Chen Yang's brows were deeply furrowed.
In fact, during his last trip to Yuning Mountain, he had seen that Red Lotus Valley was in crisis, but he never could have imagined the crisis would be so grave.
Most crucially, even in the face of such adversity, Liu Qingmei still tried every means possible to provide him with whatever help she could. This friendship moved Chen Yang deeply.
After a moment, Chen Yang asked curiously, "What is the Blue Sea Ruins?"
"East of the Divine Sea, tens of thousands of miles away, lies a vast chasm known as the Bottomless Valley. Beneath it lies an endless abyss named the Exiled Void," Shen Shaotian began to explain. "Ultimately, it might just be a bottomless sea trench, but because it's associated with the seclusion of Emperor Fusang and the Human Emperor Fuxi, it's been shrouded in a veil of mystery."
"Actually, rumors about the Blue Sea Ruins have circulated in Yuning Mountain for countless years. Some say it's a Grotto-Heaven, a blessed land where merely taking a single breath can completely transform a person."
"Others claim it's the ancestral land of the Dao Sect, certain to hold countless treasures and the true legacy of the Dao Sect—a massive treasure trove for any cultivator."
"It used to be just a rumor, something everyone listened to like a myth without taking it seriously. But since last year, fragments of maps leading to the Blue Sea Ruins have been appearing one after another, igniting a frenzy throughout Yuning Mountain."
Finally, Shen Shaotian smiled helplessly. "Everyone has gone mad, scrambling over mountains in search of these map fragments. Naturally, killing for treasure has become the norm."
"What, are you interested too?" Shen Shaotian teased.
Chen Yang shook his head; he was merely curious. He then changed the subject, "What's the exact situation with Red Lotus Valley now?"
"Red Lotus Valley has lacked worthy successors in recent years, so its power is waning. On top of that, it's internally divided. There are currently two main factions: one wants to use Liu Qingmei as a bargaining chip to forge an alliance through marriage, while the other consists of hardliners who vow to resist to the death."
As he spoke, Shen Shaotian gritted his teeth before giving a bitter smile. It is said that entering a powerful family is like plunging into the depths of the ocean, a sentiment that was vividly illustrated in Yuning Mountain.
How many truly outstanding women ever meet a good end? Take Gu Zhiqing, for example.
"Based on the current situation, if Red Lotus Valley remains defiant, Biluo Sword Valley will almost certainly launch a war to annihilate them within half a month."
Watching Shen Shaotian shake his head and sigh, Chen Yang said playfully, "Didn't you claim to be my cousin's boyfriend? Aren't you going to offer some help?"
Shen Shaotian was speechless.
Under Chen Yang's stare, Shen Shaotian suddenly puffed out his chest. "Of course! Regardless of Southern Dipper Academy's stance, I, Shen Shaotian, will definitely stand with Qingmei, through thick and thin."
Chen Yang stared at him for two seconds, then turned away, dropping a single sentence behind him, "I'll go too."
"That's great! One more person means more help."
Shen Shaotian breathed a quiet sigh of relief. He still felt a bit guilty, as his relationship with Liu Qingmei was purely platonic—light-years away from being romantic—yet he had been presumptuously calling himself her future brother-in-law.
Knowing that Chen Yang had much to deal with, Shen Shaotian didn't linger. He beckoned to Zhou Zhirou at his side. "Come on. Young Master will take you to get something good to eat."
"Okay, Young Master."
Zhou Zhirou nodded obediently and followed him.
Chen Yang's condition was deteriorating at a speed visible to the naked eye. Although his eyes still shone like stars, they couldn't hide his profound weakness.
THUD.
He finally collapsed, supporting himself weakly with the Ancestral Sword as he sank to one knee on the ground. That final strike had nearly drained him of all his essence, energy, and spirit.
"Chen Yang, are you all right?"
Chen Shangwu rushed to help him up, his weary face filled with deep concern.
Chen Yang shook his head. As his gaze met Chen Shangwu's, a current of warmth flowed through his heart.
How many years has it been since someone cared for him like this? Perhaps, over the years, he had grown so accustomed to being the one others relied on that this sudden affection left him at a loss.
After taking a healing pill, a hint of color returned to Chen Yang's pale face. He looked toward the ruined Chen Family Ancestral Mansion.
He could never have dreamed that on his heaven-defying path, the Chen Family would be the ones to provide him the greatest help.
"Go in and get some rest. You've earned it," Chen Shangwu said softly, patting Chen Yang's shoulder.
The royal family was annihilated, and the Imperial Clan was no more. For him, the matter was truly over. But what Chen Shangwu didn't know was that for Chen Yang, this was merely a new beginning.
Chen Yang wiped a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth and shook his head. "No, I still have things to do."
Gradually regaining some strength, Chen Yang looked across the river, his expression unreadable.
His gaze fell upon Cangyun City, its sky washed clean by the rain. Or perhaps, it was a city that had survived a calamity?
In any case, adorned by a myriad of stars, Cangyun City shone with a dazzling radiance.
Night fell.
Vast swathes of colorful lights bloomed across the city. Chen Yang had witnessed the city's dazzling nightlife and splendid prosperity countless times before, but today, a myriad of emotions stirred in his heart.
Unconsciously, a smile touched Chen Yang's lips. It was a warm and gentle smile, like that of someone watching a child who had just recovered from a serious illness.
"I'm off."
With those words, Chen Yang strode away.
A beam of moonlight cascaded down from the heavens, bathing him in silver. The cool moonlight illuminated his departing figure and the path before him, a brilliant road stretching toward the horizon.
Chen Shangwu opened his mouth to speak several times, but ultimately, not a single word came out. Then, despite being a man past ninety, he bent at the waist in a formal bow. He was a man of iron will and peerless elegance.
「At the same time.」
In every street and alley, figures knelt in mid-air, one after another, all muttering the same word:
"Commander..."
Through his strength alone, he had carved out a vibrant and prosperous future for them all.
As the main character of this tale, Chen Yang, after quickly changing out of his blood-soaked clothes, arrived at the Ancient Cliff Grand Hotel.
"Boss, we've lost track of that old fox, Zuo Chang," Yang Hu said in a low voice after getting out of the car.
In truth, the moment Chen Yang had heavily wounded Tu Cunshan with a single sword strike, Zuo Chang had sensed that things were turning against them and had already escaped in the chaos.
"It doesn't matter," Chen Yang said with a wave of his hand. "He's nothing but rootless duckweed. Not worth worrying about."
"I will look into it."
「Ancient Cliff Hotel, Second Floor.」
Dinner time had long passed, and there were not many people in the hall. At a table near the window, a woman sat with her chin propped on one hand, her gaze fixed outside as she waited in eager anticipation.
Her hair was tied up high, and she wore a pink dress with exquisite makeup. Two faint tear tracks were visible on her cheeks, and her long, clear eyes were slightly red and swollen.
When her gaze fell upon the entrance to the hall, she shot to her feet, her eyes sparkling.
...