Chapter 3040: Sorrow

Jian Chen left the miniature world and reappeared in a region of outer space close to the Ice Pole Plane. He did not use his original appearance. Instead, he used an unfamiliar face through the disguise of the mask. Then he concealed his presence and carefully covered up his tracks. Only then did he fly towards the Ice Pole Plane.

No one sensed his return, as the Ice Goddess had personally created the miniature world back then. As a result, it was completely traceless when the gate to the miniature world opened. It gave off no energy and did not create any ripples in space.

Jian Chen successfully entered the Ice Pole Plane. He clearly had many matters on his mind, so after reaching the Ice Pole Plane, he did not travel with the Laws of Space like usual. Instead, he flew through the air, travelling towards the Heavenly Crane clan at a very ordinary speed. He seemed to be in a daze.

Jian Chen flew for several days in total before finally reaching the Heavenly Crane clan. Soon afterwards, he redisguised himself as He Qianchi and swaggered into the clan.

“It’s great elder He Qianchi. Great elder, you’ve returned.”

Immediately, the quiet Heavenly Crane clan became noisy. The descendants all greeted him, and some Infinite Prime elders even walked over from the distance, bowing politely towards He Qianchi with excitement in their eyes.

As a matter of fact, many of the elders even looked at He Qianchi with undisguised fervency and admiration.

Apart from these regular elders, a few Chaotic Prime great elders emerged from the depths of the Heavenly Crane clan too. As they greeted He Qianchi in a friendly manner, their eyes were also filled with obscured doubt and curiosity.

News of the disturbance in the Snow sect from a few days ago had spread across the entire Ice Pole Plane a long time ago. The weaker descendants might have still been clueless, but the lofty great elders knew quite a bit about the inner details, particularly with the Heavenly Crane clan. These great elders who possessed a very great understanding of He Qianchi had guessed long ago that the He Qianchi standing before them right now was not the person that they knew. Instead, someone was impersonating him.

However, ancestor Lan had clearly given her support and permission for this to happen, so even when the great elders knew that the He Qianchi before them was not the actual He Qianchi, they dared not give him away.

Disguised as He Qianchi, Jian Chen said nothing at all. He brushed past everyone and headed straight for the depths of the Heavenly Crane clan.

Soon after Jian Chen’s return, in the greatest sect of the Ice Pole Plane, the Snow sect.

“What did you say? He Qianchi of the Heavenly Crane clan has returned? Is that true?” The Profound Sky Ancestor of the Snow sect heard the reports from below and immediately became solemn. “The Icecloud Founding Ancestor has issued strict orders to contact her immediately the moment He Qianchi returns.”

The Profound Sky Ancestor dared not waste another moment. He immediately stood up and left, delivering the news of He Qianchi’s return to the Icecloud Founding Ancestor as quickly as he could.

At the same time, the three ancestors of the Chillwind sect learned about He Qianchi’s return too. They all became stern.

“Since He Qianchi has emerged from the miniature world, then the miniature world must have opened up. Did the two of you sense anything?” Ancestor Qi Feng glanced at the two other Grand Primes of the Chillwind sect solemnly.

“I sensed nothing at all. The miniature world is too well hidden. It’s completely isolated from the outside world. No matter what we try, it’s useless.” The two other ancestors shook their heads in disappointment.

Hearing that, ancestor Qi Feng sighed gently. “It’s a miniature world the Ice Goddess created after all. Our cultivations are still a little too distant from the Ice Goddess’s realm after all. So be it. I’ll pay a visit to the Heavenly Crane clan in person and ask about the Snow Goddess’s situation.”

……

…

In the Heavenly Crane clan, on the Soaring Snow peak and in the same alchemy room, ancestor Lan stood with her back towards Jian Chen, facing the cauldron as if she was completely absorbed by it.

Jian Chen stood behind ancestor Lan like normal. His spirits were low. He directly stated his request for learning alchemy.

This had been one of his conditions in exchange for the Soil of Divine Blood he had given to the Heavenly Crane clan. Ancestor Lan had no reason to turn him down.

“You’re in low spirits right now, and your emotions are unstable. It forms a very great influence on your mental state, which isn’t suitable for comprehending the Way of Alchemy. You better adjust your condition first. You can come here and comprehend the Way of Alchemy once you’re in prime condition again!” Ancestor Lan’s voice rang out. It was light and pleasant, as beautiful as a heavenly melody.

Jian Chen clasped his fist and was about to leave when ancestor Lan’s voice rang out again, “Hold on for now. The Icecloud Founding Ancestor of the Snow sect and ancestor Qi Feng of the Chillwind sect have come to visit. They probably want to ask you about the Snow Goddess’s condition.”

Before long, the Heavenly Crane clan’s gates swung open. They welcomed the Icecloud Founding Ancestor and ancestor Qi Feng with the ceremony of highest regard. Ancestor Lan temporarily left the alchemy room too, personally receiving the Icecloud Founding Ancestor and ancestor Qi Feng on the Soaring Snow peak.

They both had cultivations at the Sixth Heavenly Layer. Only ancestor Lan could stand on equal footing with the Icecloud Founding Ancestor and ancestor Qi Feng in the Heavenly Crane clan.

The Icecloud Founding Ancestor and ancestor Qi Feng had both come for news regarding the Snow Goddess, so they cut right to the chase as soon as they arrived here. They asked Jian Chen about any news regarding the Snow Goddess in a concerned manner as if they could only hope the Snow Goddess would return sooner.

Jian Chen adjusted himself mentally and clasped his fist towards the Icecloud Founding Ancestor and ancestor Qi Feng. “Seniors, please don’t worry. The esteemed Snow Goddess is currently in the process of recovery. I’m certain she’ll formally return before long.”

The news immediately left the Icecloud Founding Ancestor and ancestor Qi Feng overjoyed. They both left the Heavenly Crane clan excitedly and with anticipation.

However, the Icecloud Founding Ancestor’s excitement and anticipation originated from the bottom of her heart, while ancestor Qi Feng’s entire face sank the moment he left the Heavenly Crane clan.

Before long, Jian Chen left the Heavenly Crane clan too. He did not continue using He Qianchi’s appearance as a disguise. Instead, he disguised himself as a Godking and wandered aimlessly through the Ice Pole Plane. He was in very low spirits.

His elder sister, Changyang Mingyue, had recovered the memories that originated from the Snow Goddess. She would now possess the natural coldness of the Snow Goddess. He knew it was possible that his elder sister would no longer be the figure in his memories anymore the next time he saw her.

Compared to the lengthy age of the Snow Goddess, his sister’s memories only lasted for a few mere centuries, which was far too insignificant. It was a drop in the bucket. She would definitely be dominated by the Snow Goddess’ memories.

Meanwhile, it had already become unavoidable for Jian Chen to stand on the opposing side of the Ice Goddess Hall given his identity. He really had no idea what kind of situation would happen the next time he saw his sister.

It was just that when he thought of the possibility that one day, he might actually clash with his elder sister, he could not help himself as his heart throbbed painfully.

Jian Chen wandered aimlessly through the remote tundra, just like a lost soul. A flask of alcohol had already appeared in his hand before he knew it. He drank and walked at the same time, staggering and reeling around like he was drunk.

At his cultivation realm, it was basically impossible to become intoxicated.

The alcohol did not make him drunk. He made himself drunk. He willingly submerged himself in this muddled state.

It was possible that he had lost the elder sister in his memories forever, the family member who had spoilt him since young.

Jian Chen staggered around, crossing through treacherous tundras upon tundras and climbing over mountains upon mountains that reached into the clouds. In the end, after walking for who knew how long, a bustling city suddenly appeared up ahead.

Jian Chen held the flask and drank as he walked, reeking of alcohol. He made all of the passers-by frown and avoid him from afar. He made his way directly into the city.

The moment he entered the city, he immediately sensed a familiar presence.

Without any hesitation, Jian Chen followed the presence and arrived in the very centre of the city in the end, in an inn that was beautifully decorated.

A ruddy old man currently sat by a window, drinking alone by himself. His sombre eyes stared at the bustling people with a deep sense of loneliness.

He was the past great elder of the Moon God Hall, Yun Wufeng.