Chapter 82

Yuqing Palace.
After announcing their presence, Star Lord Bai Biao stepped out and slightly turned to the side: “His Majesty summons you. Please, come with me.”
Ling Qingxiao and Star Lord Tianyu entered and walked toward the interior. This was not the same hall Ling Qingxiao had visited last time—it was clearly a formal place of state affairs, grand and imposing, unlike the private resting quarters he had seen before.
Ling Qingxiao kept silent, following half a step behind Star Lord Tianyu without looking around much. As they crossed a flight of stairs, the stone-carved mythical beast Xiezhi, which stood proud like a statue, suddenly let out a surprised “Hmm?” and fixed its gaze on Ling Qingxiao.
A stone sculpture moving would have scared most people half to death, but those in the Celestial Palace clearly accepted this as normal. Star Lord Tianyu stopped to greet the Xiezhi, and Ling Qingxiao, unbothered, nodded slightly in greeting.
The Xiezhi was an ancient auspicious beast, known for its unwavering loyalty, its ability to distinguish right from wrong, and its incorruptible nature. It had always served as a symbol of justice and order in the Celestial Palace.
The Xiezhi clearly remembered Ling Qingxiao. Its gaze saw through him—his cultivation and timeline had both changed, and he carried a familiar, ancient aura. After the greetings, Star Lord Tianyu continued forward, and the Xiezhi leapt down from its pedestal to silently follow them into the hall.
Star Lord Bai Biao led them to the jade platform and announced, “Your Majesty, they have arrived.”
There was no immediate response from within the hall. But before long, a white light lit up the jade throne, gradually taking the shape of a human figure.
Star Lords Bai Biao and Tianyu both bowed deeply. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Ling Qingxiao also bowed with lowered eyes. “Your Majesty.”
Star Lord Bai Biao quietly withdrew after completing his duty. Once the hall returned to silence, the Celestial Emperor asked, “Has everything been resolved?”
“Your Majesty,” replied Star Lord Tianyu, “I have retrieved the Devourer Beast from Fusang Island. The two disciples who went missing a month ago have returned safely. As for the Demon Lord Gong Jin who attacked Huaiyin Island...he is dead.”
Even now, repeating those words still sent a ripple through Tianyu’s heart. Gong Jin had held a position equivalent to a True Immortal, renowned across the demon world, even listed as a top-tier threat in the Celestial Realm. And yet, he had died—so suddenly, so easily.
Everyone knew Gong Jin had many enemies and would fall one day, but no one had expected karma to come knocking so quickly.
He died by the hands of the very young man he had nearly beaten to death just a month prior.
The Celestial Emperor nodded mildly. He didn’t care for the details—only the result mattered. Gong Jin had been considered extremely dangerous by the likes of Tianyu, but to the Celestial Emperor, he was hardly worth mentioning.
The Emperor asked again, “And the Demon-Sealing Stone?”
This was something Tianyu didn’t know. The stones had disappeared along with Luo Han. Now that Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao had returned, he assumed the stones were with them too. Ling Qingxiao stepped forward and replied, “Your Majesty, the Demon-Sealing Stone has already been returned to the rightful place.”
Star Lord Tianyu was slightly surprised. Returned? He kept his expression composed in front of the Emperor, but his eyes clearly showed his confusion.
Yet the other two men present remained calm. The Emperor had clearly understood the deeper meaning of “returned.”
The stones were now back where they belonged. The Devourer Beast had a new home. The expedition to the Western Sea had ended successfully. Everything seemed to be perfectly resolved—everything except the matter of the Demon-Sealing Stone.
But the Emperor wasn’t in a rush for that. He waved his hand and said, “You have done well. Your efforts these past days have not gone unnoticed. Rewards will be given in due time. If there is nothing else, you may leave.”
Star Lord Tianyu let out a soft sigh of relief and bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
He had just taken two steps when the Emperor suddenly said, “Ling Qingxiao, stay.”
Tianyu paused for a moment. He glanced briefly at Ling Qingxiao, but said nothing and silently retreated.
Once he was gone, the Celestial Emperor shifted into a more relaxed posture and asked casually, “How are the senior ones doing?”
As expected, the Emperor had seen through everything.
Pretending before a wise man was a fool’s errand. Ling Qingxiao answered openly, “They are all well. So is the ancestor.”
Even though the Celestial Emperor sat on the highest throne in the world, when he thought of Ling Qingxiao’s experiences, he couldn’t help but sigh deeply. “Founding a dynasty, establishing a nation, achieving immortal feats—what a glorious history. To have witnessed it with my own eyes...I can say I have not lived in vain.”
Ling Qingxiao did not respond. The Middle Era belonged to Su Zongshi and the others—it was their time. As outsiders, it was best not to disturb the past; that was the greatest respect he could offer. Fortunately, the Celestial Emperor was only expressing a moment of emotion and did not pursue it further. “And the other one—does she still refuse to appear?”
There was no gender indicated in his tone, but in this context, it was clear the “she” he referred to was most likely Luo Han. Ling Qingxiao’s expression didn’t change, but his mind grew wary. “She is indifferent to fame and avoids noise.”
The Celestial Emperor had only asked casually, but upon seeing Ling Qingxiao react so tensely, he found it amusing and shook his head. “Forget it. If she’s unwilling, then let it be.”
That was truly good news. Ling Qingxiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The current Emperor was kind-hearted—though occasionally indecisive, he was magnanimous and tolerant. After asking about the Demon-Sealing Stone, the conversation between them gradually came to a close. Ling Qingxiao should have taken his leave politely, but just before departing, he couldn’t help but add, “Your Majesty...please take care of your health.”
He had sensed it the moment he entered—the Emperor’s condition was not right. A month ago, he wouldn’t have noticed, but now it was all too obvious.
The heart demon must have grown very serious by now.
In recent years, the Emperor rarely engaged in casual conversation, yet now he had twice brought up their shared elders and ancestors—these were the most personal words he had spoken in millennia. Perhaps intimacy shortened the distance between people. In any case, the Emperor had developed a rare familial warmth toward Ling Qingxiao. For some reason, without reservation, he expressed his thoughts openly:
“I once believed all things to be illusion, that only the Dao was real. I cast aside everything external and dedicated myself to the pursuit of martial cultivation and power. And indeed—I have reached the pinnacle of the Six Realms’ martial path. But...what is the Dao, truly?”
It was a question far too deep—Ling Qingxiao had no answer. Even the Emperor, who stood atop the Six Realms, was still confused about the Dao. How could someone who had only walked the immortal path for a little over a thousand years possibly understand?
Clearly, the Emperor had not spoken to seek an answer, but to voice his own doubts. After a moment’s sigh, he recovered his composure and spoke earnestly to Ling Qingxiao:
“The Dao is heartless. If you cultivate power to its extreme, you’ll end up utterly alone. When that solitude becomes so deep that even you can no longer recognize yourself...that’s where the Dao ends.”
Ling Qingxiao lowered his gaze and bowed. “I thank Your Majesty for your guidance.”
The Emperor waved his hand dismissively, unconcerned. Then, seemingly without intent, he said lightly, “Survival of the fittest, profit above all. Tell me—would you say the dragons cultivate as immortals...or as demons?”
Ling Qingxiao’s heart jolted violently. He looked up, stunned that the Emperor would say something like that. But the Emperor showed no reaction at all, as if the words had never been spoken. He smiled gently and waved him off. “I’m tired. You may go.”
—
As Ling Qingxiao stepped out of the great hall, the first thing he saw in the courtyard was a towering Xinghe Tree. Star Lord Bai Biao stood at the gate. Seeing Ling Qingxiao pause, he explained,
“This is a Xinghe Tree, planted by the first Celestial Emperor. His Majesty orders it to be tended with great care every year. It is one of the living treasures of Yuqing Palace.”
The other living treasure was the xiezhi.
Ling Qingxiao gazed at the tree, dazed for a moment. Bai Biao noticed and asked, “Second Young Master Ling, what are you thinking about?”
Ling Qingxiao returned to himself and shook his head lightly. “Nothing. Just thinking of an old friend.”
Bai Biao nodded and didn’t press further. Ling Qingxiao clearly had no intention of explaining. He soon left Yuqing Palace.
Seeing the Xinghe Tree growing so tall and strong, Ling Qingxiao could only hope—those old friends of his must have lived bold and brilliant lives.
—
Elsewhere, Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai were stunned speechless upon suddenly seeing Luo Han—they almost thought they were dreaming.
Not long ago, the Celestial Orders Institute had sent people to Huaiyin Island to retrieve the Demon-Sealing Stone from the Devourer Beast. Due to limited spots, Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai hadn’t gone along. Then came the sea ambush, Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao’s disappearance, and the Devourer Beast’s refusal to return—the mission was stalled. Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai had ended up stuck in the Heavenly Palace, unable to return home.
When they first heard Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao had vanished, they were very worried and had even asked to go to the South Sea to help search. But Star Lord Tianyu said there were still demons lurking at sea, and with their limited strength, it was better for them to remain and await news.
It was a very tactful rejection—but Ye Zinan understood. The two of them weren’t strong enough; joining the search would only slow the others down. So they stayed in the Celestial Palace obediently. Today they heard Yi Huaxuan had arrived and came specifically to meet him and hopefully gather some updates.
What they didn’t expect was that before they even saw Yi Huaxuan—they caught sight of an absolutely unexpected figure: Luo Han.
Ye Zinan hurried over and stared at her carefully for a while before exclaiming, “It’s really you! When did you come back? Why didn’t you let us know?”
Luo Han explained, “We only arrived today. On the way, we were watching over the Devourer Beast, so we couldn’t reveal our route. That’s why I didn’t send a transmission charm. After we got to the South Heaven Gate, Ling Qingxiao went with Star Lord Tianyu to report. I thought I’d wait for him before contacting you two. I was just strolling around and happened to run into you.”
“It wasn’t coincidence,” Ye Zinan said. “We arranged to meet here. We heard Star Lord Gu Xing returned and Yi Huaxuan was with him. It’s been a while, so we planned to meet here at the South Heaven Gate. As soon as we got close, Zou Jibai said Yi Huaxuan looked like he was talking to a girl—and when we walked over, it turned out to be you!”
Luo Han sighed, “There’s no such thing as coincidence. Well, this works out perfectly. Now we’re all here.”
She turned and caught sight of Zou Jibai’s stunned face, then clicked her tongue in mock disdain. “Why are you so shocked? Try to be a little more composed, will you?”
Zou Jibai tried to remain composed. He attempted to stay calm several times, but every time he turned and caught a glimpse of Luo Han’s face, all his mental preparation collapsed.
When she wore a veil, he’d always treated Luo Han like a good brother. Who would have imagined that his “good brother” actually looked this...breathtaking, stunning beyond belief?
Yi Huaxuan had seen many beautiful women in his life and had already recovered his composure. He no longer looked as stunned as before. Still, he had to admit—after seeing Luo Han’s true face, his opinion of her soared. Even his tone of voice shifted slightly: “Miss Luo, you mentioned earlier that you just returned to the Celestial Palace today. May I ask, where is the Devourer Beast?”
Luo Han pointed to a brocade pouch on her waist. “It’s in the spirit beast pouch. Its destructive power is just too great. Back at Fusang Island, it almost bit through the roots of the sacred divine tree. Everything in the Celestial Palace is valuable—I wouldn’t dare let it out here. If it accidentally bites something important, I can’t afford to pay for it.”
Yi Huaxuan felt dazed hearing this. She put the Devourer Beast in a spirit pouch? He didn’t know whether to be shocked at Luo Han’s recklessness or envious of her immense luck.
The Devourer Beast was a divine beast from ancient times—one of the Celestial Realm’s most precious legacies. And now...it belonged to Luo Han?
These divine beasts might be animals, but they possessed intelligence. Unless they willingly followed someone, it was impossible to tame them with force or trickery. Clearly, the Devourer Beast had chosen Luo Han itself—what could even the Celestial Palace say to that?
Yi Huaxuan looked at Luo Han, overwhelmed by emotion. Ye Zinan rubbed his chin and sighed, “Why do I feel like you’ve changed? It’s only been two months, but you give off such a different feeling. That really shouldn’t be possible.”
Back in January, Luo Han had left Sanqing Heaven with Star Lord Tianji to go to Huaiyin Island. The trip had taken half a month. Then she disappeared at sea for another month. The return trip took another half a month. All together, they hadn’t seen each other for two months.
But while Ye Zinan had experienced two months, for Luo Han, it had been a full seven years. Seven years—of course she had changed.
Luo Han didn’t want to reveal what happened during her disappearance, so she said vaguely, “Maybe it’s just that we haven’t seen each other in a while. You’ll get used to it again soon.”
Ye Zinan didn’t think much of it and chalked it up to unfamiliarity. Just as he was convincing himself of this, familiar footsteps sounded behind them. The three turned around—and were stunned to see Ling Qingxiao walking toward them.
In that instant, Ye Zinan’s eyes nearly popped out. This was Ling Qingxiao? His appearance and figure were unmistakable, but the aura around him was completely different. Ye Zinan almost didn’t recognize him.
It wasn’t just Ye Zinan—Zou Jibai and Yi Huaxuan were equally stunned.
Ling Qingxiao quickly walked to Luo Han’s side, nodded politely to the trio, and then looked down to ask Luo Han, “Why are you here?”
“Just wandering around. I ended up here,” Luo Han replied, already past the initial shock of seeing Ling Qingxiao again. She’d gotten used to his presence. When she turned and saw the three others staring in a daze, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
Yi Huaxuan had been hit with shock after shock all day, and this was the final blow. Ling Qingxiao was utterly changed—he was no longer the same person from the Western Sea. Back then, Yi Huaxuan had sensed that he was powerful and not to be underestimated. But now? He didn’t dare compare himself.
Even without a fight, the disparity in strength felt like a bottomless chasm. Worse still, Yi Huaxuan realized he couldn’t even sense Ling Qingxiao’s cultivation level. In the Celestial Realm, higher-level cultivators could easily discern the level of those below them—but the reverse wasn’t true.
Yi Huaxuan didn’t know Ling Qingxiao’s realm anymore. He just knew—this was someone utterly beyond his reach.
Ling Qingxiao needed a moment to recalibrate after seeing people he had known five hundred years ago. Finally, he asked, “Young Master Yi, I assume your mission at the Western Sea went well. Was your return smooth?”
For some reason, Yi Huaxuan felt nervous being addressed by Ling Qingxiao. He didn’t even feel like this when questioned by his own father. Only when facing the Celestial Emperor did he feel this kind of pressure.
“Everything went smoothly,” Yi Huaxuan replied. “After you and Miss Luo disappeared, we continued searching the Western Sea for a long time. We had no idea you had already left with the Devourer Beast. We stayed there for another month and a half. Only when Star Lord Gu Xing heard you had returned safely to Sanqing Heaven did he call us back. I’m glad you’re alright—and that you even completed the mission ahead of time. Congratulations.”
This had been a great merit in Yi Huaxuan’s eyes. But for Ling Qingxiao, such accomplishments now felt trivial.
He didn’t respond to the praise, only deflected it and asked, “And the other disciples—have they returned to their sects?”
“Yes,” Yi Huaxuan said. “After leaving the Western Sea, Star Lord Gu Xing sent everyone home before returning to report in. I accompanied him and stopped by Zhongshan for two days on the way.”
At this, Yi Huaxuan paused slightly, then said casually, “Miss Su, your elder brother, and the other Zhongshan disciples have all returned. Your brother was injured by the demon clan and was still recovering on the journey back—he’s stayed out of sight since then. I don’t know much else. But once back at Zhongshan, the clan head was extremely worried about him and has been searching far and wide for medicine.”
His words were subtle, but the meaning was clear: Ling Xianhong cared deeply about his eldest son and had thrown himself into treating his wounds—apparently forgetting that his younger son had yet to return at all.
Since it concerned internal affairs of the Ling Clan, Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai didn’t comment. Luo Han, however, glanced at Ling Qingxiao with concern.
Ling Qingxiao was momentarily dazed at the mention of those familiar names. It had been five hundred years—what once felt like deep pain had been worn away by time, leaving only traces of warmth.
The injustices he had once obsessed over now seemed petty and insignificant.
He had witnessed too many separations and deaths, too many broken families and fallen lives. Compared to those tragedies, the friction between him and his brother seemed laughably small.
Family misunderstandings should be resolved through honest conversation. If Ling Xianhong and Ling Zhongyu still harbored resentment, he would make it clear: he had never been interested in the clan leader position. If Ling Zhongyu wanted it, all he had to do was say so.
Ling Qingxiao suddenly felt a surge of longing for Zhongshan—for his home, and for the parents and family he hadn’t seen in five hundred years. Just moments ago, he’d felt nothing in particular. But now that the thought had taken root, the words “go home” blossomed in his heart like a towering tree.
The urge to return overwhelmed him. He was about to ask more about Ling Zhongyu’s injuries when Star Lord Tianyu, following directions from the heavenly soldiers, walked over and called out loudly, “There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you.”
Ling Qingxiao held back his question, and everyone turned around to greet Star Lord Tianyu.
Tianyu waved a hand casually and said to Ling Qingxiao, “You left too fast. I blinked and you vanished. I had one more thing to tell you—meant to mention it after we left Yuqing Palace, but you slipped away.”
Ling Qingxiao apologized. After leaving Yuqing Palace, he had gone straight to the South Heavenly Gate, unable to rest easy without Luo Han—so it was no wonder he had missed Tianyu.
Luo Han, with keen intuition, sensed the situation and quickly said, “Since Star Lord has business with Ling Qingxiao, we won’t get in the way. We’ll take our leave first.”
Before Ling Qingxiao could protest, Luo Han had already turned and left decisively. Ye Zinan and Yi Huaxuan followed her lead and also said their goodbyes. Yi Huaxuan had other matters and parted ways at a crossroads. After he left, only Luo Han, Ye Zinan, and Zou Jibai remained. The three were teammates and could speak freely. Ye Zinan was direct: “What exactly happened while you were missing? Ling Qingxiao feels like a completely different person.”
Truth be told, Luo Han had changed too, but it was subtler. Her personality and behavior remained the same, only the ancient aura around her had grown stronger. But Ling Qingxiao’s change was obvious and dramatic—from cultivation to demeanor to temperament, it was as if he had become someone else entirely.
Luo Han replied vaguely, “We were struck by heavenly thunder in the South Sea and accidentally pulled into a strange secret realm. It took a lot of effort to escape. After all that, it’s only natural he’s changed.”
Fortuitous opportunities were considered private matters. Even one’s own parents wouldn’t ask too much, and as a friend, Ye Zinan naturally wouldn’t press for details. He merely sighed sincerely, “Even though we’re on the same team, I really feel like you two are playing an entirely different game. I still don’t even know what my next task is, and you’ve already rocketed ahead. I was so confused when I got that award from the Celestial Palace—I felt guilty accepting it.”
Zou Jibai could relate completely. Ever since the mission at Western Sea, the two of them had been more or less “disconnected”—by the time they came back “online,” the mission was already complete. The same happened in Da Ming City, the Celestial Palace, Huaiyin Island, and now Fusang Island.
What happened? Huh? How did we win?
Winning by doing nothing, again and again—it was starting to feel a little embarrassing. Ye Zinan pretended to reflect solemnly, then quickly exchanged communication tokens with Luo Han. “Next time you two go on an adventure, make sure to take me with you.”
He loved this freeloading lifestyle.
·
Luo Han slipped away in a blink, the others soon dispersed, and Ling Qingxiao was left standing with Star Lord Tianyu, who said, “Ling Qingxiao, things have been hectic, and I haven’t had time to look into what you told me before. Now with the Demon-Sealing Stone situation unresolved, I likely won’t be able to make time soon. How about I assign someone to return to Zhongshan with you to investigate Ling Zhongyu directly? If he truly harbored malicious intent, the Celestial Palace will not be lenient.”
Ling Qingxiao paused—only then did he remember what Tianyu was referring to. Back at the Western Sea, during their first attempt to capture the Devourer Beast, Ling Zhongyu had suddenly let go, and the backlash from his spiritual energy had caused their efforts to collapse. Ling Qingxiao had been so shocked that he struck Ling Zhongyu in anger.
After they returned to the Celestial Palace, Luo Han had reported everything to Tianyu. But so much had happened since—the Demon-Sealing Stone, the Demon-Sealing Stone, the attack on Huaiyin Island, and then the disappearance of Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao themselves. Tianyu had been too swamped to investigate.
Now, with hindsight and experience, Ling Qingxiao could clearly understand what had happened. He had learned much about demonic tactics—enough to confidently say Ling Zhongyu had fallen under a demonic lure. And he also knew how to break it. Something this minor, he could handle on his own; there was no need to trouble Celestial officials.
Ling Qingxiao said, “Thank you, Star Lord. But it’s really just a trivial matter—not worth expending the palace’s resources. With so many major issues to attend to, I can resolve this myself without troubling the Celestial Palace.”
Tianyu truly was short-staffed. Seeing that Ling Qingxiao declined firmly, he didn’t insist, only reminded him to reach out if he encountered any trouble.
Ling Qingxiao thanked him and agreed. With the Demon-Sealing Stone case ongoing, the entire Celestial Palace was taut with tension like a wound-up spring. Luo Han, Ling Qingxiao, and the others were now essentially idle. After staying only a few days, they took the initiative to request leave.
The Celestial Palace arranged flying boats to return each of them home. The four had traveled together, but now it was time to part ways. Ye Zinan and Zou Jibai bade farewell to Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao, each boarding their vessels heading in different directions.
Luo Han and Ling Qingxiao boarded the flying vessel bound for Zhongshan.
Departing and returning evoked entirely different emotions. The journey passed in a flash. As familiar scenery flashed past outside the window, Luo Han felt deeply emotional.
Zhongshan—they were finally home.