Chapter 457: I Hope They'll Be Happy

Outside Desolate Sheep Mountain,

Xu Sanyan paused to survey the vast, undulating mountain range that stretched endlessly before him.

Yet this majestic mountain range was eerily silent. No birds circled overhead, and no insects chirped in the forests below.

Located near the border of the Central Region, this area saw few visitors. The sparse spiritual energy meant no major sects had established themselves here, save for the Yue Clan, whose clan head had only reached the Soul Refining Realm.

Years ago, the Yue Clan had driven Xu Sanyan into the Great Solitary Mountain, nearly costing him his life. Now, returning to this place, he was a completely different person.

Xu Sanyan lived by a simple principle:

Gratitude may go unreturned, but vengeance must be exacted!

And since he was already here…

Desolate Sheep Mountain was vast, and exploring it alone would take an eternity. Surely the Yue Clan wouldn’t refuse to lend a hand, would they?

Yue Clan City

The city was a riot of color, with vibrant silk banners fluttering everywhere, creating a festive atmosphere. Xu Sanyan strolled through the bustling streets, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze frequently lingering on the curves of young women and married women alike. He mentally rated each figure with detached amusement:

“This one has ample firmness but lacks roundness—six points.”

“This one’s not bad—both round and firm. Pity she’s so plain-looking—three points.”

“Hmm, this one’s good—seven points.”

“And this one…”

Xu Sanyan’s gaze followed a young woman as she disappeared around a street corner, his lips parting in a lingering, appreciative lick.

“Eight points!”

“Eight points!”

Two voices rang out simultaneously. Xu Sanyan turned to see a fair-skinned young man smiling at him, a hint of slyness in his expression that somehow wasn’t off-putting.

“You’re also an expert in this art?” Xu Sanyan asked, intrigued.

“A mere dabbler,” the young man replied modestly, cupping his hands in a humble gesture. He studied Xu Sanyan carefully, noting his composed demeanor and air of refinement that set him apart from the common crowd. Sensing an opportunity for acquaintance, he gestured toward a nearby tavern.

“Why not join me for a drink upstairs? The view from there is excellent.”

“Presence” was a curious thing. It couldn’t be seen or touched, yet some individuals stood out in a crowd like cranes among chickens, impossible to ignore.

In the young man’s eyes, Xu Sanyan was precisely this kind of person.

“Very well,” Xu Sanyan agreed without hesitation.

The two ascended the stairs. The young man, acting as if he were in his own home, casually instructed a nearby waiter, “The usual—bring us a few jars of your finest wine.”

“Right away, Second Young Master. Please wait a moment,” the waiter replied with a servile smile, clearly recognizing the young man.

This second young master was known for his fondness for socializing and often invited friends here. The waiters were well-acquainted with his habits.

Eager to show off, the young man turned back and said, “This establishment belongs to my family. Brother, there’s no need for formality. Make yourself at home.”

“You’re from the Yue Clan?” Xu Sanyan asked.

As they climbed the stairs, Xu Sanyan had noticed the Yue Clan’s insignia on the plaque above the entrance, confirming the establishment’s ownership.

The young man cupped his hands in a formal greeting. “I am Yue Shanhe. Old Master Yue is my grandfather. May I inquire as to your esteemed name?”

“Xu,” Xu Sanyan replied, offering only his surname.

Yue Shanhe led them to a window seat on the second floor. “So, Young Master Xu,” he said, settling in. “Speaking of which, there’s been quite a buzz about someone named Xu lately. Have you heard of him?”

“Who?” Xu Sanyan asked casually, glancing out the window. The view was indeed impressive. From this vantage point, certain details were clearer, the expanse of white below dazzlingly bright.

“Xu Sanyan, of course! Haven’t you even heard of him?”

Xu Sanyan withdrew his gaze and asked curiously, “Is he really that famous?” He was also curious about the outside world’s perception of him and saw this as a perfect opportunity to learn more.

Yue Shanhe clapped his hands excitedly. “Ho! Famous? He’s beyond famous! He’s a true powerhouse in the void harmony realm! Do you know what he did?”

Xu Sanyan shook his head in feigned ignorance.

“You know the Qian Kingdom, right? Five entire cities, a million people—he sacrificed them all in one fell swoop to break through to void harmony! They say someone witnessed it from afar: the sky turned crimson, and blood rained down! Can you imagine?”

Yue Shanhe’s voice trembled with fervor, his words tumbling over each other as if he were the protagonist of the story himself.

“That’s incredible!” Xu Sanyan exclaimed, giving a thumbs-up. “Xu Sanyan is truly a formidable hero!”

Yue Shanhe sighed wistfully. “Indeed. He’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals—the very essence of a hero. But his methods are too cruel. What did those million innocent people do to deserve such a fate? Many were children, barely having tasted the world’s beauty before being sacrificed to the heavens. Such actions are unacceptable to Righteous Path cultivators.”

“Indeed,” Xu Sanyan agreed. “Demonic path demonfolk—I’m ashamed to share a surname with such a wretch.”

“Brother Xu, your bearing is extraordinary,” Yue Shanhe remarked. “May I ask which immortal mountain you cultivate on?”

“Shangyin Mountain,” Xu Sanyan replied casually.

“Oh? Brother Xu is a disciple of Shangyin Mountain?” Yue Shanhe’s surprise was evident. Though he had sensed Xu Sanyan’s exceptional presence, he hadn’t expected such a prestigious background. Shangyin Mountain was one of the five great sects of the central region, its power and status far surpassing that of the Yue Clan.

“I’ve heard rumors of your sect’s Holy Daughter, Mo Xianxian, possessing unparalleled beauty,” Yue Shanhe continued, steering the conversation toward Shangyin Mountain gossip. “Are these tales true?”

“She is indeed beautiful,” Xu Sanyan confirmed.

During their time in the Hundred Saints Secret Realm, Xu Sanyan had interacted amicably with Mo Xianxian. She truly lived up to her reputation as the most beautiful woman in the world—her features and figure were flawless, and her skin was so delicate it seemed to drip with moisture.

After a moment of idle chatter, Xu Sanyan pointed to the brightly decorated streets and asked, “Is there a celebration in the city?”

Yue Shanhe’s expression darkened. “Yes,” he replied glumly. “Two days ago, my eldest brother broke through to the Dao Seeking Realm. Our grandfather has invited many guests to celebrate this occasion.”

Breakthrough to the Dao Seeking Realm?

“What’s there to celebrate?” Xu Sanyan wondered. “Is this just a roundabout way to collect gift money?”

He couldn’t understand. Even when he had broken through to void harmony, he hadn’t held a banquet. Was merely reaching the Dao Seeking Realm really worth celebrating?

If he were to host a banquet and invite heroes from across the land, many would surely attend. At the very least, the Qian Kingdom would send representatives, though they might not necessarily bring gifts.

“If you’re free tomorrow, Brother Xu, why not join the festivities?”

Xu Sanyan smiled. “Of course! I love a good celebration.”

Yue Shanhe’s gloomy mood lifted as quickly as it had descended, his face brightening with a smile. “That’s wonderful! The Lu Clan siblings will also be there tomorrow. I’ll introduce you then. The Lu Clan is one of the great families of our era, so I’m sure you’ll find them good company.”

Xu Sanyan tilted his head in thought, a figure flashing through his mind. “The Lu Clan siblings you mentioned, Brother Yue… are you referring to Lu Wang and Lu Wanzhe?”

“Oh? You know them, Brother Xu?”

“We’ve fought together before, to slay the ghost king.”

Back in the Hundred Saints Secret Realm, Xu Sanyan had joined forces with Lu Wang, Fang Qingge, the Luo Family siblings, Pure Intent Monk, and others to defeat the ghost king. Lu Wang’s spear had moved with the force of a tiger, leaving a deep impression on Xu Sanyan.

“Even better! I’m sure Brother Lu will be thrilled to see you.” Yue Shanhe instinctively assumed that since they had fought side-by-side, they must be close friends.

Xu Sanyan’s smile widened. “Let’s hope they’ll be happy to see me…”

(End of the Chapter)