Deep in the night, Chen Chang'an returned to his room. Before he could even steady himself, a pair of soft jade arms wrapped around him from behind.
Ji Hongli's breath was close, carrying a faint orchid fragrance. Her chin rested lightly on his shoulder, and she said nothing.
Having now broken her shackles, her cultivation was approaching that of a Supreme Immortal, and she could naturally sense the world-shaking pressure from earlier.
Chen Chang'an held her hand, his fingertips caressing her wrist around his waist. He suddenly remembered the scene he had seen during the time reversal in the Witch Clan, and his hand unconsciously tightened.
Even so, the two stood quietly, neither of them speaking. Sometimes, even without words, they could understand each other's intentions.
The next morning, the disciples arrived one after another.
Xiao Chen, dressed in black, had a stern and cold expression. Han Yu's expression was calm and indifferent, his gaze fixed ahead, lost in thought. Ji Lingxiu was in fiery red robes, while Jiang Che was as lazy as ever.
Only the last to enter, Lu Xiaoluo, had a clear gaze, looking somewhat at a loss. In addition, Chen Xingcai stood obediently beside Ji Hongli, her eyes filled with curiosity.
In the small room, the fragrance of tea wafted through the air. Chen Chang'an gestured for everyone to sit, his expression more solemn than usual.
"Master, what's this..." Xiao Chen keenly sensed the different atmosphere.
Chen Chang'an raised a hand to stop him, his gaze sweeping over each disciple before slowly speaking: "I have called you here today because there is something I must entrust to you."
The room instantly fell silent. Everyone looked at him, their gaze eager and focused—for the first time, their Master was making such a solemn request.
Chen Chang'an took a deep breath, his voice low and firm:
"I hope that, by any means necessary, within a hundred years—"
"You will unify the entire Lower Realm."
As his words fell, a pin could have been heard in the room.
The room was completely silent as they exchanged glances with one another. In their minds, Chen Chang'an had always been the image of a detached and unperturbed hermit, yet today he suddenly proposed the stunningly audacious demand to "unify the Lower Realm."
Ji Lingxiu couldn't help but have wild thoughts—could this person in front of them be an imposter of Ji Wuque? Of course, this thought only flashed for a moment.
Xiao Chen was the first to react, asking in a deep voice: "Master, is this to deal with that Great Zhou Supreme Emperor?"
"Him?" Chen Chang'an gave a light laugh and shook his head. "Not worth it." His tone was as casual as discussing the weather. "Besides... he has already fallen."
After a pause, he added: "I killed him."
"What?!"
Even the usually composed Han Yu couldn't hold back, his calm expression completely shattered. The Immortal Realm powerhouse who had been arrogantly declaring war and claiming to unify the Lower Realm just a few days ago was just gone, just like that?
And taken out by their own Master?
Lu Xiaoluo subconsciously hugged the sword left by her father. Jiang Che's pupils contracted slightly, and even the most steady Xiao Chen couldn't help but grip the hilt of his sword.
Fortunately, Chen Chang'an had never liked being an enigma. He pressed his hands down, signaling everyone to calm down: "Rest assured, I will tell you everything."
He sighed softly: "It all begins with my father—your Grandmaster."
The candlelight in the room flickered, illuminating everyone's solemn faces.
Chen Chang'an recounted everything he knew—about the arrangements left by his father, about the destiny of the Upper and Lower Realms, about that earth-shattering chess game.
However, he concealed his identity as a transmigrator and did not mention Ji Hongli's connection to the Five-Colored Stone, but he held nothing back regarding everything else.
"...The ancient experts were masters of divination, their ability to plan reaching the heavens and the earth." Chen Chang'an looked around at everyone, his voice low and sincere.
"So from now on, the only people I can completely and unconditionally trust are you all."
A warmth filled everyone's eyes and hearts. They glanced at each other, their eyes shining with determined light.
After a moment of silence, Chen Chang'an's gaze fell upon Lu Xiaoluo in the corner. This girl, who always held her sword, had been unknown in the sect for many years, yet she had always been diligent and conscientious.
Whether it was organizing the classics or tending to the spiritual fields, she had never slacked off for a moment. Of course, more importantly, her loyalty had long since been proven.
"Xiaoluo." Chen Chang'an suddenly called out.
The girl's head shot up, her clear eyes filled with a mix of apprehension and anticipation.
"From today on, you are my fifth true disciple."
Lu Xiaoluo froze. Her lips trembled slightly, and the sword in her hand clattered to the floor.
Xiao Chen was the first to react, a slight smile on his lips: "Congratulations, junior sister."
"I've been waiting for this day!" Ji Lingxiu threw her arms around Lu Xiaoluo's shoulders. "You have to call me senior sister from now on!"
Han Yu gave a lazy, light clap: "Congratulations, junior sister."
Although Jiang Che did not speak, he silently picked up the fallen sword and brushed off the dust.
Tears finally streamed from Lu Xiaoluo's eyes. She knelt down trembling, performing a standard master-disciple salute.
Chen Chang'an thought for a moment, then took a jade hairpin from his sleeve and personally placed it in her hair.
"It's a pity there are only four Executioner Swords. This shall be my gift to you."
"Master..." Her voice was choked with emotion, yet filled with unprecedented determination. "I will... give it my all..."
Before she could finish, her voice dissolved into sobs.
Chen Chang'an helped her to her feet and said softly: "No need for vows. The day you stepped into the Spirit Valley, you became a part of this family."
After the simple ceremony, everyone sat together in a circle.
Lu Xiaoluo touched the jade hairpin in her hair, still in a daze—the nights she had spent organizing the classics alone, the days she had silently memorized the preferences of her senior brothers and sisters, the times she had carefully tended to the spiritual plants in the fields...
At this moment, she finally had a home again.
In the candlelight, Chen Chang'an looked at his disciples, a hint of gratification in his eyes. No matter how perilous the road ahead, at least for this moment, they were a complete "family."
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