The Wind Sword Sect ultimately could not refuse the wandering spirit wind extract.
To celebrate Li Dixian's enlightenment of the sword, Feng Bailong waved his large sleeve, declaring that all lessons for the entire sect were canceled for the day, and a grand banquet would be held.
For a time, the Wind Sword Sect was filled with joy.
Disciples bustled about, the shouts of those carrying wine and the cries of slaughtered pigs and sheep intertwined into a clamor.
During the banquet, cups clinked and were exchanged repeatedly.
Even Feng Bailong, with his streaked white hair tied up, clinked glasses with Li Dixian several times.
Qian Renxue sat quietly to the side.
She had also drunk a few cups, her beautiful face flushed with a captivating red, stunningly beautiful.
Her pair of azure eyes, slightly hazy, gazed at Li Dixian, who was freely drinking with the Wind Sword Sect disciples and elders.
It seemed… as long as she was by Li Dixian's side, this vibrant tapestry of the martial world would never cease.
Whether it was the Royal Fight Team, or Feng Xiaotian, Huo Wu, and others… Li Dixian could always easily integrate and make close friends.
"I really wish to continue living so carefree with you…"
With this thought, the smile on Qian Renxue's lips slowly faded.
Thinking of the approaching ten-day deadline, an indescribable sadness crept onto her exquisite face.
The revelry of the banquet only ceased at dusk.
The next day at noon, Li Dixian and Qian Renxue bid farewell.
In front of the Wind Sword Sect mountain gate, Feng Bailong, Feng Buyu, Feng Xiao, and a host of elders and disciples came to see them off.
"Little Friend Dixian, you are welcome to visit the Wind Sword Sect anytime to drink and discuss swords with me."
Feng Bailong's weathered face held a sincere smile.
Li Dixian cupped his hands and smiled, "This junior also looks forward to the Douluo Continent gaining another Wind Sword Douluo."
These words hit Feng Bailong's sweet spot.
He couldn't help but laugh heartily, then his expression turned serious, and he solemnly said, "Little Friend Dixian will always be a friend of the Wind Sword Sect."
"If you ever need anything in the future, just let us know. The entire Wind Sword Sect will not hesitate."
"Don't worry, Senior. If I truly encounter difficulties, I will not be polite."
Feng Buyu stepped forward and gave Li Dixian a firm bear hug.
"Brother Zhe Xian, I will diligently listen to the wind and comprehend the sword in the sect!"
"Once I achieve something, I will definitely come to the Heaven Dou Empire to find you!"
"By then, you must treat your brother well!"
Li Dixian smiled and punched Feng Buyu in the chest.
"That's for sure!"
After bidding farewell to the Wind Sword Sect, Li Dixian and Qian Renxue rode their horses on their way back.
As if by unspoken agreement, they both slowed their horses, as if wanting to subtly prolong their journey.
"Li Dixian…"
Qian Renxue turned her head to look at Li Dixian beside her.
Half a day had passed since they left the Wind Sword Sect, yet he had remained silent.
She softly asked, "Are you reluctant to leave your friends at the Wind Sword Sect?"
Li Dixian paused slightly, then smiled and said, "These two days at the Wind Sword Sect were indeed carefree and enjoyable."
"Senior Feng Bailong is magnanimous, and Feng Buyu is also a friend worth getting to know deeply."
"However…"
Li Dixian's gaze fell upon the surging muddy yellow river beside the official road.
He took out the clear spring wine pot, which had been infused with the wandering spirit wind extract, and took a swig.
"Please, sir, ask the eastward flowing water, whose parting sorrow is longer, yours or its?"
Between Li Dixian's handsome brows and eyes, the earlier hint of parting sorrow had been swept away, leaving only the uninhibited joy of a young swordsman plunging into the martial world.
He suddenly shook the reins in his hand: "Heigh!"
The Wind Chasing Colt let out a long neigh, its four hooves kicking up dust as it abruptly accelerated.
"Qian Renxue, keep up!"
Gazing at the unconstrained figure in the white shirt, Qian Renxue's lips curved slightly, and she spurred her horse to chase after him.
About a day later, the two finally left the Star Luo Empire's territory.
This section of the official road was quite remote, with dense, deep woods on both sides, leaving only a winding goat path stretching into the distance.
Tired from their journey, they stopped to rest and have lunch.
By the campfire, Li Dixian skillfully roasted a soft bone rabbit.
Seeing that Heaven Dou City was getting closer and she was about to resume her identity as the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Qian Renxue's thoughts churned, and she suddenly asked softly, "Li Dixian…"
"What do you think of Xue Qinghe as a person?"
When she asked this, her tone seemed casual, but her heartstrings had quietly tightened, and even her breathing became lighter.
She really wanted to know… what kind of person she was in Li Dixian's heart.
Li Dixian's hand, which was turning the roasting stick, paused slightly, then returned to normal, and he said lazily, "Why do you suddenly ask that?"
"Nothing, just idle, so I asked casually."
Qian Renxue clenched her fingers in her sleeve, a hint of undetectable nervousness in her voice.
"I heard…"
"That His Royal Highness the Crown Prince appears gentle on the surface."
"But the deaths of her two imperial brothers seem to be inseparable from her."
"Rumors in the market say she covets the throne, and secretly… she is ruthless and capable of anything."
She stared intently at Li Dixian, not missing any subtle change in his expression.
Clatter—!
Li Dixian suddenly threw the golden, oil-dripping soft bone rabbit by the fire!
This sudden, rough action startled Qian Renxue, and she immediately felt a bit flustered.
"Li Dixian, I…"
"What do you mean, you!"
Li Dixian suddenly looked up, his face showing undisguised anger.
"What's wrong with you, woman?"
"Are you trying to sow discord between me and Qinghe's brotherly affection?!"
Qian Renxue was completely stunned, her beautiful azure eyes blinking in confusion.
This reaction… was completely different from what she had expected.
"I didn't mean that, listen to me explain…" she quickly began.
Li Dixian covered his ears with both hands, shaking his head repeatedly, "I'm not listening! I'm not listening!"
Qian Renxue: "…"
"Do you know how deep my friendship with Qinghe is?"
Li Dixian put down his hands, his expression solemn and righteous.
"How can you alienate us with a few words?!"
"Don't ever bring up such things again!"
Qian Renxue was left speechless by his fierce defense.
She could only lower her gaze, apologizing softly and repeatedly.
At this moment, her heart was a mix of joy and worry.
The joy was that Li Dixian's affection for Xue Qinghe was indeed as strong as gold, unshakeable by outsiders.
The worry was that if this unbreakable brotherly bond were revealed to be between a brother and a woman, it would probably be even harder for him to accept.
"Regardless, this friendship is real…"
Qian Renxue's long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she secretly made up her mind.
"Hmm, when I return and resume my identity as the Crown Prince, I must treat Li Dixian… even better."
With this complex and inexpressible emotion, the two silently finished their lunch and resumed their journey.
The sun gradually began to set.
A deep bluish-black spread from the horizon, enveloping the remote mountain forest and official road.
Li Dixian and Qian Renxue galloped past on their horses.
They did not notice that in the dense shadows of the forest behind them, more than ten figures with powerful auras were rapidly approaching, silently, like night owls locking onto their prey.
The two galloped for another half an hour.
The sun had long since sunk into the western mountains, and the last trace of daylight was completely swallowed.
Thick darkness surged in like a tide, submerging this remote official road flanked by dense forests.
Almost at the same instant… "Whoa—!"
Li Dixian and Qian Renxue abruptly pulled on their reins.
The Wind Chasing Colt let out a long neigh like tearing silk, piercing the dead silent night and echoing far away.
"You sensed it too?"
Li Dixian's sharp gaze swept across the impenetrable darkness around them.
Qian Renxue reined in her horse and looked around, nodding slightly.
In the depths of her azure eyes, the chill was so dense it almost solidified…