Chapter 1071: Far Escape from Heiya (Part 1)

Above the God Burial Inferno, the Primordial Profound Ark floated continuously. Since the three Flame God Sects retreated, no one had returned, so naturally, no one discovered the strange profound ark resting there.

Inside the Primordial Profound Ark, after confirming that the Draconic Blood in Mu Xuanyin's body had been completely resolved, he helped her put on her snow gown. He then stood motionless, gazing at the sky for a long time. Eventually, as his brows furrowed, he made his final decision.

Not far away lay the immense body of the Ancient Horned Dragon. The ice on its body had melted, and its dragon form was covered in wounds.

Yun Che flickered before the Ancient Horned Dragon's corpse, extending his left hand towards its gaping maw. As a green light flashed, a vast amount of Draconic Breath was absorbed into the Sky Poison Pearl.

Moments later, Yun Che withdrew his hand, roughly gauging the quantity of Draconic Breath. He muttered to himself, "If used properly, this is enough to poison thousands."

After a moment of hesitation, he also extracted some Draconic Blood from its wounds, thinking it might be useful someday.

This was a Dragon God, with a lifespan of at least several hundred thousand years. Every part of its body was a rare treasure of heaven and earth, including its intensely potent dragon blood and highly toxic dragon breath.

However, Yun Che took nothing else besides these two, because he couldn't. Even without its protective power, the corpse of a Divine Master Realm Horned Dragon was utterly indestructible to him. Cutting open its body to obtain the Horned Dragon's heart was out of the question; even blasting off a single scale was impossible.

Mu Xuanyin's injuries and aura had stabilized, and she was no longer in danger. However, due to her extreme weakness and severe losses, she would surely remain in a comatose state for a long time—perhaps days, perhaps months.

Her profound energy was gradually recovering, but having forcibly unleashed a forbidden formation, severely depleted her vital essence and talent, and lost her Ice Phoenix Primordial Yin, Yun Che couldn't predict the extent of her eventual recovery.

But she would certainly be far weaker than before.

For any profound practitioner, this was unacceptable, let alone the supremely proud Mu Xuanyin.

If he were to stay, the first thing Mu Xuanyin would do upon waking up was kill him.

Therefore, the only option he could think of was to leave the Snow Song Realm before she awoke. He didn't want to die, and he couldn't afford to.

Yun Che knelt heavily before Mu Xuanyin, bowing his head deeply.

"Master," Yun Che murmured guiltily, "When this disciple first arrived in the God Realm, I repeatedly made grave mistakes. Had it not been for your reminders, many secrets about myself would have been exposed without my knowledge. You knew this disciple inherited the power of the Evil God and possessed the Heavenly Profound Treasure, the Sky Poison Pearl, yet you never coveted them. Instead, you accepted me as your direct disciple. Afterward, Mu Sushan and Mu Fengshu disappeared from the Frozen Snow Hall, and this disciple knew it must have been you, Master, who eliminated them to remove future troubles for me…"

"This disciple initially believed you were repaying me for saving Palace Mistress Bingyun. But… you obtained the Golden Crow's Record of the Burning World and the Horned Dragon's heart for me, and even sacrificed a large amount of Ice Phoenix Primordial Yin to help me achieve my goals. The Nine-Stage Buddha Heart Lotus, a treasure you cultivated with half your life's effort, was also entirely used on this disciple…"

"This disciple left your side twice. The first time was to the Ice Wind Empire, and I later learned you secretly protected me. The second time, I committed a grave error and was punished by being sent to Mist Vanishing Valley… Though you were clearly enraged, you still worried about my safety and once again secretly protected me…"

"Master, you are a figure like a celestial maiden, while this disciple is merely an insignificant junior from the lower realm. How could I ever be worthy of such profound kindness from you? This disciple already had no means to repay you in this life, yet now I have committed such a rebellious act against you."

Yun Che took a deep breath and closed his eyes in shame. "Master, you have given this disciple a second chance at life. When you awaken, you will undoubtedly be furious with this disciple beyond measure… I have no face to meet you. If you wish to execute me, it would be perfectly justified. However, this disciple still has an important wish to fulfill… Once my wish is complete, I will return to your side and let you dispose of me as you see fit."

Yun Che leaned forward and gently kowtowed three times to Mu Xuanyin.

Approaching Mu Xuanyin, he carefully and gently straightened her snow gown, brushed away a few stray hairs from her forehead, then softly picked her up and walked out of the Primordial Profound Ark's world.

Before leaving, he first had to safely return Mu Xuanyin to the Snow Song Realm.

***

Vermilion Bird Sect, Main Hall.

After Mu Bingyun and Mu Huanyue arrived in the Snow Song Realm, they went directly to the Vermilion Bird Sect. They waited there for a long time before someone finally arrived—and it was three people.

They were Yan Wancang, Sect Master of the Vermilion Bird Sect; Yan Juehai, Sect Master of the Phoenix Sect; and Huo Rulie, Sect Master of the Golden Crow Sect.

Seeing the three Sect Masters appear together, Mu Huanyue was clearly surprised and then said with some trepidation, "Mu Huanyue of the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect greets the three Sect Masters. Haha, I never expected Sect Master Yan and Sect Master Huo to be here as well; what a coincidence."

"Ah… Brother Huanyue, you're too kind," Yan Juehai replied, the three Sect Masters looking extremely unnatural.

They had not yet informed the Snow Song Realm about Mu Xuanyin and Yun Che's 'deaths' in the inferno. Even now, they hadn't figured out how to explain the matter to the Snow Song Realm. Since Yan Wancang returned from the God Burial Inferno, he had been at a loss, but then he suddenly received news of Mu Huanyue and Mu Bingyun's arrival.

Regardless of the reason, since they had arrived, Mu Xuanyin's situation was bound to be revealed. In his desperation, Yan Wancang dared not face the matter alone, so he quickly summoned Yan Juehai and Huo Rulie.

Not only did the three Sect Masters greet them together, but their words were also extremely polite, which flattered Mu Huanyue. However, this anomaly caused Mu Bingyun's heart to sink sharply. She stepped forward and asked coldly, "Shouldn't you be at the God Burial Inferno? Where is my sister? Where is she?"

Her words made Mu Huanyue realize the truth immediately, and his expression changed. During the Horned Dragon's shedding period, the three Sect Masters should have been near the God Burial Inferno. Since they had returned, it meant the hunt for the Horned Dragon was over… but there was no news of Mu Xuanyin!

"This…" Mu Xuanyin's matter was too significant, leaving the three Sect Masters at a loss for words. Yan Juehai forced a smile and said, "This matter is a long story…"

For a Sect Master to hesitate so much, Mu Bingyun's unease magnified a hundredfold. Her voice lost its usual coolness, filled only with panic: "Where exactly is my sister…? Tell me, tell me now!"

"Palace Mistress Bingyun, please calm down first," Yan Wancang sighed softly.

"Alright, I'll say it!" Huo Rulie could no longer bear it. He strode forward and stated directly, "Mu Xuanyin perished yesterday when she battled the Ancient Horned Dragon!"

"You… what did you say!?" Mu Huanyue's body trembled violently, his soul nearly leaving him in an instant.

"..." Mu Bingyun stared coldly at Huo Rulie. After a long silence, she uttered softly, "Im…pos…sible…"

"Right! Right… impossible, absolutely impossible." Mu Huanyue shook his head in panic. "With the Sect Master's strength, how could a mere Horned Dragon harm her? Impossible, absolutely… absolutely impossible. Sect Master Huo… this… this is no laughing matter."

"I know you can't believe it, but it's the truth!" Huo Rulie reiterated, "Of course, one Ancient Horned Dragon couldn't harm your Sect Master. But none of us expected there to be two Horned Dragons in the God Burial Inferno. She was ambushed and severely wounded, then suppressed by the combined efforts of the two Ancient Horned Dragons, unable to escape, and ultimately…"

"..." Mu Bingyun remained motionless and silent. Her snow-pale face turned ashen at an alarming rate, and her body swayed precariously as if losing all strength.

"How could this happen… impossible… impossible…" Mu Huanyue slumped into a chair, his head spinning, eyes staring blankly, muttering repeatedly as if suddenly possessed.

If Mu Xuanyin had truly perished, it would be an immense catastrophe for the Ice Phoenix Divine Sect and the entire Snow Song Realm—a disaster so great that no one dared to imagine it.

"I… don't… believe…" Mu Bingyun's lips trembled slightly, her voice calm and soft, yet carrying a desolate gloom that oppressed the heart.

"The fault for this matter lies with our Flame God Realm," Huo Rulie said. "Rest assured, we will give you a satisfactory explanation."

"Explanation?" Mu Bingyun murmured blankly, "Can you… give me my sister back…?"

Huo Rulie immediately fell silent, unable to speak. Yan Wancang and Yan Juehai were even more at a loss for words. The other party didn't rage, didn't explode in fury, and didn't openly express pain, but the cold sorrow that spread in that instant pierced deeply into their hearts… They felt as if they heard the sound of Mu Bingyun's soul shattering.

"Yun Che… where is Yun Che?" she suddenly asked, her voice like a wisp of smoke.

"Yun Che…" It was still Huo Rulie who spoke, sighing heavily with endless regret over Yun Che's demise. "He forcibly rushed in to save your Sect Master… and then… sigh! I truly liked that boy so much, who knew he would just… *sighs*!"

"..." Mu Bingyun suddenly extended her hand and took out a faintly glowing Ice Phoenix Jade Inscription. Then she softly said, "Yun Che… is that really you?"

"You… what did you say?" Mu Bingyun's sudden words startled Huo Rulie and the other two simultaneously.

Mu Bingyun's snow-white eyes suddenly regained focus and a hint of sparkle. The jade hand holding the Ice Phoenix Jade Inscription trembled slightly. She abruptly looked up and urgently said, "Quick! Take me to the God Burial Inferno immediately!!"

"Huh? This… what is this…?" The three Sect Masters were completely bewildered.

Mu Bingyun, meanwhile, had already rushed out amidst a cold gust of wind.

The profound dimensional formation near the God Burial Inferno flashed with light, and the three Sect Masters arrived again with Mu Bingyun and Mu Huanyue. Stepping out of the formation, the three Sect Masters instantly looked as if struck by lightning, their eyes wide as saucers, as if they had suddenly seen ghosts or gods.

Right before them, they distinctly saw Yun Che standing there, alive and well, holding an unconscious woman in his arms.

"Yun Che… and… the… Snow Song Realm King!?" Yan Juehai blurted out, so startled that he accidentally bit his tongue.

"Ah… what… what is going on here?" Huo Rulie's jaw nearly dropped to the ground.

"Sister!"

"Sect Master!"

Mu Bingyun and Mu Huanyue rushed forward. Yun Che stepped forward and carefully handed Mu Xuanyin into Mu Bingyun's arms. "Elder Huanyue, Palace Mistress Bingyun, rest assured, Master is fine. She's just heavily depleted and will be unconscious for a while."

"That's wonderful… *phew*, that's truly wonderful." Mu Huanyue pressed his hand to his heart, taking several deep, ragged breaths. The emotional rollercoaster from despair to elation was like circling the edge of life and death.

Mu Bingyun embraced Mu Xuanyin, her arms gradually tightening… She said nothing, feeling her sister's aura, and wept silently.

"Palace Mistress Bingyun, I leave Master… in your care."

Yun Che's voice was so soft that only he could almost hear it. After a final glance at Mu Xuanyin's face, he stepped forward, walking past the dazed gazes to the three Sect Masters. He didn't spare Yan Wancang or Yan Juehai a look, directly addressing Huo Rulie: "Sect Master Huo, I have something I'd like to discuss with you privately… May I borrow a moment of your time?"

"..." Huo Rulie remained stunned for a while longer before nodding. He took Yun Che and flew off into the distance.

"Yun Che, where are you going?" Sensing his aura suddenly receding, Mu Bingyun turned around and called out. But Yun Che's figure had already vanished from her sight with Huo Rulie, and there was no reply.