The wind fills the tower before the mountain storm

Meanwhile, on the distant shore of the Eastern Wilderness.

Ye Shu and his companions, who were on their way back to the sect, had no idea that danger was looming. They were still leisurely making their way toward Azure Mystery Sect.

“Hey, you little thief, what are your plans from now on?”

Medusa, curled up in his sleeve, asked.

“Plans?” Ye Shu chewed on a blade of dogtail grass, his body bouncing gently with the horse’s gait, little Bai bouncing along in his arms as well.

“Let me think…”

“By my reckoning, about a year is almost up. First, when I get back to the sect, I’ll find a way to refine poison pills and cure Little Physician of her Calamity Poison Body. Then I’ll bring her to Azure Mystery Sect—it’s too dangerous for her to stay alone in the Beast Spirit Mountain Range.”

“Might as well refine the Seal-Breaking Pill for Ice Profound while I’m at it.”

“Almost forgot, that guy should still be in the Dan’ger Desert. When I go back to your ancestral home with you, I can give it to him as a gift.”

“G-go back to my ancestral home?”

Medusa’s voice wavered.

“Of course. We can’t just never go back, can we?” Ye Shu shrugged helplessly. “You can’t just abandon responsibility for your people, and a big news like the queen being pregnant—if I don’t go back with you, it’ll be hard to convince everyone, right?”

“I don’t want to be called the father who vanished.”

Ye Shu gently stroked Medusa’s serpent head in his sleeve and smiled tenderly:

“Once I take care of these matters, I’ll go back with you.”

“Maybe we can move your people to the Ten Thousand Great Mountains—at least it’s better than that endless desert.”

“As for everyone’s concerns, I’ll figure something out.”

“…”

Medusa fell silent.

She could tell that this scoundrel was being completely serious—he truly was thinking about her people.

Damn scoundrel… why did he have to be so thoughtful!

He actually thought of himself as some kind of father figure!

She said nothing, sulking in silence.

Let him guess.

Medusa shrank deeper into the sleeve, refusing to speak.

Seeing this, Ye Shu didn’t press further and instead mumbled on: “Alright… next, I’ll keep these two pregnant women company at home. I’ll also look around Azure Mystery Sect for materials to forge a body for Master—even if I can’t restore her to full strength, at least having something I can touch and kiss would be nice.”

“You wicked disciple, always thinking about that kind of thing.”

Danxia rolled her eyes at him, but her eyes were full of anticipation.

She, too, longed to touch Shu’er—to feel his warmth and texture, not just the pleasure of soul merging.

Now that things had settled for now, they could all take a rest.

Just then, a chubby, fair little foot descended from the sky and stomped hard on Ye Shu’s handsome face.

“Hey, hey, hey! Are you outta your mind?!”

Little Bai kicked Ye Shu’s right cheek furiously and snarled:

“You bastard, don’t just throw around death flags for no reason! The way you talk, it feels like we’re all going to die in the next chapter!”

“Really?” Ye Shu scratched his head.

It actually did seem that way.

Just like in those TV shows where a side character says, “After this battle, I’m going home to get married,” and then gets written off in the next scene.

“But that’s for side characters!”

Ye Shu waved his hand with full confidence.

“I’m the main character—even if I drop a death flag like that, I won’t die. At worst, it’ll be you guys.”

“You bastard! I’ll choke you!”

Little Bai grabbed his neck in a rage, shaking him left and right like a swing.

“Uh… can’t breathe, buddy…”

Ye Shu’s eyes rolled back as she choked him.

Danxia watched his mimed performance from the side, long used to it by now.

The four beings proceeded together toward Azure Mystery Sect.

Days turned into nights, and in just a few days, a towering mountain gate appeared, piercing the clouds.

A white-robed Daoist was sweeping the ground before the gate.

Near the entrance, a young woman in a pink dress leaned against the wall. Spotting Ye Shu on horseback in the distance, her eyes lit up.

“You heartless man!!!”

Lin Qingxue ran over in a flurry and threw herself into his arms.

“You’re finally back.”

Ye Shu smiled gently. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Hmph!”

Despite her earlier worry, Lin Qingxue immediately pouted and turned her head away angrily. “I wasn’t waiting for you! You sneaky bastard—you slipped away while I was asleep without even a word! You made me worry for days! Uh, I mean, nobody was around to serve me for days!”

“Alright, alright—I’ll wait on you hand and foot every day from now on.”

Ye Shu laughed heartily, cupped her face, and gave her a kiss. Her cheeks flushed red as she pounded on his chest.

“You’re taking advantage of me again, you big jerk!”

“Big brother!”

A sweet, childish voice called out just as they were flirting.

Turning around, he saw little Qingli running out from the mountain gate and throwing herself onto Ye Shu’s leg, her tiny hands climbing upward until she shoved herself between him and Lin Qingxue. Only then was she satisfied, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Big brother! Qingli missed you so much!”

“Big brother missed you too.”

Ye Shu grinned and planted a kiss on her cheek. Little Qingli giggled happily.

Meanwhile, Jian Wuhen, the Daoist sweeping the ground, walked over.

“You’re back.”

“How did it go?”

Ye Shu knew what he was asking and replied with a smile, “Not as smooth as I’d hoped, but not bad either. The main thing is that I’m free and easy now—no burdens weighing me down.”

“That’s not bad, haha.”

Jian Wuhen patted his shoulder. “Go back when you have time, Jinghong and Shouzhuo miss you.”

“Got it.”

Ye Shu nodded and was about to lead Lin Qingxue and little Qingli toward the Mystic Sword Peak.

But then, in that moment of pure warmth—

Boom—

Thunder roared across the sky.

Boundless black clouds spread from the horizon like a black curtain, covering the heavens. The bright, scorching summer day was now overcast, thunder crackling, winds howling, trees bending low.

It was like a scene of the apocalypse.

This eerie sight instantly set off alarm bells for everyone present.

Together, they looked up.

Under the dim sky, a space rift hundreds of feet wide tore open, revealing a blackness darker than pitch.

One by one, figures stepped out from the void, each dressed in black robes and exuding deep, oppressive auras.

“Storms gather before the mountain.”

Ye Shu stared at the figures in midair, his expression grim. Even the one with the least presence among them gave him a stronger feeling than Feng Wuwang.

And among them were a few beings…

A single glance made the heart tremble with fear.

Jian Wuhen beside him wore the same grave expression, staring fixedly at the figures midair, thoughts unknown.

“W-what do these guys want?”

Lin Qingxue’s voice trembled. Even she, dense as she could be, could tell they weren’t here with good intentions.

“I don’t know.”

Ye Shu shook his head, shielding the frightened little Qingli with his hands, and said in a low voice: “But one thing’s for sure—they’re here for me.”

“Trouble is… coming.”