Outside the palace, Li Xuan hovered in mid-air.
As the forces from various factions appeared, Li Xuan’s gaze began to search rapidly.
Fortunately, Li Xuan had seen the attire of the Moon Clan's team before. Within moments, he located their position. After a brief glance, Li Xuan moved swiftly, darting towards the Moon Clan's contingent.
"Brother Xuan! Are you alright? By the way, why are you here for this auction?" Yue Fuyao was initially surprised to see Li Xuan suddenly appear before her, then excitedly rushed forward and grabbed his arm.
Behind her, Yue Zhengqi and the others glanced at Li Xuan with complex expressions before continuing on their way.
"I'm fine, just wait a moment," Li Xuan replied with a smile, nodding. He then turned and called out to Yue Zhengqi's retreating back, "Clan Leader Yue, would you grant me a day to catch up with Fuyao?"
As Li Xuan's words fell, Yue Zhengqi's footsteps halted.
After a few breaths, Yue Zhengqi's voice rang out.
"Yes."
"Thank you, Clan Leader Yue," Li Xuan said, cupping his fists in a salute.
After Yue Zhengqi and the others departed swiftly, Li Xuan turned back, holding Yue Fuyao's hand. "Come, Fuyao, let's talk outside."
"Mhm." Her hand in Li Xuan's, Yue Fuyao's cheeks flushed with shyness. Then, the two figures moved, vanishing from their spot in an instant.
Outside the Linglong Mountain Range, Li Xuan and Yue Fuyao appeared together on a hillside.
"Brother Xuan, you've had no news these past few years. If Father hadn't said that Elder Shan would take good care of you, I would have been worried to death. By the way, are there any lingering effects from your injuries?" Yue Fuyao asked, steadying herself and scrutinizing Li Xuan.
Li Xuan smiled gently, shaking his head. He then held Yue Fuyao's hand and said, "It's fine, Elder Shan took care of everything. In fact, if it weren't for Elder Shan, I probably wouldn't have survived."
"Fuyao, Elder Shan also told me about the decision he made then. Staying with the Moon Clan was the best choice for you. Moreover, within our Holy Yuan Sect, no one could enter without Elder Shan's permission."
"I understand," Yue Fuyao replied with a smile. She then added, "Besides, I'm not a possession of the Moon Clan; it's not like I have to go with you just because you won the competition."
Li Xuan chuckled at her words. "Oh? Have you come to the Eternal Continent and met many prodigies, giving you new ideas?"
"You scoundrel, no way!" Yue Fuyao playfully pinched Li Xuan's waist, then glared at him with mock annoyance. "Even if I did meet the prodigies you speak of, your place in my heart can never be replaced."
"Fuyao..." Seeing Yue Fuyao's heartfelt gaze, Li Xuan felt a warmth spread through him. Their eyes met, and Li Xuan couldn't help but lean down and kiss her.
In an instant, the world seemed to dim. Only the sound of gasps echoed, lingering in the air.
...
The next day, outside the Linglong Mountain Range.
"Fuyao, take care of yourself. With the Holy Clan obtaining the Zhenyun National Cauldron, it's unlikely things will remain peaceful for long. During this time, try to stay within the Moon Clan. Once this is over, I'll bring you back." Li Xuan said softly to Yue Fuyao.
"Mhm, I will," Yue Fuyao replied with a gentle nod.
Li Xuan nodded, then his gaze shifted towards Yue Zhengqi and the others not far away. "Clan Leader Yue, Fuyao is in your clan's care."
"Rest assured, I will protect our Saintess," Yue Zhengqi nodded slightly. After a few moments of contemplation, he looked at Li Xuan.
"Li Xuan, now that Sheng Lingxiao has the Zhenyun National Cauldron, I don't know how long the Eternal Continent can remain peaceful. If possible, please convey a message to Elder Shan."
"Alright," Li Xuan agreed without hesitation.
He understood the implication behind Yue Zhengqi's words. Li Xuan had asked Elder Shan for help, and in return, the Moon Clan would protect Yue Fuyao. From this, he could also deduce that the Moon Clan was likely no longer a match for the Holy Clan.
"Junior brother, we should be going," Wang Kun, who had been waiting, called out to Li Xuan after retrieving a flying dragon couch.
"Fuyao, take care," Li Xuan said to Yue Fuyao once more. He then nodded to Yue Zhengqi and swiftly shot towards the flying dragon couch.
A streak of spiritual light flashed, and Li Xuan and Wang Kun vanished instantly.
"Let's depart as well," Yue Zhengqi said after glancing in the direction Li Xuan and Wang Kun had gone, then retracting his gaze. Yue Zhenghua also waved his hand, conjuring a flying dragon carriage, and over a dozen people boarded it.
Hum.
Spiritual light flickered, and the surroundings slowly returned to quiet.
"Pavilion Master, by auctioning off the Zhenyun National Cauldron like this, will it attract their attention? Moreover, if it falls into the hands of the Holy Clan, it will likely disrupt the Lord's plans," Fairy Biyao said, bowing to a middle-aged man within the Treasure Pavilion.
"The Lord's plan was precisely to successfully auction off the Zhenyun National Cauldron. As for who obtains it, or which faction acquires it, the Lord is indifferent. The Holy Clan's intentions are already obvious. And behind the Holy Clan, there might be beings similar to the Lord secretly pushing things along."
"Starting earlier won't have much of an impact. Very well, let's begin attending to the subsequent matters during this period," the middle-aged man said calmly.
Fairy Biyao nodded, and then vanished alongside the middle-aged man.
Holy Yuan Sect, Holy Yuan Peak.
"Elder Shan, how should the matter of the Zhenyun National Cauldron be handled? Given the Holy Clan's nature, it will likely soon trigger a period of turmoil. The Eternal Continent will undoubtedly suffer greatly. If unrest breaks out, it will be too late for us to act," Hexiu Zhu asked Dan Wushuang, who was seated above him, in the main hall of the Holy Yuan Sect.
"I am already aware of this matter. Let things unfold naturally," Dan Wushuang replied calmly, nodding. "Shan Shui Yin, was it successfully bid for?"
"Replying to Elder Shan, it was successfully bid for," Hexiu Zhu said, though somewhat puzzled by Dan Wushuang's intention. He then produced the Shan Shui Yin.
Upon seeing it, Dan Wushuang waved his hand, taking it into his possession. He then looked at Li Xuan and the other seven disciples with a serious expression. "Regarding the Zhenyun National Cauldron, none of you need to worry. Within the next ten years, all of you must cultivate to the Immortal realm."
"As for Xiuzhu, as the senior disciple, you must not only supervise your juniors but also ensure your own strength does not slacken."
"Yes, Elder Shan," Hexiu Zhu replied, bowing.
"Yes!" Li Xuan and Wen Boya, along with the others, also rose and responded.
"Elder Shan, breaking through to the Immortal realm within ten years, isn't that a bit too rushed?" Hexiu Zhu asked, confused.
Dan Wushuang shook his head slightly. "Ten years is indeed a bit rushed, but I have my own arrangements. Now that the Holy Seal has been recovered, it is time to open the Holy Temple."