Chapter 116.2: I Will Wait For You

A dozen figures stepped forward, trembling with excitement.

"Blood Master!"

"Master!"

"Master!"

None had imagined they would once again see their revered teacher, who had vanished for three hundred years.

Qi Yuan smiled faintly with his eyes. Though his emotions had softened after reuniting with Canary, seeing his disciples again brought him warmth.

He stared at the unconscious Foolish Daoist and asked gently, "Injured by the Violet Heaven Maiden?"

Shang Yanran, still flustered, nodded. "Yes."

"What a pity." Qi Yuan sighed. "On my way here, I only encountered their army, not her. Otherwise, I'd have ended that clown."

Three hundred years gone, and that woman had spent every moment slandering him.

The thought made Qi Yuan grin. When he finished his game and faced the Bright Palace, he'd make a few fake accounts to flood the alliance’s forums and smear them right back.

Shang Yanran asked, "Master, did you come from Nine Plate Mountain?"

"Yes. I came straight here, barely stopping on the way. I only drew a few swords and killed a few people."

Indeed, Qi Yuan's speed was unmatched. While others were still spreading word of his revival, he had already arrived at the Ends of the Earth.

"Master," Shang Yanran continued seriously, "the Violet Heaven Alliance is marching with force. I suggest we abandon this base. They have over a hundred Supremes, and the Violet Heaven Maiden's strength is unfathomable. We have only eight Supremes, of which, one is gravely injured. We cannot win by fighting them head-on."

If the Blood Master had not returned, she would have already ordered a retreat. Now, she awaited his decision.

Canary tugged at Qi Yuan's sleeve. "Blood Drop, they're too strong. Let's just run!"

She cared little for pride, only for survival.

"They offended me. Why should we run?" Qi Yuan stared at them and said slowly. Confidence radiated from his face. "With me here, all is well."

If they had been Supremes from the North South Pact, perhaps he'd hesitate. But these so-called "Supremes" were little more than pretenders, lacking true Origin power. To him, they were equals in name only.

He was a Heavenly Dao class cultivator, why would he fear their numbers? He could cut down crowds with ease. Although, the Violet Heaven Maiden could prove to be troublesome.

The others exchanged uneasy glances.

Then, Shang Yanran smiled and said flatteringly, "With Master here, there's nothing to fear!"

Bai Ze remained worried but said nothing. To them, their master's divinity outweighed even the Slate of Fate.

Qi Yuan turned toward the Foolish Daoist and tapped the air. A crimson light spread, forming a single blood droplet. He flicked it into the man's mouth.

Qi Yuan said, "He will wake up in about half a day."

This healing technique came from the Human-Demon Path, a system Qi Yuan had long mastered, surpassing even the Supreme One and the White Supreme. Hence, healing such wounds was trivial.

"Since there's no danger, I'll take my leave. When the Violet Heaven Alliance attacks, I'll act."

With that, Qi Yuan took Canary by the hand and left. Among all in this world, only Canary still bound him emotionally. To him, the others were no more than passing figures.

He would continue comprehending the Myriad Phenomena Gate. After destroying the Violet Heaven Alliance, he would attempt to enter the gate. For now, it remained unopened because he wasn't fully certain he could cross it.

Everyone bowed deeply.

"Farewell, Master!"

"Farewell, Blood Master!"

As Qi Yuan's figure disappeared, they still felt as though they were dreaming. The Blood Master had come and gone like the wind.

Silence lingered, until one Supreme finally said, "Fellow elders... could any of you discern our Master's strength?"

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Normally, such a question would be taboo, but with danger at their doorstep, prudence outweighed reverence.

"I couldn't tell," the others admitted, shaking their heads.

The Blood Master was born sacred, forever shrouded in mystery.

Shang Yanran frowned slightly. "Likely stronger than me, but compared to the Violet Heaven Maiden, I can't say. After all, she has the Slate of Fate."

Everyone's hearts grew heavy. The Slate of Fate. Too many legends surrounded it. Some said whoever possesses it would rule the world, others claimed even the Buddha's supremacy came from it.

Bai Ze said with unshakable faith, "Since Master has confidence, we must trust him."

Shang Yanran smiled faintly. "Then we'll prepare both ways. To fight alongside Master, but also find an escape route in case things went wrong."

***

At the Ends of the Earth, the sea churned.

Qi Yuan sat on a massive rock, silently comprehending the Myriad Phenomena Gate.

Canary propped her chin on her hands, staring at him without blinking, afraid he’d vanish again. Summoning her courage, she finally asked,"Blood Drop... how long will you stay this time?"

Qi Yuan said truthfully, "I don't know."

His attempt to comprehend the Origin had pulled him into the Flowing Wind World’s distant past. The girl beside him belonged to this era, while he would eventually be drawn back to his own. The thought weighed heavily on him, hardening his resolve to climb ever higher, until he could command time itself.

Still, no matter how long he meditated before the gate, he sensed nothing of time or space.

“Then... when the gate appears again, will you be there too?” Canary asked hopefully.

They spent more time apart than together, but she consoled herself that good things took time.

"I don't know," Qi Yuan said softly, pausing before he added, "Canary, I’ll find you again someday, at the end of time itself..."

There were many others he sought, like Jin Li.

Canary said with a bright smile. "

Hmph!

I shall wait for you beautifully! But you'd better not grow old! If you come to see me with white hair, I'll pretend not to know you!"

She leaned close, boldly clutching his arm, cherishing every moment of this reunion.

Qi Yuan's heart calmed as he resumed meditating on the gate. After defeating the Violet Heaven Maiden, he would attempt entry.

***

Dark clouds gathered within the Blood Palace. The Blood Master's return had brought brief exhilaration, but new turmoil soon arose.

Many later recruits fled the palace, declaring, "The Slate of Fate has spoken, the Blood Master is the Great Demon! He’s the source of all inner demons! The whole world must unite against him!"

Panic spread through the ranks.

Shang Yanran suppressed the traitors, showing no mercy. The exodus only slowed after blood had soaked the palace floors. Even so, the Blood Palace now resembled a tiny boat in a storm, battered by fate, always on the verge of sinking. Some old disciples from Nine Plate Mountain hurried to their master's aid. Nevertheless, their numbers were pitifully small compared to the Violet Heaven Alliance’s force.

The storm gathered and dark currents stirred. Gathered outside the Blood Palace were the three great empires, the seven grand sects, the twelve noble families, and all the Supremes of the Violet Heaven Alliance. All that remained was the Violet Heaven Maiden’s order, then the heroes of the world would launch their united assault upon the Great Demon.

One day, under calm skies and a vast sea, a blood-red robed man rose to his feet. High above the heavens, the Myriad Phenomena Gate finally opened.

Qi Yuan looked up, his eyes shining brightly.

From the gate, countless terrifying, alien auras poured forth.

Greed flickered in Qi Yuan’s gaze. He sensed that once he stepped inside, he would gain immeasurable benefits, perhaps even realize his Origin Divine Technique.

Just then, a cry resounded from within the gate, as if a horrifying beast was about to break through.

Qi Yuan's greedy look was replaced with curiosity. "Great Demon... Inner demon. Is it in the Myriad Phenomena Gate?"

A deep and loud drum beat filled the air as a murderous aura seeped across the sky. The great battle was about to begin.