Chapter 1205: Goodbye

At the Abyss Heaven Cave, a stone platform floated above the clouds.

When Zhou Yuan arrived, the first person he saw was Zhuan Zhu, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. What surprised him slightly was that Zhuan Zhu was accompanied not only by Xi Jing but also by Elder Mu Ni, Sect Master Xuan Kun, and three other individuals who were at the Origin Infant stage. Of these three Origin Infant stage experts, one was a familiar face—Yi Yan, with whom Zhou Yuan had shared drinks just last night. The other two were somewhat unfamiliar.

It seemed like quite a crowd.

"These two are Elders Zhao Lefu and Xue Qinglong," Zhuan Zhu explained with a smile, apparently noticing Zhou Yuan's confusion. "Together with Elder Yi Yan, they represent the three strongest Origin Infant stage cultivators in our Tianyuan Region."

Zhao Lefu, a dashing and handsome man with long hair, offered Zhou Yuan a friendly smile.

Xue Qinglong, an elegant woman dressed in green, scrutinized Zhou Yuan from head to toe. "Great Venerable Zhuan Zhu," she began, "didn't you say this mission was extremely dangerous, requiring at least peak Grand Origin Infant stage strength?"

Xue Qinglong was clearly a formidable woman, speaking her mind without reservation and seemingly unconcerned with Zhou Yuan's status or his recent rise to prominence. Zhuan Zhu chuckled inwardly. Though a woman, Xue Qinglong possessed one of the strongest competitive spirits among the Origin Infant stage cultivators in the Tianyuan Region. Previously, Zhou Yuan was only at the Heavenly Sun stage, which naturally didn't merit her attention. However, with his recent breakthrough to the Grand Origin Infant stage, he had officially entered the Origin Infant tier, and Xue Qinglong was now beginning to acknowledge him.

"When Zhou Yuan was only at the mid-Heavenly Sun stage, he dared to clash head-on with a late Heavenly Sun stage expert from the Saint Race," Xi Jing said with a beaming smile. "Even though he's just reached the Grand Origin Infant stage, I believe his true strength is no less than that of a peak Origin Infant stage cultivator."

Xue Qinglong crossed her arms, her ample bosom accentuating the gesture. She stated indifferently, "The difference between stages in the Origin Infant realm is far greater than in the Heavenly Sun realm. But since Great Venerable Zhuan Zhu has no objections, it doesn't matter to me." It wasn't that she held a grudge against Zhou Yuan; she was simply stating a fact. She felt it was illogical for Zhuan Zhu to describe the mission as so dangerous, yet bring along Zhou Yuan, who had only just achieved the Grand Origin Infant stage.

Zhou Yuan glanced at the proud Xue Qinglong but chose not to engage. He simply turned his attention to Zhuan Zhu. "Will they all be accompanying us?"

Zhuan Zhu nodded slightly. "This matter may not be so simple," he said. "Not only will I go personally, but to be prepared for any eventuality, we need more personnel. Therefore, Elder Mu Ni and Sect Master Xuan Kun will also accompany us. The Tianyuan Region will temporarily be left in Elder Bian Chang's care."

Zhou Yuan's eyes narrowed instantly. From Zhuan Zhu's words, it seemed that awakening Yao Yao this time would not be as simple or easy as he had imagined. Would someone try to interfere?

"To avoid revealing our whereabouts, we cannot bring too many people," Zhuan Zhu continued. "We can only take our most elite experts."

Zhou Yuan hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "Is it the Myriad Ancestors Domain?"

Zhuan Zhu fell silent for a moment, then quietly replied, "It's likely not just them." He glanced at Zhou Yuan, carefully choosing his words. "The identity of the one you cherish is far more complex than you can imagine, and her involvement runs very deep. I cannot disclose the specific details now, but when we meet with Master, you can ask him directly. At your current stage, you are now qualified to know more. Therefore, her awakening this time is not solely your concern."

Zhou Yuan nodded silently, refraining from further comment. Even Saints like Zhuan Zhu were exceptionally cautious and silent about Yao Yao's identity, indicating a terrifying background. But no matter her true origins, in his heart, she was simply the Yao Yao who had accompanied him from the Great Zhou Dynasty. They had experienced so much together; without Yao Yao, Zhou Yuan would never have reached his current standing. When Yao Yao was by his side, Zhou Yuan hadn't fully grasped the depth of their connection. But in the years she had spent in slumber, as Zhou Yuan struggled alone, he finally understood the profound reliance and support that graceful figure had provided him. Their bond was something that nothing could sever. To protect this bond, Zhou Yuan would dedicate all his strength.

Zhou Yuan looked up at the brilliant starry sky, his gaze filled with unwavering determination.

"Prepare yourselves."

Zhuan Zhu offered a few more reminders, then with a sweep of his sleeve, the space before them twisted in layers, forming a spatial portal. Its destination remained unknown. Zhuan Zhu flicked his finger, and an invisible yet vast power spread outwards, encompassing everyone present. At that moment, Zhou Yuan and the others felt as though they had lost their connection to the world around them. Even though their integration with the world had grown much stronger after advancing to the Origin Infant stage, Zhuan Zhu's simple flick of a finger effortlessly stripped away the profound mysteries of that realm. Such was the undeniable might of a Saint. Before they could perceive any further, the spatial portal abruptly expanded, swallowing them whole.

The spatial transformation lasted for an indeterminate amount of time.

When light returned to Zhou Yuan's eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar land. It was a vast sea of clouds, broken only by towering, giant-like mountains that pierced through the clouds, their peaks emerging into the sky. And in the central area, there was a particularly majestic mountain. There, Zhou Yuan saw a familiar figure facing them, looking at them with a smile.

Dressed in a black robe, as profound and stable as a towering peak, it was Cang Yuan!

Cang Yuan looked at them, flicked his finger, and as space warped, Zhou Yuan and the others found themselves standing directly before him.

"Greetings, Great Venerable Cang Yuan!"

Sect Master Xuan Kun, Zhao Lefu, Xue Qinglong, and the others swiftly bowed, their faces showing signs of excitement. After many years, they finally saw Cang Yuan once more.

"Master! I missed you terribly!"

Xi Jing also happily rushed over, hugging Cang Yuan's arm, her expression a stark contrast to her usual composed and capable demeanor.

Zhou Yuan gazed at Cang Yuan. His face was as aged as ever, his eyes deep like the starry sky, brimming with wisdom. Zhou Yuan took two steps forward and respectfully said, "Master."

Cang Yuan patted Xi Jing's hand, then turned to Zhou Yuan with a smile that conveyed both satisfaction and a touch of emotion. "Zhou Yuan, you have done exceptionally well. Everything you've accomplished has filled even me, your Master, with awe and pride. You've worked tirelessly."

Zhou Yuan calmly shook his head. "I should also thank Master for taking care of Yao Yao all these years," he said.

He looked up towards the back of the mountain, where a splendid sea of flowers bloomed. In the center of this floral expanse, a crystal coffin was faintly visible. Zhou Yuan's heart trembled slightly, and he couldn't help but take a step, then another, moving through the sea of flowers until he stood before the crystal coffin. He lowered his head, gazing at the exquisitely beautiful and hauntingly familiar face inside the crystal coffin—a face so deeply etched into his soul. The figure within wore a white gown, her slender hands clasped gently over her flat stomach. Only her eyes, which once held a beauty as vast as mountains and seas, were now tightly closed.

Staring blankly at that familiar face, at this moment, even with Zhou Yuan's strong disposition, he couldn't help but feel a profound wave of sorrow wash over his very being. His eyes slowly began to redden. His eyes welled up. He reached out a hand, gently stroking the crystal coffin lid, and whispered to himself in a slightly hoarse voice.

"I'm sorry for making you wait so long."