When Ye Xuan learned that the Tianqi Clan had wiped out the five clans, his expression remained calm.
He wasn’t particularly interested in the affairs of the Zhouyuan Realm!
After the Zhouyuan matter concluded, Ye Xuan returned to the Otherworld.
There were people here he still cared about!
Ye Xuan first arrived at the Fangcun Sect.
On a mountain peak, a woman gazed at a sea of flowers in the distance, lost in thought.
Sensing something, she turned abruptly. Not far off stood a man.
It was Ye Xuan!
Ye Xuan smiled. “Miss Lian Yun, long time no see!”
An Lian Yun froze briefly, then said softly, “I thought you wouldn’t come back!”
Ye Xuan chuckled. “How could I not?”
He stepped beside her, glancing at her. “Still not reached the No-Boundary Realm?”
An Lian Yun smiled faintly. “Just a tiny bit off!”
A tiny bit!
Ye Xuan laughed. “Then I’ll congratulate you in advance!”
An Lian Yun suddenly looked up at the vast starry depths, murmuring, “Young Master Ye, my father says you’re mysterious… I know you’re formidable! Are the powerhouses of the Zhouyuan Realm really that much stronger than our No-Boundary level?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
An Lian Yun turned to him. “And there are worlds stronger than Zhouyuan, right?”
Ye Xuan smiled. “Yes!”
Her brows furrowed. “How many?”
Ye Xuan thought for a moment. “From what’s known, a few tens of thousands, I suppose!”
An Lian Yun’s expression stiffened. After a moment, she shook her head with a wry smile. “So, our Otherworld is pretty insignificant in this vast universe?”
Ye Xuan chuckled. “Why the sudden melancholy?”
An Lian Yun fell silent.
Ye Xuan stepped in front of her, meeting her gaze. “Know why I came back to see you?”
She looked at him. He smiled softly. “Because you’re a kind girl!”
He glanced at the starry depths. “In Zhouyuan, I met two women—both impressive…”
He shook his head, trailing off.
An Lian Yun studied him. “You don’t like them?”
Ye Xuan shook his head. “I’ve no right to dislike them. They fought for themselves and their people. I’m just as selfish— what right does a selfish person have to judge others?”
An Lian Yun gazed at him. “I think you’re pretty great!”
Ye Xuan grinned. “I think you’re pretty great too!”
They shared a smile.
Ye Xuan opened his palm, revealing a small wooden figure—an exact likeness of An Lian Yun, complete with her smile.
He placed it in her hand. “The Otherworld… I’ve walked through too many worlds to count! Maps change so often I’ve forgotten most of them! But I’ll remember this one—because you’re here!”
An Lian Yun looked at him, silent.
He handed her a storage ring. “Some resources—should help you!”
She still didn’t speak.
Ye Xuan smiled. “Remember, be yourself. Don’t bend to please others. I’m off!”
He turned to leave.
Suddenly, his hand was grabbed!
He turned to see An Lian Yun holding him.
She looked at him, then gently hugged him, whispering a few words in his ear.
Ye Xuan froze.
An Lian Yun turned and walked away.
Ye Xuan stood there, speechless, for a long while.
Half an hour later, he arrived at the Daoling Palace.
In the hall, only Ye Xuan, A Daoling, and Yan Banshan were present.
A Daoling sized him up, then smiled. “I can’t see through you anymore!”
Ye Xuan laughed. “Sister Ling, you can take Yan Banshan to Zhouyuan. Mention my name—the Tianqi Clan will host you!”
A Daoling blinked. “Really?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
She smiled. “Then thanks in advance!”
Ye Xuan grinned. “We’re family!”
A Daoling’s expression grew complex. Back then, Ye Xuan hadn’t reached No-Boundary. Now, she couldn’t fathom him!
In such a short time, everything had changed!
They didn’t chat long. Soon, Ye Xuan left the Daoling Palace.
After he departed, Yan Banshan looked at A Daoling. “Master, are we going to Zhouyuan?”
A Daoling paused, then smiled. “No!”
Yan Banshan was puzzled.
A Daoling chuckled softly. “This is home!”
Yan Banshan understood.
—
This time, Ye Xuan didn’t return to Qing City. He knew his road ahead was still long.
His father’s words had left him uneasy!
If his father and大哥 (big brother) reached the universe’s end and found no worthy foes, the three of them would fight!
All three were invincible—but who was truly supreme? Only a battle would tell!
Effort!
Ye Xuan didn’t want to stand helplessly by if they fought.
He didn’t want any of them to die!
He suddenly asked, “Little Pagoda, do you think I could ever beat Dad, Qing’er, and大哥?”
Little Pagoda hesitated, then said, “Little master, don’t scare me!”
Ye Xuan frowned. “What do you mean?”
Little Pagoda said gravely, “I’m worried you’ve got delusions!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
Little Pagoda added, “The idea’s fine, but the difficulty’s astronomical!”
Ye Xuan pressed, “Didn’t you say I’ve got some halo?”
Little Pagoda replied coolly, “Does a halo guarantee invincibility? Little master, don’t think that way. Even with a halo, you’re not the only one. Never take yourself too seriously! But it’s not impossible—if you keep up this flashy nonsense, though, I doubt you’ll surpass them! Unless you create some shameless new path—then maybe you’ve got a shot. You’re shameless enough, after all!”
Ye Xuan’s face darkened.
Little Pagoda hesitated, then said, “Little master, I’m blunt— you won’t get mad, right?”
Ye Xuan said flatly, “I wouldn’t dare!”
Little Pagoda was confused. “Why not?”
Ye Xuan replied, “You’re the Tianming Pagoda, the top tower of all realms—how could I dare be mad at you?”
Little Pagoda chuckled, “Little master, keep it low-key!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
Little Pagoda continued, “Honestly, you’ve got a chance to surpass them. Your foundation’s better than theirs. For you, getting stronger is just a matter of time—plus, you’ve got that halo. If you work hard, even if you don’t overtake them, you won’t lag far behind. Isn’t there a saying? ‘All things are possible!’”
*All things are possible!*
Ye Xuan smiled faintly. “Little Pagoda, you’ve finally said something human!”
Little Pagoda: “…”
—
An hour later, Ye Xuan ventured into the boundless starry expanse.
No destination—he’d explore the next cosmic civilization on his own, or rather, chase after his father and大哥!
The universe was vast and endless. Ye Xuan rode his sword, moving slowly, not rushing.
Gazing at the surrounding stars, he couldn’t deny their beauty.
Little Pagoda suddenly asked, “Little master, where are we going?”
Ye Xuan laughed. “Don’t know!”
Little Pagoda was puzzled. “Don’t know?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Wherever we end up!”
Little Pagoda hesitated, then said, “Why not train in the tower for a bit before moving on?”
Ye Xuan frowned. “Why?”
Little Pagoda said seriously, “I’m worried you’ll get thrashed in the next civilization!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
It had a point!
Though his father had slain Gu Di, Ye Xuan hadn’t forgotten the Demon Vein!
Gu Di and his crew were from there—a likely superpower! With his father killing them, they might take it out on him.
His face grew serious.
Training!
He’d train first, then head to the next civilization!
Break the circle?
Ye Xuan shook his head. He couldn’t—he’d chosen to enter Qing’er’s circle, limiting him to growing within it!
It seemed restrictive, but it wasn’t—Qing’er’s circle was infinitely vast!
Without overthinking, he entered Little Pagoda. Atop a mountain peak inside, he sat cross-legged, eyes closing slowly.
How to grow within Qing’er’s circle?
That’s what he needed to ponder and pursue!
Or rather, he needed to settle himself. Since entering the circle, he hadn’t truly cultivated or explored it deeply!
Time passed unnoticed in cultivation. Thankfully, the tower’s time flowed differently—he had plenty to spare!
—
While Ye Xuan trained, two figures appeared at the thatched hut where Ding Shaoyao once lived.
A man and a woman!
The man wore a black robe, holding a thick ancient tome in his left hand and a brush in his right. Beside him, the woman wore a simple long dress, a black flute in her right hand.
Both had a ‘卍’ symbol between their brows.
The man murmured, “Gu Di’s really gone! Hard to believe—someone here could kill him…”
The woman scanned the area, pressing her right hand down. Spacetime boiled, and eerie images flickered.
Time reversal!
She sought to replay what had happened here!
But her pupils shrank as a sword—origin unknown—pierced her brow before she could react.
Boom!
Blood sprayed, staining the spacetime red before vanishing…
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “A sword that cuts the future…”
