593: Chapter 593 Departure, Goodbye!

Northern Frontier City, City Lord's Mansion.

The lingering charm of late spring had not yet dissipated, and the heat of summer had already quietly climbed onto the window lattice.

The peonies in the courtyard were blooming for the last time; the edges of the petals were slightly curled, yet their color was becoming increasingly intense, as if they wanted to pour all their vitality into this final bloom.

Situ Jun stood before the study window, gazing at the lovesickness tree he and Su Yunniang had planted together. Its canopy was like a parasol, and pink fluffy flowers adorned the branches, casting a soft glow in the twilight.

He felt somewhat uneasy today.

This feeling was indescribable—not anxiety, not fear, but a premonition from the netherworld: time was running out.

He closed his eyes, his Divine Sense turned inward, and the System panel appeared in his mind:

"Host's current heavenly luck value: 5,126,300 points. (Note: Time until the System disappears: approximately 60 days. At that time, the Host will be forcibly pulled by the rules of the Heavenly Dao and enter another Otherworld continent. It is recommended that the Host use all heavenly luck value to exchange for resources before the System disappears; any unused portion will disappear along with the System.)"

Sixty days.

Two months.

Situ Jun opened his eyes, his gaze heavy.

Indeed, his feeling was correct; there were less than two months left before he would leave this continent. Two months—not long, not short—was enough for him to do many things, but far from enough to finish everything he wanted to do.

He needed to actively arrange everything before the rules of the Heavenly Dao forcibly dragged him away.

First and foremost was the safety of his women.

Over the years, relying on the System's heavenly luck value, he had exchanged for countless Cultivation resources, Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and Cultivation Techniques.

His rapid improvement in Cultivation was half due to Dual Cultivation and half due to the accumulation of these Heaven And Earth Treasure.

Now that he was about to leave, all his heavenly luck value had to be exchanged for resources that the women would need in the future, as well as trump cards to save their lives in critical moments.

Situ Jun turned and walked to the desk, picking up a brush to write down the exchange list.

The items in the System Mall were diverse, ranging from the lowest-grade Spirit Pill to the highest-grade protective Magical Artifacts, everything one could imagine.

After much deliberation, he spent over 600,000 to upgrade the subsequent Cultivation Technique of the Dragon-Phoenix Grand Derivation True Scripture to Heaven-Grade, and exchanged all the remaining 4 million-plus heavenly luck value.

He exchanged a "Protective Jade Talisman" for each woman.

This Talisman was crafted from ten-thousand-year warm jade and engraved with a nine-fold defensive Formation, capable of withstanding three full-force blows from a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.

If attacked by a Soul Transformation Stage Cultivator, it could at least withstand one blow, buying them time to escape.

After thinking for a moment, with a thought, he exchanged for a dozen bottles of "Longevity Pill".

This pill was refined from ninety-nine types of Spirit Medicine, with a mild medicinal property that could help Cultivators break through Bottlenecks and extend their lifespan.

One pill was equivalent to ten years of hard Cultivation; a bottle contained ten pills, meaning a hundred years of Cultivation was contained within.

After exchanging for life-saving and life-extending items, he continued to exchange for defensive Magic Treasure and some rare Formation Plates, followed by various high-grade Medicinal Pills and Heaven And Earth Treasure.

He also left a Storage Pouch for each of the three children, containing Marrow-Cleansing Pills, Foundation Establishment Pills, and some small protective Magical Artifacts, which they could use when they grew older.

Finally, he took out a space ring and filled it with all the Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, and Heaven And Earth Treasure he had accumulated over the years, leaving it for the women's future expenses.

The ring's space was vast, enough to hold everything they would need for a hundred years of Cultivation.

After finishing all this, the sky had completely darkened.

Situ Jun rubbed his sore eyes, stood up, left the study, and walked toward the backyard.

Tonight, he would tell them about these things.

In the backyard flower hall, the lights were bright.

The women were rarely all gathered together, chatting and laughing.

Hua Hanxiang held Situ Qingyin, rocking her gently; the little girl opened her dark, round eyes, clutching her collar and refusing to let go.

Shen Xingwan sat to the side, embroidering a handkerchief, looking up from time to time at Situ Xingyu in the cradle, her eyes filled with gentleness. The Embroiderer was feeding Situ Pingan rice paste; the little guy was eating happily, his mouth covered in it, looking incredibly cute.

Su Yunniang and Jiang Yan were checking accounts, Widow Ya was leaning against the window playing with the scorpion-tail Magical Artifact on her wrist, and Liu Xuaner was directing the maids to set the dinner table.

Everything looked so peaceful and harmonious, as if the years would flow on warmly forever.

Situ Jun stood at the entrance of the flower hall, watching this scene, his eyes slightly hot.

He stepped into the flower hall, and the women all stood up to welcome him.

Su Yunniang was the first to notice his abnormality, putting down the ledger and saying softly:

"Husband, what's wrong?"

Situ Jun did not speak, just walked to the main seat and sat down, signaling for the women to sit as well.

His gaze slowly swept over every familiar face—Su Yunniang's gentleness, Hua Hanxiang's liveliness, Widow Ya's allure, Jiang Yan's dignity, Shen Xingwan's tranquility, the Embroiderer's virtue, Li Danying's cuteness, Chen Yufei... These women were all his wives, the mothers of his children, the most important people in his life.

"I called you all here today to announce something."

His voice was low, with a trace of unnoticeable hoarseness.

The laughter in the flower hall gradually ceased. The women looked at each other, a vague, ominous premonition arising in their hearts.

"The passage to the Ascension Realm will open in two months," Situ Jun said bluntly. "At that time, the rules of the Heavenly Dao will forcibly pull me away and send me into an Otherworld. In other words, I can only stay with you for at most two more months."

As soon as these words were spoken, the flower hall became instantly quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Hua Hanxiang's eyes reddened first, her hands holding Situ Qingyin trembling slightly.

Shen Xingwan's needle pricked her finger, blood seeping out, but she didn't notice. The bowl of rice paste in the Embroiderer's hand almost slipped, but fortunately, Widow Ya was quick-witted and caught it.

Su Yunniang's face was deathly pale, her lips quivered, wanting to say something, but not a single word came out.

Jiang Yan lowered her eyes, long lashes hiding the moisture in her eyes, her fingertips gripping her sleeves tightly. Li Danying covered her stomach, tears falling silently.

For a moment, the flower hall was extremely quiet, with only the occasional sound of the candle flame popping.

"Husband," after a long while, Su Yunniang finally spoke, her voice trembling with restraint, "is there really... no other way?"

Situ Jun looked at her, his eyes full of apology:

"No. This is the rule of the Heavenly Dao, and it cannot be defied. Moreover, I have a premonition that even if I abandoned my Cultivation and became an ordinary person, I would still be forcibly expelled from this world by the rules of the Heavenly Dao. My aura has already been remembered by this world and branded with its rules."

Su Yunniang did not speak again, just nodded forcefully, as if using all her strength.

Li Danying suddenly stood up, handed Situ Qingyin to the maid beside her, walked quickly to Situ Jun, and said with red eyes:

"Husband, promise me, you must stay alive and wait for us to find you!"

Situ Jun reached out and took her hand; her hand was cold and trembling slightly.

He gently pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, and whispered:

"I promise you, and you must all stay safe and sound."

Hua Hanxiang could no longer hold it back, burying her head on his shoulder and crying out loud.

Luo Yu did not cry, just looked at Situ Jun quietly, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

She was a Nascent Soul Cultivator and understood better than anyone else that the rules of the Heavenly Dao were irresistible.

She stood up, walked to Situ Jun, reached out to touch his cheek, her fingertips slightly cool, her voice hoarse:

"Husband, when you are away, remember to take care of yourself."

Situ Jun held her hand and nodded.

Jiang Yan lowered her head, not speaking, just stood up silently, walked to him, and leaned gently into his arms.

Her body trembled slightly, like a leaf in the wind, but she made no sound.

Shen Xingwan and the Embroiderer also came over, standing on his left and right, not crying or making a scene, just quietly accompanying him, as if saying: No matter how long, we will wait for you.

Xu Lian was helped over by a maid, crying like a tearful person: "Husband, the child hasn't been born yet, you... you must live well!"

Situ Jun reached out and gently stroked her bulging abdomen, feeling the rhythm of the little life inside, a surge of sourness rising in his heart.

He lowered his head, kissed her forehead, and said softly:

"Don't worry, I will. You all must also Cultivate well and live happily."

The women surrounded him, none willing to let go, as if letting go would make him disappear immediately.

He raised his hand and waved it, and dozens of brocade boxes and Storage Pouches appeared out of thin air on the table, shimmering with spiritual light, illuminating the entire study.

"These are the Cultivation resources and life-saving items I have found. Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Cultivation Techniques, protective Talismans... I have marked the purpose for each one. You take what you need and Cultivate well."

That night, Situ Jun barely closed his eyes.

He urged Su Yunniang and Liu Xuaner to manage the affairs of the mansion well, urged Luo Yu and Widow Ya to protect Northern Frontier City, urged Shen Xingwan and the Embroiderer to take good care of the children, and urged Jiang Yan and Li Danying not to miss him too much.

He was like a nagging old man, detailing everything, repeating himself, for fear of missing anything.

The women also listened patiently, occasionally nodding, occasionally responding, occasionally reddening their eyes.

It wasn't until the east turned white with the first light of dawn that Situ Jun finally finished Explanationing everything he could.

He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the faint morning glow on the horizon, took a deep breath, and turned to look at the women.

"After dawn, I will have to leave."

The women were all shocked; Su Yunniang stood up abruptly, her voice choked with sobs:

"So fast?"

Situ Jun nodded, his gaze calm:

"Time is tight. I need to go to the Tianqi Royal Capital first to see Liu Airu and solve Li Xuan's matter by the way. Then I will go to the Immortal Spirit Pavilion in the Vermilion Bird Imperial Dynasty to visit Qin Ximeng. Finally, I will go to the Tianlong Imperial Capital to wait for the Ascension Realm to open and solve Jiang Wanlian's matter along the way."

He said it very calmly, as if just arranging an ordinary trip.

But all the women knew that this departure would be a final farewell.

"Husband," Hua Hanxiang bit her lip, her eyes full of reluctance, "we know nothing about the Ascension Realm, you... you must be careful."

Situ Jun smiled slightly and reached out to ruffle her hair:

"I will, and you all must be well too. Besides, my Cultivation is not low, so self-preservation is not a problem."

Su Yunniang stepped forward, straightened his collar for him, and retied the slightly loose jade pendant at his waist, her fingertips trembling slightly, yet she still did it meticulously.

She whispered:

"Husband, on Sister Liu's side... please give her our regards. Just say... just say we are all thinking of her."

Situ Jun took her hand and nodded gently.

The Embroiderer stepped forward and stuffed a sachet embroidered with twin lotus flowers into his sleeve, her voice soft:

"I embroidered this myself, please take it. Consider it... consider it as me being by your side."

Situ Jun looked down at the exquisite sachet, his heart warmed, and he pulled her into his arms, whispering:

"I'm sorry."

The women took turns hugging him to say goodbye, and even the youngest, Pingan, Qingyin, and Xingyu seemed to sense something and started crying loudly.

Situ Jun held the three children, kissed each of them, gently put them back into the cradle, turned and pinched Situ Fengyan's little face, and then strode out of the hall with reluctance.

Behind him came the suppressed sobbing of the women.

He did not look back, nor did he dare to.

He was afraid that if he looked back, he would never be able to take another step.

As the morning light dawned, Situ Jun walked out of the gate of the City Lord's Mansion.

He took one last look at the city he had built with his own hands, looked at the flags fluttering on the city walls, and looked at the soldiers lined up at the city gate to see him off.

Finally, he nodded to Zhu Changpo, Tu Xiong, Bai Yu, Nightingale, and more than a dozen other capable subordinates.

He had already explained what needed to be explained and even exchanged many treasures to distribute to them.

He took a deep breath, summoned his flying Magic Treasure, and sped toward the southern sky.

The flying Magic Treasure stirred up the airflow and disappeared into the morning mist in the blink of an eye.

At the gate of the City Lord's Mansion, Su Yunniang led the women to watch him leave, and not until that figure completely disappeared into the horizon did she finally burst into tears, covering her face.

Tianqi Royal Capital, Imperial Palace.

Li Xuan sat in the Imperial Study, toying with an exquisite Flying Sword Magical Artifact, a smug smile on his lips.

He had already received news that Jiang Wanlian's caravan had safely passed the border of the Daqi Dynasty and entered the territory of the Tianlong Imperial Dynasty.

In three or five days, they would arrive at the Imperial Capital.

At that time, once the deed was done, even if Situ Jun had immense abilities, he would never be able to snatch her back.

"Situ Jun, oh Situ Jun," he whispered to himself, his tone full of mockery, "did you think that just because your Cultivation was profound, I couldn't do anything to you? Once you go to the Ascension Realm, I will not only move against a Jiang Wanlian, but I will also move against those women of yours in Northern Frontier City!"

Just as he was feeling proud, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

Li Fu ran in, flustered, his face pale, his voice trembling:

"Your... Your Majesty! It's bad! Something bad has happened!"

Li Xuan frowned, displeased:

"What's the panic? Has the sky fallen?"

Li Fu stammered:

"Situ... Situ Jun! Situ Jun has entered the city!"

"What?!"

Li Xuan stood up abruptly, and the Flying Sword in his hand fell to the ground with a "clatter", bouncing a few times.

His face instantly turned deathly pale, his lips quivered, his eyes filled with terror.

Situ Jun was here? Why was he here? Shouldn't he be in Northern Frontier preparing for the Ascension Realm? How could he have suddenly run to the Royal Capital?

"Where... where is he now?" Li Xuan asked, suppressing the panic in his heart, his voice trembling.

"He... he has already entered the palace!" Li Fu was almost crying.

[I've been blocked, struggled for three days, not knowing whether to start a new book title to continue writing or write something else. The road is blocked, so that's it. Updating one chapter to say goodbye to everyone, thank you!]