812: Uncle Qiu! You...you came back by yourself.

Meanwhile, tens of thousands of miles away.

Inside the solemn and majestic grand hall of Dragon Head Peak in the Yin Yang Sect.

Wisps of sandalwood incense curled in the air. An old man with white hair and a youthful complexion, dressed in a plain white Daoist robe, was leisurely holding a cup of fragrant tea brimming with Spiritual Qi, sipping it with a slurping sound.

Seated upon the high platform was the current Sect Head of the Yin Yang Sect, White Cloud Master. This usually deeply majestic Sect Head now had a face full of surprise and helplessness. He looked at Qiu Yi below, who had an expression of "this has nothing to do with me," and couldn't help but speak:

"Junior Martial Uncle Qiu! You... why did you come back by yourself? Weren't you supposed to secretly protect Martial Nephew Yao's safety?!"

Qiu Yi set down his teacup and stroked his long, snow-white beard. A helpless expression of "don't even mention it" appeared on his face as he let out a long sigh: "Sigh—!"

This sigh was full of twists and turns, saturated with the vicissitudes of "my old bones can't keep up with the times."

"Kid White Cloud, tell your Junior Martial Uncle honestly... are you intentionally playing a prank on this old man?" Qiu Yi looked up at White Cloud Master, his gaze carrying a hint of accusation. "That Kid Yao... does he really look like someone who needs my secret protection?!"

White Cloud Master was stunned. "Why does Junior Martial Uncle say that? Although Delong is exceptionally gifted, he is, after all, only at the Void Refining Early Stage..."

"Void Refining Early Stage?!" Qiu Yi's voice suddenly rose, his beard bristling, with an expression of "you're still playing dumb." "He's already at the Void Refinement Mid-stage now! Moreover, he can cleave a hundred miles of scorched earth with a single sword strike, almost turning that old loach Nine Infant Chen into dregs?! The Law power that erupted was definitely at the Peak of the Body Integration Early Stage! If it weren't for that Feather-Robed Vixen appearing so quickly, not even a speck of Nine Infant Chen would be left! You want me, a 'frail' Body Integration Mid-stage cultivator who specializes in Talisman Formations, to protect a monster capable of going head-to-head with someone at the Peak of the Body Integration Early Stage?! Are you joking?!"

He became more excited as he spoke, spittle almost flying out: "If that kid really encounters a powerful enemy he can't defeat, what can I, Old Qiu, do? At most, I can help him shout 'call for backup' a few times! Didn't you give him the life-saving Myriad Worlds Void-Breaking Talisman? With that thing, isn't it more useful than this old man?! Besides, do you think I could really follow behind that kid without being noticed at all when he goes all out? I'd probably be hacked down as a thief by then!"

"..." White Cloud Master was stunned by Qiu Yi's rapid-fire speech, his face filled with disbelief. "Junior Martial Uncle... you're saying... Delong... that sword of his really reached the level of the Peak of the Body Integration Early Stage? How... how is this possible?!"

"Impossible? Humph! This old man saw it with my own eyes! The heat and purification power of that Haoyang Law made my Primordial Spirit feel scorched even from a distance!" Qiu Yi flicked his sleeve irritably. "I, this old Daoist, threw away my pride and followed him secretly the whole way, only to find it was completely redundant! I even let that vixen see me as a joke! Embarrassing! Too embarrassing!"

He stood up and waved his hand listlessly. "Forget it, forget it. These youngsters nowadays are more of a Prodigy than the last; they can't be judged by common sense at all! This old Daoist had better go back to seclusion and draw my Talisman Formations. Out of sight, out of mind! I'm leaving!"

Before his voice had even faded, Qiu Yi's figure distorted like a bubble and instantly vanished from the grand hall, leaving behind only the faint scent of tea and White Cloud Master, who was still in a state of immense shock.

White Cloud Master sat dazed on the Sect Head's throne, unable to recover for a long time.

"Void Refinement Mid-stage... killing a Void Refining Peak Yao King, with combat power approaching the Peak of the Body Integration Early Stage..." he murmured softly, every word filled with incredulity.

He naturally knew Yao Delong's combat power was Heaven-Defying, able to contend with or even heavily injure a Void Refining Peak opponent while only at the Perfected Spirit Transformation Stage. But he never imagined that after advancing to Void Refining, Yao Delong's combat power would increase so terrifyingly! This was no longer a simple matter of challenging higher levels; this was directly crossing the massive chasm recognized by the cultivation world—the gap between Void Refining and Body Integration!

It's true that combat power is multi-dimensional, but Cultivation Techniques, secret arts, Magic Treasures, Law comprehension... which of these doesn't require a massive amount of time, top-tier talent, and Heaven-Defying Opportunities to accumulate?!

How long has Yao Delong been Cultivating? Less than a hundred years in total! For the first eighty years, he was a piece of Trash with a Spiritual Root affinity of only 2 points! His true rise has only happened in the last few years!

"A few years... only a few years..." White Cloud Master couldn't figure out the secret behind this no matter how hard he thought. In the end, it turned into a long sigh, filled with both helplessness and incomparable relief and wild joy:

"Delong... possessing such world-shaking talent and being the Daoist Seed of my Yin Yang Sect... this is Heaven's blessing upon our Sect! The sign of the Sect's great prosperity has already appeared!"

Night fell, and the lanterns began to glow.

Inside Biqiu City, the immense joy of surviving the disaster was completely released! The lights were brilliant, and the voices of people were clamorous!

On the massive square in front of the City Lord's Mansion, a grand celebratory banquet had already been set up. Various spiritual fruits and delicacies emitted enticing aromas, and the spiritual wine was rich and intoxicating. Musicians specially invited played cheerful tunes, while graceful dancers performed under the light of the bonfires, their movements alluring.

The square was packed with people, including representatives from various Families, forces, and soldiers who had contributed to the city's defense, as well as Disciples and Elders from various Sects and forces who had come from the surrounding areas to support them. They were all gathered together now, their faces beaming with the smiles of survivors and the joy of victory.

On the high platform, the seat of honor was naturally reserved for the greatest hero.

As the host, Han Tianzheng stood at the front of the platform dressed in solemn, luxurious robes, looking dignified and imposing. He first gave a deep bow, his voice loud and full of sincerity: "Fellow Daoists! Brave soldiers who fought bloodily! Today, on behalf of the million citizens and soldiers of Biqiu City, I, Han Tianzheng, thank you all for your grace in coming to our aid!"

His gaze swept over the faces below, his voice trembling with excitement: "This beast tide was extremely perilous! The Nine Infant Yao King came with overwhelming ferocity, and my Biqiu City was once in imminent danger! Fortunately, you fellow Daoists were not afraid of death and gave your full support, fighting alongside the soldiers and citizens of Biqiu City against the powerful enemy!"

He changed the subject, his voice suddenly rising, filled with reverence and gratitude: "And the fact that we could win this battle, repel a million Yao Beasts, and cripple the Nine Infant Yao King, the primary credit belongs to the Yin Yang Sect!"

His gaze instantly landed on Yao Delong in the seat of honor, illuminating him like a spotlight!

"If not for Peak Master Ji Yanshuang of the Yin Yang Sect leading her Disciples in a bloody battle to pin down the powerful enemy! If not for the Yin Yang Sect's Daoist Seed—Yao Delong—turning the tide with a heaven-shaking sword strike, heavily injuring the Yao King and intimidating the horde of Yao, how could we have the Opportunity to gather here today?!"

"Let us raise our glasses! To Daoist Yao! To the Yin Yang Sect! To all the heroes who shed blood and sweat for this battle!"

"To Daoist Yao!"

"To the Yin Yang Sect!"

"To the heroes!"

The cheers and toasts, like mountain-shaking tsunamis, instantly resounded through the clouds! Countless gazes filled with reverence, gratitude, and fervor all focused simultaneously on the seat of honor on the high platform!

Yao Delong rose calmly and composedly, raising the jade cup in his hand and nodding slightly to those below. His unhurried demeanor made him appear even more unfathomable. Han Ruyi sat beside him, watching her beloved receive the attention of the masses. Her heart was filled with pride and sweetness; her face flushed slightly as she took the initiative to hold the flask and pour wine for him, her movements gentle and practiced.