The vast continent, the Central Domain.
"Is there truly no other way?" Luo Xing asked the four people before him, his voice laced with anger.
Xuan Ye sighed with a wry smile. "The overall strength of the Demon Heart Continent is inherently greater than our Vast Continent. Now, with the Candle Dragon Clan growing ever more powerful, how can we possibly resist? Our only course of action is to wait."
"Wait? In another month, that Zhu Li will come to claim his bride. If we continue to wait like this, how will we explain ourselves to Li Xuan?" Luo Xing immediately retorted.
Xuan Ye fell silent. The current situation was beyond their control. If it were an ordinary person, it would be one thing, but Zhu Li had taken a liking to Yue Fuyao. This had been troubling the five of them for half a month.
"Li Xuan has been absent for over six years, and Zhu Li's strength surpasses ours. But Luo Xing is not wrong. If we continue to wait, once Li Xuan returns, our past goodwill with him might turn into animosity," Nan Haotian said.
"We currently have only two paths to choose from," Zi Rulai spoke. "First, ignore this matter and let Zhu Li take Yue Fuyao away. Second, to protect Yue Fuyao with our lives. There is no other way."
Xuan Ye and the others' expressions grew solemn. In truth, they had all foreseen this outcome. However, no matter which choice they made, it represented a significant threat.
If they did nothing, they would have to face Li Xuan's wrath upon his return. But if they continued to interfere, not only their lives would be endangered, but the lives of all beings on the Vast Continent would likely face a fatal threat.
"Let's vote. We must make a choice," Xuan Ye said after a moment's pause.
"I choose the second," Luo Xing immediately declared.
"Li Xuan is, after all, someone who emerged from our Southern Domain, and Yue Fuyao is a member of our Southern Domain forces. As the Domain Lord, I cannot abandon them," Nan Haotian also stated.
"I choose the second," Hong Xingyi thought for a moment before making his decision. Although choosing to protect Yue Fuyao might lead to death, Hong Xingyi still felt Li Xuan was more reliable. After all, the people behind Li Xuan had left a profound impression on them.
"Since everyone has chosen the second option, I can only choose to risk my life along with you gentlemen," Xuan Ye said with a wry smile, seeing that all four had sided with Li Xuan, with whom he had a closer relationship.
"Now that a choice has been made, we should discuss how to face the strong cultivators of the Candle Dragon Clan," Zi Rulai said.
Xuan Ye and the other three nodded, and they began to discuss.
In the Liuli Holy Land, atop a mountain peak, two elegant figures stood opposite each other, gazing at the distant mountain range with somber expressions.
"His people are about to be taken, what are your thoughts?" Zhou Wenjing asked Liu Jiaqi after a moment.
Liu Jiaqi gave a wry smile. "We are all women, of course, we must act. Besides, she is his person. Can we just stand by and watch her be taken away?"
"That's true. I can't just sit idly by either," Zhou Wenjing nodded slightly, then stomped her foot with a hint of resentment. "This fellow, to be gone for over six years. And in these six years, not a single word."
"If there had been any news from him, would that Zhu Li of the Candle Dragon Clan dare to harbor such intentions? Never mind, there is still a month before Zhu Li's wedding. What do you plan to do?" Liu Jiaqi asked.
"Our Holy Land will mobilize its entire force," Zhou Wenjing said with a deep voice.
Liu Jiaqi's eyes flickered with surprise, then she nodded slightly. "You think exactly like I do. If that's the case, let's go and find Domain Lord Xuan Ye and the others."
"Alright," Zhou Wenjing nodded slightly. Then, the two women vanished from their spots.
Under the starry sky, watching the fleeting constellations, Li Xuan looked at Luo Xuan, who stood on the deck beside him.
"Sister Xuan, how much longer until we arrive?" Li Xuan asked.
Luo Xuan thought for a moment, then smiled. "It will take about another month. Brother Xuan, are you that eager to see Miss Fuyao?"
"Sister Xuan, I'm going back to my seclusion," Li Xuan said and quickly retreated into his room.
Watching Li Xuan flee, Luo Xuan chuckled.
In the past three months of interacting with Li Xuan, Luo Xuan had come to understand him more clearly. Although a child who grew up without parents might mature early, Li Xuan's displayed self-discipline also earned Luo Xuan's deep respect.
For three months, Li Xuan had almost entirely spent his time cultivating in his room. And when he encountered problems in his cultivation, Li Xuan would humbly seek advice from Luo Xuan. Li Xuan's achievements were not only due to his talent but also his own hard work.
"Godfather, Godmother, you told me to take good care of Brother Xuan when I found him. But it seems Brother Xuan no longer needs my care. I believe Brother Xuan will soon enter the Four-Dimensional Space. Then, our family will be reunited."
Luo Xuan murmured to herself, her mind replaying scenes from her childhood.
It was a dingy, crowded alleyway. Six-year-old Luo Xuan ran frantically forward in panic. Behind her, a fat man pursued her closely, wielding a wooden stick and spewing curses. By chance, Luo Xuan ran into a dead end.
Watching the fat man approach step by step, his large palm about to fall upon Luo Xuan's face, she still clutched the steamed bun in her arms. She hadn't eaten anything for three days.
Bang!
At the next moment, a loud bang echoed. Luo Xuan opened her eyes at the sound and saw the fat man lying on the ground, writhing in agony. And before her stood a man and a woman.
These two were Li Jun and Wang Lanying. It was from that moment that Luo Xuan began to stay with Li Jun and Wang Lanying. Even her name was given by Wang Lanying.
It was also from then that Luo Xuan truly felt the warmth of being loved and cared for.
Upon learning of Li Xuan's existence, Luo Xuan finally understood the origin of her name.
Li Xuan, Luo Xuan.
This was the love that Li Jun and Wang Lanying had for Li Xuan, which they had also shared with her.
Time quietly slipped away, and in the blink of an eye, over half a month had passed.
On this day, Li Xuan's figure also appeared on the deck.
After nodding to Luo Xuan and Lian Qiao, Li Xuan's gaze turned forward.
Seeing the continent in the distance gradually becoming clearer, a hint of anticipation appeared on Li Xuan's face.
Vast Continent, I, Li Xuan, have returned.