Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

Time flies, and decades is not a long time for immortal beings.

But if time is thrown into a meat grinder-like battlefield, every second seems to be stretched infinitely.

The war in the Atlantean Ring Belt reignited for 22 years.

This was not a mere understatement in historical records, but a battlefield of carnage built with the blood and flesh of countless Cloud Cavalry soldiers.

At first, the abundant swarms of creatures were as endless as locusts; after one batch was killed, even more would soon emerge.

In galaxies thousands of light-years in diameter, there are hardly any pristine areas.

The faces of the soldiers under his command changed frequently; many new recruits were quickly familiarized with, while many old ones disappeared just as the old ones disappeared.

But both Qi Zhimu and Mo Tingquan were used to it.

…This is an extremely terrible habit.

The destiny of the detachment numbered one is to be stuck at the forefront of the battle.

Battle casualties are unavoidable.

For decades, wherever the most monstrous creatures are concentrated in a deadly place, a blood-red figure has always appeared.

He doesn't need support or tactical coordination.

Wherever it passed, whether it was the Buli people with their powerful regenerative abilities or the Wingers who dominated the skies, they all turned into withered bones and ashes.

Although no one dared to say it outright, many of the Cloud Cavalry who witnessed that scene felt far more awe than worship towards him.

That blood-red shadow was too cold.

That kind of coldness wasn't the temperature of ice, but rather an indifference that treated life like dirt.

Even though Qi Zhimu was annihilating the mortal enemies of the Immortal Boat and all the Cloud Riders, that feeling still lingered.

Over the years, Qi Zhimu has almost never taken off his armor, secretly seizing everything he could from his enemies during the long killing spree.

…Countless chaotic yet immense blessings of abundance are forcibly purified and compressed through the higher-level Free Mantra of Blessing.

Finally, it becomes a force that can be commanded as easily as an arm, flowing into the dantian (lower abdomen).

As the last lair of the monstrous creatures was reduced to ashes, long-awaited cheers erupted across the communication bands of the Atlantean Ring Belt.

The 32-year war has finally come to an end.

Mo Tingquan stood on the bridge of the devastated command ship, let out a long sigh, and turned to look at the distance.

Qi Zhimu was sitting there, with Mianxue and Qinghan standing beside him.

His eyes were closed, the stench of blood still lingering around him, and a chilling sense of brutality seemed to have just been forcibly suppressed within him.

"It's really not easy, Jimo."

Mo Tingquan walked over and handed him a pot of wine.

Qi Zhimu slowly opened his eyes, a dark red glint flashing deep within them before returning to his clear and bright state.

He casually took the wine but didn't drink it, only looking down at the devastated world below.

"Yes, that's enough..."

That's enough, Mo Tingquan thought. He meant that the evil creatures had been killed enough.

Only Mianxue and Qinghan behind them understood the true meaning of those three words.

……

On the day of their triumphant return, the Yaoqing Immortal Boat resounded with the sounds of gongs and drums.

As one of the greatest contributors to this battle, the name Qi Zhimu is now widely known among the people of Yaoqing.

This was Yaoqing's largest expedition in modern times, and it was led by a general. Battle reports were sent back every month.

But... the battle report will also include the names of all the victims.

Some wept bitterly, while others choked with emotion but felt genuinely proud. Countless people mourned the martyrs of the Yunqi and sang their praises for their bravery.

At the Yunqi Army Camp's Dongtian Square, General Shafeng and all the elite guards personally awarded medals to the martyrs.

"salute!"

Countless riders moved in perfect unison, paying the highest military salute to their fallen comrades.

Finally, there is the recognition of those who made significant contributions in the war.

Those who hunt the most monstrous creatures will be the first to be affected.

Looking at Qi Zhimu, whose aura was becoming increasingly unfathomable, a subtle mix of complex emotions and doubt flashed in Sha Feng's eyes.

"You've been fighting on the front lines for over thirty years, thank you for your hard work."

Sha Feng pinned a specially made purple-gold medal to Qi Zhimu's chest, his tone filled with emotion.

"According to the regulations of the Yiyun Cavalry, you will have a five-year long leave. During this period, you will not need to be called up for combat unless there is a major war. Take a good rest."

"Thank you, General."

Qi Zhimu's face showed no joy, only the relief of finally having waited for this moment.

After the war was over, Qi Zhimu did not go home, but went straight to Dan Ding Si and pushed open the door of the special care ward he had not seen for a long time.

The room remains as it was, as if time has stood still.

The hospital bed was clean and tidy, and the patient lay quietly in it.

Decades have passed, and time has left its mark on her face, marks that do not belong to the immortal race.

Due to prolonged bed rest and the continuous depletion of the body's energy, the person suffered from nutritional deficiencies and appeared thin and pale.

Qi Zhimu walked to the bedside and gently placed his fingers on her wrist.

Her pulse was much weaker than it had been 32 years ago, and the Tianque Danfu within her body was still insatiably absorbing everything, including life force.

If it weren't for the Dan Ding Si's relentless use of precious medicinal herbs to prolong her life over the years, she would have already passed away.

"Master is back."

Qi Zhimu spoke softly, his voice carrying an indescribable complexity.

His fingers gently stroked his disciple's pale cheek, his eyes revealing a tenderness he had never shown on the battlefield.

……

The next morning.

"Lord Zhimu, given Miss Jingliu's current physical condition, she may not survive more than ten days once she leaves the medical care of the Dan Ding Division... Please consider this carefully."

Upon hearing that Qi Zhimu was going to arrange for Jingliu's discharge from the hospital, Jiaoling was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead.

Qi Zhimu remained calm as he removed the monitoring devices from Jingliu one by one and gently embraced her.

"If Yaoqing's medical treatment were effective, why would she be in such a deep sleep?"

"If we maintain the status quo, she won't last more than three years. I've found a renowned reclusive doctor; this is her last chance."

"But……"

"I, as your master, will bear all the consequences. It has nothing to do with the Dan Ding Division. Thank you for your meticulous care over the years, Physician Jiao Ling."

After leaving those words, he carried Jingliu and strode away.

Jiao Ling was too exhausted to persuade them any further, and sighed as she watched the master and disciple disappear.

The special starship for long-distance travel was already docked in the port, waiting.

Qi Zhimu carefully placed Jing Liu in the seat next to him and meticulously fastened the complicated seat belt.

"Let's go."

Mianxue and Qinghan, in the driver and passenger seats, nodded, and the wheels turned gently.

The star raft transformed into a streak of light and soared into the azure sky, finally disappearing within the boundary gate.

No one knew where he was going, nor did anyone know who the famous doctor he was talking about was.

……

Three years later.

Yaoqing Immortal Boat, a secluded yet elegant grotto.

It was late autumn, and golden ginkgo leaves covered the long street.

A black starship swept through the air, passing unimpeded through areas off-limits to non-residents, and slowly landed in the docking area.

The hatch opened.

Qi Zhimu was the first to step out from among them.

He was dressed in a simple blue robe, his long hair casually tied up, looking like a refined scholar who had returned from his travels.

After disappearing for three years, the faint, bloodthirsty aura emanating from him had completely subsided and was no longer noticeable.

Then, a cool and aloof figure stepped out of the cabin.

A long, moon-white dress trailed on the ground, her ice-black hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, her skin was as white as snow, and her face was pure and beautiful beyond compare.

She slightly raised her head, looking at her long-lost home, her expression as if she had been transported to another world.

…Nothing has changed.

But she had been asleep for decades.