Qin Yu atop the Myriad Phenomena Star Platform, Qin Yu merely raised his hand, and ripples appeared in his sea of consciousness.
The next second, he slowly dissipated in the void, turning into a stream of light that shattered the sky. He reappeared outside the White Cloud Sect's mountain gate on the Great Yan Continent.
The mountains here stretch endlessly, shrouded in mist and clouds, with cranes soaring overhead and jade-like grass covering the ridges. The sect's immortal array remains intact, and the morning light shines warmly through the nine peaks, just as he saw ten years ago before he left.
At the sect's entrance, two disciples dressed in the White Cloud Sect robes were on guard when suddenly the void ahead trembled, and a figure in Qingyi robes silently descended. The two disciples' expressions changed instantly; they exchanged a glance, both deeply shaken.
This person... his cultivation level is completely undetectable!
Although there was no spiritual energy fluctuation around him, it seemed that even the void itself retreated in awe, as if the Daoist magic dared not touch him and the immortal energy dared not brush against him.
The disciple on the left immediately cupped his hands in respect, his voice carrying an instinctive air of deference:
"May I ask if you have an invitation from the sect, or someone to introduce you, senior, as you arrive at the White Cloud Sect? We would like to inform you of your arrival."
Qin Yu nodded slightly and slowly took something out of his sleeve.
--That was a [Master Command Token] sealed with the ancient seal of the White Cloud Sect, with the character "Xiao" clearly engraved on it, intertwined and shining with the Heavenly Emanation Golden Pattern.
Upon seeing the token, the guards' expressions changed drastically; their faces turned solemn, and they immediately performed a deep salute.
"Disciple greets Senior!"
The other person immediately bowed respectfully, not daring to utter a single word.
At this moment, Qin Yu gazed gently at the White Cloud Mountain Gate before him, a long-lost sense of emotion welling up within him.
"Ten years have passed... and the White Cloud Sect remains as upright as ever."
Before he could speak, the guarding disciples had already sent a message to the sect using divine sense talismans.
A moment later, a familiar and hearty laugh echoed from the horizon, rippling across the void like waves on water.
"Hahaha! You little rascal, you've finally decided to come back and visit?"
An elderly man with a full head of white hair but vigorous spirit broke through the air and arrived. His brows still held the same imposing and dignified air as before. He was none other than Xiao Yinshan, the sect leader of the White Cloud Sect!
"Senior Xiao." Qin Yu bowed slightly, his expression revealing a warmth of a long-awaited reunion.
"Quickly, quick, no need for such formalities." Xiao Yinshan patted Qin Yu's shoulder with a smile, then looked him up and down a few times, a fleeting, almost imperceptible look of horror flashing in his eyes—
"Hiss... This kid's aura is practically that of a realm lord... I can't even fathom his cultivation level!"
He then chuckled and said, "Come on, come with me to see your mother. She said years ago, 'When my son returns, I will personally prepare a feast for him.' Now that day has finally come!"
"You're ruthless, kid! Ten years! A full ten years without coming back... You made her wait for ten years."
A warm feeling welled up in Qin Yu's eyes, and he said softly, "Yes, I... I'm back."
The two walked side by side, the sunset glow above the White Cloud Nine Peaks was like gold, and time seemed to stand still at this moment, with only the Qingfeng remaining, witnessing the returnee finally stepping back to his homeland.
At the summit of White Cloud Nine Peaks, as the morning mist dissipates and the soft glow of dawn falls, a magnificent ancient palace, surrounded by cloud patterns and jade-like hues, stands Anran.
--This place is the most tranquil and noble place within the White Cloud Sect [Heavenly Ultimate Cloud Residence]. And living in this mansion is the most respected person in the White Cloud Sect -- Qin Yu, Qin Yu's adoptive mother.
She wore a light blue palace dress with cloud patterns, her hair styled in a bun, every stitch exuding Wenwan elegance. At this moment, she sat quietly embroidering before the couch, the shadows of branches swaying outside the window, the morning breeze gently caressing the curtains, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
A familiar yet long-lost call pierced through the golden palace gates in front of the mansion, like a sudden clap of thunder in spring.
"Qin Yu, come out quickly—who's back!"
That was Xiao Yinshan's voice, brimming with excitement and agitation.
Qin Yu's hand trembled, and the embroidery needle immediately veered off course, leaving a trace of blood on her fingertip.
She suddenly looked up, as if struck by a beam of light, her eyes trembling violently—
"It's... it's him?" She could hardly believe what she was hearing.
She slowly rose, her delicate hands holding an embroidered handkerchief, and staggered a few steps toward the main hall gate, her eyes fixed on the golden gate beyond.
In the morning light, a tall and upright figure slowly stepped into the courtyard, wearing a star-black Qingyi, his eyes as warm as ever.
That person was none other than her "son," whom she had longed for and yearned for for ten years.
"Mother, I'm back," Qin Yu called softly, his voice already choked with emotion.
Qin Yu felt a sudden jolt in her heart, and tears instantly streamed down her face.
She walked forward tremblingly, reaching out her hands but not daring to touch, until the figure stood steadily in front of her.
"Yu'er... it really is you... you've really come back..."
Unable to suppress her emotions any longer, Qin Yu hugged Qin Yu tightly.
That embrace, a decade of hardship and a hundred lifetimes of loneliness, all turned into tears that rolled down.
Qin Yu gently returned her embrace, just as he had when he was a child, nestled in her arms. "Mother, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting..."
The next moment, he slowly released his hands, knelt on one knee, and respectfully kowtowed.
"Your son, Qin Yu, has returned to visit his mother!"
Qin Yu hurriedly helped him up, shaking her head repeatedly through tear-filled eyes:
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back... I won't kneel, I won't kneel. I know how much you've suffered out there... You're all grown up now, how could I dare make you kneel again?"
At this moment, the maids serving around them already had red eyes and were wiping away their tears with their sleeves.
Even Xiao Yinshan, who was always known for his iron-blooded and resolute nature, quietly turned his back and lightly wiped the corner of his eye.
Sunlight slanted into the Heavenly Ultimate Cloud Residence, illuminating the figures of the mother and child embracing, casting two tightly intertwined shadows on the ground.
At this moment, no matter how much hardship, calamity, bloodshed, or killing there may be in the world, all peace prevails within this mansion and this room.
Between them, blood ties are never needed to define kinship.
This maternal love far surpasses blood ties.
In the front hall of Heavenly Ultimate Cloud Residence, as Qin Yu and Qin Yu's emotions gradually calmed down, Sect Master Xiao Yinshan laughed loudly, his heart overflowing with joy like surging waves:
"Hahaha, alright, alright! Qin Yu, quickly give the order to prepare a grand welcome banquet for Qin Yu! Today, our White Cloud Sect is hosting a lavish feast to welcome our Young Master Qin back to the sect!"
His shout was like a bell or drum striking the sky, resounding throughout the entire summit of White Cloud Nine Peaks.
Qin Yu also came to her senses, tears still streaming down her face. She nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with a tender light that mingled with joy and self-reproach.
"Yes, yes, I'm so confused... Xiaoyue, Lingxue, Lishuang, you all hurry up and make arrangements to welcome my son... to welcome Young Master Qin Yu —the manor will be brightly lit and filled with delicacies tonight!"
Three personal maids immediately bowed and left, stepping into the corridor behind the hall. They issued a command talisman, and the entire Heavenly Ultimate Cloud Residence was instantly bustling with activity as lights gradually illuminated the area.
Qin Yu, standing to the side, whispered, "Mother, there's no need for such extravagance. I can bathe and change myself."
Qin Yu shook her head, gazing at him with gentle determination. "In these ten years, you've never truly enjoyed a wedding banquet prepared just for you. Today isn't for glory, it's for me, and for yourself, okay?"
Qin Yu paused for a moment, then finally nodded slightly. "... Okay."
--Dusk fell
As the last rays of golden light fell from the sky, the entire White Cloud Sect was suddenly illuminated with the sound of a bell.
Boom--!
Like a stream of light piercing through countless clouds and mists, beneath the sky, ten thousand lanterns blaze together among the nine peaks, the glow of the sunset and the light of the spirit intertwine, and silver flames of the spirit crane rise around the palace, as if celestial stars have fallen to earth, shining brightly in all directions.
At this moment, the White Cloud Sect resembled an ancient divine court shrouded in glorious rituals.
From high above, one can see layers of golden light curtains extending outwards from the sect's main peak, "Heavenly Radiance Ultimate Platform," while streams of crystalline light form spiritual rivers that meander through mountain streams, valleys, and pavilions, resembling a giant, breathing star array.
Behind the Heavenly Ultimate Cloud Residence, Qin Yu had already bathed and changed his clothes, donning a dark blue-patterned robe personally sewn by Qin Yu.
This garment is made with Nine-Star Radiance Silk as a guide and imprinted with starlight through embroidery. The pattern contains hidden celestial phenomena, and the movement of the hem is like the night sky slowly opening, exuding both solemnity and heroic spirit.
He slowly walked out of the inner room. The light of day was dimming, and the stars were just beginning to appear. The bamboo and vines in front of the courtyard swayed gently in the wind, as if singing for him.
Before he even reached the front hall, disciples from various sects were already waiting respectfully outside the golden hall and jade steps. Hundreds of white-robed disciples stood in formation, all with eyes full of respect.
"Welcome, Young Master Qin."
"Welcome back to the White Cloud Sect, Young Master Qin!"
They sang in unison, their voices like waves, echoing from the main peak to the highest clouds.
In that instant, the entire night sky of the White Cloud Sect seemed to tremble because of Qin Yu's return.
--The White Cloud Sect has welcomed back that young man from back then, whose name is now beyond the reach of the mortal realm.
But this is only the beginning of the Return Path.
The night was slightly cool, and thousands of lanterns were scattered like stars. Qin Yu was waiting quietly in front of the main hall for the banquet to begin.
Just then, the footsteps coming from the distant path grew closer. A man and a woman, one in front of the other, dressed in plain robes fluttering in the wind, were none other than Yang Zheng and Zhao Xinyu, whom they hadn't seen for many years.
"Brother Yu--!"
Before that familiar voice could fully reach them, a lithe and graceful figure had already swiftly approached.
Zhao Xinyu, though a mother, still had bright eyes and a radiant smile. She held a five- or six-year-old boy in her arms, who had an amber-colored candy bead in his mouth and stared curiously at the dancing lights and palace lanterns on the jade steps.
"Brother Yu!" Zhao Xinyu couldn't help but step forward, grabbing Qin Yu's wrist with one hand and protecting the child in her arms with the other. "You're finally back. Ten whole years... All these years your mother has been alone in the sect. Although we've always been there for her, you know, her heart has always been with you..."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, but she tried to smile, afraid of ruining the atmosphere of this long-awaited reunion.
Qin Yu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and turned to look at the man following closely behind her—that handsome and composed figure was none other than his former sworn brother, Yang Zheng.
"Brother Yang Zheng!" Qin Yu quickly stepped forward, and the two clasped hands and embraced each other tightly.
"Hahahaha--" Yang Zheng punched him on the shoulder, "Brother Qin Yu, you've finally come back! For the past ten years, you've been like a ghost, nobody could find you. You've finally come back to see your brother!"
"I'm sorry I'm late." Qin Yu chuckled softly, but his heart was filled with mixed emotions.
At this moment, the little boy in Zhao Xinyu's arms raised his head, his eyes wide open, his little hand still clutching the candy stick, half-eaten but not finished, and asked innocently, "Mommy, is this the 'Hero Uncle Qin Yu' you mentioned?"
"Yes, Ning'er," Zhao Xinyu smiled gently, squatted down, and said softly to the child, "Quickly, greet your Uncle Qin."
The little boy stood up straight, his face glistening with sugar syrup, but he showed no shyness. Instead, he said in his childish voice:
Hello, Uncle Qin!
Qin Yu was taken aback, then revealed a genuinely gentle smile.
He crouched down and gently stroked the child's soft hair. "Your name is Ning'er? What a good name, it means tranquility and also carries on the ambition for ten thousand years. Uncle Qin will give you a hug."
Little Ning'er giggled, "Uncle is so amazing! Even more amazing than the stories I've heard!"
Yang Zheng laughed heartily, "Ning'er, from now on, learn from your Uncle Qin and strive to become a great hero in the future."
Zhao Xinyu smiled slightly, "He reminds me more of you when you were little, so mischievous."
"You still married me even though I'm naughty, hahaha." Yang Zheng raised his eyebrows and laughed.
The three men laughed, reminiscing about the past.
Qin Yu stood up, his eyes slightly moist, his voice filled with deep gratitude:
"Thank you so much for taking care of my mother these past ten years. I really can't imagine how she would have fared on her own without you."
Yang Zheng waved his hand. "We're brothers, there's no need for such formalities. Your mother is our mother too. If you hadn't saved my life back then, I wouldn't have had the chance to marry Xinyu and have Ning'er."
Zhao Xinyu nodded. "Yes, Qin Yu, our whole family owes you. Your return is our greatest comfort."
At this moment, spiritual light shone down in the courtyard, and the lanterns shimmered with the glow of spiritual flames. Qin Yu stepped out from the main hall and saw the group chatting and laughing. She couldn't help but smile slightly, tears welling up in her eyes.
That night, the true glory of the White Cloud Sect lay not in the myriad lights and spiritual glow, but in the warmth of this reunion.