Chapter 325: Revisiting Liuyun

“You two, why aren’t you practicing at this hour? What are you gossiping about here?”

A stern-faced man, barely in his twenties, walked over. Despite his reprimand, the two Mystic Palace disciples, who had been discussing Yun Che, showed no fear. They both chuckled and said, “Instructor Sikong, our apologies. Please don’t be angry; we’ll head back to the training room now.”

Yun Che paused slightly when the man appeared, recognizing him instantly... It was Situ Du, Situ Han’s son, who had helped him greatly at the Blue Wind Mystic Palace!

Hmm? Instructor Sikong? He had said that after graduating from Blue Wind Mystic Palace, he wouldn’t stay in the Imperial City but would return to New Moon City to avoid the royal turmoil. He had indeed done so, even becoming an instructor at the New Moon Mystic Palace... Although he was still very young, only a few years older than the disciples, he had now officially entered the Spirit Profound Realm, making him perfectly qualified to be their instructor.

“Oh, Instructor Sikong, is it true that you had contact with Yun Che when you were at Blue Wind Mystic Palace?”

Situ Du’s eyes flickered, and he nodded slightly. “His grandfather and my father had some dealings, so when he first entered Blue Wind Mystic Palace, I proactively sought him out and tried to offer some assistance. But looking back, for someone of my meager ability to presumptuously ‘help’ such a peerless genius was quite naive and laughable... All right, hurry up and go practice. This isn’t the place for you to chat.”

“Yes, Instructor Sikong.”

The two Mystic Palace disciples quickly ran off. Situ Du seemed to recall something, letting out a melancholic sigh. Just as he was about to move, a voice came from his right: “Senior Brother Situ, long time no see.”

Situ Du turned his head, then his entire body stiffened, staring wide-eyed at Yun Che walking towards him, almost unable to believe his eyes. “Yun Che!? You... What are you doing here?”

“Shh!” Yun Che quickly made a silencing gesture, fearing Situ Du’s voice might attract others. He approached and said, “I’m surprised Senior Brother Situ has become an instructor at New Moon Mystic Palace. That’s truly amazing... I’d guess you’re probably the youngest instructor in New Moon Mystic Palace’s history, aren’t you?”

“Currently, I’m just an intern instructor, partly thanks to my father’s connections.” Situ Du scrutinized Yun Che, his surprise lingering. He chuckled self-deprecatingly, “But my small achievements are utterly insignificant compared to yours. You’re now a sensation throughout the land, your reputation overshadowing even the figures from the four great sects, and you’re the pride of Blue Wind Mystic Palace. Looking back, I even tried to help and occasionally admonish you countless times – it truly makes me ashamed.”

“Senior Brother Situ, you’re mistaken,” Yun Che said sincerely. “When I first arrived at Blue Wind Mystic Palace, you gave me significant help and guidance. Without your assistance, I wouldn’t have been able to settle into the Mystic Palace so quickly. I’ve always kept that firmly in mind.”

“Hahahahaha.” Situ Du laughed heartily, praising, “Unpretentious, sincere, and not arrogant – you’re many times better than those geniuses raised by the great sects with their heritage and resources.” He glanced around and said, “Let’s not waste any more words. You’ve specifically returned here, so you must have something important to do, right? I’ve settled down at New Moon Mystic Palace now, so if it’s related to the Mystic Palace, perhaps I can be of assistance.”

Yun Che nodded slightly. “I’m here for something that requires Elder Situ’s help. Do you know where he is now?”

“My father?” Situ Du paused, then said, “He just went south two days ago and won’t be back for at least three more days... If it’s not something exceptionally urgent, you can tell me, and perhaps I can help.”

“It’s not a big deal,” Yun Che said without hesitation. “I’m planning to return to Floating Cloud City to pick up my grandfather and little aunt. The Xiao Sect was cowardly and heartless, owing my grandfather and little aunt too much. After reuniting with them, it’s impossible for me to let them remain in the Xiao Sect. The Imperial City is chaotic right now, with various complex forces and structures, so I’m not comfortable settling them there, which is why...”

Situ Du had heard about Yun Che and the Xiao Sect from Situ Han. He immediately understood, smiling as he said, “I thought it was something major; it turns out to be something so simple. This matter doesn’t require my father’s involvement. I can promise you now that as long as Uncle Xiao is willing to come here, from the Vice Palace Master and instructors down to the assistants and general staff, Uncle Xiao can choose whomever he wishes. Here, absolutely no one will mistreat him.”

Situ Du chuckled, adding, “Besides, with your reputation, if you arrange for your grandfather to stay at our New Moon Mystic Palace, Palace Master Zhou and even the New Moon City Lord would be eager to personally carry a sedan chair to welcome him. Blue Wind Mystic Palace might even travel thousands of miles to try and snatch him away. You’re not seeking our help; you’re giving New Moon Mystic Palace an immense gift.”

Yun Che smiled knowingly. “Alright, I’ll leave this matter to Senior Brother Situ. I’ll depart for Floating Cloud City now.”

“Be careful on your way,” Situ Du warned. “I heard that after you disrupted Fen Juecheng’s wedding with Princess Cang Yue and severely injured him, the Burning Heaven Clan has been searching for you everywhere. As a thousand-year-old sect, they’ve never suffered such a great humiliation. Even though you’re now renowned throughout the world with many supporters and admirers, the Burning Heaven Clan will certainly not let this go. You’d best keep your whereabouts hidden at all times.”

Yun Che smiled casually. “I know.”

The world only knew that Yun Che had disrupted the Burning Heaven Young Master’s wedding procession, but they were unaware that Yun Che had single-handedly counter-killed eight Sky Profound Realm experts sent by the Burning Heaven Clan to pursue him... including their Grand Elder. Otherwise, his actions would have undoubtedly caused an even greater uproar in the Blue Wind Empire.

“Oh, by the way, there’s something that might be helpful to you,” Situ Du suddenly said, recalling something. “A few days ago, when I was outside New Moon City seeing my father off, I vaguely saw a very familiar, unpleasant face. You know this person too, and it seems you’ve even had a conflict with him.”

“Who?” Yun Che asked, puzzled.

“Fen Juechen!”

“Him?” Yun Che was slightly taken aback. Fen Juechen, Fen Duantian’s third son, had left the Burning Heaven Clan due to his disagreement with Fen Juebi and entered Blue Wind Mystic Palace, where he long held the top spot on the Inner Palace’s Sky Profound Ranking. However, on the day he was meant to participate in the ranking battle at Heavenly Sword Villa, he had provoked Yun Che and suffered a beating! Because of this, he couldn’t participate in the ranking battle, and there had been no news of him since.

“When I left Blue Wind Mystic Palace, I think I heard that he returned to the Burning Heaven Clan after Fen Juebi’s death, but I hadn’t paid attention to him since. That fleeting glimpse seemed to be him, but he has no reason to be here, and there haven’t been any unusual movements from the Burning Heaven Outer Sect recently... Perhaps I just saw wrong,” Situ Du said, hesitating.

Yun Che pondered for a moment, then nodded. “I understand. Senior Brother Situ, thank you for telling me this. We should meet again soon.”

After exchanging voice transmission imprints with Situ Du, Yun Che left New Moon Mystic Palace, mounted the Snow Phoenix Beast, and headed straight for Floating Cloud City.

As the Blue Wind Empire’s smallest city, Floating Cloud City seemed forever untouched by “bustle” and “prosperity.”

As the somewhat quiet and old small city fully came into view, Yun Che’s heart began to thump uncontrollably.

Having lived there for sixteen years, how could Yun Che not feel affection for this small city that held all his childhood memories?

Floating Cloud City in his sight grew closer and larger. Gradually, he vaguely saw the location of the Xiao Sect, and the dark green mountain behind it.

A feeling of trepidation at nearing home stirred in his heart. The figures of two people appeared vividly in his mind, and the desire to see them immediately surged like a bursting dam. Gazing ahead, his eyes blurred slightly, and he murmured unconsciously, “Grandfather, Little Aunt, I’m back... I’m back... I’ll never let anyone bully you again...”

Amidst the surge of emotion, he arrived above Floating Cloud City’s gate. If he continued forward, the Snow Phoenix Beast would undoubtedly cause a massive commotion throughout the city. Yun Che put away the Snow Phoenix Beast, landed outside the city gate, and walked on foot into the familiar, yet slightly strange, Floating Cloud City.

Unknowingly, three years had passed.

Looking back now, the experiences of these three years truly felt like a dream.

Back then, he had left Floating Cloud City full of hatred, vowing to return within three years with enough power to crush the Xiao Sect, to make the entire Xiao Sect kneel and beg his grandfather and little aunt to leave the Reflection Gorge... At that time, despite his fierce vow, he knew how difficult it would be to achieve that. So he trained desperately, provoking enemies relentlessly to maximize his self-improvement...

He never would have imagined that three years later, his power would not just crush the Xiao Sect... At his current level of strength, the Xiao Sect didn’t even qualify for a second glance.

Walking on the streets of Floating Cloud City, Yun Che’s steps felt somewhat light and unsteady. Although his heart was incredibly eager, his pace wasn’t particularly fast. He was contemplating how he would embrace his grandfather and little aunt after seeing them, what he would say to them, whether he should laugh or cry...

The streets of Floating Cloud City had a moderate flow of people, all walking briskly. No one seemed to notice him, and even as they passed by, no one directly recognized him as the waste and laughingstock who had been driven out of Floating Cloud City three years ago.

Yun Che walked down one street after another, getting closer and closer to the Xiao Sect. Then, he stopped, looking up at the imposing gate ahead, where a plaque bore two large golden characters: Xia Manor.

This was Xia Qingyue and Xia Yuanba’s home.

As a family of merchants, the Xia Manor usually exuded a lively, business-like atmosphere. But standing before the manor now, Yun Che felt a quietness he couldn’t recall ever experiencing. He stood there for a while, not moving forward. Instead, he suppressed his aura, leaped high, cleared the wall, and silently landed within the Xia Manor’s courtyard.