Chapter 188: Return to Sword Qi Continent

“Son, this Chaotic Asura Spear of yours is truly extraordinary!” Gu Ran slapped Gu Qingyi on the shoulder, laughing heartily.

“With this spear in hand, I feel unstoppable, like a tiger with wings! Just one swing and the enemy falls instantly—it’s absolutely brilliant!”

Watching Gu Ran’s pure joy, Gu Qingyi couldn’t help but smile warmly too. After a brief pause, he asked softly,

“Father, now that everything’s settled, should we head home?”

“Home…” The brightness in Gu Ran’s smile froze in an instant.

His eyes grew distant, lost—as if an invisible force had dragged him deep into old memories.

Since parting from his family all those years ago, time had raced by. Eighteen springs had come and gone in a blink.

These years, he’d been trapped in this dark, oppressive, sunless Blackwater Prison, cut off from the world.

Day after day, year after year.

The grinding wheel of time had battered both his body and spirit—but it could never erase his longing for his wife and daughter.

Hearing the word “home” again, that silent heart suddenly shuddered.

Long-buried affection surged up like a tide, swallowing him whole.

It was a while before he finally sighed.

Gu Qingyi nudged gently, “Father, why the sigh? Is something on your mind?”

Gu Ran shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just… hearing about going home, I can’t help feeling a bit emotional.”

“I see. Well, Father, shall we go then?” Gu Qingyi asked again, still a little unsure.

“Yes!” Gu Ran nodded firmly.

“Dahuang, let’s go!”

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

Three figures shot through the cosmic void, darting straight into a swirling vortex.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at the border between Upper Sword Qi Continent and the Cosmic Void.

Sensing the surge of three tremendous auras, the Will of Heaven went pale, blurting out in alarm:

“Oh crap! With this much power, is it another invasion of fiends from beyond the realm?”

“No way, I better make myself scarce!”

But before the thought was finished—

“Hey! Will of Heaven, we’re back home! Open the door or we’ll force our way through!”

A voice brusque and irrefutable split the air.

The Will of Heaven, just about to slip away, froze mid-step at the commanding voice and grew flustered—hands trembling.

“No way! That voice… isn’t that the big boss who just left? Why is he back already? No, no, I’d better open up!”

With that, the Will of Heaven tore open a gap in the barrier behind it—and right then, a door appeared before Gu Qingyi and the others.

“Son, where does this door lead?” Gu Ran was a bit puzzled.

He’d been gone from the Upper Sword Qi Continent for so long the details had faded.

“Oh, this?” Gu Qingyi snapped out of his thoughts and pointed at the door. “That’s the portal back to Sword Qi Continent!”

“If you two aren’t going in, then I’ll be the first!”

Dahuang, who’d been waiting, shook his head at the other two and boldly stepped forward.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Dahuang walked through the door.

Gu Qingyi and Gu Ran watched him go, but said nothing; a moment later they followed right after.

The Will of Heaven, waiting to the side, spotted someone entering through the passage it opened.

It immediately became very deferential. “Ahem, the Will of Heaven welcomes you both home!”

“Not bad—Dahuang accepts this honor!” Dahuang held his head high and strode in.

When the Will of Heaven saw that only Dahuang had entered, it was stunned. “Wait, it’s just you?”

Dahuang stopped in his tracks, lifted a paw and pointed behind him. “They’re right behind me.”

“Huh?” The Will of Heaven blinked, confused. “Who are they?”

Before it could finish the thought—

Gu Qingyi and Gu Ran stepped in through the doorway.

Gu Ran gazed out at the Sword Qi Continent, now changed beyond recognition, and spoke with deep satisfaction. “Not bad! After all these years, this land has become something incredible.”

Gu Qingyi chuckled. “Ha, all of this was only possible because your generation fought so hard to protect it. That’s why things are the way they are.”

The Will of Heaven saw the two guests and bowed deeply. “Sirs, welcome home to Sword Qi Continent!”

“Son, who’s this?” Gu Ran pointed at the Will of Heaven.

“Oh, that’s the Will of Heaven for Sword Qi Continent now.” Gu Qingyi explained.

Gu Ran glanced around, his gaze tinged with nostalgia. “You’re right, today’s Sword Qi Continent is nothing like before.”

“Son, I bet there are all kinds of new powerhouses now, right?”

“You’re absolutely right. In just a few short years, Sword Qi Continent now has over a hundred in the Sword God Realm alone!” Gu Qingyi nodded.

Gu Ran gazed off into the distance, a surge of pride filling his chest. “There’s still so much to do. Together, let’s keep this land safe.”

The Will of Heaven nodded eagerly. “With you both here, I can finally relax. With protectors like you, I feel so much safer!”

The Will of Heaven fixed its gaze on Gu Ran, suddenly recalling someone, and asked:

“Sir, are you Gu Ran by any chance?”

Gu Ran paused, puzzled, and frowned at the Will of Heaven. “Indeed, I am Gu Ran. What can I do for you, young friend?”

The Will of Heaven smiled, clearly grateful. “Your reputation precedes you. Back then, if you hadn’t intervened, I wouldn’t be here now!”

“Ha, I thought it was something serious. It was nothing, really,” Gu Ran said with a shake of his head.

“By the way, now that you’re back, do you have any plans?” asked the Will of Heaven.

Gu Ran thought for a moment, then sighed. “First, let’s go see the Gu family. It’s been so long—I wonder what home looks like now.”

Gu Qingyi agreed immediately. “I’m sure Mother and Sister will be thrilled to see you, Father.”

Suddenly, Dahuang chimed in eagerly, “Hey, Master, want me to run ahead and let them know? You two can take your time and stroll a bit!”

Gu Qingyi nodded. “Good idea! Dahuang, go on ahead. We’ll catch up soon.”

“Yes, sir!” Dahuang barked, then dashed off fast as lightning.

Gu Ran and Gu Qingyi slowed their pace, heading for Sky Sword Mountain, taking in the sights as they went.