Chapter 174

Just then, the Heavenly Sword Master seemed to recall something, shifted the topic, and a smile of deep meaning appeared on his face:

Right, Caichen, you've been asking your master to keep an eye on that close friend of yours… just during your secluded cultivation breakthrough of the Tai Chu Sword Intent, definite news finally came through.

Feng Caichen, whose temperament was originally tranquil like a deep pool, trembled ever so slightly at the instant he heard the words 'close friend'!

His usually calm eyes suddenly brightened, like the brightest star in the night sky, as he sharply gazed at the Heavenly Sword Master; his normally steady breathing hitched slightly, and his tone carried a hint of barely perceptible urgency:

"Master, are you saying… Lao Ye? He has news?!"

"Indeed, it's Ye Wuque." The Heavenly Sword Master nodded with a smile.

He then leisurely recounted the rumored news that had been spreading wildly outside.

"This young man has now appeared in the southern domain of Boundless Heaven, and… has done something earth-shattering."

"Outside the Tai Xuan Star Domain, he casually slew the three great War Generals of Heaven and Earth under Ye Xuanji of the Ye Clan; his combat strength shocked all directions!"

"His name has now spread throughout Boundless Heaven, the entire Upper Three Heavens, and many major powers have heard of his title."

As the Heavenly Sword Master spoke, Feng Caichen's handsome face first showed an unsurprised expression, then a pure, heartfelt smile, like spring wind turning to rain, slowly unfurled at the corner of his mouth.

That smile dispelled the slight sharpness of sword aura surrounding him, adding a touch of warmth and sincerity.

His gaze flickered slightly, as if piercing through endless time and space, he saw the black-robed figure who fought side by side with him, sharing life and death, and his eyes filled with deep longing.

"Lao Ye… no matter where you are, you will never fall into obscurity."

Feng Caichen murmured softly, filled with relief and anticipation.

The Heavenly Sword Master watched his beloved disciple's reaction and couldn't help but sigh: 'Your friend is truly extraordinary. His fleshly body is invincible, his divine powers unparalleled, and behind him seem to be tangled complex causalities involving the Red Dust Valley and internal factions of the Ye Clan. To make you so concerned and regard him as a bosom friend, he is certainly no ordinary pond-dweller.'

Feng Caichen gathered his spirit, looked at the Heavenly Sword Master, and said firmly: 'Master, the Tai Chu Sword Intent has just been formed; I feel I need to go out for tempering, to consolidate my cultivation in actual combat and verify the Sword Dao. At the same time… I also want to seek Lao Ye.'

The Heavenly Sword Master was not surprised at all, and even quite approved:

"Exactly so!"

"The sword is an instrument of slaughter; shutting oneself away to tinker ultimately falls into mediocrity."

"Go, go to this vast Zhutian, meet heroes from all sides, wield the sword in your hand, and carve a heavenly road for you and your friend!"

He patted Feng Caichen's shoulder, his eyes full of trust and encouragement: 'Remember, the Ancient Sword Tomb will always be your backing. When faced with irresistible force, you may return at any time.'

"Thank you, Master!" Feng Caichen bowed deeply.

Without much hesitation or delay, Feng Caichen bade farewell to his master, transforming into an unremarkable sword light that nevertheless contained the Tai Chu Chaos intent, silently leaving the vast sword domain of the Ancient Sword Tomb and embarking on the boundless star road to the southern domain of Boundless Heaven.

He went to temper himself, to hone the Tai Chu Sword in his hand, and more importantly, to find that long-separated comrade who constantly weighs on his mind… a brother of life and death!

……

At the same time, at the opposite end far from the northern domain of Boundless Heaven.

A teleportation array spanning an unknown number of star domains, its scale unimaginably vast, powered by countless ancient stars and with runes shimmering like a star river, is now flashing with stable spatial undulation light.

On the core platform of the array stood two figures side by side: Ye Wuque and the War Prince.

Around them were bizarre, rapidly receding walls of the spatial corridor, with countless star projections streaking like flowing light, indicating they were traveling at super‑reasonable speed across ultra‑long interstellar distances.

Their destination is none other than one of the Upper Three Heavens' perilous lands—the Desolate Heaven!

Ye Wuque stood with his hands behind his back, his black robe appearing even more ethereal in the glow of the spatial flow.

Gazing at the eternal, silent yet magnificently vast cosmic depths beyond the passage, he inexplicably felt a faint ripple arise in his heart, as if pulled by some intangible bond.

He let out a soft sigh, carrying a barely perceptible feeling, and murmured to himself:

"I don't know… where in the world is that Lao Feng guy now… It's been so long since we last met…"

His voice was very soft, carrying a hint of remembrance and concern; his eyes, usually sharp and deep, softened now, radiating a faint light of longing.

Having met Feng Caichen when both were lowly, fought side by side, and endured life and death together, their bond had long surpassed ordinary friendship, becoming a true comrade‑in‑arms one could entrust one's back to.

After parting in the Forbidden Starry Sky, each encountered their own opportunities and scattered across the vast Nine Heavens Ten Lands; how could their hearts not yearn?

Standing beside him, the War Prince, like a most loyal guard, keenly caught Ye Wuque's subtle emotional fluctuation and that low murmur.

His heart stirred, he hesitated a moment, then still asked: 'My lord, the Old Wind you just mentioned… could it be that… Feng Caichen?'