Northern Region.
Skywater Academy.
A flake of snow drifted down.
It landed upon the slender finger of a girl, then melted away in the warmth of her skin.
"Almost five years now…"
Shui Bing'er murmured softly.
The azure strands of hair at her forehead faded to frost-white at the tips, her presence colder and purer than ice itself.
"Elder sister!"
Shui Yue'er excitedly gathered a ball of snow between her palms, hopping as she spoke.
"Does that mean we'll be seeing Li Zhexian again soon?!"
Beside her, Xue Wu furrowed her delicate brows.
"We parted from Li Zhexian in the north three years ago."
"He must have gone to the Slaughter City to seek the Yellow Springs Dew."
"I've heard that place is a living hell."
"Three years… could he really—"
"He can."
Shui Bing'er nodded calmly.
The chill of her Ice Spirit Power spread outward, and beneath her feet, a flawless sheet of crystalline snow formed into a board.
No more words were needed.
Shui Yue'er, Xue Wu, and the remaining four girls of the Skywater Team each conjured their own snowboards.
Whoosh—
Whoosh—
Seven graceful figures shot across the boundless white plains,
like arrows loosed from a bowstring.
The wind lifted glittering snowflakes into the air—
and carried with it Shui Binger's cool yet faintly trembling voice:
"Set out for Heaven Dou City."
"To keep our five-year promise with Li Zhexian."
...
Sharp Blade Town.
A young man with a scar at the corner of his eye tightened the beast-hide cloak upon his shoulders.
Outside the ice fortress gate, a group of mercenaries stood stiffly in the snow.
"All of you bastards, smile!"
The scarred youth barked with a grin.
"I'm going home! Gonna see Brother Ji again! Stop looking like you're going to a funeral!"
A bald, burly mercenary bared his teeth in a grin.
"Captain, when you see Vice Commander Ji, send our regards!"
"Never forget it!"
Just then, the snowfield trembled under heavy footsteps.
A massive man—Snow Bear—strode up and clapped the youth on the shoulder.
"Who would've thought…"
"That the greenhorn who once followed behind Ji would one day lead a squad of his own."
"He'll be proud when he sees you."
Oscar's rough features broke into a hearty smile.
"Yeah!"
...
Blazing Fire City.
"Sister Huo Wu, Captain Wushuang says everything's ready!"
A fiery figure vaulted cleanly over the courtyard wall,
red hair blazing under the sunlight.
She quickly finished the last plum half in her hand, smacking her lips with lingering delight:
"The plums grown by that guy Li Zhexian are still the sweetest!"
"Hmph, it's been almost five years since we last met. That guy better not have forgotten me!"
...
Godwind City.
Feng Xiaotian carried a wide-edged greatsword on his back.
He reined in his horse at the city gate, eyes sweeping the long road stretching to the horizon.
Then he raised his hand high.
"Move out!"
"Destination: Heaven Dou City!"
The thunder of hooves rose in unison, clouds of dust rolling into the sky.
Feng Xiaotian leaned low, hands firm on the reins, his body rising and falling with the gallop of his Windchaser stallion.
His sharp eyes gleamed like those of a hunting hawk.
"Five years, Brother Zhexian…"
"I wonder how sharp your sword has become?"
"If you've spent all that time chasing treasure and neglected your blade—"
A crooked grin tugged at his lips.
"Heh, then this time, I'll be the one to pin you down!"
...
Wind Sword Sect.
Within the Wind-Eroded Sword Stele Forest,
Feng Buyu stood solemnly with a dozen disciples in azure robes.
Each one bound a strip of black cloth across their eyes in perfect unison.
The mountain wind rose, and the excess ribbons streamed behind them like fluttering banners—an awe-inspiring sight.
Elder Feng Xiao could only sigh and rub his temples.
"Buyu, the five-year promise doesn't even concern you. What are you getting involved for?"
Feng Buyu's brows knitted together.
"Elder Feng Xiao, you're mistaken!"
"When Brother Zhexian stormed the Pope's Palace, I failed to stand beside him. Every time I recall it, I pound my chest in regret!"
"This time, for the five-year promise, I, Feng Buyu, must make an appearance!"
"With the bond between me and Brother Zhexian, he'll surely welcome me with open arms!"
...
Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect.
At the rear mountain pavilion,
A young girl sat alone beneath the eaves, gazing blankly down the long winding path.
The cold wind brushed against her delicate face, now lined with faint melancholy.
"Sigh…"
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
Ning Fengzhi approached slowly from behind.
He looked upon his daughter—no longer the mischievous, spoiled child of five years past, but tempered by time—with deep affection in his eyes.
"Rongrong," he said gently, "if you wish to go, then go."
"The five-year promise your Grandpa Sword mentioned—go see it for yourself."
"Father…"
Ning Rongrong turned sharply, biting her lower lip until it bled. Her voice trembled.
"The five-year promise…"
"It's a reunion between Brother Zhexian and his many friends…"
"With such a lively gathering—if I go, I'll only spoil his joy…"
Shing—!
Sword qi tore through the air, splitting the stillness.
Two figures—Chen Xin and Gu Rong—appeared within the pavilion,
their presence commanding yet familiar.
Gu Rong's knuckles cracked audibly.
"That brat Li Zhexian—how could he be so heartless?!"
Chen Xin stood silent for a long moment before speaking slowly:
"I'm going to test that boy's sword for myself."
"Rongrong, come with me."
...
Heaven Dou City.
Emperor Team, Heaven Dou Imperial Academy.
Two graceful figures walked side by side down a tree-lined avenue.
Wherever they passed, eyes of admiration and awe turned their way; students instinctively stepped aside, none daring to interrupt.
"Yanyan…"
"It's been one thousand, seven hundred and sixty-six days."
Dugu Yan tilted her head toward the soft-spoken, cool-tempered Ye Lingling beside her, lips curving into a teasing smile.
"You've asked me this same thing eighty times a day. Now it's less than two months away!"
Ye Lingling's pale cheeks flushed rose-red. She gave Dugu Yan a gentle punch in mock annoyance.
"And you say I'm the one counting the days?"
Dugu Yan's red lips pressed together.
Her face—more mature and alluring than five years ago—broke into an unguarded, radiant smile.
"Yes."
"Just like you…"
"I miss Brother Zhexian."
The name itself made Ye Lingling's slender body tremble softly.
A mist of emotion gathered in her blue eyes.
"We should start preparing these next few days," she said quietly.
"Li Zhexian and his friends must already be on their way."
Not far behind them—
Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, Osler and the Shi brothers chatted and laughed loudly.
"Hey, it's finally been five years!"
"Wonder how sharp our idol's sword has gotten?"
Yu Feng smirked mischievously.
"Sharp enough to pin down Boss Tianheng for sure!"
Yu Tianheng shot him a glare, cracking his knuckles.
"I'd have to be crazy to spar with Li Zhexian again!"
"But my drinking skill has improved a lot these years!"
"This time, I'll drink him under the table!"
Osler chuckled.
"The noodle stall owner has recovered from his illness. He's reopening in a few days!"
"Perfect timing for a meal!"
The Shi brothers nodded eagerly.
Yu Tianheng sighed softly.
"Only the storyteller across the street hasn't returned."
"Without his stories, even the noodles taste a little bland."
...
At that moment, Li Zhexian himself had no idea—
—that his friends, from every corner of the continent, were already setting forth, racing day and night toward Heaven Dou City.
After several days of travel,
finally—
the vast, verdant outline of the Star Dou Great Forest, heavy with the scent of wild earth and vegetation, reappeared in his sight.
Li Zhexian entered the forest and immediately accelerated toward its depths.
The killing intent he had carried from the Slaughter City seeped through his aura.
The Spirit Beasts that sensed it scattered in terror, fleeing before him.
Deep within the forest—
Splash—!
The surface of the Lake of Life broke open in ripples.
The Azure Bull Python rose from the depths.
"This aura…"