Chapter Ten: Perhaps Your Mother Is Quite Remarkable

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Ling’er’s hair was disheveled, her face filled with anxiety. Her eyes were fixed on the ground as she scanned along the search path, repeatedly murmuring, “Brother Xuan, where are you?” Her hands unconsciously clutched the hem of her clothes so tightly that her knuckles turned white.

Fenglin followed closely behind, his brows tightly furrowed, his gaze urgently sweeping the surroundings as he called out loudly from time to time, “Gu Xuan! Respond if you can hear me!” His voice was already hoarse.

Meanwhile, Tianya had been searching the northwest direction for quite some time. Now, he hurried over to join them, his expression weary and anxious, lips cracked, murmuring to himself, “Xuan’er, you must be alright…”

The three met, and their eyes locked in deep disappointment.

“How’s it going? Any clues?” they asked each other.

“Ah!” Tianya sighed heavily, rubbing his brow as he looked at Fenglin, his voice laced with exhaustion and worry. “Fenglin, it’s getting dark, and Qinglin is dangerous at night. You should take Ling’er back first.”

Upon hearing this, Ling’er’s eyes instantly widened, her eyes reddened with emotion. “Second uncle, I’m not leaving! Brother went missing trying to save me; I have to stay and find him. I won’t return without him!” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke.

Fenglin’s expression grew serious. He shook his head slightly and looked at Tianya. “Second brother, Ling’er’s mind is made up. It’s not right to make her leave now. Besides, Gu Xuan is still missing. We can’t just give up. The cave to the west is relatively safe; let’s go there first and continue searching at dawn.”

Tianya frowned deeply, struggling internally before nodding reluctantly. He looked at Ling’er with a heart full of pity. “Alright, then we’ll head to the cave first. Ling’er, don’t be too anxious. Xuan’er is under heaven’s protection.”

Ling’er wiped her tears, biting her lip. “I know. As long as I can find Brother Xuan, nothing else matters.”

With that, she led the way toward the western cave. Tianya and Fenglin exchanged a glance and hurried after her. Their figures quickly disappeared into the deepening night as they rushed toward the cave.

At the same time, inside the great hall of the barrier…

Gu Xuan gazed at the skeleton lying in the center of the hall. Hesitating briefly, he softly asked, “Is that… the relative of my sister?”

Yao Qianqian slowly approached the skeleton, her eyes filled with nostalgia and sorrow.

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“She was not only my kin but also my former master—Yao Qiong.”

“Your sister’s master?”

“Yes. Don’t be fooled by my current human form. My true essence is that of an ancient divine beast. Moreover, my surname and name were bestowed upon me by my master.”

As she spoke, Yao Qianqian’s eyes seemed to sparkle with light.

“A divine beast?”

Gu Xuan was somewhat confused but understood these two were formidable beings. He did not press further but naturally continued, “Then my sister’s master must have been an incredibly powerful figure?”

Yao Qianqian found a place to sit down slowly, her eyes reflecting memories as she spoke to Gu Xuan.

“Boy, since you’ve come here, it means fate has brought us together. Ah, a thousand years have passed with no one to properly talk to me. Today, I’ll tell you the story of my master and myself.”

Gu Xuan’s curiosity peaked, and he leaned in attentively, eyes fixed on Yao Qianqian.

She lifted her head slightly, her gaze seeming to pierce through time and space as she fell into reminiscence.

“Many millennia ago, an unparalleled supreme warrior surnamed Yao appeared on the Heavenly Profound Continent. His descendants, the Yao clan, inherited this supreme bloodline and have since stood atop all clans.”

Her expression was solemn, as if recounting sacred history.

Gu Xuan’s mouth dropped open in astonishment. “A supreme warrior? That must be incredible!”

“Extremely formidable, beyond your imagination. It was the ultimate goal all cultivators on the Heavenly Profound Continent yearn for.”

Yao Qianqian smiled faintly and continued.

“A thousand years ago, a prodigious talent emerged in the clan, named Yao Qiong. She was hailed as the strongest in the clan for a millennium, her power at the peak of the Saint Profound level, just shy of Emperor Profound.”

“Saint Profound peak, half-step Emperor Profound!”

Gu Xuan gasped inwardly. He knew such masters were exceedingly rare, his eyes full of awe and longing.

Yao Qianqian, noticing Gu Xuan’s fascination, chuckled softly.

“My master had an extraordinary affinity for profound energy since childhood, and her cultivation advanced at an astonishing speed. But who would have thought…”

Her expression darkened, her tone heavy.

“During an exploration of ancient ruins, my master discovered a treasure trove containing endless secrets and immense power. Somehow, this news was leaked, attracting countless greedy eyes and many sinister foes who joined forces to attack her.”

“Those people are despicable!” Gu Xuan clenched his fists, filled with righteous anger.

Yao Qianqian paused, pain flashing in her eyes.

“Despite the overwhelming enemies, my master fought fearlessly using the clan’s cultivation technique. But the foes were too numerous and ruthless. Eventually, my master was gravely wounded and trapped in a dire situation.”

Her eyes glistened with tears.

Gu Xuan asked anxiously, “What happened next?”

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Yao Qianqian took a deep breath.

“At the critical moment, my master unleashed the clan’s strongest artifact, forming a powerful barrier that sealed her within. This barrier blocked all aura, evading detection by other powerful beings, buying her a slim chance to survive. But her injuries were too severe; she knew she could not hold on. Not wanting her legacy to vanish, she infused her soul’s power into me, her faithful companion.”

Tears shimmered in Yao Qianqian’s eyes as she gently wiped them away.

Gu Xuan looked stunned. “You? Could it be that you…”

“Yes. I am originally from the dragon clan, raised by my master since childhood. We shared a deep spiritual bond. When my master’s soul power entered me, I inherited her memories and cultivation.”

She caressed her chest as if her master’s power still surged within her.

“Later, my master passed away within the barrier, but her legacy remained. I have guarded it silently within the barrier, waiting for those destined to find it.”

Tears traced down Yao Qianqian’s face, which she softly brushed away.

“My master intended to open the barrier and release me, but I refused. At that time, I was still weak from inheriting her legacy. If the barrier were opened, even if I escaped, I would be captured by those treacherous enemies, many of whom are powerful masters at the Divine Profound or Saint Profound levels. I chose to stay and protect my master until my end. But I never expected you to appear here…”

Gu Xuan was shocked after hearing this. “This… is beyond my understanding. Sister, I’m only at the third stage of profound energy—Divine Profound level. The Saint or Emperor Profound levels feel out of reach for me this lifetime.”

“Why so? You look only about fifteen or sixteen, the perfect age to cultivate. With hard work, you could achieve those levels.”

At this, Gu Xuan lowered his head.

“Sister, you don’t know. I’m infamous in our Gu family as a useless one. Most of my peers are already at the fifth stage of profound energy, but I’ve been stuck at the third stage for a year. Lately, I can’t even sense profound energy anymore.”

These words immediately triggered Yao Qianqian’s alertness; she sensed the matter was more complicated than it seemed.

“Boy, are you sure your surname is Gu? Could it be that your father found you?”

Gu Xuan laughed bitterly but answered seriously.

“Yes, sister, my surname is really Gu. Our family lives in the nearby New City. I’m not lying.”

“Does your family have other members? What’s your mother’s surname?”

Yao Qianqian pressed on.

“I don’t know. I know nothing about my mother.”

Gu Xuan stood and walked to the great hall’s entrance.

“All I know is that my mother disappeared after giving birth to me. Over the years, I’ve asked my father about her, but he only says she loved me very much. The clan elders never mention her, and my peers say I’m a useless child born but not raised by a mother!”

As he spoke, Gu Xuan punched the stone pillar at the entrance. Tears streamed down his face, filled with bitterness.

“How I long to see my mother!”

“Could it be…”

Hearing Gu Xuan’s words, a faint, barely noticeable smile appeared on Yao Qianqian’s face. She slowly approached him.

“Perhaps… your mother is very powerful.”