Three years later.
The mist among the cliffs of Divine End Peak gradually dispersed, and the apes cried out a few times.
The youth surnamed Yuan came down from the summit, walked to the cabin in the woods, and called, "Senior Brother, Senior Brother, time to wake up."
A moment later, the wooden door opened, and Gu Qing walked out.
His eyes were deep and still, with an occasional gleam flashing like a sword before vanishing.
The youth surnamed Yuan was astonished. Senior Brother has only been in seclusion for three years, and he's already achieved another Realm Breakthrough. That's incredible. He said sincerely, "Congratulations, Senior Brother!"
Gu Qing looked him over and found that he too had made great progress over these three years and was close to a Realm Breakthrough into the Wuzhang Realm. He smiled and stroked his head.
Looking at the mist gradually dispersing among the trees, he asked, "The mist has cleared?"
The youth surnamed Yuan said, "There were signs toward the end of winter. This year's Plum Gathering will be held as usual."
Since the Plum Gathering would be held as usual, that meant the cold mist over the snowfield would disperse.
Thinking of his master, far away on the snowfield, his fate unknown, Gu Qing felt conflicted. He should have been delighted, yet he was afraid.
Returning to the summit, he walked into the depths of the cave abode. As he looked at the heavy stone door and felt the supreme pressure of its restrictive formation, Gu Qing hesitated.
As a disciple of Divine End Peak, he naturally had a way to remove the restriction. The question was, should he?
The youth surnamed Yuan said, "The Sect Master personally ordered that Master is at a critical juncture, and no one and nothing is