Chapter 159: Chapter 157: A Hero Is Not Judged by His Origin

At this moment, Sen Yue’s army was awash in a sea of celebration.

But amidst the joy, many people were also worried.

They worried whether they would be able to follow Sen Yue into the Xuanyu Blessed Land.

The Xuanyu Blessed Land was a small world.

Although it held countless mysteries and even Sacred Artifacts.

But it was obvious Sen Yue would never take all of his subordinates into the Xuanyu Blessed Land.

Doing so would greatly diminish his own benefits and shatter the established order!

In particular, those who weren’t from the Changkong Clan, like Dongfang Xuezhi, were especially worried.

「Beast Rushing Mountain Range.」

「The commander’s tent in the northern camp.」

Dongfang Xuezhi was inside, with Dongfang Moran and Fang Yang seated across from her.

"Sigh... I wonder how the Monarch will decide the placements?" A hint of melancholy crossed Dongfang Xuezhi’s exquisite face.

Dongfang Moran gently waved his feather fan. "With our status and position, we shouldn’t be excluded," he said calmly. "Especially since the Great Calamity occurred in our old homeland, the Cloud Sea Archipelago..."

Dongfang Xuezhi only managed a helpless smile. "The Guan River Festival was canceled because of the Great Calamity. What’s ’supposed’ to happen anymore?"

With that, Dongfang Xuezhi looked at Fang Yang, a touch of envy on her face.

Both she and Dongfang Moran knew that no matter how the selections were made, Fang Yang was a shoo-in for the Xuanyu Blessed Land.

Fang Yang drained a bowl of milk tea in one go. "I don’t have any real power," he said. "If I could, I’d definitely get you into the Xuanyu Blessed Land."

Though they were only words of comfort, they brought Dongfang Xuezhi immense reassurance.

But Fang Yang himself was not so optimistic.

He knew deep down that if things kept going this way, his situation would become precarious.

’What would happen if I don’t live according to Sen Yue’s wishes?’

’But if I do live by his wishes, does that mean my pursuit of the Path of Longevity must be dependent on him?’

’If Sen Yue ever covets anything I have, he’ll devour me whole, leaving nothing behind—just like this grand ritual!’

「Meanwhile.」

「In the distant lands of the Changkong Clan.」

Upon receiving news that Sen Yue had ended the Xuanyu War, the people of the Changkong Clan were all overcome with joy.

The descendants of the Saints, like Qing Mang, were particularly ecstatic.

"Fang Yang..."

Qing Mang’s gaze was frigid. Trident in hand, he unleashed the formidable aura of a Tier Three Elementary cultivator.

At his side, an even larger electric python materialized.

The python’s aura had clearly reached the Tier Two Peak!

With the help of his Saint ancestor, he had managed to break through to the Tier Three Elementary realm—a remarkable feat.

But he was still no match for Sen Wei.

「Fanliu Blessed Land.」

「Beneath the giant willow tree.」

Sen Wei’s Dragon Robe billowed in the wind, her gaze heart-stopping.

"Xiaohui, let me. I’m a Tier Four Elementary cultivator, after all."

Sen Wei smiled dotingly. "It would be much easier for me to retrieve the Silver Flower Fire Tree Spiritual Object."

Sen Hui shook her head stubbornly. "Sister, I’m a Tier Three Elementary cultivator now. I can’t keep troubling you."

At this moment, Sen Hui’s heart was brimming with joyous anticipation.

Because after two years, she could finally see Fang Yang again!

And very soon, she could invite Fang Yang to watch the Silver Flower Fire Tree bloom!

High above in the heavens, Saint Fan Liu watched, his eyes growing distant as he drifted into memory.

...

「Three days later.」

「The White Feathered Eagle encampment of the Bronze Tribe.」

Fang Yang saw off Mingxin the acolyte and accepted the Purple Gold Secret Order.

Qinglian Snow Mountain!

Sen Yue wanted him to depart and arrive at Qinglian Snow Mountain before nightfall to meet an old acquaintance.

But there was one problem: Qinglian Snow Mountain was Sen Wei’s personal palace, a mountain that had been moved back to the Changkong Clan’s territory long ago.

’So, Sen Wei and Sen Hui are back?!’

’Two years of only exchanging letters and Memory Stones... can this affection truly last?’

Fang Yang’s gaze fell upon the Purple Gold Secret Order, his eyes dark and profound.

Behind him, his two clan uncles, Lu Yao, and the others all wore varied expressions upon learning he was heading to Qinglian Snow Mountain.

Some were joyful, some were surprised, and some were worried. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Among the worried was Lu Yao.

Under Lu Yao’s worried gaze, Fang Yang boarded the carriage.

He and his Second Uncle departed for the headquarters of the Thunder Punishment Banner, bound for the distant Qinglian Snow Mountain.

...

「Qinglian Snow Mountain.」

Snowflakes drifted down. Urged on by her sister, Sen Hui stepped out of the palace.

Before long, she saw him in front of the palace—the handsome figure she had yearned for day and night.

Fang Yang!

Fang Yang’s face was as smooth as jade, with a high-bridged nose and deep, dark eyes that held a hint of cool indifference. He was dressed in a black-feathered robe with great, billowing sleeves. There was a devilish charm to his handsomeness, and his aura was utterly captivating.

Fang Yang stood alone, his head bowed as he admired a branch of plum blossoms.

When he heard the movement, he looked up.

"A... Ah Yang?" Sen Hui’s flawless, fair face flushed a brilliant red.

Meeting again after two years, both felt a subtle change in the air between them.

Fang Yang offered a slight smile. "Long time no see."

Then, he took the first step, walking toward her.

At first, their conversation was a bit awkward.

But when Fang Yang deliberately steered the conversation toward the art of the Alchemist Doctor, their rapport gradually returned, and they grew more comfortable.

Sen Hui’s starry eyes sparkled with satisfaction, especially when Fang Yang was able to field every one of her imaginative questions and novel ideas.

’Fang Yang... he hadn’t neglected her, and he hadn’t forgotten to study the art of the Pill Master!’

Fang Yang, meanwhile, was secretly thanking his lucky stars.

’If I hadn’t done some last-minute cramming, I probably would have disappointed her.’

「The night deepened.」

Dark clouds obscured nearly all the stars, leaving only a few faint lights to struggle through.

"Ah Yang, let’s go watch the Silver Flower Fire Tree bloom," Sen Hui said, her bright eyes blinking.

Then, though her steps were as graceful as a lotus, she couldn’t help but skip ahead with excitement.

Following her lead, Fang Yang finally laid eyes on the Silver Flower Fire Tree.

The Silver Flower Fire Tree was colossal, resembling a coiling, ascending Flood Dragon of silver and vermilion.

It looked as if it might erupt into brilliant fireworks at any moment, a truly magnificent sight.

When the night breeze rustled through its leaves, it created a sound more beautiful than the chime of a clear spring.

Sen Hui tilted her head up, gazing at Fang Yang expectantly, waiting for his verdict.

"It’s beautiful. I love it. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble, Xiaohui."

"Hee hee."

In that instant, Sen Hui’s face blossomed into a smile, her charm outshining the flowers themselves.

Her smile was one of sheer, captivating beauty, leaving Fang Yang momentarily dazed.

The next moment.

The Silver Flower Fire Tree burst into full bloom, painting one incredible spectacle after another across the sky.

A fish leaping the dragon gate, a lotus flower blooming, a Star Realm reborn... each scene more brilliant and dazzling than the last.

This was truly the most magnificent firework display Fang Yang had ever seen.

In the charged atmosphere, the two drifted closer and closer together.

Fang Yang could even hear Sen Hui’s breathing, which had suddenly become quick and uneven.

’Gather ye rosebuds while ye may...’

’Besides, having come to Qinglian Snow Mountain, do I have any other choice?’

’In that case, I’ll have to take drastic measures. I won’t even give them a chance to regret this!’

Fang Yang’s resolve hardened.

He let his large hand swing slightly, gently brushing against her soft one.

Sen Hui trembled as if struck by a bolt of lightning.

But a moment later, she made a bold move, taking the initiative and clasping his large hand in hers.

BOOM—

Vaguely, Fang Yang thought he heard a great clap of thunder echo across the heavens.

「Behind the palace.」

It was deathly silent.

Sen Yue and Sen Wei stood gazing silently into the distance.

They took in everything Fang Yang and Sen Hui were doing.

At this moment, they were like two true dragons, one large and one small, their gazes as deep and immeasurable as an abyssal sea.

But when they saw the brilliant smile on Sen Hui’s face, they, too, began to smile.

’Fang Yang, as long as you can keep Xiaohui happy, I will guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and glory. I’ll even ensure you become a Saint!’

The siblings never spoke these words aloud.

But it was a promise they both made.

Of course, if Fang Yang ever broke Sen Hui’s heart, he couldn’t blame them for using thunderous means to ’correct’ him.

A gentle breeze drifted by. Sen Wei suddenly spoke in a low voice, "Brother, what really happened with the Great Calamity?"

"There’s already a public consensus," Sen Yue said with a light smile, shaking his head. "It was the work of the Human Desire Cult."

With that, Sen Yue said no more.

’Saints transcend the mortal world.’

’Besides, as long as I forge the Taiyin Immortal Body during my Hundred-Year Celestial Mandate, everyone will have to answer to me.’

’And I already have a plan!’

’And I don’t just want to become the Lord of Taiyin; I want to reverse the process and claim dominion over the Sun as well!’

’When Taiyin and Taiyang are one, on the path to becoming a Venerate, who could possibly stand in my way?’

’What’s more, since I have a Great Saint for a father, why not use that connection?’

’A hero isn’t judged by his origins.’

’If I ultimately succeed, people will naturally be there to cover up the dirty details and sing my praises!’