Simultaneously traversing: traversing countless heavens

Chapter 40

Chapter 40

The Battle of Nantian City.

The name of the Lone Peak Sword resounded throughout both the human and demon realms from that moment on.

On that day, the setting sun was like blood, and mountains of corpses stretched as far as the eye could see.

The final palm strike that pierced the heavens and earth slowly dissipated, leaving only deathly silence on the battlefield.

"He's dead."

"He must burn out his last bit of magic power and perish with the enemy."

"Alas—such extraordinary talent, in the end—"

"To have severely damaged Huandu Qingtian and saved the lives of the city, one could say that one died a worthy death."

Rumors spread like wildfire across the human realm. In teahouses, taverns, cultivation markets, and even deep mansions, everyone was talking about the fierce battle and the legendary fall of that meteor.

Most people believe that Zhou Yi, the Lone Peak Sword, is dead.

But Yang Yan didn't believe it.

Three days after the dust settled, she silently left Nantian City with Mu Mie and Zhou Xiaoxiao, returning to the family she had sworn never to set foot in again.

From then on, she personally taught the two cultivation techniques, no longer avoiding the Dao Alliance or rejecting aristocratic families. She wanted to make them strong, to have them join the Dao Alliance, and to change the Dao Alliance.

However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease.

On this day, four uninvited guests arrived outside the Yang family mansion.

All of them were sword cultivators, their auras were deep and dignified, and their sword intent was evident in every move they made. It was clear at a glance that they were no ordinary people. They were the four guardians of the Wangquan family: Wind, Rain, Thunder and Lightning.

The four men went straight into the hall and explained their purpose.

The air in the lobby suddenly turned cold.

Yang Yan sat upright in the guest seat. After listening, she did not immediately react, but slowly put down the celadon teacup in her hand. The bottom of the cup touched the table with a crisp, cold "tap".

"Wangquan Manor, wind, rain, thunder, and lightning—" She raised her eyes, her gaze as calm as an ancient well, yet it made the leader of "Wind Sword" shudder. "What a prestigious name."

The voice was soft, but each word was clear: "At the foot of Nantian City, when the Demon Emperor was pressing in and 100,000 demon troops were besieging the city, where were the four figures?"

She leaned slightly forward, glancing at the unnatural look on the four men's faces, her tone suddenly sharp: "He has just disappeared, his fate unknown, and you're already so eager to come to my door to take away the sister he entrusted to me—"

'

"Truly believed—"

—

"Is he dead?!"

The last four words, like a thunderclap, resounded throughout the hall, igniting both sarcasm and anger.

Feng Jian was speechless for a moment, his face burning. Before coming, the young master had only ordered him to pick up a child, without revealing the child's identity. It wasn't until he entered the Yang family and inquired that he learned of the child's connection to the Lone Peak Sword.

To come and take advantage of someone's disappearance to retrieve their sister, when they are not related by blood or marriage, is blatant bullying. If this gets out, what will become of the Wang family's reputation?

"This—please calm down." Feng Jian spoke with difficulty, his voice dry. "We are indeed here on the young master's orders. The young master—"

"Shut up!"

Yang Yan abruptly stood up, his emotions, suppressed for many years, bursting forth: "Don't mention Wang Quan Ba ​​Ye! What masked organization leader! If it weren't for his stubbornness and recklessness in leading people into this perilous place, how could my Yang family's most outstanding heir, and so many young geniuses from the Dao Alliance—not a single one of them would have returned!"

The pain of losing his nephew, the disappointment with the Dao Alliance, and the complex and intractable resentment towards the Wangquan Heye all erupted at this moment.

"Go back!"

She pointed to the door, her voice resolute: "Tell Wang Quan Ba ​​Ye—let him come himself!"

"I'd like to see what kind of face he has to stand in front of me, Yang Yan!"

"see a visitor out."

Yang Yifang, who had been sitting silently in the main seat, spoke softly at this moment.

The steward, who had been standing by, immediately stepped forward, bowed to the four men (Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning), and said in a polite but unquestionable tone: "Gentlemen, please."

The four men looked at each other, realizing they were in the wrong, and had no choice but to clasp their hands in greeting and leave.

Only the father and daughter remained in the hall, yet the air remained still and stagnant.

"Everyone says that Lone Peak Sword Master Ran is all alone," Yang Yifang said slowly, picking up his cool tea. "Unexpectedly, he actually has a younger sister."

"No matter who she was before," Yang Yan sat down again, her tone calm but with an unwavering resolve, "she is now just Zhou Xiaoxiao. He entrusted her to me, and I cannot break my promise, nor can I let her fall into the hands of unknown people."

Yang Yifang looked at his daughter, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "There is something you do not yet know."

Yang Yan looked up.

"The concubine that Wang Quanba took in a few years ago, Chu Ri Huai Zhu" — Yang Yifang paused slightly, "her real name is Dongfang Huai Zhu. She is the eldest daughter of Dongfang Guyue.

Yang Yan's pupils contracted slightly.

"And Dongfang Guyue," Yang Yifang continued, his voice like a hammer blow, "has two daughters. The second daughter, Dongfang Qinlan, is about the same age as Mu Mie."

There are no secrets within the Dao Alliance.

Especially for the top-tier aristocratic families. The reasons behind the upheaval at Shenhuo Mountain Villa, the marriage alliance at Wangquan Mountain Villa, Jin Renfeng's betrayal of his master and ancestors, and Wangquan Baye's practice of only taking concubines and not marrying a wife—while not entirely clear in the eyes of the Yang family, the underlying logic can still be followed.

Yang Yan sat there stunned for a long time, an unbelievable thought gradually emerging within her, her voice trembling slightly: "Father—you mean—Xiaoxiao is Dongfang Qinlan? The second young lady of Shenhuo Mountain Manor?"

Yang Yifang slowly nodded.

"Not only that. Although Dongfang Huaizhu is a concubine, she and Wang Quanba Ye are mutually in love, and Wang Quanba Ye has not yet married a wife."

"With Dongfang Guyue dead, Huaizhu was barely able to protect herself at the time, so she must have secretly sent her sister away. Although I don't know how she knew that Gufeng Sword was still alive, if she knew that Gufeng Sword was still there, the person she entrusted it to is self-evident."

"Gu Fengjian and Dongfang Guyue were once close friends despite their age difference, almost becoming master and disciple. Later, they lost contact. Now it seems that this was the result of Jin Renfeng's sowing discord."

"You refused the Wang Quan family today, and they won't let it go," Yang Yifang warned. "Dongfang Huaizhu and Wang Quan Baye might come in person, or find another reason to visit. You should be prepared."

Yang Yan took a deep breath and looked directly at her father. Those eyes, which had once been filled with rebellion and alienation, were now clear and firm.

"Father," she said, enunciating each word clearly, "if Xiaoxiao herself does not wish to, I will absolutely not allow anyone, for any reason, to take her away."

Yang Yifang's hand holding the cup paused slightly.

He shifted his gaze to the ancient pine tree in the courtyard, remaining silent for a long time.

Old memories surged like a tide: back then, the Dao Alliance Inspector came to his door demanding his son-in-law, Mu Mie's father, under the pretext of "colluding with the demon race." At that time, he chose silence, choosing the so-called "greater good" and "family honor," allowing them to take him away.

In the end, what he got was his daughter's resolute departure from home, the news of his son-in-law's tragic death in prison, and the icy chasm that had existed between father and daughter for more than ten years, as well as countless long nights of regret.

The past is unbearable.

Now, a similar choice is presented to us once again.

This time————

Yang Yifang slowly turned his gaze back to his daughter's face.

He gently put down the teacup.

"That's natural."

The old man's voice was not loud, but it was like a rock sinking into the long river of time, steady and powerful.

"I do not possess the ability of Lone Peak Sword to defend a city alone and awe the entire world."

He looked towards the inner courtyard. From there, he could faintly hear the childish shouts of Mu Mie teaching Zhou Xiaoxiao swordsmanship.

"But if all you want is to protect a little baby and let her grow up safely in your own home—"

A long-lost sharp glint, belonging to the former head of the "Heavenly Eye" Yang family, flashed across Yang Yifang's eyes.

"We still have some confidence in this."

In the inner courtyard of the royal family, candlelight flickered gently in the breeze, casting long shadows on the sandalwood floor.

Wang Quanba put down the dossier in his hand, raised his eyes to look at the four people standing solemnly below: "Well? Has the child been brought back?"

The four sword cultivators, Wind, Rain, Thunder, and Lightning, exchanged glances. Finally, Wind Sword stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed: "Young Master, we were unable to achieve our goal. That person from the Yang family—his attitude was extremely resolute."

A brief silence fell over the hall. Wang Quanba lowered his gaze, tapping his fingers lightly twice on the table before speaking, "I understand. You may all leave. This matter—" He paused slightly, "...do not mention it to outsiders."

"Yes," the four replied in unison, and respectfully withdrew.

As the hall doors closed again, Wang Quanba turned to the sandalwood screen on one side, his voice softening: "You heard everything."

A soft rustling of fabric came from behind the screen. Dongfang Huaizhu slowly emerged, her plain white dress appearing serene and delicate in the candlelight. She walked to her husband's side, the light falling into the deep night outside the window: "The other party must have been instructed by Senior Brother Zhou. It's good that Qin Lan is alright, but I need to go to the Yang family."

"I'll go with you." Wang Quanba stood up and naturally took her slightly cool hand.

Dongfang Huaizhu nodded gently, remaining silent for a moment. The moonlight filtering through the window shone on her profile, reflecting the complex emotions in her eyes: "I never imagined that Senior Brother Zhou's cultivation had progressed to such an extent—but when I think of what he has experienced over the years, my heart is always uneasy."

"There's no need to worry too much," Wang Quanba said gently, his fingers tightening slightly. "Father deduced that, given Senior Brother Zhou's cultivation and resourcefulness at the time, he shouldn't be dead. The most likely scenario is that he was swept away by the turbulence during the final spatial tremor and landed somewhere."

"He was able to fight his way out of the desperate situation in Nantian City. With such a tenacious spirit, how could he possibly perish so easily?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Quanba lowered his eyes, a bitter smile appearing on his lips: "To my shame—I am not as good as him."

The same sword heart shattered, the same path of cultivation collapsed. Yet that person carved a bloody path through the abyss, not only regaining their cultivation but also reaching a higher level, breaking into an unprecedented realm. In contrast, consider yourself—

Before a barely audible sigh could fully escape, a soft, warm touch came from the back of his hand.

"Don't make such comparisons, and don't sigh." Dongfang Huaizhu turned around, her clear eyes looking intently into his. "Everyone's path is different, and their experiences vary. I believe in you, Ba Ye. One day, you will also find your own sword heart, no, you will find a completely new sword path that belongs to Wang Quan Ba ​​Ye, just like Senior Brother Zhou."

Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear, carrying an unquestionable trust.

Wang Quanba's heart skipped a beat. He turned his hand and completely enveloped hers in his palm, her slightly cool fingertips gradually warming in his warm hand. He looked deeply at his wife and nodded solemnly, "Mm."

A faint smile finally appeared on Dongfang Huaizhu's lips, as if to dispel the heavy atmosphere from before: "Let's talk about the present matter. I think—Jin Renfeng is probably having sleepless nights these days." Her gaze turned cold, and her voice was chilling, "If he hadn't plotted to sow discord and kill the messenger back then, how could Senior Brother Zhou have lost an arm and his heart, suffering torment every day—"

A cold glint flashed in Wang Quanba's eyes: "We only await Senior Brother Zhou's return—with his current fighting strength, and with you and me combined, we will surely be able to slay this traitor!"

If you were to ask who in this world would least like to see the return of the Book of Changes, Jin Renfeng would undoubtedly be at the top of the list.

Inside the Divine Volcano Manor, the brightly lit main hall could not illuminate the sinister look between the brows of the man sitting on the main seat. Jin Renfeng, who was growing old day by day due to the backlash from his cultivation technique, was smashing a teacup in his hand, the shards and tea splashing all over the floor.

"Search! Keep searching!" His hoarse voice echoed through the hall, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes deep and etched. "Even if we have to dig three feet into the entire southern border, we must find him alive or dead!"

His Highness's disciples, trembling with fear, responded in unison, "Yes!"

The roar shook the beams, sending dust flying. But Jin Renfeng knew in his heart that this search would most likely be in vain.

Because the person he feared was not in the Southern Territory at that moment.

March has passed, and the smoke of the battle in Nantian City has long since dissipated. Everyone knows that Lone Peak Sword has one arm that can hold up the sky and whose swordsmanship is divine, but they do not know that the swordsman who is remembered by countless people is in a completely different world.

Within the territory of Tushan, spring streams murmur and peach blossoms fall like rain.

A red fox, carrying a wine gourd as tall as a person on its back, was squatting by the stream with its head tilted, its fluffy tail swaying curiously behind it.

She blinked her round eyes and stared at the unconscious figure on the shore for a long time before reaching out and poking the person's face.

"Hey, are you still alive?"

The man's eyelashes trembled slightly, and when he slowly opened his eyes, there seemed to be an lingering fighting spirit in them, but when he saw the fox shaking its ears in front of him, it turned into a wisp of bewildered mist.

"Who are you?" the silly fox asked, hands on her hips, her wine gourd swaying behind her.

Zhou Yi sat up, looked around at the unfamiliar landscape, remained silent for a moment, and then said frankly, "The Lone Peak Sword, Zhou Yi."

"Pfft—Hahahaha!" The silly fox was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, his tail trembling wildly. "You say you're the Lone Peak Sword who slew the Demon Emperor with one arm? Where's your sword? You don't look like a swordsman at all!"

She hopped and skipped around him once, then suddenly leaned in so close that her nose was almost touching his face, her eyes screaming, "You're lying to the fox!"

"Besides," she said smugly, raising her chin, "Lone Peak Sword has only one arm! And you? Both your arms are perfectly fine. You can't even make your lie believable!"

Zhou Yi paused, looking down at his intact arms. Unbeknownst to the world, he had already reattached his severed arms after the battle of Nantian City. Having regained his sword spirit, he had achieved the Great Divine Power realm. His wounds had been healed by his magical power.

He tried to explain, but the little fox had already made its decision: "I found you, so you're mine! From today onwards, your name is 9527!"

"Do you have any money on you? Three hundred taels!"

Zhou Yi shook his head in silence; how could he possibly have any money on him?

She patted the huge wine gourd behind her, her eyes curving into crescents: "Then you'll be my personal servant. Once I've earned enough for the toll, hmm, I'll give you your freedom!"

A spring breeze swept across the stream, lifting a few pale pink petals that gently landed on Zhou Yi's shoulder.

He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the pair of swaying furry ears in front of him, then to the familiar jade pendant at the girl's waist, and finally landing on her face, which still had a childlike innocence but already showed bright features.

Memories flowed back slowly like a stream. Yes, such beautiful mountains and waters, such a pure and serene atmosphere, and in the distance, that towering tree, its branches like a canopy of blossoms—

This place is actually within the territory of Tushan.

The silly fox in front of me is Tu Shan Ya Ya.

He tilted his head slightly, gazing towards the end of the stream. His vision passed through the sparse peach grove, over the green-tiled rooftops, and atop the mist-shrouded mountain peak, the giant tree of the Bitter Love stood silently, its branches laden with blossoms like rosy clouds and mist, swaying gently in the spring breeze, scattering a shower of petals.

A pink halo enveloped the fields, and even the air was filled with a faint sweet fragrance.

Zhou Yi silently gazed at the giant tree that had witnessed countless beginnings and endings. The roars of corpses and blood three months ago, the dazzling light of shattered space—all of these were gently covered by this tranquil rain of flowers at this moment.

He looked down and saw his reflection in the stream. His face was pale, his long hair was disheveled, but his eyes, after being tempered by life and death, were as calm as an ancient well.

"Hey, 9527!" Tu Shan Ya Ya jumped in front of him, hands on her hips, blocking his view of the stream. "What are you daydreaming about! From today onwards, you're going to work for me to pay off your debt!"

Zhou Yi withdrew his gaze and looked at the spirited little fox demon in front of him, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips.

"Okay," he said softly, his voice a little hoarse but clear.

For now, I will stay in the secluded Tushan Mountain to recover my magical powers and reach the pinnacle.

Jin Renfeng... Huandu Qingtian...

You won't have to wait too long...

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