Chapter 282: The Key Appears

Zzz...

In the cavern, the flickering sound of flames echoed.

Everyone present had their eyes drawn to the brilliant glow within the fire.

Looking closely, they saw that the source of the light was a key—engraved densely with countless inscriptions.

"We found it!"

Ye Beixuan's lips curled into a slight smile as he gazed at the familiar key amidst the flames.

The others beside him could barely contain their excitement. If not for the presence of Sword-Casting City's trio, they might have already shouted out in joy.

Qin Yi and his two companions fell silent as they looked at the key. In that moment, the doubt lingering in their hearts was finally resolved.

So this was what Wendao Academy's prodigies had been after from the beginning—the key. The Demon God Bone meant nothing to them.

Realizing this, Qin Yi swiftly deactivated the formation and retrieved the key.

He handed the key to Ye Beixuan with a smile. "Young Friend Ye, this must be what you were searching for?"

Ye Beixuan took the key. "Indeed. Thank you, Senior. The Demon God Bone is yours to handle now. As for the price, you can negotiate it with my senior brother."

"Very well... very well. I shall be sure to give Fellow Daoist Xiao a satisfactory price."

Qin Yi made no attempt to inquire further about the origin of the key. The inscriptions alone made it clear this was not something a small Sword-Casting City could afford to meddle with.

Several days later.

Xiao Chen and the others, now in disguise, departed from Sword-Casting City under Qin Yun's watchful gaze, heading northwest toward the Yellow Sand Desert.

Qin Yun stared at the familiar figure among the crowd and murmured, "Master, ten years from now, I will come to Wendao Academy to find you."

...

Wendao Academy, within the Miscellaneous Dao Institute.

Each day, Chu Feng happily roamed Miaomiao Mountain with the two little girls. From time to time, he would also guide Fang Mu in his cultivation.

Today, as usual, he called the two little girls to go fishing under the waterfall. But just as they stepped out the courtyard gate, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.

"Your Dao Companion Bingyan has, through contemplation of the visualization scroll, comprehended the truth of the Sword Dao. Rewarding host with +10 to Great Dao truth."

Upon hearing this, Chu Feng instinctively paused.

Chen Qianqian and Bai Qian, the two little girls, noticed their master had stopped. They tilted their heads and asked in unison, "Master, what's wrong?"

Chu Feng gently patted their heads. "We're not going fishing today. I'm going to prepare a grand meal for your master's wife."

Chen Qianqian, who was closest to Bingyan, lit up the moment she heard "master's wife" and asked, "Master, is she coming out of seclusion? It's already been a year."

Chu Feng chuckled, "You'll find out soon enough. Come on, to the kitchen."

"Master, I want to help!"

Chen Qianqian beamed with joy.

Chu Feng said, "Alright. I'll give you that chance."

Heavenly Spirit Institute, Wendao Cliff, inside a secluded cave.

Bingyan slowly opened her eyes. Drawing her sword, she casually spun it into a sword flower, and instantly, a bloom of ice appeared in the air.

"I've finally grasped the truth of the Sword Dao."

She spoke while gazing at a painting not far away. The person in the portrait was herself, though she still fell far short of the version depicted there.

"Though I haven't yet become the person Chu Lang envisions, I'm already on the verge of becoming a Half-Saint. With that, I'll finally be able to stand by his side with dignity."

As Bingyan spoke, a familiar figure emerged in her mind, causing her face to flush slightly.

She put the painting away and soared off on her sword from Wendao Cliff—not returning to her own mountain, but heading straight to find Chu Feng.

Moments later, Bingyan arrived at the Miscellaneous Dao Institute. The courtyard was still the same as before, but today, it was unusually quiet.

Where were those two little troublemakers? Why hadn't she heard their voices?

With a bit of curiosity, Bingyan made her way toward Chu Feng's private courtyard.

Soon, she heard familiar voices coming from the direction of the kitchen.

Bingyan quickened her steps toward the kitchen.

Before long, at the entrance of the kitchen courtyard, she saw the face she had longed for day and night.

Sensing someone's gaze, Chu Feng instinctively turned his head and saw Bingyan standing at the doorway with a bright smile.

Before Chu Feng could even set aside what he was doing and rush over to reunite with his beloved, Chen Qianqian excitedly shouted, "Master's wife! Qianqian missed you so much!"

As she spoke, Chen Qianqian had already dashed over with her short legs and leapt into Bingyan's arms.

Bingyan scooped her up and asked dotingly, "Qianqian, did you miss me?"

"Yes! I missed you every day! But Master wouldn't let me go see you," Chen Qianqian said while sneaking a timid glance at Chu Feng.

Chu Feng now finally understood why so many young couples in his past life didn't want children—it really did ruin the mood.

Carrying Chen Qianqian, Bingyan walked over to Chu Feng. "Chu Lang, it's been a long time."

"Yan'er, it really has," Chu Feng replied, unashamedly pulling Bingyan into his arms right in front of his two disciples.

Chen Qianqian and Bai Qian both immediately covered their eyes with their hands and whispered, "Master's being embarrassing."

Haha...

Chu Feng couldn't help but laugh aloud. He pinched the cheeks of the two little girls, then continued cooking alongside Bingyan.

The four of them bustled about the kitchen like a happy family of four.

That evening, to celebrate Bingyan's emergence from seclusion, Chu Feng opened a jar of wine, originally planning to invite the Golden-Winged Sage to taste it together.

But Fang Mu brought disappointing news—Golden-Winged Sage had also gone into seclusion.

After a hearty meal and drink,

Chu Feng and Elder Bing sat together on the cliff at the back of the mountain, watching the sunset.

"Yan'er, I sense your realm hasn't yet broken through to Half-Saint," Chu Feng said.

Elder Bing nodded. "That's right. I'm still in the Nirvana Realm. This seclusion only helped me comprehend the truth of the Sword Dao. But with that understanding, I'm already invincible within the Nirvana Realm. Once my cultivation catches up, I'll break through to the Half-Saint stage."

"I see."

Chu Feng murmured a response but didn't continue the topic further.

As the days passed, with Elder Bing's company, Chu Feng's life at Wendao Academy became increasingly lively and fulfilling.

Two months later.

On a mountain peak of Miaomiao Mountain, the cry of an eagle suddenly rang out.

"Screee—"

Chu Feng's first reaction upon hearing it was—Brother Eagle must be coming out of seclusion.

The next second, a familiar mechanical voice followed.

"Golden-Winged Sage has comprehended two points of Great Dao truth. Rewarding host with +20 Great Dao truth."

As expected of one with divine beast bloodline—he actually comprehended two points at once.

Just as Chu Feng finished marveling to himself, a streak of golden light descended from the sky and landed in front of him.

Golden-Winged Sage grinned crookedly. "Bro, long time no see. Missed me?"

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