"This boy's future is immeasurable!"
Yao Lao's soul was hidden within the ring on Xiao Yan's hand. He restrained all his soul power to avoid drawing Gu Fei's attention. However, even within the ring, Yao Lao felt the vast soul power of Gu Fei earlier, leaving him utterly shocked.
After the black energy was completely burned away, the previously chaotic and frenzied Yun Shan finally calmed down, and his consciousness gradually returned to clarity.
Seeing this, Yun Yun's face lit up with joy. While Yun Shan's recovery delighted her, she was even more grateful that Gu Fei had chosen to help her.
"Thank you, senior, for your assistance. Yun Shan will never forget your great kindness!"
Now fully conscious, Yun Shan expressed his gratitude to Gu Fei. He hadn't expected that his cooperation with the Soul Hall would nearly bring him to such a disastrous end.
Many elders of the Misty Cloud Sect also began thanking Gu Fei, but he couldn't be bothered to acknowledge them.
Meanwhile, the injured Gu He, who had been struck by Yun Shan, was almost entirely ignored. Only his direct disciple, Liu Ling, came over to support him.
"Yun'er, I have wronged you!"
After thanking Gu Fei, Yun Shan immediately turned to Yun Yun and apologized, his attitude extremely sincere, even bordering on humble.
Yun Yun, however, remained indifferent. She had already done everything she could for her master and the Misty Cloud Sect. At this moment, she no longer felt much attachment to either.
"Master, now that you have returned, I will completely step down as the Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect… The world is so vast, and I wish to explore it!"
Yun Yun directly expressed her intentions. She had already made up her mind: from now on, she would live for herself, not for the Misty Cloud Sect.
Yun Shan's face was filled with regret upon hearing this. He could hear the coldness in Yun Yun's voice and knew that his past mistakes had left her heartbroken. He didn't have the face to ask her to stay.
"Very well," Yun Shan said with his head bowed.
"Master, are you really leaving?"
Nalan Yanran looked at Yun Yun.
Yun Yun met her gaze, her eyes firm, and she nodded solemnly.
"The Dou Qi Continent is so vast. I've long wanted to venture out and train. Master, I'll go with you…"
If Yun Yun left, there would be little reason for Nalan Yanran to stay at the Misty Cloud Sect. Moreover, after losing the three-year challenge, she was eager to grow stronger. Leaving the Jia Ma Empire might be the shortcut she needed.
In just one day, both the Sect Leader and the future Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect decided to leave, leaving the sect's members reluctant to see them go.
"Is she really leaving?"
Gu He watched Yun Yun from afar. He wanted to say something to her, but knew he no longer had the right.
Now that Yun Shan and the other elders of the Misty Cloud Sect had awakened, Jia Xing Tian and Hai Bodong felt a tinge of melancholy.
"With this old guy alive, the Jia Ma Empire won't have much peace," Jia Xing Tian said with a slight frown.
"It's fortunate that Senior Gu Fei intervened, helping the Jia Ma Empire. If Yun Shan had been allowed to go mad, the entire empire would have faced disaster," Hai Bodong added. "But there's no need to worry too much. Although Yun Shan is alive, the sect is now in disarray, with both the Sect Leader and future Sect Leader leaving. The Misty Cloud Sect won't dare challenge the Jia Ma royal family again."
Among the crowd, Nalan Jie looked up at the sky where Gu Fei, who had once saved his life, was standing. His heart was filled with gratitude. At the same time, his gaze fell on Nalan Yanran standing beside Yun Yun. If Nalan Yanran could only be with this senior...
After settling matters with the Misty Cloud Sect, Yun Yun looked toward Gu Fei.
As she gazed at him, her previously stern and resolute expression softened, and her body visibly relaxed.
Gu Fei could feel that Yun Yun's emotions had shifted completely. She now seemed lighthearted and even joyful.
"Gu Fei…"
"You're not going to say you want to serve as my slave again, are you?" Gu Fei interrupted her before she could speak.
Yun Yun smiled awkwardly. Indeed, she had promised to be his slave if he saved Yun Shan, and she was prepared to follow through on that.
"Just so you know, I don't need a maid, only a friend."
Gu Fei's words lightened the atmosphere, dissipating much of the heaviness that had surrounded the events at the Misty Cloud Sect.
"Well, if you don't need a maid, I'll go see the world instead."
"Before I go, I'd like to know- if I want to look for you in the future, where can I find you?"
Yun Yun asked with a smile. Now that she had stepped down as Sect Leader, she no longer had to worry about public opinion. She could do what she wanted, without considering the sect's interests.
Looking into Yun Yun's bright eyes, Gu Fei replied seriously, "In the Eastern Region, the Gu Realm."
He was happy Yun Yun had made this decision. At least now, she wouldn't be burdened by the Misty Cloud Sect and could live for herself.
"Alright, I'll remember! If fate allows, we'll meet again!"
Yun Yun's smile was radiant, as if all the spring breeze of the Misty Cloud Sect had gathered on her face.
Seeing Yun Yun's sweet smile, Gu He lowered his head, grabbed Liu Ling's hand, and quietly disappeared into a corner where no one noticed.
"The Misty Cloud Sect has lost a great leader."
Jia Xing Tian, who knew Yun Yun well, sighed in regret.
"I heard that this senior had recently visited your Jia Ma royal family. You aren't planning anything suspicious, are you?" Hai Bodong asked, implying something.
Jia Xing Tian smiled mysteriously without giving a direct answer. This left Hai Bodong anxious, secretly deciding to investigate the relationship between Gu Fei and the Jia Ma royal family.
With everything settled, Gu Fei looked at Cai Lin beside him.
"Let's go back. Rest for the night, and we'll head to the Snake-People Tribe tomorrow!"
Cai Lin had quietly witnessed everything. However, she remained silent, standing behind Gu Fei.
She knew about Yun Yun's relationship with Gu Fei and didn't want to make things difficult for him.
"Let's go!" she smiled slightly.
With that, Gu Fei and his group left the Misty Cloud Sect. Queen Medusa was somewhat excited, knowing they would soon prepare for the tribe's migration, fulfilling a long-held dream.
At the Misty Cloud Sect, the crowd dispersed, but Xiao Yan stayed hidden among them, not showing himself.
He had begun to suspect something about his father's disappearance. The entire Misty Cloud Sect had been tainted by the so-called Hall of Souls.
If it wasn't the Misty Cloud Sect behind it, then it could only be them. But why would the Hall of Souls do such a thing?
Xiao Yan didn't know. He still had more to investigate.
After today, all the powers would know that the Misty Cloud Sect would be much more restrained in its actions within the Jia Ma Empire.
At the very least, if Yun Shan wanted to strengthen the sect, he would have to direct his aggression elsewhere.
(TL/n: This doesn't make sense. Even though they lost one Dou Emperor, Yun Yun, they still gained a Dou Ancestor and many Dou Emperors from this. If anything Misty Cloud Sect is stronger as ever.)