The Haze Lifts

"Of course it's true. Otherwise, how could I be standing here perfectly fine now?"

Piaomiao Hong replied.

"Good, good, wonderful!"

Upon hearing her answer, Piao Zheng wiped away his tears, his face filled with excitement.

"However, what still puzzles me is that the curse vanished without any apparent reason," Piaomiao Hong said, furrowing her delicate brows.

"Could it be because of the dragonfish?" someone asked.

Piaomiao Hong shook her head.

The dragonfish Yi Feng had gifted her earlier—she hadn’t used it at all, knowing she was at her last moments.

"Then, Hong’er, think carefully. Have you consumed any rare spiritual treasures recently?" Piao Zheng pressed.

Again, Piaomiao Hong shook her head.

Even if she had taken some rare herbs, they were common in Sword Valley, and their effects were well-known. None could possibly explain the disappearance of the curse within her.

"Eh?"

"The curse in my body is gone too!"

Just as everyone was baffled, a disciple in the crowd suddenly exclaimed in delight.

His shout instantly drew everyone’s attention.

"Is this true?"

Piao Zheng and Piaomiao Hong spoke in unison.

The others also fixed their gazes on him, eyes brimming with hope.

If the curse had truly vanished from this disciple as well, it meant this wasn’t a coincidence—and perhaps even...

"Absolutely true, Valley Master, Young Miss," the disciple hastily confirmed under their expectant stares. "Just now, when I heard Young Miss say her curse had inexplicably disappeared, I checked myself on instinct. And sure enough, the curse is gone."

His words struck them like a revelation.

"Quick, quick! Everyone, check your bodies for the curse immediately!"

Piao Zheng’s voice boomed with immense power.

At once, the disciples closed their eyes, focused their qi, and peered inward.

Moments later, voices began to rise.

"Valley Master, Young Miss, my curse is gone too!"

"Mine’s vanished as well!"

"It’s gone, truly gone! Hahaha!"

In no time, the training grounds echoed with cries of joy, sobs, and exclamations.

"Uncle Zheng, what about you?" Piaomiao Hong asked hopefully.

"I... mine is gone too."

Piao Zheng trembled, his voice choked with emotion, unable to believe the curse within him had truly dissipated.

Never had he imagined that the Piao family would one day break free from this seal.

Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face as he fell heavily to his knees.

"Heavens above, you’ve finally shown us mercy!"

"The descendants of the Piao family no longer need to endure the scourge of this curse!"

"The dark clouds shrouding our family have finally lifted..."

For a time, Sword Valley was immersed in jubilation, countless people weeping with joy.

Ordinary folk could scarcely fathom the weight of this curse—a mountain pressing down on them for a hundred thousand years, suffocating the Piao family.

Now that it had vanished, the overwhelming relief, the newfound hope for the future, and the lingering shadows of past fears intertwined, bringing tears to many.

High above, several figures cloaked in black observed silently.

"All these years... they’ve truly suffered," one of the cloaked figures spoke gravely, revealing the head of a dog.

"Indeed," agreed the centipede beside him, nodding.

Though usually lighthearted, their hearts were heavy now.

At the forefront, Lu Benwei remained silent, watching the scene unfold.

After a long while, his skeletal white hand gestured faintly beneath the cloak.

A surge of immense power descended upon Sword Valley!

Those on the island might not sense it immediately, but the valley had now been utterly transformed.

If it was once barren land, it was now sacred soil.

Those living here would find their talents and cultivation enhanced beyond measure, blessed with immense fortune.

The dog and the others regarded Lu Benwei with deep reverence.

"But, Boss... what exactly happened back then?" the dog couldn’t help but ask.

Lu Benwei lifted his head slightly.

He remained silent for a long time before finally responding, "When the time comes, you’ll know."

With that, his skeletal finger tapped lightly on the air, causing space to ripple like water. A rift tore open before them.

In the next instant, he led the group through the spatial rift—vanishing without a trace.