Wan Dao, the three of them, took a deep breath, then stepped into the teleportation array with Yun Jin. There wasn't even the slightest dizziness like usual when teleporting, it was over in the blink of an eye.
Voices of a bustling crowd immediately filled Wan Dao's ears. The sun hung high in the sky, a gentle breeze brushing against their faces. They had left that volcanic chamber behind and arrived in the Vast Azure World?
For a moment, Wan Dao felt disoriented. But he didn't have time to be confused for long.
Suddenly—
A loud roar!
Something hard came crashing straight at him.
Wan Dao didn't dodge. His hand shot out instinctively. He gripped the Tian Po Sword tightly.
"Master!"
The Tian Po Sword wailed, tears cascading down its blade like a waterfall. It was completely overcome with emotion.
Earlier, Yun Jin had sent the command through the sect panel: Wan Dao and the others were returning.
The moment the Tian Po Sword received this message, it went into shock.
His master…
His master was still alive? And he was really coming back?
Ever since receiving the news, the Tian Po Sword had been crying nonstop!
It had waited a thousand years in the Vast Azure World. A thousand years. It thought that just meeting its Young Master, watching him build the Wushuang Sect, and seeing the sect rise again would be the happiest thing ever.
But now…
There was something even happier than that. Its master was back. It could hold him again. They could fight side by side once more. After a thousand years of waiting, it still got this outcome.
An Tong, whimpering, charged forward headfirst.
Wan Dao scooped him up, sighing a little: "An Tong, why are you still not wearing pants?"
That familiar voice…
That familiar tone…
An Tong burst into even harder sobs.
Wan Dao had to constantly soothe one, then the other, completely busy.
On the plaza, Yun Jin had already sent the orders. All existing Wushuang Sect disciples were gathered here.
In addition, Qin Ping, Hong Ye, and the others personally visited the Four Holy Lands.
Following Yun Jin's instructions, they had private talks with the senior leaders of the Four Holy Lands.
Now, the top geniuses from the Holy Lands were all here as well.
Ji Wusi came too. He looked at Wan Dao, frantically comforting this one and that, and his eyes even glistened a little. But he was Ji Wusi. Not a useless sword. Not a child still nursing. He pulled out his wine gourd and drank slowly.
Qing Yun teased: "Master Ji, how come you drink from your mouth but it comes out of your eyes?"
Ji Wusi glared: "Slander! That's pure slander!"
"I'm not sure about slander, but I got it on camera. We'll check it later," Liu Li laughed.
Ji Wusi: "..."
What are these people thinking? Just waiting to see him make a fool of himself!
But whatever, he was in a good mood today, not bothering with them.
Wan Dao was alive—that was the greatest joy.
Still, after the initial happiness, Ji Wusi felt a tinge of regret. If he had known this guy was alive, all the wine he'd sent every year on the memorial days for a thousand years—wasted! And it was all premium wine he wouldn't even drink himself!
"Master Ji, long time no see," a voice suddenly rang out.
Ji Wusi's back stiffened instantly. He looked up.
Wan Dao had finished comforting the two children, holding one in each arm, smiling gently at him.
Ji Wusi's gaze softened, a thousand words condensed into four: "Long time no see."
It was true. It really had been a long time. That made this reunion all the more precious.
"Xiao Jin, all these… all these people…" Liu Yun looked at the neatly dressed disciples on the plaza, a spark of hope in his eyes.
"These are all Wushuang Sect disciples," Yun Jin said with a smile.
The next moment, Yun Jin stepped into the midst of the disciples.
A unified chant echoed across the plaza.
Yun Jin joined them:
"Wushuang Sect, all seven hundred twenty-three members, fully assembled!"
"Welcome Wan Dao Saint!"
"Welcome An Ying Daoist!"
"Welcome Fairy Liu Yun!"
Standing there, Wan Dao and the others felt a rush of emotions. They'd cultivated for so long, their hearts trained to remain unshaken by honor or disgrace. But now, they couldn't stop their hearts from surging, even feeling like crying freely.
Ji Wusi smiled and suddenly said:
"Kunlun Sword Sect Sect Master, Ji Wusi, leads the disciples to thank all of you for your great righteousness!"
He bowed sincerely.
"Thank you for your great righteousness, Senior," a few Kunlun Sword Sect disciples followed suit.
"Xuandan Gate Sect Master, Xuan Feng, leads the disciples to thank all of you for your great righteousness,"
Xuan Feng bowed as well, with his disciples following.
"Beastmaster Sect, Sect Master, Sang Fan."
"Qingxiao Pavilion, Pavilion Master, Lu Sen."
Both bowed respectfully.
The seniors of Wushuang Sect deserved all manners of respect.
Wan Dao and the others felt a little lost. Back then, when they made their decisions, they hadn't expected any reward, acting only as their hearts guided them.
So many had sacrificed, yet they'd shown no weakness. They were just following their path, willing to die a hundred deaths without regret.
But now, looking at the crowd…
All the hardships and sorrows of these years finally welled up.
Wan Dao barely restrained himself.
An Ying and Ling Yun couldn't hold back, quietly sobbing.
A thousand years.
The entire Wushuang Sect reduced to just the three of them. They couldn't even count how many battles they'd fought, how many farewells they'd endured. Comrades fighting side by side had one by one left them.
They'd once felt weakness in their hearts. But they had suppressed all emotions and kept moving through the darkness. Back then, they never dreamed they'd have a day to return.
Silence blanketed the plaza.
Everyone's faces were full of sorrow. Over a hundred Wushuang Sect seniors had returned as only three. They didn't ask where the rest had gone.
There was no need. They hadn't witnessed the bloody battles firsthand, but from the number of those who returned, one could imagine.
Just as Wan Dao couldn't help but shed tears…
Yun Jin waved a captured stone in her hand, smiling: "Master Wan Dao cried too, all the tears recorded. I captured everything. Everyone gets a copy later, no exceptions."
Wan Dao and the others immediately looked at Yun Jin.
Then, in perfect sync, they charged at her.
Yun Jin quickly hid the stone, covering her head: "Don't hit my face! And don't even think about grabbing my stone!"
Wan Dao chuckled at her, lightly patting her shoulder, voice gentle: "Xiao Jin, you've worked hard all these years."
Yun Jin froze for a moment, looking up.
An Ying and Ling Yun smiled at her too.