3977

Chapter 3977: 4.1577 A Step Too Late

Perhaps, even after doing so much, and trying even harder, in the end, there would still be nothing. Just like him… He once thought that if he just tried a little bit more, just a little bit harder, he could reclaim the past with her. However, the truth proved that some things, once missed, might be missed forever, for all eternity.

Yun Cong silently gazed at the ice crystal coffin, tears silently sliding down his face.

"Big Brother," Yun Piaomiao turned to him, reaching out and gently patting his shoulder. "Are we truly not waiting for Qiaoqiao anymore? Qiaoqiao is a child who values relationships. If she isn't informed of this matter, I fear she will resent you later."

Yun Cong lowered his gaze slightly, his voice soft. "Why make someone sad again?" If they had been able to save Ah Xun (Murong Xun) that day, the master and disciple could have happily reunited. But now… Since she wasn't saved, why bother telling Qiao Mu and cause her more pain? Your master had a chance to live, but now there is absolutely no hope. Wouldn't that just make the child grieve needlessly again? Experiencing such heartbreaking despair alone was enough for him.

Yun Cong closed his eyes, sighing softly. "No need to wait anymore. Proceed with the burial."

Several people lifted the crystal coffin and placed it into a large, lacquered wooden sarcophagus nearby. After placing some burial items inside, the laborers turned to Yun Cong. Seeing him nod with a somber expression, they finally closed the coffin and hammered in the wedges.

"Whoosh." A shovelful of soil cascaded down.

Master Wuyan immediately chanted in a low voice:

With a single mind, I return to the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss,

Amitabha Buddha, may your pure light shine upon me…

Whoosh, whoosh, the rustling soil covered the coffin.

Your compassionate vow embraces me; I now maintain right mindfulness,

Chanting the Tathagata's name, for the path to enlightenment,

Seeking rebirth in the Pure Land. The Buddha's ancient vow:

If there are sentient beings who wish to be born in my land…

The light from a talisman array flickered and vanished. The guards stationed at Fenglei City blinked, astonished to see a man and a woman suddenly appear at the city gate. The two simultaneously displayed their Royal Academy identity plaques, and the guards immediately bowed and stepped aside. Although curious about where the two had teleported from, the guards didn't ask further. Their gazes simply followed the couple's swift entry into the city.

Qiao Mu and Mo Lian walked hand-in-hand towards Misty Peak. Not far into their journey, they heard a joyful shout. "Qiaoqiao! Crown Prince Mo?"

Qiao Mu and Mo Lian both turned to see Qi Xuanxuan and the Little Fatty standing to one side of the crowd, cheerfully waving at them.

"You're back so soon!"

"Are all your family matters settled?"

"Oh, by the way, Elder Brother Mu went back to the capital. Did you run into him?"

Qiao Mu shook her head slightly. Mu Xingchen must have gone directly back to the Mu family. After she came out of seclusion, she entered the palace briefly and then left the city again, so she naturally hadn't seen him.

"Qiaoqiao, the finals have been postponed until the end of the month! You don't need to rush."

"No," Qiao Mu shook her head again. "I didn't come back for the competition. The Dean sent a mechanical bird to tell me to return."

"The Dean?" Qi Xuanxuan paused. "Is something going on at the Academy?"

"No, nothing!" the Little Fatty and Qi Xuanxuan said in unison, then exchanged glances. "Though, now that you mention it, the Dean has been quite strange these past few days. I heard he often takes people to the Academy's back mountain. Oh right, the Dean also invited a Grand Alchemist from Medicine King Island."

"That Alchemist's temper is alright, but his disciple, heh, she's really something..."