Chapter 1057: Immortal Hengyue

Chapter 1057: The Eternal Heng Yue

In the quiet night, Ye Chen emerged from the Shi Wan Da Shan, walking endlessly under the moonlight across the vast expanse beneath the sky. He had decided to leave. This might be his last time walking on this land. Once he departed, he might never return.

He smiled with a touch of world-weariness, for this place held far too many memories for him. Along his path, he gazed around constantly, as if trying to etch the splendid rivers and mountains into his soul, so that when he looked up at the night sky from the distant stars, he could have memories to cherish.

At Bei Zhen Cang Yuan, he paused lightly atop a mountain peak, gazing toward the Hao Tian Shijia, but in the end, he did not set foot there. The karma he shared with that family was all due to the twists of fate. A gentle breeze blew, and he silently turned away, heading to Chan Yuan Ancient City to share a cup of strong wine with Chan Yuan Zhen Ren as a farewell.

Afterward, he gazed from afar at Zhu Jian Cheng, Bei Hai Shijia, and Xuan Tian Shijia, spotting Chen Rong Yun and Li Zhang, though he did not see Wei Wen Zhuo. With a slight smile, he turned once more, making his way to Black Dragon Island and Pan Long Sea Domain, where he left behind unparalleled secret techniques for the descendants of Wu San Pao and Niu Shi San.

At Tian Zong Shijia, he lingered for a long time but still did not enter, failing to see Tian Zong Lao Zu or Chu Ling Yu. The younger generations there were all diligently cultivating in the night, their expressions resolute. He smiled again and quietly departed, heading to Tian Long Ancient City. It was in that ancient city that he had found many opportunities, including dragon blood, Da Luo Shen Tie, and a wooden carving bearing the characters for Ye Chen. He knew that carving had been made by Hong Chen in the past.

Leaving Tian Long Ancient City, he stepped onto the boundless land once more. This time, like a traveler, he journeyed through the dust, visiting Chun Qiu Cheng, gazing at the Yan Huang Headquarters, paying respects to the Si Da Shijia, and lingering at the Ou Yang Family to honor the Chu Hai Shen Bing. On his way, he found the ancient grounds of the imperial descendants, standing silently before the Jiu Huang Ling Wei. He did not enter the ancient sites of the successive kings; those figures were all peerless sovereigns, but they had been born in unfortunate times, and even the greatest heroes had bowed to fate, leaving behind eternal regrets across the ages.

After traversing the Bei Chu Cultivator Realm, he arrived in the Fan Ren Realm. There was an imperial palace, and there was a modest grave. An elderly man, trembling with age, was holding a broom and sweeping the fallen leaves.

Yan Er, he has come to see you.

As if he had known it was Ye Chen, Liu Qing Quan clutched his broom and turned, shuffling away unsteadily.

Ye Chen approached and sat down, leaning against the tombstone as he pulled out a flask and quietly drank the strong liquor.

I am called Liu Ru Yan!

Suddenly, that melancholic voice echoed in his ears again, and in his mind, he saw the image of the woman playing the qin. In this life, he might never hear her music or see her figure again.

Liu Ru Yan, I miss the sound of your qin!

Ye Chen's voice was hoarse, his smile filled with world-weariness.

It was some time before he rose, staggering drunkenly with a desolate back.

Under the moonlight, he returned to the lands of Nan Chu. Before Qing Yun Zong, he stood silently, watching the young disciples and smiling. In Zheng Yang Zong, before Ji Ning Shuang's statue, he poured a cup of wine. That woman, who stirred such complex emotions in him, had guarded him until her death and made a vow for the next life, yet she never received the answer she sought.

Next, he wandered aimlessly to many places: Dan Cheng, Dong Yue, Nan Jiang, and Xi Shu, but he bid farewell to them all in haste.

In another peaceful night, he returned to Heng Yue Zong. The Heng Yue at night was tranquil and harmonious, restored to its former glory, like a fairyland on earth. Ye Chen ascended the stone steps one by one. Passing by the small spirit garden, he saw Zhang Feng Nian, who was only about ten years old but seemed like a weary old man, lost in thought alone in the dead of night, perhaps thinking of Hu Wa and Xiao Ying. Ye Chen did not enter but continued up the steps, just as he had on his first visit to Heng Yue.

Before the Feng Yun Tai, he stood quietly. It was here in the past that he had defeated one proud disciple after another, and the name Ye Chen had risen to fame. Now, more than twenty years later, looking at the battle platform again, it was as if he could still see his own shadow.

With a world-weary smile, he moved his feet, glancing left and right along the way, hoping to imprint every mountain here into his bones.

Outside the Ling Dan Ge, he saw Xu Fu poring over ancient books, undeterred even at night, as if determined to restore his former alchemy skills as quickly as possible.

Why don't you go in?

From behind, Qi Yue spoke softly. She appeared only about ten years old, but her beautiful eyes revealed expressions beyond her years— a woman's tenderness, mingled with the world-weariness of time's passage.

I just won't go in!

Ye Chen smiled, knowing that saying more would only bring sadness.

Qi Yue bit her lip gently and stepped forward, hugging Ye Chen. For the first time, her clean cheek pressed against his chest, as if she knew he was leaving Da Chu and was allowing herself this boldness. After two or three seconds, she stepped back, her smile mixed with tears, her beautiful eyes misty, her expression somewhat poignant.

Remember to come back!

She turned away, tears finally tracing down her poignant cheeks, not wanting to watch that figure depart with her own eyes. When she turned back again, the slender figure was gone. She crouched on the ground, hugging her knees, crystal tears falling, her voice filled with sorrow. What did reincarnation matter? She still dared not reveal the feelings hidden in her heart. That person had left, and they might never meet again; in the end, she was not the one to accompany him.

Ye Chen had already entered the Wan Bao Ge. Pang Da Hai was lounging in his chair. Seeing Ye Chen walk in, he raised an eyebrow.

Kid, don't steal anything.

After speaking, he slipped into a doze.

Ye Chen smiled and stood quietly, gazing at the Wan Bao Ge as it had been in the past, as if looking at his younger self. He left, but Pang Da Hai opened his eyes, hurried a few steps to the door, and leaned on the frame, watching the direction Ye Chen had gone. It seemed he had known Ye Chen was leaving and didn't want to say anything too sentimental.

Little guy, safe travels!

Suddenly, Pang Da Hai raised his hand and waved it gently.

At the Ling Qi Ge, Ye Chen paused again, knowing Zhou Da Fu was watching him from inside, but he did not enter.

Next, he wandered to many places: Ling Cao Yuan, Cang Shu Ge, Tian Yang Feng, and even Heng Yue's back mountain, where he looked at the unchanged flowers and plants, recalling his mischievous younger self.

Returning to the inner sect, he scanned the area, seeing Yang Ding Tian and the others, but in the end, he did not say goodbye.

Finally, he climbed Yu Nu Peak and sat at its summit. Of all Da Chu, this was the place he was most reluctant to leave, for here were the two women he loved most.

After some time, a figure approached— it was Huo Teng. Seeing Ye Chen sitting in silence, Huo Teng slowly came over with a wine jar and sat beside him. Without a word, he handed one of the jars to Ye Chen.

Ye Chen took it, also remaining silent.

The wine must have been very strong, for Huo Teng finished his and soon fell asleep, murmuring familiar names in his dreams.

Late into the night, Ye Chen rose and stepped into the void, quietly gazing at the spirit mountains behind him, which looked like a fairyland.

As long as the world endures, Heng Yue will remain eternal!

Ye Chen smiled with world-weariness and silently turned, soaring into the sky.

After he left, from the pavilions, halls, and peaks of Heng Yue, figures emerged one by one. No one had been asleep; they all watched the direction of his departure and raised their hands in farewell. That young man, he was gone. Perhaps they would meet again only after a thousand years. Or perhaps, in this lifetime, they would never see each other again.