Two years ago, the cultivators of the Azure Cloud region, full of spirit and vigor, boarded spirit boats and flew on their swords, departing from the Azure Cloud region to go to the aid of the Starfall Region. The spirit boats in the sky covered the heavens and the earth. They seemed to be carrying the sun and hope of the heavens on their backs as they advanced. But now, they returned as if bringing with them gloomy dark clouds.
That day, they had cheered as they set out. This time, after returning, they left the border city dejectedly, without a word.
The border city of the Azure Cloud region was probably in a similar state to the Starfall Region.
The Li family members also returned. They had prepared everything, just waiting for the completion of the Heaven-Defying Grand Array. But with the arrival of this terrible news, they also dared not make a move. Now, returning to the border city of the Azure Cloud region, everyone's expression was gloomy.
Not only did they fail in their mission to seize the Heaven-Defying Grand Array and help Li Yaoqing break through the Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation, this also meant that their perseverance over the past thirty-odd years had been reduced to ashes because of that one imperial edict.
Two years ago.
In this border city, they had conspired with the Nascent Soul Ancestors of many forces, and killed the people from the Supervision Office. They had agreed to fight together in Starfall Region, but they did not meet on the battlefield, and instead returned together in disgrace.
"One hundred and thirty thousand years, ah."
The Pavilion Master of Azure Cloud Pavilion, Elder Tianqing, had already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage and had a youthful appearance despite his white hair. Now, however, he had aged considerably. He cupped his hands towards everyone and gave a wry smile. "A legacy of one hundred and thirty thousand years, ruined in my hands. There's nothing left to fight for, no...thing left to fight for."
Only a long, drawn-out sigh remained. Elder Tianqing left, taking the disciples and members of the Azure Cloud Pavilion with him.
One hundred and thirty thousand years. They had experienced glory. They had once almost been destroyed by the Li family because of Xiao Huang, and knowing their mistake, they had also helped the Li family. Elder Tianqing thought, what memories of Azure Cloud region? That was all in the past. He only wanted to let Azure Cloud Pavilion start over from scratch, just as Yu Xian had once said, to be reborn from destruction.
But no one could have foreseen today.
Elder Tianqing's departing back was so desolate.
"Fellow Daoists, we still have one year." Lan Jing Daoist (Grand Elder of the Black Tortoise Sect) forced a smile. "Have you thought about where to go to re-establish your sects after the evacuation?"
Everyone remained silent.
Seeing everyone's silence, the Master Wushou of Longevity Mountain also forced a smile. "When we reach the interior, I'm afraid those sects and powers will exclude us. In my opinion, we really need to cooperate sincerely, so that when we look for new cultivation grounds, we won't be bullied by others."
"Iron Ridge region is not bad. It's deep in the mountains and forests, but it needs some development. But let's make it clear, when the time comes, our territories will be small, and the younger generation will definitely cause trouble. Let them fight, it can be considered training, but no matter what happens, we old fellows will remain companions, united against outsiders..."
Old Ancestor Tianye of the Ghost Eye Sect said seriously, but after he finished speaking, these Nascent Soul cultivators of the Azure Cloud region still didn't respond. Everyone became even more silent, and Old Ancestor Tianye also stopped talking.
The sun was clearly shining brightly, but today it was exceptionally cold. The wind whipped their robes, making them flap noisily.
He could feel it, no one truly wanted to leave!
But they really couldn't see any hope. Despair and fear, like maggots clinging to bone, crawled into everyone's hearts.
After a long, long time.
Old Man Lan Jing forced a smile. "What Daoist Tianye said is also good. Then... let it be Tieling."
Just as his voice faded, these Nascent Soul Ancestors all looked toward the Li family members. Silence was the theme of today's Azure Cloud region border. The Li family members lowered their heads, not a single person spoke. Li Dalong, who was called the bedrock of the Li family in the Azure Cloud region, clenched his fists tightly. The lid and body of the coffin on his back clattered together!
"In-law."
Feng Chunlin frowned deeply. "Before Father depar... passed away, there was already a backup plan. Grand Preceptor Lin Jiubei campaigned against the Demon Clan in the north for many years. There is a large amount of new land there. You might as well come with me."
Saying this, he saw the dissatisfied gazes of the many Nascent Soul Ancestors. He forced a smile. "Everyone, you can come with my Feng family. We can still carve out a new world. With our abilities, why worry about our powers not flourishing?"
As he spoke, everyone looked again at the Li family members.
Li Dalong still didn't say a word. The Li family members lowered their heads.
Within the entire border city, the air became heavy, that was the anger of the Li family members. But soon, that anger disappeared. Li Dalong raised his head. He cupped his hands towards everyone, a gentle smile on his face. "Then let's go to the north. In the current situation, we truly have no power to reverse things."
"The north is indeed a good place. We can continue there for ten thousand years, a hundred thousand years, and even longer. In new lands, there are also new opportunities."
"Even if we don't consider ourselves, we should also consider our descendants. Let's not stay here any longer. Go back and pack your belongings, so we can set out as soon as possible."
He first cupped his hands towards everyone. "When the time comes, see you in the north."
After saying this, Li Dalong and his wife gave a faint smile to their children and, without saying anything more, turned and headed towards Merit City.
The many Nascent Soul Ancestors gazed at the backs of the Li family members, stunned for a long time. Finally, they all sighed deeply, said goodbye to each other, and went to prepare for their departure.
Behind them was the border city, left in ruins. They had fought here, their disciples and descendants had shed blood here. They had sacrificed everything imaginable for the future of the Azure Cloud region!
The setting sun descended in the west.
Behind them were the broken walls and collapsed buildings of human cities. In the not-too-distant future, the prosperous Azure Cloud region will be covered by forests. The traces of their existence would also be buried and forgotten along with time. The blood flowing on that land, on the broken walls and collapsed buildings, would also be covered by dust and sand, erased by the years.
All their efforts, more than thirty years of sacrifice and struggle, had become meaningless.
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