After the meal was finished, Elder Du finally turned to his granddaughter. With a gentle yet curious smile, he asked,
"Yaoyao, tell me… who did you come here with?"
Du Yaoyao's bright blue eyes sparkled as she replied innocently, "Grandpa, I came with my senior sister and ten other disciples. Master said the Eastern Territory is the best place for battle experience, especially for those at the Qi Condensation stage. So we are here to train for one full month. Senior Sister and the others are staying at an inn in the nearby town, but I wanted to spend my time here with you!"
Elder Du let out a long breath of relief the moment he heard this. If her group really had an Origin Realm cultivator, then he didn't need to worry too much about her safety. Even in this dangerous wilderness, such a person would be more than enough to protect the disciples.
But before he could say anything further, Yaoyao's lips curved into a proud smile as she added, "Grandpa, I'll be breaking through to the mid stage of Qi Condensation very soon."
"What?!" Elder Du's eyes widened as though he couldn't believe his ears. "So fast? It's only been six months since that expert took you to the sect, and you've already reached this point?"
Du Yaoyao giggled softly, looking every bit like a little fairy. "Hehe, Master says my progress is good. I've been cultivating day and night, and my dual spiritual roots help me a lot."
Elder Du stared at her in shock and pride. For a brief moment, he forgot the hardships of life in the Eastern Territory. His granddaughter's future was shining so brightly that even he could feel hope rising in his weary heart.
Elder Du had already lived a long life. His hair had turned white, his back slightly bent from the years of hardship, and his cultivation had long been stuck at the late stage of Qi Condensation. He knew very well that there was no hope of breaking through anymore. For years, he carried a silent burden in his heart. what would happen to Yaoyao once he was gone?
But now seeing his granddaughter's dazzling talent, hearing her speak so proudly about her future, he felt an immense weight lifting off his chest.
A soft smile touched his lips, and for the first time in decades, Elder Du felt that he could leave this world without regret.
Yet, deep within, one worry still remained. His gaze unconsciously shifted toward the corner of the room toward the small boy sitting quietly, his expression unreadable.
Shen xuan.
This child who had appeared out of nowhere, Elder Du could not bring himself to abandon him, but neither could he understand what kind of fate had brought such a pitiful boy into the middle of such cruel chaos.
He sighed deeply, his old eyes carrying both worry and unease. Yaoyao's future is bright… but what about this little one? What awaits him?
After a silence, Elder Du finally spoke, his voice heavy with thought.
"Yaoyao… what do you think? Could you perhaps take this little boy with you to your sect? There will be other children there, the environment is far better than this lonely house. If he learns, studies, and cultivates, perhaps he will find something to focus on… something that will help him step out of his trauma."
Yaoyao moved her head, her bright blue eyes glancing toward Shen Xuan who was quietly staring at the floor.
"Grandpa, I don't mind," she said honestly, "but you know our sect's rules… only girls are allowed to enter. Boys are strictly forbidden."
Elder Du stroked his beard with a troubled sigh. "Yes, I know. But he is still so young. Who knows? Perhaps there might be a way… maybe your leader will make an exception."
Yaoyao frowned in thought, then her expression softened. "In that case, I will speak with Senior Sister. She's the one in charge of our group here. She can communicate with sect , maybe there's a chance for him."
That evening, after dinner, Yaoyao tugged at her grandfather's sleeve.
"Grandpa, what's his name?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Elder Du gave a helpless sigh. "I don't know, child. It's been two months since I brought him here, but he has never once spoken his name to me. Perhaps… you might succeed. Try your own way."
Though only nine years old, Yaoyao carried an unusual maturity in her bright gaze. Her life within the sect, her responsibilities, and the weight of expectations had shaped her in ways most children could never imagine. She nodded firmly, determination lighting up her face.
That night, she quietly slipped into Shen Xuan's room. At first, he simply sat on the bed, silent as always. But Yaoyao was not discouraged. She spoke, teased, and even played little games with him. Slowly, the heavy air around the boy began to lift. Hours passed like moments.
From a distance, Elder Du watched through the door crack, his old eyes wide in surprise. For the first time, Shen Xuan's lips curved into a faint smile. This sight filled the old man's heart with both relief and joy.
Later, when the room grew quiet again, Yaoyao leaned closer to Shen Xuan.
"Little brother," she asked softly, "will you tell me your name?"
For a long moment, silence lingered. Then, in a voice weak yet steady, the boy whispered for the first time since he had arrived:
"…My name is Shen Xuan."
Yaoyao nodded, very good name from now on just call me big sister.
That night, Yaoyao refused to leave Shen Xuan's side. She spread her little blanket on the floor of his room and fell asleep right there, while hugging shen xuan. For the first time in months, Shen Xuan drifted into a peaceful slumber without nightmares because he could feel the warmth from yaoyao body.
When dawn arrived, Elder Du stepped into the room. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of the two children sleeping so close, and then he couldn't help but smile.
Later, as Shen Xuan woke up, Elder Du chuckled warmly.
"So, Shen Xuan, how did it feel to meet Yaoyao? I hope she didn't trouble you too much."
The boy quietly shook his head, a faint light flickering in his eyes. Elder Du's smile deepened. The child was slowly beginning to heal.
Neither Elder Du nor Yaoyao had taken his name too seriously. After all, on such a vast continent, how many families carried the surname Shen? It never once crossed their minds that this quiet boy came from one of the continent's most feared second-class forces.
The three of them sat together for breakfast, laughter and warmth filling the small wooden house.
Knock. Knock.
A voice rang from outside the door.
"Yaoyao! Hurry up, it's time for training!"
It was one of the young girls from her group of sect disciples.
Yaoyao quickly finished her last bite of breakfast and stood up.
"Grandpa, Little Xuan, I have to go for training now."
Elder Du smiled at her warmly.
"Be careful, Yaoyao. Train seriously, but don't overdo it."
She leaned down toward Shen Xuan and said playfully,
"Little Xuan, don't miss me too much. I'll be back before evening."
Just as she was about to leave, Elder Du called out,
"Yaoyao, in the evening invite all your fellow disciples here. We'll host a dinner. Cultivators may not need mortal food, but they can at least enjoy the taste and for Little Xuan, it will give him some energy."
Yaoyao nodded cheerfully.
"Alright, Grandpa! I'll tell them."
With that, she ran off to join her group, leaving Elder Du and Shen Xuan alone.
After Yaoyao left, the small house grew quiet again. Shen Xuan sat beside Elder Du, his dark eyes watching the door for a moment as if he could still see her figure.
Elder Du chuckled softly.
"That girl is full of life, isn't she? She reminds me of spring sunlight always bright, always warm."
For the first time, Shen Xuan spoke more than a single word.
"She is different."
Elder Du's smile widened. He reached out and gently patted Shen Xuan's head.
"Yes, because she is powerful. But you can also become someone strong like her, Little Xuan. If you work hard in cultivation, one day you may even surpass her. And then…"
His eyes dimmed slightly, but his voice remained firm.
"…one day, you will have the strength to take revenge for your parents."
Du hai thought that shen xuan parents were killed in the battle of that terrifying night.
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