After a long while.

"So it turns out, the bond between us actually stemmed from the naive drawings of my childhood, fate really is wonderful," Yuan Ming hadn't expected Xi Ying to look upon him with different eyes for that reason, and couldn't help but be emotional.

"Who has a bond with you," Xi Ying scoffed lightly, waving her hand and forming an array with yellow array patterns.

A dazzling flash of yellow light passed, and Xi Ying's figure had disappeared.

As the person vanished, a faint fragrance still lingered near his nostrils.

Suddenly remembering something, he looked down at his right hand.

He was still holding the book, having forgotten to return it to Xi Ying.

"I'll return it to her the next time we meet," Yuan Ming thought to himself, and was about to put away the book when he suddenly frowned.

There was a hard feeling inside the book, as if something was sandwiched between the pages.

He opened the book and found a thin, grey jade scroll tucked between the last two pages.

Yuan Ming took the jade scroll, probed it with his divine sense, and his body stiffened slightly.

Inside the jade scroll were surprisingly the subsequent cultivation techniques of the Moonlight Technique, including the mnemonics from the Fourth Layer to the Sixth Layer.

His Moonlight Technique had just recently broken through to the third layer, and the more he cultivated, the more he could deeply appreciate its power. He had a strong desire for the subsequent techniques, and he couldn't believe that Xi Ying had given them to him directly.

"Brother Yuan, what are you doing by yourself?" Wulu said.

Yuan Ming was startled; without realizing it, Wulu had already approached him, and he suddenly noticed that only the jade scroll was in his hand, while the book had vanished.

The recent encounter with Xi Ying, he wasn't sure if it was an illusion or reality.

"You appeared so suddenly, Brother Wulu, you gave me quite a scare," Yuan Ming said calmly as he put away the jade scroll.

"Were you just thinking about Xiao Ying, lost in thought?" Wulu chuckled heartily.

"Brother Wulu truly has a discerning eye," Yuan Ming laughed along as well.

"Young people need to dare to dream, to act, and to take responsibility— I support you," Wulu said with laughter.

"How do you plan to support me?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Do you want me to sneak into the Xiao Family and gather some information for you?" Wulu whispered.

"What would be the cost?" Yuan Ming inquired.

"Five thousand spirit stones, plus a top-grade magical tool?" Wulu proposed.

"I can't afford that, what about Ma Xingkong?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Brother Ma has already left to return to Jin Country. He asked me to say goodbye to you on his behalf. Do you need to see him for something, Brother Yuan?" Wulu inquired.

"It's nothing, now that the matters regarding Biluo Cave have concluded, I had wanted to say goodbye to Brother Ma before leaving. What are your plans, Brother Wulu?" Yuan Ming asked.

"This time I've completed the task given by my family, and since I rarely have so much free time, I want to travel around and really see the world. I'll go to Black Rock City in a few days and then to the Southern Border Eastern Domain, and I want to see the sea as well. I'm almost fifty and I've never seen the sea," Wulu remarked with emotion.

"Alright then, may we meet again if fate allows," Yuan Ming said.

After more idle chatter, the two parted ways.

The Scatter Alliance had little control over temporary members, who were free to come and go as they pleased; Yuan Ming left directly from the entrance of Biluo Cave and plunged into the dense forests of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

A moment later, Yuan Ming arrived at a small stream in the mountains, scooped up the cool water to wash his face, and turned to face what was behind him.

"You've followed me all this way, time to show yourself, don't you think?"

The jungle behind him rustled and parted, and a tall and upright figure stepped out: it was Long Hao, who had shown his might during the previous battle of the mountain attack.

"So it's Senior Long Hao," Yuan Ming said, his eyes showing surprise as he clasped his hands in greeting.

"You are Yuan Ming?" Long Hao's voice boomed like a bell as he scrutinized Yuan Ming.

"Indeed," Yuan Ming replied calmly.

"Did you write this letter?" Long Hao took out an envelope from his bosom, not named but marked only with a paw print.

Yuan Ming's eyebrows raised slightly as he nodded.

In the Ten Thousand Mountains, after reaching an understanding with the Human Demon King Long Xi, he had written this letter according to Long Xi's wish, to inform his kin of his ordeal.

"Since the letter is indeed written by you, you must also be the one who buried my son's body. Lead me there," Long Hao said sternly.

"Senior, follow me," Yuan Ming said without attempting to hide anything, taking off in a certain direction.

Half a day later, the two arrived at the valley where Yuan Ming had buried the Human Demon King's head.

"The people from Biluo Cave were conducting a stringent search that day, and I had no time to take away Brother Long Xi's body. I could only take his head, I ask for your understanding, Senior," Yuan Ming led Long Hao to Long Xi's grave and explained.

Long Hao didn't speak. Instead, he stared at the unmarked tomb before him, and in that moment, his tall figure seemed to stoop, and his limbs shook faintly.

Yuan Ming sighed silently and quietly stepped back outside the valley.

After a long time, Long Hao emerged from the valley, his expression restored to calm, and said, "Thank you, Yuan, for burying my son. I wonder what reward you would like?"

In return for writing the letter, Long Xi had made a promise on behalf of his family to Yuan Ming, a matter already stated in the letter.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Long Hao, but I do not wish for a reward," Yuan Ming said.

"Very well, you already know the location of my clan. You may visit any time; this is a token of passage," Long Hao took out a dark gold token with the character "Long" on it. His clan seemed to occupy a unique, reclusive position within the Southern Border Immortal Cultivation World.

"Thank you, Senior," Yuan Ming received the token, clasping his hands in gratitude.

Long Hao's mood was solemn as he gathered his son's remains, not saying much before turning to leave.

"Yuan Ming, Senior Long Hao, please wait a moment." A green falcon came speeding through the air, landing nearby.

A figure leaped down, revealing himself to be Fang Ge.

"Brother Fang Ge, it's great that you're safe. How come you're here?" Yuan Ming said happily.

Long Hao also looked towards Fang Ge, his face expressing confusion.

"Under the orders of Ancestor Li Zhui and the Three Cave Masters, I have been tasked with inviting both of you to their dual cultivation ceremony." Fang Ge took out two red invitations and handed them to Yuan Ming and Long Hao.

The Dual Cultivation Ceremony of the Three Cave Masters! It was not known that she had a daoist companion, so who was this Li Zhui? Yuan Ming had a faint guess in his heart.

"Senior Li Zhui! He's still alive?" Long Hao exclaimed in surprise, his voice so loud that Yuan Ming couldn't help but glance sideways.

"Indeed, I hope both of you will bestow us with your presence," Fang Ge said.

"Senior Li Zhui showed me great kindness in the past. Of course, I will attend his dual cultivation ceremony," Long Hao immediately said.

"I naturally cannot be absent from the Three Cave Masters' ceremony either," Yuan Ming stated.

"Good, please mount the falcon," Fang Ge suggested.

The green falcon quickly ascended into the air and headed towards Biluo Cave, arriving before long.

Inside the gates of Biluo Cave, there was no sign of life, whether from the captured Biluo Cave disciples or the Dawn Alliance members, all had vanished without a trace.

Not long before, the place was alight with the sounds of battle, but now it was eerily silent, prompting a sense of lament.

The green falcon dove down, landing in a secluded valley near Fire Refining Peak.

Yuan Ming had been here before; it was where the Fisherman lived, the valley enshrouded in dense mist, hiding its interior from view.

This place confirmed Li Zhui's identity.

The falcon flew straight into the valley, passing through a point in space with a slight cracking noise, as if piercing through something.

Yuan Ming's vision blurred, and all the mist vanished, revealing the tranquil valley once again before his eyes.

He looked back, understanding that an Illusion Technique Restriction enshrouded the valley, making it appear foggy from the outside.

The falcon landed, and the three of them leaped down, approaching the straw hut where the Fisherman resided.

Many new houses had been built within the valley, adorned with red silk lanterns, creating a festive atmosphere. Many people were busy here, all of them disciples from Fire Refining Hall. Yuan Ming looked on with joy.

Seeing Yuan Ming, the Fire Refining Hall disciples, having been reunited after the disaster, were also extremely delighted.

The three arrived at a spacious courtyard deep in the valley, where over a dozen banquet tables were set up. Aside from the Fire Refining Hall disciples, there were also some unfamiliar faces, likely friends of the Three Cave Masters and Li Zhui.

At that moment, the Three Cave Masters, donned in red robes, and the similarly clad elderly Fisherman, were entertaining guests.

"It really is the Fisherman," Yuan Ming thought to himself.

Fang Ge led Yuan Ming and Long Hao to sit at a table, and it wasn't long before the Three Cave Masters and the Fisherman came over.

"Senior Li Zhui, I did not expect that you would still be among the living," Long Hao said as he rose.

"Fellow Daoist Long, by my reckoning, we haven't seen each other for over a hundred years. It's truly wonderful that Yuan, too, could attend," the Fisherman greeted Long Hao and Yuan Ming warmly.

The Three Cave Masters and Long Hao were not well acquainted.

"How did you two come to arrive together?" the Fisherman inquired.

"By chance, I also owe Yuan a favor," Long Hao said.

"Three Cave Masters, congratulations on your wedding today, please accept this jar of fine wine," Yuan Ming said as he took out a jar of wine he'd intended for the Fisherman and handed it over.

"You are thoughtful, but since Biluo Cave no longer exists, there's no need for old titles. Just call me Ling Songhua," the Three Cave Masters said with a smile, accepting the wine.

"Yes, Senior Ling," Yuan Ming readily agreed.

"You're not only fortunate but also have a heart as intricate as a finely carved piece," the Fisherman said with a smile.

"The opportunities I've had are all thanks to Senior Ling's initial willingness to take me in; otherwise, I wouldn't know where I'd be right now. Once again, congratulations to both seniors," Yuan Ming said, bowing respectfully to Ling Songhua and the Fisherman.

The two of them lifted Yuan Ming to his feet.

Then, the Fisherman and Long Hao moved to one side to catch up.

The auspicious time arrived.

The dual cultivation ceremony of cultivators wasn't much different from the weddings in the mundane world, except that both Ling Songhua and the Fisherman were Core Formation Stage cultivators who had cultivated for over a hundred years, and their mortal parents had long since passed away, forgoing the rituals of kneeling and bowing. After paying respects to heaven and earth, and sharing a cup of wine between them, the ceremony was complete.

Being with the Fire Refining Hall disciples, Yuan Ming felt incredibly comfortable. During the feast, the conversations were about those who had met with retribution for their vile deeds, while some grieved for fallen brothers and sisters. That evening, everyone drank merrily, filled with a sense of relief and joy.

After the feast, Yuan Ming took his leave.

"Yuan Ming, the master would like you to stay. Please wait for her in the side hall," Fang Ge interrupted Yuan Ming's departure.

Yuan Ming faintly guessed the purpose of Ling Songhua asking him to stay and followed Fang Ge to a nearby straw hut.

An hour later, Ling Songhua arrived slowly, saying, "I apologize for making you wait."

"Not at all, Senior Ling's big day naturally comes with many obligations. As for myself, having nothing pressing, waiting is of no concern," Yuan Ming said.

"When did you join the Dawn Alliance?" Ling Songhua, sitting down, asked directly.

Yuan Ming was taken aback, as Ling Songhua also seemed to think he had joined the Dawn Alliance, and at that moment, he didn't quite know how to explain.

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