For no apparent reason, as Artifact Spirit Ancestor's Soul Body held Golden Roc's enormous body, tears began to fall without him even noticing. He wiped his eyes, but somehow only grew sadder, then burst into loud sobs.
Seeing this, Golden Crow Can of the Golden Crow Aristocratic Clan said nothing and immediately began wailing too, shedding no fewer tears than Artifact Spirit Ancestor.
"Boy, you have to stay with this old ancestor a while longer. I won't turn my nose up at you anymore. I'm not afraid of the bad luck that comes with following you..."
Held in Artifact Spirit Ancestor's arms, Golden Roc was also overcome with sorrow. He blinked, gazing blankly at Mu Bai, then stole a sidelong glance at Red Dance. Clouded tears dripped down, wetting Artifact Spirit Ancestor's shoulder.
"Master!"
At that moment, Zuo Lin stepped forward, knelt, and bowed, calling Mu Bai his master with utter sincerity.
"Alliance Leader!"
Zhong Yue immediately knelt and bowed as well. In his heart, Mu Bai had always been the leader of the Righteous Alliance whom he admired.
"Greetings, Master..."
"Greetings, Benefactor..."
"Greetings, Pavilion Master..."
"Greetings, Sect Master..."
Bailian Chen, Ya Qing, Cheng Peng, and the others called out their greetings in turn. The cultivators of the Mu Lan Pavilion and the Northern Territory Sect all knelt and bowed together. No matter which army they had followed here, they had all come with the same purpose.
"Please rise, everyone. I, Mu Bai, thank you. To have met you in this life, to have once traveled alongside you-my friends, my brothers, and the seniors who helped me-Mu Bai thanks you all here."
As he spoke, Mu Bai clasped his hands and bowed deeply. The eyes of Chen Shichong, Qingtian, Zhou Dekai, and the others grew moist. Choked with emotion, they