90: Return to the Valley
The winds of the Endless Sea gradually subsided. Liu Shan stood at the port of Wanghai Town, gazing at Mist Island, which was still shrouded in thick fog in the distance, remaining silent for a long time.
The Dan Wang Valley Master and others had already departed. Before leaving, the Dan Wang Valley Master patted his shoulder, left a single phrase, "My condolences," and then led everyone on their journey home. Dan Chen looked back at him, seemingly wanting to speak but hesitating, and finally transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the sky.
The fishermen at the port were tidying their nets, and the occasional laughter of children filled the air with the breath of life, forming a stark contrast to the tragic events in the underwater Dan Temple, as if that fierce battle had never occurred.
Liu Shan slowly tightened his grip on the Thunderclap Saber in his hand. Traces of Mo Chu's blood still remained on the blade, long dried, yet etched onto the saber like a brand, and also etched into his heart.
"Mo Chu, we're going home."
He whispered, then leaped up, flying towards Luoxia Valley. Without Mo Chu to carry him, flying felt exceptionally lonely; the wind howled in his ears, but he could no longer hear that familiar cry.
On his journey back, he did not stop, nor did he have the mind to pay attention to the roars of the Yao Beasts along the way. He simply flew on, memories of his time with Mo Chu constantly flashing through his mind—
The first time they met in the cave in Luoxia Valley, it was still a tiny black snake, looking at him timidly;
Cultivating together, hunting Yao Beasts together, it always stepped forward when he was in the most danger;
In the Secret Realm, it fought against Ancient Family Cultivators to protect him;
Outside Luoxia Valley, it desperately entangled Ancient Abyss, buying him time for a Breakthrough;
And in the Dan Temple, its last brilliant smile…
Each scene was like a knife, piercing his heart with pain.
After an unknown duration of flying, the outline of the Duan Yun Mountains finally appeared before him, and the aura of Luoxia Valley became increasingly clear.
At the valley entrance, Liu Zhi and Lin Qingxue, along with their clansmen, had long been waiting. Upon seeing Liu Shan return alone, the smiles on their faces instantly froze, replaced by worry and unease.
"Father… where's Mo Chu?" Liu Zhi asked tremblingly, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Liu Shan looked at his son's reddened eyes, at Lin Qingxue's worried gaze, and at the expectant looks of the clansmen. He opened his mouth, but found his throat seemed to be blocked, unable to utter any sound.
He slowly lowered his head, tightening his grip on the Thunderclap Saber in his hand. The bloodstains on the blade were particularly glaring in the sunlight.
No more words were needed; everyone understood.
The valley entrance instantly fell into a deathly silence, with only the wind whimpering, as if mourning the departed life. Liu Zhi could no longer hold back, squatting on the ground and weeping uncontrollably. Lin Qingxue's eyes also turned red, but she bravely held back her tears, simply walking silently to Liu Shan's side and gently supporting his arm.
Uncle Wang sighed, patting Liu Shan's shoulder: "Valley Master, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back…"
The clansmen all lowered their heads, no one spoke, but the sorrow in their eyes was hard to conceal—Mo Chu had long been a member of Luoxia Valley, their common companion and guardian.
Liu Shan took a deep breath, suppressing the grief in his heart. He raised his head, his voice hoarse but firm: "Mo Chu… to protect us, it will forever remain in the Dan Temple. It is a hero of Luoxia Valley, and we will always remember it."
He paused, then looked at everyone: "The Dan Temple has been destroyed, and the threat of the Ancient Family has been completely removed. Luoxia Valley… is safe."
"Valley Master…"
"Mountain-ge…"
The clansmen all spoke, but they didn't know what to say, eventually only able to let out a sigh.
Upon returning to the valley, Liu Shan locked himself in his secret chamber, not emerging for three days and three nights.
Lin Qingxue brought food and water every day, placing them at the door, and then quietly left. She knew that Liu Shan needed time to process this grief. Liu Zhi also did not disturb his father, instead transforming all his longing for Mo Chu into motivation for Cultivation; the sword light on the training ground was sharper and heavier than ever before.
On the morning of the fourth day, Liu Shan finally emerged from the secret chamber.
His face still showed fatigue, but his eyes had regained their former determination, even deeper than before. The pain of losing Mo Chu had not disappeared, but had transformed into a more stable strength, supporting him to continue forward.
"Father, are you alright?" Liu Zhi saw him and quickly stepped forward, his eyes full of worry.
"I'm fine." Liu Shan patted his son's shoulder, "Cultivation cannot be rushed; pay attention to balancing work and rest."
"Understood." Liu Zhi nodded vigorously.
Liu Shan walked to the training ground, looked at the clansmen who were Cultivating, and said loudly: "From today onwards, Luoxia Valley will begin its expansion. We must make this place stronger and safer, so that Mo Chu's sacrifice will be meaningful!"
"Yes! Valley Master!" The clansmen responded in unison, their voices filled with grief, but also with new resolve.
In the days that followed, Luoxia Valley began an unprecedented period of construction.
Liu Shan personally designed new defensive Formations, combining the Shadow Pavilion's concealment Formation and Danwang Valley's defensive Formation, making their power far surpass what it was before. He handed some of the broken Materials brought back from the Dan Temple to the Disciple left by the Qizong Elder, instructing them to refine new Magic Treasures to equip the clansmen.
Lin Qingxue, on the other hand, led the women to Cultivate more Spiritual Plant fields, planting special Spiritual Plants brought back from the Endless Sea. These Spiritual Plants could not only improve Cultivation but also heal injuries, deepening Luoxia Valley's foundation.
Liu Zhi remained the core of the training ground; his swordsmanship became increasingly refined, faintly showing the aura of the Golden Core Stage. A group of young Disciples gathered around him, taking Liu Zhi as their role model, diligently Cultivating, eager to become guardians of Luoxia Valley as soon as possible.
Uncle Wang was responsible for the daily affairs within the valley, managing everything in an orderly manner. The smiles on his face increased, though occasionally, when he saw Liu Shan standing alone on the peak gazing into the distance, he would silently hand him a pot of wine.
Days passed, and Luoxia Valley underwent a Nirvana Rebirth in its sorrow, becoming increasingly prosperous and powerful.
Occasionally, Liu Shan would go alone to the depths of the valley, to the place where Mo Chu once slumbered, sitting quietly for a while, as if he could still feel Mo Chu's presence. He would speak to the empty cave, telling of the changes in the valley, of Liu Zhi's progress, of Lin Qingxue's efforts…
As if Mo Chu had never left.
This evening, Liu Shan again came to the depths of the valley. Just as he sat down, he suddenly felt the ground beneath his feet tremble slightly.
He frowned, thinking it was an earthquake. Just as he was about to get up, he saw a crack appear in the ground, and a golden light shot out from the crack, hovering before him.
It was a golden scale, crafted like the purest gold, with complex Dragonlines carved on it, radiating a warm and familiar aura.
It was Mo Chu's scale!
Liu Shan suddenly reached out and grasped the scale. A warm power instantly flowed through his body, and in his mind, he seemed to hear that familiar cry again, filled with excitement and joy.
He looked down at the scale in his hand. On the scale, a blurry shadow was actually reflected—it was a tiny black snake, wagging its tail at him, with a brilliant smile.
Liu Shan's eyes instantly welled up.
He knew that Mo Chu had not truly left; it was, in another way, continuing to protect him, protecting Luoxia Valley.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell upon the scale, reflecting a brilliant light that illuminated Liu Shan's face, and also illuminated the future of Luoxia Valley.
He stood up, gripping the scale in his hand, and also gripping the Thunderclap Saber in his hand, turning and walking towards the valley.
The road ahead might still hold storms, but he was no longer alone.
Because he knew that there would always be a warm power accompanying him, guiding him, steadfastly walking towards a more distant future.
On the night of Luoxia Valley, the stars shone brightly, as if countless eyes were guarding this land, and the brightest one among them must be Mo Chu's gaze.