Chapter 1081 290: Twin Swords Dance Before the Bone Array, Two Hearts Linked Atop Kunlun

Tears welled up in Xue Li's eyes, her face flushed with rouge washed away by tears, leaving mottled marks. "I have no intention of bearing the responsibility of Sect Leader!" she suddenly lost control, crying as she fell into Shi Feiyang's embrace.

Her fingers tightly clutched his lapel, "I only long to be with you, traveling the ends of the earth together! You once promised to teach me saber techniques and take me to Tianshan Mountain to see the snow lotus..."

Shi Feiyang's whole body was tense, his throat moved, trying hard to suppress his inner anguish.

He gently loosened her fingers one by one, with each separation feeling as if it was tearing his blood vessels: "Do you remember the vow at the Kunlun Snow Cliff? We swore to protect these mountains and rivers."

He placed her trembling palm on his chest, "Listen, what's beating here is our shared heart."

Daoist Cangsong held the Sect Leader seal in his hand, his fingers slightly trembling: "Sect Leader, the time has come..."

Xue Li suddenly straightened her body, although tears still shimmered on her cheeks, she had regained the solemnity of a Kunlun Disciple.

She turned and took the mysterious iron ring, as the cold metal clasped her ring finger at that moment, it seemed she heard the sound of her heart breaking. "Feiyang," her voice seemed to come from a distant shore.

"No need to say more." Shi Feiyang abruptly turned, the cold gleam of the Celestial Frost Blade drawn disturbed the cold crows in the courtyard.

He worried that with another glance, he would abandon this Jianghu and flee with her to the distant horizon.

The mountain wind moved their garments but failed to make their fingertips touch again.

The sound of the Kunlun Bell and Drum echoed in the clouds, the new Sect Leader's name resounding among the mountains.

Xue Li stood on the Sunrise Observation Platform, gazing at Shi Feiyang's gradually receding figure until it merged into the sea of clouds.

The Kunlun Seal Pattern on the mysterious iron ring hurt her palm, but this pain was not a tenth of the ache in her heart.

She finally understood that some love, only when placed between heaven and earth, can achieve eternity.

The setting sun stained the Kunlun Mountain Range with a melancholy rouge color, Shi Feiyang dragged his weary body, slowly walking down the mountain path covered with shattered ice.

Frost flowers condensed on his garment, glimmering in the twilight, the Celestial Frost Blade in his hand emitted a cold light, retaining the chill of the battle with the White Bone Sect.

At the end of the mountain path, suddenly came the sound of orderly footsteps, like war drums, shaking the heart. Three thousand Heroic Sakura Association disciples clad in black robes, holding weapons, lined up along the winding mountain path like an indestructible black Great Wall.

"Long Arm Fist" Liao Pei's figure was burly, standing at the forefront of the lineup, eyes full of reverence and excitement: "Grand Squad Leader! The three thousand disciples of the Ningxia Sub-Branch have been waiting eagerly, finally you have returned!"

"Heaven and Earth Saber" Lie Quan slowly drew his blade, its light reflecting the evening glow: "Grand Squad Leader's journey to Kunlun truly showed the Jianghu people what true heroism is, 'One Blade Shatters All Evil,' was said just for you!"

"Iron Palm" Wu Zhong crossed his palms, fierce as the wind: "I heard the Grand Squad Leader used the Bright Jade Technique to destroy the White Bone Sect, we were worried at the foot of the mountain, now seeing you safely return, our hearts can finally be at ease!"

"Mandarin Duck Saber" Xiao Lingling waved her jade hands, her dual blades drawing graceful arcs: "The rumor in Jianghu says the Grand Squad Leader fought side by side with Miss Xue of Kunlun, the scene, just thinking about it makes one's blood boil, seeing you in person today, the rumor doesn't even capture a tenth of your charm!"

"Divine Archer" Miao Menlong drew his bow and aimed an arrow at the sky: "With the Grand Squad Leader, the Heroic Sakura Association is destined to make a great mark in Jianghu!" "Plum Blossom Dart" Shan Zhi opened his dart pouch, cold sparks flashing: "Wherever the Grand Squad Leader points, I'll strike there, through fire and water, I won't refuse!" "Flying Eagle Detective" Xie Wen gently stroked the eagle on his shoulder, his gaze firm: "Grand Squad Leader, just give the order!"

Little Scholar Shi Xiong squeezed through the crowd, tears rimmed his eyes as he fell at Shi Feiyang's feet, his voice choked with sobs: "Master, you've finally returned, I was worried every day, afraid something might happen to you..."

Just then, a crisp horse neigh rang through the sky.

Guo Xiangyu riding a snow-white steed, like a beautiful lightning bolt, came dashing.

She dismounted, her skirt flying, like a begonia blossom in full bloom, carrying fragrance and tenderness, lightly leaping into Shi Feiyang's embrace. She tightly hugged Shi Feiyang, her jade arms seemingly using all her strength, fearing that if she let go, the person before her would disappear.

"Feiyang, do you know what these days have been like for me?" Guo Xiangyu said chokingly, tears continuously sliding down, soaking Shi Feiyang's lapel, "Every moment, I've been thinking of you, worrying about you. At night, dreaming only of you battling enemies on Kunlun Mountain, waking from nightmares often, then unable to sleep again. I'm scared, really scared, afraid you'll get hurt, afraid you..."

She could not continue, just buried her face in Shi Feiyang's chest, sobbing continuously.

Shi Feiyang gently stroked her long hair, feeling the tremble and unease in the person he embraced, his heart full of pain. "Xiangyu, don't cry, haven't I returned safely?"

Guo Xiangyu lifted her head, her tear-stained face full of deep emotions and affection: "Feiyang, promise me, whatever danger you encounter, think of me first, think of me waiting for you. I don't want any Jianghu dominance, no Martial Arts supremacy, I just want you safe, just want you always by my side."

She stood on her tiptoes, pressing her face against Shi Feiyang's, softly saying: "You are my everything, my life, without you, everything in this world loses its meaning to me. Wherever you go, I'll follow, life or death, I want to be with you." Shi Feiyang looked into Guo Xiangyu's eyes filled with deep love, a warm current surged within him.

He tightly held Guo Xiangyu's hand, his gaze resolutely sweeping over the three thousand disciples before him, loudly declaring: "Brothers and sisters! Although victorious in the Kunlun battle, the threat still remains. The White Bone Sect defeated, but Bozhou's unrest is not quelled, thousands of people still suffer. From the establishment of the Heroic Sakura Association, it was with the aim 'for the nation and the people' in mind. Today, I swear here: until Yang Yinglong's rebel army is eradicated, until treachery is purged, I will not return to Jiangnan!"

He raised the Celestial Frost Blade, its edge pointing to the sky: "Raising Heroic Sakura not for Jianghu dominance, but to protect this land and all the lives within it! From today, we are sworn in blood allegiance, united, let Jianghu again see the clear sky! And Xiangyu, rest assured, I will live well, not only for the great cause of Jianghu, but always to protect you."

Guo Xiangyu nestled beside Shi Feiyang, her eyes full of admiration and love: "Feiyang, I knew all along, you are the most upright and valiant hero in this world. No matter how many challenges lie ahead, I will always be with you, your strongest support."

The three thousand disciples responded in unison, shouting: "Grand Squad Leader mighty! Grand Squad Leader mighty! Heroic Sakura rises high, invincible across the land, safeguarding lives for eternity!" The cry was earth-shaking, startling birds that circled in the blood-colored sky, cheering for this ambition and deep love.

Shi Feiyang drew the Celestial Frost Blade, raised his saber, and shouted: "Set out! Destination Bozhou!"

The three thousand disciples turned their horses' heads, galloping away in a cloud of dust.

Shi Feiyang held Guo Xiangyu as he mounted, riding together, happily nestled, heading together to Bozhou to quell the rebellion.