Chapter 167 – Hearing That Ling Yun Survived

The changing of seasons, the passage of time.

This is the eternal, unchanging law of nature.

Just as the moon waxes and wanes, humans experience joy and sorrow, meetings and partings.

This too has been an indispensable part of life since ancient times.

To be honest, although Ye Kuang didn’t fully understand why ancient poets composed verses about the pain of separation, he deeply recognized it as an impromptu expression brimming with human emotion.

Without needing perfect comprehension of every word, they could still craft farewell sentiments into timeless masterpieces.

Thinking of this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but recall Ling Yun’s final hysterical roar, and he too felt inspired to compose poetry.

“On cloud-high paths perhaps sorrows dwell,

With you in the heavens, no loneliness befalls,

What grief exists between two separate spheres?

I vow not to return until vengeance is dealt!

Across ten thousand miles of mountain trails need no madness,

Trampling rivers while singing songs,

My sword points toward twin gates ahead,

Do not betray the iron-blooded legacy we inherit.”

“Heaven turns blind, earth fades away,

What matters this lifetime of arrogance?

Ling Yun’s ambition breaks all precedents,

Let not all worldly souls be the same,

I’ll stand with you to the very end,

Fight! Fight! Fight!”

Gazing toward the distant horizon where heaven and earth met, Ye Kuang suddenly conceived the notion of contending with the cosmos itself.

“If heaven blocks my path, I shall destroy it…” he murmured to himself.

Unbeknownst to him, an elegant figure had quietly approached from behind – one might fairly describe her beauty as beyond compare.

Naturally, Ye Kuang immediately recognized who it was from the unforgettable fragrance that assailed his senses.

“Ling Piaoyun, what brings you here?”

“I’ve received news that my Senior Brother might still be alive.”

Startled by this revelation, Ye Kuang couldn’t prevent a tremor from running through his entire body.

But when he turned around, he couldn’t conceal his astonishment at her appearance.

Yet unexpectedly, his eyes then became bloodshot as he fixed his intense gaze upon her, appearing extraordinarily agitated.

Though typically composed, even Ling Piaoyun felt unnerved by the intensity of his stare.

The murderous words she had heard from him before seemed to still echo in her ears, lingering persistently.

“However, we don’t know if this news is true, because…” At this point, Ling Piaoyun suddenly fell silent.

Ye Kuang: “Because what?”

As he spoke, an unmistakable ferocity emanated from his entire being.

For a moment, it actually forced Ling Piaoyun to retreat several steps. Her phoenix-like eyes widened to the size of black gemstones, filled with disbelief: “You… you’ve actually broken through.”

“Speak. Because what?” Ye Kuang said, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

But Ling Piaoyun remained in shock, her cherry lips forming a perfect ‘O’ shape. At times she appeared intensely excited, at other times reluctant to speak, as if trapped in some internal conflict.

Seeing this, Ye Kuang couldn’t help but shout: “What is the reason!”

Hearing his voice, Ling Piaoyun shuddered involuntarily.

As her startled expression momentarily vanished, she seemed to reach a difficult decision and sighed: “Because this news also came from Southern Yuan Northern Ma. As for their intentions…”

Here she once again chose to remain silent.

She knew full well that someone of his intelligence would understand the implication.

Just as Ling Piaoyun expected, Ye Kuang immediately understood – it was about him and the Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms.

“Hahaha…” Thinking this, he couldn’t restrain his wild laughter.

This pent-up fury that had no outlet, along with the fighting spirit born of desperate circumstances, finally erupted completely at this moment.”If the heavens are to change, even if I must become a moth darting into the flame, I will never compromise with them. Let this unyielding will burn from this moment onward, and let the world witness what it means to never bully the young for their poverty!” Ye Kuang declared, striding resolutely toward the unknown path ahead.

Ling Piaoyun: “I knew you would say that. So, I’ve already informed our sect in advance. I believe our Honored Master has already set out to come.”

Hearing this, Ye Kuang paused briefly but then continued walking forward.

“Hey… wait for me!” Ling Piaoyun hurried after him, adding a reminder, “Do you realize that going there likely means more peril than safety?”

Ye Kuang’s expression remained calm, as if he had already cast Life and Death beyond his concern. His voice, however, grew even more resolute: “I know full well. But if this news is true and I do not go, Ling Yun will surely meet his end.”

His tone shifted, yet remained unwavering: “Even if it’s a mountain of blades or a sea of fire, I will rescue Ling Yun. Besides, my life was saved by him—consider this my repayment.”

Ling Piaoyun watched his chiseled profile and couldn’t help but momentarily lose herself in thought. Soon, she quickened her pace to catch up, leaving behind a faint echo of words: “Senior Brother, you did not misjudge this person.”

Unbeknownst to them, many had caught wind of this news, and without exception, they sensed the scent of conspiracy in the air.

As for who Ling Yun was, most might not have known him well, but they had long heard of his identity as the Chief Disciple of the Xiaoyin Sect.

Now that the Xiaoyin Sect’s Chief Disciple and Ling Yun were one and the same, everyone was inevitably startled. After careful consideration, they unanimously reached the same conclusion.

That was, the Southern Yuan and Northern Ma factions appeared poised to make a move against the Xiaoyin Sect!

Whether this was a unilateral declaration of war or a warning to others by making an example remained unclear for now.

But it was undeniable: this matter was a single thread that, if pulled, could unravel everything.

One by one, they wondered: Could it be that the martial world, peaceful for over a century, was about to be swept into a storm of bloodshed…

Meanwhile, regardless of faction, forces in the shadows had already begun preparing for the worst.

It could be said that this invisible haze of conflict had descended, enveloping the entire martial world.

On the other side.

The Southern Yuan and Northern Ma had also made thorough preparations.

From south to north, they had formed a united front, poised to surge like a flood if either side faced trouble!

Ma Jiaying: “Brother Yuan, are you certain that kid will come?”

Yuan Jiaxiong: “If he comes, so be it. If he doesn’t, he’ll bear the stigma of abandoning a savior in peril—after all, his life was saved by Ling Yun. Once that kid is struck down by us, his cultivation will likely stagnate forever!”

Upon hearing this, Ma Jiaying belatedly realized that the Yuan Patriarch’s cunning had reached new heights.

Just as Yuan Jiaxiong had said, if Ye Kuang came, it would save them the trouble of sending forces to capture him, which could have cost them dearly.

But if Ye Kuang did not come, his mind and spirit would be shackled by heavy chains.

The reason was simple: once Ling Yun died, he would inevitably become Ye Kuang’s inner demon, halting any further progress in his Realm!

Yuan Jiaxiong: “However, my only concern is that old woman from the Xiaoyin Sect. I’ve heard she has already set out.”Upon hearing this, Ma Jiaying couldn’t help but sneer and said, “Since our two families have buried the hatchet, there’s no need for me to hold back either. The arrival of the Xiaoyin Sect couldn’t be more timely—it’s the perfect opportunity to show the world the true foundation of our Xingyi Sect. Making an example of them would be far more convincing than empty boasts!”

“Oh… Is that so?”

“Naturally!”

“Hehehe… Hahaha…”

For a moment, both the Southern Yuan and Northern Ma factions began to resemble conspirators, with their alternating laughter numbering no less than several hundred!

It could be said that to deal with Ye Kuang, the Southern Yuan and Northern Ma had mobilized their entire forces.

All that remained was to wait for their prey to walk right into the trap!