In early spring, all things are reborn.
For Lingjin City on Qiyun Road, it was a ti when a riot of flowers blood, each vying for beauty.
Wu Xing and Jin Zheng, having retaken control of the Elders' Court, now sat opposite each other in a pavilion at Book Mountain Court, each drinking their own tea.
Not far away, Chen Yang and Qin Qiu strolled through a sea of flowers. Qin Mo, now a leading pop star, was incessantly singing children's songs to Qin Qiu's pregnant belly.
"Xiaomo, you're so loud," Qin Qiu chided with a laugh.
"Sis, this is prenatal education," Qin Mo said with conviction. "As her aunt, of course I have to be on top of this."
Qin Qiu and Chen Yang exchanged a helpless, knowing smile.
"Ah."
Nearby, Jin Zheng shook his head and let out a long sigh. "Wu Xing, maybe we shouldn't have co."
"Indeed," Wu Xing nodded. "Shall we go, then?"
"Let's go."
As Jin Zheng stood up, he couldn't help but mutter, "That lucky rascal. He's already living the life we envy."
"It's good," Wu Xing said with a smiling nod.
"Elders, won't you stay for a al before you go?" Chen Yang called out as he walked over to them, grinning. "I caught a huge carp in the Lingjin River this morning. Are you sure you won't stay and try so?"
"Get lost!" Jin Zheng was so annoyed his beard bristled. "We two old n sat there for half an hour, getting full on tea alone, and now you tell us there's carp to eat?"
"This is for the best." Wu Xing patted Chen Yang's shoulder. "I had planned to organize a grand deification ceremony for you, but it seems you wouldn't have attended anyway."
"There's no need," Chen Yang said, shaking his head with a smile.
CLAP. CLAP.
Wu Xing clapped his hands, and a man entered from outside, respectfully holding a set of Python Sparrow Devouring Dragon battle robes.
"Regardless, this is yours."
After gesturing for the man to set the item down, Wu Xing and Jin Zheng waved their hands and strode away. They truly did not want to disturb such a wonderful, harmonious day. Although they hadn't said it aloud, their aning was clear: no matter what, the position of Supre Martial Commander would always be his.
"It should have rightfully been yours all along," Qin Qiu said as she walked over.
A smile spread across Chen Yang's face, and his sharp, star-like brows relaxed into a gentle expression. He gently embraced her. "Even though these vast lands are filled with countless beauties, in my eyes, you are the best of them all."
This sudden, romantic confession made Qin Qiu blush, the red spreading all the way to her ears. Though her heart felt sweet as honey, she pouted and murmured, "I don't understand."
Chen Yang laughed, his expression joyful.
"Are you leaving tomorrow?" Qin Qiu asked.
Chen Yang nodded.
"I'll go pack your things."
「After the arrival of spring.」
The waters grew fertile and abundant, and the temperature returned to a gentle warmth. The busy season of spring plowing unfolded with great enthusiasm, and the fields were filled with hardworking figures. Occasionally, a flock of large birds would fly over the ridges between the paddies, their sharp, raucous cries cutting through the air.
The secular world bustled, brimming with vibrant life. A commoner and a Young Master, their statuses seemingly worlds apart, walked side by side, with a young girl following closely behind.
Shen Shaotian still carried a sword, as always, but he had beco much more talkative after getting to know Chen Yang.
"Chen Yang, Yuning Mountain is far larger than you can imagine. The Three Valleys, Six Courts, and Nine Sects are only the eighteen major powers you can see on the surface. In reality, Yuning Mountain's prosperity is no less than that of the secular world." Shen Shaotian spoke with assurance. "But it doesn't matter. With your brother-in-law here, I'll show you all of it."
Before Chen Yang could respond, his gaze fell upon the horizon.
In the distance, where a flock of crows descended to the west, lay the path leading toward Red Lotus Valley. A van drove along the opposite bank of the river, heading in the sa direction as them.
Chen Yang raised an eyebrow, glancing at the group also headed for Red Lotus Valley.
Perhaps it was a gut feeling, or perhaps it was the keen perception unique to cultivators, but the van slowed down, and its window suddenly rolled down.
Then, a glimpse of a slender silhouette in a long blue dress appeared.
Sitting in the passenger seat, a young man in lavish clothes turned around in surprise. He gave the woman a faint smile and asked softly, "Miss Zhiqing, what is it?"
The woman in the blue dress was none other than Gu Zhiqing. She lifted her head slightly and pointed decisively at Chen Yang on the opposite bank. Her tone was cold and indifferent. "That person is very powerful."
The young man, Gu Shuheng of Biluo Sword Valley, was imdiately intrigued. He turned to look at Chen Yang. "Oh? And he's walking with Shen Shaotian? Who in the world is he?"
Gu Shuheng idly played with a pair of bronze bells in his right hand, occasionally clicking them together to produce a pleasant, soft chi.
"You don't think Shen Shaotian intends to help Red Lotus Valley, do you? All by himself? Does he really think he's so Daluo Golden Immortal?" Gu Shuheng's tone shifted, and a scornful sneer twisted his lips. He then lifted a finger and tapped his brow. "The guy is a great Young Master of the Southern Dipper Academy, after all. It's bad enough that he hangs around a handmaiden all day, but is he really so brainless?"
Gu Xiulan, who was beside them, was about to speak, but Gu Zhiqing silenced her with a look.
Gu Shuheng's eyes narrowed slightly as anger began to brew inside him. This ti, he was under orders from Sword Valley to escort Gu Zhiqing to Red Lotus Valley. The mission concerned the Blue Sea Ruins Fragnt Map and should have been a major affair. But Gu Zhiqing had been cold and dismissive the entire way, making the atmosphere incredibly tense. That was one thing, but now she was showing a hint of admiration for a complete stranger. The thought stoked Gu Shuheng's fury.
He pushed the door open, got out of the van, and pointed a finger across the river at Chen Yang.
"You, on the other bank! What's your na? I am Gu Shuheng from Biluo Sword Valley. Co over here and pay your respects at once!"
Gu Shuheng was seething and needed an outlet. Coupled with his distaste for Shen Shaotian, the unknown Chen Yang beca the perfect target for his frustration. Perhaps feeling a simple sentence wasn't enough to showcase his lofty status, he continued, "I am now ordering you to co over and bow down before imdiately. If you don't, I'll cut you down with a single strike!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Shaotian grinned. "An idiot."
"Let your brother-in-law tell you sothing: Biluo Sword Valley is full of idiots."
Chen Yang nodded gravely. He couldn't be sure if they were all fools, but when it ca to arrogance, Biluo Sword Valley was truly unparalleled. From Gu Liangren to Gu Tianxing, they were all cut from the sa cloth.
"So, up for a fight?" Shen Shaotian asked with a smile.
Chen Yang stared at Gu Shuheng on the opposite bank, tugged at the hem of his clothes, and said coolly, "Wouldn't it be better to just flatten them?"
Shen Shaotian was speechless.
He did have a point.
The people from Biluo Sword Valley were here for Red Lotus Valley. Why let them be, only to let grievances fester?
A breeze stirred across the water's surface.
A piercing light glead in the eyes of the plainly dressed Chen Yang. He started forward, striding across the river as if it were solid ground.
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