Cao Yun spent some time with Hongyu. Strangely enough, even though he had told her his entire story and all of his thoughts and doubts, he felt as if none of those events had happened. He was at peace. Maybe it was because he had finally been able to tell everything he had on his mind. Of course, Dian Mo was also hearing it all, but he didn't intervene at all. Cao Yun's connection with Hongyu was different. In his mind, she truly was his family. In a sense, she might even be his blood since she had received the intent of the Drop of Wrath. They both felt extremely close, so Cao Yun could talk to her in a way he couldn't even with Feng Yingyue.
Riding on her fiery back, Cao Yun was enjoying the flames that would kill any mortal. Hongyu was clearly much stronger. As such, she could also fly with incredible speed. Most likely, Cao Yun might be able to match her speed, just barely, but he wasn't sure he could match her stamina. Being on her back felt incredibly good. Clearly, Hongyu was trying to take Cao Yun's mind off his problems. They were in their own world for a time. But, to be fair, she was also trying to show off.
All the demonic beasts around Baziyun City, and throughout the entire Wu province, were subservient to Hongyu. From a Heaven-Searing Fenghuang, she had become an 8-core demonic beast, an Infernal Nirvana Fenghuang. Just by flying over the land, she could turn it into dust and annihilate all life if she wanted to. There wasn't any demonic beast powerful enough in the entire Hongchen Kingdom to face her at the moment. In fact, apart from the Divine Blood Ocean, there was probably no demonic beast that could rival her power. Moreover, she could exceed the speed of sound several times. Without the array formations and the strange disturbances of space around the Piaolu planet, Hongyu could have probably circled the entire planet in less than a day, maybe even less than half a day. In other words, even powerful demonic beasts might be beaten by her since they would have a hard time grabbing her.
Anyway, Cao Yun enjoyed his time as much as he could. He completely forgot about cultivation and everything else. Ironically, his understanding of the Dao of Fire was slowly improving just by being bathed in Hongyu's flames. He could feel the seed of the Solar-Orchid Flame in his Lower Dantian. However, he didn't try to practice Fire Silk at all, it was just purely passive.
At last, they both came back to the ground and made their way into Baziyun City. Hongyu was known to all. Seeing someone riding on her back caused much surprise. The Huang family was powerful beyond comprehension in Baziyun City. Ever since Cao Yun had visited, their influence, wealth, and power had all risen to new heights. Unfortunately, the war had helped a lot in that regard.
Hongyu didn't make her way toward the Huang residence, though. Indeed, Cao Yun wanted to see someone else before that. He had made sure to know that he was alive and well. The very first person in Baziyun City he wanted to see was his uncle, Fang Shaolong. At this very moment, Fang Shaolong was his last living relative. It was obvious that Fang Shaolong would have heard about Cao Huiying, but Cao Yun still needed to go to him in person.
Full of shame, Cao Yun stepped down from Hongyu and asked her to wait for him as he approached the Fang residence. Beforehand, the young man had checked on Fang Shaolong's situation, in particular his wife. Although she was still weak, she was still alive. Her main problem was that she was a mortal, and it was far too late for her to pick up cultivation. In other words, her lifespan was simply running out. In medical or alchemical terms, her prenatal Jing was running out. It wasn't something that could easily be repaired or healed.
Cao Yun kowtowed before the Fang residence. He followed all the protocols. As his head was still on the ground, Fang Shaolong came out in a hurry and knelt down. The middle-aged man grabbed Cao Yun and helped him up. Without even thinking, he hugged his nephew right in front of his residence.
"Dear nephew, don't. Please."
"This unfilial one has failed you, uncle. This unworthy son has failed his parents, his brother, his blood."
"No, don't... You haven't failed anyone... This kingdom failed you, it failed us all. Please, come inside. Please."
For several minutes, Cao Yun completely broke down. All of his cultivation seemed to disappear, and he was just a young man in the arms of his warm uncle. Fang Shaolong easily led Cao Yun inside. With his constitution, Cao Yun's muscles were powerful enough to obliterate a small mountain. Yet, Fang Shaolong didn't need to use any strength at all to move him forcibly. Hongyu didn't move either, she was just watching from a distance.
Fang Shaolong led Cao Yun to his residence. Because there was no servant, the uncle served tea to his nephew himself. For quite some time, they couldn't really speak. In the end, Fang Shaolong was the first one to talk. He asked Cao Yun how it had happened. He asked him many things about Cao Huiying. Then, he asked how Cao Yun was doing. For hours, Fang Shaolong worried about Cao Yun's health. Thankfully, Cao Yun was well, and Fang Shaolong could see a fierce determination in his eyes. Finally, he had to ask.
"What about Emperor Weide?"
"I... I wanted to kill him, to make him pay. I still want this with all my heart. But I can't. Without him, I'm not sure we can win against the Empyrean Asura. We need him. That being said, I swear to you that I will kill him when he's outlived his usefulness. He will pay with his life for all his crimes. There is no alternative. Even though he knows it, there is no doubt in my mind that he will help until the very end."
Fang Shaolong didn't answer right away. Behind Cao Yun's words, he could discern the truth. Emperor Weide would never be exposed for his crimes. He would remain an honorable emperor. This was difficult to swallow, but Fang Shaolong could understand. Sadly, he could. After all, he didn't want the Hongchen Kingdom to be eradicated.
The atmosphere obviously became a bit gloomy, if it wasn't already the case. Knowing that he had other matters to attend to, Cao Yun decided to take his leave. From his spatial ring, he took out a small box with several pills in it.
"I got those pills from the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute. The red ones are Pulsating Dragon Tendon pills, they'll help you in your cultivation. On the other hand, the green ones are Sweet Twilight Nectar pills. They should be able to restore some vitality to your wife. They won't prolong her life by much, but she'll have more vitality and strength. My estimate would be that she could gain five to ten years of life. Considering her cultivation, pills on the Piaolu planet won't be able to do much more. Stronger pills would probably injure or even kill her. I'm sorry."
Fang Shaolong was shocked by his nephew's words. The renown of the Golden Flowery Fragrance Institute was incredible. The former Hall Master of Baziyun City's Major Hall obviously realized how incredible those pills were. Just by looking at them, he could tell that they were high-tier Heaven pills that had reached the Pure state. In fact, two of the pills in the box were clearly True Essence pills.
"Uncle, I'd like to go to our family's tomb later..."
"I'll come with you. Thank you."
Fang Shaolong had barely left his residence for months, if not years. Indeed, he was taking care of his wife. But it was possible that his wife would finally be strong enough to leave the residence herself. If she could, Fang Shaolong would not keep her trapped inside. Although she had her garden, this wasn't the same thing as walking outside and through the city. Fang Shaolong suppressed some tears as he could already imagine his wife back on her feet. For two months, she had been unable to leave her room. Even sitting up straight had been difficult.
After Cao Yun's departure, Fang Shaolong gave his wife a Sweet Twilight Nectar pill. In a matter of hours, her eyes shone with more light. She was able to stand up and walk. Of course, she couldn't run or do anything exceptional. But Fang Shaolong and his wife were still amazed by those results. Even if they didn't have much more time together, they could enjoy those moments to the fullest.
Within Cao Yun's mind, it gave him even more incentive to survive. He had to protect the last moments of his uncle with his wife. Then, he had to be there for his uncle. Within a decade or two, his wife was going to pass, unfortunately. There was little anyone could do. Cao Yun had to survive to be able to be at his uncle's side when that happened. This gave him more reasons to survive and to win this war. Empyrean Asura had to be taken care of, and so did Demon God Da Mo.
Dian Mo had been observing Cao Yun for quite some time without saying anything. Thankfully, he could tell that his friend was recovering. The death of his sister would never disappear from his mind, but he was able to live and enjoy life. He had many more reasons to live. Cao Yun wasn't just going through the motions. Although his family had died, he had sworn brothers, a sworn sister, a Dao companion, an almost blood sister, a loving uncle, friends, teachers, and masters. Dian Mo felt better seeing that Cao Yun was doing well.
-
With Hongyu, Cao Yun went to the Huang residence. He was immediately greeted by a beautiful young woman. Although she appeared to be only twenty, she was likely more than two hundred years old. Indeed, she was a late Spirit Warrior, almost on par with Huang Liyue.
"Young Sect Master, Mistress Huang Liyue apologizes for not being able to receive Young Sect Master in person. Matriarch Huang Cixi and Mistress Huang Liyue are busy with Venerable Emperor Weide. If there is anything Young Sect Master needs or wants, Young Sect Master can ask this humble servant."
With his senses, Cao Yun could tell that she was a 7th-grade Spirit Warrior, very close to breaking through into the 8th-grade Spirit Warrior stage. After all, he could somewhat perceive her soul and Soul Embryo. In fact, he could sense that they were harmonized but not perfectly yet, so she was very close to her goal. This was very impressive. Of course, Cao Yun was less than half her age and had already exceeded her cultivation. But, to be fair, he had obtained major help. Even if that woman was from the Huang family, she hadn't been helped as much as Cao Yun. However, she hadn't suffered as much as he had either.
"Thank you. I wish to meet with Matriarch Huang Yufeng. I imagine that she's expecting me."
"Indeed, Young Sect Master. Matriarch Huang is ready to receive Young Sect Master at any moment he so desires."
"Lead the way."
She bowed slightly and simply led Cao Yun to Matriarch Huang's chambers. Of course, Cao Yun had to leave Hongyu behind. Although she could enter the residence, her body was much too large to be able to enter even Matriarch Huang's chambers. Anyway, she wanted to go see Elder Ying. In Hongyu's eyes, he was like an uncle, not as close as a father, but still very close to that.
The young woman left Cao Yun to enter Matriarch Huang's chambers alone. As he stepped inside, Cao Yun felt several array formations. These chambers were completely isolated. Besides, they were full of Fire Qi. Matriarch Huang was cultivating her blood at the moment. It was clear that she was still preparing for her breakthrough, for her Greater Tribulation. Apparently, she had reached the highest level of the 'Nine Chambers of Life Fire' method. Indeed, she had developed nine True Fiery Drops. With his Solar-Orchid Flame, Cao Yun could feel that Matriarch Huang's control over fire was incredible.
Seeing her in such a deep meditative state, Cao Yun didn't want to disturb her. However, she spoke first.
"Cao Yun, what happened to you and your family is a tragedy. As a mother who lost a child, I can imagine only a fraction of what you're going through. However, I can tell you that you made the right choice. Yong Weichen deserves death, but his death at this moment would only put all of mankind in grave danger. As a member of mankind, I want to thank you for this decision. I also want to thank you for all the risks you took and are going to take for us all. My Huang family will always support you. We've failed to protect the Cao family, even recently. So we'll do everything we can to help you. Of course, your uncle will receive everything he needs."
"Thank you, Matriarch. However, you must know that the fight against Empyrean Asura is a fight against Demon God Da Mo himself. Even if his soul is weakened and his body's cultivation still suppressed by the Forsaken Dao Era, this won't be an easy fight. I will need your direct help, Matriarch. As such, I have come bearing a precious gift."
From his spatial ring, Cao Yun took a precious box and opened it. Immediately, Matriarch Huang could tell what it was. The box contained a Nine-Souls Calamity Ascension Pill. At the moment, it was the only pill that could potentially help someone break through into the Sage realm.
"But, the Forsaken Dao Era..."
"Yes, even this pill won't be able to pierce through this curse. Now that I'm an Exalted Demon, I can feel something all around us. It is as if the Dao itself is being hidden from us. Even this pill won't help. That being said, I can help. I will support you during your breakthrough. We only have three Nine-Souls Calamity Ascension Pills left. I offer this one to you in the hope that you will fight by our side against Demon God Da Mo."