Tian Shu Wu Wang Lu

Outside the back mountain of Lingxiao Pavilion, the setting sun, like blood, dyed the broken walls and ruins a deathly crimson.

The wind, carrying the smell of gunpowder and blood, howled through the collapsed palaces, as if still mourning the catastrophe.

Lin Ye, Shen Qingyuan, Jiang Xubai, and Ayan were already completely overwhelmed by endless grief. To protect them as they broke through the encirclement, Master Xuanzhen detonated his life's worth of star power, his soul scattered and not even a trace of his spirit remained; the once immortal sect, shrouded in celestial energy, was slaughtered by the Netherworld demonic cultivators, its palaces collapsed, and corpses littered the ground, turning it into a complete hell on earth.

After being angrily rebuked by his senior brother, Lin Ye slumped onto the cold, scorched earth, his face streaked with tears and his body trembling violently.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms, and blood flowed down between his fingers, mingling with the dust.

The image of his master's resolute figure before his martyrdom kept replaying in his mind—his plain Taoist robe fluttering in the sky amidst the demonic energy, his last glance before detonating the star power, filled with reluctance and anticipation.

Scenes of his master's earnest teachings and devoted protection flooded back: his patient guidance in cultivation after becoming his disciple, his pat on the shoulder in front of the secret realm saying "protect those around you"... Regret and helplessness were like two mountains, completely overwhelming him, and his emotions had collapsed.

Shen Qingyuan lowered her head and wept. Her usually aloof and ethereal face was completely bloodless. Her hands gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her knuckles turning white.

The excruciating pain almost suffocated her, and she could no longer maintain any semblance of composure.

She remembered the gentleness of her master when he taught her how to fly with a sword, the back of his figure that stood up for her when she was questioned, and the resolute way he used his life to pave a way for them to survive in the last moment.

Every memory is like a sharp blade, carving a bloody wound into my heart.

Jiang Xubai, his eyes red and swollen, stared intently at the broken cliff of the main peak, only able to let out a low growl that was suppressed to the extreme.

His master gave his life to save them, yet he couldn't even collect their remains or offer sacrifices to repay their kindness. He was once the sect's brightest rising star, full of vigor and ambition, but now even standing before his master is a distant dream.

His heart was filled with torment, like a net that trapped him tightly, making it hard for him to breathe.

Ayan curled up to one side, hugging his knees and sobbing uncontrollably. His grandmaster's gentle face was still vivid in his mind: always saving the best spiritual fruits for him, smiling as he patted his head and said, "Cultivate well."

...Now they are separated forever, their home destroyed. He could not bear such a heavy blow. His cries were hoarse and trembling, making people's hearts clench.

The four were immersed in painful memories of Master Xuanzhen, their cries and sobs mingling, their grief almost swallowing the ruins whole.

At that moment, the entire Cangxing Realm suddenly spun around, and the rules of heaven and earth began to operate with a roar!

The time limit for the five secret realms has expired. The previously open entrances to the secret realms simultaneously erupted with blinding light, and the power of the secret realms swept out, forcibly sending all the cultivators and spirit beasts trapped inside out of the outside world. No one could resist.

The intense light, like a torrent, dispersed the demonic energy in the airspace and broke through the stagnant space.

In an instant, the intense light subsided, the five mysterious realms vanished rapidly, and the spatial barrier solidified completely—the five mysterious realms were officially closed, leaving no trace!

Before the aftershocks of the secret realm's closure had subsided, a silver-white streak of light suddenly shot out from the void, following the deepest blood ties with Lin Ye, and sped straight toward the ruins!

The streak of light, carrying the brilliance of starlight, pierced the deathly silence and landed precisely in front of the forest.

The next instant, a small figure landed steadily.

It was a small, pure white fox with fluffy, soft fur that felt as light as a cloud to the touch, and it looked adorable and lively.

A golden flame-shaped star pattern was embedded on her forehead, shining brightly in the sunlight. Her eyes were as clear as deep-sea sapphires, lively and endearing.

Surrounded by tiny, scattered starlight, it appeared small, cute, and endearing, yet the overwhelming pressure it exuded was chilling, demonstrating its formidable strength.

Startled by the sudden presence, Lin Ye looked up through teary eyes, his whole body stiffening abruptly. Those sapphire-blue eyes, those snow-white fur, that familiar flame-shaped star mark on its forehead—it was clearly the spirit pet he had longed for day and night!

Before he could speak, the little fox spoke first, its voice soft yet clear, uttering human words:

"Master, I'm back."

Shen Qingyuan, Jiang Xubai, and Ayan turned their heads at the same time, and the moment they saw Xingjin, the grief on everyone's faces was suddenly replaced by shock.

"Peak of the Star Bridge..." Jiang Xubai exclaimed in a low voice, his eyes filled with disbelief. He had cultivated for many years and was only at the mid-stage of the Star Bridge realm. This soft and cute little spirit fox in front of him was already at the peak of the Star Bridge realm. It was simply unbelievable.

Shen Qingyuan's pupils contracted slightly, her aloof and otherworldly face filled with astonishment: "Such cultivation is actually hidden in such a body."

She could clearly feel the immense stellar energy fluctuations within Xing Jin's body, which were several times stronger than her own, a difference that was astonishing.

Ayan forgot to cry, staring blankly at Xingjin, her eyes wide with surprise.

Xingjin raised her sapphire-like eyes and looked at the heartbroken Linye. Her snow-white head gently stepped forward and rubbed against the back of his hand. The starlight flickered slightly, as if trying to comfort him, or as if expressing her joy at having something lost and then found again.

Just as everyone was in turmoil due to the return of Star Ember and the shock of its peak Star Bridge strength, a graceful figure walked quickly towards them, stepping on a gentle breeze.

Luo Li wore a magnificent gold-plated robe, with a dazzling array of jade and magical pendants tied around her waist, their tinkling sounds jingling as she walked.

She followed the demonic energy and star power all the way here and happened to witness this scene.

He strode quickly to the front of the group, his eyes filled with worry and concern, his voice soft yet firm:

"Lin Ye, Qing Yuan, I've finally found you."

Looking at the group of people who were overcome with grief, and then at Xing Jin, who was surrounded by starlight and whose aura was unfathomable, Luo Li spoke in a calm and earnest tone:

"The demonic energy here has not dissipated, and the remnants of the Netherworld are still searching for the back mountain of Lingxiao Pavilion. We cannot stay here any longer. I will take you to Danxiao Valley."

She paused, then, fearing the crowd might not understand the situation, added softly:

"Danxiao Valley is situated on the spiritual veins of the southern border, isolated from the world. It specializes in alchemy, spiritual plants, and movement techniques. Its alchemy lineage is unparalleled in the Cangxing Realm, and it has always maintained a friendly relationship with Lingxiao Pavilion for generations."

The valley is heavily fortified, making it extremely difficult for the Netherworld branch to infiltrate. It's currently the only place where you can safely heal and temporarily escape danger.

Lin Ye hugged his knees, his knuckles still white, but his unfocused gaze only slightly sharpened when he heard the words "Danxiao Valley".

Shen Qingyuan and Jiang Xubai exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of relief in each other's eyes—their master was dead, their sect had been destroyed, and they truly had nowhere to go. If they didn't leave sooner or later, they would fall into the hands of the Netherworld Demon Cultivators, without even a chance for revenge.

Xingjin raised his sapphire-like eyes and spoke softly, his voice gentle yet firm:

"Master, let's listen to her and leave here first!"

Lin Ye took a deep breath, tears still clinging to the corners of his eyes, but finally nodded slowly.

The deliveryman's nature, ingrained in his bones, made him prioritize one principle over anything else: get to a safe place first, save his life, and then he could settle all old scores and comfort his master's spirit in heaven.

Seeing this, Luo Li said no more. With a wave of her jade hand, a light blue boat-shaped magic artifact flew out of her storage bag. It grew as it rose in the wind, instantly transforming into a several-zhang-long azure spirit boat. The boat was engraved with fine pill patterns, shimmering with spiritual light and exuding a sense of stability.

"Come on up, I'll take you on an immediate journey to southern Xinjiang."

Ayan had already cried until he was exhausted, and Jiang Xubai helped him up; Shen Qingyuan helped the distraught Lin Ye step by step onto the spirit boat; Xingjin flashed and lightly jumped onto Lin Ye's shoulder, his fluffy white fur brushing against his cheek, and starlight sprinkled down, as if to comfort him silently, or to protect him in silence.

The Azure Spirit Boat shone brightly, soared into the sky, avoided the airspace thick with demonic energy, cut through layers of gray clouds, and sped towards the southern border.

The boat moved swiftly, quickly leaving the ruins of Lingxiao Pavilion far behind.

No one spoke much on the boat; only the howling wind and occasional low sobs could be heard.

Lin Ye gazed at the rapidly receding, devastated landscape below, clenching his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms.

Lingxiao Pavilion is gone, Master is gone, Lu Chenyuan is lost, but he is still alive, with his senior brothers and sisters by his side, and Xingjin.

He looked down at Star Ember on his shoulder; the little creature was gazing at him with sapphire-like eyes, the starlight gentle.

Lin Ye raised his hand and gently stroked its snow-white fur, feeling the warmth on his fingertips. The despair in his heart was gradually replaced by a sliver of resilience—his master had risked his life to protect him, not to let him succumb to this fate.

One day, he will return, raze the Netherworld Branch to the ground, pay for the blood debt, rebuild the Lingxiao Pavilion, and let his master's name resound once more throughout the Cangxing Realm.