Ye Wen opened his mouth, swallowing back the words he intended to speak. He stood there, looking at Dongfang Kui for a long moment before finally saying, "You've... been here the whole time?" Dongfang Kui hummed an affirmation and said no more, still seated on the swing.

"Why?" Ye Wen was deeply puzzled. Why would Dongfang Kui agree to live in this almost secluded place for fifty full years, with no contact with the outside world and never descending the mountain? It was simply unimaginable.

Dongfang Kui’s smile became even more captivating. She tilted her head slightly, "Because you asked me to guard this place!"

Ye Wen remained silent, realizing he had nothing left to say. After what felt like an age, he finally murmured in a low voice, "Fool!" Yet, the moment the word left his lips, he felt a strange dissonance, even silently grumbling to himself, "Hey, hey! Aren't the lines mixed up here?" But beyond that, he truly couldn't think of anything else to say. A quiet settled back into the small, isolated valley. However, unlike the silence before when no one could speak, this was a different kind of stillness.

After glancing at Dongfang Kui a few times and seeing her still gazing fixedly at him, Ye Wen fled into the Glazed Jade Cave as if escaping. Only when he was inside the cave and turned back to see Dongfang Kui hadn't followed did he finally exhale a long breath.

"Oh? This... seems like the reaction is misplaced too, doesn't it?" After a bitter, self-mocking smile, Ye Wen walked to the corner where he had hidden the secret manuals. The great stone he had placed there remained silently in its spot, now covered with a thick layer of dust, moss, and other vegetation, clearly undisturbed for ages.

Letting out a breath of relief, Ye Wen channeled his Purple Qi Tianluo and moved the massive stone aside. Then, with a clap of his palm, a gust of wind erupted, causing the compacted ground beneath to burst open again. The force of Ye Wen’s strike was perfectly measured; while destroying the covering debris, it didn't harm the contents inside in the slightest.

He reached in and retrieved the box. After a quick look, seeing that everything inside remained untouched, Ye Wen sighed, "The output from this Ring is indeed top quality. Fifty years have passed, and these scrolls look brand new!" He then swept them all into his Josephine Ring.

Turning around, he glanced at the spring water that was still emitting a biting cold. Now, this chill could no longer affect Ye Wen. He could even use the heat generated by his internal power to evaporate the cold spring water entirely, but he wouldn't do something so nonsensical, so he simply left.

The spot where the Crimson Fruit had grown was now bare. It seemed the fruit was not something that continuously regrew; after that single specimen appeared, it vanished without a trace. Ye Wen wondered if another would ever grow in this world, or where such a fruit might appear.

However, Ye Wen privately speculated that the fruit might have been condensed essence and spiritual energy from the Nine Provinces Cauldrons, aligned with the Five Elements. He had obtained the fire-attributed fruit; perhaps Xu Xian had received the water-attributed one. As for Li Xiaoyao, Ye Wen guessed he might have the metal-attributed fruit. This suggested there were at least two more fruits—wood and earth—but he didn't know who might have obtained them.

Ye Wen had certainly considered obtaining those two fruits himself, but he hadn't fully refined the Nine Provinces Cauldrons yet, leaving him no way to search for them. Perhaps only after completely refining the Cauldrons could he command them to reveal the fruits' locations.

Emerging from the cave, Dongfang Kui was already standing at the entrance, her hands folded in front of her.

"Why didn't you come in?"

"I knew you had things to do!" Dongfang Kui’s voice was soft now, and as she walked, her steps were tiny, her skirt barely stirring—truly moving with delicate grace.

Fortunately, Dongfang Kui walked at a decent pace, so Ye Wen didn't need to slow down specifically for her. He simply said, "Now that I've returned... you don't need to keep guarding this mountain anymore! From now on, you can go wherever you wish; you won't have to live a life like a prisoner..." As he spoke, he suddenly noticed her footsteps had ceased beside him. Puzzled, he turned around to see Dongfang Kui staring fixedly at him, silent, her expression complex.

Ye Wen paused, confused by her reaction.

Then he heard her softly ask, "Sect Master Ye... are you sending me away?" Only then did he understand; she had misinterpreted him.

"No, it's just that you no longer need to laboriously guard this desolate place!" Ye Wen no longer placed much value on this back mountain. If his plans succeeded, this area would carry far more symbolic weight than practical use. Since it was no longer as crucial, there was no need to waste someone guarding it, especially since Dongfang Kui had stayed here for fifty years based on his single request, wasting her prime years.

He looked Dongfang Kui up and down. Thankfully, her profound martial arts had preserved her appearance. She looked like a woman barely twenty years old, which slightly alleviated the guilt in Ye Wen's heart.

Especially considering Dongfang Kui was actually over seventy now. If he hadn't returned this time, even with the marvelous Phoenix Nirvana Skill, she would likely have turned to dust within a few more decades.

You guarded my Mount Shu for fifty years; I will repay you with five hundred, five thousand! Ye Wen had long settled this in his heart, but it wasn't the right time to speak of it. He hadn't expected Dongfang Kui to mistake it for him driving her away.

"If you wish to live in my Mount Shu Sect in the future, you may stay here. If you want to travel, then go travel! Come back when you've had enough fun..."

Only then did Dongfang Kui grasp Ye Wen's meaning. A smile returned to her face, but amidst the shock and joy, her emotions surged, and a tear escaped before she could stop it, rolling down her cheek. As Dongfang Kui’s smile resurfaced, the tear dropped, leaving it impossible to distinguish whether it was born of sorrow or delight.

Ye Wen had already walked up to Dongfang Kui and happened to see the tear falling. A jolt of panic made his hand move instinctively, catching the tear mid-air. He channeled his Azure Snow Ice Force simultaneously, and the drop of water froze in place the moment it landed in Ye Wen’s palm, halted in its descent.

Dongfang Kui looked down and saw Ye Wen holding her tear suspended in his palm. She was astonished at the height of his attainment while also feeling a little awkward.

"Why did you catch it?" Ye Wen scratched his cheek awkwardly with his other hand. He didn't know why he had done it—it was purely instinctual. He could only manage, "Uh... it's nothing, I just thought it looked quite beautiful!" Dongfang Kui chuckled, her eyes already brimming with tears. Her expression shifted, causing another drop to fall, which Ye Wen caught in his hand as well. The two tears were nearly identical, yet the feeling contained within them was vastly different. Held in Ye Wen's palm, they resembled two teardrop-shaped ornaments.

Ye Wen observed them, then rapidly circulated his Azure Snow Ice True Qi. Having spent decades cultivating, Ye Wen was beginning to grasp the original essence represented by the Primordial Chaos Mirror True Qi, and he could now partially apply the attribute of death inherent in the Azure Snow Ice.

Under Ye Wen’s tempering, these two tears had their forms stabilized, truly becoming fixed objects. Even if Ye Wen dispersed his True Qi, they would not scatter or disappear like normal teardrops...

"Take them back... although they were yours to begin with!" Dongfang Kui dazedly accepted the objects. Then, watching Ye Wen turn and lead the way down the winding path, she looked again at the two crystal-like teardrops in her hand before remembering to follow.

After exiting the back mountain, Ye Wen looked at the now-dark sky but felt no desire to rest.

The sights and sounds he had encountered since his return had stripped him of any inclination to linger. He only wanted to settle matters swiftly, execute his plans, and then depart.

With this in mind, he immediately ordered the disciples to be summoned back to the main hall. Dongfang Kui followed closely behind him, and he also summoned Zhang Gui.

"You've been a general handyman, sweeping and cleaning, all these years?" The hall was filled with the highest-ranking and most influential elders of the Mount Shu Sect. Zhang Gui, a mere menial servant, being summoned by the Ancestral Master sparked considerable curiosity among the disciples. They wondered if Zhang Gui had perhaps served this Ancestral Master personally.

Zhang Gui did not know why Ye Wen had called him, but he respectfully replied, "Yes!" Ye Wen nodded. "So, you are the most inconspicuous in the Mount Shu Sect. Perhaps you've seen more things clearly than anyone else?"

Upon hearing this, everyone understood. Ye Wen intended a thorough purge of the sect. When disciples committed misdeeds, they would try every means to hide it from their elders, but they might not be as careful around an unassuming servant like Zhang Gui. It was likely Zhang Gui knew about many of the disciples' sordid affairs.

Zhang Gui grasped Ye Wen’s meaning as well. However, he dared not conceal anything from Ye Wen and continued to nod respectfully, "Yes!"

"Very well. You will assist Zhiruo in clearing those parasites out of the Mount Shu Sect!" Ye Wen then turned to Zhou Zhiruo. "The situation you managed poorly is yours to handle! But don't think this is over; after those rebellious disciples are purged, we will discuss your issues!" Zhou Zhiruo’s expression barely changed, as if the words didn't concern her, but she responded with due respect.

Ye Wen knew his disciple’s nature wasn't suited for such tasks, so he asked Nangong Huang to help her and issued a direct command: "Better to have none than a flawed selection. Expel all those pests from Mount Shu!"

He then instructed Guo Jing, "Jing'er, you mustn't be idle these days either. Send some steady disciples to summon back our sect members who are not currently on the mountain!" Although Guo Jing didn't fully grasp Ye Wen's objective, he agreed, asking for clarification, "But some haven't been in contact for many years..."

"Those can be omitted!"

Ye Wen wasn't looking to recall just anyone. He then explained the specifics to Guo Jing: only disciples who regularly kept in touch with Mount Shu, considered themselves part of the sect, and maintained upright character should return.

Guo Jing nodded, indicating he understood!

Ye Wen wasn't worried that his fifth disciple would fail this task. Guo Jing was now seventy or eighty years old, highly cultivated, possessed clarity of mind, and wouldn't make any rash decisions.

With all these arrangements made, the entire Mount Shu Sect descended into organized chaos. Tonight was destined to be sleepless!

Ye Wen, naturally, had no intention of resting either. He rose, preparing to leave. Although the disciples dared not ask where he was going, Ye Wen still announced, "I am going to seek out some old friends, and perhaps look for descendants of Mu Yan. You all handle these matters well; I will return in two or three days!" The crowd started to offer to accompany and serve him, but before they could speak, Ye Wen cut them off, "I travel faster alone; I don't need attendance. Just carry out the tasks I assigned properly."

Without waiting for further words, he spurred a streak of sword light to envelop himself—in the blink of an eye, he shot straight toward the heavens.

Ye Wen performed no concealment technique while flying on his sword. In the pitch darkness of the night, that streak of purple sword light was incredibly conspicuous. Not only did the disciples of Mount Shu see it clearly, but even some people in Shushan County below the mountain witnessed a purple light erupting from Mount Shu, making a turn in mid-air, and heading directly toward the southwest.

Because of this purple light, numerous rumors about the Mount Shu Sect began circulating in the following days, amplified by martial artists descending from the mountain, making the tales increasingly fantastical.

Of course, these rumors hadn't spread widely yet. Ye Wen’s flight speed far outpaced gossip. Streaking across the night sky on the purple light, it took him mere moments to arrive at the capital of the Shang Dynasty.

Mid-air, Ye Wen formed a hand seal, concealing his presence entirely, and dove straight toward the Imperial Palace!

Night. Lamps. Countless memorials.

Wei Hong peered over the memorials, all filled with laments, and couldn't help but sigh deeply.

He reached out to take his tea cup but found it already empty. Not only was the water gone, but he had chewed the tea leaves clean as well.

"Xiao Shunzi, pour more tea!" Without lifting his head, his gaze still fixed on the memorials, Wei Hong casually commanded. But after a moment, he noticed no movement beside him. Xiao Shunzi, who usually carried out his orders promptly after a single word, was completely unresponsive?

Finally lifting his head from the stack of memorials, Wei Hong looked at the personal eunuch who had served him for decades. He found the man leaning against a pillar nearby, standing and fast asleep.

As Wei Hong observed, he suddenly noticed that the eunuch, whom he always remembered as energetic and seemingly inexhaustible, now had hair completely shot with white. His face was covered in countless wrinkles, making him look far older than Wei Hong himself, and etched with exhaustion, dark circles starkly evident around his eyes.

Seeing this, Wei Hong was suddenly struck by pity. He himself had been reviewing memorials late into the night with almost no rest, but he could rely on decades of internal cultivation to sustain himself. Xiao Shunzi, however, did not possess such profound martial arts and had clearly reached his limit.

"In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed... you've grown old too," If this were the Wei Hong of the past, he might have already ordered the derelict eunuch dragged out and executed. But now, approaching a hundred years of age, many of his views had changed from his younger days. Recalling that his own body was failing day by day, a sense of melancholy washed over him.

Standing up, he casually draped a nearby blanket over the sleeping eunuch. Wei Hong stood there, gently stretching his aching body.

But as he moved, he suddenly realized there was another person in the hall, and he hadn't sensed when this person had arrived.

"Who is there?" Wei Hong roared, expecting the guards to rush in immediately to protect him. Yet, after his shout, there was no sound of movement. The Emperor's forehead beaded with sweat; he sensed something was terribly wrong today.

Even more terrifying to him was the complete silence from the experts of the Heavenly Dao Sect, who were supposed to be hidden and protecting him!

Warily, he watched the figure step out of the shadows. Illuminated by the dim palace lighting, Wei Hong gradually made out the visitor's features. But when he clearly saw who it was, his disbelief deepened.

"This... how is this possible?"

The newcomer was, of course, Ye Wen. He stood quite close to Wei Hong, perhaps only a few meters away, Wei Hong on the steps, and Ye Wen below.

Normally, standing there, Wei Hong felt a sense of looking down upon his court, but today, he felt no such thing. Instead, a strange feeling arose: "Could my lifespan truly be at an end?"

Thinking this, his heart suddenly felt much lighter. He stood there and was the first to offer Ye Wen a bow, "Master!" Given his status as Emperor, he shouldn't have needed to do this, but today, believing his life was over, he acted accordingly. Unexpectedly, this bow prompted Ye Wen to speak: "You actually still remember your Master!" Wei Hong smiled, "Master, have you come to escort your disciple to the netherworld?" Ye Wen paused slightly before understanding, "I have come to fetch you, but not to the underworld!" He added immediately, "You aren't dead yet; they wouldn't accept you there even if you went!" This sentence finally brought Wei Hong back to reality. He realized he wasn't seeing someone impossible in the afterlife, but that his Master had truly appeared before him fifty years after shattering the void, and he looked exactly as he had fifty years ago.

Although Wei Hong was the Emperor, he was astonished by this event and momentarily speechless, standing there dazedly.

Ye Wen looked him up and down again and suddenly remarked, "It seems that although you've been busy with state affairs over the years, you haven't abandoned your practice. Not bad; you've taken on a decent disciple."