The handsome man felt proud of Fang Yun, who had managed to explain his sudden disappearance to his lover without arousing suspicion.“Besides your terrifying talent, you also possess a rare gift — the ability to think with such calm maturity,” he thought admiringly.Xiao Tian was certain Fang Yun would eventually complete the mission that had been left unfinished because of his love for Hui Xian, the daughter of the Emperor of Darkness.“I will meet you again after that young man completes his task,” he wrote on a strip of palm leaf.Xiao Tian rolled the leaf tightly and flicked it with powerful inner force, so fast and sharp that it pierced the wooden wall of Hui Xian’s small hut.Sensing a surge of energy heading toward her dwelling, Hui Xian stood and stepped outside. Her eyes swept across the misty mountain slope, yet she could sense nothing around her.“I’m sure I felt a strong energy just now… why has it vanished?” she murmured softly. Before returning inside, she cast another

Fang Yun struggled to move his weakened body, but Hui Xian immediately stopped him.“Where is the Earth Dragon? I haven’t subdued it yet!” Fang Yun said weakly.“It has already surrendered, Fang Yun. You’ve conquered it,” Hui Xian replied firmly. The beautiful woman had no choice but to lie — she didn’t want the young man to continue the dangerous battle. She also raised her voice slightly, hoping the Earth Dragon would hear her words.“Really?” Fang Yun frowned in disbelief. The last thing he remembered was that his own attack had rebounded before it even touched the Earth Dragon’s body.“Don’t think about it anymore; at least it’s already admitted defeat!” Hui Xian said again, still louder than usual.“I’m not deaf, Aunt. Why are you shouting like that?”Hui Xian covered her mouth and laughed softly. Then she led Fang Yun back to the small hut — he needed to recover before continuing the next stage.That night, Fang Yun, Mei Hwa, and Hui Xian talked for hours about the long journey

“Finally…” Hui Xian exhaled in relief after Mei Hwa managed to unblock the channel that had been blocking her energy flow.But there was something that surprised her even more: Mei Hwa’s internal power had already reached the mid-level of an unrivaled martial hero.“The effect of the Golden Algae on this girl is terrifying,” she muttered softly. If that rare resource existed in the archipelago, there would surely be many duel-grade fighters appearing.In another place — inside the fire dimension controlled by Qiang Mo — the fire demon was seen laboring over the forging of a thin black-reddish sword that radiated immense energy. The sword had been formed from the fusion of three heirlooms, except for the Sea of Fire sword which Fang Yun no longer used.Later, that sword would be crafted to hold part of the energy released by the fusion of the four heirlooms that Fang Yun had managed to gather.“Almost there, Qiang Mo. Make that s

"Very well, Fang Yun. I only ask for one thing—let me send a message to my father before you kill him," Hui Xian said softly."I'm sorry, Hui Xian. But I must carry out this duty," Fang Yun replied, kneeling before the beautiful woman who was Xiao Tian’s beloved."You don’t have to do this, Fang Yun. I have already accepted my fate long ago. I know—no human can defy destiny." Hui Xian placed her hands on Fang Yun’s shoulders and gently lifted him to his feet.Fang Yun and Mei Hwa bowed deeply in respect to Hui Xian. Afterward, both mounted their horses and rode down the slopes of Mount Dieng.Hui Xian watched them go, her heart heavy yet oddly content. Her desire to meet Xiao Tian again would soon be fulfilled, though that hope now rested in Fang Yun’s hands.Hours passed, and by dusk Fang Yun and Mei Hwa had reached the foothills of Mount Dieng. From there, they began their long journey toward Mount Tianmen—a journey that could take two

“You’re quite ruthless, Mei,” Fang Yun teased softly.“I learned it from you—how to treat an enemy.” The young woman’s delicate face showed both calm and confusion as she gazed upon the corpses around her, most of them cleaved cleanly in half. A faint shiver crossed her spine. How did I become this cruel? she wondered.Fang Yun walked toward the remaining disciples of the Hell’s Sickle Sect, who knelt trembling, waiting for their fate.“Because I am in a good mood today, and I have no desire to kill, I will spare your lives,” he said evenly. “But there is a condition—never again shall you join any sect of the dark arts. Now leave.”“Thank you, Young Master. We will go now,” one of them stammered.Fang Yun nodded slightly, then turned to the bald-headed monk who had been observing him quietly all this time.“Elder, we shall continue our journey. May your group travel safely and face no further troubles.”The old monk smiled with warmth in his eyes. “May I ask where the young warrior is