After Tang Xiaoqi, Mu Qingfeng, and Aunt Su were sent into the Wood Element Life-Generating Formation, Qingxu Temple did not immediately return to its former tranquility. News of the Shadow Snake Pavilion headquarters' destruction and the demonic entity's resealing spread through the sect like ripples from a boulder thrown into a lake, rapidly expanding throughout the entire cultivation world. Initially came disbelief-shocked astonishment, immediately followed by uncontrollable euphoria and excitement! The Shadow Snake Pavilion that had ravaged for a century, created countless tragedies, and made righteous cultivators lose sleep—that terrifying shadow looming over countless hearts—had truly been uprooted!
And the ones who accomplished this nearly impossible task were none other than disciples of their Qingxu Temple! A surge of pride and excitement surged in the hearts of many young disciples. They cheered, they celebrated, viewing Mu Qingfeng, Liu Yun, and especially Tang Xiaoqi—who had joined the sect not long ago yet repeatedly created miracles—as the sect's heroes and pride. Even the former Shadow-Breaking Alliance members who chose to join Qingxu Temple received respectful and friendly gazes.
Under this passionate atmosphere, after deliberation by the elders and approval from Temple Master True Immortal Xuan Xuan, Qingxu Temple decided to hold a grand celebration, both to celebrate this hard-won victory and honor all souls harmed by the Shadow Snake Pavilion over the century, and to declare to the entire cultivation world that evil could not prevail, boosting righteous morale. On celebration day, Qingxu Temple was decorated with lanterns and banners, bells and chimes sounded in harmony. In the plaza, hundreds of tables were spread with spiritual fruits and fine wines, sect disciples gathered, everyone with excitement and glory on their faces. Even elders who usually remained in closed cultivation made exceptions to attend this grand gathering.
After several days of recuperation, Liu Yun's injuries had stabilized considerably. She changed into clean sect attire and attended the celebration. She stood at a high place, watching the jubilant crowds below, hearing the deafening revelry, yet her face showed little joy—only a faint, out-of-place detachment and weariness with this enthusiastic atmosphere. Sun Yi, Iron Wall, and other following Shadow-Breaking Alliance members were treated as honored guests.
They sat at the tables, watching the festive scene, their moods equally complex. The cup of victory was filled with their companions' blood. The climax of the celebration came when Temple Master True Immortal Xuan Xuan personally appeared. He briefly narrated the battle's difficulty and achievements, affirming all participants' contributions, especially praising Mu Qingfeng, Liu Yun, and Tang Xiaoqi's bravery and sacrifice.
His voice was calm yet powerful, spreading across the entire plaza, causing the disciples below to erupt in cheers. However, just as the celebration atmosphere reached its peak— True Immortal Xuan Xuan's voice gradually lowered, that trace of joy on his face fading away, replaced by a deep solemnity and compassion. "However," he scanned the crowd, his voice clearly entering everyone's ears, "victory never comes without cost. Amid celebration, we must not forget the. heroic spirits who gave their lives, gave everything, for this victory." The plaza's clamor was suddenly choked, rapidly falling silent.
All gazes focused on the Temple Master, the atmosphere becoming solemn and solemn. "Today, at this celebration, our Qingxu Temple shall also hold a mourning ceremony for all the sacrificed!" As True Immortal Xuan Xuan's words fell, the bell and chime sounds abruptly changed, from joyful and spirited to mournful, heartfelt, and lingering. The colorful streamers in the plaza were quietly removed, replaced by white funeral scrolls and black crepe. A massive jade tablet was carried to the plaza's center, upon which names were slowly inscribed using spiritual power.
The foremost name wasprominentlywas—Xu Zhan! Though he was not a Qingxu Temple disciple, as the lord of Xu Lan Mountain Manor, for destroying the Soul-Controlling Jade and for all under heaven to selflessly choose death and soul-scattering, his heroic act deserved everyone's remembrance and respect. Following were the names of Qingxu Temple disciples who sacrificed during the perimeter support and blocking missions. Each name inscribed was like a hammer strike on everyone's hearts.
Finally, a blank space remained on the jade tablet. True Immortal Xuan Xuan's gaze turned toward the back mountain Wood Element Life-Generating Formation, saying solemnly: "There is also my sect disciple Tang Xiaoqi's instructing master, who sacrificed early defending the sect against the Shadow Snake Pavilion. His heroic spirit deserves equal worship!" Mournful music played lowly, disciples of all ages, of their own accord, straightened their robes, bowed their heads in solemn respect. The earlier celebration's jubilation and this moment's grief formed an extremely stark contrast, striking every person's soul.
Liu Yun stood at the front, gazing at Xu Zhan's name on the tablet, seemingly seeing again that resolute figure charging toward the Soul-Controlling Jade, finally dissolving in light, tears sliding silently down. Sun Yi, Iron Wall, and others also had tears in their eyes, remembering those Shadow-Breaking Alliance brothers forever left in the Ten Thousand Poison Marsh. True Immortal Xuan Xuan personally stepped forward, burned incense in prayer, and recited the memorial address. His voice carried a heart-penetrating power, recalling the sacrificed's achievements and expressing the living's grief, respect, and reverence.
"Souls, return! Return to your original homes! In all directions of heaven and earth, there are many wicked ones!. Though the body dies, the spirit is mighty; heroic spirits become the bravest of ghosts!" The mournful address echoed through the plaza, merging with the low bell and chime sounds. Many young disciples could not help but redden their eyes.
Only now did they truly understand how much blood and life supported this victory. Celebration and mourning, on this same plaza, intertwined in an extremely contradictory yet utterly real way. Cheers and tears together formed the complex undertones of this victory day. It reminded everyone that peace and victory were nevermanagewhatwhenextraordinarily, forged by countless sacrifices.
While enjoying tranquility, they must never forget those pioneers who gave everything. When the mourning ceremony ended and the white funeral scrolls fluttered gently in the wind, the earlier clamor was gone from the plaza. A deeper, more introspective power coalesced in every Qingxu Temple disciple's heart. They dispersed silently with remembrance for the departed and responsibility for the living.
And within the back mountain's Wood Element Life-Generating Formation, those several severely wounded heroes still struggled on the line between life and death. Whether they would wake, and what future awaited them upon waking, became the unknown heavier than celebration and mourning hanging over everyone's hearts. #