Chapter 1298 819: Return to the Ashen Land

On the windowsill of the master bedroom, there bloomed a Twin Flower.

From that day on, every morning, Du Yu awoke to the faint scent of pear blossoms.

It was so wonderful that it felt somewhat unreal.

Even more wonderful was the person beside him.

Though they were "beside the pillow," the two had not engaged in any inappropriate actions over the past few days.

They had cooked meals together for Xiaoyan, cozied up on the couch watching TV.

They had also picked out clothes in an empty mall, allowing Du Yu to change his appearance.

They had even played with the Ghost Firefly in the Peach Blossom Realm and the Ten-Mile Peach Grove, and fallen asleep under the pressure of the Desolate Silver Lynx in the Mountain Realm's Jia Rong Grass...

For the upcoming Ashen Continent journey, the two embraced the mission with a warm and simple life.

The passage of time naturally doesn't shift with human will.

On January 28th, Du Yu gathered the four-person team, ready and waiting.

The crowd waited patiently at the Peak of All Mountains in the Mountain Realm, finally welcoming the return of a wanderer from home.

"Hiss~~~"

The neigh of a steed pierced the skies.

Du Yu looked up into the sky, watching the Ghost-faced General riding the Jade Tiger Roar, speeding towards him like the wind.

"Over here!" Du Yu shouted loudly.

"Lu!" With a swift descent, Jing Chen proudly raised its head and snorted above Du Yu.

"Had a good run?" Du Yu smiled and raised his hands.

Though Jing Chen had a proud disposition, it was very obedient before Du Yu, lowering its snow-white head gently into Du Yu's embrace.

Such a scene left everyone quietly sighing in their hearts.

Du Yu seemed born for demon taming, as all manner of creatures with diverse temperaments tended to be more docile in his presence.

Even people!

"A day late from the agreed time, huh?" Du Yu gently stroked the horse's cheek, with a hint of questioning.

Jing Chen's voice carried a trace of pride and also a bit of surprise: "I ran too far, this place is so big, so big, so big..."

"Haha!" Du Yu chuckled, "Feeling comfortable now, enough room for you to run wild?"

"Lu!"

Du Yu turned to look at Senior Brother Fu, then glanced over to Nan and Wei.

Still the original team, still the familiar setup.

"I'm heading out to scout first, I'll be back to get you in a bit." Du Yu said.

"Be careful."

"Don't rush, ensure you check the surroundings." Li Mengnan and Lin Shiwei both spoke up, advising Du Yu.

"Alright, alright." Du Yu nodded repeatedly, turning his palm.

Suddenly, Fu Jianzhou said, "Junior brother, eh, be careful!"

"Phew~"

The Bell Shadow flickered, but Du Yu didn't move.

Senior Brother Fu's sudden words left Du Yu standing there, slightly stunned.

Of course, Senior Brother has the right to caution his junior; the issue is... Senior Brother Fu's words came quite unexpectedly and hurriedly.

It was completely like pushing a duck onto a perch!

Du Yu looked at Senior Brother Fu with a strange expression.

What's this?

Are we all about blending in?

"Heh."

"Hehe~" Lin Shiwei and Li Mengnan both chuckled softly, looking at Senior Brother Fu.

Their playful and teasing glances made Fu Jianzhou a bit embarrassed.

In the past, Fu Jianzhou could treat the trio as children, but these three have grown so quickly!

Not to mention the already Saint-level and extraordinary Du Yu, let's talk about Nan and Wei.

Whether it was the noble and pure Li Mengnan or the dignified and lofty Lin Shiwei, their gazes weren't something ordinary people could withstand.

In the presence of Shen Meng Nan, people tend to feel inferior.

In the presence of Ghost Poet Wei, people tend to shiver.

Fu Jianzhou wondered how long he could remain "normal."

After all, with the two junior sisters becoming an emperor or saint, it was just a matter of time.

By then, Fu Jianzhou wasn't sure if he would be reduced to just one among the masses.

"Go on, quickly." Lin Shiwei softly urged.

"Oh." The Bell Shadow in Du Yu's hand expanded, his figure flickered and disappeared.

"Senior Brother."

"Hmm?" The sweet voice caught Fu Jianzhou's attention, looking at Li Mengnan.

Li Mengnan smiled gracefully, with bright eyes: "How's your relationship with the Cold Lake Sword?"

"Very good." Fu Jianzhou replied with a smile.

"That's good." Li Mengnan was not only beautiful but also kind-hearted, noticing Senior Brother Fu's awkwardness and helping ease the situation.

Lin Shiwei looked at Li Mengnan, saying, "Did you pick out his clothes?"

"Yes." Li Mengnan nodded, pouting, "He dresses so drably every day, never changing his style."

Fu Jianzhou interjected: "You three just happen to be black, white, and gray, isn't that great?"

"Eh?" Li Mengnan was a bit startled, as if realizing this for the first time.

She always liked wearing white, while Shiwei always wore black.

And the color mixed from black and white seems to be gray?

"Wow!" Li Mengnan was a bit surprised, turning to look at Lin Shiwei, "Coincidence?"

"Must be." Lin Shiwei smiled, "Given his nature, he just wants to remain low-key."

Fu Jianzhou added one more thing: "Heaven's will."

"Hehe~" Li Mengnan smilingly glanced at Fu Jianzhou, saying, "Senior Brother, you sure know how to talk!"

Fu Jianzhou shrugged. He wasn't flattering; he genuinely believed in fate's design.

He had a long and heart-wrenching past, but ever since meeting Du Yu, everything turned for the better.

Spiritual artifacts, holy weapons, cultivation, and opportunities to leave a mark on history.

Flooding forward, water naturally makes a passage.

When exactly did destiny begin to change?

Perhaps it was the moment Du Yu named him "Sword Province."

Interestingly, even today, Fu Jianzhou still doesn't know the true meaning and origin of his name.

"Hmm..." Fu Jianzhou pondered briefly; maybe he should find an opportunity to ask his junior brother.

"Master." The ancient voice of the Jia Rong Grass echoed in the minds of the three.

Fu Jianzhou naturally knew that the voice wasn't calling him, so he remained silent.

"Hmm?"

"What's the matter?" Lin Shiwei and Li Mengnan responded one after another, picking up the deep red grass leaves beside them.

Jia Rong Grass: "I'll take you to the Celestial Gate to wait."

"Okay." Li Mengnan awkwardly smiled while rubbing the grass leaves with her slender jade fingers, "Got carried away chatting."

"Swoosh~" The Jia Rong Grass wove a platform, lifting everyone into the sky.

At the same time, it handed the Divine Demon Bow and Withered Arrow to the mounted Three Holy Ministers of Han, asking him to carry them for the master.

Jia Rong Grass knew where Du Yu and the others were headed, and after they left, it would weave a grass leaf sphere at the Celestial Gate, waiting for any possible incoming enemies.

Everyone waited in the high sky for a moment, and with the flickering of Bell Shadow, Du Yu returned.

Given that the sisters had previously discussed Du Yu's attire, Fu Jianzhou paid special attention.

As a man, Fu Jianzhou wasn't very sensitive to clothing and fashion, but only now did he realize that Du Yu was wearing a loose white shirt and light blue jeans.

The style was simple, very clean and refreshing, paired with his bright eyes, he looked sunny and warm.

So... is this the style that Li Mengnan likes?

Indeed, much better than Du Yu's previous "gray and dull" appearance~

"Let's go." Unaware of what his senior brother was thinking, Du Yu saw everyone gathered in front of him and opened the Mountain and Sea Bell again.

"Woosh~"

With the flickering of Bell Shadow, everyone immediately found themselves under the ash-laden sky, standing amidst ruins.

Four Directions Province·Four Directions City.

"Tap tap." Jing Chen's hooves gently trotted, constantly turning around to observe the surroundings.

Aside from Jing Chen's slight sounds, the rest remained silent.

Lin Shiwei's expression was complex as she stepped forward.

She arrived at the resting place of the Celestial General and his soldiers, slowly kneeling.

The girl extended her palm, gently patting the pile of rubble, with countless thoughts swirling in her heart, ending in silence.

Actually, Lin Shiwei always had a fantasy, believing that Little Sifang was reborn and transformed by the heroic spirits.

Back when she left with the Seven-Colored Crescent Fish, she murmured in her heart: I will take care of you.

Perhaps, perhaps not.

Anyway, Little Sifang is living well now, carefree, growing up happily.

This serves as a slight consolation for Lin Shiwei's heart.

Behind them, Fu Jianzhou summoned the Wolf Lake Dog, as the drizzle fell, adding a touch of desolation to the ruins of Four Directions City.

Li Mengnan approached Du Yu, wrapping her arm around his, and looked at the girl in black with some heartache.

After observing for a moment, a layer of Demon Soul emerged on Du Yu's arm, communicating with the girl.

Li Mengnan nodded lightly, stepped to Lin Shiwei's side, bent over, and gently patted her back.

Before any comforting words could be spoken, Lin Shiwei had already stood up: "Let's go."

"Shiwei..."

"It's okay, I just paid respects." Lin Shiwei's smile was somewhat forced.

Such a scene made Li Mengnan feel even more heartache.

As the owner of a Spiritual Artifact, Lin Shiwei endures things that others cannot empathize with.

What's even more distressing is that, regardless of this journey to the Ashen Continent or the future Life of a Demon Tamer, everyone's path is fraught with danger and unknown.

This means that various tragic stories are likely to continue unfolding.

Everyone has no choice but to rely on each other, and silently endure these tough times.

Li Mengnan held Lin Shiwei's hand firmly.

"It's okay." Lin Shiwei ended up comforting Li Mengnan.

"There's a situation." Fu Jianzhou suddenly spoke.

The two immediately turned their heads.

"What?" Du Yu casually summoned, and the Three Holy Ministers of Han immediately threw the bow and arrow over.

At the same time, Du Yu was already prepared to awaken Kui Chou, the Supreme.

Regarding the Ashes journey, Du Yu had made thorough preparations!

After his earnest requests, Kui Chou left the Mountain Realm's Dark Clouds, now sleeping soundly at Du Yu's foot — the Yongquan Acupoint.

Hmm... The fiercer Niuniu's complaints when leaving, the sweeter his sleep now~

"Two Cold Race members, both cavalry, surrounded by Electric Little Stars." Fu Jianzhou relayed the intelligence delivered by Wolf Lake Dog· Qing Yi.

Two cavalry?

Du Yu felt a stir in his heart; even though there were few of them, they were part of the standard Youhan Squad!

Fu Jianzhou turned to Du Yu: "Should we hide, or catch them for intelligence?"

Du Yu thought for a moment; it's reasonable for a mere two Cold Race members to encounter issues on this Ashen Continent, right?

He turned to look at the slightly troubled Lin Shiwei, softly suggesting: "Kill some, vent some anger?"

Lin Shiwei slightly raised her eyebrows, her majestic eyes looking at Du Yu.

A truly qualified boyfriend.

The Empress's wide black robe sleeve moved slightly, a Finger Tiger dropped into her palm.

She stepped forward, her Black Python Robe fluttering, exuding authority.

Fu Jianzhou timely pointed south: "That direction."

"Mm." Lin Shiwei responded casually, not turning to look at Fu Jianzhou.

But as she passed by Du Yu, she suddenly held his face and kissed him lightly on the lips.

Then she continued walking south.

Du Yu: "..."

He watched the girl's tall figure, gently pursing his lips; what was that?

A reward?