*At the Taboo Tower*
"Yun Xiao!" Chu Yan, known as the Son of God,muttered this name through gritted teeth, his face twisted with hatred. Lowering his head, he walked forward, his movements stiff and deliberate. A plain white cloth wrapped around his head covered the bloody wounds where his ears once were. Though time had passed, the injuries throbbed with pain, distorting his expression.
"Chu Yan," a deep voice called out. Outside the main palace stood a middle-aged man in a black robe. He waved at Chu Yan and said, "Where have you been? Come here at once."
"Teacher Huang..." Chu Yan instinctively adjusted the bandage on his head before hesitantly approaching the man.
Without directly addressing him, the man turned toward the palace and spoke in a calm tone. "That little girl from Sword Cloud, Lin Lin, was looking for you. She's been waiting for quite some time."
"Lin Lin?" Chu Yan's face stiffened at the mention of the name.
"Brother Chu!" A sweet, melodic voice interrupted his thoughts. Turning to the sound, he saw a lively young girl in a short, goose-yellow skirt running toward him. Her bright eyes, cherry-red lips, and delicate features radiated charm.
As soon as she approached, she naturally grabbed Chu Yan's hand and pouted. "You promised to go to the exhibition with me today! How could you stand me up like that? Hmph, I'm so mad!"
Her tone suddenly shifted as her eyes focused on the bandages around his head. Concern flashed across her face. "Brother Chu, what happened to you? Are you hurt?"
"Chu Yan, did you bleed?" Teacher Huang also noticed the faint bloodstains seeping through the bandage.
"It's nothing, just a small injury," Chu Yan replied with an awkward smile, trying to downplay the situation.
"Did you hurt your ears?" Lin Lin leaned closer, her delicate features painted with worry.
"I'm fine," Chu Yan said through gritted teeth. He clenched his hands tightly, feeling blood trickle from his palms. How could he admit, in front of this sweet and caring girl, that he'd lost his ears? As the Son of Taboo Tower, such a disgrace was unimaginable. Without ears, his noble image would be shattered!
"Chu Yan," Teacher Huang's voice turned stern, "Who did this to you? Who dared to attack my disciple?"
"Exactly! Brother Chu, who's the scoundrel? I'll go back to Sword Cloud and make sure they pay!" Lin Lin puffed up with indignation, clenching her fists.
"This..." Chu Yan hesitated, panic flickering in his eyes.
Teacher Huang's gaze grew colder as he asked again, "Tell me, Chu Yan. Who dared to challenge Taboo Tower's dignity?"
"Just a weakling," Chu Yan finally sneered, his tone dripping with venom. "If it weren't for Ning Yan protecting him, I'd have killed him already!"
"Ning Yan?" Teacher Huang's brow furrowed. "Why would she intervene?"
"My Aunt Ning?" Lin Lin's expression turned sour. "Who was she protecting?"
The two stared intently at Chu Yan, awaiting an answer. After a long pause, he finally gritted his teeth and spat out, "It's a boy from the Blue Soul Sword Sect. His name is Yun Xiao. He caused a stir by disrupting the Sword Soul trials, and Ning Yan decided to take him under her wing, even inviting him to Sword Cloud."
"He's already in Sword Cloud? I'll go kill him now!" Lin Lin's tone turned sharp, her eyes blazing with anger.
"No need," Chu Yan replied with a smirk. "He's just a nobody. I've already taught him a lesson and nearly crippled him."
"Then how did you get injured?" Lin Lin's voice softened, her concern evident.
"The brat caught me off guard with a sneak attack," Chu Yan muttered, his smile stiff as he tried to maintain his composure.
"Despicable!" Lin Lin huffed. "Only weaklings stoop to such tactics. Aunt Ning must be losing her mind to call someone like that a 'rare talent.' Compared to you, Brother Chu, he's nothing but dirt!"
Chu Yan smiled bitterly, his fists trembling with suppressed rage. "Lin Lin, this scoundrel has tarnished the dignity of Sword Cloud and Taboo Tower alike. If he stays under Ning Yan's protection, he might bring shame to your family's name."
"Don't worry, Brother Chu!" Lin Lin declared. "I'll speak with my parents immediately and make sure that nobody like him is allowed in Sword Cloud. In fact, I'll have my father execute him directly!"
"If that's the case, I'll leave it in your capable hands," Chu Yan said with a relieved smile.
Turning away, Lin Lin muttered under her breath, "Yun Xiao, you think you've found shelter in Sword Cloud? You'll regret ever crossing Brother Chu!"
As she left, Chu Yan's face twisted into a sinister grin. "Yun Xiao, you think your talent will save you? Once you're dead, I'll erase every trace of this humiliation. The dead tell no tales."
*In Blue Soul and Sword Pavilion*
Under the twilight, three thousand sword cultivators returned in unison.
A glorious return!
The streets were lined with every Blue Soul sword cultivator, gathering to welcome their heroes. It was a grand occasion, the likes of which had not been seen for millennia. Amidst the crowd stood a young man in white, his presence radiant—he had become a symbol of hope, a living belief.
The procession led to the graves of the Seven of the Sword Pavilion. Over ten thousand cultivators gathered there, raising their swords high and pouring out liquor in tribute.
The spirits of the Seven could finally rest, their souls returning to their homeland.
They could now enter the cycle of reincarnation.
"Senior brothers and sisters... If fate allows, we will meet again in the next life."
Senior Sister Zhao knelt before the graves, her eyes brimming with tears. The seven spirits floated above the scene, their faces serene, wearing expressions of contentment as they dissipated into the mountains and rivers of Blue Soul.
"Elder Brother!"
Cai Maomao, who had been holding back for so long, finally collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
The dead could not be brought back to life—
except, it seemed, for Yun Xiao.
After the tribute was complete, Senior Sister Zhao stood tall. Her piercing gaze swept across the crowd of over ten thousand Blue Soul sword cultivators.
"For three years, Blue Soul has borne shame for the people of this world. We, as sword cultivators, carry the responsibility of protecting them. From this day forward, I vow to fulfill the will of our elders. Let every sect of Blue Soul unite their strength. Not a single one of us will falter. We will venture into every corner and purge the monsters that plague this land!"
She lifted her sword toward the heavens.
"Until the last evil is vanquished, we will not return to Blue Soul!"
A deafening roar rose from the crowd as over ten thousand swords were raised high. Their resolve was unshakable. They were ready—
To enter every corner.
To eliminate every monster.
This was the heart of Blue Soul.
This was nobility.
"Junior Brother Yun! Take care..."
Senior Sister Zhao turned, her black skirt fluttering in the wind as she ascended on her sword. Her figure danced gracefully against the backdrop of the moonlight. Her pale skin glowed, her bright eyes shimmering like stars. The soft wind carried the fragrance of her presence, mingling with the elegance of her long black hair that swept across her cheeks like silk.
To Yun Xiao, she seemed like a dream—
an ethereal vision of the boundless immortal path.
But Senior Sister Zhao was no dream. She was real—her strength, her determination, and her tender compassion. Her scent lingered, intoxicatingly rich with liquor and the gentle fragrance of her presence.
It was captivating.
Yun Xiao watched her leave, a soft smile gracing his lips.
"Senior Sister, take care."
That smile lingered, etched into his heart for eternity