The Wuying Sword zipped past Chen Nan's chest, tearing off the immobilization talisman.
This scene stunned Nangong He and the others.
Nangong He knew Chen Nan possessed the Burning Heaven Furnace, but he hadn't expected him to have an offensive spiritual artifact as well!
Chen Nan regained control of his body, his gaze indifferent. "What else?"
"How could you possess a spiritual artifact... these things are rare even in hell..." True Lord Li Yuan's eyes were vacant, unable to process the reality.
His life force was rapidly ebbing away.
"However, even if you kill me today, Lord Yu Huang will not let you off..."
Before he could finish, the long sword in Chen Nan's hand sliced across his neck, severing his head.
Looking at the head rolling before him, Chen Nan gritted his teeth and said, "Even if your so-called Yu Huang doesn't come for me, I will annihilate his entire army!"
With that, he stomped on the severed head, crushing it.
The crisis of extinction for Huoyun Cave was thus resolved.
But they had paid a heavy price.
The surviving disciples now numbered less than twenty.
Without exception, all were gravely wounded.
Seeing Nangong He sitting in the snow, cradling his beloved daughter, his face contorted in grief.
Chen Nan knelt down with a thud, "Sect Master, I am sorry to you, sorry to Huoyun Cave, and sorry to Wan'er!"
"Get up, this is not your fault!" Nangong He's gaze was filled with pain as he looked at his daughter in his arms, tears streaming down his face. "This is the path she chose, the path I chose, and the path chosen by the one hundred and thirty-eight disciples of Huoyun Cave."
He had never considered surrender.
Nor had he considered leaving this place.
Even without Chen Nan, the outcome would have been the same.
Chen Nan said softly, "I owe Wan'er a wedding. I want to invite everyone to witness our wedding!"
Nangong He's voice grew heavier. "I said, this is not your fault!"
Chen Nan gritted his teeth. "This is what I owe Wan'er. Since I have returned today, I will honor my promise to her."
"Whether she is alive or dead!"
Nangong He sighed. "Chen Nan, I know you are loyal and righteous, otherwise you wouldn't have risked your life to return. However, you must understand one thing. Wan'er is gone. Why must you be like this?"
Chen Nan lowered his head in shame. "I admit I'm a scumbag, I admit I love whoever I see, and I admit I cannot give Wan'er the steadfast devotion she desires."
"But I am willing to marry only her in this life!"
"Your Dao heart is in turmoil!" Nangong He sighed. "I don't want Wan'er to become your inner demon. If she is watching from the heavens, she wouldn't want to see you like this either."
Chen Nan's talent was terrifying, and he possessed great fortune.
He did not want to see him stray from the path.
Chen Nan's eyes were firm. "I once promised her that the day I returned would be the day of our wedding. I implore you, Sect Master, to grant my wish!" He then kowtowed heavily to the ground.
He remained kneeling, refusing to rise.
"Master, why don't we agree to his request?"
"Yes, Little Junior Sister's greatest dream was to marry Ye... Chen Nan!"
The remaining disciples spoke, moved by Chen Nan's deep affection.
"Fine, fine, I agree," Nangong He finally relented.
"Thank you, Father-in-law, for granting my wish!"
Chen Nan was overwhelmed with gratitude.
And then, witnessed and aided by everyone, a special wedding was held.
There were no flowers around.
No applause, no words of blessing.
But his face was illuminated with a radiant smile.
To be married to the woman he loved, what a joyful occasion that was!
He had to smile!
Only.
As he smiled, he began to weep!
Grief and oppression overcame him, and he cried like a child!
It was because he loved her that he had come here!
But in the end, he was too late!
He had failed to save the woman who had waited for him!
The wedding concluded.
Nangong He patted his shoulder. "We are cultivators. We should learn to let go. Family, love, friendship – only then can we go further."
"Wan'er loved the bamboo forest behind the mountain. Tomorrow... bury her there, let her rest in peace!"
Chen Nan shook his head. "Father-in-law, Wan'er is my lawfully wedded wife. Her fate is not for you to decide!"
Nangong He frowned. "What do you mean?"
Chen Nan looked at the bride in his arms, her face serene as if in sleep. "Kunlun has the warm jade, which can bring the dead back to life. I intend to go and try."
Nangong He was furious. "Are you crazy? That's just a legend, do you understand? Can't you be more rational? Do something meaningful!"
Kunlun Mountain was shrouded in myths and legends.
There were even rumors that the Queen Mother of the West's palace was built there.
However.
To this day, no miracle had ever occurred.
Even if the warm jade was rumored to be able to revive the dead, no one had ever found it!
Chen Nan asked calmly, "Is there anything more meaningful than accompanying my wife in search of hope?"
Nangong He was speechless.
Chen Nan smiled indulgently. "Although she told me to wait for her for eighteen years, patience is what I lack the most."
"Eighteen years is too long. I seize every moment!"
With that, he carried Nangong Wan and walked down the mountain.
Nangong He did not stop him.
The ingrained notion of "marrying a chicken, follow the chicken; marrying a dog, follow the dog" was deeply rooted.
Chen Nan looked back. "Father-in-law, on the eighteenth, the prisoners from the minor world will enter the secular world. The world will undoubtedly fall into chaos."
"Let alone Huoyun Cave, even the eight top powers will not be their match!"
"If possible, I hope you can leave Zhongnan Mountain."
"Don't make any more futile sacrifices!"
"My home is in Ningji. If you go there, you can contact Jiang Jiancheng. He will arrange for you!"
With these words, his figure vanished into the snowy night.
"Sect Master, what should we do?"
The Third Elder looked at Nangong He in bewilderment.
They knew of the many minor worlds, but had never imagined that prisoners from hell would escape.
This would undoubtedly be a catastrophic blow!
Nangong He looked up at the night sky. Snowflakes fell, showing no sign of stopping.
"What is the meaning of our cultivation?"
"To live longer?"
"To possess greater strength?"
"Or to enjoy the thrill of defying heaven without consequence?"
"Since that is the case, why should we fear others?"
"Elder Chen is right. To follow is mortal, to defy is immortal. If so, why should we fear the strong enemies from hell?"
"Have we, these disciples, ever feared death?"
"Chen Nan is willing to go to Kunlun Mountain in search of legend for Wan'er. We too must do something meaningful!"
"Only then can we be worthy of the disciples of Huoyun Cave who died in battle!"
"Even if we cannot protect the common people, we must protect Huoyun Cave."
"Protect Zhongnan Mountain!"
As he spoke, his eyes blazed with astonishing cold light.
Just then.
The snow stopped.
A hint of white appeared in the distant east.
Immediately after, a faint purple aura enveloped Taibai Peak.
It fell upon everyone!