CHAPTER 29 What if he had stopped waiting?

Fu Changling called out to him loudly, causing all the examinees, who were discussing examination questions, to turn their gazes towards him. Everyone who saw Qin Yan then bowed to him in greeting, who nodded and then walked away without a word.

Fu Changling’s gaze did not leave him as Qin Yan walked away. Shangguan Mingyan, who stood beside him and saw the event taking place, couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity, “Does Brother Shen know Qin Daojun?”

“Hm?”

Hearing what Shangguan Mingyan Yan said, Fu Changling turned his head and hurriedly replied, “No! I just admire Qin Daojun, so I cannot help but stare.”

“Brother Shen is right.” Shangguan Mingyan also looked into the distance in yearning. “Who wouldn’t admire a person like Qin Yan Daojun?”

Fu Changling didn’t speak. He silently took a step to the side, obstructing Shangguan Mingyan’s line of sight.

He was born tall and he was also a few years older than Shangguan Mingyan. With him in the way of Shangguan Mingyan’s sight, Shangguan Mingyan couldn’t see anything.

Shangguan Mingyan looked towards Fu Changling, feeling at a loss. Fu Changling hastily said, “Brother Shangguan, your seventh question…”

Once all the examinees finished exchanging answers and the meals that were provided by the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng, it was already the afternoon. The afternoon’s literary test focused on the candidates’ own backgrounds. On the given topic, one was permitted to write or draw as long as they handed in their exam scripts on time.

Fu Changling didn’t find this difficult at all.

After all, he was born in one of the Four Clans. Even if he ordinarily seemed to be a little weird and ludicrous, nevertheless, he grew up studying the six arts of noblemen since childhood. Naturally, he was quite different compared to these ordinary folks who came for the exam from various regions.

Everyone received different topics. Yun Yu announced for a box to be brought in front of him and offered him to draw one out with his hand. Fu Changling reached in and twirled out a slip of paper. After spreading it open he couldn't help but be dumbfounded.

His test topic was ‘Beauty’.

The purpose of a sect coming up with such a topic on a test was very likely trying to test him about what beauty meant to him, thereby examining the goal he seeks to pursue in his heart. If this goal was similar to the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng’s objective, it will take the examinee a favourable person to shortlist.

Fu Changling tried to figure out what the profound intentions of the person who came up with the topic was and then mulled over the criterion the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng liked to use for selecting people.

Compared to the other cultivation sects, the origin of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng was very different.

Other sects were established either because of their special cultivation methods, such as the Daoist Sect who cultivated the Dao, the Sword Sect who cultivated the sword, the Scholarly Sect who cultivated benevolence; or passed on from unique bloodlines, such as the Four Clans: Fu, Su, Yue and Lin. But the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng had neither any special cultivation method nor was it passed on from any unique bloodlines.

The Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng was established three thousand years ago. Back then after the war of Immortals and Demons, Yunze was a piece of barren land where all neglected tasks were being undertaken. Capable people from Immortal Sects were declining and many were struggling due to the scarcity of resources. Hence, the Venerate Sword Ye Lan gathered a hundred sects and elected Seven Palace Elders to jointly establish the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng.

These Seven Palace Elders were elected from the most prestigious people among the hundred sects and the Venerate Sword Ye assumed the position of the Palace Lord. Because of Ye Lan’s status and strength, the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng became the head of the Immortal Realm of Yunze, accepted under the heavens for their collection of meritorious methods. From then on, all the big and trivial affairs of Yunze were all mediated by the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. The Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng resolved its affairs by the joint voting of the Seven Palace Elders and the Palace Lord. Among them, only the Palace Lord held control of two votes.

Afterwards, Ye Lan passed away and Yunze also entered the flourishing age of cultivation under his planning. Each and every Sect branched, their only goals were to strengthen their own sect. Only the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng has consistently preserved their inheritance from three thousand years, looking after Yunze in all manners conceivable.

Among the common people, only the disciples of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng would step forth to punish demons and expel calamities. Other sects did not pay any heed for the most part, unless it was useful to polish and refine the cultivation methods of their disciples.

What kind of person would appeal to such a sect?

Fu Changling closed his eyes. The first person that came to mind was Qin Yan.

He pictured white clothes with a sword at his back, raging fire bursting into flames in front of him, wide sleeves and a jade pendant fluttering breezily in the wind, carrying forth a man fighting a lonesome battle.

Fu Changling opened his eyes and took a deep breath. He took the writing brush and dabbed it with ink from the slab before putting down the image in his mind.

After he finished drawing, he went ahead to hand in his script. Qin Yan was meditating with his eyes closed. Fu Changling did not dare to look at him, he had only respectfully put down his examination paper with his head lowered before he urgently walked out. Once he left through the door, Qin Yan slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the painting in front of him, his eyes falling upon the name of the person.

Shen Xiufan.

“Huh.” Yun Yu had come back after patrolling the exam room. When his eyes fell on that drawing, he couldn’t help but say, “This painting looks like Shixiong.”

Qin Yan responded quietly, closed his eyes and continued to meditate.

Fu Changling walked out through the entrance and let out a deep breath of relief. Chen Zhu had been waiting for a long time by the gate and upon seeing Fu Changling walking out, he cheerfully said, “Look how early the Young Master came out, are you that confident?”

“Nine parts certain.”

After Fu Changling finished speaking, he returned to the inn together with Chen Zhu.

The second day was the test for sword skills. Fu Changling carried a precious sword studded with pearls and a jade pendant and arrived early at the test arena. Only when he reached the arena, he saw an impenetrable large crowd encircling an individual.

Fu Changling had just reached the outer circle when he heard Shangguan Mingyan’s voice coming from the inside, “Brother Shen!”

Fu Changling saw Shangguan Mingyan waving towards him in the crowd. He squeezed in tightly without any delay, finally reaching Shangguan Mingyan’s side. He tidied his clothes in the disordered crowd as he asked, “Brother Shangguan, why are there so many people?”

He panted, “It’s still early now.”

“There are many people today. Moreover, because Qin Daojun and Xie Daojun will be the invigilators together, everyone especially came to admire the charms of these Lord Immortals.”

“Invigilators?”

Fu Changling was stunned. “Isn’t it the test for sword skills today?”

“I heard that since there are so many people, a few things were altered.”

Shangguan Mingyan explained, “After getting onto the platform, Qin Daojun and Xie Daojun will attack once each. If one can still stand up after taking on both the swords of the two Daojuns, they shall pass the test.”

Having to receive an attack from both Qin Yan and Xie Yuqing’s swords in order to pass the test... it seems like the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng doesn’t wish to see even one successful candidate.

Fu Changling really wanted to understand what the person who came up with this was thinking.

“What if none of all those who’re present are able to take them on?”

Fu Changling couldn't help feeling uncertain. Shangguan Mingyan turned to nod his head and sternly said, “I will surely take them on.”

“You’re too ambitious,” Fu Changling blurted out. Shangguan Mingyan earnestly said, “Qin Daojun saved my life. In the future, I will also risk my life and follow by Qin Daojun’s side.”

Hearing these words, Fu Changling was a little dejected.

At that time, he had also saved people. Why didn’t Shangguan Mingyan remember him so distinctly?

Fu Changling didn’t think too much about it. As the gong echoed, he heard everyone cheering and then saw Qin Yan and Xie Yuqing walking in with their swords and settling down on the arena.

Both people wore similar clothing but compared to Qin Yan, Xie Yuqing had an air that seemed more aloof. She was innately born aloof-looking and cold. On top of that, she was covered in all white clothes, appearing more like she had walked out from snow.

Shangguan Mingyan looked at the two people , lowered his voice and excitedly said, “I’ve heard that although Xie Daojun has not participated in the discussions of battle on the Stage of Lords in a long time, her skills are in no manner inferior to Qin Daojun’s. Thus, in the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng, she’s the Number One Sword Cultivator of the New Generation.

“Say what you have to say.” Fu Changling felt somewhat peculiar. “What are you so excited for?”

“Don’t you think...” Shangguan Mingyan’s face reddened a little. “Don’t you think that Xie Daojun is…”

“Very beautiful?”

At Fu Changling’s interference, Shangguan Mingyan’s face flushed a deeper shade of red. Fu Changling looked at him seriously. “I still think Qin Daojun is more good-looking.”

As the two were speaking, the rules were announced from above. Those who are able to receive two attacks from both Lord Immortals will pass the test. Then he heard Yun Yu, who was standing near the top, reading out the name of the first person. “Wang Dafang from Yi County.”

As he spoke, a tall and stalwart man walked up, bowed in courtesy and spoke in a trembling voice, “This inferior one…”

Before he finished speaking, the long sword in Xue Yuqing’s hand lashed out. Only a loud bang was heard and soon after, Xie Yuqing’s ice-cold voice echoed, “Next one.”

Seeing that Wang Dafang was driven ten zhang away by the bang, everyone present couldn’t help swallowing.

Following this, Fu Changling and Shangguan Mingyan kept watching as individual after individual appeared and flew out of the arena… as they turned their heads in this recurring loop.

“Next one.”

“Next one.”

“Next one.”

Xie Yuqing’s voice was quick and cold and on the side; Qin Yan did not get a chance to take out his sword at all. He stood quietly, as if he was only a mascot who had come to fill in the space.

Once half of the people on the stage were cleared, Shangguan Mingyan’s name was finally called out. Shangguan Mingyan swallowed as he grasped Fu Changling’s hand and said, “Brother… Brother Shen… wait a minute… I have to trouble you… you must come...”

“I’ll help you collect your corpse.”

Fu Changling grasped his hand tightly and then pushed him forward and encouragingly said, “Go!”

Shangguan Mingyan sucked in a deep breath and walked up. With the spirit of one who’d see death as a source of comfort, he drew out the sword he had prepared a long time back.

Xie Yuqing struck out with a sword and Shangguan Mingyan was driven away, retreating straight to the edge of the arena. Once the sword intent dissipated, he vomited a mouthful of blood, his knee was almost bent yet he still used his sword to support himself and with great difficulty, stood up on his feet in the arena.

“Good!”

Fu Changling immediately rose to his feet, applauding cheerfully and everyone turned towards him to look. Fu Changling had everyone’s attention, and so he gave an embarrassed smile and nodded, expressing his apologies as his voice dropped to a silence.

Shangguan Mingyan wiped the blood on the corner of his mouth, stood up and trembled as he walked towards Qin Yan, bowed and respectfully said, “Qin Daojun.”

Qin Yan nodded and then pulled out his sword. Everyone held their breath as they saw him raise the sword in his hand. The force of the sword was not vigorous at all; it was like a spring breeze being launched out. After it knocked against Shangguan Mingyan, he was pushed out three zhang away.

However, even though Shangguan Mingyan was pushed out, he still remained standing.

Yun Yu saw this and hurriedly said, “Passed! Note it down, Shangguan Mingyan, passed!”

Hearing this, Shangguan Mingyan somehow barely managed to smile. Fu Changling pushed his hand on the railing in front of him and gracefully leaped up, landing on Shangguan Mingyan’s side. He held up Shangguan Mingyan, who had almost collapsed and smiled. “How is it? I told you I will come collect your corpse, did I come out right?”

Shangguan Mingyan smiled. Yun Yu standing on the stage saw this, rushed over to Fu Changling and said, “Came out at right. Come on up, Shen Xiufan.”

Fu Changling was stunned as Yun Yu walked up to his side and helped him support Shangguan Mingyan. “Young Master Shen can rest assured, we will arrange a place for Young Master Shangguan.”

“Go.” Shangguan Mingyan patted Fu Changling’s shoulder, leaned closer to Fu Changling and whispered, “Just endure Xie Shijie, Qin Shixiong will intentionally let you have it easy. ”

Hearing this, Fu Changling couldn’t help but raise his eyes to look at him. He didn’t expect Shangguan Mingyan, who seemed such an earnest person on the surface, would unexpectedly be so cocky.

This test was not over yet, and he was already calling them Shixiong and Shijie.

Once Shangguan Mingyan finished speaking, he was helped by the people of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng to leave the arena.

After the crowd was cleared, Fu Changling walked into the arena. His blue peacock robe made him look extremely vibrant against the pair who wore plain white who stood opposite of him. He raised the sword in his hand, studded with pearls and a jade pendant; its dazzling appearance made the sword cultivators in the crowd glance down at the swords in their own hands that were either black or white. In brief, it may be said their swords were simple and unadorned, completely lacking any sense of beauty.

For unknown reasons, they were all a little angry.

Xie Yuqing on the opposite side seemed to be thinking in the same way. She looked at Fu Changling’s sword and creased her brows. Then, she raised her hand and the sword flew out to attack!

Fu Changling saw the sword coming and brandished his sword towards Xie Yuqing’s force. The two channeled their sword powers together and after colliding, Xie Yuqing’s sword clashed onto Fu Changling’s body, pushing him out by a zhang.

Fu Changling’s face turned pale, but he wasn’t too distressed. Xie Yuqing let out a surprised sound of “Eh?”, hand stirring as if still thinking of hacking again. Fu Changling hastily said, “Xie Daojun!”

He stared fixedly at Xie Yuqing’s sword, “It was agreed there’ll be only one attack!”

Xie Yuqing got the words. She hesitated for a moment, nodded and only said, “May we meet again.”

Fu Changling immediately shook his head. “No thanks! No thanks!”

After speaking, he turned to look towards Qin Yan, revealing a smile, his voice much softer, “Qin Daojun, please.”

Qin Yan nodded. Seeing his movements, Fu Changling was much more relaxed in his heart.

He feared that if one were to truly take on the swords of these two people with their full strength, then today, no disciple would be chosen. He supposed that Qin Yan’s role was to support the gathering today. Like Shangguan Mingyan just now, if Qin Yan had been serious about it, then let alone standing, he might have just died.

Fu Changling smiled and looked at Qin Yan, heart filled with expectations. He missed Qin Yan’s sword skills very much.

Especially beautiful and gentle sword skills like the Sword of Blooming Spring.

However, after Qin Yan drew out his sword, Fu Changling felt that something was wrong. He felt that the movement of Qin Yan’s sword was somewhat slow. A sword cultivator’s sword movement being slow usually has only one reason.

He was accumulating power.

What was Qin Yan accumulating power for?

This was only a small test for the new students in their foundation establishing stage. As the Number One Person Under Nascent Soul, who could challenge an immortalization stage cultivator with a lift of his sword, what was he accumulating energy for?

Fu Changling felt a little panicked and in that split second, Qin Yan came forth with his sword!

That sword was mixed with the power that could topple the mountains and overturn the seas, flattening the entire arena, advancing towards Fu Changling with a turbulent force. Fu Changling’s eyes widened. There was no time to put up any other resistance so he could only raise his hand and use the sword to bear death!

The sword force broke out withering, like a violent wind sweeping away. Fu Changling clenched his teeth. He could feel all the clothes on his body ripping open from its force. The pearls on the sword split open, crackling and smashing onto his body.

He suddenly understood why the swords of those sword cultivators looked so modest.

At this kind of critical juncture, the pearl agates on the sword and what not smashed right into his face. It hurt!

Once the violent wind blew past and the sword intent dissipated, everyone looked at the distant smoke with horror. The smoke slowly scattered away, revealing Fu Changling in the middle.

He used his sword to support himself and was barely able to stand on the ground. His clothes were in shreds and hair scattered in a complete mess. His face was stained with blood marks from the broken jade as his constantly smiling eyes watched Qin Yan, unwavering.

Everyone present was stunned. Xie Yuqing also couldn’t help but glance at Qin Yan. Qin Yan looked at him indifferently. “What dissatisfaction do you have?”

When Fu Changling heard that it was Qin Yan who was talking to him, he immediately came to his senses.

Dissatisfaction?

He dare not have.

He smiled with great difficulty, wiping his teeth and swallowing the blood. “No… No dissatisfaction to be had.”

“Then why were you looking at me?”

“It’s because…” The energy flows toiled turbulently in Fu Changling’s chest. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his answer barely audible, “Admiration.”

When Yun Yu saw Fu Changling spitting out blood, he finally reacted and came over, hurriedly saying, “Passed. Yun Yang, hurry up and bring the stretcher!”

Hearing this Fu Changling felt that his life had come to an end. He failed to hold out, closed his eyes and collapsed.

When Fu Changling woke up again, he was lying on top of a stretcher. Yun Yu and Shangguan Mingyan were sitting by his side, one on the left and the other on the right. Yun Yu was airing him, looking at him with great respect. “This brother, it’s a miracle that you’ve survived.”

“Yun Xianjun…”

Fu Changling recalled his identity and immediately revealed a fevered look in his eyes. He sat up to give Yun Yu a bow in greeting. Yun Yu pushed him back and vehemently said, “Champion, first, lie down carefully.”

Yun Yu fanned Fu Changling as he spoke, “Champion, this is the first time in my life seeing a person successively taking on both Xie Shijie and Dashixiong’s swords. You not only took the hit from both of their swords but also Shixiong’s strike with his full strength intact. How terrific you are, brother!”

Fu Changling lay down heaving a sigh of relief and sensed that all the injuries on his body had been dealt with.

His wounds were all treated by mostly low level medicinal cultivators of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. Shen Qingzhu was, after all, the number one medicine cultivator of Yunze and ordinary people could not detect the presence of his medicine. Naturally, these low level medicinal cultivators also cannot make out the existence of his previous injuries and the existence of his golden core.

Hearing Yun Yu’s words, Fu Changling slowly came to his senses. Shangguan Mingyan fed him a mouthful of water and once Fu Changling was done drinking water, he feebly said, “I have a few words. Don’t know if it’s appropriate to ask...”

“Ask.”

Yun Yu aired him with a fan in high spirits. Fu Changling sighed, “That uhm, does Qin Daojun... have any opinion on me?”

“He holds you in high esteem.” Yun Yu gave him an explanation, “You mightn't know, but your grades in yesterday’s literary test had astounded everyone. The Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng has been admitting disciples through these tests for so many years, but this is the first time I saw a candidate scoring full marks. Everyone has been looking forward to you so Shixiong suspected that you’re a spy.”

Fu Changling was at loss, “Is this… considered having high esteem?”

“Isn’t that right?” Yun Yu turned entirely deadpan serious. “Do you think that just anyone could be suspected to be a spy?”

Fu Changling choked. Only after a while, he said, “Then does Qin Daojun still suspect me right now?”

“I wouldn’t know about this.” Yun Yu shrugged. “Only, as long as you’re not a spy, then there is no need to have a guilty conscience. Also, moreover,” Yun Yu said with a sincere heart, “In the future, stop lingering your stares on Shixiong—you might just botch your future for doing that. I wouldn’t have bothered to mention it to you if it weren’t for the promising future prospects you hold.”

Fu Changling smiled awkwardly. After he and Yun Yu chatted for a while, he patted his shoulder, said a few encouraging sentences and got up to take his leave.

After he left, Shangguan Mingyan hurried over with Chen Zhu and carried him back to the inn. Chen Zhu invited a medicinal cultivator to take a look at him and prescribe some medicine. Shangguan Mingyan sat with him and sighed. “Tomorrow, the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng will release the scores for the literary test. Only those who have passed the literary test and the combat test can enter the third sector.”

“Does Brother Shangguan know the details of the third sector?”

Fu Changling knew that Shangguan Mingyan and the people from the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng were well-acquainted and he had already figured out the strings he wanted to pull. Shangguan Mingyan nodded and rather anxiously said, “The third sector is to enter the Forbidden Lands of the Spiritual Mountain of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng. In the past, people would be divided into a few groups and then compete based on the quantity of spiritual herbs harvested. But this year...”

“What about this year?”

Fu Changling was somewhat puzzled. Shangguan Mingyan smiled, “It’s also a good thing. Looking at today’s situation, I’m afraid there aren’t many people to be gathered into groups. Everyone has to compete individually.”

“That’s good.”

Fu Changling nodded and after pondering over it, he continued, “However, I heard that the Moonlight Herb of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng also grows in the Forbidden Lands of the Spiritual Mountain....”

“They are located in the rear of the mountain.” Shangguan Mingyan immediately understood his doubt. “That place is not a part of the exam area. When that time comes, you must not mistakenly wander up that path. ”

“Understood.”

Fu Changling twirled the fan and casually said, “I will definitely not go.”

It was impossible.

After the Flower of Rebirth, the Moonlight Herb is the next best thing capable of restoring his golden core. The Forbidden Lands of the Spiritual Mountain in the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng are normally areas that prohibited entries. This would be his best given opportunity.

Fu Changling weaved his own little ploys in his mind. Shangguan Mingyan watched him from the side for a while and after Chen Zhu came in, Shangguan Mingyan bid Fu Changling farewell and took his leave.

Fu Changling recuperated in the inn for a night and felt a lot better. The next day, he went with Chen Zhu and Shangguan Mingyan to see the list of qualified candidates that were released. The list of names who had entered the third sector released by the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng had only twenty people altogether. The twenty people were sorted according to their comprehensive scores in the three tests. The scores of the three tests were given behind the names. Fu Changling looked up and saw the three characters of his own name, ‘Shen Xiufan’ in the first place and three 天(‘tian’) written behind it.

The 天(‘tian’) character represented full marks. Fu Changling was muddled for a split second. He didn’t think that him holding the first place was a problem but unexpectedly, he’d scored full marks in everything?

He’d painted Qin Yan and handed it in, yet he was not beaten to death?

Fu Changling was a little at loss for words while Shangguan Mingyan and Chen Zhu at his side were both happy. Shangguan Mingyan excitedly said, “Brother Shen, I knew that you will take the first place!”

Fu Changling gave an embarrassed smile. He was an individual of the future who’d retracted the wheels of time and passed himself off as his young self. It would only make him embarrassed if he hadn’t scored first place.

After getting their rankings and the entrance slip stickers from Yun Yu, Yun Yu then explained the rules in detail. “When the time comes, you will each be in teams of one, start collecting spiritual herbs, then finally add up the quantity of your spiritual herbs after exiting the place. You can move around in the areas included in the map and assemble at the boundary when the time is up. You cannot go beyond the boundary. There are many spiritual beasts roaming the Forbidden Lands of the Spiritual Mountains. Your area has only a few low level spiritual beasts. If you trespass into the other areas by mistake, it cannot be said for certain what you might run into. At that time, it will not be a question of whether you can pass the test, but rather your life,” Yun Yu deliberately lowered his voice to feign terror, “I’m afraid it would be hard to guarantee!”

Fu Changling and Shangguan Mingyan nodded repeatedly.

After a few days, everyone had almost recovered from their injuries and it was finally time to begin with the third assessment. Fu Changling and Shangguan Mingyan arrived more or less together at the entrance of the Forbidden Lands of the Spiritual Mountain. This time, since it was practically deserted, it was much quieter. Xie Yuqing and Qin Yan were standing aloft. Yun Yang was leading the twenty disciples and giving each individual a signal flare and an identity jade pendant. Yun Yu stood at the high place and loudly said, “After entering, do not fight over other people’s spiritual herbs; do not harm other people; if met with any danger, put out the signal flares and we will immediately hurry to your rescue. The time to collect the spiritual herbs will be one night and one day altogether. Tomorrow at dusk, you are required to wait at the exit, else you will be disqualified from proceeding.”

After he finished speaking, Yun Yu turned towards Qin Yan and Xie Yuqing and bowed, “Shixiong, Shijie, you can open the barrier.”

Qin Yan agreed in a low voice and took out half of an iron seal from his sleeve while Xie Yuqing took out the other half. The two parts of the iron seal joined together as Qin Yan and Xie Yuqing’s spiritual powers intertwined and crossed over. Fu Changling was looking into the distance as he listened to Shangguan Mingyan ruefully sigh at his side, “Qin Shixiong and Xie Shijie are truly a couple made in Heaven. I heard that their cultivation methods are also similar. Will they eventually become cultivation partners?”

“Not possible.”

Fu Changling had blurted out without thinking. Shangguan Mingyan was a little confused and turned to look at Fu Changling/ “How do you know?”

Fu Changling pursed his lips. He felt a little dejected in heart but he was unable to voice it loud and could only mumble to himself, “This is not a matter we can comment on.”

“You’re right.” Shangguan Mingyan nodded. He looked towards Xie Yuqing and Qin Yan as the barrier of the Forbidden Lands of the Spiritual Mountain rumbled open. The instant the barrier opened, a strong wave of spiritual air filled the sky. All the cultivators present could not help closing their eyes.

A precious place such as this, blessed by the prosperity of the Heavens, was a haven for all cultivators.

“Enter,” Yun Yu yelled in a loud voice and everyone rushed towards the Spiritual Mountain. Shangguan Mingyan also trotted in.

Fu Changling held his sword. He lifted his head to look at Qin Yan aloft, who was quietly watching them.

Standing next to him was Xie Yuqing. Under their feet, below the layers and layers of rock, were numerous disciples of the Heavenly Palace of Hongmeng.

He suddenly felt that Qin Yan was far away from him. So far that he could neither see his face nor hear his voice.

But it doesn’t matter.

Fu Changling smiled and retracted his gaze, walking into the mountain.

He can keep walking no matter the distance of the journey and if he can’t walk, he can still crawl.

As long as Qin Yan was still waiting for him.

But in that moment, something that never crossed his mind was this:

What if he had stopped waiting for him?