"Who did this?"
Inside a grand hall within the Chen Family compound, an elderly man with a sallow complexion and bulging eyes glared savagely at his beloved grandson, demanding angrily. He found it utterly unimaginable that anyone in this little corner of Fenglin City would dare lay a hand on his grandson.
Yuan Hua slumped his head, his body trembling uncontrollably, his eyes filled with fear as he stammered, "It... it was that good-for-nothing." Judging by his terrified appearance, he was clearly scared to death of the old man. His lips twitched slightly, and his eyes darted away, not daring to meet his grandfather's gaze.
The lean, withered old man before Yuan Hua was none other than his grandfather, Chen Qian, the First Elder of the Chen Family, nicknamed the "Bulging-Eyed Dragon." Utterly selfish, adept at underhanded tricks, and fiercely protective of his own, he held immense power within the Chen Family. Frankly speaking, second only to the patriarch, he wielded the highest authority.
"What? Nonsense!" Chen Qian's aged face instantly twisted into a fierce expression as he sharply challenged him. How could someone dismissed as a good-for-nothing possibly beat his grandson—whose Spirit Power had already reached the Ninth Stage—into such a state? He simply refused to believe it.
Hearing this, Yuan Hua jerked his head up in anxious agitation, his eyes brimming with grievance and fury as he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Grandfather, it really was that good-for-nothing! This grandson would never dare deceive you!" Recalling the figure that made him itch with hatred, a blazing fury ignited in Yuan Hua's heart, cold malice flashing in his gaze, his nostrils flaring and the veins on his forehead bulging.
Observing Yuan Hua's anxious and furious expression, which bordered on distortion, Chen Qian furrowed his white brows and fell into deep thought. Then, a slight jolt of astonishment rippled through his mind: Could it be...? No, impossible. He shook his head mentally to dismiss the fleeting thought, remembering clearly that just a few months ago, the patriarch had confiscated all of Chen Yingjian's clan cultivation resources. Therefore...
"Tell me the whole process in detail," Chen Qian muttered, frowning in contemplation.
"Alright!" Yuan Hua nodded vigorously. As he recounted the events, he gnashed his teeth, his face severely distorted with rage as if he were reliving the beating all over again. When he reached the most emotional parts, he gestured wildly, spittle flying from his mouth, his eyes wide and unblinking.
With that, Yuan Hua painted a heavily distorted picture of that morning's events, casting himself entirely as an innocent victim while twisting the facts completely.
Listening to Yuan Hua's account, Chen Qian fell deep into thought, his murky gaze flickering uncertainly. Knowing his grandson's troublemaking nature all too well, he didn't take every word of Yuan Hua's grievances at face value; however, he was quite intrigued by the sudden display of power from Chen Yingjian.
After a long silence, Chen Qian's expression gradually darkened like gathering storm clouds. He then stepped forward to inspect Yuan Hua's injuries closely, studying the bruised marks on his skin before sinking back into thought. A moment later, a wild idea suddenly popped into his mind, and a sinister smile crept across his wrinkled, aged face.
Catching the sinister grin on his grandfather's face, Yuan Hua shuddered involuntarily, dropping his head even lower without daring to draw a full breath. He shot a stealthy glance at his grandfather from beneath his lashes before lowering his head once more, swallowing hard to ease his tense throat.
Having made up his mind, Chen Qian turned and walked into the inner chamber, emerging a moment later with a bottle of anti-swelling medicine. He carefully applied it to Yuan Hua's face.
After a while, Yuan Hua's face was coated in a clear, watery liquid as a pungent medicinal herb scent filled the air. Unable to help it, Yuan Hua sneezed, rubbed his nose, and forced a flattering smile. "Thank you, Grandfather. This grandson feels much better." The burning, swollen sensation on his face yielded a distinct wave of coolness after the medicine was applied, lifting his spirits considerably and leaving a trace of smugness unbidden on his face.
"Very well, you may go back and rest for a few days," Chen Qian said affectionately, stroking his silvery-white beard.
"Grandfather, what about that good-for-nothing...?" Startled, Yuan Hua instinctively raised his head, his eyes brimming with hopeful anticipation as he asked softly. Narrow-minded by nature, he naturally hoped his grandfather would help him settle the score. At that moment, his gaze was filled with urgency and desire, and his body leaned forward slightly.
"Rest assured, Grandfather will handle it."
Hearing this, the heavy stone in Yuan Hua's chest dropped away. A smug expression instantly bloomed on his face, and his mood brightened so sharply that his swollen face no longer felt painful. Nodding repeatedly, he smiled, "Ah... right, then this grandson will head back first." Turning to leave, he stepped lightly with a spring in his step, humming a little tune under his breath—already picturing the miserable sight of Chen Yingjian receiving a brutal thrashing, his face brimming with schadenfreude.
With that final word, Yuan Hua wasted no more time and turned to leave, humming a little tune under his breath, looking as though he could already see Chen Yingjian getting heavily punished.
Watching Yuan Hua's retreating figure, Chen Qian narrowed his bulging eyes slightly as the perfect plan took shape in his mind. He let out a cold hum. "I was already struggling to find a suitable candidate; it looks like I'll just have to make an example of you, Chen Yingjian. You brought this upon yourself, so don't blame me."
Ever since the recent incident, those punks who used to enjoy making trouble for Chen Yingjian had vanished from his sight, granting him two or three days of blissful peace.
However, Lin Shanshan had not shown her face throughout this period, and Chen Yingjian didn't need to guess to know why.
After two or three days of relaxation, his state of mind had adjusted to a tranquil equilibrium. Next, he intended to visit the City Lord at the City Lord's Mansion and announce to the world: the Houtian Pure Yang physique was no good-for-nothing constitution; it was capable of cultivation. He wanted everyone to know that their past opinions and mockeries of him were nothing more than a joke.
Naturally, he also wanted Wu Qiongxue to understand that he was worthy of Shaner.
Though the plan was wonderful, the twists of fate often defied anticipation.
Early in the morning, the sun shone brightly.
In high spirits, Chen Yingjian strode out through the main gates of the Chen Family estate with his hands clasped behind his back. Squinting slightly with a smile on his face, he walked leisurely down the avenue. His unhurried demeanor left many pedestrians on the bustling street stunned, wondering if their eyes were playing tricks on them—after all, he had always worn an icy expression in the past, making his relaxed mood today quite a surprise.
As he wound his way through bustling street after bustling street, just as he was about to head toward the City Lord's Mansion, a figure suddenly darted out from the crowd and blocked his path. Without a word, the person pulled a letter from their tunic and handed it to him, leaving him momentarily dazed before he snapped back to reality and accepted the missive in confusion.
"Miss Shaner asked me to give this to you." Dropping those words, the person hurried away and melted into the flowing crowd.
Hearing this, Chen Yingjian raised his head in surprise, only to find that the messenger had already vanished among the people. Raising an eyebrow, he shifted his gaze to the letter, staring fixedly at the delicate handwriting on the envelope. A jolt of shock went through him, his eyelids twitching involuntarily. Glancing at the bustling crowds around him and sensing that the place was too public with too many prying eyes, he tucked the letter away and set off toward the small, secluded valley deep within the back mountains of Fenglin City.
***
Following Wu Qiongxue's instructions, Lin Shanshan had departed Fenglin City early that morning alongside Lin Xingyu to head toward the Immortal Sect. Yet, before leaving, she had secretly entrusted the prepared letter to a trusted individual, instructing them to deliver it to the person deep in her heart—Chen Yingjian.
Their departure had been witnessed by very few.
However, shortly after setting off, Lin Shanshan ultimately failed to suppress the emotions churning in her chest and begged her aunt, Lin Xingyu, to turn back. Before leaving, she longed so desperately to see Chen Yingjian one last time, even if it meant just catching a stolen glance.
Soft-hearted in the face of Shaner's bitter pleas, Lin Xingyu finally yielded and returned with her to the back mountains of Fenglin City. Hiding in a secluded spot, they looked out from afar at that intensely familiar, upright figure, their eyes brimming with tenderness.
Farewell! Just how long would it be until they met again? Even Lin Shanshan could not say for sure. The five-year pact was merely a comforting promise meant to reassure both herself and Chen Yingjian. After all, the True Spirit Realm was not so easily attained.
Below the True Spirit Realm, all beings were mere ants. In the cultivation world, only by stepping into the True Spirit Realm did one truly embark upon the path of cultivation, extending one's lifespan to five hundred years. Beneath the True Spirit Realm, a mortal lifespan barely reached a hundred years, and even a Spirit Venerable commanded a lifespan of only around two hundred years. Yet the step from Spirit Venerable to the True Spirit Realm, though a mere single tier apart, trapped countless individuals, barring them from crossing over.
Inside the quiet little valley, a gentle breeze swept past, rustling the leaves, grass, and wildflowers.
Absorbed entirely in the letter—crafted from a maiden's personal silk handkerchief—Chen Yingjian read on with rapt attention, unable to pull himself away. Shaner's sudden departure had stirred wave after wave of ripples across his once-tranquil heart. A five-year separation: neither too long nor too short, yet in his heart, it felt boundlessly prolonged.
"Shaner, I will wait for you. You must wait for me too." Staring at the delicate handwriting, Chen Yingjian's trembling lips parted as he murmured to himself.
***
Atop a secluded mountain peak, Lin Shanshan's expressive eyes remained fixed like a magnet upon the slender yet unforgettable figure down in the valley below, blinking not once as time seemed to freeze, unable to look away for the longest time. Her willow-leaf eyebrows knit tightly together like twisted ropes, bearing the endless sorrow and tangled conflict of her inner world.
Her eye sockets welled with crystal-clear tears, resembling two brilliant pearls sparkling with heartbreaking brilliance in the sunlight. Reflected within those tear-filled eyes was a profound unwillingness to part and a deep attachment. She bit down hard on her tender pink lips, her pearly teeth leaving faint marks as if she were desperately fighting back the flood of emotions threatening to breach her defenses.
Her once-rosy complexion had lost its healthy glow, replaced by a pallor tinged with undisguisable sorrow. Her features, usually so full of life and vivacity, were now shrouded in profound melancholy. Her gaze resembled a deep pool of affection, where love and tenderness rippled, every shimmering wave confessing her infatuated attachment to the figure below.
Lin Shanshan's slender fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her robe, as though the fabric were her only anchor in the world. Under her unconscious tightening grip, the hem was already wrinkled and crumpled, mirroring her fractured heart.
Her slightly trembling body seemed locked in a fierce struggle against her inner turmoil. That ardent maiden's heart was like a trapped little bird, desperately fighting to break free from its bonds, dash across the distance, and embrace him tightly so they would never be parted again. Yet reason acted like an unyielding cage, keeping her impulses firmly locked away. She was terrified that her actions would bring him sorrow, terrified that this brief reunion would only make parting harder to bear, terrified that her aunt would be put in a difficult position, and above all, terrified that her mother's hatred toward him would only deepen if she ever found out.
Observing Lin Shanshan's dazed, soul-lost expression, Lin Xingyu furrowed her delicate brows, shook her head slightly, and sighed inwardly. In her eyes, the chasm separating the two young people was like a natural abyss, making them a mismatch of the highest order.
For a long, long time—
Atop the quiet summit, the wind whistled past, causing the tree branches to sway and rustle. The enchanting silhouettes of Lin Shanshan and Lin Xingyu appeared graceful beneath their fluttering robes, their long dark hair dancing wildly in the gale, yet unable to conceal the overwhelming grief gripping Lin Shanshan's heart.
Glancing at the darkening sky and then back at Shaner, who stood as motionless as a statue, Lin Xingyu hesitated before speaking in a soft voice, "Shaner, we truly must go now." Her tone carried a trace of reluctance; she simply couldn't bear to shatter Shaner's final gaze.
As the words reached her ears, Lin Shanshan's delicate body shuddered slightly, as if jolted awake from a beautiful dream. Slowly turning her head to meet Lin Xingyu's gaze, her eyes brimmed with helplessness and desolation. That look was like that of a child who had lost their most precious treasure, full of helplessness and disorientation. After a brief exchange of glances, she looked back down at the youth below, wishing she could carve his silhouette forever into the depths of her mind.
Finally, as if summoning every ounce of strength left in her body, she dragged her heavy steps back, one pace at a time, toward the ship-like flying Dharma treasure. Settling slowly into a cross-legged position with her back against the cabin wall, she could no longer hold back her tears. They streamed down her cheeks like broken beads, gathering at her chin into a single glittering droplet that finally fell onto her garments, blooming into a damp patch of sorrow.
Watching Lin Shanshan's heartbreaking display, Lin Xingyu's eyes flickered with complex emotions—part heartache for her niece, part lament for the unpredictability of fate. With a soft sigh, she knew deep down that any verbal comfort at this moment was pale and powerless; only time could heal such wounds. Her gaze drifted back once more to the silent youth lingering in the valley below, and she thought to herself, "Shaner has given you such deep affection; even if you cannot be together, you should be content."
Wasting no more time, she formed a hand incantation, sending a beam of brilliant multicolored light into the flying treasure.
Boom!
The flying artifact instantly roared to life, shooting into the sky like a rocket. It banked sharply toward the horizon, leaving a dazzling streak of light trailing across the firmament like a falling star.
"Ying... jian... bro... ther..."
Springing abruptly to her feet, Lin Shanshan cast aside all restraint and turned toward the receding valley, crying out at the top of her lungs. Her voice pierced the clouds, carrying every ounce of longing and reluctance she possessed. A misty veil of tears blurred the young girl's vision as she stubbornly bit her lip, letting the tears stream freely down her cheeks. She gazed longingly at the small, rapidly shrinking valley filled with such beautiful memories, her heart brimming with boundless tenderness and attachment, wishing she could eternally imprint this final image upon her soul.
Back in the valley, a dejected Chen Yingjian stood with his back against a grand banyan tree, his eyes empty and listless. Suddenly, a familiar voice drifted down from the heavens.
"It's Shaner!" Startled, Chen Yingjian leaped to his feet, casting an eager gaze toward the distant sky. He spotted the rapidly shrinking black dot in the distance, and a moment later, a faint smile bloomed across his face as he gently waved toward the firmament.
Hearing her voice at this moment was an undeniable, immense surprise to Chen Yingjian. As he watched the tiny black dot vanish into the edge of the sky, a thin layer of moisture welled up in the corners of his eyes. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he whispered softly, "Shaner, take care! The next time we meet, I will never let you suffer another grievance."