Time slipped away quietly. Over a year had passed since Li Xuan returned to the Vast Continent.
On this day, Li Xuan looked up at the void, a feeling dawning upon him.
"Are you preparing to leave?" Yue Fuyao, standing beside him, immediately asked.
As Yue Fuyao spoke, Zhou Wenjin and Liu Jiaqi, not far away, paused in their actions and looked towards Li Xuan in unison.
Li Xuan smiled and turned to face them, then nodded slightly. "The ten-year agreement is drawing to a close. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, I intend to depart."
"Daddy, will Auntie be lonely all by herself in the Netherworld?" As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, a young girl beside Yue Fuyao looked up at him and asked.
This girl was named Li Qin, born to Yue Fuyao. She was now eight years old.
"Qin'er, everyone has their own mission and responsibility." Li Xuan smiled, stroking Li Qin's head, then looked at Li Xi, Li Yun, and Jian Xin beside him. "As the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. You will all understand this sooner or later."
"Sometimes, many things are not as easy as we imagine. In the martial world, one is not always free to act as they wish. To truly control one's own destiny and attain so-called true freedom, you all have a long road ahead."
"While I am away, you must take good care of your sister. While tempering yourselves through experience is good, remember to return and visit your mothers often."
"Your children understand."
"Your nephew understands."
Li Xi, Li Yun, and Jian Xin bowed and responded in unison.
In the past year or so, Li Xuan had spent considerable time mentoring the trio. Under his guidance, their strength had soared.
What pleased Li Xuan most was that all three were following the path of sword cultivation.
The Vast Continent, and even Li Xuan himself, now had successors.
As for Li Qin, despite being only a little over eight years old, she had already entered the Martial King realm. An eight-year-old Martial King was unprecedented on the Vast Continent.
"Alright, I will return to accompany you when I have the time." Li Xuan's gaze swept over the four children before settling on Yue Fuyao and the other two women, a hint of apology in his eyes.
"Take care of yourselves." Yue Fuyao and the other two women nodded in response.
Li Xuan gave a slight nod, then activated his sword, vanishing from his spot in an instant.
After Li Xuan's departure, Yue Fuyao's gaze shifted to Li Xi and Li Yun. "Your father wants to take you to the five-dimensional world to meet your grandparents. Why are you unwilling to go?"
Li Xi and Li Yun exchanged glances, then looked at Yue Fuyao and bowed. "To greet the eldest aunt, we intend to reach the five-dimensional world through our own strength."
"You two rascals." Yue Fuyao chuckled wryly, then took Li Qin's hand. "Qin'er, do you want to see your grandparents?"
Li Qin looked at Yue Fuyao, then at Li Xi and Li Yun, and said, "I want to be like older brother and second brother and reach the five-dimensional world through my own strength!"
The four women exchanged smiles. Their children had not disappointed them.
Netherworld, Youdu.
"You have now received my true teachings. As for the time ahead..." Ming Jiuyou's words trailed off as her gaze shifted, and she looked towards the void.
The next moment, Li Xuan's figure appeared directly in the grand hall.
"Brother Xuan!" Seeing Li Xuan's arrival, Li Yao's eyes lit up, and she called out.
Li Xuan smiled and nodded, then looked at Ming Jiuyou and cupped his fists. "Junior pays his respects to Senior."
"You are quite punctual," Ming Jiuyou nodded and said with a smile.
Li Xuan gave a wry smile and then sensed Ming Jiuyou's aura, his brows furrowing slightly. "Senior's condition..."
"It's nothing. I can hold on for another six months. Fortunately, your sister has learned my true teachings, so I have no regrets." Ming Jiuyou said with a carefree smile.
Li Xuan fell silent. With his extraordinary divine soul and consciousness, he could see at a glance that Ming Jiuyou's body was in a state of disrepair. The vitality within her was extinguished. It could be said that Ming Jiuyou was now merely clinging to life.
"Since you have arrived, we will convene a meeting tomorrow for your sister to ascend the throne," Ming Jiuyou suddenly said as Li Xuan remained silent.
"Tomorrow? Senior, won't that be too rushed?" Li Xuan frowned and asked.
Ming Jiuyou chuckled wryly. "These past ten years, I have been accompanying your sister in her cultivation. Now that you, the elder brother, have arrived, can't you let this old woman enjoy her final moments? Little one, I think highly of you."
Li Xuan felt ashamed and clasped his fists in a salute. "It was my oversight. In that case, everything will be as Senior arranges."
"Disciple, let me see you spar with your brother," Ming Jiuyou nodded and then looked at Li Yao.
Li Yao was taken aback and looked at Ming Jiuyou. "Master..."
"Don't worry, I'm still alive," Ming Jiuyou smiled and then looked at Li Xuan. "I don't want to assess your strength, but rather let you see your sister's potential. We can do it here, outsiders cannot enter."
"Alright." Li Xuan nodded and then looked at Li Yao. "Yao'er, go all out."
Li Yao hesitated for a moment, but seeing Li Xuan's confident expression, her gaze firmed.
"Brother Xuan, I'm making my move," Li Yao said.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. Li Yao had now reached the advanced stage of the Realm Merging realm, and with the guidance of a master like Ming Jiuyou, her strength would not be weak.
Seeing Li Xuan nod, Li Yao's mind moved, and she formed hand seals.
"Nether Technique, Shattering Moon Flying Flowers!"
As Li Yao's voice fell, a dark light flashed in the hall. Petals emitting a ghostly glow appeared out of thin air, then drifted towards Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. He then willed a sword of energy into existence before him.
The next moment, the energy sword vibrated, and sword might permeated the air.
*Yin!*
With a sword's cry, the drifting flower petals were directly annihilated.
Li Xuan's pupils contracted slightly. Just as he was about to form another hand seal, Ming Jiuyou suddenly spoke.
"Disciple, there's no need to continue. Your brother is more than capable of protecting you."