It didn't take long before Tang Xiao Qi's figure appeared outside the mountain range housing Qingxu Temple. He didn't directly teleport in, but like the most ordinary homecoming wanderer, step by step climbing the familiar yet seemingly somewhat unfamiliar mountain path.
The mountain gate remained unchanged, the huge stone plaque carved with "Qingxu Temple" had gained more ancient simplicity through years of wind and rain. The gate guards had changed to unfamiliar young faces, wearing uniform blue Taoist robes, clear eyes carrying the vigor of new cultivators and a trace of seriousness about their duties. Seeing Xiao Qi climbing, though unable to perceive his specific cultivation level, they didn't dare neglect him, approaching respectfully to inquire.
"Elder, may we know your purpose for visiting Qingxu Temple?"
Looking at these two young, vibrant faces, Xiao Qi's heart was slightly touched, as if seeing his own shadow when he first entered the sect. He smiled warmly, didn't immediately reveal his identity, only saying: "Returning to an old place. Please announce that the old friend Tang Xiao Qi has returned."
"Tang Xiao Qi?" The two disciples glanced at each other, the name seeming somewhat familiar yet they couldn't immediately recall where they'd heard it. One quicker-witted one promptly said: "Elder, please wait, I shall immediately inform the duty elder."
Xiao Qi nodded, hands clasped behind his back standing before the gate, gaze passing through the arch over the cloud-shrouded mountaintop where the main hall stood—that was where he'd received Master Xuan Lin's test and was accepted as disciple. Every tree and stone seemed unchanged yet somehow different.
Soon, an urgent whooshing sound came. A middle-aged cultivator in elder robes with an elegant face descended on sword-light—that was an elder brother from Xiao Qi's generation who'd had decent relations, now one of the executive elders managing external affairs. Seeing that figure in blue by the gate, he first froze in shock, then irrepressible joy appeared on his face.
"Xiao Qi... no, Brother Tang! It's really you!" He hurried forward, excitedly gripping Xiao Qi's arm, examining him up and down. "You've finally returned! When news came years ago that you were severely wounded in the void, everyone was worried sick! The Vice Sect Master and Senior Brothers..."
"Brother Li, it's good to see you." Xiao Qi smiled, cutting off his chatter, patting his hand. "I'm fine, thank everyone for their concern. Senior Brother Mu... is he well?"
"Good! Very well!" Elder Li nodded repeatedly, eyes somewhat reddened, guiding Xiao Qi into the mountain. "Senior Brother Mu has managed the sect so orderly, the sect's scale has doubled since you left! Come, come, I'll take you up. If Senior Brother Mu knows you've returned, how overjoyed he'll be!"
Passing through the familiar plaza, walking corridors where he'd once trained and played. Xiao Qi quietly observed—the sect had significantly more disciples than when he left, several times more. On the training field, hundreds of young disciples practiced basic sword techniques in uniform under instructors, their shouts deafening, full of vibrant energy. The library, alchemy hall, artifact forging workshop were all busier than remembered, appearing exceptionallyprosperous.
Along the way, disciples of all ages respectfully saluted Elder Li, but seeing the ordinary-aura Xiao Qi beside him, most showed curious gazes, clearly not recognizing him. Only some older, seniordeacon or inner disciples, upon seeing Xiao Qi's face, firstshocked, then showed excited and reverent expressions, saluting respectfully from afar calling "Grand-uncle Elder" or "Elder Tang," drawing curious whispers from surrounding young disciples.
"So that's the legendary Tang Grand-uncle Elder?"
"True Lord of Purification? Really? He looks so young..."
"I heard he was in the void..."
Various discussions carrying adoration, curiosity, and disbelief reached Xiao Qi's ears. He merely nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
News spread like winged wings, throughout Qingxu Temple.
When Xiao Qi arrived at the plaza before the main hall guided by Elder Li, Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng had already received news, leading dozens of core elders and true disciples hurrying out of the hall.
Years apart, Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng's manner had become even more steady and profound, his brow bearing more the dignity of a sect master, but now that dignity was overtaken by irrepressible excitement and joy. He strode to Xiao Qi, carefully examining him, voice with undetectable tremor: "Xiao Qi... welcome back, welcome back!"
"Senior Brother." Looking at this brother-like friend who'd silently supported the sect and himself all along, Xiao Qi's heart surged with warmth, respectfully saluting.
"Paying respects to Tang Elder!" Behind, all elders and true disciples saluted together, voices full of genuine respect. Among them were many faces familiar to Xiao Qi: the second brother who's temperament still lively yet much steadier now, heading the rune research institute; the third sister Liu Yun whose aura had become sharper, independently heading the law enforcement; Zhao Tiezhu whose build had grown even more imposing, heading body cultivation. There were also many vigorous young faces he'd never seen—Qingxu Temple's new blood, future hope.
Xiao Qi's gaze swept across everyone, finally landing on those young disciples, watching their shining adoration, excitement, and longing for the future in their eyes. He seemed to see Qingxu Temple's lineage endlessly regenerating.
Things changed, people remained.
The familiar mountain gate, familiar brothers and sisters, yet the sect had grown stronger, full of new vitality. He, once the "Little Junior Brother" and "Little Elder's nephew," was now the legendary "Grand-uncle Elder" and "True Lord of Purification" in disciples' mouths.
He left for years, but Qingxu Temple didn't stagnate because of his departure—under Senior Brother and others' leadership, it flourished vigorously, lineage extending. This power of inheritance and continuation, more than his personal strength, made him feel more gratified and secure.
Here was still his home, his spiritual anchor, the place where his path began and where he would face his most critical transformation.
"Welcome back." Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng stepped forward again, heavily patting his shoulder, everything expressed without words. "coincidentally, there's much to discuss with you."
Xiao Qi nodded, walking shoulder to shoulder with Senior Brother, into the main hall amid reverent gazes of elders and disciples.
Returning to the sect, what he felt wasn't alienation but a deeper sense of belonging and responsibility. He knew here he would complete his finalaccumulated, face the Spirit Transformation tribulation concerning his own and the Three Realms' future.