After flying tirelessly for nearly five days, the flying beast finally descended toward the imperial capital.
The vast city below stretched endlessly, a sprawling metropolis of golden roofs, bustling streets, and towering walls.
Ye Chen's eyes glimmered with a mixture of excitement and determination.
"We've finally arrived…" he murmured, surveying the city beneath him.
Beside him, Xiao Xun'er's gaze was fixed on the imperial capital, her expression complex.
She had not spoken much during the journey, but her eyes reflected the sorrow of someone who knew she might never see an old friend again. "
Master… is this… the imperial capital?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Ye Chen replied, his voice calm but firm.
"This is the capital of the Jiama Empire. From now on, this will be my base. Here, I will rise, and I will create a supreme family that surpasses all others."
Xiao Xun'er nodded, understanding what he meant. Her delicate hands clenched slightly as she whispered, "Master… can you… come see me often?"
Ye Chen reached out and gently pinched her cheek, smiling warmly.
"Don't worry. As long as I can, I'll come see you. But for now, you need to go into the small world. You cannot show yourself in public anymore."
"Understood," she replied obediently, though a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes.
The past few days had been intense. Ye Chen's cultivation had made another leap forward, reaching the nine-star fighter level. While the Dragon and Phoenix Art was merely an auxiliary skill, it was a heavenly-level technique, and its practice had significantly enhanced his power.
However, he knew that with Xiao Xun'er's pregnancy advancing, she would soon be unable to practice the technique. He needed to ensure her safety above all else.
With a nod, Ye Chen guided Xiao Xun'er into the small world, ensuring she was settled safely.
Then, standing atop the flying beast, he gazed down at the imperial capital beneath the clouds. A smile appeared on his face. "Finally… I'm back."
The journey to Wutan City had lasted more than half a month, but now Ye Chen could feel the familiar pull of home.
His gaze drifted northward, toward a majestic mountain that towered over the surrounding landscape.
The mountain was wreathed in clouds, and faint streams of spiritual energy emanated from it, reaching toward the sky.
This was the headquarters of the Yunlan Sect, a dominant force in the Jiama Empire.
"Yanran… teacher… I'm back," Ye Chen whispered to himself, his heart pounding with anticipation.
The Yunlan Sect's presence had always been a source of strength and guidance for him, and he could feel the pull of familiarity as he looked at the grand mountain.
The Yunlan Sect's headquarters was built directly on a magnificent mountain, just over ten miles from the imperial capital
Because of its prominence, the mountain itself was called Yunlan Mountain. Its cliffs were steep, with sheer drops on three sides, making it naturally defensible.
Only a single road wound up to the top, guarded by countless disciples of the sect, transforming the entire mountain into a small fortress.
Even at the foot of the mountain, the Jiama Empire had stationed 50,000 cavalry soldiers.
Ostensibly, they were there to protect the imperial capital, but any observer could see that they were also acting as a first line of defense against anyone approaching the Yunlan Sect.
The top of the mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist, seemed like a place from a fairy tale....a realm untouched by the world below.
On a protruding black rock near the cliff's edge, a young woman in a moon-white dress was practicing a cultivation technique. Her eyes were closed, and she exhaled and inhaled in a perfect rhythm.
Streams of green spiritual energy rose from the surrounding air and were absorbed into her body, refined and stored within her.
When the last wisp of energy disappeared into her body, she slowly opened her eyes.
A faint green light flickered within them, and her green hair fluttered slightly in the windless air.
"Miss, please take a rest. I made chicken soup for you," a maid called gently, holding a steaming bowl.
Nalan Yanran turned her gaze toward the maid and smiled slightly, though there was a hint of resignation in her tone. "Xiaolan… chicken soup again?"
The maid, Xiaolan, smiled nervously. "The young master said that chicken soup is the most nourishing, and he asked me to prepare it for you every day."
Yanran nodded and accepted the bowl, drinking the warm soup obediently. It was plain, simple, but she knew it was made with care.
After finishing, she gracefully rose to her feet and stepped closer to the cliff's edge.
The breeze whipped her moon-white dress against her form, accentuating her curves. Her eyes swept down the sheer cliff, her jade hands brushing against her dress as a trace of longing appeared on her face.
"Brother… when will you return? Yanran misses you so much," she whispered.
Just then, a young female disciple ran over, out of breath. "Senior Sister Nalan! Senior Brother Ye Chen is back!"
Yanran's eyes widened in shock and joy. "What? Really?"
"Yes! Senior Brother is finally back!"
Excited, she quickly turned and left her training spot, heading back to the residence that had been her home while Ye Chen was away.
As soon as she entered the compound, she saw him....the figure she had been longing for. She ran toward him, her arms outstretched, and threw herself into his embrace, feeling safe and warm.
"Brother… you're back! I missed you so much!" she exclaimed, clinging to him like a young swallow returning to its nest.
Ye Chen hugged her tightly, his expression a mix of concern and affection.
"I told you not to exert yourself. Why are you running so fast?"
Yanran buried her face in his chest, speaking in a soft, coquettish tone. "I couldn't help it… I was so happy to see you again."
"You were practicing in the back mountain just now, weren't you?" Ye Chen asked, his voice tinged with reproach.
"I told you to take it easy after becoming pregnant. You could risk a miscarriage if you're not careful."
Yanran giggled at his concern. "Brother, it's been less than a month. The teacher said I'm fine, as long as I don't practice combat techniques. Simple meditation won't harm the baby…"
Excited, Yanran leaped into his arms, wrapping her arms and legs around him like an excited octopus. Her face shone with joy. "Brother! That's amazing!"
Ye Chen chuckled, slightly exasperated but full of warmth. "Be careful. You already have a child, and you're still so impulsive."
Yanran leaned close, whispering softly in his ear, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Brother… I'm going to reward you properly tonight…"
Ye Chen held her in his arms, a mixture of amusement, affection, and determination in his eyes.
He had returned, and now, nothing could stand in the way of his plans, his family, or his growing strength.
The future, bright and full of promise, awaited him at the Yunlan Sect.
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