522: The Way has no fixed rules

She nodded, "If there is any need for the Heavenly Court's archives or assistance, feel free to speak up."

"Thank you."

Ye Xuan put away that wisp of power of extinction, his gaze once again turning toward the depths of the Chaos.

"The matters here are settled; it is time for me to return to the Ziwei Star Domain."

Hearing that he was leaving, Xuanji felt a sudden, inexplicable emptiness in her heart.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but for a moment, she didn't know how to ask him to stay, or in what capacity she could even do so.

Ye Xuan seemed to sense her hesitation. After a brief contemplation, he said, "Your exhaustion is also quite significant. Why not follow me back to the Ziwei Star Domain to rest for a while? The Ziwei Star Power also has a nourishing effect on the Great Dao of Moonlight."

This invitation was beyond Xuanji's expectations.

She looked at Ye Xuan; his expression was calm and open, as if he were merely considering a comrade's injuries.

But... was that really all?

For some reason, a hint of resentment rose in Xuanji's heart.

Xuanji looked into Ye Xuan's calm eyes, and finally, the corners of her lips curled into a faint, shallow arc.

"Alright."

Without further words, Ye Xuan nodded slightly. The Chaos Qi naturally flowed around him, enveloping them both.

Then, he took Xuanji with him toward the Ziwei Emperor Star.

The Chaos currents parted at their sides. This time, Ye Xuan was in no hurry to return. Instead, he led Xuanji on a stroll through the starry sky, taking in the magnificent scenery of the stars.

The surrounding stars glowed brilliantly, with countless beams of starlight cascading down to pave a starry path.

Ye Xuan and Xuanji walked along the starry path, surrounded by flickering starlight that swirled around them.

Just then, a star burst apart, releasing stardust amber. The profound light of the Universe cast down countless rays of clear brilliance; the scenery at this moment was truly breathtaking.

Away from the oppression of the Land of Return to Ruins, the current tranquility and grandeur allowed the two, who had just experienced a life-and-death struggle, to involuntarily relax their minds.

Xuanji stood quietly by Ye Xuan's side, her long black hair gently swaying within the cocoon of Chaos Qi.

She could feel the unique aura emanating from Ye Xuan's body, a blend of coldness that wasn't repulsive but instead provided an indescribable sense of security.

She stole a glance at Ye Xuan's well-defined profile. He was calmly gazing at the sea of stars ahead, seemingly lost in thought.

This was completely different from the memory of Tai Hao's eternally cold back, which seemed isolated from all things.

Tai Hao was the solitary snow atop a high mountain, unreachable, while the Ye Xuan before her was like an all-encompassing ocean—seemingly distant, yet touchable, as if he were everywhere.

"Just now... thank you."

Ye Xuan suddenly spoke, breaking the silence. He didn't look at Xuanji, and his voice remained calm, yet it held a bit less distance than before.

Xuanji was slightly startled, then realized he was referring to the help from her wisp of conviction.

She shook her head gently. "If not for your firm Dao Heart and deep Foundation, my meager wisp of conviction would have been but a drop in the ocean. It was nothing."

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry.

"Your Dao of Chaos seems... different from what is recorded about Tai Hao's. It's more..."

Xuanji couldn't seem to articulate what was different about this Chaos power.

But she could clearly feel it.

Ye Xuan finally turned his head to look at her, a very faint curve appearing on his lips for a fleeting moment.

"The Dao has no fixed Laws. Tai Hao walked a path of Chaos that protected the world through an absolutely heartless Dao, whereas I..."

He paused briefly, looking back at the sea of stars before continuing.

"My Chaos can accommodate order as well as disorder, creation as well as the Dao of Emotion."

He didn't emphasize the word 'emotion,' yet it caused a slight ripple in the lake of Xuanji's heart.

She thought of his concern for Ya Ya and his invitation for her to rest in the Ziwei Star Domain.

This was no longer Tai Hao's cold, impartial Great Dao; it seemed to carry a touch of sentiment.

"A Dao of Emotion is not necessarily weaker than a heartless one."

Xuanji spoke softly, as if to Ye Xuan, but also as if to herself.

Ye Xuan did not respond, but the Chaos Qi flowing around him seemed to become a bit softer.

After an unknown amount of time, the Star Domain ahead suddenly brightened.

An incredibly brilliant Star Domain, its core radiating a noble purple hue, appeared at the edge of their vision.

Countless stars stood guard around the massive purple emperor star at the center. Starlight intertwined to form a natural barrier of Laws, creating a majestic scene far beyond that of any ordinary Great World.

That was the Ziwei Star Domain, the place where the Ye Family's Foundation lay.

As they approached the Star Domain, several powerful auras immediately rose from within and quickly came out to meet them.

The leader was a woman with a slender figure and exquisite beauty, her body surrounded by faint flame Dao principles—it was Fire Linger.

Behind her followed several core Elders of the Ye Family, all of whom were experts at the Quasi-Emperor level.

"Husband!"

Fire Linger spotted Ye Xuan within the Chaos Qi at a glance, her face instantly lighting up with joy. However, when her gaze swept to the woman in the moon-white dress beside him—whose cold temperament and beauty were in no way inferior to her own—a flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes.

Naturally, she did not recognize Xuanji.

After all, as the princess of the Ancient Heavenly Court and the inheritor of the Ancient Moon God's Legacy, very few people had ever seen her even during the ancient era.

Only a handful of people.

Let alone Fire Linger.

Thus, that hint of surprise was likely because she thought Ye Xuan had brought back another sister for them.

However, this woman was indeed extremely beautiful; her unique aura even seemed somewhat similar to Yue Xuan's.

Furthermore, her power was exceptionally strong; among Ye Xuan's many women, her strength could probably rank in the top three.

She was even slightly stronger than Yue Xuan.

"Linger."

Ye Xuan stopped with Xuanji and nodded slightly to Fire Linger, his tone gentle.

"The matter has been temporarily resolved. This is Fairy Xuanji. I owe her thanks for her help this time; otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to return so quickly."

Xuanji nodded slightly to Fire Linger and the Ye Family Elders.

"Xuanji of the Heavenly Court. I apologize for the intrusion and for disturbing you all."

Her voice was cold and pleasant, carrying a natural sense of distance, yet it didn't feel impolite.

This was only because of Ye Xuan.

Otherwise, if it were anyone else from the Ye Family, Xuanji wouldn't have given them a second glance.

After all, even a Quasi-Emperor was no different from an ant in her eyes.

Only by becoming a Great Emperor could one earn a bit of her attention, but even then, that was all.

Fire Linger quickly suppressed the strange look in her eyes.

The Ancient Heavenly Court—these were people who had opposed the Ye Family. Now Ye Xuan had brought one back? This was quite strange.

Fire Linger frowned slightly, but she didn't let it show at all, adopting a welcoming posture for a guest.

"So it is Fairy Xuanji's distinguished visit. The Ye Family will remember your assistance in our hearts. Please, Fairy, come inside."

She stepped aside to clear the path, her eyes briefly meeting Ye Xuan's with an inquiring look.

Ye Xuan shook his head slightly, signaling that they would talk later.

Fire Linger nodded slightly, dropping the matter for the time being.