"Since there's no need to return to Qionghua Sect right now, and we're not far from Qingluan Peak, why not head there to rest for a while?"
Obtaining the Soloro Fruit, one of the three Cold Relics, should have been a joyous event. However, the tragic events involving the sisters Chu Hanjing and Chu Bihen left the group in low spirits. Of everyone, Han Lingsha appeared the most affected. Her long-standing admiration for immortality had taken a hit as she confronted the harsh truths behind the lives of immortals. Encounters with beings like the Fox Spirit and the scattered immortal Mountain God had further shaped her understanding of what immortality entailed.
Although they could have immediately delivered the Soloro Fruit to Xuanxiao, he had previously mentioned that the relics could be delivered together once all three were found. Taking advantage of this rare opportunity to detour, Daniel suggested heading to Qingluan Peak, where Yun Tianhe had grown up, for some rest.
"Back home? That's great!" Yun Tianhe exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement. At the same time, Liu Mengli's face lit up with curiosity upon hearing they were going to Yun Tianhe's childhood home.
As for Han Lingsha, she was quick to agree. The lingering sadness of the Moonshade Realm weighed heavily on her, and she was eager to leave it behind.
"If that's the case, let's go," Murong Ziying nodded after a moment's hesitation. Secretly, he was also intrigued by the place where Yun Tianhe had grown up. What kind of environment could nurture someone like Yun Tianhe—innocent, straightforward, and yet full of a natural charisma that drew people in?
Qingluan Peak was not far from Shennong Cave, and with their sword-flying abilities, the group arrived swiftly.
"Yeehaw!" Yun Tianhe couldn't hold back a loud, exuberant yell as soon as they reached Qingluan Peak. This was his home, his sanctuary, where he could truly let loose.
"A wild boar!" Yun Tianhe suddenly exclaimed, spotting a familiar creature in the distance. Without hesitation, he dashed off in its direction, as eager as ever. Though he'd hunted plenty of game in the mountains near Qionghua Sect, he clearly still preferred the wild boars of Qingluan Peak.
"He's like a little kid," Han Lingsha remarked, the sight of Yun Tianhe's antics bringing a faint smile to her face. Her spirits seemed to lift ever so slightly.
"Did Uncle Yun really live here his whole life?" Liu Mengli asked as she carefully observed their surroundings. Yun Tianhe's childhood home fascinated her—it felt as though every detail held some hidden story.
"Alright, who knows when Tianhe will be back. Let's head to his house first," Han Lingsha suggested, leading the group down a path. They were currently on the mountaintop, with a treehouse visible in the background. However, instead of heading for the treehouse, Han Lingsha guided them toward a rustic courtyard nestled further down.
Yun Tianhe's home on Qingluan Peak was nothing like the single wooden cabin depicted in the game. Instead, it was a modest courtyard surrounded by a simple fence, with four standalone wooden cabins inside. Daniel only needed a quick glance to deduce the function of each cabin: two appeared to be bedrooms, one served as a kitchen, and the smallest, cluttered with miscellaneous items near its entrance, was clearly a storage shed.
The reality of the home reflected the fact that Yun Tianhe's family had once lived there together. When his parents were alive, a single wooden cabin would have been far too cramped for the family.
"Lingsha, wild boar!"
"What did you just call me, Yun Tianhe? Did you just call me a wild boar?" Han Lingsha's hands went to her hips as she glared at Yun Tianhe, who was cheerfully dragging a hefty wild boar toward her.
It wasn't hard to guess why Han Lingsha was so angry. Yun Tianhe's words reminded her of the first time they met, when he had mistaken her for a "boar spirit."
"Tianhe, you didn't kill that little wild boar, did you?" Han Lingsha's expression softened as she glanced at the boar Yun Tianhe was carrying, worry creeping into her voice.
"No, this is a different one. That little one's still too young. I'll wait until it grows up before thinking about it," Yun Tianhe replied earnestly, unaware of how his words might sound.
While his innocence remained intact, his experiences with Han Lingsha had taught him a thing or two. He still remembered how she reacted when he nearly offered the little wild boar as a sacrifice to his father's spirit.
"The five grains are impure energy," Murong Ziying began, frowning slightly as he approached the group, who were busy roasting the wild boar.
"That's why we're eating meat instead!" Yun Tianhe interrupted without missing a beat, speaking with complete sincerity.
Murong Ziying's face changed colors several times as he processed Yun Tianhe's reply. Finally, he let out a frustrated snort and turned to leave, his robes billowing slightly in the wind.
"Impressive," Daniel said, giving Yun Tianhe a thumbs-up. Few people could leave Murong Ziying at such a loss for words, especially without even trying.
"Tianhe, where's Uncle Yun's grave? I'd like to pay my respects," Liu Mengli said after they had finished their meal. Her voice was soft but filled with a quiet determination.
"My father's grave? I don't know if he's still mad at me," Yun Tianhe muttered, scratching his head. While he knew exactly where his parents were buried, he had always been too scared to visit, worried his father might still be angry with him.
"Don't worry, Tianhe. This time, your father definitely won't be angry—especially when he sees Mengli. He might even forget all about the things you've done before," Han Lingsha teased gently.
"Really? Alright, then," Yun Tianhe replied, his expression brightening. Spurred on by Han Lingsha's encouragement, he agreed to lead the group to Shichen Creek Cave, where his parents rested. Even Murong Ziying joined them after hearing about their plans.
"Shichen Creek Cave—'to see through the world'… Who can truly see through the world's mysteries?" Daniel thought as they walked. Though he possessed knowledge of the game's storyline, the reality of this world was far more intricate, filled with unexpected twists and turns.
The group eventually arrived at Yun Tianhe's family tomb within the cave. As expected, the burial site remained in disrepair, a stark reminder of how little attention Yun Tianhe had paid to it over the years.
After paying their respects to Yun Tianqing and Su Yu, Han Lingsha's gaze fell on a poem etched into an icy wall nearby.
"Tao Mountain blocks the Emperor Qin's ship, Han Palace lights shine through golden trays. Jade skin turns to white bones in vain; better the sword's whistle in Yishui's chill."
The first time Han Lingsha had seen the poem, its meaning had eluded her. But now, she finally understood the sorrow and resignation behind the words.
"Tianhe, shouldn't you repair this place?" Murong Ziying suggested as they prepared to leave the tomb.
"There's no need. Father always said he didn't want to be disturbed. This way is better," Yun Tianhe replied.
Murong Ziying frowned but ultimately didn't press the issue. In the past, he might have chastised Yun Tianhe for neglecting his filial duties. However, he now recognized that Yun Tianhe's straightforward reasoning came from a pure and honest heart.
Back at Yun Tianhe's home, the group lounged in makeshift chairs Daniel had crafted. Yun Tianhe broke the silence, sharing his future plans. "Once we've found the last Cold Relic and helped my big brother, I'm leaving Qionghua Sect. What about you, Lingsha, Mengli?"
"I never found what I was looking for in Qionghua Sect, so I'll definitely be leaving," Han Lingsha said matter-of-factly.
"I'll go wherever you go," Liu Mengli added softly. "And we still have to help Lingsha solve the problems in her homeland, don't we?"
The three then turned their attention to Daniel, curious about his plans.
"I'll leave Qionghua Sect too," Daniel said, shrugging. "I already told you—I learned sword flight mainly to make travel easier."
"You're leaving the sect?" Murong Ziying's voice suddenly broke in. He had overheard their conversation and stepped forward, his expression unreadable.
"That's right. Honestly, if it weren't for my big brother, I would've left long ago. But don't worry, Ziying—we'll wait until the Demon Realm situation is resolved before we go," Yun Tianhe assured him.
"Little Ziying, you're not planning to stop us, are you?" Han Lingsha teased with a sly grin.
"Of course not. Everyone has their own path. If leaving is what you truly want, then so be it. As for the Demon Realm… you're all just newly inducted disciples. Your cultivation is shallow. You don't need to involve yourselves in something so dangerous," Murong Ziying replied after a moment's thought.
"Are you worried about us, Ziying? Don't be. We won't throw our lives away. We'll only help in ways we can manage," Han Lingsha said with a knowing smile.
Murong Ziying turned on his heel with a snort, clearly uncomfortable with how easily Han Lingsha had read his intentions.
The next day, the group departed for the vicinity of Chaohu Lake to search for the final Cold Relic: the Kun Scales.
"This is where we met Little Ziying for the first time. Who'd have thought he'd end up as our martial uncle?" Han Lingsha remarked as they strolled along the lakeshore, her mind drifting to memories of their first encounter with Murong Ziying.
"Something's happening over there!" Liu Mengli suddenly exclaimed, pointing toward a commotion in the distance.
When they arrived, they found a young man dressed as a fisherman lying unconscious on the ground. Three other fishermen stood nearby, their faces etched with grief.
"He drowned," Han Lingsha said, kneeling to examine the man.
"No, it's not that—he was attacked by a monster," one of the fishermen replied angrily. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, he looked at Han Lingsha and Liu Mengli with hope. "Fairies… Are you immortals?"
"Can you tell us where you encountered the monster?" Murong Ziying asked calmly.
"Let me take a look," Daniel said, stepping forward. Kneeling beside the unconscious man, he pressed a finger to the man's wrist and quickly identified his condition. A few precise taps on key acupoints later, the man coughed violently, expelling a mouthful of water before regaining consciousness.
"A-Hai! You're awake! Thank the immortals for saving you!" the other fishermen exclaimed, nearly dropping to their knees in gratitude.
"No need for that," Daniel said, stopping them with a wave of his hand. "Just tell us everything you know about the monster."
Through their testimony, the group learned of strange whirlpools forming near Bai Lingzhou, where fishermen had reportedly seen eerie creatures beneath the waves. While these incidents hadn't resulted in fatalities, the mystery demanded investigation.
"Water demons, huh? Strange—I've never heard of any around here. I did hear about a giant bird on Bai Lingzhou, though," Han Lingsha mused aloud.
Whether these water demons were connected to the Kun Scales remained to be seen, but the group decided to investigate. After borrowing a small fishing boat from the grateful villagers, they prepared to head toward the island.
"Let's find out what's really going on here," Murong Ziying said, determination flashing in his eyes.
------------------
If you're enjoying this novel, please check out my new work: I Am Zeus, KING OF GODS ⚡
Your support means a lot! Reading, commenting, or voting with Power Stones helps the story grow and reach more readers. 🙌
------------------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get early access to chapters by joining my Patre@n!
Find me at: patre@n*com/Mutter
You can read each novel for $5 or get them all for just $15.
Fairy Tail: Igneel's Eldest Son (Chapter 256)
I Am Thalos, Odin's Older Brother (Chapter 336)
Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
Solomon in Marvel (Chapter 924)
Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
[+50 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[+5 Reviews = +1 Extra Chapter]