Time flies; several decades is not particularly long for a Long-lived Species.
But if those years are thrown into a meat-grinder-like battlefield, every second seems to be infinitely stretched.
The flames of war in the Yatedelan Ring Star Belt burned for another 22 years.
This was not a light entry in a history book, but a Shura Field built from the flesh and blood of countless Cloud Knights.
At first, the Abominations of Abundance were as endless as locusts; as soon as one batch was killed, more would surge out shortly after.
In a galaxy thousands of light-years in diameter, almost no pure land could be found.
The faces of the soldiers under his command changed frequently; many new recruits had just become familiar before many veterans quickly disappeared.
But whether it was Qi Zhimu or Mo Tingquan, they became accustomed to it... This was a terrifying habit.
The destiny of the detachment numbered one was to be nailed to the very front of the battle line.
Combat losses were never avoidable.
For decades, wherever the Abominations were most densely packed in dead zones, a blood-colored figure would always appear.
He needed no support, nor did he need tactical cooperation.
Wherever he passed, whether it was the Borisin with their powerful regenerative abilities or the Wing-Makers who dominated the sky, all were turned to withered bones and flying ash.
Though no one dared to say it openly, the awe many Cloud Knights felt in their hearts after witnessing that scene far outweighed their admiration.
That blood-red shadow was too cold.
That coldness was not the temperature of ice, but an indifference that viewed life as mere grass.
Even though Qi Zhimu was exterminating the mortal enemies of the Xianzhou and all Cloud Knights, that feeling still lingered.
Over the years, Qi Zhimu had almost never removed his armor. During the long slaughter, he secretly seized everything lootable from his enemies... countless messy yet majestic powers of the blessing of abundance were forcibly purified and compressed through the higher-level blessing of The Self-Actualization Aspect.
Finally, they became power he could command as easily as his own limbs, flowing into his elixir organ.
As the last nest of Abominations vanished into ash, long-awaited cheers rang out in unison across the communication frequencies of the Yatedelan Ring Star Belt.
The war, which had lasted 32 years, was finally over.
Mo Tingquan stood on the bridge of the battered command ship, let out a long sigh of relief, and turned to look not far away.
Qi Zhimu was sitting there, with Sleeping Snow and Clear Cold standing by his side.
His eyes were closed, the scent of blood around him had not yet dissipated, and a heart-palpitating sense of tyranny seemed to have just been forcibly suppressed back into his body.
"It really wasn't easy, Lord Zhimu."
Mo Tingquan walked over and handed him a flask of wine.
Qi Zhimu slowly opened his eyes; a flash of dark red flickered deep within them before they returned to clarity.
He took the wine casually but did not drink it, simply looking down at the devastated world below.
"Yes, it's enough..."
Enough. Mo Tingquan thought he meant that enough Abominations had been slaughtered.
Only Sleeping Snow and Clear Cold behind him understood the true meaning of those three words... On the day of the triumphant return, the Yaoqing Xianzhou was filled with the sound of gongs and drums.
As one of the greatest heroes of this campaign, the name Qi Zhimu was now like thunder to the ears of countless Yaoqing citizens.
This was the largest expedition in Yaoqing's modern history, and with the General himself leading the campaign, battle reports were sent back every month.
But... the battle reports also included the names of all those who had sacrificed themselves.
Some wailed in grief, while others choked back tears but felt heartfelt pride; countless people mourned the Cloud Knight martyrs and sang of their bravery.
In the square of the Cloud Knight barracks' Delve, General Wind of Evil and all the Vanguards personally awarded posthumous honors to the martyrs.
"Salute!"
Countless Cloud Knights moved in unison, giving the highest military salute to their fallen comrades.
Finally, it was time for the commendation of those with major combat achievements.
Foremost among them was the one who had hunted the most Abominations.
Looking at Qi Zhimu, whose aura was becoming increasingly unfathomable, a trace of imperceptible complexity and doubt flashed in Wind of Evil's eyes.
"Fighting on the front lines for over thirty years, you've worked hard."
Wind of Evil pinned a special purple-gold medal onto Qi Zhimu's chest, his tone carrying a sense of emotion.
"According to Cloud Knight regulations, you have a five-year long leave ahead. During this period, you do not need to be mobilized for battle unless there is a major conflict. Rest well."
"Thank you, General."
There was no joy on Qi Zhimu's face, only the relief of finally having reached this moment.
After the post-war matters were concluded, Qi Zhimu did not go home. He went straight to the Alchemy Commission and pushed open the door to that long-absent special care ward.
The furnishings in the room were as they had been, as if time had stood still here.
The hospital bed was clean and tidy, and Jingliu lay there quietly.
Decades had passed, and time had left traces on her face that did not belong to a Long-lived Species.
Due to being bedridden for a long time and her physical energy being constantly consumed, leading to malnutrition, she appeared thin and pale.
Qi Zhimu walked to the bedside and gently placed his fingers on her wrist.
Her pulse was much weaker than it had been 32 years ago. The Sky-Quelling Danzu inside her was still insatiably absorbing everything, including her life force.
If the Alchemy Commission had not been using precious medicinal ingredients to sustain her life at any cost over these years, she would have long since passed away.
"Master is back."
Qi Zhimu whispered softly, his voice carrying an indescribable complexity.
His fingers lightly brushed over his disciple's pale cheek, his eyes showing a tenderness that had never been revealed on the battlefield... The next morning.
"Lord Zhimu, given Miss Jingliu's current physical condition, once she leaves the medical care of the Alchemy Commission, I'm afraid she won't last ten days... Please consider this carefully."
Hearing that Qi Zhimu wanted to discharge Jingliu, Jiao Ling was so anxious that sweat broke out on her forehead.
Qi Zhimu's expression was calm as he removed the monitoring equipment from Jingliu one by one and gently took her into his arms.
"If Yaoqing's medical treatment were useful, why would she have remained in this slumber until now?"
"If we maintain the status quo, she won't last three years. I have found a renowned doctor from beyond this world; this is her last chance."
"But..."
"Any consequences will be borne by me as her Master and have nothing to do with the Alchemy Commission. Thank you for your dedicated care over these years, Healer Jiao Ling."
Leaving behind these words, he strode away holding Jingliu.
Jiao Ling was powerless to persuade him further and sighed as she watched the master and disciple disappear.
A long-distance starship was already docked at the port, waiting.
Qi Zhimu carefully settled Jingliu into the passenger seat and meticulously fastened the complex seatbelt.
"Let's head out."
Sleeping Snow and Clear Cold in the pilot and co-pilot seats nodded, and the jade wheel turned slightly.
The starship turned into a stream of light and soared into the sky above Yaoqing, finally disappearing into the delve gate.
No one knew where he was going, nor did anyone know who the renowned doctor he spoke of was... Three years later.
Yaoqing Xianzhou, a remote but elegant Delve.
It was late autumn, and golden ginkgo leaves covered the long streets.
A black starship swept through the air, passing unhindered through an area inaccessible to residents, and slowly landed in the docking area.
The hatch opened.
Qi Zhimu was the first to step out.
He was dressed in a simple green robe, his long hair tied back casually, looking just like an elegant scholar returning from his travels.
After three years of vanishing without a trace, the faint aura of blood and slaughter on him had completely settled and was undetectable.
Then, a cold figure stepped out of the hatch.
A moon-white long dress trailed on the ground, ice-colored long hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, her skin was whiter than snow, and her face was clear and otherworldly.
She slightly raised her head, looking at the home she had been away from for so long, her expression as if she were in another world... It hadn't changed one bit.
But she, however, had been asleep for several decades.