Three more days went by, and a few more survivors returned during that time. Li Yun still did not appear. In the end, Elder Mu Cang looked toward the frozen mountains and sighed to himself. After this much time, there seemed to be only one reasonable explanation.
"Prepare to leave."
The Voidpiercer Warship rose into the air, and Elder Mu Cang’s mood stayed heavy. A genius who should have had an extraordinary future had apparently died in this place. Even someone who was used to seeing talented people fall could not help feeling regret.
Inside the warship, Bai Yuchen was just as quiet.
"I can’t believe Junior Brother Li really died here."
He had come to think well of Li Yun. Their several sparring sessions had even given him new insights, especially into the Sword Domain. He had expected Li Yun to catch up to him eventually and perhaps surpass him after this trial. Instead, Li Yun had disappeared.
Huang Tianze and Huang Tianlin were silent as well, and Huang Tianlin felt the loss especially deeply. Ever since losing to Li Yun, he had treated him as a goal to chase, and he had expected that rivalry to last for years. Now Li Yun seemed to have fallen before Huang Tianlin could even begin to close the gap.
Naturally, not everyone was mourning, and some people celebrated openly.
"Good riddance," Wei Cangming said, lifting his cup with a laugh. "He acted as if nobody in the camp was worth his attention. Now he’s finally gotten what he deserved."
Chang Tianyu, Jiang Canghe, Qin Zhennan, Luo Tiancheng, and several others were sitting with him. All of them had lent spiritual artifacts to Han Juefeng for his attempt to defeat Li Yun.
After Li Yun won, each of them had been forced to pay an enormous number of points to get their treasures back, and they had never forgotten that humiliation. Before, Li Yun’s strength had kept them from showing their resentment too openly. Now that he was apparently dead, they no longer held back.
Chang Tianyu suddenly slammed his cup down on the table.
"I lost the most, and all for nothing. If I’d known he was going to die this fast, I would have put off paying those ten thousand points."
Wei Cangming’s expression changed. "You’re right."
Regret spread through the group. If they had known Li Yun would vanish during the trial, they could simply have delayed their payments. Instead, the points were gone, and now Li Yun was gone as well.
"He actually managed to cause us trouble even after dying."
They cursed him for a while, but their mood on the whole remained excellent.
...
Three days later, the Voidpiercer Warship arrived back at the Celestial Prodigy Camp. Elder Mu Cang went straight to see Elder Qing, wearing a solemn expression.
"Elder Qing, Li Yun is dead."
The teacup slipped from Elder Qing’s fingers and shattered on the floor.
"What did you say?" His expression turned serious. "Li Yun died?"
Elder Mu Cang nodded. "It appears so. I stayed at the gathering point for three extra days to make sure, and he never showed up."
Elder Qing frowned deeply.
"That shouldn’t have happened," he muttered to himself. "That child has extraordinary fortune, and he didn’t look like someone fated to die young. How could he perish while he was only at the Heavenly Core Realm?"
His eyes suddenly sharpened.
"I’ll perform a deduction."
Elder Qing formed several hand seals, and a mystical glow appeared around his fingers.
"Manifest."
Ripples spread through the air and quickly formed a surface like a mirror. The image inside, however, was hidden behind thick mist, and nothing could be seen clearly.
Elder Qing’s expression changed abruptly. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, and his face turned pale.
"Elder Qing!"
Elder Mu Cang stepped forward at once, but Elder Qing raised a hand.
"I’m fine."
He stared at the hazy mirror with a deep frown.
"What could hide the heavenly calculations so completely that even I can’t see through them? Did a Life and Death Realm expert interfere, or did that child enter some extraordinary place?"
His expression gradually turned thoughtful.
"This does suggest that Li Yun may not actually be dead. But if he is trapped somewhere he can never escape from, it makes little practical difference."
In the end, Elder Qing sighed.
"Notify the Profound Origin Immortal Sect that Li Yun is suspected to have died." His voice grew heavier. "Afterward, I will visit the sect in person and apologize."
Elder Mu Cang was stunned that Elder Qing meant to apologize in person. Li Yun’s talent was certainly extraordinary, and his death would no doubt anger the Profound Origin Immortal Sect.
Even so, Elder Qing was one of the most powerful figures in the Northern Territory, and he had once served the Verdant Sky Emperor. Even the Sect Master of the Profound Origin Immortal Sect would respectfully address him as a senior.
Nobody could realistically demand a personal apology from someone of his standing. If he still intended to give one, it showed just how much he had valued Li Yun.
...
Several days later, the news of Li Yun’s suspected death reached the Profound Origin Immortal Sect. The senior elders tried to keep it quiet at first, but they failed, and rumors spread quickly through the sect.
"Master is dead?"
On Profound Sword Island, Bi Xuan and the other attendants stared at one another in disbelief. Only a short while ago, the whole Profound Origin Immortal Sect had been talking about Li Yun’s monstrous talent.
Now, less than a year later, word had come that he had fallen. The official report said only that his death was suspected, but everyone understood that the Celestial Prodigy Camp would not send such news without a strong reason.
"What happens to us now?" one attendant asked with a worried look. "If Master really is dead, who will inherit this island?"
According to the rules of the Profound Origin Immortal Sect, when an elite disciple died outside the sect, his personal island would be left untouched for three months. After that, it would be reassigned. The attendants were naturally worried about their own future.

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