Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

Dusk slowly arrived, drawing down the sun and revealing the bright silver moon. Sitting near a campfire made by Tao, Lin Feilin and Yan Zaizen sat across from each other in conversation.

Lin Feilin eyes were still filled with a faint disbelief, but she was far calmer than before. The icy-aura she once radiated was toned down, and a strange beautiful look of inquiry dominated her expression. It's been several hours since their reunion and Yan Zaizen had been telling her about his journey thus far. Each detail was far more surprising than the last.

The Ying Family's scheme, the two clans trap, him being schemed against by the Xuanwu City Lord, the events of Grux, what he discovered on his return and the fate of the Soaring Cloud Sect.

"Do you mean…" Her lips were quivering as she said in disbelief. She tried to cover it up, but unlike before when they met in Xuanwu City, she couldn't. The weight of the Soaring Cloud Sect and the revenge of her master gradually being lifted up seemed to have done something to her mentally.

"Yes. The Soaring Cloud Sect is no more. Master has been avenged and all those responsible for his wife's death has followed along." He said confidently, reassuring her of his actions once more. However, he didn't expect that when his words were said, Lin Feilin eyes would glisten with tears.

"You…" Before he could say more, the tears flowed like two streams. She tried to wipe her tears away with her sleeve, but it continued to fall.

"I'm...thank you. Thank you so much." Her words caused Yan Zaizen to feel surprised, but soon after, he had a slight smile. It's truly unfortunate that he couldn't save Han Genji's life, but he was stuck in the Deep Mines at the time. What could he do? However, seeing the expression of sublime relief plastered on Lin Feilin's beautiful face made it all feel worth it.

"You don't know what this means to me." She said, her face filling up with a smile so beautiful that the surrounding world turned dim almost instantly. It was as if her smile devoured all the beauty in the world, leaving only it and it alone to be marveled at by all.

He couldn't help but feel his heart skip several beats and restart with such a thump that he could've sworn it echoed outwards. For a second, he lost his bearings as he couldn't help but imagine what life would be like if a girl as beautiful as Lin Feilin would become his wife. Would he be satisfied?

Lin Feilin noticed his strange expression and revealed a curious stare. Yan Zaizen saw this gaze and rubbed his nose in a little embarrassment at his thoughts. Clearing his throat, he attempted to change the subject, "What about you? What has happened to you in these three years?"

This was truly a question that left him bewildered and wanting answers. Three years ago, he saw her with the Vanishing Fiend Sect and now she was in the Water Veil Territory. Not to mention, she seemed to be with her relative. Only now did he realize that he knew next to nothing about Lin Feilin outside of her status as a fellow disciple.

Hearing his question, Lin Feilin corrected her posture and wiped her tears off. With a sniffle to pull all of her crying back, her eyes turned solemn and a little bit sad. It made it hard for one not to feel pity towards his icy-cold beauty.

"I joined the Vanishing Fiend Sect, however, when I did, I met my aunt who I thought was dead soon after." She looked at Lin Qinlin and said. Currently, Lin Qinlin was having a conversation with Bai Lufeng, and one could see that he was flirting with her. His posture, hand movement, and eyes were filled with clues of this. Yan Zaizen couldn't help but inwardly shake his head, but it didn't seem like Lin Qinlin was ignoring him.

Yan Zaizen's eyes widened slightly as he realized that this middle-aged woman was blushing like a little girl in the springtime of love. What the hell was he saying? He made a mental note to try to get notes from Bai Lufeng, but of course, without Tao knowing.

Unbeknownst to Yan Zaizen, Tao intended to do the same.

Lin Feilin continued, ignoring her aunt's interactions, "She's an elder of the Water Veil Sect. She invited me to join with a few of my other clan members, and I did." Her story was rather simple, but Yan Zaizen felt that she wasn't telling him everything.

That being said, three years is truly not a long time for any major change to happen to a person. For example, Bai Lufeng was three thousand years old and Tao was seven hundred years old. For cultivators with long lifespans, three years could just be a single cultivation session - even to someone at the Essence Formation Realm.

"Your clan?" Yan Zaizen inquired, his words obviously wanting to know more.

Lin Feilin stayed silent for a long moment, as if unwilling to respond, but she clenched her fist and seemed to have made an internal decision.

"I was born to the Lin Clan within the Water Veil Territory. The Lin clan owned a bountiful mine at the border of the Soaring Cloud Sect territory. Ten years ago, our clan was nearly annihilated, and the mine was taken by what they called 'bandits'. However, the Soaring Cloud Sect still took control of the mine soon afterwards which, as you can suspect, meant they likely had something to do with it." She explained.

Yan Zaizen now understood why she was so relieved that the Soaring Cloud Sect was eliminated. Similar to Shin Xuanji, Lin Feilin suffered a similar situation at the hands of the Soaring Cloud Sect. Truly, the cultivation world was cruel and vicious. Without strength or proper backing, it's highly likely your end will come swiftly. As for why the Yan Clan was capable of surviving for nearly a thousand years, that was due to Meteorite City and the Soaring Cloud Sect's support.

Meteorite City was far away from any external enemies and was the local hegemon for hundreds of years with no one capable of usurping their position. They seemed to also have been decisive in eliminating all of their internal enemies thoroughly. Unfortunately, it seems that Shin Xuanji survived. Not to mention, their downfall was caused by the hubris of Yan Jinzen and the Soaring Cloud Sect.

"The cultivation world truly is vicious. A single mistake is all it takes…" He couldn't help but silently whisper to himself.

"A portion of my clan members survived and took shelter under the Water Veil Sect. The females were inducted as older disciples and outer elders, while the males were sent elsewhere. It was how the Lin Family survived. Of my direct family line, only my aunt is alive. As for me, I've been invited as an Inner Disciple of the Water Veil Sect." Lin Feilin's life story wasn't overly complicated and aligned with the truth that was the cruelty of cultivation - the strong prevailed.

She was fortunate enough to survive and become an inner court disciple of the Water Veil Sect despite her age. To most, this would be a blessing. However, when she said it, it didn't feel like one.

"Is that it?" Yan Zaizen asked, feeling as if an important piece of her story was missing. For example, why she was outside of the Water Veil Sect with her aunt despite being an Inner Disciple. Shouldn't she try to cultivate her best for revenge against the Soaring Cloud Sect?

Lin Feilin eyes turned icy-cold and her expression gradually turned indifferent. "I agreed to an engagement with another."

What?!

Yan Zaizen couldn't help but feel inwardly shocked and also a little saddened at this. For some odd inexplicable reason, he felt a little frustrated. However, this frustration was fleeting and unstable as if it was barely there.

"Six months ago, I agreed to marry a man by the name of Khan Saiyu. He's the direct descendant of a Grand Elder in the Earthly Titan Sect. The reason…" She looked as if she wanted to continue, but now she felt a little lost. The reason was obvious: Revenge for Han Genji and the Lin Clan.

However, now what?

Everything has already been cleared up before she even knew what to do. However, the marriage was set for a month from now. Her leaving the sect's grounds was so that she could clear her thoughts and ready herself mentally for the sacrifice. But was there a reason to do so anymore?

Shockingly, when Yan Zaizen heard her and knew of the implications, he couldn't help but chuckle loudly. It drew the attention of Tao, Bai Lufeng, and Lin Qinlin. He loudly asked, his voice filled with tyrannical ferocity, "Do you want to get married to this man?!"

Despite being shocked, as if instinctively, she shook her head softly. When Lin Qinlin saw this, her expression instantly turned somber. Her refusal after her previous acceptance could have severe repercussions for the entire Lin Family within the Water Veil Sect. Their status wasn't high, their strength wasn't great, and the Earthly Titan Sect and Water Veil Sect had a deep connection that no one knew until their alliance.

However, how could Yan Zaizen care even if he knew any of this?

"Then fine!" He thundered, "As your Ninth Brother, how could I let you marry unwillingly? If you say yes, then heavens better not say no. If you say no, I dare anyone in this entire country to say otherwise!" His voice was filled with rambunctious laughter. His expression reverted back to his previously practiced heroic expression, but this time, with his handsome features and tall stature, he truly looked like a hero described in books.

"Let's annul this engagement! Are you willing?" He turned towards Lin Feilin and reached out his hand to her. His eyes filled with unyielding confidence and warmth. For some inexplicable reason, she felt that as long as she grabbed his hand, the world itself would have to make way. It filled her with confidence. She looked at Lin Qinlin's dark expression filled with shock and surprise, and couldn't help but nod inwardly.

She grabbed his hand with gusto.

"Haha! I am!" Her icy-cold voice and indifferent expression melted away, filled with an infectiously mesmerizing smile and warm happiness.