459 The Return of the Heroes

The next morning, while it was still bright and early, many of the Xixia City residents had already gathered in front of the Lan Lin Medical Clinic.

In just a mere few days, the clinic had already built a fantastic reputation for itself with its low prices and the advanced medical skills of the boss and his wife. Hence, it was now the go-to place for anyone with illnesses or injuries within the city.

However, they were all shocked to see that the clinic—which had only been open for a few days—had now officially closed down!

Glued across the door was a large strip of red paper on which a message was written:

"The boss and his wife are out cultivating. As a result, the medical clinic is going on an indefinite hiatus. I hope we're all fated to meet again someday!"

The residents were all completely dumbfounded upon seeing this message.

As for the other medical clinics in Xixia City, all of their bosses wept tears of joy as they sang ballads of how kind An Lin and Xu Xiaolan were for taking pity upon them and not driving them out of business.

As the sun rose over the horizon, An Lin flew into the air on his brick with Xu Xiaolan, the beast pets, and the four maids in tow. All of them departed from Xixia City as they set off for the Vermilion Bird Sect.

…

Within a mountain range where the sun didn't shine.

Atop the summit of a black mountain which measured over one hundred thousand feet tall, an elderly man with flowing white hair opened his chaotic eyes.

"To be able to transcend three tribulations within one hundred years is an extremely valuable experience. The tribulation of life and death, the tribulation of separation, and the tribulation of the cultivation path… Who'd have thought they would experience and transcend all three tribulations within such a short span of time…"

The elderly man brought out a life disc, and a slight smile appeared on his face as his fortune-telling days sprang to mind.

"You know what? Just let it be. I won't disturb them. I hope our young master can have a happy ending…"

…

After an earthshattering battle, the Vermilion Bird Sect suffered heavy casualties. Over one thousand disciples, as well as two elder, had died. On top of that, they had even lost their sect treasure, the Holy Vermilion Flame, in one of their heaviest losses in history.

Many of the disciples were mourning for their friends and family.

There were also many disciples who were extremely indignant and furious at how powerless they were, and these emotions spurred them on to cultivate harder than they ever had.

There was no lack of cultivators who were making efforts to improve themselves within the Vermilion Bird Sect, but there was a lack of vitality, as if everything was dull and lifeless.

Mo Hai was also cultivating as if his life depended on it. Boundless flames scorched his body, and the pain made him forget about the agony of losing the holy flame, as well as loved ones who had died in battle.

All he desired now was to break through to the Return to Void Stage as soon as possible so that he could sweep through the Holy Capital to avenge his brothers and sisters who had died at the hands of the snow maidens!

However, right at this moment, Mo Hai's voice transmission talisman suddenly lit up…

…

Ji Yongfang made his way up a tall hill, upon which there was a solitary tombstone for Xu Xiaolan.

"Sigh… Sister, why did you insist on leaving with that male? If you had chosen a reliable man like me, this tragedy wouldn't have occurred. Why can't you understand…? The more supremely talented someone is, the more risk they incur of dying young! Only an outstanding yet steadfast man like me can survive in this harsh world of cultivation…"

Ji Yongfang placed a white dandelion by the tombstone as he heaved a heavy sigh.

May these forlorn emotions fly away in the wind with this sigh.

His voice transmission talisman suddenly lit up at this moment.

"Hey, Brother Zhao, what's up?"

"Brother Ji, An Lin and Xu Xiaolan are coming back to the Vermilion Bird Sect!"

"Impossible! Didn't they die in the Holy Glacial Lands? Don't spout nonsense if you don't have any evidence!"

"I'm not lying to you. An Lin contacted Mo Hai in person via voice transmission talisman, and he even said that he was going to bring the Holy Vermilion Flame, along with the Flame-Sealing Disc, back with him! The entire sect is in jubilation! They're the heroes of our sect!"

Ji Yongfang's body swayed slightly upon hearing this, and he silently cut off the voice transmission.

The light of the sun was hurting his eyes a little, and he looked down at the tombstone that was inscribed with the words "In Loving Memory of Xu Xiaolan". He discovered that the sight of this tombstone hurt his eyes even more than the sun did.

"How is this possible? How did he retrieve the Holy Vermilion Flame? He's only at the Soul Formation Intermediate Stage… How can he be so supremely talented? It doesn't make any sense…"

Boom!

He reduced the tombstone to dust before departing in dejection.

…

At the main gate of the Vermilion Bird Sect, tens of thousands of sect disciples stared up into the sky with fervent expressions.

All the disciples wore red robes, and from afar, it looked as if a roaring flame that was filled with limitless passion and vitality was burning right in front of the sect.

At the forefront of this huge welcoming party were a few dozen elders as well as Grand Elder Situ Feng.

Situ Feng could have used his spatial manipulation power to accompany An Lin and Xu Xiaolan back to the sect from a few thousand kilometers away.

However, he didn't want to do that, so he chose not to ask for An Lin's location.

He wanted to wait for the return of the Holy Vermilion Flame and the return of the heroes of the Vermilion Bird Sect alongside the rest of the sect members!

A black brick suddenly appeared in the distance.

Right at this moment, extremely exuberant cheers erupted from the divine tree of the Vermilion Bird Sect.

An Lin hadn't even seen anyone yet, but he could certainly hear the earthshattering cheers.

As he flew closer, he saw the tens of thousands of people who had dressed themselves in red to welcome them at the main gate. He was so shocked that he almost fell off his brick.

What the hell? Didn't I only tell Mo Hai and no one else?

Why is the entire sect here?!

Resounding cheers rang out between heaven and earth, and many of the disciples began to sob at the sight of the Flame-Sealing Disc in An Lin's hands. The feeling of recovering the holy flames as well as the honor of the entire sect was something extremely difficult to fathom unless one was a member of the Vermilion Bird Sect.

"Welcome home!" someone suddenly yelled.

This sentence was repeated by the tens of thousands of sect disciples, and their passionate and genuine cries reverberated through the air and brought tears to both An Lin and Xu Xiaolan's eyes.

An Lin didn't really know what it felt like to belong to a sect. However, after experiencing such a heartfelt welcome, he was starting to understand just what a sect was all about.

A sect was not just a place to cultivate and grow…

It was also a home and safe haven for all its members!

Looking down at all those excited and tear-stained faces, An Lin suddenly discovered that he loved this sect… He loved this sect with all his heart.

He descended before Grand Elder Situ Feng and passed the Flame-Sealing Disc to him with a smile. "Glad to be back."

A smile blossomed on Situ Feng's face as he looked at An Lin and Xu Xiaolan. "You're the pride of the Vermilion Bird Sect. Welcome home! We'll discuss rewards later, go rest now."

The tens of thousands of sect disciples moved in unison as they made way to create a path for An Lin and Xu Xiaolan.

An Lin and Xu Xiaolan basked under the countless fervent gazes of their admirers as they walked down the path side by side.

An Lin suddenly held onto Xu Xiaolan's hand and puffed his chest out proudly.

A slight blush appeared on Xu Xiaolan's cheeks as she glared at An Lin with delicate rage. She didn't expect An Lin to be so bold, but she still allowed her hand to be held as they made their way toward the main gate of the sect.

A collective cheer erupted from the tens of thousands of disciples once again.

Ji Yongfang's heart broke into a million pieces upon seeing this.

At this moment, someone suddenly started clapping.

Countless people instantly followed suit, and the sound of thunderous applause rang out across heaven and earth.

Even Ji Yongfang was swept up by the atmosphere and started to clap along.

Mo Hai raised a thumb at An Lin.

Lan Yan shrieked with excitement at Xu Xiaolan.

Yang Yuan transmitted his voice to An Lin, discussing whether they should stage a joint wedding in three years.

This moment was one of ecstasy and celebration for the entire Vermilion Bird Sect. At the same time, it was also a wonderful moment for An Lin and Xu Xiaolan.

…

On that day, the Holy Vermilion Flame returned to the Vermilion Bird Sect.

On that day, the Vermilion Bird Sect was transformed into a vibrant sea of red.

The thrilling welcoming ceremony became an unforgettable memory for An Lin and Xu Xiaolan; it became a memory that was etched deep into their minds.