Grand Return System-Chapter 35: Departure Beneath the Rising Sun

Departure Beneath the Rising Sun

The next morning, in the open space before the wooden house of Amethyst Summit Division, Selena had already been waiting for a long time.

Over the ridges, early sun spilled thin gold across the sky. Between clusters of tall bamboo, fog moved slow - twisting near old wood stairs before fading into morning’s hush. A soft cold touched her face, sharp on delicate skin. Stillness held her there, unaware.

Up straight she held herself, strands of silver-white falling behind like light on water. A robe, crisp and white as fresh frost, hugged her frame gently at the middle, fastened by a ribbon soft as sky. Each gust tugged lightly at the edge, lifting it just enough to show limbs that moved with slow grace. With every small motion, air curled near her skin, lingering as if drawn close.

Before sunrise, she opened her eyes. Hours passed while the sky lightened slowly above her.

Waiting.

Fingers rested soft before her, yet now then again would squeeze tight - without her knowing. She thought: just carefulness, that is all. Morning light means meeting your teacher first thing. Being ready? That matters too.

Yet this visit had more behind it than just one cause.

Out of nowhere, the wooden door groaned wide, its whisper hitting like a storm inside her skull. Up went her head, eyes snapping awake with a flash of pale blue.

She stepped forward.

"Good morning, Teacher..."

A quiet strength shaped her words, calm on the surface - yet underneath hummed a different current. Not just waiting, but something closer to hope catching up with breath. Stillness held tight, yet gave way to release.

A low sound came from Leon, soft and brief.

"Mm."

A quiet hush followed him as he emerged, draped in midnight robes edged with delicate lines of amethyst thread, shimmering faintly under early sun. The fabric shifted like shadow when he moved. From his belt dangled a smooth jade charm, cool against the cloth. In one palm sat a folded fan, barely noticed, waiting without urgency. Black strands tumbled past his collar, falling where they pleased. Between them peered still violet eyes - still pools hiding what most would never ask.

He looked composed. Unhurried. As if the world rarely surprised him.

But when his gaze fell on her—

He paused.

It was slight. Barely there. A shift in his breathing. The faintest stillness in his posture.

From his perspective, Selena stood bathed in the soft glow of morning. The light threaded through her silver hair, turning it almost translucent at the edges. Her blue eyes were clear and earnest, watching him with an openness she didn’t even try to hide.

The robe she wore fit her naturally—not flaunted, not exaggerated—just... beautiful.

She had grown.

Not only in cultivation.

There was a difference in the way she stood before him now. Less hesitation. Less of that guarded stiffness she used to carry. When she looked at him, there was something warmer in her gaze. Something unspoken.

Leon cleared his throat lightly, breaking the fragile silence.

"You’re early," he remarked.

Selena straightened a little more, as though bracing herself. "I didn’t want to be late."

His eyes flickered to the horizon and back to her. "I never set a time."

"I know," she replied quickly, then caught herself and softened her tone. "But... I wanted to be here."

The wind passed between them again, carrying the scent of damp earth and bamboo leaves.

Leon studied her for another quiet moment. "Have you been waiting long?"

She hesitated—just a second too long. "Not very."

A faint lift touched the corner of his lips, almost invisible. "You’re not very good at lying."

A blush crept faintly across her pale cheeks, subtle but undeniable. "It’s not a lie. I just... woke up early."

"Since before dawn?" he asked.

She lowered her gaze briefly, then met his eyes again. "Yes."

He didn’t press further.

Instead, he reached up and removed the jade pendant from his waist. The smooth stone caught the light as it left the fabric of his robes, revealing faint, intricate carvings along its surface.

Selena’s eyes followed the motion instinctively.

He held it between his fingers for a moment before extending it toward her.

"This," he said, holding it out to her, "is a Storage Space. There is ample room inside. It can store various items."

He flicked his fan shut lazily.

"We cultivators roam through The Forsaken Domain. Carrying luggage is inconvenient. Most of us rely on Storage Space treasures like this."

He looked at her steadily.

"This is your first time leaving the mountain. I do not have any other Dharma treasure to give you today... so take this."

Selena’s eyes widened slightly.

She received the jade with both hands, careful, reverent.

"Teacher..."

Her voice trembled faintly with gratitude.

Leon then patiently explained how to circulate Mana into it, how to bind it with her spiritual imprint, how to retrieve and store items.

She listened attentively, nodding with every instruction.

When she finished binding it, she smiled brightly.

"Thank you for the treasure, Teacher. I like it very much..."

There was no greed in her tone. Only genuine appreciation.

Leon smiled faintly.

System...

A familiar voice echoed in his mind.

[Ding...]

[You have given your student a superior-grade Storage Space, triggering Critical Hit Return.]

[Activate?]

"Activate."

[Ding...]

[Congratulations. You have triggered a hundredfold critical strike and obtained a supreme-grade Mystic Spirit Jade.]

A new jade pendant appeared silently in Leon’s hand.

He glanced down at it.

The internal space was far larger than the one he had given Selena. More astonishingly—

It could store living beings.

Leon’s lips curved.

"Not bad..."

He tucked it away calmly, though inwardly satisfied.

A hundredfold return is already generous. I can’t demand ten thousand every time.

Selena carefully hung the Storage Space at her waist. The jade rested against her robe, cool and light.

She looked up at him.

"Teacher... when are we leaving?"

Leon did not answer immediately. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Instead, he lifted his gaze toward the other Divisions.

Suddenly— From Secret Sword Summit, from Holy Water Division, from every Division across the academy premises, streaks of light shot into the sky.

Sword rays.

Dozens.

Then hundreds.

The disciples of the Seven Division were mobilizing.

The air trembled faintly with converging Mana.

Leon’s lips curved faintly.

"Let’s go."

This time, each Division had dispatched a large group of students, led personally by their respective Division Masters.

As for Amethyst Summit Division—

There were only two of them.

And yet—

It felt complete.

Selena tightened her grip on the Amethyst Mist Sword at her side.

She took one step closer.

Just slightly.

Leon casually summoned a sword into his hand.

Not the First Mist Immortal Sword.

Just an ordinary blade.

He glanced sideways at her.

"Stay close."

The words were simple.

But they carried weight.

Selena nodded.

"Mm."

For a brief moment, neither moved.

The wind stirred her hair again.

She looked at him — at the sharp line of his jaw, the calm steadiness in his eyes, the quiet strength in his posture.

Something in her chest swelled.

Before she could overthink it—

She stepped forward.

Softly.

And wrapped her arms around him.

It wasn’t bold.

It wasn’t reckless.

It was brief.

Careful.

"Thank you," she whispered against his chest.

Leon stiffened for half a heartbeat.

He could feel the warmth of her body through the fabric of her robe. Soft. Light. Real.

Her cheek brushed against him gently before she stepped back.

He exhaled slowly.

His expression remained composed.

But something flickered in his eyes.

"Let’s move."

He leapt into the air.

Selena followed without hesitation.

Two streaks of light rose from Amethyst Summit Division, joining the sea of brilliance heading toward the horizon.

The descent had begun.