Late autumn of year 10092 of the Yulan Calendar, in the Xunzhen Republic Empire.
The old tree in the courtyard had shed most of its leaves again. Withered yellow leaves covered the stone table and stools, dampened by the morning dew and coated in a thin layer of white frost.
Forty-three years had passed since Loa and Wangcai left the Yulan Continent. The familiar faces that had seen them off back then now all bore traces of the years, some more than others.
Wharton had grown a short beard, and his features had gained a measure of composure and reserve. Mia wore her long hair up, and nobility suffused her every movement.
Bob remained hale and hearty, his voice as booming as ever. His strength was still at the Lowgod level; it seemed he had yet to fully refine that middle-grade Fire Godhead.
Barker and his four brothers had hardly changed. Aging was slow after reaching the Saint level, though even that big fellow Gates had a few more fine lines at the corners of his eyes.
The core members had all gathered, for today was another day of farewells.
"Brother, are you ready to leave for Hell?" Wharton asked the figure who had grown more mature and composed than he had been forty years ago.
Linley stood in the courtyard, still dressed in that sky-blue robe.
Delia stood beside him, her aura harmonious and restrained. Clearly, she had already refined a divine spark and reached the Middle God level.
Bebe stood on Linley's other side, as irreverent as ever.
"Yes. Delia and Bebe are already Middle Gods, and Grandpa Doehring has regained his physical body. Staying on the Yulan Continent won't help me improve much more. It's time to leave. Olivier, Dylan, and the others left before me, too.