Myriad Dragon Divine Sovereign

A long cry echoed across the plaza.

SPLURT!

Chuu Guang violently spat out a mouthful of blood. He staggered, and Chuu Qi, who was standing beside him, reacted instantly, catching Chuu Guang as he was about to collapse.

Nan Xiang froze, crying out involuntarily, “Chuu Guang!”

Chuu Qi looked at the faintly breathing Chuu Guang in his arms and said in shock, “Brother, you…”

‘His meridians… they shattered!?’

Everyone was stunned. It happened too fast. Chuu Guang had shattered all his own meridians in a single instant, and most people hadn’t yet processed what had happened.

“Little… Little Qi… I won’t put you in a difficult position anymore. It was because of my affairs that you left Thousand Nether Valley in the first place. You swore you would never go back, but I knew… if I returned, you would have followed me. I don’t want to make things hard for you. My death… is my release.”

Chuu Guang’s voice grew weak, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

Looking at Chuu Guang, whose breathing was as faint as a silken thread, tears welled up in Chuu Qi’s eyes. He choked out, “Brother, why did you do this? Why?”

Chuu Guang turned his head to look at Nan Xiang. “In this life, I owe you nothing. Everything I did for you was of my own free will. I know you don’t love me… that you’ve been using me this whole time. But I couldn’t break free from you. Now… in this moment… I am finally released.”

Nan Xiang stared at Chuu Guang, her expression momentarily lost.

“Qingye, thank you for all your trouble.”

A smile of release touched Chuu Guang’s lips as he looked at Wen Qingye. Then, his gaze shifted back to Chuu Qi. “The Celestial Profound Sect is a good place. Chuu Qi, you must do well, you understand? Live a good life… listen to your master’s words and protect this place…”

Chuu Guang’s voice grew fainter and fainter, until it faded into silence.

Chuu Guang was dead.

Chuu Guang, who had stood guard over the Celestial Profound Sect for forty years, was dead.

A somber silence fell over the crowd, thick with sorrow.

Wen Qingye sighed to himself. ‘This Brahma Dao… it seems so mysterious and profound, but when you get right down to it, it’s just the poison of love.’

‘When love becomes a burden, it’s a truly terrifying thing.’

Zhang Zhilin and Ji Hai exchanged a glance. Neither had expected Chuu Guang to choose this escape, to take his own life.

‘What is this thing they call love? That it drives people to promise life and death to one another.’

Nan Xiang gazed at the lifeless body of Chuu Guang. She had never imagined it would end like this. It was completely beyond her expectations.

“Nan Xiang!”

Chuu Qi snapped his head up, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Nan Xiang, the killing intent within them completely undisguised.

Nan Xiang’s brow furrowed. “Chuu Qi, you need to calm down,” she said, her voice taut.

At that moment, Yum Tianyang stepped forward. He looked at Nan Xiang and said coldly, “Valley Master Nan, I presume your personal affairs are now concluded?”

Nan Xiang nodded. Taking a deep breath and glancing at the enraged Chuu Qi, she said quickly, “In that case, I’ll take my leave.”

With that, Nan Xiang turned and headed down the mountain.

“Ah, Brother Chuu, my condolences.” Yum Tianyang walked to Chuu Qi’s side and sighed softly.

Chuu Qi said nothing, silently gazing at Chuu Guang’s body.

Seventy-some years of brotherhood, through thick and thin, now severed by death. It was a grief few could possibly comprehend.

Tangg Guanzhong surveyed the crowd and said slowly, “Everyone, disperse.”

Shaking their heads in pity, the crowd began to disperse.

Yum Baobao and Mo Qing were searching the bustling crowd when their eyes suddenly lit up. Spotting Wen Qingye, they both rushed in his direction.

Yann Chuxue looked at the masked Yue Mingzhu standing beside Wen Qingye and asked in a low voice, “Qingye, who is she?”

Yue Mingzhu acted as if she hadn’t heard Yann Chuxue at all, her gaze fixed calmly on the distant, drifting clouds.

Wen Qingye clearly saw the hint of a smile in Yann Chuxue’s eyes. “A friend of mine,” he explained. “She’s seriously injured and is staying at my place for the time being.”

“Oh.” Yann Chuxue nodded, a gentle softness gracing her elegant features.

Wen Qingye’s thoughts turned to Purple Bamboo Peak. “By the way,” he asked, “who’s in charge of Purple Bamboo Peak now?”

Yann Chuxue explained slowly, “After our Peak Master died, the Great Elder took temporary command. Before long, they’ll select a new Peak Master from among the disciples.”

Wen Qingye nodded. Just then, Yum Baobao and Mo Qing arrived.

Mo Qing walked up, stared at Yue Mingzhu, and asked, “Brother Wen, who is this? When did you get someone like this following you around? How come I didn’t know?”

Yue Mingzhu rolled her eyes and pursed her lips. ‘A bunch of little brats,’ she thought. ‘All they know is how to get jealous over a man. How boring.’

Yum Baobao quickly interjected, “She’s just a friend of Brother Wen’s! She’s injured and staying at his place for now. Baobao already asked all about it.”

“Oh,” Mo Qing said, sounding relieved.

“Well, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back. You can catch up with your friends,” Yue Mingzhu said, finding the whole situation tedious. Without waiting for Wen Qingye to reply, she turned and headed down the mountain.

Watching Yue Mingzhu leave, Mo Qing huffed. “Hmph. Brother Wen, who is she, really? She has no manners.”

Yum Baobao giggled. “Oh, let it go. She’s Brother Wen’s friend, don’t be so petty.”

Wen Qingye chuckled at Yum Baobao’s adorable display. “Baobao is the most sensible one.”

Seeing how excited Yum Baobao was, Mo Qing quickly piped up, “I’m sensible too! I’m sensible too! I won’t even hold a grudge against that ugly woman for being so rude!”

“Sis, look at them. They’re acting just like a couple of kids,” Yann Xiangyang whispered with a laugh in Yann Chuxue’s ear.

Yann Chuxue watched the two of them acting childish and smiled faintly.

Meanwhile, watching from a distance, a cold, sinister glint appeared in Mingkong’s eyes.

Nearby, Wang Hao noticed Mingkong’s expression and, intrigued, approached with a smile. “Junior Brother Mingkong, what has captured your attention?”

“Nothing,” Mingkong said, quickly retracting his gaze.

Wang Hao shot a subtle glance toward Wen Qingye. “Junior Brother Mingkong,” he said with a smile, “why don’t we go over there and have a proper chat?”

Mingkong naturally caught Wang Hao’s glance and nodded. “Of course. I’ve been looking forward to getting to know Brother Wang for a long time.”

After speaking, Mingkong shot one last resentful look in Wen Qingye’s direction before heading down the mountain with Wang Hao.

Seeing that the crowd was dispersing, Wen Qingye turned to the four of them. “Alright, we should head back, too. It’s not appropriate for us to linger on Danxuan Peak any longer.”

A clear reluctance to leave showed in the eyes of Mo Qing and Yum Baobao.

Yann Chuxue nodded. “Alright. I’ll come find you when I have time.”

“Okay,” Wen Qingye agreed with a nod.

Mo Qing chimed in happily, “Brother Wen, if Baobao and I have time, we’ll come find you too!”

Upon hearing this, Yann Xiangyang couldn’t help but chuckle. “Don’t you two have free time every day?”

Yum Baobao’s face turned red at Yann Xiangyang’s words. Wringing her little hands, she gave an awkward laugh. “Not every day. Just… occasionally.”

“Alright, I’m heading back now.” Wen Qingye shook his head with a smile as he looked at the four of them.

With that, he started walking in the direction of Life Peak.

Life Peak wasn’t very far from Danxuan Peak. Before long, Wen Qingye reached the forest at the foot of Life Peak.

Suddenly, Wen Qingye’s brows knit together. He stared ahead, his lips parting slightly as he spoke into the air. “Are you waiting for me?”