I Must Strive to Become Stronger

After dealing with the forces the Qingyun Sect had stationed here, Ye Chuan organized the souls within his spirit banner before storing it away.

"Then what? Should we head straight to the Jade Void Sect?"

Bai Qianshuang gave a slight nod. "We need to move quickly. Since they're already dead, the Qingyun Sect will have received the news immediately."

"Let's go."

Ye Chuan and Bai Qianshuang flew upward together.

Passing through the snow-covered belt halfway up Frost Moon Mountain, the ruins of the Jade Void Sect gradually emerged from the swirling snow.

There were no grand palaces or jade towers like those of the Qingyun Sect—only broken walls and charred debris, remnants of war, lying silently on the mountain peak, blending into the endless snowfall, exuding a bone-chilling desolation.

"Crunch, crunch." Ye Chuan and Bai Qianshuang walked through the snow, surveying the surroundings.

The first thing that caught their eyes was the remnants of the mountain gate. The stone archway at the entrance was already in ruins, the three characters "Jade Void Sect" at the top cleaved in half, leaving only fragments of the words "Jade" and "Void."

Deep sword marks, their edges coated in perennial frost, scarred the stone pillars, as if still recounting the brutality of the battle fought here long ago.

Further in lay the sect's various halls. Their roofs had long since collapsed, leaving only the broken remnants of surrounding pillars standing.

The side chambers flanking the main hall were even more dilapidated, reduced to half-standing walls.

Despite being a powerhouse at the Spirit Transformation Realm, Bai Qianshuang felt her steps grow heavier. As she recognized the remnants of familiar structures, her pace slowed further.

The laughter of her senior and junior sisters, her mother's gentle reminders, her master's earnest teachings—it all felt like yesterday. As she walked, the tears at the corners of her eyes froze into crystals the moment they fell, lost to the relentless snow.

A sense of exhaustion and helplessness surged through her, spreading to her limbs.

Suddenly, a gust of icy wind swept through, making Bai Qianshuang sway unsteadily. Her vision blurred, and she could barely see the path ahead.

Instinctively, she reached out—and the next moment, a firm hand grasped hers tightly.

Bai Qianshuang froze, meeting a pair of deep, dark eyes.

"You alright?" With a gentle tug, Ye Chuan steadied her as she nearly stumbled backward. For a brief moment, the young woman was dazed, noticing the concern in his gaze.

"I'm fine..."

"Let's go together. It's alright—I'm here with you," Ye Chuan said.

His words dispelled the weariness and cold in her heart, as if strength had returned to her legs.

"Mm."

When they reached the main hall, the view from above was unrecognizable. Yet, this was where Bai Qianshuang had spent most of her time.

"This was where I cultivated. My master would come here to guide me when he had time," Bai Qianshuang murmured.

"That over there—the training grounds. Everyone practiced their techniques and moves there."

"And there—the place where we kept the spirit beasts. They were adorable, always greedy for treats."

"Then, that way was our favorite grove. The scenery was beautiful, and the spiritual energy was rich—perfect for meditation."

"The scripture pavilion... Studying techniques was tedious, but it felt easier when we all learned together..."

Bai Qianshuang recounted each memory, the usually reticent girl now speaking in an uncharacteristic stream of words.

Ye Chuan stood beside her, watching her raven-black hair flutter in the wind, choosing to listen quietly.

By the end, her voice grew softer. After all, she was still a girl not yet twenty, having endured so many ups and downs. The fact that she could still stand strong now was nothing short of remarkable.

"Ye Chuan."

"Hm?"

"Only with strength can we protect what matters," Bai Qianshuang said softly.

"I've already lost everything once."

"You gave me something to hold onto again." Her beautiful eyes gleamed with resolve.

"I will grow stronger—strong enough to protect everything around me..."

"And you."

"..." Ye Chuan smiled faintly. "Alright."

......

Meanwhile, at the Qingyun Sect...

The atmosphere in the grand hall was unusually tense.

A disciple knelt on the floor, trembling, his voice choked with fear. "Reporting to the Sect Master... The life tablets of the elders and disciples stationed at Frost Moon Mountain—they've all shattered! Not a single survivor!"

On the throne, a middle-aged man in azure robes slowly opened his eyes.

Qin Tianya, Sect Master of the Qingyun Sect, had eyes as sharp as an eagle's, his aura unfathomable. Though seated, he seemed to command the heavens and earth.

At the disciple's words, his gaze narrowed slightly, and the temperature in the hall dropped.

"Annihilated?" Qin Tianya's voice was calm, yet carried undeniable authority.

"Who did this? Remnants of the Jade Void Sect? Or... the demonic tribes?"

"Could they possibly have such capability?"

"W-we don't know," the disciple stammered, bowing even lower. "The life tablets shattered almost simultaneously. The one responsible... must be beyond the Spirit Transformation Realm."

"Beyond Spirit Transformation?" Qin Tianya's brow furrowed as his fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.

He had thought sending multiple Spirit Transformation elders to suppress the remnants of the Jade Void Sect was foolproof. Yet now, even the outpost at Frost Moon Mountain had been wiped out.

In the Donghua Divine Continent, aside from the supreme elders of the top sects, who else possessed such power?

"Dismissed." Qin Tianya waved his hand, and the disciple scrambled out of the hall as if granted mercy.

Alone, Qin Tianya rose and stepped onto the terrace outside, gazing at the sea of clouds in the distance, a flash of killing intent in his eyes.

"Jade Void Sect..." he murmured the name.

"Countless elders and disciples slain, the Heavenly Water Mirror missing, halls reduced to ruins by heavenly lightning..." Qin Tianya muttered.

"All of it—the work of those Jade Void remnants."

"Hmph! Cowards who hide in the shadows!"

A terrifying aura erupted from Qin Tianya's body as azure spiritual energy surged like a tidal wave, engulfing the entire Qingyun Peak.

The sea of clouds churned, fierce winds howled, and the spiritual flora on the mountain trembled violently, as if bowing to this supreme power.

Half-Step Great Ascension Realm!

"I have reached Half-Step Great Ascension—who dares defy the Qingyun Sect?" Qin Tianya's voice echoed across the mountain range.

"I shall personally go to Frost Moon Mountain and tear you limb from limb, avenging my disciples!"

He turned back into the hall and summoned all the sect's elders.

"By my order, activate the sect's grand protective formation! I, the Sect Master, will personally lead the expedition to Frost Moon Mountain!"

"Yes, Sect Master!" the elders and disciples responded in unison.

They could feel the terrifying aura emanating from Qin Tianya. Clearly, against the remnants of the Jade Void Sect, the Sect Master had decided to take matters into his own hands.