Chapter 690 - 689: Never Apart

Chapter 690: Chapter 689: Never Apart

After Yi Tianyun and Shi Xueyun departed, the menace was finally gone. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, though their feelings were incredibly complicated. The Celestial Plum Divine Clan had planned to re-emerge into the world soon, but now, survival itself was a concern, let alone making a grand debut.

Many elders had died, and their most important palace had been destroyed, including the Celestial Plum Array. Everything had been ruined in an instant, leaving them heartbroken.

"I can’t believe something like this happened just as I entered seclusion..."

Mei Wenshu sighed deeply. Looking at the wreckage, a profound sorrow filled his heart. They had all been planning to emerge soon, but they had never imagined they would provoke such a tyrannical expert who could effortlessly crush them all.

Were they resigned to this? Of course not. It was like being pinned to the ground and beaten senseless. Regardless of who was right or wrong, they found it impossible to swallow their anger. But what could they do if they couldn’t? They had no choice but to force it down.

The Celestial Plum Divine Clan was no longer as glorious as it once was, nor did it possess its former strength. It had long since fallen into decline.

’It seems I need to rectify the situation within the clan. Everyone is so arrogant and used to being bullies. Don’t they know there’s always someone better out there?’

Mei Wenshu turned to the crowd and said coldly, "Starting today, the Celestial Plum Divine Clan will enter seclusion for another one hundred years! No one is to leave the mountain! Now, everyone, get over here and start repairing the palace and the array!"

They looked miserable, but they knew this was their only option.

"Clan Leader, are we not going to seek revenge?" one of the deacons asked, seething with anger. He had wanted to charge forward earlier, but the Clan Leader had forbidden anyone from making a move, forcing them to stand by and watch.

Some would rather die than stand there and be humiliated.

"Revenge? You think I don’t want it?" Mei Wenshu shook his head. "The Ancestor said he could sense that this person’s power is terrifying. He feared a single sword strike would be enough to cleave us all in two."

"’C-cleave us with a single strike? But our Ancestor is a supreme expert who survived the wars in the Celestial Realm...’" Everyone was stunned. A moment ago, they were all feeling wronged, but hearing this was like having a basin of icy water poured over them, chilling them to the bone.

"It is precisely because he survived the wars in the Celestial Realm that he can sense how powerful that man truly is. He’s likely at the late Saint King Stage; dealing with us would be far too easy for him." Mei Wenshu shook his head. "A wise man knows when to bend. I just wish there were fewer fools like that in our clan. If it weren’t for those two, would we be in this state?"

"Did you see those five Sacred Artifacts? He tossed them to us like trash. Even an ordinary Divine Kingdom wouldn’t be so generous. All the resources we invested in raising her probably don’t even add up to the value of two Sacred Artifacts, yet he casually threw five at us!" Mei Wenshu said with a hint of regret. "If we had managed to befriend him, we would have certainly gained a powerful ally!"

"It’s detestable, truly detestable... But what’s done is done. There’s no use talking about it now. If any of you still feel indignant, then pour your hearts into cultivation! Reach a level stronger than him, stronger than us, and then you can go and suppress him. I look forward to that day!"

"But if you don’t have that kind of power, then the next time you see him, you will get as far away as you possibly can! I don’t want to see this happen a second time. One rotten apple spoils the bunch!"

Mei Wenshu was heartbroken, but more than that, he was rational. A wise man knows when to bend. If they hadn’t compromised, the entire clan would have been annihilated. Should they die for a sliver of dignity, or live for the bigger picture?

Besides, news of what happened here might not get out, so the Celestial Plum Divine Clan’s reputation would remain intact.

While they began the rapid repairs of the palace, Yi Tianyun took Shi Xueyun to a small wooden cabin in the Celestial Plum Mountain Range. A group of people stared blankly as Yi Tianyun descended.

"A phoenix..."

They were all dumbfounded. What shocked them most was seeing Yi Tianyun riding a phoenix. Wasn’t he the one who came in with them to do menial chores? How did he suddenly show up riding a phoenix in the blink of an eye?

"Yi, what’s going on?" Wu ran out of the cabin. When things started happening at the palace, they had naturally come out to look, but they hadn’t dared to get close.

"It’s nothing. I’ve come to take you away from this place." Yi Tianyun smiled faintly. "That said, are you willing to come with me? I can offer you a great opportunity, but you’ll have to work for me."

Wu scratched his head and said honestly, "If I become your subordinate, can I go home to visit and send some money back to help my family?"

Wu’s words were so earnest it was hard to know whether to laugh or cry. He really thought things through.

"Of course, that’s not a problem. As long as you serve me faithfully, you can do more than just send money home. You can bring your whole family to live with you if you want," Yi Tianyun chuckled.

"Alright then, I’ll go with you. You’re the only one who’s willing to talk to me. Whatever you say, Yi, I’ll do it. I’m not good at anything except for being strong," Wu said with a cheerful grin.

"Don’t worry, you will soon surpass others." Yi Tianyun reached out and tapped him, sending a stream of Martial Arts knowledge into his mind. "Memorize this well and cultivate diligently. You will absolutely become a powerful expert of your generation!"

He then summoned a Core Transformation Stage Demon Beast to carry Wu toward the Ascension Divine Altar. They still had things to do and couldn’t take Wu with them.

He wasn’t worried about Wu betraying him. It wasn’t in Wu’s nature. He was simple and honest; he would be good to whoever was good to him. It was as simple as that.

"You just arrived in the Celestial Realm, and you’re already recruiting subordinates. Do you think he’s really that talented?" Shi Xueyun couldn’t see any talent in him at all, only a clumsy, honest, and robust man.

"Of course he’s talented. You’ll find out later," Yi Tianyun said, pulling her into a light embrace with a faint smile. He gestured for the Blue Phoenix to fly higher, leaving the area completely.

"Hmph, so you dare to speak in riddles with me now!" Shi Xueyun huffed, feigning a bit of dissatisfaction, but her expression was playful.

Yi Tianyun reached out and pulled her closer. After they locked eyes, he smiled faintly. "Auntie, you’re so beautiful."

"Do I need you to..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Yi Tianyun leaned in and kissed her deeply. The sudden action startled Shi Xueyun, but she didn’t struggle. Instead, her pretty face flushed crimson all the way to her ears, making her look like a ripe apple.

"CHIRP..." The Blue Phoenix let out a cry, expressing its dissatisfaction.

Yi Tianyun gently stomped his foot, telling it not to ruin the mood. The strength of his arms didn’t lessen in the slightest as he continued to hold her waist tightly, with no intention of letting go.

Even though the air was bitingly cold, the atmosphere between them was fiery and enchanting, as if it were a bright spring day. This was the first time Yi Tianyun had been so rough and wild. At this moment, he only wanted Shi Xueyun to melt into his embrace, never to be separated.