Beside a certain Immortal Tomb.
A steady-faced man turned towards a group in the distance. He calmly offered a cupped-fist salute, a remarkably composed smile appearing at the corners of his mouth. "My lord, everyone, I have returned..."
The group in the distance radiated fierce, baleful auras, and each looked stranger than the last. They did not look like good people at all.
That was right—they were the people of the Prison Pavilion, Chen Xun's first group of followers, a band of peerless brutes who had dared to follow Chen Xun in defying the Three Thousand Great Worlds in their youth.
"Qian Shan."
Ji Yan nodded with a faint smile and said calmly, "You have not been by my side for many years. This Seat has found it quite unfamiliar."
"It seems I will once again be able to remain at your side often in the future, my lord. The Nine Heavens Immortal Alliance will have another salary expense to bear." Qian Shan's smile deepened, and his words carried a touch of humor.
"Qian Shan, enough nonsense!"
Tian Li spoke viciously, his voice still as muffled and booming as ever, making people want to beat him up. "We never finished that jar of wine back then. Over these years, I brewed tens of thousands of bottles, all waiting for your return!"
"Good!" Qian Shan nodded gravely.
"Qian Shan!"
"...Qian Shan."
"Hehe, Qian Shan."
Calls filled with smiles rang out one after another, carrying immense relief. Thank goodness they were still here, still able to witness Qian Shan's return with their own eyes.
"Everyone." Qian Shan's gaze was weathered as it swept across each familiar face.
They were all doing well. Their auras were far, far stronger than they had been back then.
Just then.
"Senior Qian Shan!"
Suddenly, a