"What in the world is happening?" The surviving Di Sect members were completely confused.

"The sect master seems to have released something terrifying, but that thing seems to have chased him away?" someone replied.

"I think so as well. What's going on exactly?" muttered someone gloomily.

The Di Sect members sank into despair. Even with only Xiang Shaoyun present, they felt like they had no way of surviving. With the terrifying owl added into the mix, they stood no chance. They were only momentarily stunned before they started madly fleeing in all directions.

They could only pray that the silver-winged owl would not pay attention to nobodies like them and spare them out of kindness. They were right, as the silver-winged owl wasn't bothered about them.

However, Xiang Shaoyun would not let them leave so easily. He shouted, "Those who dare to run will be killed without mercy."

His voice reverberated in the area, and most of the people stopped fleeing. However, a small portion ignored him and continued fleeing. They weren't even able to get far before Devouring Ghost and his blood demon clone hunted them down.

Du Xuanhao and Han Pojun similarly made their move. After all, they had to respond to Xiang Shaoyun's words.

As for the silver-winged owl, it did not chase after Di Batian, as though Di Batian mattered little to it. It looked down at Xiang Shaoyun and asked, "You don't seem to be afraid of us?"

"I was already ready to die. What am I afraid of?" replied Xiang Shaoyun nonchalantly.

"Hehe, interesting," said the silver-winged owl with a shrill laugh.

It wasn't being sarcastic, as its voice had always been shrill.

"So, what do you want?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.

"What do I want?" the silver-winged owl asked itself. "Where is Xiang Yangzhan? Tell him to come speak to me."

"If my father was around, I wouldn't have needed to be the one throwing orders around," replied Xiang Shaoyun.

"Is he dead?" asked the silver-winged owl, narrowing its eyes.

"I don't know. He has been missing for about 11 years," answered Xiang Shaoyun with a sigh.

"No wonder he hasn't visited me for a while. No wonder that kid assumed I was your father's enemy," said the silver-winged owl with a regretful tone. It then spread its wings and soared into the sky. Before flying away, it gave the place it had stayed in for so many years one last look and muttered, "Looks like it's time to leave."

"Lord Owl, you can always stay," Xiang Shaoyun cried out.

"Everything changes with time. There is no point in me staying. We'll see each other again if fate wills it," said the owl before flying away, instantly vanishing into the horizon with a flap of its wings.

Xiang Shaoyun blankly stared into the horizon for a long time. This was definitely not the kind of ending he had imagined at the start of this expedition. He had thought that he would be able to kill Di Batian, but it turned out that he had been too wishful.

Not only had Di Batian recruited many Saints, but he had also had the devil army and the dwarf assassin in waiting. One trick came after another, as though he had long prepared himself for the attack. If it wasn't for Xiang Shaoyun’s ample preparations and the numerous help he had received, he might have lost the war.

Xiang Shaoyun felt regretful that he hadn't been able to kill Di Batian. However, he had still managed to chase Di Batian away and reclaim the Ziling Sect, so this entire attack hadn't been for nothing. Much of the knot in his heart had been untied.

After the silver-winged owl left, Ye Chaomu, Tuoba Wan'er, Little White, and the others returned one after another.

"Sorry, big brother," apologized Ye Chaomu while knitting her sleeves like a child who had done something wrong.

Tuoba Wan'er also said guiltily, "Holy son-in-law, you may scold me. I shouldn't have left."

"Beat me up, boss. I should have stayed," said Little White sullenly.

They had all been brought away during Xiang Shaoyun's dangerous moment, and they were extremely unhappy about it.

Xiang Shaoyun looked at them and smiled. "Don't blame yourself. This is not your fault. We're all fine, right?"

Xiang Shaoyun had matured greatly as a person, and he could understand their helplessness well. They all had their own guardians, and they weren't exactly left with a choice at times. Only when they gained sufficient strength would they be able to freely make their own decisions.

Ye Chaomu, Tuoba Wan'er, and Little White were slightly placated upon hearing his words.

"Di Batian was forced to leave, and we don't know when he'll return. Let's wrap this up," Xiang Shaoyun shifted the topic.

He headed toward the main peak's grand hall. Many of the mountains and buildings in the area had been destroyed by the battle, and the entire sect was in a mess. Fortunately, the main peak's grand hall hadn't suffered much damage. After 10 years, he could finally step into this place openly.

Xiang Shaoyun's heart was filled with melancholy.

He swept his gaze across the imposing hall, looking at the familiar environment. He couldn't help but sigh, "Father, I'm back. However, most of your people and the foundation you have built are no longer here. I will create an even stronger foundation for you and push the sect into a tier-8—or even a tier-9—organization, spreading our might throughout the entirety of the dominion."

He made the vow relatively calmly, and this was more like setting himself a goal rather than making a solemn vow. Additionally, this was his way of doing something about the guilt he felt toward his father.

Xiang Shaoyun stepped into the hall and looked at the luxurious decorations inside. His gaze landed on the jade throne at the tallest point of the hall. He walked over and sat down.

People started coming in, and when they saw Xiang Shaoyun seated high on the throne, they bowed and greeted, "Congratulations, young master, for your return."

Their voices reverberated in the hall, breathing some life into the empty hall.

Xiang Shaoyun raised his head and said, "Be at ease. Take some rest." He looked at Devouring Ghost and Ye Chaomu before saying, "Gather the surviving Di Sect members. I have something to say to them. Also, Little Mu, take some people to search the storages of the numerous pavilions. Try to preserve as much of the inventory as possible."

"Yes, young master," Devouring Ghost replied before leaving with Celestian Skeleton and a few others.

As for Ye Chaomu, she brought the 13 eagles and did as told. Xiang Shaoyun then had Pang Tongyuan, Old Yao, and Yao Qian brought over. After having Old Urchin remove the seal on Old Yao, he gave Pang Tongyuan some herbs to heal up.

Pang Tongyuan refused the herbs. "Young master, don't waste these treasures. My stars have all been destroyed. I am going to remain a cripple for the rest of my life. The pill from Old Yao is enough for me to survive for a while."

"What? You lost all your stars?" Xiang Shaoyun exclaimed in alarm.