In the rear valley of Heavenly Wolf Valley, nestled amid serene surroundings, stood a humble thatched cottage. It was here that Ling Yinqin had made her home, living a life of utmost simplicity.
According to Lan He, after she emerged from the Shattered Star Sea, she had begun searching for news of Ling Yinqin. As it happened, Ling Yinqin had also traveled a great distance to the Eastern Domain, and when the two met and exchanged words, Ling Yinqin understood Lan He's intentions. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude and followed Lan He back to Heavenly Wolf Valley.
At the time, she had only been at the Dao Source Stage, Third Layer.
With Lan He vouching for her, she naturally joined Heavenly Wolf Valley without difficulty, settling into the dwelling where her husband had once lived. Each day she lived free of worldly entanglements, devoting herself wholeheartedly to cultivation. After all these years, she had actually advanced to Emperor Sovereign. With such strength, Tang Sheng had granted her the position of Elder. However, everyone in Heavenly Wolf Valley knew that this Elder Ling did not concern herself with any of the valley's affairs, nor did she socialize with others. Day after day she simply remained beside her thatched cottage, and for those who knew the truth, her unwavering devotion was deeply moving.
When Yang Kai arrived with Lan He, Ling Yinqin was sitting quietly before an earthen grave. The grave was overgrown with lush green grass and even covered in wildflowers — it had to be where her husband's ashes were buried.
Sensing someone's approach, Ling Yinqin opened her eyes. First she saw Lan He leading the way and offered her a faint smile. Then she spotted Yang Kai following behind and, after a moment of surprise, a look of joy spread across her face.
"Elder Ling, someone has come to visit you," Lan He said with a smile as she walked over.
"Sister Ling, it's been a long time," Yang Kai greeted her with a cupped-fist salute and a smile of his own.
"Yang Kai!" Ling Yinqin's face showed her surprise, but the smile that accompanied it was genuine. "How are you here?"
"I was passing through the Eastern Domain and happened to meet Miss Lan He. She was kind enough to invite me to Heavenly Wolf Valley, so I thought I'd drop by to see you as well."
Ling Yinqin looked him up and down. "It's been years, but you seem to have grown much stronger."
Yang Kai smiled. "I heard that Sister Ling has also advanced to Emperor Sovereign."
Ling Yinqin glanced back at the earthen grave and said softly, "I don't have much else going on — it's been nothing but cultivation. Come, let's go inside to talk."
She warmly ushered Yang Kai and Lan He into the thatched cottage. The furnishings inside were exceedingly simple — no decorations of any kind, just a table, chairs, and a bed with bedding. Yet the space gave off a refreshing, natural feeling.
Ling Yinqin brewed fragrant tea, and the three sat down to talk. She recounted how she had left the Secret Realm of the Silent Void Sea and made her way to the Eastern Domain, sighing at the memory. Back then she had been only at the Dao Source Stage, Third Layer, and traveling from one domain to another had taken her several full years. Along the way she had narrowly escaped death on multiple occasions, but fortune had been on her side, and she had managed to overcome each danger. At last she arrived in the Eastern Domain, where she soon encountered Lan He, who had been searching for her.
Ling Yinqin thanked Yang Kai profusely. Had he not mentioned her to Lan He in the Shattered Star Sea, joining Heavenly Wolf Valley would not have been easy given her circumstances at the time. After all, she had not grown up in the valley, and without knowing someone's background, what faction would dare take them in casually? Heavenly Wolf Valley was a considerable power in the Eastern Domain, and a force of that stature typically preferred to err on the side of caution when accepting new members. They would rather cultivate someone from a young age than accept people of unknown origin, lest it give rise to unnecessary trouble.
Once inside Heavenly Wolf Valley, everything had settled into stability. She came here and lived a semi-reclusive life, and in the normal course of things, no one disturbed her.
During their conversation, she also asked about Bing Yun and Liu Xianyun and the others. Upon learning that they were all doing well, she put her mind at ease.
Half a day later, Yang Kai rose and took his leave.
Ling Yinqin tried earnestly to persuade him to stay a few more days, and Lan He chimed in as well. But since Yang Kai already knew Tang Sheng's attitude, how could he stay and invite resentment? He found a pretext and departed.
Ling Yinqin wanted to see him off, but he stopped her, and in the end she could only stand before the thatched cottage, watching his figure until it vanished from sight.
"Brother Yang, can you really not wait a few more days? I could try to think of something," Lan He asked with a troubled expression as she flew alongside Yang Kai toward the exit of Heavenly Wolf Valley.
Yang Kai shook his head with a smile. "There's no need. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't be heading to Spirit Beast Island just yet."
"But—" Lan He started to say, but before she could finish, a young man suddenly shot out from the side and called out urgently, "Senior Sister Lan, the Valley Master is asking you to come see her. She says it's important."
Lan He nodded. "I'll see Brother Yang off first, then go meet the Valley Master."
But the young man moved to block their path, his expression grave. "The Valley Master said you should come immediately. It sounds like something urgent."
Lan He's brows knitted at his words — she clearly sensed what was going on. She let out a cold hum. "I'm only seeing Brother Yang off. I'll be there right away. Can't she wait just a little?"
A hint of embarrassment appeared on the young man's face. He cupped his fists. "Please forgive me, Senior Sister Lan. I'm only carrying out the Valley Master's orders."