Chapter 692: Returning to Duan Heng Seven Stars

When Su Jingwen awoke, she was lying on a bed without her jacket. Shock jolted her; her head buzzed as a wave of horror washed over her. She remembered drinking all afternoon and someone attempting to take her home. Then, she calmed herself. She’d never drunk outside before, but yesterday had been Ye Mo’s wedding, and not being a bride, she’d drunk to numb the pain.

She immediately threw back the blanket, relieved to find herself unharmed. Had she been assaulted?

"You're awake," Chi Wanqing said, entering the room.

"And you are?" Su Jingwen asked, studying Chi Wanqing. She surmised the girl had brought her home. "Did you bring me back last night?"

"Yes," Chi Wanqing smiled. "I happened to be at the bar and saw you were drunk, so I brought you to my place. I'm Chi Wanqing. What's your name?"

Su Jingwen sighed in relief. "I'm sorry for the trouble, I'm Su Jingwen."

"What?! You're Su Jingwen?!" Chi Wanqing exclaimed, surprised.

"Do you know me?" Su Jingwen asked; she didn't recognize her.

Chi Wanqing waved her hand. "I heard Qingxue talk about you. I lived with her for a while. She mentioned Ye Mo danced the first dance with you at your birthday party."

"So you know Qingxue?" Su Jingwen replied, her happiness tinged with melancholy at the mention of Ye Mo. "Sister Jingwen, did Ye Mo get married?" she asked shakily.

Su Jingwen nodded, noticing Chi Wanqing's downcast expression. She stared in surprise. Was this girl also connected to Ye Mo? How did he seem to know every pretty girl?

Chi Wanqing chuckled. "Brother Ye saved me and gave me a little wolf. I—I like him, but I know my family wouldn't approve. And he has someone he likes, so… so… Sister Jingwen, don't worry about it. I was on a blind date yesterday, and then I saw you…"

Su Jingwen understood. She and Chi Wanqing were alike. Sometimes, if you don't pursue what you want, it won't be yours. She sighed, then frowned. Hadn't she tried her best? Ye Mo never even gave her a chance. While Ning Qingxue and Luo Ying were in his arms the previous night, she was getting drunk in a bar. She laughed at herself.

"What's wrong, Sister Jingwen?" Chi Wanqing repeated.

Su Jingwen shook her head.

"By the way, Sister Jingwen, do you know who Brother Ye married? Is it Qingxue?" Chi Wanqing asked, eager to know.

Su Jingwen nodded. "Yes, but he took two brides: Qingxue and Luo Ying. His sister, Ye Ling, told me."

"He married two women? This—this—" Chi Wanqing's eyes widened.

Su Jingwen smiled bitterly. "Because Luo Yue is his; the country is his."

"What?" Chi Wanqing was dumbfounded. She hadn't expected Luo Yue, the world power, to belong to Ye Mo.

After their wedding, Ye Mo spent every day with Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue. Knowing his departure loomed, they clung to him even more. Over the next few months, they traveled extensively, visiting Mei Nei multiple times, but never saw the snow fox again. Ning Qingxue reached Stage 3; while she couldn't yet fly on her sword, she could wield it for attack.

Tang Beiwei, quieter after receiving her flying sword, dedicated herself to cultivation. Ye Ling, unable to cultivate as quickly, focused on martial arts. Luo Ying reached Stage 2. When Ye Mo asked about the diary, she always smiled enigmatically, never revealing anything.

Three months later, Luo Yue thrived under his leadership. Ye Mo bid farewell to Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue, leaving Luo Yue behind. He knew staying would mean aging and dying like an ordinary person. His destiny dictated that neglecting his cultivation would make his path far harder than Ning Qingxue or Luo Ying's. He envisioned growing old while they reached the Foundation Establishment state, powerless to help him as he died. He couldn't bear the thought of them trying to follow him into death.

Luo Fei watched the newlyweds from afar. Ye Mo was married; her younger martial sister might know, but so what? If she entered the small realm, she couldn't leave, and Ye Mo couldn't enter. Luo Fei sighed and departed.

Ye Mo searched Antarctica extensively for the blue bag An Zhiqi had mentioned, containing items left by Dongfang Wang, whom Ye Mo considered a threat. He lacked the means to find Xi Tang; otherwise, he would have killed Dongfang Wang already. However, Dongfang Wang posed no immediate threat to Luo Yue, and Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue were at Stage 3 chi gathering.

Ye Mo then went to the Duan Heng Ranges. He longed to enter the small world, but lacking seven spirit stones or individuals with spirit roots, he could only attempt it with his three stones. Since An Li Village was nearby, and he'd met Luo Ying there, he visited.

Upon arriving, he found the village eerily quiet. A few women washed clothes, but the usual boisterous atmosphere was gone. He detected significant yin chi, the absence of children indicating its influence. Uncertain of the cause, he wouldn't allow it to harm them. He used his yin sha bead to absorb the yin chi. As he prepared to inquire about the change, a red line flashed before his eyes, darting into the depths of the Duan Heng Ranges.

Without hesitation, Ye Mo pursued it. It was a nearly materialized ghost, not his first encounter with such beings. The ghost, clearly fearing him, fled faster upon seeing its pursuer.

Following the red line, Ye Mo arrived at his intended destination—the valley of the Duan Heng Seven Stars.

"Dao friend, save me!" the ghost shrieked.

"Is it you?!" Ye Mo saw Nun Jie Xun standing at the Tian Kou position, her blood and essence strong, her powers restored, her face younger and ruddier.