Chapter 194: Return

Fragrant Hall, located on the right side of the central plaza, is one of the most upscale restaurants in Dan Tai Immortal City.

Fragrant Hall offers diners the world-famous secret‑crafted Spiritual Food and delicately brewed wine whose fragrance drifts everywhere.

From dawn until midnight, patrons stream in to Fragrant Hall without cease.

This morning, on the second floor of Fragrant Hall, by the window.

Beside an eight‑immortal table sat a woman of eighteen or nineteen and a youth of seven, eight or nine.

The woman sat quietly by the window.

In her jade‑white hand she held a wine cup, yet the wine inside did not stir a filament.

Her gaze swept over the scattered tourists in the plaza, as if searching for something.

The woman was Meng Ruyan.

Meng Ruyan had been waiting here for a month, solely to await Zhang Xingyu's figure.

It had been three years and three months since they partied, and she still could not see the man who brought her to Southern Zhanzhou.

He disappeared.

Some say he is dead.

But Meng Ruyan refuses to believe it.

She prefers to believe the man is waiting for her somewhere.

So, each year at this time, she comes to Dan Tai Immortal City, to Fragrant Hall.

Yet, over three years have passed, and she still has not seen Zhang Xingyu's silhouette.

Meng took a sip of wine, and her eyes gradually grew damp.

Once, Meng Ruyan thought he would be the only unchanging forever in her romantic love story.

She recalled three years ago, at the Listening Rain Pavilion in Shenhua City, she also sat by the window, quietly awaiting his appearance.

Then, he appeared.

He was like a gentle breeze, carrying her to Southern Zhanzhou, then to Dan Tai Immortal City.

Then, he vanished again.

He disappeared like air, as if he had never existed in her life.

Opposite Meng Ruyan, Zhang Kaixin finished the last piece of pastry, then asked with his bright, watery eyes, "Sister Ruyan, are we really leaving today? Really not looking for Zhang Xingyu any more?"

Meng Ruyan nodded, and silent tears slid from her eyes.

At noon, Meng Ruyan left Fragrant Hall, taking Zhang Kaixin with her.

Shortly after the two departed, a dashing young man entered the restaurant.

The youth went straight to the second floor of Fragrant Hall and sat at the window seat.

Damn, being stuck at the lake bottom for three years almost drove me mad.

Still, Fragrant Hall is the best. The dishes are tasty, the wine fragrant.

She remembered that back then, Meng Ruyan sat by the window, Zhang Kaixin sat on the left, and she sat on the right, pouring wine and serving dishes for them.

The youth smiled and loudly called the assistant to take orders.

This youth was the Zhang Xingyu Meng Ruyan had been desperately searching for.

For three years, Zhang Xingyu had been staying in the great hall at the bottom of Pearl Lake.

For three years, Zhang Xingyu forged the Eight Desolate Demon-Subduing Divine Pillar while enduring Dan Tai Fairy's torment.

Dan Tai Fairy, a beauty who could topple a nation.

You spend every day with her, yet must force yourself not to let thoughts wander.

This kind of torment is hard for any man to bear.

Zhang Xingyu is a man, so he pinches his own thigh daily.

Even today, his thigh remains mottled with purple and blue patches.

Fortunately, that damned Eight Desolate Demon-Subduing Divine Pillar finally succeeded.

After setting up the Eight Desolate Demon-Subduing Grand Array, Zhang Xingyu could not wait to bid Dan Tai Fairy farewell and leave.

Moments later, the assistant brought the drinks and dishes.

Zhang Xingyu grabbed the assistant who was about to depart and slipped him a low‑grade Spiritual Stone.

"Assistant, I've been away from Dan Tai Immortal City for over three years. Tell me all the news from these years."

The assistant clenched the Spiritual Stone in his hand, his face beaming with smiles.

"Young master, in these years, Dan Tai Immortal City has indeed seen many fresh events. The first occurred three years ago, when Dan Tai Immortal City held the once‑every‑decade Immortal Sprout Conference, and a student from the Southern Yue Kingdom's Immortal Academy won first place."

Zhang Xingyu smiled and smugly rubbed his nose.

"The second incident happened after the Immortal Sprout Conference; reportedly, the sect leader and elder of the Dan Tai Immortal Sect, famed as Southern Zhanzhou's most beautiful woman, vanished overnight, forcing the sect to select a new leader."

Zhang Xingyu nodded; he was well aware of this matter.

"The third matter also concerns Dan Tai Immortal City. Three years ago, all the Immortal Elixirs in the Dan Tai Immortal Sect's Treasure Vault were stolen, and the thief remains uncaught."

Zhang Xingyu awkwardly scratched his head. Forging the Eight Desolate Demon-Subduing Divine Pillar consumes massive Spiritual Aura and Divine Essence. The Immortal Elixirs of Dan Tai Immortal Sect were all obtained by him from Dan Tai Fairy.

During those three years, besides forging the pillar, his gains were also considerable.

First, under Dan Tai Fairy's careful guidance, he fully mastered the method of forging the Eight Desolate Demon-Subduing Divine Pillar.

Second, with the aid of massive elixirs, his Divine Sea doubled in size.

Take a bite of fine cuisine, drink a cup of fine wine.

Zhang Xingyu's gaze swept over the crowd in the plaza and settled on the central statue of Dan Tai Fairy.

For Dan Tai Fairy, Zhang Xingyu feels both reverence and fear.

He respects her, who bravely gave up her own happiness to suppress the black‑hearted Demon King.

Afraid of her, for the sect he founded, he decisively abandoned his own love.

On the 16th day of the 11th month, year 100,009 of the Celestial Era, Zhang Xingyu returned to the Nan Hua Immortal Academy.

Stepping onto the long‑missed campus, Zhang Xingyu felt an inexplicable excitement.

He walked along the Tree‑lined Path, crossed Lovers' Lake, and circled the Scripture Repository Building.

Zhang Xingyu arrived at the Academy Administration Building.

In the Dean's office, an old man was buried in his work.

"Dean!"

Zhang Xingyu shouted toward the old man.

The old man lifted his head, looked at Zhang Xingyu and said, "Who are you?"

Zhang Xingyu was somewhat startled.

The old man was not Xuyun, but Deputy Dean Long Gang.

Strange, how could it be Deputy Dean Long Gang?

Zhang Xingyu took a step back and glanced at the sign on the door.

That's right, this is the Dean's office.

"Dean Long, I am looking for Dean Xuyun."

Zhang Xingyu gave Long Gang an apologetic smile.

Long Gang stroked his chin and said, "Dean Xuyun, he was promoted to Celestial Alliance Inspector two years ago. If you want to find him, you must go to the Celestial Alliance Headquarters."

"I see."

Zhang Xingyu hesitated briefly, then bowed to Long Gang and said, "Since he is not here, I will leave. Dean Long, farewell!"

Zhang Xingyu left.

Long Gang shook his head and muttered, "Young people these days really have no manners!"

Leaving the Administration Building, Zhang Xingyu headed to the Logistics Building.

In the Logistics Department, Fang Shiwen was also not there.

Heard from others, he joined the Celestial Army two years ago and went to Xihe Niu Continent.

Leaving the Logistics Building, Zhang Xingyu thought for a moment and walked toward the Formation Research Center.

At the Formation Research Center, Ouyang Lanlan was concentrating on experimental formation apparatus.

Her appearance had not changed; she was still as beautiful and captivating as ever.

Upon seeing Zhang Xingyu arrive, Ouyang Lanlan was not as excited as before.

She gently nodded, then handed Zhang Xingyu a letter.

The letter was left by Meng Ruyan.

In the letter, Meng Ruyan wrote in delicate, graceful small characters: "Zhang Xingyu, when you see this letter, Kaixin and I have already left Southern Zhanzhou and returned to the Yinghai Immortal Sect. It has been three years since we partied. For three years, Kaixin and I have traveled to many places. We went to your hometown Shenyin Town, ate noodles cooked by Uncle Fu, and also repaid his old debt for you...... Three years have passed, we have searched for you everywhere, but still have no news of you. Kaixin and I are leaving. If you are still alive, if you can see this letter, then please come to Dongsheng Shenzhou; Kaixin and I will be waiting for you at the Yinghai Immortal Sect."

(End of Volume 3)