My little sect, which disappeared a thousand years ago, has become a sacred site!

Gu Changyuan's lips curled up slightly, revealing a genuine smile.

"Let's go check on these three lads."

With a flash, he appeared in mid-air with Bai Ling'er and Gu Xing'er, overlooking the three quiet chambers brimming with spiritual energy. The pillar of light lasted for about fifteen minutes, as if they were telepathically connected.

They began to converge and dissipate at almost the same time.

"Hahaha! That was exhilarating! I never expected the Nine Netherworld Fire essence to be so pure; subduing it was several times easier than I anticipated!"

A hearty, unrestrained laugh came from where the crimson pillar of light had dissipated, and a figure dressed in a crimson robe with fiery red hair rushed out of the quiet room first—it was Xiao Yi.

His aura surged, and he had already firmly stood at the peak of the Tribulation Transcending Realm. The laws of fire flowed in his eyes, exuding an imposing aura.

"Indeed strange, Fifth Senior Brother."

Dressed in a long white robe, Yun Tianhe, with a gentle yet profound temperament, stepped out slowly, his face showing surprise and joy.

"My comprehension of the sword during this seclusion was incredibly smooth, as if an invisible force was propelling me forward."

"Feel the same."

The tenth disciple, Han Feng, moved with agility, his blue robes fluttering in the wind, his tone full of surprise.

"My understanding of the 'Way of Extreme Wind' goes straight to the source, saving me countless hours of hard work. It's as if someone is guiding me!"

The three of them had clearly gained a lot and were in high spirits. They sensed each other's presence and were about to gather for a chat when they almost simultaneously sensed someone above them.

"Huh? That's Third Senior Sister's aura. And who's next to her...?"

Xiao Yi was the first to look up, his gaze sweeping over Bai Ling'er before landing on the black-clad figure standing beside her with his hands behind his back, exuding a calm yet undeniable aura.

Just one glance.

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Xiao Yi's smile froze, and his pupils suddenly contracted. Yun Tianhe's gentle expression was instantly replaced by immense astonishment, and his mouth opened slightly.

The gentle breeze surrounding Han Feng suddenly stopped, and his tall, upright body swayed almost imperceptibly.

The three of them stared intently at the face that had haunted their dreams for a thousand years, yet now seemed so real it was almost unreal.

My mind went blank; all my joy and doubts were instantly overwhelmed by a torrent of disbelief.

"Master...?"

Xiao Yi's throat was dry, and he almost uttered two words.

The voice, though soft, jolted Yun Tianhe and Han Feng awake like a thunderclap.

Seeing Bai Ling'er nod and smile at them, her eyes filled with certainty and excitement, the three of them snapped out of their daze!

"Master—!!!"

Without a word, three figures transformed into streaks of light and rushed toward Gu Changyuan in mid-air at their fastest speed ever!

The momentum seemed to unleash all the longing, worry, and ecstasy accumulated over a thousand years, making one want to rush forward immediately to confirm that this was not an illusion.

Gu Changyuan watched as his three disciples rushed over with their eyes instantly reddening, especially their "I don't care, I just want to hug you" attitude, and his lips twitched almost imperceptibly.

He, Gu Changyuan, is, at heart, a straightforward... well, meticulous person.

The thought of three grown men rushing up to hug him is quite bizarre.

If one is still needed, then three together is probably not a good idea.

Xiao Yi, Yun Tianhe, and Han Feng abruptly stopped, their faces contorted with excitement, simultaneously revealing a look of astonishment, confusion, and... an undisguised hurt.

Master...Master, were you serious about taking that half-step back?

Xiao Yi's expression fell, Yun Tianhe looked innocent, and Han Feng's lips twitched slightly.

The atmosphere that froze in that instant had an inexplicable sense of absurdity.

Seeing this, Gu Changyuan couldn't help but chuckle, the laughter breaking the slightly awkward silence:

"Alright, we're all grown men, let's stop with these mushy scenes."

Back then, he was very approachable with his disciples, treating them as both teachers and friends. Now that he has returned after experiencing countless tribulations, he is even less inclined to put on those formalities.

Upon hearing that familiar, teasing, and gentle voice, the small "grievance" in the three people's hearts was instantly overwhelmed by even more surging emotions.

A thousand years of waiting, a thousand years of worry, a thousand years of perseverance... Countless words stuck in my throat, finally turning into an uncontrollable soreness in my eyes.

Gu Changyuan looked at his three disciples' eyes, which instantly reddened, and felt a surge of emotions.

He floated forward and extended his right hand, patting each of the three people on the back with a light touch.

The hand landed, carrying real warmth and an invisible comfort.

"I'm back, and I won't be leaving again. You've all worked so hard these past years."

Xiao Yi suddenly lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Yun Tianhe raised his hand and rubbed his eyes hard. Han Feng pursed his lips and took a deep breath.

There were no loud sobs, no endless lamentations, but this silent emotion conveyed the weight of these 1,100 years more powerfully than any words.

......

Boom!Boom!Boom!Boom!

Four deep, resonant chimes, as if falling from the heavens, layered upon layer, pierced through the last rays of the setting sun, echoing throughout the entire Tianyuan Mountain Range.

The council bell rang, and it rang four times.

The elders of the Celestial Holy Land were all too familiar with the meaning of this bell—one ring summons the elders, two rings summon the Supreme Being, three rings summon the Taiyin, and four rings bring all three levels of the hall together.

This means that all serving ordinary elders, supreme elders, and Taiyin elders, as long as they are in the holy land, must immediately put down whatever important matters they have and go to the Tianyuan Mountain Council Hall to assemble.

Now, during the Heavenly Abyss Holy Ceremony, almost all the elders of the Holy Land have returned, and this happens to be the moment when all the elders are present at the same time.

No sooner had the bell tolled than streaks of light shot up from the ten peaks surrounding Tianyuan Mountain, hurtling toward the council hall at the heart of Tianyuan Mountain.

The stream of light fell precisely on the square in front of the palace, transforming into figures with profound auras and different attire.

The crowd entered solemnly and steadily, without whispering to each other; the only sound was the soft rustling of their clothes.

The main hall was extremely spacious, with a high dome that seemed to shimmer with star patterns.

The ground was covered with dark jade that clearly reflected people's images.

Hundreds of simple, ancient-style prayer cushions are neatly arranged on both sides, stretching as far as the eye can see.

This futon may look ordinary, but if it were placed in the outside world, countless cultivators would fight tooth and nail to get it.

After all, which cultivator wouldn't want a spiritual object that can nourish the soul and accelerate the circulation of spiritual energy?

The seats closest to the temple gate are for ordinary elders, and they are the most numerous.

Extending inwards, there is a slightly higher seat for the Supreme Elders, with more intricate carvings.

At the very front, near the main platform, were two rows of jade lotus pedestals suspended three feet above the ground, radiating a faint moonlight-like glow—the very seats of the Taiyin Elders.

The sight inside the hall made every elder who entered jump in fright.

On the throne of the Holy Ancestor, which had been vacant for a thousand years and symbolized the highest authority of the Holy Land, sat a young man.