Read Novel Full Chapter 342: True Departure
Chapter 342: True Departure
"Here, dangerous places. Deadly natural formations. Territories of ancient beasts. Areas where even I avoided entering."
He pointed again.
"Here, territories of other fourth-level forces and above. The White Tower is located in this region, stay away if you don’t want to end up fighting them."
Dong Zhen stepped back.
"This map will not help you reach the Central Territory. The Northern Territory is vast, far too vast for a single map to guide you there. But it will at least help you reach the center of the Northern Territory. From there, you will find other maps, other routes, and other travelers."
Kyrian rolled up the scroll carefully and stored it in his spatial ring.
"Thank you." He said.
Dong Zhen nodded.
"It is the least I can do. You deserve more."
The two remained in silence for a long moment. Then, Dong Zhen placed a hand on Kyrian’s shoulder, a rare gesture.
"Be careful out there, Kyrian. The Northern Territory, and especially the Central Territory, do not tolerate the weak and the unyielding."
"I know."
Dong Zhen released his shoulder.
"Rest. Tomorrow will be a long day."
Kyrian nodded once and left the hall.
...
Outside the hall, the others were waiting.
Bai Zhu, Kai, Yan Ling, Li Fen, and Mei Li were leaning against the corridor walls, speaking in low voices. When Kyrian appeared, they straightened.
"So?" Bai Zhu asked.
"I’m leaving tomorrow morning," Kyrian replied.
No one pretended to be surprised.
"We already knew," Kai said.
"We were just waiting for confirmation."
They walked together through the corridors. There was no destination, just walking, being together, making use of the last hours.
"You’re going to be missed," Yan Ling said, her voice lower than usual.
"Hmm. I’ll miss fighting alongside you," Kyrian replied.
Bai Zhu laughed.
"Kyrian saying he’ll miss someone? Is the sky falling?"
Kyrian almost smiled. Almost.
They had dinner together that night. It was not a special dinner, just the simple food of the Court, served in the common room. But no one complained.
They talked about small things. Memories. Past missions. Difficult training.
Mei Li stayed beside Kyrian the entire night. She did not speak much, but she was there. Kyrian felt her presence like a silent warmth.
When the night ended, they said their goodbyes.
"See you tomorrow," Bai Zhu said.
"See you tomorrow," the others replied.
Kyrian nodded and walked to his dormitory.
...
The next morning came too quickly.
Kyrian woke before dawn, as always. He put on his red robe of the Blood Court. He placed his spatial ring on his finger. He looked one last time at the simple room, with stone walls and sparse furniture.
There was nothing there he needed to take.
He left.
The corridor was empty. The spiritual torches burned faintly, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Kyrian walked toward the Blood Core hall.
They were already there.
All of them.
Dong Zhen stood in the center of the hall, his hands clasped behind his back. Bai Zhu stood at his side, arms crossed. Kai leaned against a column. Yan Ling stood near the entrance. Li Fen was in his usual corner, silent.
And Mei Li.
Mei Li stood in front of everyone, her eyes fixed on Kyrian.
Kyrian stopped before them.
"You didn’t need to come," he said.
"Of course we did," Bai Zhu replied.
"You’re not leaving as if it were just another ordinary day."
Kyrian did not argue.
Dong Zhen stepped forward.
"Kyrian," he said.
"Despite the short time you stayed here, and the fact that I was unable to teach you practically anything, since you did not need it."
"Even so, you were one of the best disciples I have ever had. The Blood Court will always be your home. If one day you need shelter, allies, anything... return."
Kyrian bowed.
"Thank you, Leader Dong Zhen."
He turned to Bai Zhu.
"Take care of them," Kyrian said.
"You know I will," Bai Zhu replied.
Kyrian looked at Kai.
"Don’t die on some stupid mission."
Kai laughed.
"I’ll try."
Kyrian looked at Yan Ling.
"Keep studying. You have talent for it."
Yan Ling nodded, her eyes shining.
Kyrian looked at Li Fen.
"You don’t speak much. But I know you hear everything. Keep it that way."
Li Fen nodded slightly.
Finally, Kyrian looked at Mei Li.
The two stared at each other for a long moment.
"Aren’t you going to say anything?" Mei Li asked.
"You already know everything I would say," Kyrian replied.
Mei Li smiled, that small, almost shy smile that rarely appeared on her face.
"Yes," she said.
"I know."
She stepped forward and, before Kyrian could react, hugged him.
It was quick. One second, maybe two. Then she stepped back.
"Come back someday," she said.
"When you’re famous in the Central Territory."
"I will return," Kyrian replied.
He turned and walked toward the exit of the hall.
No one followed him.
...
In the stables, Arcon was already waiting for him. The black winged horse flapped its wings impatiently, as if it too was eager to depart.
Kyrian mounted.
"Let’s go," he said.
Arcon took off.
The Blood Court fortress was left behind, the black walls, the pointed towers, and the corridors where Kyrian had spent so many months. He saw the figures of Dong Zhen and the others in the central courtyard, watching him leave.
Kyrian raised a hand in a wave.
Bai Zhu raised his hand back.
Then, the fortress disappeared behind the illusion barrier.
Kyrian turned toward the horizon.
Ahead, the Northern Territory stretched infinitely. Dark clouds, distant mountains, unknown lands.
The Central Territory awaited him.
Kyrian departed toward the south of the Northern Territory.
Below him, the desolate plain of the Blood Court stretched like a sea of cracked earth and twisted vegetation. The wind howled through the fissures in the ground, raising clouds of dust that danced like ghosts under the diffused light of the dark clouds.
He flew for hours, following the notes on Dong Zhen’s map. The scroll was open in his hands, the firm handwriting of the Court’s leader guiding each change of direction.
According to the map, Kyrian’s first destination was a city called Red Smoke City.
It was about fifteen days of travel from there, at Arcon’s constant speed. Fifteen days crossing the Northern Territory, passing through small cities, fourth-level forces, beast territories, biomes that changed every hundred kilometers.
Kyrian stored the map and focused on the flight.