Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 285

Volume 3 - Chapter 34: The Return! - Part 2

A soft, water-like sensation brushed past his body, and in the next moment, the scenery before him completely transformed.

Divine radiance filled the skies, and a towering sacred mountain floated majestically in the distance. Surrounding it were scattered, seemingly suspended islands, each crowned with magnificent palaces. The sight was truly like a paradise on earth!

Li Hao was stunned. A floating sacred mountain and hovering islands—how could such a thing be possible?

Ahead, Ji Yunge’s figure beckoned him, saying, “Hurry.”

Not daring to delay, Li Hao quickly followed.

Before the sacred mountain was a staircase that stretched for dozens of miles, resembling the long, white spine of a dragon. It led to the edge of the Ji Clan’s domain, which he had just crossed.

At the end of this staircase stood a grand Dragon Gate, carved from mysterious stone and entwined with dozens of dragon sculptures. It was as if countless dragon corpses had been fused to create the gate, radiating an overwhelming aura of majesty and awe.

Before this Dragon Gate, a group of young guards clad in unique attire stood vigil, their chests adorned with the ancient black character: Ji.

When they saw Li Hao and Ji Yunge flying down the stairs, these Ji Clan gatekeepers froze in shock.

To pass through the mountain gate so effortlessly clearly marked them as members of the Ji Clan, yet both Ji Yunge and Li Hao were unfamiliar to them.

“Y-you are Elder Yunge?!”

Suddenly, one of the older guards recognized Ji Yunge and couldn’t contain his excitement.

“It’s me,” Ji Yunge replied with a faint smile.

In the past, he would have paid no attention to these juniors, dismissing them without a word. But now, as he returned to this place, every stream and mountain felt nostalgic and precious.

After all, he wouldn’t have the chance to see them for much longer.

“Greetings, Elder Yunge!”

The other guards also recognized him and hurriedly bowed in respect.

Turning to Li Hao, Ji Yunge said, “Your identity is unique. Wait here for now. I’ll speak with my old brothers.”

“Understood,” Li Hao responded. Then, after casting Ji Yunge a deep look, he bowed slightly and said, “Safe travels, Senior.”

Ji Yunge’s gaze softened. He knew exactly what Li Hao meant by those words.

It was both a farewell and a final goodbye.

With a warm smile, Ji Yunge said, “Child, it’s a pity I won’t have the time to witness you becoming a Ji Clan prodigy. But this is enough. By bringing you back, you will surely make the Ji Clan renowned across the Great Wilderness once more and command respect among the ancient sacred clans!”

He chuckled lightly, placed a hand on Li Hao’s shoulder, and gave him a fatherly pat.

Then, without lingering further, Ji Yunge’s body transformed into a streak of green light, darting past the Dragon Gate and ascending the seemingly endless staircase into the heavens.

For decades, he had been trapped in the River of Death, his mind consumed by obsession. Every day, he had built a mountain in his heart—an unattainable sacred mountain.

Yet, it wasn’t until he met Li Hao that this illusory mountain was shattered, allowing him to leave the River of Death and stand before the real sacred mountain of his clan.

“Tianchao! Your third brother has returned!”

“Old Fourth, Old Sixth, are you still here?!”

“I, Ji Yunge, have returned!!”

The green light surged skyward as Ji Yunge’s voice echoed across the entirety of the Ji Clan’s sacred mountain.

Countless figures within the mountain looked up in astonishment. At first, they were confused as to who dared to speak so boldly. But upon hearing the name “Ji Yunge,” shock rippled through them.

One of the Ji Clan’s three great war gods had actually returned?!

“Third Brother?!”

“Is it really Third Brother?!”

After a brief pause, several figures burst forth from the most grand and majestic palaces atop the mountain, shouting excitedly.

When they saw the faint spiritual projection of Ji Yunge in midair, their pupils contracted, and their faces filled with a mixture of elation and sorrow. They rushed forward at once.

“Third Brother!!”

“Third Brother, why did it take you so long to return? We searched everywhere for you but couldn’t find a trace...”

The three figures surrounded Ji Yunge. Upon seeing his faint spiritual projection, their eyes filled with grief.

Years ago, when Ji Yunge had fallen in battle, the clan had already held a funeral for him, burying what fragmented remains they had recovered.

Yet, despite all efforts, they couldn’t find Ji Yunge’s spirit to return it to the ancestral shrine. Finally, they could see him again!

“Caught in the River of Death... Bad luck, really...”

Ji Yunge smiled as he offered a brief explanation. He knew that even without it, his brothers would have guessed the truth.

Aside from being trapped in the River of Death, the only other explanation would have been annihilation at the hands of another ancient sacred clan.

But he wasn’t that weak.

As Ji Yunge’s voice echoed across the mountain, more and more Ji Clan experts appeared, rushing toward him.

Upon seeing his spirit, they were overcome with joy, some even weeping uncontrollably.

“Xiaomu...”

“My dear...”

Ji Yunge’s gaze fell upon the crowd, singling out a figure that rushed toward him with trembling excitement—his wife.

Though they had been married for many years, he still called her by her nickname. Both now bore streaks of white in their hair, but to him, she would always be the Xiaomu who had fought by his side half a lifetime ago.

Beside her, several voices called out excitedly, “Father!”

“Grandfather...”

A delicate voice came from a young girl radiating an aura of the Heaven-and-Man Realm. Her clear eyes were filled with both nervousness and curiosity as she stood close to her mother.

Her mother, Ji Yunge’s daughter-in-law, appeared somewhat reserved. She quietly urged her child to greet him while standing nearby, her face aglow with joy and excitement.

“This is my granddaughter?”

Seeing the girl, Ji Yunge’s eyes widened slightly, as if he were looking at a younger version of Ji Qingqing and the others as children.

“Yes, Father. This is your granddaughter, Ji Nian’ge,” said a tall, broad-shouldered man beside him, his voice filled with emotion.

Ji Yunge paused. Ji Nian’ge... a song of remembrance.

His heart stirred slightly as he patted his son’s shoulder, his voice trembling. “You’ve all endured so much.”

“Father, it’s no trouble at all. We’re just glad you’ve returned.”

The burly man quickly added, “Let me take you to the ancestral shrine. Staying here will drain your spirit.”

“Yes, yes! Make way and let Third Brother head to the shrine,” urged several powerful elders who had arrived earlier.

The elderly woman clinging to Ji Yunge’s chest, her tears staining his robes, wiped her reddened eyes and said, “The children have waited so long for you. It’s good that you’ve returned... It’s good that you’re home...”

Ji Yunge initially wanted to say there was no need to go to the shrine, as his body would dissipate soon regardless. Even the shrine couldn’t delay the inevitable.

But seeing their overwhelming emotions, he decided to let things calm down before explaining.

Besides, having returned, he should pay his respects to the ancestors.

Surrounded by his family and clan members, Ji Yunge proceeded toward the Ji Clan’s ancestral shrine.

...

“Who would have thought Elder Yunge could return? Truly, the heavens have blessed the Ji Clan!”

A large procession accompanied Ji Yunge. His direct descendants were particularly emotional, but even those not related by blood couldn’t hide their delight.

Before they reached the shrine, a figure suddenly rushed toward them, shouting excitedly, “Third Brother!”

“Tianchao!”

Seeing the newcomer, Ji Yunge’s eyes grew moist as he called out with heartfelt emotion.

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