Zheng He looked towards Tan Ye. He couldn’t see through his realm, but it was obvious that Tan Ye was well above his own. If they could be able to get Tan Ye to stay here for as long as possible, the Cloud Sword Sct would surely flourish for the next 100,000 years.

They all walked towards the Bamboo Sword Haven.

The path was filled with countless tall green bamboo trees. The sunlight shined through, emitting a soft green haze. A soothing symphony of nature filled the air. The bamboo trees swayed gently with the breeze, creating a soft, rhythmic rustling, like whispers of children's laughter. The fresh, earthy scent of bamboo fills the air, blended with the crisp clean notes of morning dew. A subtle hint of steel and stone lingers. Each blade of bamboo grass had a slight hum to it. The ground was soft with fallen leaves and moss, creating a path where you could walk.

Tan Ye looked in satisfaction. This place was already a lot better than the previous place he occupied–Black Woods.

As they entered further in, they saw a bamboo shack the size of an average house.

Qi Donghai said, “Master Tan Ye, it’s just a humble abode, I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, having a place to stay at all is enough. Not to mention, the air and the skies are much clearer than where I had previously stayed.”

“Please.” Zheng He guided Tan Ye through the bamboo shack. The design was modest, but beautifully crafted. Its walls were woven from stalks of bamboo, carefully bound together with natural fibers. The roof was layered with bamboo leaves and dried grasses, giving it a rustic, earthy charm while providing shelter from rain and sun. The insides of the shack also reflect the design from outside. Though it wasn’t the size of an entire mansion, it instead gave off a sense of comfort. The wind moved through the bamboo walls, creating a gentle whispering sound, as if the Haven itself was breathing. The air inside is filled with a fresh, woody fragrance, a blend of bamboo, earth, and faint traces of moss. Herbs were hung from the ceiling which added a hint of sharp cold refreshing scents that filled the air. There were mats layed near the desk and tables. On the table were also a couple of teacups.

“This will do just fine.”

Tan Ye held his hand out, a storage ring on his finger. When he had been packing up, he was given this from Liu Chang. Thanks to it, he didn’t need to go back and forth or leave anything behind. Several statues, a guqin, painting scrolls, and his poetry notebook.

With every item he took out, Qi Donghai felt extreme pressure from each. Just from taking a glance at them, he felt that a pressure was telling him that if he pushed further, he would be heavily injured.

In the beginning, Qi Donghai wanted to ask Tan Ye’s origin, however after the repeated insistence of being a normal human, Qi Donghai felt hesitant about asking. Any action that might trigger this senior would surely flatten the Cloud Sword Sect. Regardless if Tan Ye was a Young master from the upper realms or a senior from the ancient times, he was not a being that they could dare cross.

As Tan Ye filled the shack, the spiritual energies surged around them. Qi Donghai widened his eyes in shock.

This spiritual energy!? This is 100 times, no, 1,000 times the amount of what the Dragon Waterfall could produce!

“Sect Master, is something wrong?” Tan Ye asked.

“N-no, nothing’s wrong. Please rest first, I’ll make sure that no disciple bothers you.”

“I’ll have to bother you then.”

“It is our Cloud Wind Sects honor.”

The more polite Tan Ye acted, the more polite Qi Donghai became. Feeling a sense of helplessness, Tan Ye could only accept it.

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After saying their farewells, Tan Ye was finally alone once again. He stretched happily.

“It’s been a long day~ I can finally rest!”

He laid down with his eyes closed. He could feel the gentle air breeze through the window. No birds or even insects were heard from outside.

Far away from the Cloud Sword Sect on another continent late at night, was the rival sect–Crimson Ember Sect. Unlike the Cloud Sword Sect where it upheld justice, righteousness, and morales; The Crimson Ember Sect was a sect about discipline. They are well known for their discipline, passion, and power. Those that broke their rules, would be dealt the harshest punishment, regardless of position. This rule was made by the founding Sect leader only Boundless Immortal. The Crimson Ember Sect, was a recent sect that rose in power because of the Sect Leader–Wan Long.

However on this recent day, the sect leader was quite anxious.

As he knelt down towards “that” person on the throne, he didn’t even realize that he was holding his breath.

“Lady Scarlet. My scouts have reported. The Lingxu Plateau which the Cloud Sword Sect controls has been moving in secret as of late. Their actions show that an important figure has appeared..”

Lady Scarlet had an ethereal beauty that bordered on the divine. Her presence is as captivating as it is fearsome. Lady Scarlet’s skin was an ivory white, luminous against the intense reds she embodied. Her black hair flowed thick, cascading waves of deep crimson streaked with glints of scarlets that seem to flicker with embers. With each movement, her hair rippled like liquid fire. Her eye–a rub red, deep and intense with gold flecks that shimmer writhing her irises. Rather than a phoenix, her aura was more akin to a dragon rising from earth. Her lips painted with a bold, blood-red hue, and her smile was equally enchanting and dangerous. Golden rings adorned her fingers, each with ruby and gloss red jewels.

Lady Scarlet’s index finger tapped on the throne, pondering about the situation.

“Cloud Sword Sect?”

Her eye closed as she kept tapping her finger. The tension in the air felt uncomfortable to Wan Long, still he kept his silence.

She finally opened her eyes and looked towards the night sky.

“I’ll be taking a leave for Cloud Sword Sect. I need to confirm it with my own eyes. In the meantime, keep me updated.”

“But..”

Wan Long spoke with a bit of reluctance.

“You just need to follow my orders. That is if you want the Crimson Ember Sect to thrive.”

“...yes.”

With a wave, she disappeared. It was too quick that Wan Long wasn’t even able to react in time.

Outside of the sect on the road was Lady Scarlet. She no longer had that commanding authority, but had a slight sadness in her eyes.

“It’s been 1,230,000 years. Are you really in this world, Han Yang?”

She looked at the blades of grass and all the way to the sky.

“Han Yang, I won’t give up. I’ll find you. No matter what.”

Underneath the moonlight, her red figure danced. The fabric clung to her. As she began to sing, her voice is soft and melodic. It leaves a longing to be wanted and wishing for more. Lady Scarlet swayed and with each move to each beat, it felt like she was sharing a piece of her soul. Though no one would witness this scene, she could see a figure of a man from her long lost memories. The man she had loved, Han Yang. Only in this way, could she see his figure so clearly like it was yesterday that they met. Her voice seemed to be reaching out to the void–To reach out to him.

If fate denies us now, we’ll reunite reborn,

I’ll cross all lands, my vow never worn.

At the world’s end, beneath blossoms and moon,

My fragile voice, forever in tune.

In dreams we meet, laughter fills the air,

A sigh escapes, tears fall with fear.

Stars are distant, parting our way,

Where is my hope, in sorrow I sway.

In dreams we meet, with laughter we sing,

A sigh escapes like petals in spring.

Knowing you’ve gone, our paths now unmade,

I send my heart’s whispers on moonlight's cascade.