The sea of flowers gradually unfolded ahead. Five flower spirits gracefully skimmed across the water's surface, finally landing on a more open lakeside.
That lake was no ordinary lake.
The lake surface resembles a single, Ultimate polished piece of azure glass, so clear that one can see the flowing patterns of light beneath the water. The lakebed is not mud or sand, but rather layers of shimmering veins of light, like fragments of a galaxy left behind at the dawn of creation, breathing slowly underwater.
Each gentle ripple on the lake creates shimmering light on the shore, like stars falling onto flower petals. Tall flowering trees grow along the lake.
The flowering tree is not made of wood, but rather appears to be woven from soft, luminous threads. Its trunk is translucent, with a liquid of light, interwoven with gold and red, flowing inside. The branches are covered with enormous flowers, each one resembling a miniature sunrise, with a soft bluish-green halo around the edges of its petals.
The air was warm and quiet.
A gentle breeze swept across the lake, raising a light mist that condensed into countless tiny particles of light in mid-air before slowly drifting down.
It was as if this place was a corner of pure land deliberately forgotten by the world, amidst Eternal Silence Return to the Ruins. The five flower spirits stopped by the lake.
They stopped frolicking and instead gently parted to either side, as if welcoming someone.
Qin Yu and Zhou Yujin stopped in their tracks. Right in the middle of the lake, a naturally formed crystal platform stood quietly.
The crystal was entirely white, with a pale golden sheen at the edges, as if it were formed from condensed moonlight.
A woman sat atop the crystal, her back to the two men.
Her long, dark hair cascaded down to her waist, swaying gently in the lake breeze. Her dress was plain white, yet it subtly shimmered with a faint glow. There seemed to be a subtle connection between the hem of her dress and the lake water; with each ripple in the water, the hem of her dress would gently sway.
There was no protective divine light around her, but an extremely gentle fluctuation of Fate Soul flowed slowly within her body.
The fluctuation was very weak, like a candle flame about to go out in the wind, yet it was exceptionally pure.
As if in some kind of natural resonance with this sea of flowers, lake, and shimmering trees, five flower spirits gently flew to her side.
One landed on her shoulder. The other stopped beside her hand. She slowly raised her hand, her fingertips touching the lake's surface.
Soft ripples spread across the lake. In that instant, Zhou Yujin's body stiffened abruptly, his eyes fixed on that retreating figure.
His throat felt like it was blocked. The next moment—he spoke in a trembling voice, "Wanning..." His voice was hoarse.
With emotions suppressed for a long time, the lake surface rippled slightly. The seated woman slowly turned around.
Gentle ripples spread across the lake. The figure finally turned around slowly. Light and shadow spread out behind her, like the morning sun piercing through the mist.
In that instant, time seemed to stand still. Her face came into view.
Her features were exquisite, clear as the first snowflakes from a mountain spring; her eyes were warm yet held a faint, weak light, like stars fading into the night sky. Her long hair fell smoothly, shimmering with a pale silver-blue luster, as if it were the marks left on her by a lake and a sea of flowers.
She wore a pale white dress, the hem of which subtly shimmered with soft, flowing patterns, like overlapping flower petals. Her skin was as white as jade, and her temperament Wenwan, yet she possessed an indescribable clarity and purity.
She stood there amidst the shimmering lake and the shadows of flowers, like a celestial flower that had mistakenly fallen to earth. The next moment...
Her eyes quickly welled up with tears. Her lips trembled slightly. "Brother..." The two words were so soft they were almost blown away by the wind.
Yet it felt so heavy, as if it had been weighing on Zhou Yujin's heart for a thousand years.
Zhou Yujin suddenly took a step forward. "Wanning... is it really you?" His voice was so hoarse it didn't sound like his own.
Zhou Wanning's tears instantly streamed down her face. She almost stumbled as she ran forward, the two of them only a few feet apart.
Yet it seemed as if they were separated by life and death, by Desolate Abyss. The next moment, they embraced tightly.
Zhou Yujin hugged her tightly, her arms trembling, as if she would disappear again if she let go.
"I thought... I thought I'd never see you again." His voice choked with emotion.
Zhou Wanning buried her face in his shoulder and sobbed softly.
"I'm sorry... brother... I couldn't protect you... and... Mom and Dad..." Zhou Yujin shook her head violently. "Don't say anymore... it's my fault for not protecting you."
The two embraced tightly. Gentle ripples spread across the lake's surface. The flowering trees swayed slightly.
Five flower spirits surrounded them, clapping their little hands gently, their eyes sparkling as they watched this scene.
Qin Yu stood quietly not far away. He didn't disturb them, but simply watched this moment of reunion with gentle eyes.
However, just as the two siblings embraced, on the other side of the lake, the light and shadow quietly parted, and two figures slowly emerged from the flower shadows.
A man and a woman. They are no ordinary people.
The woman had a slender and graceful figure, her hair was as blue as lake water, and her eyes were as clear as dew on flowers. She wore a long dress made of petals and threads of light, and her steps were light and graceful. With each step she took, tiny flowers of light would bloom under her feet.
The man possessed a gentle and calm demeanor, with dark green hair and soft yet ancient and dignified features. He wore a semi-transparent robe with leaf patterns, and delicate vines of light surrounded his shoulders, as if they were manifestations of the will of nature.
Their presence blended perfectly with the lake and the sea of flowers. Five flower spirits flew joyfully toward them.
Surrounding the two of them, the five little flower spirits were clearly their children. The woman looked tenderly at Zhou Wanning and Zhou Yujin.
The man's gaze fell on Qin Yu. A gentle breeze rippled across the lake, and the shadows of the flowers swayed softly. Within this pristine land, there seemed to be some deeper layer of protection.
Flowers sway gently by the lake. The reflections of several people are mirrored on the water, as if gently capturing this tender moment.
Zhou Wanning slowly released Zhou Yujin's embrace, her eyes still glistening with tears, but she had regained some composure. She gently took her brother's hand and walked softly to the two flower fairies, a man and a woman.
"Brother," she said gently, "These are Senior Wan Huaying and Senior Zhi Huanuo. They saved me. I was being tracked by that Divine Phoenix all the way here, and it was the two seniors who set up a restriction to block my Fate Soul aura, preventing the Divine Phoenix from sensing me."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yujin immediately became solemn, clasped her hands in a fist and bowed deeply.
"I am deeply grateful to the two elders for saving my sister. I will forever remember their kindness and generosity."
Wan Huaying's features were gentle, and her smile was like a ripple on a lake. Zhi Huanuo's expression was warm and calm, and she also nodded slightly.
"It was no trouble at all," Wan Huaying said softly. "This place is a tranquil domain. Her Fate Soul was injured, and it just so happened that she was in harmony with the floral energy of this place. We were simply going with the flow."
Zhi Huanuo's gaze shifted, landing on Qin Yu. His eyes held a mixture of inquiry and calm assessment.
"Young man," he said slowly, "That one, is he your friend?"
He pointed at Qin Yu. A breeze swept across the lake. Zhou Wanning looked in the direction he was pointing. At that moment, her gaze fell on Qin Yu.
Zhou Yujin immediately replied, "Yes, he is a senior. He is not only my friend, but also the savior of my sister and me. Like you, I respect him."
Zhou Wanning paused for a moment. "Brother... do you think he's also our benefactor?"
Zhou Yujin nodded gently and took her hand. "Yes, little sister, let's go pay our respects to Brother Qin." The two of them came to Qin Yu together.
The shadows of flowers sway gently, and the lake water is as smooth as a mirror.
Zhou Yujin said solemnly, "Sister, Brother Qin is the benefactor who accompanied me to find the Nameless Root-Returning Grass. If it weren't for him, I would never have been able to return from that dangerous place, let alone bring back that herb."
Zhou Wanning's heart trembled slightly upon hearing this. She knew how dangerous the place where the Nameless Root-Returning Grass grew was. It was the confluence of the Cold Abyss Severed Mountain Range and the Wind-Eroded Rift Valley, and ordinary cultivators who stepped into it faced a nine-out-of-ten chance of death.
Her gaze grew increasingly respectful. She clasped her hands in a gesture of respect. "Wanning thanks you so much... so much thanks to Senior Qin for your help back then. If it weren't for you, I would have perished long ago, and my brother and I would not be reunited today."
Her voice was gentle and clear, but her eyes were full of sincerity. Qin Yu nodded slightly. The shimmering light on the lake reflected in his eyes, and his expression was calm and gentle.
"Brother Zhou and I have a deep connection." He smiled faintly. "My name is Qin Yu. Just call me by my name; there's no need to address me as 'senior.'"
Zhou Wanning nodded gently. "Mm." The wind rustled through the sea of flowers. Five flower spirits chased each other by the lake, their clear and melodious laughter ringing out.
However, Qin Yu's gaze still carried a trace of lingering solemnity. He could sense it.
Although Zhou Wanning's Fate Soul had stabilized, it was still extremely weak. Deeper inside, the fluctuations of the "Void Evolution Causality-Replenishing Marrow" were still dormant within her body.
The lakeside was tranquil, with a gentle breeze blowing.
Wan Huaying and Zhi Huanuo slowly walked to the group's side, the shadows of flowers swirling in their sleeves, as if the world itself softened for this moment.
Wan Huaying's gaze was as gentle as spring water as she spoke softly, "Today is a very lucky day. You two siblings have been reunited after so long. Wanning,
Since your elder brother and this young master have come from afar, why not invite them to the palace for a chat?
Her voice was like petals falling on water, gentle without a trace of sharpness, yet possessing a reassuring power.
Zhou Wanning nodded slightly and turned to Qin Yu. "Young Master Qin, let's go to the inner hall and sit down together."
Qin Yu nodded slightly. "Okay, thank you."
The lake surface rippled gently as five flower spirits danced merrily around the group, their skirts and leaves swaying softly, emitting delicate, bell-like laughter.
They led the way, sometimes wading through the water, sometimes leaping among the flower stems, like five shimmering emerald lights. The group walked along the lake shore deeper into the lake.
The further in you go, the fresher and more moist the air becomes. A mist gradually rises, and the center of the lake seems to connect with the sky.
As the clouds at the edge of the lake slowly dispersed, Qin Yu's gaze sharpened slightly. Ahead, a palace appeared above the sea of clouds.
It is not a single building, but a cluster of palaces and pavilions that extend from the center of the lake, as if a temple has grown out of the water.
The main hall soars into the clouds, its glazed green tiles reflecting the sunlight. The eaves resemble a phoenix spreading its wings, with layers upon layers of eaves rising up, elegant in line yet magnificent in scale. Golden light flows around the corners of the eaves, as if gently caressed by lightning from the sky.
The palace complex sits atop several floating stone platforms. Below the platforms, waterfalls cascade down from the clouds, the water falling into the abyss, but transforming into fine mist in mid-air, refracting a rainbow of colors.
The palaces are connected by white jade bridges, the bridge surfaces are as clear as crystal, and clouds and mist surge beneath the bridges, as if there is endless void beneath one's feet.
In the distance, celestial birds spread their wings. Colorful birds circled above the palace, their tail feathers trailing brilliant streaks of light, like flowing petals blooming in the sky.
Pink spirit trees grow beside the palace walls, their petals falling with the wind and landing on the water's surface, creating faint ripples of light.
The entire palace is both magnificent like a celestial palace and gentle like a dreamlike sea of flowers. It seems that in the deepest part of Eternal Silence Return to the Ruins, there lies a pure land that does not wish to be destroyed or disturbed.
Qin Yu stood on the lakeshore, his gaze calm yet profound. He could sense that this palace was not merely a beautiful sight.
It possesses an inherent power that stabilizes the structure of heaven and earth. Space here is exceptionally stable, and the flow of cause and effect is gently harmonized.
This is no ordinary secluded place; it is a core array domain that truly suppresses the chaotic power of the Return to the Ruins.
The five flower spirits had already rushed happily towards the white jade bridge, hopping and skipping on the bridge, waving their little hands back at the group as if urging them on.
Zhou Wanning smiled gently. "Let's go." Her voice carried a rare lightness.
Zhou Yujin gazed at the palace, her expression slightly awestruck. Zhi Huanuo gently raised her hand.
A faint ring of light shimmered on the white jade bridge surface, as if welcoming the guests. The group slowly stepped onto the bridge.
A sea of clouds surges beneath my feet. In the distance, a waterfall roars like a heavenly drum. A palace stands before me. Heaven and earth are clear and bright.