Covering the Sky: The Years I Was the Empress's Strictest Master

You're a man who does great things now, and your vision extends further than ours, the old folks.

But... as people get older, they become nostalgic and stubborn. This is the place where I was born and raised, the ancestral land where my Xiang family has been passed down for tens of thousands of years.

I know that my meager skills are insufficient to protect anything, and perhaps one day, if chaos erupts in the forbidden zone, my old bones will be used to fill the ditch, but…”

…………

Chapter 266 Just Because of You (Please Subscribe!)

"But someone always has to stay, someone should stay, just like in these turbulent ancient times, every time darkness came, there were always people like our ancestors who stepped forward."

They don't understand the principle of preserving one's usefulness, do they? They do, they all understand...

As he spoke, Xiang Li slowly raised his head, looking at the still clear sky outside the hall, his eyes revealing a deep longing and stubbornness:

“My staying here may not change anything, but at least I can die here in the end, accompanying my ancestors, which isn’t too tragic…”

If I were to leave this time, my spirit would dissipate, and living would be no different from dying. Besides, I don't have much time left to live anyway.

My child, go forth. Your useful life is of utmost importance. As for me, in this world, I am but a dispensable thing…

As soon as he finished speaking,

Looking at Xiang Li's wrinkled face, which seemed to be filled with determination, and seeing the unwavering determination in his old eyes, Tan Lin felt a mix of emotions.

Having lived five lifetimes, how could he not understand this kind of emotion?

This is a deep-rooted attachment to one's homeland, imprinted in the depths of one's soul; it is a bond that many cultivators cannot completely sever, especially as they grow old...

"Old Li..."

Lost in thought, Tan Lin wanted to offer further advice.

Xiang Li waved his hand and laughed:

"Alright, child, there's no need to say any more."

You're nearing the pinnacle of your career, and the pressure you face is immense. There's really no need for us old folks to worry so much.

But you yourself must remember this: before you truly achieve greatness, before you possess the power to rule the heavens, you must be patient! Otherwise, all your past efforts will have been in vain…”

He took Tan Lin's hand and squeezed it tightly, his eyes filled with eager anticipation.

Tan Lin was slightly moved, but knew that further persuasion would be useless.

He pondered for a moment, then took out a jade slip and several jade bottles and handed them to Xiang Li:

"Elder Li, since you have made up your mind, I will say no more."

The array patterns condensed in this jade slip can protect the stone stronghold from cultivators below the level of a Dao cultivator, and ordinary villains will find it extremely difficult to disturb it. However, it will be difficult to overcome the calamity of turmoil...

As for these elixirs, they can prolong life and strengthen the body's foundation..."

Xiang Li looked at the gifts and knew they were a token of Tan Lin's goodwill, so he accepted them without further hesitation and sighed:

"You have a heart."

Tan Lin then looked at the remaining elders of the Xiang family and gave each of them some items.

The clan elders watched him with fervent eyes throughout the entire event, taking it very seriously.

Finally, Tan Lin bowed deeply to Xiang Li:

"Old Li, take care."

Xiang Li's eyes were slightly red, and he waved his hand:

"Go, go! If turmoil comes, don't be reckless. You haven't reached your full potential yet, so you don't need to take on any responsibility. There are only a few old geezers in the Ancestral Cave of the Overlord Body Ancestral Star."

It has existed since time immemorial, and despite the turmoil that has followed, it has never come to the rescue. Instead, it has been obsessed with some kind of fated struggle, shamelessly taking advantage of others each time.

Sometimes, this old man really wishes our ancestors had been a little more self-serving, but alas...

Enough, enough, I won't say anymore, child, go, go..."

Upon hearing this, Tan Lin gave Xiang Li and the elders a deep look, and said no more.

wow...

Immediately, his divine consciousness avatar slowly dissipated.

He knew that this parting would most likely be forever.

Originally, in his plan, whether it was Li Qingjue transforming into the Chaotic Body and attaining Dao, or him achieving great success through blood transfusion, the best time would be after the turmoil.

At that time, the tribulation could be overcome with fewer variables and interference.

Having finished reaping the rewards of the Forbidden Zone, the Supreme Being has resealed himself, and the possibility of him emerging in his full potential again is unlikely. Therefore, this timing is relatively safe.

In the ancestral hall,

Xiang Li stroked the warm jade slip, gazing in the direction where Tan Lin had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.

An elder asked in a low voice:

"Elder Li, rest assured. I observe that this young man is composed. If turmoil truly arises, he should remain hidden. Countless beings in this world are already on the verge of enlightenment. When it comes to risking one's life and saving the world, it's not his turn yet, who has not yet achieved great success..."

Xiang Li withdrew his gaze and said in a low voice:

"I hope so. But when I said those words just now, the blood in my body was restless. I don't know why. Does this mean that our lineage should be sacrificed?"

We all live in this world, so who owes whom anything?

……

Eastern Wilderness and Northern Regions

Tianchi Mountain Range, Hedao Cliff.

Tan Lin and Chi Xuan emerged from the void and landed on the cliff.

The one-month period has ended.

Today is the last day.

The fierce winds on the cliff top remained unchanged, and the sea of ​​clouds in the distance churned endlessly, seemingly no different from when they reunited here a month ago.

But it seems that everything has changed.

A month passed by, and the smile on Chi Xuan's face had quietly faded away without her noticing.

At this moment, she stood quietly on the edge of the cliff, her pale yellow dress fluttering in the wind, her back to Tan Lin, gazing at the distant clouds drifting by, silent.

Looking back, this month was one of the happiest and most unforgettable months she had experienced in hundreds of years.

She traveled to all the places he had been, saw all the scenery she wanted to see with him, said many things that had been bottled up in her heart, and left behind many unforgettable memories.

But dreams must eventually end.

Tan Lin stood three steps behind her, equally silent.

He could faintly sense the reluctance emanating from Chi Xuan, a reluctance that was being suppressed yet still permeated the air.

After a long while, Chi Xuan slowly turned around.

There were no more tear stains on her face; instead, there was a faint, relieved smile.

But deep within her bright eyes lay a hidden, unyielding sorrow.

"Brother, time flies... The one-month period has come to an end."

She spoke softly, her voice calm, yet it seemed as if she had used up all her strength.

Tan Lin looked at her without saying a word.

Chi Xuan took a deep breath, as if she wanted to inhale all the wind on the Hedao Cliff into her lungs and remember it in her heart.

Then, she smiled at Tan Lin, a smile as bright as the rising sun, yet carrying the poignant beauty of parting.

"Although I really don't want to face this moment, I still want to thank you, Brother Shi. This past month has been very happy, truly very happy. I've never been this happy before..."

Having said that, she no longer hesitated, her fingers forming a sharp, knife-like shape, the tip of her finger swirling with the unique, hazy radiance of her primordial spirit body.

Then, without hesitation, she pointed to her forehead!

Tan Lin's eyes narrowed, and his hand, hidden in his sleeve, instinctively reached out to stop him, but in the end, he did not step forward.

Chi Xuan smiled forlornly, her face still bearing a smile, but tears glistened in her eyes. She stubbornly said:

“Brother, it’s nothing. This is part of the deal, isn’t it? There’s no reason for me to break the contract if you did what I said and fulfilled your promise…”

Her voice was melodious and gentle.

laugh……

The next moment,

A tiny dot, about the size of a thumb, shimmering with a hazy spiritual light, seemed to contain the source of endless vitality and spiritual charm, which she slowly peeled away from the depths of the Sendai.

The excruciating pain of having her essence stripped away instantly turned her face ashen, her delicate body trembled slightly, and her breath visibly weakened.

But she gritted her teeth and didn't utter a sound of pain, while nourishing herself with the divine essence of the ancient tree of life.

The essence of her primordial spirit floated in her palm, radiating a soft and pure light.

Chi Xuan looked at the source in her palm, then looked up at Tan Lin, her smile somewhat pale, yet she still tried her best to maintain it:

"Take it, I hope... it can help you, brother."

She gently pushed the source towards Tan Lin.

How proud she was!

The Devouring Goddess, who truly needed this source, was not mentioned at all, but it seemed as if there was a hidden meaning in her words.

It's as if to say, I'm willing to give up my essence only because of you, and only you, and it has nothing to do with anyone else!

wow...

Tan Lin reached out and caught it. The source felt warm and smooth to the touch, yet it seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.

Looking at Chi Xuan's forced smile, yet so fragile as if she could break at any moment, he felt a pang of unease deep within his heart.

"Xuan'er..."

He called her name, but unlike before.

This time, his words were tinged with a few unspeakable emotional fluctuations.

Upon hearing this, Chi Xuan trembled slightly, and tears finally welled up in her eyes and spilled out.

Tan Lin's lips moved, but some things, when it came time to part, would always be reduced to a short, heartfelt farewell.

Therefore, he has never liked this moment, and even he, his heart is inevitably stirred.

Chi Xuan looked at Tan Lin, her vision blurred with tears.

"I...I will."

She choked back tears, then looked deeply at Tan Lin, as if trying to etch his final image into the depths of her soul:

"Brother, take care of yourself too."

After saying that, she resolutely turned around, transformed into a streak of light, and flew towards the depths of the Chi family's territory without looking back.

She was afraid that if she hesitated even a step, she would turn back and beg him to stay, to just stay with her, okay?

whoosh...

The pale yellow figure disappeared into the misty mountains, leaving only glistening tears that drifted away in the fierce winds of Hedao Cliff.

Tan Lin stood still, holding the warm and moist Yuanling body essence in his palm, gazing in the direction where Chi Xuan had disappeared, remaining motionless for a long time.

A fierce wind howled, whipping his blue robe and black hair.

He slowly raised his other hand, and there appeared in his hand a jade slip for recording images.

The jade slip contained records of the mountains and rivers he and Chi Xuan had traversed over the past month, the sunrises and sunsets they had witnessed, and... every moment of her smile.

This was something Chi Xuan secretly slipped into his sleeve before they parted.

But those who have cultivated to their level have already achieved photographic memory and have boundless consciousness. How could they possibly forget the past?

The meaning behind this move is unclear.

rustling... rustling...