The dawn breaks, and the first light of day appears.
Chen Shuangbai slowly walked out of the Jade Soul Palace, followed by Feiguang, Shenyang, and Zhanlu, then his four disciples, and several elders from Cuiping Peak.
The bright sunlight slowly shone on him, making this number one man in Qinghua appear even more otherworldly.
The gazes of the people behind him passed over the rising sun and landed directly on the person in front of him.
Everyone felt that he was more dazzling than the sun and more brilliant than any jewel in the world.
Let's go.
Chen Shuangbai said softly.
The group rose into the air, the surrounding light and colors rapidly passing by. When their vision cleared again, they found themselves in a picturesque place with lush mountains and clear waters.
[ Azure Firmament Heaven ].
Before the True Disciple Hall, Chen Shuangbai manipulated her Divine Ability, leading everyone to land in front of the hall.
Several figures were already standing in front of the hall.
Besides True Lord Qingchen, True Lord Jihai, and True Lord Ling Yuan, there is also Chen Shuangbai's master, Yi Chongyue.
" Shuangbai!"
Yi Chongyue already understood the cause and effect. When he learned that Chen Shuangbai was going to venture into Buried Wind Ocean to find the ancestral court in the distant Eastern Radiance Continent, he was anxious and worried, but he hid it on his face and could only call out this name.
Chen Shuangbai stepped forward and calmly met Yi Chongyue's gaze, only saying deeply, "Master."
With just these two sentences, both sides understood each other's concerns and determination.
Yi Chongyue had a thousand words to say, but in the end, he didn't say them, or perhaps he only uttered one sentence. "You... have profound blessings. Your master will help you achieve the Nascent Soul, and wait for you to return to Qinghua."
Chen Shuangbai bowed deeply, then bypassed his master and walked straight toward True Lord Qingchen.
The group entered the hall.
The smoke inside the hall rose slowly, like clouds and mist, and eventually dissipated without a trace.
True Lord Jihai took three sticks of incense from the table and handed them to Chen Shuangbai.
Chen Shuangbai held three incense sticks in his hands, slowly raised his eyes and looked at the portraits of the patriarchs.
These portraits, some depicting ethereal figures, others depicting enlightened masters... have gradually acquired a spiritual quality by being residing within these portraits and receiving years of offerings from the temple's incense.
Chen Shuangbai looked at the one in the very center.
It was a middle-aged Daoist priest dressed in a blue robe, standing with his hands behind his back. Unfortunately, his face was blurred, making it impossible to see his true features.
Chen Shuangbai raised the three incense sticks above his head, bowed respectfully three times, and then inserted the incense into the incense burner.
True Lord Qingchen stepped forward, looked at the portrait of the Patriarch Jade Spring High Person, and sighed, "On his deathbed, the Patriarch lamented that he would never have the chance to return to the ancestral temple, and therefore felt ashamed to face his master. Thus, he instructed his descendants—"
"If you wish to venerate it, do not retain its true form."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai felt a heavy weight in her heart.
This shows how much Jade Spring High Person cherished the ancestral temple, and Chen Shuangbai also developed a greater longing for the ancestral temple because of this.
After offering incense and paying respects to the ancestral masters, True Lord Qingchen's gaze swept over everyone in the hall before turning to Chen Shuangbai and asking, " Xuhong, who do you plan to bring on this trip?"
Chen Shuangbai also turned around, his gaze sweeping over all his relatives, avatars, and disciples.
This matter has already been settled.
Shenyang and Zhanlu slowly walked up to him, their meaning quite clear.
" Shenyang and Zhanlu are my incarnations, both born from a wisp of my spirit residing in my life palace... They cannot be separated unless absolutely necessary, hence they are leaving with me on this journey."
"In addition, I also took several spirit beasts that I rode on Jade Screen Peak with me."
"As for my four disciples..."
Chen Shuangbai glanced at Chen Fuguang, Chen Yazhen, Lu Xiangyuan, and Gao Yi, his tone softening as he said, "This journey is extremely perilous, and since Eastern Radiance Continent is the ancestral home of my Jade Spring Sect, it is naturally a vast and teeming place with experts."
"I dare not say I can save myself, so I can only leave you here and plan for the future."
The four people slowly bowed and wept uncontrollably.
Chen Shuangbai also felt something, a wave of tingling and numbness washing over her.
But he was, after all, a master, and could not easily shed tears in front of his disciples, lest he lose his authority as a teacher. He simply stepped forward and gently patted the heads of his four disciples, giving them his final words of advice.
"Before I leave, you must all be friendly and helpful to one another, and not be lazy, lest you delay your spiritual practice!"
" Fuguang, you are the eldest disciple; you will inherit the mantle of Jade Screen Peak."
"You are both the senior brother and the elder brother, so please take good care of your junior brothers and sisters and don't slack off."
Chen Fuguang nodded emphatically, a slight redness appearing in his eyes.
" Yazhen, you are naturally gentle and unassuming, never competing or vying for anything, and you are always the most worry-free. You need to keep a close eye on your brother to prevent him from going astray."
Chen Yazhen's voice was hoarse as she bowed again.
Chen Shuangbai's gaze fell on the third and fourth disciples, and he slowly said, " Xiangyuan, I am not worried about your talent, but your temperament is unsettled. You may face a tribulation of love in the future, so be careful not to hurt yourself."
Lu Xiangyuan was taken aback and wanted to refute, but seeing her master's gentle gaze, she gave in and firmly said, " Xiangyuan will follow your teachings."
As for Yi'er...
Chen Shuangbai paused for a moment, then said, "Others can only see the glory of sword cultivators, but you should know the hardships they endure."
"Three of my decrees remain within the sect."
"There's one on Jade Screen Peak, one on Deer Deep Waters Peak, and another within [ Azure Firmament Heaven ]. This one is enhanced by my Sword Intent; it cannot be used except at crucial moments."
"You may study the swordplay on Jade Screen Peak at any time, but never remember that the swordplay of others can only be studied... You must forge your own path, do you understand?"
Gao Yi was already sobbing uncontrollably, and he also bowed deeply.
He straightened up, his gaze lingering on his four disciples for a final moment before turning away and never looking back.
True Lord Qingchen took something out of the hall.
It was a jade token.
He said, "This is the jade token identifying the Patriarch Jade Spring High Person in the ancestral temple. The original has already been taken away by the second Patriarch. This item was personally engraved by the Patriarch on his deathbed."
"Although it's not the real thing, it's still a symbol of identity. Once you successfully reach Eastern Radiance Continent, you can use this as proof to return to the ancestral court."
Chen Shuangbai accepted the jade token with both hands.
This jade token is made of green jade. On the front are two ancient seal characters, " Heavenly River), and on the lower right side are two small seal characters, "Guangyuan" ( Vast Source ).
He carefully tucked the jade token into his robes, placing it close to his body, and then bowed deeply to True Lord Qingchen: "This disciple will certainly live up to the sect's expectations and the ancestral master's last wishes."
True Lord Qingchen nodded and said nothing more.
He stepped back and stood shoulder to shoulder with the other True Lord, his eyes filled with expectation and blessings.
Chen Shuangbai straightened up and took one last look at everyone in the hall—Master Yi Chongyue, True Lord Qingchen, True Lord Jihai, True Lord Ling Yuan, and the four disciples kneeling on the ground with tears streaming down their faces.
He memorized each of those faces.
Then, he turned around and strode out of the True Disciple Hall.
Outside the hall.
The [ Earth-Cleaving Ocean-Escaping Divine Shuttle ] has already returned to its original form, with golden patterns flowing across its body and three layers of talismanic light and shadow slowly rotating. The shuttle spirit is standing respectfully to the side, and when it sees the person from the hall come out, it cups its hands in greeting.
Chen Shuangbai leaped and landed on the shuttle's head. She glanced back at everyone one last time, and then the shuttle immediately transformed into a dazzling rainbow, tearing through the Grotto-Heaven and ripping through the sky, heading towards Buried Wind Ocean.
Many feelings, countless thoughts, ultimately transformed into a single Daoist hymn, and a clear, resonant voice echoed throughout heaven and earth.
"A hundred years of cultivation culminates in a single sword strike, traversing countless miles of starry rivers."
"I'll journey to the Jade Terrace to seek out old traces, singing a long, carefree song as I soar into the clouds!"
"Gentlemen, take care!"