The Wind Sword Sect ultimately could not refuse the Wandering Spirit WindEssence.
To celebrate Li Zhexian's enlightenment of the Sword Intent,
Feng Bailong swept his wide sleeves,
and declared that all sect duties for the day were suspended, a grand banquet to be held instead.
In that instant,
the Wind Sword Sect brimmed with festivity.
Disciples bustled about, carrying wine, slaughtering pigs and sheep—their shouts and cries wove into a lively clamor.
At the banquet, cups clashed and laughter rang.
Even Feng Bailong tied up his graying hair and clinked glasses with Li Zhexian several times in succession.
Qian Renxue sat quietly to the side.
She too had drunk a few cups, her jade-like face tinted with a blush of intoxication, beautiful enough to steal breath.
Her azure eyes, slightly misted, gazed at Li Zhexian, who drank and laughed freely among the disciples and elders of the sect.
It seemed as though—
as long as she remained by Li Zhexian's side,
this vivid, unbroken scroll of rivers and lakes would continue to unfurl.
Whether it was the Emperor Team, or Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, and the others…
Li Zhexian always blended in effortlessly, forging bonds of friendship wherever he went.
How I wish I could always live so freely with you…
The thought surfaced.
The faint smile at the corner of Qian Renxue's lips slowly faded.
As she remembered that the ten-day period was nearly up, a sorrow beyond words crept across her flawless face.
The revelry lasted until dusk before finally coming to rest.
By the following noon,
Li Zhexian and Qian Renxue bid farewell.
At the gates of the sect,
Feng Bailong, Feng Buyu, Feng Xiao, and countless elders and disciples all came to send them off.
"Zhexian, my young friend, you are always welcome at Wind Sword Sect. Come anytime to drink and discuss the sword with me."
The weathered face of Feng Bailong bore a smile sincere and warm.
Li Zhexian clasped his hands and replied with a laugh:
"I too look forward to seeing another Wind Sword Douluo rise on this continent."
The words struck exactly where Feng Bailong's heart longed most.
He could not help but burst into booming laughter. Then, straightening his expression, he said solemnly:
"Zhexian, my young friend will always be a friend of Wind Sword Sect."
"If ever you are in need, simply send word. The sect will not hesitate."
"Senior, rest assured—if the day truly comes, I will not be polite."
Feng Buyu stepped forward and pulled Li Zhexian into a firm embrace.
"Brother Zhexian, I'll stay in the sect to listen to the wind and comprehend the sword!"
"When I've made progress, I'll come to Heaven Dou Empire to find you!"
"You must treat me well then!"
Li Zhexian laughed, giving him a friendly punch in the chest.
"But of course!"
Thus, they parted from the Wind Sword Sect.
Li Zhexian and Qian Renxue rode their steeds onto the road home.
As though in silent accord, both reined in their pace,
stretching out the journey as if to savor it.
"Li Zhexian…"
Qian Renxue turned her head to glance at him.
They had been gone from Wind Sword Sect half a day, yet he remained unusually quiet.
She asked softly:
"Are you reluctant to leave the friends you made there?"
Li Zhexian was briefly taken aback, then smiled.
"These past days at Wind Sword Sect were indeed carefree."
"Senior Feng Bailong is forthright, and Feng Buyu is a friend worth cherishing."
"But still…"
His gaze drifted to the surging, yellow river that coursed alongside the official road.
He pulled out the Clear Spring Wine Gourd blended with Wandering Spirit Wind Essence, tipped his head back, and drank deeply.
"Pray, ask the eastward-flowing waters—whose longing runs deeper, mine or theirs?"
The trace of melancholy on his handsome face vanished without a trace.
What remained was only the unrestrained fervor of a youth plunging headlong into the world with sword in hand.
He gave the reins a sharp flick.
"Hyah!"
The Windchaser Horse neighed, hooves pounding, throwing up clouds of dust as it surged forward.
"Qian Renxue, keep up!"
Watching his carefree back in white robes, Qian Renxue's lips curved slightly. She spurred her steed to chase after him.
After a day's journey,
the two finally left the borders of the Star Luo Empire.
The road here was desolate, flanked by dense forests, with only a narrow mountain path winding into the distance.
Weary from travel,
they stopped to rest, taking the chance to eat.
By the campfire,
Li Zhexian deftly turned a skewered Soft Bone Rabbit over the flames.
Seeing Heaven Dou City drawing nearer, and thinking of her imminent return to her identity as Heaven Dou's Crown Prince, Qian Renxue's thoughts tangled.
Suddenly, she asked softly:
"Li Zhexian…"
"What do you think of Xue Qinghe as a person?"
The question sounded casual, but her heart was taut as a bowstring, her breath even lightened.
She wanted to know—
in Li Zhexian's heart,
what image did she herself hold?
Li Zhexian's hand on the spit paused briefly, then resumed its motion. His tone was lazy as ever:
"What makes you ask this out of the blue?"
"It's nothing, just idle curiosity."
Hidden within her sleeve, Qian Renxue clenched her fingers tightly. Her voice carried a faint, almost undetectable tension.
"I heard…"
"That Crown Prince seems gentle on the surface."
"But her two younger brothers' deaths… apparently both have something to do with her."
"Rumor says she covets the throne, that in secret… she's ruthless, capable of anything."
She fixed her gaze on Li Zhexian, watching for even the slightest shift in his expression.
Thud!
Li Zhexian suddenly threw the golden, glistening rabbit down beside the fire!
The sudden motion startled Qian Renxue, her heart skipping a beat, leaving her at a loss.
"Li Zhexian, I—"
"You what?!"
Li Zhexian snapped his head up, face filled with unrestrained anger.
"What's with you, woman?"
"Are you trying to sow discord between me and Qinghe, my sworn brother?!"
Qian Renxue froze, her azure eyes blinking in confusion.
This reaction—
was completely different from what she expected.
"That's not what I meant, let me explain—"
She hurried to speak.
But Li Zhexian covered his ears, shaking his head again and again.
"I won't listen! I won't listen!"
Qian Renxue: "…"
"Do you know how deep my bond with Qinghe runs?"
Li Zhexian dropped his hands, his face solemn, voice firm and righteous.
"How could it be shaken by a few careless words from you?!"
"Such talk—don't ever bring it up again!"
Qian Renxue was struck speechless by his fierce defense.
She could only lower her eyes and murmur apologies.
In her heart, a mix of joy and worry churned.
Joy, that Li Zhexian's loyalty to Xue Qinghe was as unshakable as she had hoped.
Worry, that once the truth of her identity as a woman was revealed, such a brotherhood might be even harder to accept.
"No matter what, this bond is real…"
Qian Renxue's lashes trembled. Secretly, she made up her mind.
"Yes… when I return and reclaim my identity as Crown Prince, I must treat Li Zhexian even better."
With those tangled, unspoken feelings,
the two finished their meal in silence and resumed their journey.
The sun tilted westward.
Dusky shadows spread from the horizon,
swallowing the lonely mountain road.
Their two figures, astride galloping steeds, streaked across the wilderness.
They did not notice—
in the depths of the dark forest behind them,
more than a dozen figures with formidable auras closed in like owls stalking prey, silent and swift.
Another half-hour passed.
The sun had long sunk beyond the western mountains, the last light devoured.
Dense night surged like a tide, drowning the remote path hemmed by the woods.
And at that very instant—
"Whoa—!"
Li Zhexian and Qian Renxue pulled their reins taut.
The Windchaser Horses screamed, the sharp sound tearing through the silence of night, echoing far and wide.
"You felt it too?"
Li Zhexian's sharp gaze swept the impenetrable darkness all around.
Qian Renxue drew up her horse, her lovely head dipping in a faint nod.
In the depths of her azure eyes,
cold intent condensed into something almost tangible…