In the heart of Dinghu, wild waves surged and islands shook, presenting a scene as if a natural disaster were imminent.

But as a Divine Light spread from beneath the lake, filling Dinghu and casting it in golden hues, the raging waves no longer intensified; even the islands began to stabilize.

Afterward, the clear sky transformed into a starry night, with Star Constellations arranged in the heavens; a tremendous Essence Qi enveloped the skies like a curtain, suppressing mountains and rivers—within mere breaths, it calmed the wind and stilled the waves.

Among those stars, the bright Moon hung high, bathed in the embrace of all stars, revealing within it an elegant and dignified figure; her regal aura spread wide, and in an instant, it was as though the Sect had regained its backbone, and various noises gradually subsided.

"The Master has returned."

Far away on a small secret island, Gongsun Qingyue, who was overseeing the Array, looked towards the rising Moon and whispered this phrase, finally able to relax.

Since Tianxuan had returned, it meant that the important matters were resolved, the outcome was determined, and ultimately, their side had won.

She took a deep breath, feeling as if a heavy stone had been lifted from her heart, then found the elegant figure above somewhat irksome. Turning her head away, she mused, "You come to clean up the aftermath after everything is settled, yet the reputation goes to you, while the work was done by the disciple."

Once relaxed, her competitive spirit flared up again. Learning that Jiang Li might have gained favor from a certain Gongsun Family Head, Gongsun Qingyue's filial respect plummeted, nearly matching that towards Jiang Li.

"Xiao Tian, Xiao Tian."

She called out repeatedly while starting to look for a certain elusive spy dog, hoping to have it check on Jiang Li.

However, no matter how she called, the small dog remained unseen.

"Has it left the island?" Gongsun Qingyue furrowed her brows.

Just then, a Sword Light streaked across the sky, arriving before Gongsun Qingyue and materializing into an almost transparent Sword shadow, containing a Jade Scroll within.

Upon seeing the Sword Light, Gongsun Qingyue knew it was Jiang Li's Sword Qi. She didn't bother to question why Xiao Tian had left the island on its own, and immediately grabbed the Jade Scroll, sensing it with her Divine Thought.

Then, a slight gloom appeared on Gongsun Qingyue's pretty face.

Right at that moment, a red shadow flashed: Xiao Tian dashed over at meteoric speed, sitting on the ground and looking up at its mistress, ready to serve at a moment's notice.

'This treacherous servant of three families!'

Gongsun Qingyue almost unleashed a Drought God Palm.

Living for over twenty years, to be deceived by a dog, and still oblivious until Jiang Li pointed it out.

It was only because Jiang Li was unaware of the intricate relationships and her own caution towards the Master; otherwise, she'd be the laughing stock of that ungrateful creature.

Just the thought made Gongsun Qingyue grit her silver teeth, wishing she could have dog meat tonight. Truly, like master, like dog—the Old Demon and crafty junior brother had indeed taught a dog that played three sides.

Yet she didn't actually strike. Instead, she cleared the gloom on her face, smiled pleasantly at Xiao Tian, and said, "The overall situation is settled. Go check if the junior brother is hurt, and while you're at it, pass a message to my master. Ask her to come here tonight to oversee the Array, so I can discuss wedding dates with the junior brother."

Wedding dates?

Xiao Tian's tail shot up.

Its keen animal instincts told it that this was yet another valuable piece of information, one that would bring rewards when passed to that person.

Thinking thus, the small dog's red pupils almost glowed; it nodded immediately, transformed into a red comet, and shot away like lightning.

It couldn't wait to share the good news with its master, and along the way, earn some dog food for itself.

While Gongsun Qingyue watched the red comet disappear into the distance, the smile on her face gradually faded, turning indifferent, "Although I'm not as narrow-minded as Master, I do not hesitate with those who are disloyal. Learning from three families, eh? Failing to learn anything good, they chose to master devious tricks."

She muttered softly, not sure if she was scolding the dog or someone else.

*****

*****

A pure glow entered the Heavenly Origin Cave Heaven; Tianxuan emerged from within the light, carrying lingering moonlight, her moon-white dress dragging on the ground; she moved unhurriedly towards the palace that had now become ruins.

"It has indeed been a long time."

Above the veil appeared bright eyes that scanned the surroundings, passing over Elder Tianquan and Elder Tianji, pausing for a moment on Jiang Li, and finally resting on Gongsun Taicheng, who was bound up in golden ropes.

"Elder Taicheng, this is my first visit since your retirement."

Although it was Junior Sister Tianxuan who personally sent Gongsun Taicheng to the Cave Heaven Blessed Land to live out his years, because Gongsun Taicheng failed to recognize goodwill, he had never met with Tianxuan face-to-face over the years, at most just communicating through voice transmission from afar, participating in the Sect's high-level meetings.

This left Tianxuan quite helpless, but since the other party was an elder, she cooperated by not visiting the Cave Heaven Blessed Land until today.

Upon seeing Tianxuan's comportment, Gongsun Taicheng was so angry that the Three Corpses jumped within him, and Jiang Li could clearly sense the violent fluctuations in this Supreme Elder's emotions.

The killing hadn't started yet, but the heart-striking had, and nothing pleased a victor more than seeing the defeated's grimace.

Although Tianxuan had personally sent Gongsun Taicheng into retirement, this also allowed a large part of the power over the Cave Heaven Blessed Land to fall under the Sect Leader's control. The one who could defeat Tianxuan and ascend to the position of Sect Leader, was not to be underestimated. He relied on Gongsun Taicheng and the three Supreme Elders to strategically secure the Cave Heaven and retain control over the Sect's foundation.

Over the years, not only Tianxuan but also allies such as Elder Tianquan and Yuheng were barred from entering the Cave Heaven.

Now her re-entry into the Cave Heaven had indeed given her some satisfaction.

"Relying on the power of the Jiang family, what right do you have to strut before me!" Gongsun Taicheng couldn't hold back and yelled.

"Elder Taicheng jests. How could I harbor such intentions?" Tianxuan replied with a smile, utterly unmoved by the lamentations of a defeated dog. In a calm and unhurried manner, she said, "Elder, do not forget, decades ago, I had already made my mark. It was me who personally sent you into retirement back then. You lost to me decades ago, and today you have lost to my disciple. Elder Taicheng, it seems you are regressing with age."

"It's not that I have no right to make my mark but that you don't have the right to see me do it."

Her words, gentle and slow, devoid of any harshness, yet caused Gongsun Taicheng's face to turn from white to red, then from red to black. If not for the ropes binding him and suppressing his Essence Qi, he might have been overcome by fury.

"You! Gongsun—"

Gongsun Taicheng cried out angrily, but just as he began to speak, Tianxuan looked at him and silenced him, leaving him opening and closing his mouth without making a sound.

Simultaneously, she swept a glance at Jiang Li, detecting no unusual expression.

On the side, seeing Gongsun Taicheng silenced, Elder Tianji could no longer keep quiet, intervening lest his master genuinely be angered to death.

"Junior Sister Tianxuan, please spare his life in consideration of Elder Taicheng's past merits." Elder Tianji, still expressionless, bowed his head slightly in submission.

After all, they were master and disciple; even though he had executed a justice-heavy betrayal, he chose to save his master's life.

Hearing this, Tianxuan looked at the two, saying, "Let's follow Elder Tianji's wishes then. However, Elder, remember, Gongsun Taicheng, old but not dead, is nothing but a scoundrel. It's not he who has merits, but you, Elder."

Meaning, this was done for the face of Elder Tianji.

"I understand," Elder Tianji nodded, "I'll take good care of my master."

With these words, an agreement was formed.

Tianxuan forgave Gongsun Taicheng, while Elder Tianji was to demonstrate loyalty and take care of Gongsun Taicheng.

As for the other...

Tianxuan looked towards Cao Yixuan.

"It is not easy for Elder Cao to turn back from the edge. In the future, the Heavenly Origin Cave Heaven will still need the joint control of Elder Cao and my uncle." Tianxuan smiled.

And with that, she let Cao Yixuan off the hook.

And while Gongsun Taicheng could not speak, his eyes still fiercely stared at Cao Yixuan.

For if Cao Yixuan accepted, he would have accepted Tianxuan's olive branch and stepped away from his earlier stance.

"Yes," Cao Yixuan replied succinctly.

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