Just before Su Bei's sword was drawn, Ji Nanjue finally made her move. She appeared in the perfect spot, right in the path of Wanyan Zuoquan's inevitable punch, and with deadly precision, blocked it at its midpoint.

A violent sound resounded like the ringing of a grand bell between heaven and earth.

The fist did not shatter, but it bent in mid-air into a terrifying arc. Where Ji Nanjue's hands made contact with the fist, countless streams of light exploded outward.

Ji Nanjue's hands were covered in blood, trembling slightly.

"Ji Nanjue!!"

The moment she appeared, Ji Tongzhi's pupils dilated instantly, bloodshot as he stared at the breathtaking woman and roared, completely disregarding his image!

The strong wind carried sand and cold snowflakes that beat against his face, stinging sharply.

However, in the next moment, Su Bei finally delivered the strongest slash he was capable of.

Sword Fourteen, Sky Opener!

The radiant sword light of the Qingping Sword in his hand stretched for miles, crossing the horizon, then sweeping across in one slash.

BOOM—

Dust and smoke filled the sky, scattering chaotically.

Wanyan Zuoquan's figure was nowhere to be seen.

During battles between cultivators, at lower cultivation realms, life and death could be determined quickly. But as their cultivation realms rose, not only life and death but also victory and defeat became hard to discern in the short term.

Even if victory and defeat were distinguished, determining life and death became even more difficult, unless both parties were resolved to fight to the death without retreat. Otherwise, these Great Cultivators always had life-saving methods. Even at the cost of damaging their cultivation base or lifespan, they could often escape from danger, making it very difficult to truly kill them.

Su Bei looked at the Wilderness Cultivators surging towards them like a tide, his expression growing increasingly grave.

It's time to leave. We absolutely can't linger here too long. After all, Ji Tongzhi is still a prince; his blood carries a portion of the Eastern Country's national destiny and dragon lineage...

Ji Nanjue's phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and then she transmitted her voice, "Husband, you and the others go first. I can manage on my own and will follow shortly."

"If we wait for them all to arrive, it will be troublesome..."

"..."

Su Bei nodded solemnly, glanced at the stupefied Dan Wuque, and then vanished into the sky with the women, heading towards Northern Border Pass.

「A short while later,」

Ji Tongzhi, disheveled and staggering, returned to the camp, knelt by the bed, and fell silent.

Wanyan Zuoquan silently walked up behind him. He knew that with the Eastern Emperor present, he hadn't been confident enough to strike and detain Su Bei earlier.

He silently regulated his qi and blood before speaking slowly, "At this point, further words are useless. We should consider how to conclude things at North Zhi Mountain."

"North Zhi Mountain is the strategic pass of Yu Province, and Yu Province is a key region for the finances and provisions of the Twenty-One Provinces. If we give up this place lightly, the overall strategic situation will become irrecoverable."

"..." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Ji Tongzhi was silent for a while, knowing that Wanyan Zuoquan spoke the truth.

After another sigh, he said in a deep voice, "You're right. The overall situation is paramount."

"..."

Su Bei sat on the shattered earth, surrounded by a devastated landscape crisscrossed with deep ravines, the Sword Box on his back.

Though his clothes were ragged and he was mentally exhausted from the successive battles, his physique was largely unharmed. In fact, it felt more vigorous than before, as if revitalized by timely rain after a long drought, or like discovering a new village hidden beyond the willows and flowers—a sudden, hopeful turn.

Dan Wulan and Dan Wuque sat close to Su Bei, on his other side.

Still feeling Wanyan Zuoquan's intimidating presence, Dan Wuque let out a long sigh and spoke softly, "The difference between the Wilderness Cultivators and the cultivators of the Twenty-One Provinces is truly like heaven and earth."

"..."

Dan Wulan nodded. "Facing Wilderness Cultivators, it always feels like the Spiritual Energy in our bodies is greatly suppressed..."

"What kind of might is that?"

Su Bei thought for a moment and replied, "Divine majesty like the sea, irresistible and overwhelming."

Dan Wulan slightly narrowed her eyes and then inquired, "If Wanyan Zuoquan hadn't arrived in time just now, would you have killed Ji Tongzhi?"

"..."

Su Bei shook his head and said softly, "After all, it concerns the fate of the Eastern Country. How could I take his life so casually?"

"Moreover, even if Ji Tongzhi were to die, the Eastern Country would still have to continue this war. The Western Wasteland would simply support another person..."

"..."

At this moment, a voice both familiar and yet somewhat strange came from behind Su Bei.

It was gentle, yet seemed to carry a hint of questioning, and was filled with laughter as it softly said, "This isn't like you. When did you start to care so much about the Eastern Country?"

"You're spouting all these grand principles. I've only been asleep for a while, and now you've turned into an old man..."

"..."

A few autumn leaves drifted down.

On this shattered land stood a few ancient osmanthus trees. It was deep autumn, and their flowering season had passed. The autumn wind stirred, and blossoms fell like rain.

Su Bei felt his body stiffen. He sat there silently, like a wooden statue.

A fragrant scent wafted from behind him.

Dan Wulan glanced towards a spot not far away, a trace of reluctance in her heart. That spot by his side should be mine, but... This time, she relented.

Then, a delicate hand slowly reached in front of Su Bei, accompanied by her giggling laughter, "Old man, still resting?"

"Ready to go?"

"..."

Su Bei's hand trembled as he grasped hers, holding it tightly.

Dusk was approaching. The sun slanted westward, staining the sky red, where a few colorful, auspicious clouds lingered.

Nan Ji's gaze was slightly distant as she looked at the familiar figure before her.

Su Bei suddenly began to smile. Having endured the bitterness of partings to the ends of the earth, one only realizes upon return how many scattered petals mark the time. Time passes so quickly. Yes, I've become an 'old man' too.

With her hand supporting him, he slowly rose, looking at this familiar face, and softly said, "Nan Jue..."

Ji Nanjue looked at him, her crimson lips moving slightly.

After a moment, a heartfelt smile blossomed on her face.

"Su Bei."

Without intention, without needing an invitation, it was as if the flowers were waiting for a spring breeze, as if the landscapes awaited a returning traveler, as if sleeping words awaited someone who could understand them.

Like a flower from a bygone year, blooming anew as it did at first sight, all for that single, gentle glance of recognition at their reunion.

Su Bei felt his throat go a little hoarse. When he saw her again, he had imagined he would have a thousand things to say to her. But in this moment of true reunion, he discovered something.

All those countless words were already held within his heart. He had always believed that the most precious thing in life's pursuit was a first meeting. Only later did he understand that what was truly most beautiful was a reunion after a long separation. All that remained to be said was a single phrase:

"I hope you have been well..." he finally said.

When we first met at the bottom of Unrepentant Cliff, flowers of immortal destiny bloomed, your silk skirt swayed with grace, and you sat silently beside the bonfire, a wordless promise of a future meeting hanging in the air. Since then, whenever I saw campfires in the wild and a silk skirt, I wondered if it was a trace of your immortal presence.

Nan Ji replied tenderly, "Yes, in the blink of an eye, hundreds of years have passed."

"..."

Alas, what the mortal world struggles most to keep is fleeting beauty: rosy complexions fade from mirrors, and flowers bid farewell to their trees.