Zhou Huan found Tianya’s death rather gruesome, but it was ultimately a consequence of his own actions; no one could have saved him. All Zhou Huan could do was honor his deceased fellow practitioner and properly send him off. With Zhou Huan’s earnest request, the consultation committee for the Dharma Assembly permitted him to descend the stage to retrieve and cremate Tianya’s remains.

Xiao Yun, Tian Lang, and Dongzi and Fangfang watched as Zhou Huan carried the foul-smelling skeleton down from the ring. Shi Bingyuan stepped forward and took Tianya’s bones into a large cloth sack.

“Bingyuan, once we are out of the crowd, find a secluded spot, have someone dig a pit, and we’ll help bury him. Afterward, we’ll hold a soul-sending ritual; that should be enough to guide him to the Underworld. Though his crimes were heinous, I hope those in the Underworld grant him a fair judgment. I believe not only does feeling exist in the mortal realm, but in the depths below as well. Come on!”

Turning back, Shi Bingyuan and Zhou Huan led their group away from the stage. In less than fifteen minutes, they were outside the city gates. The competition on the platform had already resumed. Outside the city, Zhou Huan and Shi Bingyuan selected an open area, backed by large trees, facing south toward the sun—the basic requirements for a good burial site. Zhou Huan then instructed the laborers he had brought to help dig the grave.

“Master, what about these remains? His mouth seems to be moving!” Shi Bingyuan presented the pile of white bones to Zhou Huan for inspection.

Zhou Huan looked at them and smiled faintly. “It’s fine; this slight movement doesn't matter. We have done everything we possibly could. Even if he came back to life to cause trouble, I would burn his bones to ash. Come on, apprentice, prepare some glutinous rice!”

“Master, what do you need the glutinous rice for?” Shi Bingyuan did not understand Zhou Huan’s intentions.

Zhou Huan slightly raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you see he bit my hand? How can I not eat some and rub some on the wound? It won’t be good for anyone if I turn into a Jiangshi in a couple of days.”

“Oh, I see. Wait here, Master.” Shi Bingyuan proved to be quite thoughtful, pulling a small bag of glutinous rice from his own pack and handing it to Zhou Huan. “Master, is this enough? It feels a bit hard since it’s been in the bag!”

“It’s fine, hurry and give me some; my arm is starting to itch!” As he spoke, Zhou Huan took the rice from Shi Bingyuan, chewing some and rubbing some onto his arm. “Master, is it better?”

“Much better. Let’s burn his bones first, then toss them in the pit. While we’re at it, you should write some talismans and send him off properly!” After assigning the tasks, Zhou Huan pulled out a large collection of tools from his bag—talisman paper, cinnabar, and many other items.

In a short while, everything was inscribed. Shi Bingyuan proactively began chanting the soul-sending incantations, followed by Zhou Huan. Strangely, while Tianya’s bones remained undamaged during the intense fight, the talismans in Zhou Huan’s hand easily set the remains ablaze. The entire skeleton burned, emitting black smoke, before gradually reducing to cinders and turning to dust.

“Bingyuan, you’re almost done. Start laying the talismans down as you fill the dirt!”

“Yes, Master. Should we place any scriptures with him?” Shi Bingyuan, seemingly out of nowhere, produced a sutra from his pocket.

Zhou Huan looked at Shi Bingyuan and smiled knowingly this time. “Good. You are certainly more considerate. Do it your way. Afterward, we’ll head back to the inn to rest; we’ve been fighting all day. I’m tired!”

“Ah!”

Just as Tianya’s body was being interred, and Zhou Huan, Shi Bingyuan, Dongzi, and Tian Lang were about to depart, several figures darted swiftly out of the nearby woods.

“Hahahaha! Old fellow, you’ve been chasing me for almost a month! Are you tired yet? It’s the same old routine every day—seeing me means fighting, fighting until death is the only outcome. Look at your dear granddaughter down there, and that young lad Zhou.”

The moment Zhou Huan heard this commotion, he knew it must be the Two Elders of the Underworld, likely followed by Elder Brother Yun and his sister. They truly were powerful figures; how could they be unharmed after all that commotion, even after the grave was sealed?

“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!” Four figures materialized in front of Zhou Huan, completely surrounding him in the center.

Zhou Huan looked around the circle and sighed in resignation. He spoke, “I, Zhou Huan, as the junior, beg of you, sirs, stop causing trouble. Retire peacefully now. You’ve been struggling your entire lives; what are you still striving for?”

“Impudent boy! How dare you speak to your elder like that?” The Old Monster of the Underworld immediately took offense and cursed Zhou Huan.

Then, seeing Elder Yun’s completely white hair, he squinted and smiled. “Hey now, don’t lose your old dignity. He is my apprentice. Is it appropriate for you to address my apprentice that way?”

“Oh, an apprentice arguing with me too!”

“Grandpa!” Xiao Yun cried out from the side.

Elder Yun, upon seeing his granddaughter, immediately broke into a gentle smile. “It’s fine. I’ll turn this old coot into an idiot within three days, and we’ll see how he dares to fight us then!”

“Hahahaha!” Dongzi covered his mouth, stifling a laugh from below. Looking at the shape of the Old Monster of the Underworld’s head, he mocked, “I think he already looks quite idiotic without having to be beaten. How can someone fight for a lifetime and still not grasp the obvious? Now he’s finally angered the right people, and the entire situation has flipped—the supposed 'side A' is now chasing 'side B'!”

Dongzi’s comment made Zhou Huan genuinely sweat. He truly feared the Old Monster of the Underworld would retaliate against Dongzi, but by the time he thought of it, it was too late—the Old Monster’s hand had already clamped firmly around Dongzi’s neck.

“Boy, what did you just say? Dare you repeat it?”

Dongzi thought, repeating it was no different from saying it once, since he had already said it. He repeated his previous statement verbatim.

But what shocked everyone present, including the Old Mistress of the Underworld, was that the Old Monster, upon hearing Dongzi’s words, did not attack Dongzi. Instead, he turned to him and said, “Young friend, what you said was quite insightful. To be honest, I’m tired too. I won’t fight anymore. If the old lady wants to go with Old Man Yun, let her. I know that no matter how deep my devotion runs, it’s useless now.”

This declaration stunned everyone present. Who could have imagined the Old Monster of the Underworld suddenly turning benevolent? Zhou Huan blinked, unsure of what to say. He approached the Old Monster and patted his shoulder. “Senior Old Monster, what is this?”

“I’ve lost heart.”

Elder Yun was naturally delighted to hear this. “Hmph. If you two truly agree to stop, I’ll treat you to a meal in the capital. Anything you want to eat there, I can procure it!”

“Ah,” the Old Mistress of the Underworld also let out a sigh of relief. “I dismissed a man who loved me so dearly standing right in front of me, only to chase after something eternally unattainable. Am I completely foolish?” As she spoke, she turned to look at Old Man Yun. “Senior Brother, I won’t compete with you anymore, nor do I have any other thoughts. That young man’s words truly enlightened me. I realize the only person I’ve truly loved recently is the Old Monster.”

The Old Monster burst into joyous laughter, his decades-long emotional knot finally untied.

“My dear, are you serious?”

“I am serious. I won’t pursue you anymore, nor will I beg. Senior Brother and the others are our elders, after all. We concede defeat.” This sudden turn of events was almost impossible for everyone to accept. Dongzi blinked, wondering how he possessed such great influence to persuade two people on the verge of collapse. Dongzi was speechless, but his internal sense of accomplishment soared.

Zhou Huan looked at Elder Yun, then at Tian Lang. “Elder Yun, this is the situation: Xiao Yun has decided to be with Tian Lang. Let them stay by your side from now on and take good care of you!”

“That’s wonderful, no problem at all.” As he spoke, another figure flashed out of the woods and landed, immediately rushing to Elder Yun’s side.

“Grandpa, I’m here! I got lost on the way and wandered in the great mountains for more than ten days before finally getting out!”

Zhou Huan recognized the speaker’s tone and title—it was Xiao Yun’s elder brother. Judging by his movement technique alone, his brother was undoubtedly a master, far from ordinary.

After a round of warm greetings, the four elders finally reconciled, and decades of complicated affections flowed smoothly. They all decided to stay and watch Xiao Yun’s brother compete, followed by watching the culmination of the Dharma Assembly—the performances by Zhou Huan and the others’ masters for the Emperor.

In fact, after stepping down, Zhou Huan was directly guaranteed a spot in the top ten. Shi Bingyuan was also among them. After two days of competition, Xiao Yun’s brother successfully broke into the top ten. Along with the others who managed to squeeze into the rankings, they were all smoothly assigned to superior rooms at the Guesthouse, with dedicated staff monitoring their meals.

Soon, the time for the performance arrived. The sheer pomp when the Emperor appeared was staggering. He sat atop the castle of the Forbidden City, watching the various masters below display their unique skills. In his eyes, however, it probably amounted to little more than watching the halos generated when they circulated their True Qi—no different from watching fireworks during the New Year.

This grand Dharma Assembly finally concluded; anyone wishing to participate again would have to wait several years. The only thing on Zhou Huan’s mind now was Xiao He; his physical body was still in secluded cultivation at her monastery. Zhou Huan urgently wanted to rush back. He finally understood the nature of his connection with Tian Lang—it was undeniably rooted in Xiao Yun.

“Brother Huan, I’m leaving with Tianya. You’re not angry, are you?”

“No, it’s fine. Just remember, once you leave, don’t come back. Live your lives well. I will take excellent care of Rabbit. Don’t worry. Your Brother Huan will offer his blessings from afar, and you two will surely grow old together.” Zhou Huan spoke with sincerity, hoping that with these words spoken, all these matters would be resolved by the time he returned.