Tang Feng stepped forward, looked at Zhu Zhuqing, and said solemnly, " Zhu Zhuqing, take care. Remember, the Clear Sky Sect will always have your friends."
"Yes!" Tang Jian nodded vigorously, clenching his fist. "If anyone bullies you, tell us, and we'll stand up for you!"
"And me!" Tai Long thumped his chest, making a loud thud.
The others nodded earnestly.
Ning Rongrong held Zhu Zhuqing's hand, her eyes filled with reluctance and concern. " Zhu Zhuqing, you must be careful. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect also has some properties and informants in the Star Luo Empire. If needed, you can notify me immediately."
Feeling the unreserved care and promises from her companions, Zhu Zhuqing's usually cool eyes flickered slightly, as if a warm current flowed through her heart.
She took a deep breath, concealing the emotion and attachment deep in her heart, and bowed deeply to everyone.
Thank you all. Take care.
Without another word, she resolutely turned around, her black figure taking firm and lonely steps towards the Star Luo Empire, gradually disappearing into the distance until it vanished at the end of the road.
After watching her leave, everyone fell silent.
Their shared experiences of life and death during this period had already made them partners who could rely on each other for support.
"Let's go, children," Tang Lie's deep voice broke the silence, "Let's go home."
After composing themselves, the group rented two spacious and sturdy carriages.
The wheels rumbled as they left the Star Dou Great Forest and headed towards Cloud Mist Mountain.
Inside the carriage, the young people, who had experienced life-and-death trials and whose strength had greatly increased, were less excited and apprehensive than when they arrived, and more composed and resolute.
They talked about what they had gained this time, exchanged their cultivation experiences, and occasionally mentioned Zhu Zhuqing, offering her their blessings.
Outside the window, the scenery kept rushing past.
The adventure in the Star Dou Great Forest has come to an end, but everyone knows that this is only the beginning.
The road ahead may be longer and more perilous.
But with the trust and strength forged through this experience, and with the support of their sects, they felt no fear.
Half a month later, Tang Feng and his group arrived at the Clear Sky Sect without incident.
The familiar mist shrouded the mountain gate, the familiar profound atmosphere.
The carriage came to a steady stop in the square in front of the sect.
After being away for nearly two months, everything within the sect seemed unchanged, yet something also seemed different.
The mountain gate remained majestic, but the Soul Power permeating the air was even more refined and profound, faintly revealing a sharp energy poised to be unleashed.
The group headed straight for the council hall.
Inside the hall, Sect Master Tang Xiao and several elders were present.
In the main seat was Tang Xiao, who had already emerged from seclusion. His aura was even more profound and deep than before, indicating that he had successfully broken through to Level 98!
"You're back. Did the trip go smoothly?" Tang Xiao asked with a gentle gaze as he swept over everyone.
Tang Feng stepped forward and briefly reported that on his way back, he had been ambushed by Qian Renxue and two Titled Douluo, Pufferfish and Snake Lance, at the edge of the Star Dou Forest.
The elders were still shaken when they heard that Tang Feng had fought two Titled Douluo from the Spirit Hall all by himself. Fortunately, they were relieved to see that Tang Feng was unharmed.
Tang Xiao looked at Tang Feng with approval and seriousness. " Little Feng, you remained calm and handled the situation well this time, protecting your fellow disciples and demonstrating extraordinary combat power and character. The sect is proud of you. The sect will remember this, and we must be even more vigilant in the future. You have all worked hard; go back and rest well to consolidate what you have gained."
Everyone took their leave, the commotion subsided, and they all returned to their courtyards to rest.
At this moment, far overseas, in the depths of the vast ocean, Sea God Island.
Behind Sea God Mountain, on the edge of a cliff, stands a colossal ancient tree, its branches and leaves forming a canopy, facing the boundless blue sea.
The sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, rustled through the treetops and stirred the clothes and hair of the two people leaning against each other beneath the tree.
Tang Chen, the Haotian Douluo who once dominated the continent, was admired by countless Soul Masters, and was hailed as the invincible ruler of the land, was now lying quietly in the arms of the Sea God Douluo Poseidon, his head resting on her legs.
He was emaciated, his face almost transparently pale, and his life force was as faint as a candle flame about to be extinguished, flickering uncertainly in the sea breeze.
Bo Saixi gently embraced Tang Chen with one hand, while her other hand tenderly stroked his sunken cheeks again and again, her fingertips tracing his once sharp and angular features.
This High Priest of Sea God Island Sea God Island, who ruled over the entire island, was revered by millions of Sea Soul Master, and possessed both majesty and beauty, had now shed all her divine aura and burdens.
In those deep blue eyes that could reflect the stars and the sea, there was no longer any trace of the high priest's majesty, only an overwhelming, almost overflowing sorrow, and a light that was nearly broken yet extremely gentle.
For nearly five months, she devoted all her cultivation and the Sea God Divine Power to using astonishing methods to forcibly maintain Tang Chen's body, which was already exhausted and eroded by the Asura Divine Power. All she wanted was this final companionship.
For these five months, there were no sect responsibilities, no God Trials trials, and no turmoil on the continent.
It seemed as if only this cliff, this ancient tree, and this eternally singing sea remained in the world.
They witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets over the sea, listened to the ebb and flow of the tides, and poured all the unspoken regrets, longings, and deepest feelings of their lives into this silent companionship and occasional whispers.
This was the most peaceful, purest, and happiest time in Tang Chen's life after shedding all the halos and shackles.
It was also the most painful, the most reluctant, yet the most precious and eternal memory in Bo Saixi's long life.
As if sensing the last vestige of life about to slip away from his body, Tang Chen's eyelashes trembled slightly, and he slowly opened his eyes.
Those eyes, once as sharp as an eagle's, capable of piercing the heart and changing the landscape, are now a murky gray, having lost all their sharp brilliance.
What remains is an almost transparent peace, and a sense of relief that comes from having experienced the vicissitudes of life and understood the meaning of life and death.
Tang Chen struggled to turn his eyes, looking up at the stunningly beautiful face etched deep in his soul, and managed a faint smile with great difficulty.
" Bo Saixi, these past five months have been the happiest time of my life." Tang Chen's voice was dry and hoarse, yet tinged with laughter. "Thank you for accompanying me on this final journey..."
Bo Saixi's tears rolled down again, dripping onto Tang Chen's face. She shook her head, choking back sobs and unable to speak.
"Don't cry..." Tang Chen struggled to raise his hand, wanting to wipe her tears, but it was too late. "My whole life I've been obsessed with power, chasing after godhood. I've let you down, and I've let down so many others. To be able to be by your side in the end, I, Tang Chen, have no regrets even in death..."
Tang Chen paused, took a few breaths, and his eyes became serious. "There are two things... I need to entrust to you..."
"You said it, and I will definitely do it," Bo Saixi said firmly, forcing back her grief.
"First of all, you must live well, for my sake too, and keep going strong." Tang Chen's eyes were filled with earnestness and reluctance.
Bo Saixi bit her lip and nodded emphatically.
"The second thing..." Tang Chen's gaze turned towards the distant continent, "My Clear Sky Sect has a junior named ' Tang Feng,' who will definitely come to Sea God Island in the future and bring me back to the Clear Sky Sect to return to my roots."
Upon hearing this name, Bo Saixi's eyes flickered slightly; she tried hard to remember the name Tang Chen had uttered in his last moments of consciousness.
"He is exceptionally talented and extraordinary..." Tang Chen's breathing quickened, but his words became even clearer.
"I left the ' Asura Demon Sword ' on Sea God Island, pouring all the Asura Divine Power within my body into it. Only those who truly possess the Divine Slaughter's Domain and have an unwavering will can possibly awaken the Demon Sword's resonance and make it recognize them as its master..."
Tang Chen gripped Bo Saixi's hand tightly. "When he comes, please, for my sake, lend him a hand and retrieve the Demon Sword. If he's willing to accept the Asura God's test, with my divine power and insights within the Demon Sword, he can directly pass the first six trials! This is the last thing I can leave for the sect, for future generations..."
Bo Saixi gazed at the last glimmer of light in his lover's eyes—a light that held his concern for the future of the sect and his hopes for its continued legacy.
Her heart was breaking, but she nodded forcefully and said, "I promise you. If Tang Feng reaches Sea God Island, I will do everything in my power to protect him, help him obtain the Asura Demon Sword, and fulfill your request."
Having received Bo Saixi's solemn promise, Tang Chen's face revealed a completely relieved smile. That smile seemed to have unloaded all the burdens and regrets he had carried throughout his life.