Gu Dongliu, Ye Wuchen, and the others’ return naturally made the practitioners gathered at the Heavenly Mandate Academy happy. In particular, the older generation was delighted after seeing that the younger generation had grown stronger.
Sounds of laughter never ceased during the banquet. Everyone was happy, and the sounds of chitchat came from every direction.
Sword Saint, Gu Dongliu, and Zhuge Mingyue gathered together. The cultivators from the Demon Realm gathered in another group. At the current juncture, the three major clans of the Demon Realm—Sky Demon Court, Dragon Clan, and the Divine Elephant Clan—had long become one. They were no longer constantly bickering with each other like in the past. Over the past few years, whether it was the few major demon clans that stayed behind in the Heavenly Mandate Realm or the younger generations who left for the Divine Prefecture, they had become sworn to life and death.
However, after learning about the changes of the Original Realm and the invasion of the Demon Realm, Jun and Long Chen were still incredibly infuriated.
Unexpectedly, after 20 years, the Original Realm did not revert to an orderly and peaceful state, and there were even signs that things would turn completely chaotic.
Ye Futian did not say much during the banquet. He spent more time observing the conversations of everyone else. He looked at the older generation asking those who had returned about events that occurred in the Divine Prefecture. He sat there and listened quietly, a bright smile hanging on his face all the while.
However, underneath that smile and deep inside his heart was actually a sense of sadness.
If one were to ask him who the two most important people were in his life, he would answer without hesitation that they were Jieyu and Yu Sheng. Even though Wuchen, his older brother, second sister, and third brother, each held a significant position as well and were people whom he would trust his life with, they could not replace Jieyu or Yu Sheng. It was just like even though he would give his life to protect his third brother, if one were to ask his third brother who was more important to him, Ye Futian or second sister, the answer would clearly be his second sister.
And the fact was that these two most important persons of his life were absent in this gathering. The subtle sense of loneliness that he felt could not be hidden; it was impossible for him to lie to himself.
“Do you miss her?” Xia Qingyuan gently asked Ye Futian.
Ye Futian looked at the girl beside him and nodded gently. Back then, they worked so hard to finally find Jieyu, and now, he had not seen her in 20 years. How could he not miss her?
“Since third brother said she’s alright, I’m sure she’s fine. Since she has already recovered her memories, after learning of the changes of the Original Realm, she might come back herself,” said Xia Qingyuan gently. Ye Futian looked at the girl whose head was slightly lowered beside him. As Xia Qingyuan was being considerate to him, he felt a sense of guilt.
He knew that he owed this little princess of Emperor Xia’s Realm a lot. She could have been pampered and lived a life of luxury; however, she spared no thoughts of her life and chose to go through the crevice of space to chase after him into the Divine Prefecture. She never complained, nor did she regret it. She also never asked for anything in return.
“Missing Jieyu?” Zhuge Mingyue appeared on his other side and looked at him with a gentle smile. Gu Dongliu and the others also shifted their gaze toward them.
“A bit,” answered Ye Futian, gently nodding.
“Before Jieyu left, I spoke to her. While the battle against Brahma’s Pure Sky Empress was won, Brahma’s Pure Sky Empress became her. Even though Jieyu became a lot colder, perhaps it was because of your battle… Dongliu also said it, Jieyu’s cultivation rate is the fastest among all of us. She’s growing at a ridiculous pace. Since this is the case, she will surely return by herself,” said Zhuge Mingyue as she stretched out her long and slender fingers to rub Ye Futian’s head.
Ye Futian let out an awkward smile. Only his second sister would treat him like this.
“Thank you, senior sister,” Ye Futian said, smiling. “I hope she comes back soon.”
“You also don’t have to worry too much about Yu Sheng. His relationship with the Devil World is quite deep. The Devil World is definitely a more suitable location for him to cultivate,” said his eldest brother—the Sword Saint. Sword Saint knew about some things back then. He received a demonic blade once upon a time, a blade that he had been using since. Moreover, he received teachings about a demonic method which he had been continuing to cultivate.
He was now wondering what the relationship between that mysterious person and Ye Futian and Yu Sheng was.
However, one thing he could confirm was that the Devil World’s Devil General Mei Ting had come and brought Yu Sheng away. He was not that worried about Yu Sheng’s safety. However, he did not know when they would be able to reunite.
He cultivated in the Divine Prefecture and knew just how vast the Divine Prefecture was. It was a continent that had an endless border.
However, the Devil World was still a region outside the Divine Prefecture. So just where could it be?
Who knew how far Yu Sheng was away from him. Unless the Devil General brought him back, he did not know when they’d be able to meet again.
“Even though we are miles apart, we are still close brothers. It is just a matter of time. By the time you reach the peak, how can you not meet each other again?” asked Sword Saint. Ye Futian nodded. By now, all he could do was to work hard and continue to cultivate.
“It looks like I should also try to cultivate and train faster. Otherwise, I might be left behind by Yu Sheng,” said Ye Futian, laughing. Yu Sheng, who had gone to the Devil World to cultivate, must be growing rapidly. His experience and growth were definitely not inferior to the training and tribulation he went through in the Divine Prefecture. It was possible that Yu Sheng’s training would completely release his talent and potential. By the time they met, Ye Futian could not be the one left behind.
Dou Zhao snuck up to Ye Futian’s side and asked, “What’s your plane level now?”
“What? What do you want to do?” Ye Futian looked at Dou Zhao’s glaring eyes. ‘This bastard… His skin must be itching for a lashing.’
“I’ve grown somewhat in the Divine Prefecture. I just want to know how your cultivation’s been these years.” Dou Zhao’s eyes shone. Over the years, he grew tremendously. He cultivated and trained diligently every day. Before returning, he kept wondering when he would be able to spar a few rounds with Ye Futian or Yu Sheng.
“Not bad. I’m at the sixth plane now. Is there any problem?” asked Ye Futian with a gentle smile.
“Ugh…” Dou Zhao’s eyes widened as he stared at Ye Futian for a moment. He rolled his eyes and said, “It’s fine. I’m just asking.”
Careless!
Later, Xiao Muyu also came over and glanced at Dou Zhao with a smile. It looked like the guy had become a little bit full of himself and was looking for a beating.
“Master!” Shouted Xiao Muyu after she reached Ye Futian’s side.
“Yes.” Ye Futian nodded with a gentle smile.
“Master, have you been well over the past few years cultivating in the Divine Prefecture?” Xiao Muyu asked.
“Do I look unwell?” Ye Futian shrugged his shoulders.
“True. With your old man’s talent and strength, how could you not shake the world and dominate an entire generation wherever you go?” said Xiao Muyu, laughing. “I have also grown a little bit over these few years. If possible, I’d like Master to give me a few pointers and tell me where my cultivation problems lie.”
“Sure.” Ye Futian nodded.
After that, the other people who returned from the Divine Prefecture came over to exchange a few words with Ye Futian. The practitioners from Four Corner Village and the Duan Ancient Royal Family stood on the side, not interfering. However, they watched everything carefully. It seemed as if Ye Futian had a unique meaning to the Heavenly Mandate Academy.
“You are his disciple?” Old Ma asked Xiao Muyu.
Xiao Muyu naturally sensed that the aura emanating from this group of people was exceptional, particularly Old Ma. Xiao Dingtian made a brief introduction on the side and said, “This is an elder from the Divine Prefecture’s Four Corner Village. Your master is cultivating at his village.”
“Xiao Muyu.” Xiao Muyu bowed slightly at Old Ma and the others upon hearing Xiao Dingtian’s introduction. She seemed very polite.
For Ye Futian to cultivate there, this place must be incredible.
“Yes.” Old Ma smiled and nodded. “I do not have anything particular in mind for you, but your master did not tell you that you have several junior brothers and sisters now.”
Xiao Muyu was stunned. She turned around to glance at Ye Futian. She looked pleasantly surprised. Her master actually took in new disciples.
“Are they here?” Xiao Muyu looked around Old Ma. However, those practitioners all had outstanding auras. Every single one of them looked like they were amazing. So, they probably weren’t.
“No, they are still young. They’re at the village,” said Ye Futian with a chuckle.
“I do want to meet my junior brothers and sisters,” said Xiao Muyu.
“Then, they are my junior nephews,” Dou Zhao said on the side. Back when Ye Futian received disciples on behalf of his master, they all went into Sky River Great Elder and could be regarded as Qi Xuangang’s disciples.
“If there’s an opportunity, you should all head to the village and visit those little brats,” Old Ma said with a gentle smile. With just a few words, he seemed to have become closer to the people there. Moreover, even though Old Ma was a powerful and influential figure, he always stayed in the village. So, a sense of simplicity emanated from his body, and it was easy for people to get close to him.
“All right, I will definitely have my master bring me there,” said Xiao Muyu with a smile.
At the banquet, groups chatted as people talked about everything under the sky. Everyone was happy. After some time, people finally began to leave, albeit unwillingly.
Ye Futian walked over to Hua Fengliu. Hua Fengliu and Nandou Wenyin sat in the courtyard. Tang Lan and Nianyu were also there.
“Why have you come here?” Compared to 20 years ago, Hua Fengliu had aged a bit.
“I’ve missed you, old lady,” said Ye Futian with a gentle smile.
Hua Fengliu glared at him and said, “Relax. Even though I’m a bit older now, I’m still not that weak.”
Many people returned, but Jieyu did not. Seeing everyone gathering around, the ones feeling the worst were naturally Hua Fengliu and Nandou Wenyin. They really suffered a lot because of everything related to Jieyu back then.
“Yes.” Ye Futian nodded. “I’m just here to sit with you for a bit.”
“As you like,” said Hua Fengliu as she leaned lazily back. Ye Futian actually brought a chair over and sat there. He sat there quietly, looking at Hua Fengliu and the others.
Then, Hua Fengliu asked gently, “Have your Guqin skills become rusty?”
“I probably still remember,” answered Ye Futian.
“Play a tune,” said Hua Fengliu.
“Okay.” Ye Futian nodded. After that, he crossed his legs and sat down. Moonlight descended from the sky and fell upon his grey hair, creating a scene that oscillated a sense of loneliness.
The tune of the guqin began slowly as if it was the meditation tune that Ye Futian played when he first began learning the guqin. Sitting quietly under the night sky, the tune of the guqin surrounded them. Quiet and lovely. Apart from the silence of the night, the dancing musical notes seemed to be tinged with a sense of longing.
Nandou Wenying glared at Hua Fengliu. Why did she ask Ye Futian to play the guqin and evoke the longing he felt in his heart.
Seeing the lonely figure, with Jieyu still away, he must feel terrible.
Hua Nianyu sat with her elbows on her knees. Holding her jaw with her palms, she listened to Ye Futian play the guqin quietly.
Hua Fengliu slowly closed her eyes.
The tune of the guqin surrounded them underneath the tranquil moonlight as if they were in an exquisite scroll painting!
