Heavenly Axis City's bustle seemed never-ending. But for the true protagonists, after the finale, each would go their separate ways to forge ahead. Xiaoqi declined recruitment, sent away endless challengers, and temporarily settled Zhao Tiezhu and the others. Finally he welcomed brief tranquility, preparing to utilize that hard-won realm cultivation qualification.
However, just as he planned his upcoming cultivation schedule, an unexpected yet (understandable) visitor quietly came to his inn courtyard.
Moonlight like water, scattering on the tranquil courtyard, reflecting the visitor's cold and pure figure. Mu Xue was still in that moon-white Taoist robe. Her body seemed surrounded by faint ice mist, separating her from worldly hustle. She didn't deliberately restrain her aura, yet her arrival made the entire courtyard quiet down several degrees.
Xiaoqi was polishing that Xuan Gui Shield at the stone table in the courtyard. Sensing the aura, he raised his head. Seeing Mu Xue, surprise flashed in his eyes, then he rose to greet her.
"Immortal Mu Xue." Xiaoqi cupped a formal salute. For this unfathomably strong opponent who had helped in the realm and whom he respected on the arena, he always held respect in his heart.
Mu Xue slightly nodded. Her cold gaze fell on Xiaoqi. Her voice was still placid, yet less the arena's estrangement: "Tomorrow, I return to Crimson Star Sacred Land."
Xiaoqi, upon hearing, understood in his heart. With Mu Xue's status and the realm cultivation qualification she'd earned (half a month), she certainly wouldn't stay long in Heavenly Axis City. Crimson Star Sacred Land had better resources and environment for her to digest gains.
"Immortal's heaven-sent talent, returning to the Sacred Land, will surely reach an even higher level." Xiaoqi said sincerely. Fighting Mu Xue, he deeply knew her terrifying potential.
Mu Xue gently shook her head, not caring about this perfunctory flattery. Her gaze swept over the Xuan Gui Shield in Xiaoqi's hands, returning to his face. Her tone was placid yet carried undetectable seriousness: "You are excellent. At Foundation Establishment realm, to have cultivated movement technique, sword intent, even body cultivation to such levels—rare. Cleanness Void Sect... produced a person after all."
Receiving such evaluation from the usually supercilious Crimson Star Sacred Land heir—if spread, it would probably cause another stir in Heavenly Axis City. But Xiaoqi only responded calmly: "Immortal flatters too much. It's merely coincidental fortune and endless diligence."
Mu Xue spoke no more. She flipped her hand. In her palm appeared two jade talismans roughly fingernail-sized, entirely snow-white, carved with exquisite ice lotus patterns. The talismans radiated faint cold aura and spatial fluctuations.
"These are our Crimson Star Sacred Land's specially made 'Ice Lotus Communication Talismans.'" Mu Xue extended one to Xiaoqi. "One mother talisman, one son talisman. The holder of the son talisman can, within a certain range, transmit brief messages to the mother talisman. Though not as far as thousand-mile transmission talismans, in some realms, dangerous territories, or distances not too extreme, it may prove useful."
She paused. Her cold gaze looked at Xiaoqi, continuing: "The cultivation road is long and solitary, also full of dangers. If someday you encounter thorny matters, or... pass through the Northern Territory, you may contact via this talisman."
Xiaoqi slightly startled. Looking at that exquisite ice lotus jade talisman, his heart rippled. This wasn't simple courtesy. It was recognition, a potential alliance relationship. Crimson Star Sacred Land was far in the Northern Territory, its strength unfathomable. Obtaining a communication talisman from its heir was significance far beyond ordinary.
He didn't decline. He respectfully received that cold son talisman with both hands. It felt cool to the touch yet warm, can sense the exquisite talisman formation within and a trace of Mu Xue's unique aura. He carefully put away the jade talisman. From his own storage bag, he also took out a common cyan jade communication talisman from Cleanness Void Sect, extending it.
"Many thanks, Immortal. This is our Cleanness Void Sect's transmission talisman. Though not as wondrous as your Ice Lotus Talisman, it's a memento. If someday Immortal has use for me, or travels southeast, you may seek me via this talisman."
Mu Xue glanced at that ordinary cyan jade talisman, not disdaining it. She received it, nodding lightly, putting it away.
Exchanging communication talismans—this simple gesture seemed to build an invisible bridge between the two. No excessive words, yet more eloquent than thousands of words. It was recognition of each other's strength and potential, also anticipation of some possibility in the future.
"Heavenly Axis Realm, the opportunity is rare. You should treasure it." Mu Xue glanced at Xiaoqi one last time, leaving these words, then no longer lingered. Her moon-white figure flickered, like snow melting, quietly vanished from the courtyard, leaving only a trace of faint cold aura.
Xiaoqi stood alone in the courtyard, holding that ice lotus transmission talisman, feeling the coolness upon it. His heart was full of emotion. From the Heavenly Axis Ask-the-Heavens Conference's first meeting, to realm assistance, to the arena's "gentlemen's battle"—he and this Crimson Star Sacred Land's fairy, from strangers to acquaintances, from opponents to potential friends who could exchange messages—he knew Mu Xue's farewell meant one stage's ending. She would return to her grand stage, while he would embark on a new journey. The road ahead was long, full of unknowns and challenges, yet equally full of opportunities.
He put the Ice Lotus Talisman close to his body. His gaze became firm again. Mu Xue's strength, like a lighthouse, illuminated his direction forward, also let him see his own deficiencies. He must become stronger as soon as possible, to truly have a foothold in this magnificent cultivation world, to in the future be qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with these top celestial talents, even... see the scenery at even higher heights.
"Until we meet again..." Xiaoqi murmured to himself, the corners of his mouth curving slightly. He believed as long as he kept advancing, they would meet again someday. And at that time, he hoped to stand before her in a stronger form.
Moonlight cold and pure. The courtyard returned to tranquility. Xiaoqi turned, walking toward the room. Tomorrow, he would go to that legendary Heavenly Axis Realm, beginning ten days of closed-door cultivation. This would be his last stop in Heavenly Axis City, also the crucial step toward breaking through to a higher realm. Farewell was for better reunion.