Only then did the others realize the terrifying extent of Xiao Yifeng’s injuries. The invincible aura he had projected moments ago was nothing more than a bluff held together by sheer willpower.
Xiao Yifeng lay slumped on Xiao Bing’s back, limp as a corpse, silently circulating his qi to stabilize his crumbling internal state. It took a long while before he could summon the strength to struggle upright and assume a cross-legged meditative posture.
He dared not linger. With a mental command, he ordered Xiao Bing to make for the open sea immediately. As for Daoist Bichen... he could only hope the heavens watched over the righteous.
Originally, Xiao Yifeng had intended to let the group recover their breath before returning to rescue the old Daoist. But halfway through their flight, his expression darkened. He sensed the spiritual imprint he had left inside the protective Dharma Treasure vanish completely.
He had left that mark specifically to track Daoist Bichen’s position. For it to be erased so abruptly, there was only one possibility: the Dharma Treasure had been utterly annihilated.
"A Golden Core cultivator cannot destroy a Middle Grade Magical Artifact from the outside," Xiao Yifeng muttered, his voice hoarse. "The only way it breaks... is if the owner detonates it."
He looked back toward the horizon, his eyes grave. "Daoist Bichen has likely fallen."
A heavy silence descended upon the group. Sorrow washed over them, but no one asked how Xiao Yifeng knew. The deduction was too cruel to voice aloud: Bichen had chosen self-destruction to drag his enemies down with him.
Xiao Bing accelerated, tearing through the air until they reached the ocean. Without slowing, the massive beast plunged directly into the waves.
Princess Yuge and Yurou gasped as the water rushed up to meet them, but the impact never came. A transparent barrier of spiritual energy enveloped them, pushing the brine aside.
The ocean was Xiao Bing’s domain. Beneath the surface, the wyrm moved with terrifying speed, a streak of silver flashing through the dark currents. Even if the demonesses from the Chanmian Pavilion attempted to pursue, they would be left staring at the wake, hopelessly outmatched.
Finally safe, the adrenaline faded, leaving the group exhausted. They slumped against the wyrm’s scales, staring blankly at the shifting light of the underwater world. The magnificent scenery of the deep—glowing coral and schools of luminescent fish—passed by in a blur, but Xiao Yifeng ignored it all, focusing entirely on knitting his torn meridians back together.
Time lost its meaning in the deep. Eventually, Xiao Yifeng opened his eyes, his gaze clear but somber.
"Brother Tianzhi," he said, breaking the silence. "We are approaching the location of your fleet in the outer seas. However... I suggest you prepare yourself."
Zhang Tianzhi’s face paled, the wrinkles of his accelerated aging seeming to deepen. "I understand. If the enemy could chase us this far, my fleet likely never stood a chance. Regardless... I must thank you both for saving our lives."
"We saved you to save ourselves," Xiao Yifeng replied, waving off the gratitude. "What are your plans now, Brother Tianzhi? Princess Yuge?"
"Alas." Zhang Tianzhi looked at his withered, trembling hands. "Father is dead. The kingdom has fallen into enemy hands. And I... I am in this wretched state. I do not know how many years I have left. We can only take it one step at a time."
Xiao Yifeng sighed internally. With his medical expertise, he could tell Zhang Tianzhi’s lifespan had been severed; at best, the man had twenty years remaining.
Moments later, Xiao Bing began to ascend. The wyrm breached the surface, bringing them into the open air of the outer seas.
The smell hit them first—acrid smoke and rotting meat.
As the water cascaded off the barrier, the scene revealed itself. The ocean was choked with debris. Shattered hulls of warships drifted aimlessly, bumping against the bloated corpses of soldiers. Some vessels were still capsized, burning with magical fires that refused to be extinguished by the water.
Though they had mentally prepared themselves, the reality of the annihilation was a hammer blow. The entire fleet was gone. Not a single soul remained.
Zhang Tianzhi and Yuge stared at the ruin of their hopes, their expressions desolate. Yuge bit her lip until it bled, refusing to let the tears fall.
Su Miaoqing let out a soft sigh. She stepped forward, her red robes fluttering in the wind. With a flick of her delicate wrist, a surge of crimson flame erupted from her palm.
Whoosh!
The fire was majestic and terrifying, a manifestation of the Undead Bird’s power. It swept across the water’s surface, turning the wreckage and the dishonored dead into pure ash, granting them a final, clean release from this world.
"Tianzhi thanks Fairy Su," the former Crown Prince said, bowing deeply. "Let us go. It would be troublesome if the enemy caught up. We must trouble Young Master Xiao once more."
Yuge followed her brother’s lead, bowing solemnly. Nearby, Yurou watched the fallen royals with a complex expression, a soft sigh escaping her lips.
Xiao Yifeng commanded Xiao Bing to dive again, putting the graveyard far behind them.
Three days later.
Far from the blood-stained waters of the Yuanhai Kingdom, a two-story flying ship cut through the clouds, heading toward the Tianyue Kingdom.
This region fell under the jurisdiction of the Xuanyue Palace, a righteous heavyweight. The demonic cultivators of the Chanmian Pavilion would not dare act recklessly here.
Once they were safely out of range, Xiao Bing had reached its limit. The wyrm had retreated into Xiao Yifeng’s body to slumber and recover, forcing Xiao Yifeng to utilize the flying vessel he had purchased earlier.
They were scheduled to arrive in the Tianyue Kingdom by tomorrow. With their parting imminent, the group gathered on the deck for a final drink.
Yurou had made her decision: she would not stay with Xiao Yifeng. Instead, she chose to follow Zhang Tianzhi and Yuge.
Xiao Yifeng naturally had no objections. Since the night of their escape, something had shifted between the musician and the fallen prince. Yurou’s attitude toward Zhang Tianzhi had softened from pity to genuine affection.
She felt somewhat ashamed, given that Xiao Yifeng had technically 'purchased' her freedom. But Xiao Yifeng had been candid, explaining that he saved her only because he appreciated her zither arts and didn't wish to see such talent soiled by the brothels. He held no possessive desire toward her.
Under the moonlight, they drank and spoke of the future. It was reminiscent of that strange night they had all shared a bed in the inn, drinking wine. But now, the atmosphere was heavier. Zhang Tianzhi’s aged visage was a constant reminder of the price they had paid.
Yet, Zhang Tianzhi seemed remarkably豁达 (open-minded) about his fate. He laughed, holding his cup up to the moon. "Though my ambitions of empire are dust, I have gained a confidante like Yurou. To have a beauty by my side in my twilight years... perhaps the heavens are not entirely cruel."
Yurou blushed, lowering her head.
Yuge smiled, genuinely happy for her brother. He had let go of the burden of the throne and found peace. For herself, she was simply relieved she no longer had to marry the grotesque King of Yuanhai.
As the wine flowed, they shared their paths.
Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing would continue their journey across the continent. Xiao Yifeng had broken through his bottleneck and now sought rare heavenly treasures to stabilize his foundation and push toward higher realms.
Yuge and Zhang Tianzhi planned to find a quiet corner of the Tianyue Kingdom, living out their days in seclusion, far from the chaotic world of cultivation.
The melancholy of parting made the wine taste stronger. Even Yuge, who rarely drank, emptied several cups until Zhang Tianzhi gently stopped her. Flushed and dizzy, she retired to her room early.
Over the last few days, Xiao Yifeng had transcribed a cultivation manual for Zhang Tianzhi. It was merely a Novice level technique, shallow and basic, but he hoped it would help the man nurse his vitality and perhaps extend his damaged lifespan by a few years.
Late into the night.
Xiao Yifeng sat cross-legged in his cabin, meditating. Suddenly, his Divine Sense twitched. Someone had stepped onto the deck.
Scanning the area, he realized it was Yuge.
What is she doing out there alone at this hour?
Curiosity piqued, Xiao Yifeng opened his door and stepped out into the cool night air.
Yuge was leaning against the railing at the bow of the ship, her back to the vast, dark ocean. She was gazing up at the bright moon, lost in thought.
She had removed her veil.
For the first time, Xiao Yifeng saw her face clearly. She was truly a Peerless beauty, her features exquisite enough to topple cities. Her long, dark hair danced in the sea breeze, and the moonlight cast a porcelain glow over her skin. Yet, within those beautiful eyes, a profound sadness lingered.
Hearing his footsteps, Yuge turned. Seeing Xiao Yifeng, her face lit up with a brilliant, yet fragile smile.
"Young Master Xiao. I knew you would come out."
"Miss Yuge?" Xiao Yifeng walked over, surprised. "Were you waiting for me?"
"En." She nodded gently. "We part ways tomorrow. I... I wanted to say goodbye to you properly. Alone."
She turned fully toward him, her eyes glistening. "Thank you for saving my life, again and again. I hope... I hope I haven't disturbed your rest."