The discussion in the shrine ended, and several of the people walked out one after another. Jinhua and Hotaru Shonin came one after another to sit in a pavilion behind the shrine.

"It's been several years since we last met, Senior Brother Yingdeng." Jinhua looked at the young leader of Zhaoye Palace.

"Yeah, I didn't expect so many changes to happen in just a few years." Yingdeng sighed. He was about thirty years old, but still considered one of the younger generation in the sect.

Thinking back to when he joined the sect ten years ago, the sect's leader was still Immortal Tongzhu, a member of his great-grandfather's generation. Many of the younger generation in his family knew of Tongzhu's friendship with Lord Ge Luo. It was for this reason that Immortal Tongzhu remained unmarried.

"The Immortal Tongzhu is the elder in my family. He took care of me when I was young, so I will do my best to fulfill Lord Ge Luo's last wishes and let his funeral go according to his wishes." Yingdeng explained the reason why he agreed to keep the strange bird.

"And this time, Zhaoye Palace owes a huge favor to that junior sister. If it weren't for her intervention, the consequences would be unimaginable." Yingdeng shook his head.

After this battle, many outstanding disciples of Zhaoye Palace died, and the reputation of the sect was greatly questioned and damaged. It is likely that it will take decades to get rid of its influence.

"Once the Ximu Mountains are settled, Zhaoye Palace will close the mountains for ten years, facing the wall to reflect on their mistakes, and to regulate the morale of the disciples to prevent them from making the same mistakes again." Master Yingdeng talked about his future plans. Jinhua was not in a position to persuade him, so she could only sigh and agree.

"But before that, my sect hopes that Junior Sister Jialan can come to Zhaoye Palace. Zhaoye Palace will give you a warm reception and express our gratitude." After Master Yinghuo and Jinhua talked for a while, they talked about the last thing.

"I will tell Junior Sister Jialan about this matter. As for whether she goes or not, it depends on her own thoughts." Jinhua shook her head slightly.

"Thank you very much, Jinhua. If Junior Sister Jialan doesn't want to, there's no need to force her. Just let nature take its course." Yingdeng bowed slightly, and the two of them talked for a few more words, then Yingdeng said goodbye.

Standing in the pavilion, Jinhua looked at Yingdeng walking out. Although he was very powerful, he looked a little desolate and lonely at this moment.

She couldn't help but recall the scene when she first arrived at the Sunset Mountains the day before.

Although the land and mountains are lush and beautiful, there are only a few elite disciples left in Zhaoye Palace. Most of the essence of the sect has dissipated, and countless outstanding talents have died in the civil war. After this incident, it will be difficult for Zhaoye Palace to maintain its reputation as a leading sect.

She also felt a little sad about this. After all, this Senior Brother Yingdeng was an acquaintance of hers. At the Four Sects Conference many years ago, when she was only seven or eight years old, she stood in the crowd and saw this young man win the championship in one fell swoop. It was so glorious.

I didn't expect to meet again after so many years, and everything would have changed. In the past seven years, Zhaoye Palace had gone through three successive masters, until finally, the new generation, Yingdeng, took over. And the Xiangyu Sect wasn't much better. After returning this time, I was afraid that my master would pass on the throne to me.

Jinhua walked down the steps beside the pavilion, looked at the quiet woods behind, and slowly walked towards it.

Unlike the discussions inside the shrine that were full of thoughts from all sides, here in the lush woods, it was still peaceful.

Layers of leaves, tinged with tender green and pale yellow, were bright and beautiful under the sunlight, swaying gently in the breeze. Occasionally, a bird would fly through the trees, landing on a branch and singing happily.

In the grass beside the path, some crickets and grasshoppers are lying on slender leaves, their colors blending in with the surroundings, appearing sporadically. As the branches rustle in the wind, a clear blue sky appears, which makes people relax and unwind unconsciously.

Jinhua's dress was like the yellow apricot leaves of autumn, or the smoky clouds of sunset, its colors dappled and changing in the sunlight through the forest. She slowly walked through a grove of birch and poplar trees and stopped in front of an acacia tree.

The tall treetops are like clouds, scattered among the branches, full of slender young leaves and dotted with small golden flowers, each of which is like a small light yellow hydrangea, trembling in the breeze.

On a branch of an acacia tree, a young girl in a pure white dress leaned against the tree and slept, her eyes slightly closed, her chest rising and falling slowly. Occasionally, a breeze would blow, lifting the hem of her white gauze skirt slightly, revealing her fair calves, creating a dreamy and beautiful scene.

This child...

Jinhua shook her head slightly, a faint smile on her face. The sadness in her heart disappeared without a trace, and was filled with this little tranquility.

Perhaps yesterday was filled with sadness and regret, but at least, the sun will still rise today, and the breeze accompanying the morning light will still fill the world.

————————

A few days later, Loran Hill woke up from a quiet and comfortable sleep.

I was still a little sleepy, but at least I could get up and do something else now.

There is a soft white quilt beside me, and a gauze-like curtain hanging over my head, dotted with a few light yellow leaves to make it not too monotonous.

Loran Hill rubbed his eyes, sat on the bed for a while, and when he woke up a little, he opened the gauze curtain, looked for his shoes, and then slowly stood up.

Chirp—

Familiar bird calls were heard nearby. Two little fellows, one yellow and one blue, stood on the wooden frame and sang happily, their wings spread from time to time, seeming to be very happy.

"Okay, don't worry." Loran Hill came to the wooden rack in her nightgown, stroked the two birds, and then scratched their bellies.

Feeling his body in the fluffy feathers, Loran Hill couldn't help but speak.

"You guys have been eating a lot of good food recently. I feel like you've gained some weight."

Chirp—

Dai Ju seemed to want to argue, saying that it was because others fed her too much.

"So, are you raised by me or by someone else?" He rubbed the guy's head and wanted to pick it up again to feel how heavy it was.

My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!