The two arrived at the barrier entrance. Due to Gong Xue startling them, many demons surrounded the barrier outside, their mournful wails and furious charges shaking the barrier.

Mu Xian had lived here in isolation for many years and had never provoked so many demons.

“At this rate, the barrier won’t last much longer.”

“What should we do then?”

Mu Xian pointed to a crack emitting faint rainbow light in the sky ahead. “There!”

“Is that the exit?”

Mu Xian nodded. “We only have one chance. I’ll rush over and tear open that crack. You cover me. We get one shot at this. If we fail, we’ll become food for these demons.”

“Got it!”

Mu Xian handed his life weapon, the Shadowglow Blade, to Gong Xue, and warned, “Be careful!”

Mu Xian opened the barrier, and its power returned to his body. Gong Xue seized the moment and blocked the crowd of demons.

The demons howled excitedly. In the dim inferno, fierce flames ignited, engulfing the vast mountain rocks in a sea of fire, illuminating the terrifying faces of the demons.

The howls of wolves pierced the dark clouds, thunder roared, and the bellow of a dragon shook the hearts of men.

The demons, baring their teeth, charged forward, twisting like worms.

Gong Xue, agile and skillful, along with the power of the Shadowglow Blade, swiftly slew several demons.

Mu Xian dashed through the gap, the demons close on his heels. He turned and struck, felling a demon, but others still blocked his path both in front and behind.

Mu Xian jumped with all his might, reaching the crack. He immediately summoned his Yuan Dan¹, forcibly tearing open an escape.

“Gong Xue!”

Mu Xian called back. Gong Xue, no longer lingering in the fight, made a feint and dashed forward, leaping over the mass of demons. She grabbed Mu Xian’s hand, and the two of them flew into the exit. The crack rapidly closed, sending them tumbling back into the Mortal Realm. Mu Xian’s Yuan Dan, now bearing several cracks, flew back into his body.

Mu Xian spat out a mouthful of blood and passed out.

The long-lost sunlight fell on their bodies. Gong Xue momentarily forgot her pain, gazing into the distance. An endless desert spread before her, with only a patch of orange-yellow sunset hanging in the sky, like gentle spring water, gathering in her dark eyes.

The hot wind carried dust and sand, swirling midair. Gong Xue’s cold body gradually warmed up as the distant red sun slipped behind the dunes.

“Mortal Realm, I’m back!”

Gong Xue’s cracked lips stretched into a smile, her eyes moistening.

She turned her head and saw the man lying on the sand. Coughing awkwardly, she muttered, “I seem to have forgotten about him.”

Gong Xue checked Mu Xian’s injuries and realized he had used the power of his Yuan Dan. The Yuan Dan is the life source of a deity!

Now, with the Yuan Dan fractured, Mu Xian’s power had greatly diminished.

Gong Xue carried Mu Xian on her back and left Gaoshang Land.

Upon returning to the Mortal Realm, Gong Xue heard some news about Yiqu Liushang.

After she was cast into Gaoshang Land, Yiqu Liushang lost its leader. Internal strife broke out, leading to a conflict. Eventually, a couple suppressed the uprising and became the new leaders of Yiqu Liushang.

The couple was Liao Sixin and Meng Yi.

Hearing this, the fire of resentment in Gong Xue’s heart burned ever more fiercely.

Three months later.

A strikingly beautiful couple walked down the street. The man wore a gray robe with white trim, exuding an almost celestial air. A wine gourd hung at his waist, and his black hair was tied up, interspersed with a few strands of white.

The woman had a carefree demeanor, wearing a red outfit with a heroic bearing. A red silk hairband danced around her hair, and her fair face was barely made up, save for her fiery red lips, as intense as her attire.

The jade pendant at her waist swayed with her steps.

The couple’s extraordinary appearance drew the attention of many onlookers.

According to folklore, Loong Head Mountain was within the Yunji Kingdom. Over the years, many seekers had tried to find it, including envoys sent by the Emperor of Yunji Kingdom, but none succeeded.

Cloud Academy, a hidden sect of immortal cultivators, could only be found by those with great destiny.

In such a vast kingdom, where could one start searching? Gong Xue was deeply troubled.

Mu Xian leisurely lay on a tree branch, drinking wine. Looking down at the worried person below, he quipped, “If you want to find Cloud Academy, ask me nicely, and I’ll take you there.”

Gong Xue looked at him skeptically. “You? You know where Cloud Academy is?”

Mu Xian jumped down from the tree, shaking his wine gourd triumphantly. “I was once a Deity Lord, after all. I’ve been to Cloud Academy.”

Gong Xue’s eyes lit up as she looked at him, eagerly approaching. “Lord Mu Xian is the best! Lord Mu Xian is so kind and otherworldly; surely, he will help a lonely girl like me, right?”

Gong Xue flattering Mu Xian eloquently. To visit Cloud Academy, she persisted with her sweet-talking, until Mu Xian’s skin started to crawl.

Reluctantly, Mu Xian agreed.

Mu Xian brought Gong Xue to a desolate place and instructed her to close her eyes. When she opened them again, the sight before her left her astonished.

Before her stood towering peaks that seemed to touch the sky. As far as the eye could see, there were verdant hills and clear waters under a bright sun. The sounds of joyful forest creatures echoed through the ethereal mountain streams and ravines.

“This is Loong Head Mountain!” Mu Xian spread his long arms, and a giant eagle flew over their heads, letting out a majestic cry.