When Yu Sui was directly beneath the rift of the Black Heaven, he looked down one last time at Mo Yan lying below. His heart and soul were also unwilling to leave Mo Yan, for his heart beat within Mo Yan.

  Mo Yan was his half-soul; he was the support of his life, his dawn, his night. And he was certain that Mo Yan felt exactly the same for him. His eyes were filled with immeasurable love and endless pain; the tears flowing from his eyes revealed his agony. He looked down at Mo Yan and spoke softly, a farewell, a final parting, while hovering in the air... his voice trembling, barely audible:

  "If my leaving grants you a place in this world... then this is right for me! Mo Yan."

  He slowly turned and looked up at the darkness where even light hesitated before entering. And then, finally, he vanished into that rift, disappearing forever and ever.

  The moment he entered the Black Heaven, the rift closed, like a wound forcibly sealed. And once again, only the black, stormy clouds remained.

  Mo Yan sat immobile on his knees, leaning on his sword, but the moment Yu Sui vanished from his sight, his heart collapsed like his body. He fell to the ground, utterly broken.

  He had never imagined that the person he guarded like a treasure right before his eyes the person whose heart would stop if he was out of sight for even a moment that person was now completely gone from him. This was beyond endurance. The injuries on his body did not pain him as much as the agony of Yu Sui's departure. Finally, he lost his will and fainted.

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  Eight Years Later...

  The Ming Jing Men Sect

  A cool breeze was blowing. The trees swayed playfully in the currents of air. People were bustling about in every corner and street. Merchants walked through the markets with their horses, and shopkeepers at the stalls shouted while selling their goods.

  The prosperous market of the Ming Jing Men Sect was vibrant with crowds and activity. But while the market appeared enchanting with its hustle and bustle, there was a deep silence, a restful calm, an uneasy stillness in one corner, in one place.

  The Taochang Academy was thriving, bustling with new disciples. Disciples dressed in purple robes stood gathered everywhere in the Taochang Academy. Taochang was the first and most sacred academy of the Ming Jing Men Sect, featuring beautiful, clean fish ponds and apple trees that were recently blooming with flowers.

  Today was the first day for all the new disciples who had come here to receive ancient knowledge.

  Inside the main hall, Master Rong Ke Chang stood. Facing the crowd of students, Master Shen Jichuan was outlining the rules of the Taochang Academy.

  But just then, a student rushed in through the main door. He looked happy. The bright, cheerful faces of his companions who rushed in with him also expressed joy, for they had brought news. The student, bursting with excitement, went up to Master Rong Ke Chang, bowed respectfully, and said:

  "Master...... Young Master Mo Yan has arrived. He will be here in just a moment."

  This news had just been delivered when an imposing knock sounded at the main door. The sound of footsteps walking in unison was heard. All the students' eyes turned to the back. Shen Jichuan also stepped forward and stood next to Rong Ke Chang. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the main door.

  And then, Mo Yan entered, dressed in white-golden robes. And behind him, twenty disciples walked in perfect synchrony. Every step, together. Every gaze, like a silent fire.

  Leading all the disciples were the three main students: Su Nian, Bao Fang, and Yun Zhi.