AUOF - 154

This great battle caused immense damage to the Divine Realm.

A total of thirty-six immortals perished; the number of immortal soldiers was countless. The Good and Evil Deities sacrificed themselves to save all beings. As for the Supreme Dao Venerable, due to the evil essence that had entered his body and could not be dispelled, he barely held on for a year before also perishing.

The Divine Realm could not go a single day without a ruler. Now that all four deities were gone, under the recommendation of Shen Zheyou and others, Si Tu, the only one with divine blood, officially took over the position of Divine Venerable, presiding over the Upper Heavenly Divine Realm and eighteen hundred immortal officials. Her new title was Siyao.

As for Guixu, even though the myriad demons beneath the abyss had been dealt with, as long as evil in the world remained, Guixu Palace would stand eternal. Therefore, Si Tu retained the position of the Demon Suppressing Guard.

The only problem was that Guixu Palace had not completely sunk into the Guixu Sea, but its tiles were scattered, and its walls were in ruins. To restore it to its former glory seemed like a fool’s dream.

After much deliberation, Yue Zhuqing decided to abandon the original Guixu Palace and rebuild the palace gates on Huanlang Peak. Due to the massive scale of the renovation, it would take at least three to five years.

Sang Li returned to Phoenix Hollow with the Spirit Clan. The Chaohuang Tree was scarred and could no longer be inhabited. Qu You decisively abandoned their old home and led her clan members to Phoenix Hollow. They planned to build a new home in the world outside the Chaohuang Tree.

The Spirit Clan was already short on manpower and lacked resources. Someone, unknown who, spread the news to Guixu and the Divine Realm Palace. The next day, Si Tu sent many rare items, and from Guixu came Li Ningxi, bringing a group of tall and strong Demon Suppressing Guards.

Sang Li was busy when she saw Li Ningxi waving from a distance. “Little sister!”

She quickly put down her work and went to meet him.

The group of greenhorns following him looked quite young, very inexperienced. They were probably newly recruited disciples.

The people of the Nine Spirit Realm inherently believed in hero legends. When the news of Ji Hengyu closing the Heavenly Gate spread, cultivators from all four directions flocked to Guixu Palace, regardless of its current dilapidated state. Since the renovation of Guixu Palace happened to need laborers, they were all taken in after some selection.

“Why are you here?”

“Didn’t you all say you were moving from the Chaohuang Tree? When I heard the news, I came to help you.” Li Ningxi rolled up his sleeves, looking around. “Is there anything you need done? Don’t be shy, just tell us.”

“Yes, yes, Palace Mistress, just tell us what to do.”

“We’re strong, and we’re not afraid of hard work!”

The young lads grinned, eager to help.

Sang Li felt embarrassed hearing the words “Palace Mistress” and couldn’t help but correct them, “The current Palace Master is Senior Sister A’Qing. When did I marry Senior Sister?”

“...”

“............”

Silence fell. The shy youths all turned bright red.

Sang Li didn’t want to tease them further. She casually assigned some tasks, sending everyone away, leaving only Li Ningxi.

“Little sister, what should I do?” Li Ningxi bent slightly at the waist, looking at her with careful solicitude and eagerness.

Sang Li scratched her head, feeling troubled.

She had already finished everything she could do. There were some minor chores left, but having Li Ningxi do them would be overkill.

Suddenly, Sang Li seemed to remember something and looked at him suspiciously: “Guixu is busy right now too. Why aren’t you helping Senior Sister? What are you doing here?”

Li Ningxi chuckled twice, “I heard Shen Zheyou came, and I was afraid you’d be bullied.”

“...” Sang Li was speechless. “He just came to deliver some things and then left. Besides, he’s not an unreasonable person. Why would he bully me for no reason?”

In the past, their antagonism was due to conflicting stances, which Sang Li could understand. Now that everything had settled, Shen Zheyou naturally had no reason to make things difficult for her, so Sang Li also let go of her past prejudices against him.

Li Ningxi, however, stiffened at her words, instantly becoming nervous. “Why are you talking to him all of a sudden?”

Sang Li couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “If you have nothing to do, go back. Don’t embarrass me here.”

With that, she returned to her small courtyard to clean the house.

Her small house had always been kept very clean by her. The mulberry tree in the courtyard had grown to two people’s height, with lush branches and leaves. Even the vegetable patch next to it was well taken care of by her. There were few items in the house, but they were spotlessly clean.

Li Ningxi walked into the room and immediately saw the large red “囍” character on the wall. Even today, it had not faded, standing out conspicuously in the humble cottage.

His heart suddenly twinged, and his gaze followed Sang Li.

She was bending over to wipe the table. Logically, such a small task could be done with a simple spell, but she was doing it herself, very diligently.

Li Ningxi suddenly wanted to ask something, but he didn’t dare.

Now that the world was peaceful, everyone had what they wanted. No one mentioned Ji Hengyu, and no one dared to mention Ji Hengyu in front of Sang Li.

She hadn’t cried once.

He remembered that after the war ended, Sang Li simply came to Yue Zhuqing and said she was returning to the Spirit Clan, but asked if she could continue to be a Demon Suppressing Guard in the future.

Yue Zhuqing nodded, and she left.

For some reason, Li Ningxi felt a lump in his throat.

He came behind Sang Li, looking down at her quiet profile. “Sang Sang... do you miss His Majesty?”

Sang Li froze, her hand gripping the rag instantly tightening.

“You never say it, but I know you’re not doing well. You should just say it, it’s better than...”

“Ji Hengyu isn’t dead.”

“Sang Sang...”

“You don’t need to persuade me. I’ll go find him after this busy period.” Her voice was stubborn. After saying that, she turned her back and secretly rubbed her eyes.

Li Ningxi took a deep breath and didn’t try to persuade her anymore.

“I’ll go see if anyone else needs help. If you need anything, just call me.”

He turned and left.

Once he was gone, Sang Li slowly stopped her work.

The room was silent.

She looked out the window. Outside, the scenery was as verdant as summer, the mulberry tree grew wildly, and a crimson peony reached through the window.

As if by some strange impulse, Sang Li took out the small conch shell she carried and blew into it.

—No one responded.

Actually, Sang Li had secretly gone to see True Lord Wuyan Zhaoxu.

He said that Ji Hengyu’s soul fire was not extinguished, and he was wandering between heaven and earth, so there might still be a chance he was alive.

Sang Li thought, perhaps it was the divine power she had desperately cast upon him that worked, preserving a wisp of his immortal essence during the crisis. So, holding onto hope, she tirelessly blew into the small conch shell every day.

Ji Hengyu had said that as long as he was still there, he would respond to her.

When a person is alive, they always need something to hope for.

Sang Li cleaned the house, tidied the yard, and finally, carrying her belongings, took one last look at the house before moving away from the Chaohuang Tree with her clan.

**

Five years passed in a blink of an eye.

In these five years, the Spirit Clan successfully transformed the desolate and dilapidated Phoenix Hollow into a lively and bustling place. Sang Li did not stay long in Phoenix Hollow, instead joining the Demon Suppressing Guard to battle evil creatures everywhere, relentlessly searching for Ji Hengyu’s whereabouts.

Hard work paid off. One night, the small conch shell actually responded.

Though it was only for a fleeting moment, and the aura drifted from a very, very distant place, it still gave Sang Li immense hope.

The aura came from the South Pole Sea.

That was a remote immortal mountain and ghostly realm, outside the Four Mountains and not under the jurisdiction of the Divine Realm. Its remoteness also meant danger. Sang Li calculated the distance; it would take a year just to fly there.

She first bid farewell to her clan members, then visited the Divine Realm to say goodbye to Si Tu, and finally arrived at the Outer Heavenly Line’s Guixu Palace.

The current Guixu Palace stood atop Huanlang Peak, an ethereal and majestic immortal palace, its divine power greater than ever before.

The damaged Guixu Palace was left in its original location, suspended above the clouds. Enveloped in white mist, it formed a uniquely grand natural landscape.

Sang Li waited patiently for a moment, then Yue Zhuqing walked in.

Yue Zhuqing, now the Palace Master of Guixu Palace, still wore a simple light green robe. Her demeanor was more serene than before, with an added sense of composure.

Sang Li bowed, “Greetings, Senior Sister.”

“Why are you being so formal with me?” Yue Zhuqing disapproved, helping her up.

Sang Li looked past her. “Are Senior Brother Qi and my brother not here?”

“They happened to go to Mount Wu, so they probably won’t be back anytime soon.”

“No matter. Just pass on my message for me.”

Yue Zhuqing frowned, “That South Pole Sea is where immortals and demons cultivate together, competing for the same spiritual land. Since the demon realm lost its master, countless demon cultivators have fled to the South Pole Sea. Are you really going?”

Sang Li nodded, “I know it’s dangerous, but my mind is made up. Senior Sister needn’t persuade me.”

Yue Zhuqing sighed.

Her face was still beautiful, but her body was thinner, which made Yue Zhuqing’s heart ache. She stepped forward and gently caressed her face, “I won’t persuade you, I’m just worried about you.”

Sang Li chuckled. “I’m not as useless as I used to be, Senior Sister, so you don’t need to worry about me.”

Yue Zhuqing also smiled, but still couldn’t feel at ease.

She gazed into Sang Li’s eyes, silent for a moment, then opened her palm. A faint immortal light shimmered, and a lotus river lantern appeared in her hand.

Yue Zhuqing held out the lantern: “Guixu was just renovated a few days ago, so I went back to the old site to see if anything was left behind. I found this in His Majesty’s palace.” She paused, “His Majesty never had such hobbies. Seeing your handwriting on it, I thought... perhaps he left it for you.”

Sang Li looked at it, vaguely finding the lotus lantern familiar.

She took the lotus lantern and indeed found the blessing slip she had once written inside.

[Ten thousand households gaze, praying for a thousand years, clear skies and pure snow illuminate the lotus lantern. I do not seek the immortal and moon of the bright night; I only hope this present intention remains long.]

Sang Li remembered that this was a river lantern she and Si Tu had released during their training trip to Huashan City, amidst the lively crowd.

How did it end up with Ji Hengyu?

Soon, Sang Li noticed something different.

She remembered that the lanterns didn’t have stamens, but this one had a silver-white stamen.

Sang Li cast a spell with a flick of her fingers. The stamen floated to her fingertip, and under the enhancement of the spell, it slowly shed its disguise, then a crumpled little note fell out.

Her eyes filled with doubt. She unfolded it and saw that it was indeed Ji Hengyu’s handwriting.

A letter for her?

“What does it say?” Yue Zhuqing, standing nearby, asked curiously.

Sang Li said nothing.

She had finished reading the content, her thoughts hazy for a long time. Hearing Yue Zhuqing call her name, Sang Li shook her head, put away the note, and looked up at Yue Zhuqing with a smile. “Senior Sister, I’m leaving.”

Yue Zhuqing nodded, “Okay.”

Sang Li turned to leave, but her steps halted at the threshold. She looked back again. “Senior Sister, I’m really leaving now.”

Yue Zhuqing waved to her.

She also smiled and waved, her eyes red. “Tell Senior Brother and my brother to take good care of themselves.”

Yue Zhuqing said, “A’Li, you must also take good care of yourself.”

“I know.”

Sang Li blew her whistle, summoning Big-Eyed Cub, and mounted it, ascending into the clouds and flying away.

Yue Zhuqing came to the gate and watched, seeing her figure disappear into the cloud-tops, free and uninhibited, like a bird unfettered by anything.

Yue Zhuqing didn’t know if Sang Li would achieve her wish, but... even if she couldn’t find Ji Hengyu, she could always return to Guixu, return to her home.

**

Five years ago, on the eve of the great battle.

Ji Hengyu returned to Shuoguang Hall before going to the Demon Suppressing Stone.

The hall was desolate, with no bright candles lit.

His figure was solitary, almost completely merging with the darkness.

Jixun hadn’t returned yet from searching for Jiwu’s evil soul, leaving Ji Hengyu alone to wander the hall. Since Sang Li came, his cold hall had unknowingly acquired many small trinkets, such as the snow-white wind chimes hanging by the window, or the elaborately patterned inksticks on the desk.

“Jijijiji.”

Lost in thought, footsteps approached.

Ji Hengyu bent down; it was his little leaf spirit.

However, the little leaf spirit wore a red scarf, clearly the handiwork of someone.

Thinking of how Sang Li dressed up the little leaf spirit, Ji Hengyu couldn’t control his emotions and let out a soft laugh. His handsome face instantly softened. He squatted down and used his fingertip to touch the tender sprout on the little leaf spirit’s head. The little spirit had never enjoyed such treatment before. It chirped excitedly, covered its head shyly, and ran away.

The hall instantly fell silent again.

The smile on Ji Hengyu’s lips gradually faded. He sat back in his usual seat. From here, looking down, the hall was spacious, his shadow cast at his feet, and the candlelight on the table burned a fiery hole in his chest.

Ji Hengyu always felt he should leave something behind. After much thought, he picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote a few lines. After finishing, Ji Hengyu stared at the wet ink, then smiled again.

He shook his head, his expression mocking and bitter.

Too sentimental, not like his character. If Sang Li actually saw it, she might just get sad again.

Such a thing would only lead to endless helplessness.

Ji Hengyu crumpled the letter he had written and casually discarded it at his feet.

“Master, I’m back.”

Jixun flashed back, clasping his hands in a bow.

“Let’s go.”

Ji Hengyu rose, taking one last look at the palace behind him. Without lingering, he withdrew his gaze, turned, and disappeared into the wind and rain.

Jixun remained rooted to the spot, his gaze slowly falling upon the crumpled paper in the corner.

After a brief consideration, Jixun walked over and picked it up. He casually glanced at it, folded it neatly, entered a secret room, transformed it into a stamen, and hid it inside the river lantern that Ji Hengyu had always carefully collected. Then, he transformed into a shadow and followed.

This unknown letter lay hidden in the lantern for five years. Its writing dried with time, yet it never withered or rusted.

[To My Wife: In this life, I have drifted, sought countless things but found none. Regrets loom. Now, I only hope— That my beloved finds her desires, achieves her dreams, from dusk till dawn, in endless joy.]

---The End of the Entire Work---