Chapter 644: Those Who Left Will Return!

After receiving Ye Qingran's affirmative reply, the Second Elder froze completely, as if struck by a heavy blow.

His eye sockets gradually filled with red bloodshot lines, and the corners of his eyes grew moist.

"Alive..."

He twitched his lips, his voice very soft, as if releasing a heavy burden: "Alive, that's enough!"

He did not ask for Ling Xianliu to be as stunningly talented as before; he only wished for him to live well, free of worry...

Ling Tian, however, upon hearing Ye Qingran's answer, his gaze suddenly darkened.

Ling Xianliu is indeed still alive!

Back then, he plotted to drive Ling Xianliu out of Dan Valley and sent Nan Xian and others to hunt her down, assuming she would surely die, but he never expected her fate to be so grand—after all these years, she still lives!

"No! Absolutely cannot let Ling Xianliu return!"

Ling Tian clenched his fists, silently thinking to himself.

Thinking thus, Ling Tian shot his gaze like a sharp sword at Ye Qingran: "Ye Qingran, my elder brother Ling Xianliu is already gone; if you keep spreading rumors, don't blame me for being impolite!"

Ye Qingran shifted her gaze, locking eyes with Ling Tian; in that instant, Ling Tian felt an unparalleled sharpness from her eyes.

"Ling Tian, are you so certain Ling Xianliu is dead? Or do you simply wish he were dead?"

Ling Tian's face sank: "What nonsense are you spouting? Ling Xianliu is my elder brother; how could I possibly wish him dead?"

"Really? Back then, when you plotted to kill Ling Xianliu's wife, exile him from Dan Valley, and send people to hunt him—did you think the same way then?"

Ye Qingran related the story in the calmest tone, a tale that overturns one's worldview.

Everyone widened their eyes, faces full of shock.

Ye Qingran said, "Back then, was it Ling Tian who designed to kill Ling Xianliu's wife, exile him from Dan Valley, and send people to hunt him?"

"But back then, wasn't it because Ling Xianliu went mad and killed his wife, then, overwhelmed with grief upon waking, he fled Dan Valley?"

"Who is telling the truth?"

Ling Tian's face grew so dark it seemed water could drip from it.

He stared fixedly at Ye Qingran, killing intent flickering in the depths of his eyes.

Those who knew the truth of that year, aside from his confidants, were all silenced by him.

How did Ye Qingran come to know these details?

Could it be that Ling Xianliu is truly still alive?

"Ye Qingran, you're spouting nonsense!" Ling Tian shouted, looking at Li Daoyun: "Dean Li, Ye Qingran has gravely injured and slandered our Dan Valley; since you won't intervene, don't blame me for being impolite!"

As his words fell, all members of Dan Valley, including Ling Tian, burst forth with a fierce aura.

For a moment, killing intent surrounded Ling Tian, enveloping the entire Divine State Academy in a chilling atmosphere that left one breathless.

"Is it already urgent?"

Ye Qingran revealed a mocking smile.

Even under the overwhelming pressure of many sages, she remained calm and carefree.

"These truths were told to me personally by Ling Xianliu himself; how did they become mere nonsense in your mouth?"

Nan Xian could no longer hold back, shouting: "Ye Qingran, you keep saying Ling Xianliu told you this—where is he then?"

"The other person..."

"You all, turn around and look." She lifted her chin, the corner of her mouth curling into a faint arc.

For some reason, Ling Tian's expression froze there, his whole body stiff, lacking the courage to turn back.

Nan Xian's reaction was much the same.

This is a sign of guilt.

"Ling Tian, I'm afraid I'll disappoint you—I am still alive."

That voice was warm and rich, carrying an ethereal quality, making one feel as if bathed in spring breeze.

But to Ling Tian, Nan Xian, and the like, it sounded more like a demonic wail from hell.

This is...

Ling Xianliu's voice?!

Ling Tian's spine stiffened, a cold sweat breaking out.

He could never forget that voice, for over the years he has constantly dreamed of it, plagued by nightmares, never getting a peaceful rest.

Ling Tian stiffly turned his neck to look behind.

Before the Library, at the vast plaza entrance, a man accompanied by a woman walked slowly toward this side.

The woman was Han Xing.

As for the man, he wore an extremely simple and elegant white robe, his silver hair flowing like a waterfall, bound with a wooden hairpin.

Simple and plain, pure and light.

Yet within its plain elegance flowed an endless ethereality, an immortal aura—his very person matched his name.

His figure was slender and tall, his countenance extraordinarily handsome, like the mid-autumn moon, the corner of his mouth bearing a faint smile as he walked slowly, his gorgeous grace reminiscent of a banished immortal descending to the mortal world.

To the vast majority of the Academy's people, Ling Xianliu has always been a legendary figure, with very few having actually seen him.

But for the Second Elder and other conservative elders, this face has long been deeply etched in their minds, never to be forgotten.

"Xianliu..." the Second Elder's lips trembled, his body hunched, his whole body shaking.

His Xianliu, his child, truly still lives!

The remaining elders all had moist eye sockets.

The greatest surprise in this world is none other than the dearly departed whom we've long missed—actually still alive!

Some rejoiced, some grieved.

For Ling Tian, this scene was undoubtedly a nightmare.

Just like the nightmares he had every time over the past years, Ling Xianliu walked toward him, telling him he was still alive and would reclaim the position of Lord of Dan Valley—almost exactly the same.

The nightmare came true!

If before he still held a sliver of hope that Ling Xianliu was dead, now even that last trace of hope has vanished without a trace.

He would recognize that face even if he turned to ashes—who else could it be but Ling Xianliu?

Ling Xianliu—he really is still alive, and he has truly returned!

The hand at Ling Tian's side clenched tightly into a fist, revealing his anxiety.