His voice paused for a moment before he continued, "Some things—many things—are nothing but obsessions."
Hearing this, Feng Jiu smiled faintly. "I know. I understand exactly what I'm doing."
Seeing this, the Azure Emperor said no more. After bidding her farewell, he departed with the three children.
Watching their figures vanish into the depths of the clouds on the horizon, Feng Jiu finally withdrew her gaze and turned back.
"Master, will they return?" Mi'er approached as she came back and asked.
"This is their home. Of course they'll return someday. But who knows how many years that 'someday' might be?" She smiled faintly, shook her head, and said no more. Turning, she headed back to her quarters, preparing to retreat into seclusion once more.
Half a Year Later
On an island, the Azure Emperor stood with his hands behind his back, watching the sun rise over the eastern sea. "Are you ready?" he asked.
