Kyrian climbed the stairway beside Feng Yuan, with the others following right behind. The group crossed the gates of the central area and entered the main hall of the Verdant Sword Sect.
During the path, Kyrian observed the leader. One of the sleeves of Feng Yuan’s robe was empty, tied at the waist. He had lost his left arm. Kyrian did not ask. He imagined that Feng Yuan had gone to deal with his old enemies after breaking through to the Spiritual Awakening realm and returned with that scar.
In the main hall, Feng Yuan sat in the leader’s chair at the center. i Ran took her place on his right. The five elders positioned themselves at the sides. Kyrian stood in the center, with Mo Tianhai, Mo Xia, Long Xue, Wu Jian, and Shen Yu behind him.
Feng Yuan observed him for a mont, then spoke.
"What happened to you during these months? I heard from i Ran that you were taken by Dong Zhen, the leader of the Blood Court."
Kyrian thought for a few seconds before answering.
"Yes. I was taken by Dong Zhen. I am now also part of the Court as a core disciple."
The information caused contained, but perceptible reactions. The elders exchanged glances. Mo Tianhai frowned.
Feng Yuan, however, maintained a calm expression.
"And how was that ti?" he asked.
"How were you treated?"
Kyrian perceived the concern behind the question. Not only from Feng Yuan, but from everyone there. They wanted to know if he had been forced, mistreated, or if he was there by his own will.
"I was treated well," Kyrian answered calmly.
"Dong Zhen took to train due to my talent in the path of blood. He gave resources and a certain independence."
He made a brief pause.
"The Blood Court is different from the sect. More rigid. More violent. But there is no cruelty without purpose."
Feng Yuan nodded slowly. Kyrian appreciated the concern the leader showed. But even if he had been treated badly, there was nothing Feng Yuan could do. The Blood Court was a 4° level force. Not only that, but Dong Zhen alone could annihilate the entire Verdant Sword Sect.
What mattered was that Kyrian was well. And that was enough.
Feng Yuan then asked the question that many there had.
"We thought you would stay in the Court and never return. Why did you co back?"
Kyrian looked at the leader, then at the others.
"I am still part of the Verdant Sword Sect. I wanted to do sothing for the sect before leaving for good."
He took a deep breath.
"I will participate in the Domain Gathering representing the sect. After that, I will return to the Court."
Silence took the hall for a mont.
Then, Feng Yuan smiled. A wide, genuine smile that lit up his face marked by battle.
The others also understood Kyrian’s motivation. He had returned to close the cycle. To honor the bond they had before moving forward.
Feng Yuan had already felt Kyrian’s cultivation. Peak of the Qi Release Realm. If he participated in the Domain Gathering, he would certainly make the position of the Verdant Sword Sect rise several ranks. And that was more than enough.
He rembered the first conversation he had with Kyrian, when the young man had just arrived at the sect. He already knew then that Kyrian possessed an innate talent. He knew that one day he would leave. His wish was that, when possible, Kyrian would represent the Verdant Sword Sect.
Now that mont had arrived. It was faster than Feng Yuan expected, but it was not a bad thing.
The conversation continued for several more minutes. Kyrian spoke about the Blood Court, about its structure, its training thods, its philosophy. Everyone listened attentively. It was a 4° level force, far above the sect. Any information about it was valuable.
An hour passed until Feng Yuan raised his hand.
"Enough for today."
He looked at the elders.
"You may leave."
The five elders bowed and left. Feng Yuan then turned to the core disciples.
"You as well. Kyrian needs to rest after days of travel."
He looked at Kyrian.
"Your courtyard is exactly as when you left."
Kyrian inclined his head in thanks and turned to leave. i Ran and the other core disciples followed him.
As soon as they left the hall, i Ran stopped in front of Kyrian.
He looked at her, confused. Without saying a word, she removed eight books from her spatial ring and placed them on the ground before him.
Kyrian recognized them imdiately. They were the eight books that he and i Ran had found beneath the Country of Line. The manuscripts are in an unknown language.
i Ran then took out another book, this one different from the others.
"You left the books with ," she said.
"I searched and found so information about them."
She extended the book to Kyrian.
"This one contains the translation of that ancient language. It is all that I managed to translate so far."
Kyrian took the book and flipped through it quickly. ticulous notes, compared symbols, and deciphered grammatical structures. i Ran had worked hard on this.
"Thank you," he said, storing the books in his own ring.
i Ran hesitated for a mont. Kyrian noticed.
"Did sothing happen?"
She sighed.
"I believe you already noticed Mu Yanyu’s absence here. She would certainly be the first to co et you if she knew you had returned."
Kyrian did not respond. He agreed. He had found Yanyu’s absence strange. He had imagined she was on a mission outside the sect.
But from i Ran’s expression, it was not that.
"What happened to her?"
"About five months ago, Mu Yanyu was taken by a mysterious woman. Not only her, but also the small fox that was always with her."
Kyrian frowned.
"Mysterious woman?"
"Yes. She appeared out of nowhere, flying over the sect. After searching, she found Mu Yanyu training. She took her by force. None of us could stop her. Feng Yuan had not yet returned at that ti."
Kyrian processed the information. Just like him, Yanyu had been taken by soone. That was all he knew. There was nowhere to go, no clues to follow. The only thing he could do was hope that she was well, wherever she was.
"Alright," he said.
"Thank you for telling ."
i Ran only nodded. She turned and left with the others.
Kyrian remained alone on the stone path. He observed the sky for a mont, then turned and walked toward his old courtyard.
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