Middle Realm, Xīng Huī Continent, Qǐ Luó City — He Huan Sect
In the quiet courtyard of Sect Leader Wan, the gentle fragrance of tea drifted in the air. She sat at a small wooden table, her posture straight but her expression tense. Across from her sat a young man—her eldest disciple, Run Yu.
She set her cup down with a soft clink, her brows knitting together. "Is there any news about Sui Sui yet?" she asked, her voice calm but tinged with worry.
It had already been three days since the incident happened.
Run Yu lowered his gaze, fingers tightening slightly around his cup: "I'm sorry, Master… we still haven't found any trace of Junior Brother Sui Sui."
He hesitated slightly before adding: "Some people said they saw him that afternoon, heading toward the Shang Mansion."
At that news, Sect Leader Wan's eyes narrowed slightly.
"As you know," Run Yu continued, "that's where the dragon is currently staying"
Run Yu paused, before continuing, this time, his face slowly turned grim by the second: "We also checked the area around the mansion and… there were faint traces of demon qi lingering in the air."
His hands curled slightly into fists, his voice a little nervous; "Master, I fear… there's a high chance Junior Brother Sui Sui is already—"
Before he could finish, Sect Leader Wan's expression sharpened. She cut him off, her voice firm and unyielding:
"No. That child is not dead yet."
Her tone brooked no doubt. The tension in the air seemed to lift, replaced with a stubborn, almost fierce determination.
"Continue the search," she ordered, leaning forward slightly. "Gather more people if you have to. We must find Sui Sui—no matter what."
"Yes, this disciple understands" Run Yu said as he lowered his head.
"Anyway, Master, do you have any idea how to deal with that… thing in the city?" Run Yu asked, his brows furrowed in frustration. It had already been three days, yet the dragon at the the city hadn't moved an inch. No one even knew if it was dead or alive.
They didn't dare get too close — what if they woke it up and angered it?
Because of this, repairing the city had become a nightmare. Workers avoided that entire area like the plague, and progress crawled at a snail's pace.
"Don't worry," Sect Leader Wan reassured: "I already contacted someone from the upper realms, they should be able to relay the message to the dragon clan."
The two of them chatted about a few more things for quite a bit. After finishing his reports, Run Yu asked to be excused. He didn't even bother to finish his tea, then rose from his seat, and left the courtyard in quick strides. His footsteps echoed faintly along the stone path before gradually fading, leaving the courtyard steeped in silence once more.
Now, only Sect Leader Wan remained. She sat there for a moment, the untouched tea cooling in her hands, before her gaze drifted toward the edge of the courtyard.
Beyond the carved wooden railing stood a peach blossom tree, its branches swaying gently in the afternoon breeze. She had planted it herself a few years ago.
Her eyes softened, a trace of nostalgia hidden in their depths. It was as if she were looking past the blossoms, seeing something — or someone — far away in time.
I will keep my promise to protect and raise your child.
The thought brushed through her mind like a whisper carried by the wind.
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Upper Realm, Eastern Territories of Xian Yu Realm— Dragon Clan.
In the upper continent, deep within the Dragon Clan's territory, a pale-looking man lay in bed, wrapped in soft blankets. His purple robes, embroidered with delicate golden patterns, were slightly rumpled, like the person wearing it couldn't stay still.
Suddenly, a glowing talisman lit up beside him, a man's voice was transmitted from the talisman: Reporting to My Lord, there have been sightings of a golden dragon in one of the Middle Realms, there is a possibility that this could be the young master.
As soon as he heard of the message, the purple robed man's breath hitched. Though his complexion was still sickly, his eyes brightened with rare vitality, it was the first time in days that joy touched his face.
"That's great..great…Husband… they found Yizhou," he said, voice trembling with excitement. "They found our son!"
The man sitting beside him looked over calmly, then gave a soft nod in reply. His usual silence said more than words ever could.
The man in purple reached out, gripping his husband's hand with unsteady fingers. "Quick, quick—get ready. You have to go in person. You must bring Yizhou home safely."
His voice was filled with urgency and hope, like a man finally seeing the light after years of waiting in the dark.