The Legend of Futian

Ye Futian revealed a dazzling smile as he looked at the somewhat familiar face before him. He said, "You are all grown up. I nearly did not recognize you."

As he said this, he extended his hand to caress Ye Qingyao's head like he used to. Ye Qingyao's body wanted to move out of the way out of habit. However, she turned stiff and did not do so. Her gaze was somewhat excited.

For so many years, let alone touching her head, very few people even dared to approach her.

She wondered, "If the members of the Dark Court witnessed this scene, what sort of expressions would they have?"

"Qingyao, have you been well all these years?" asked Ye Futian caringly. In his mind, Ye Qingyao was still that self-abased little girl that believed she would bring bad luck to those around her.

Back when Qingyao was taken away to the Dark World, Ye Futian was very sad. He did not know what future was in store for her. However, now that he saw that she held such a high position in the Dark Court, he felt more at ease.

Now that he thought about it, he had given her, her name. She had even taken up his surname.

Ye Qingyao shook her head and softly said, "I have always been doing well."

Regardless of what position she held now in the Dark World, when she saw the familiar face before her, she was instantly brought back to the turning point of her fate.

Before, she was merely an orphan whom no one bothered about. Everyone either bullied her or avoided her. Some even wanted to capture her.

Her life was dark and gray, without a shred of hope.

Although Ye Futian had not known her for very long, he was the most important person in her life. He had given her hope and was a beam of light in her life.

She would never forget the time when the army of the Dark World invaded. Haze loomed over Heavenly Mandate City. For her, Ye Futian did not hesitate to wage war against the Dark Army. No one could imagine how moved she was back then. She always believed that the Elder Brother who gave her a name also gave her a new life. From that day forth, no one could take Ye Futian's place in her heart.

For countless years, this emotion gave her the strength to move forward. She always held on to her unwavering belief. Although they had not met for decades, in a way, Ye Futian had always been beside her as she grew up.

No one could understand this feeling that she felt, just like no one could understand the despair and helplessness of that innocent little girl in the past.

"If she knew that it was you, Yaya would definitely be pleased," said Ye Futian.

"How is she now?" asked Ye Qingyao caringly. Yaya similarly held a place in her heart. Back then, Ye Futian and Yaya had brought her out of her despair together.

"She is doing very well. She is cultivating in seclusion in Ziwei Imperial Palace. Wait a moment while I go and bring her to see you," said Ye Futian.

"I will go with you, Elder Brother," said Ye Qingyao with a gentle smile. The members of the Dark Court had never seen this side of her before.

"All right," replied Ye Futian as he nodded his head. "I can show you around Ziwei Imperial Palace while we are at it."

"Hmm." Ye Qingyao nodded. The two of them headed out of the palace. As they left the courtyard, silhouettes with very powerful cultivation silently appeared. They were the cultivators from the Dark Court. They all followed her.

"All of you, wait here," ordered Ye Qingyao coldly as she stepped into the courtyard. Her cloak veiled her face. Even Ye Futian, who was beside her, felt a chill run down his spine when he heard her command.

Ye Futian knew that Qingyao was no longer the girl of misfortune from the past.

He had mixed feelings about her. Back then, Qingyao was brought away by the Dark Court. Now, she held a high position there. From the looks of it, her standing in the Dark Court might be higher than what he imagined.

Unfortunately, Ye Futian did not fancy the Dark World. He even felt repulsion toward them.

However, did Qingyao have a choice to decide her fate?

She did not!

Would Ye Futian project his dislike of the Dark Court on Ye Qingyao? Certainly, he was not in the position to do so. Ye Qingyao's childhood was a tragedy. She was forcefully taken away by the Dark Court. She could not decide her fate at all.

"Understood." Nobody from the Dark Court disobeyed Ye Qingyao's command. All of them stayed put where they were. They also seemed not to be worried about her safety.

The higher-ups in the Dark Court also vaguely knew about the relationship between Ye Qingyao and Ye Futian. Moreover, even without this relationship, if Ye Futian dared to touch Ye Qingyao, the Ziwei Segmentum would be reduced to ashes.

On the other hand, the cultivators of Ziwei Imperial Palace were very confused about what was happening.

Why would their Palace Lord bring this major figure of the Dark Court away?

"Follow them," someone said. With a flash, they went up into the sky and followed Ye Futian. Their pursuit led them back to Ziwei Imperial Palace.

In Ziwei Imperial Palace, Ye Futian and Ye Qingyao came to one of Emperor Xia's palaces.

Yaya was cultivating here. When she saw Ye Futian's arrival, she stopped her training and came close to him. She stared curiously at Ye Qingyao, who stood beside Ye Futian.

"Yaya, come and see who has come to visit you," Ye Futian said with a smile while Ye Qingyao removed her cloak. Similar to Ye Futian, Yaya did not recognize Ye Qingyao at first glance. After all, Ye Qingyao was still very young when they parted ways. Both her looks and her temperament had undergone tremendous changes since then.

"Elder Sister," Ye Qingyao greeted.

"Are you... Qingyao?" Yaya asked somewhat dubiously.

"Hmm." Ye Futian nodded with a smile. Instantly, Yaya beamed with joy. She approached Ye Qingyao and held her hands, exclaiming, "You are all grown up now."

"Yaya, are you aware of how many years have passed?" Ye Futian teased. What did she mean by Ye Qingyao having grown up?

"Elder Sister is still the same. Time has no effect on you," Ye Qingyao said as she stared at the familiar face before her.

Yaya still felt somewhat surreal. She asked, "Were you cultivating in the Dark World?"

"Yes." Ye Qingyao nodded.

"I have been worrying about you all these years. Now that I have seen you safe and sound, I can rest my worries," Yaya said with a smile. She could finally lift a weight off her mind.

Ye Qingyao felt warm inside. There was actually someone in this world who still remembered her.

"Qingyao, do you have other matters you need to attend to during your trip to the Original Realm this time?" asked Ye Futian. Ye Qingyao made her appearance for the first time after so many years. She would most likely have some serious business to attend to.

"I have always wanted to visit Elder Brother. But I was not allowed to leave the Dark Court until recently," Ye Qingyao explained. "This time, I am heading to the Divine Prefecture."

As she mentioned the purpose of her trip, a glint of dark aura flashed in her jet-black eyes. Ye Futian acutely sensed a terrifying Death Will from her. However, it disappeared in an instant. This caused his heart to tremble.

Such a menacing Death Will. Qingyao was actually heading to the Divine Prefecture to join the war.

Unbeknownst to him, Ye Qingyao was actually thinking about something else.. She had heard rumors of many forces in the Divine Prefecture mistreating Ye Futian. They even attempted to kill him numerous times!