"All right." Yun Ying did not refuse.
Seeing Yun Ying nod, everyone was quite pleased.
There were still some regrets-Dragon Maiden, Chang Gongyan, and the others were in seclusion, so they could not meet-but there was nothing to be done. Increasing their strength mattered most; it was simply too dangerous beyond the pass.
Soon, the group left the island in the lake amid lively chatter.
With Shi Hao leading the way, Yun Ying and the others arrived at the Shi Clan's settlement. They sat around a bonfire, deftly summoned Dao flames, and began roasting meat.
The aroma of the food drew over some of the settlement's children as well.
"You're still too young to eat anything this nourishing. Take this meat back to your elders and have them slowly refine it."
With just a few words, Shi Hao coaxed the children into going home.
Watching everyone drink, eat meat, and chat about everything under the sun, Yun Ying felt a human warmth she had not experienced in a long time. It made her think of her older sister, Yun Xi.
"Sister, Little Capybara... I wonder how things are back home."
Yun Ying sat there, gazing toward the horizon. Her gaze pierced the endless void, returning to the Three Thousand Dao Provinces and settling on Heaven's City.
"Missing your family?"
When Qingyi saw the direction she was looking, she knew what Yun Ying was thinking.
"Yes. When things quiet down, it's easy to start missing your loved ones. Before I knew it, almost four years had passed. Time always slips away when we aren't looking. Isn't that strange?"
Yun Ying nodded, making no attempt to deny it.
"Yes. Time is just that heartless, rolling onward, never stopping for anyone. Yun Ying, how much longer do you think this war will last?