself."
Hua Yaoyue sighed at last. "Don't worry. You're back at the sect now, and as long as I'm here, you'll be all right."
"...All right."
Ji Yuan could feel how unsettled he was. So much had happened that he could not find peace within himself.
Even returning to the [Meditation Room] would not calm him anytime soon.
"This disciple will take his leave."
Ji Yuan cupped his hands to Hua Yaoyue, then leaped up, summoned his Flying Boat, and headed straight for Carefree Island, a little way to the north.
To the south lay Feng Zhitáo's Fire Phoenix Island. Ji Yuan had glanced at it on his way in and seen someone there, which meant Feng Zhitáo was still at the sect. That was good.
A few breaths later, Ji Yuan landed on Carefree Island for the first time in ages. He released his Divine Sense, and it instantly enveloped the entire island.
The [Pigsty] occupied only a tiny patch of land, but Spirit Pigs covered in blood-red markings ran all over the hills.