This autumn, Bonanus cultivated a small flower field in the backyard of her home and covered it with a shelter.

In this flower field, she planted a few "Qingxin" flowers.

She felt it was necessary to learn a bit about planting techniques to ensure she could cultivate Qingxin properly once the war was over.

The Qingxin flower is quite "proud," typically growing at high altitudes.

It's a resilient flower, capable of blooming even in the harshest winter.

However, the environment in Guili Assembly isn't the best for them, and the Qingxin in Bonanus's flower field isn't thriving as well as she hoped.

Still, they are beautiful.

At this moment, Bonanus watered the Qingxin and loosened the soil a bit.

She thought that once the war ended, she would be able to plant many more Qingxin flowers.

In the flower field, the fragrance of Qingxin filled the air.

As a gentle breeze passed by, the flowers swayed like soft waves.

Yet the person who promised to come and see the Qingxin with her might not be able to keep that promise.

Everyone had been working together to search for Yu Xie. After counting the time, it had been a night and a half day already, but there was still no news.

Giving up on the search wasn't an option, yet everyone knew deep down that some things were clear.

It was as if Yu Xie had evaporated, leaving no trace behind.

It's absurd—a mere mortal who could evade the gaze of immortals, escaping their pursuit.

What a selfish person.

"Was that day we built the snowman really our last meeting?" Bonanus looked down at the Qingxin flowers, sniffing back tears as her nose tingled with emotion.

…

Indarias sat in front of her home, holding a bottle of wine that she had taken from Yu Xie's cellar.

The cold wind danced through her fiery red hair, making it flutter like flames.

She hadn't prepared a cup for herself nor any snacks; she simply drank straight from the bottle.

One sip after another, it didn't take long for the bottle to be nearly empty.

Yet Indarias remained clear-headed; she had never been drunk—she couldn't get drunk.

"Must quit drinking, must take care of my health."

That phrase echoed in her mind.

Though she could handle alcohol without harm, as an immortal, she still wanted to quit drinking.

After all, she had asked Yu Xie to quit, so she should set a good example for herself.

"If I can't quit drinking in the future, it'll be your fault," Indarias murmured softly.

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The wine she was drinking today seemed a bit bitter.

Not enjoyable at all.

…

Gui Zhong sat at her work desk, where the almost-complete "Dust Cleansing Bell" lay.

"Dust Cleansing…" Gui Zhong really liked the name "Dust Cleansing Bell."

But now, the first person who had ever spoken those three words would perhaps never return.

"I wanted you to name the mechanisms I build in the future," she said, gazing at the bell, her eyes clouded with mist.

…

"Xiao, what do you think Yu Xie is really thinking?" Bosacius asked, looking off into the distance.

Xiao remained silent for a moment before finally replying:

"I don't know. Now that I think about it, his expression at that time was one of farewell."

Xiao recalled the scene of everyone building snowmen together in Yu Xie's yard that day.

Yu Xie sat under the eaves, watching everyone while occasionally glancing into the distance.

He must have already made up his mind at that point, quietly saying goodbye to everyone in his heart, though no one noticed.

"When Pervases died in battle, I was very sad, and Yu Xie was the same. He even locked himself in his home for several days without going out," Bosacius said. "I once asked him what he was thinking during those days, and do you know what he told me?

"He said he might be the only one who could sense the impending crisis early, but he still wasn't careful enough, so the crisis still happened.

"He also said that if he could, he didn't want to see anyone else die.

"What about himself? Xiao, do you think he ever considered his own well-being?"

Bosacius's words plunged Xiao into deep silence. He didn't know how to respond; some thoughts lingered on the tip of his tongue but felt stuck.

At that moment, Menogias rushed in, looking anxious.

"Bosacius, Xiao! There's news about Yu Xie!"

Hearing this, both Bosacius and Xiao were momentarily surprised.

"Where is he?"

Catching his breath, Menogias replied, "We don't know the exact location yet, but after some investigation, an herbalist said they saw someone who seemed to be Yu Xie heading north."

"What is he going north for?" Bosacius couldn't help but frown slightly.

"We'll find him and ask him that," a gentle breeze swept through as Liu Yun appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

"Wait, Liu Yun, you don't mean…" Bosacius sensed a certain determination in Liu Yun's eyes.

"I'm going to bring that guy back, who left without saying a word," Liu Yun said, turning to leave.

"Hold on!" Menogias interjected, trying to stop him. "This information may not be accurate; it could just be someone who looks similar to Yu Xie."

"Perhaps, but there's no other news right now," Liu Yun said, gazing northward. "I have many questions I want to ask him. At the very least, I need to give him a piece of my mind for leaving without saying anything."

With that, Liu Yun stepped forward.

"Everyone, please take care of Guili Assembly for now. Forgive my recklessness."

Her green cloak fluttered in the wind behind her.

Watching Liu Yun's departing figure, the three exchanged complex expressions.

"Liu Yun actually has moments of impulsiveness," Xiao murmured.

"It's all because of that guy who left without a word," Bosacius said, scratching his head in frustration. "What do you think, Xiao, Menogias?"

"Let Liu Yun go. If we stop her now, she might regret it for the rest of her life," Menogias said slowly. "As for how Liu Yun feels about Yu Xie, it's likely he's the only one who doesn't know."

…

Yu Xie crawled out from a "river" of piled stones and snow, propped up by the scabbard of Cloud Cutter, barely managing to stand.

He was no longer as he was in his youth; back then, when he used "Asura Flash" to shake mountains, he had been nothing but impressive.

One can't deny their age.

"Cough, cough… cough, cough…"

A violent cough hit him, and Yu Xie tasted blood in his throat. He spat out a mouthful onto the white snow, a stark and painful sight.

[Excessive exertion detected; your estimated lifespan is down to five days!]

[It is advised that you rest immediately!]

This was something he had anticipated, so Yu Xie was not overly surprised.

He sat down on the spot, clutching his chest and breathing heavily.

The cold air felt as if it were freezing his windpipe.

After a while, he positioned Cloud Cutter in front of him; the winter sun shone into the canyon, reflecting brightly off the blade and into Yu Xie's eyes.

Suddenly, he smiled, a mix of self-deprecation and relief.

He wasn't sure how much time passed, but eventually, he rose slowly and sheathed Cloud Cutter.

Five days… or perhaps less than five days. But to finish one last task, it should be enough.

Using Cloud Cutter as support, he began to make his way back, step by step.

The sunlight illuminated the corners of the canyon, and the snow began to melt slowly.

Yu Xie suddenly stopped. He noticed a piece of green jade at his feet.

Under the sunlight, the small, translucent green stone sparkled as if it was overflowing with light.

It was a piece of clear water jade.