A few hours before Xiao Hua arrived in the North-Western Region, three elegant figures sat within the meeting hall of the Primer Clan's vast mansion, located in the heart of Jia Ma Empire's capital. A solemn atmosphere weighed heavily over the chamber.
Seated at the leader's chair was a woman with a jade-like face and painting-like eyes. Though her brows were furrowed, the cat-like allure that lingered on her features did not fade. Her mature, enchanting charm made her beauty all the more striking, even in her worried state.
This familiar figure was none other than Ya Fei.
"According to the information, the Misty Cloud Sect is stirring with great activity. What do Sister Cai Lin and Sister Fairy Doctor think of this?"
Her gaze, calm yet burdened with worry, swept across the troubling report in her hand before turning toward the two other graceful women seated nearby.
Among them, one was draped in a brilliant robe. Even with its somewhat loose fit, it failed to conceal her alluring curves—her very presence carried the charm of a bewitching demoness. At this moment, however, her enchanting face bore a faint frown as she raised the parchment in her hand, her expression solemn.
She was Cai Lin—the first woman Xiao Hua had embraced, and the mother of his daughter.
Rubbing her chin thoughtfully, she sank into brief contemplation before replying in a calm, measured tone.
"There have been only two occasions when the Misty Cloud Sect made such large-scale movements. The first was when they attacked the Xiao Clan in Wu Tan City and pursued Xiao Yan into the Magic Beast Mountain Range. The second was when they struck at the Xiao Clan once more, deep within the Tager Desert."
"That means they will definitely set their sights on the Primer Clan. If the information regarding Yun Shan is true, then his next step will surely be to seize control of the Jia Ma Empire. The troubling matter, however, lies in the source of their confidence—why would they dare attack this place when only a few of us stand guard?"
As this voice sounded, Ya Fei and Cai Lin turned their gaze toward the final elegant figure seated within the hall. Draped in an amethyst-colored gown that accentuated her slender waist, with long dark-purple hair cascading like silk, she exuded an aura of ethereal beauty mixed with a trace of unfathomable mystery.
She was the Little Fairy Doctor.
Having returned to Jia Ma Empire after Xiao Hua entered seclusion, she had come wishing to see her daughter—though not her own, but Cai Lin's. Bound by fate to marry the same man, she and Cai Lin regarded each other as sisters rather than rivals.
Yet, she had not returned alone. Two elders of the Moonlit Chaos Mansion had accompanied her, though now only one remained.
One had fallen to the hands of the Hall of Souls—a fact she only discovered when Li Mei's jade communication arrived, reporting the bloody conflict raging within the Moonlit Chaos Mansion against both the Hall of Souls and the Hun Clan.
The news left her heart heavy with sorrow and guilt. While she enjoyed quiet days within the Jia Ma Empire, her disciples and elders had been fighting desperately, one even giving up their life in that distant battle.
For a moment, silence fell upon her lips as these thoughts weighed on her heart. Yet she swiftly suppressed them, knowing regret would change nothing. What mattered now was the danger at hand.
Once Little Fairy Doctor had calmed, Ya Fei drew in a steady breath and spoke once more:
"I have heard from Xiao Yang and Xiao Tao that several unfamiliar figures have appeared within Jia Ma Empire, some possessing formidable strength. My guess is that the Misty Cloud Sect has recruited outside experts to deal with us."
"I doubt the Misty Cloud Sect has the capability to summon such experts. It is without a doubt the Hall of Souls who brought them in to aid Yun Shan." The Little Fairy Doctor's eyes narrowed, a suspicious glint flashing within them.
"They have already suffered immense losses at Xiao Hua's hands and against the Moonlit Chaos Mansion. I believe they lack the strength to send large reinforcements here. At most, only a handful of experts from the Hall of Souls have been dispatched."
"But what could they possibly desire here to risk such a move despite their heavy losses? This kind of desperate action… I cannot believe it is solely for the Xiao Clan." Ya Fei's tone deepened as she voiced her doubts.
Cai Lin and the Little Fairy Doctor both furrowed their brows, clearly unsettled and equally puzzled by the Hall of Souls' intent.
"Mother…"
Just as the three fell into deep contemplation, an unusually tender voice—soft and innocent like that of a child—suddenly echoed within the chamber.
The solemn expressions of the three stunningly beautiful women instantly melted away at the sound. A warm, gentle smile surfaced upon their lips as they swiftly turned toward the source of the voice.
From the doorway of the meeting hall, where the door now stood ajar, two figures had appeared. Two figures appeared there—one, an old man dressed in a pale-blue robe, none other than Hai Bodong, whom Xiao Hua had entrusted with the protection of the Xiao Clan.
Yet, their gazes were not fixed upon him. What captured the attention of the three was the little girl at his side. Bare-legged, appearing no more than five years of age, she hovered half an inch above the ground—suspended in midair without any visible support.
Suspended in midair—this was a feat only a Dou Zong could accomplish!
Yet shockingly, this child had already reached the Dou Zong realm at an age when others would have only just begun their cultivation.
Her jade-carved face resembled a delicate porcelain doll, so exquisite that one could not help but feel an endless affection for her, reluctant to ever let go. Her pair of obsidian eyes shimmered with intelligence, carrying a mischievous glint beneath the daylight.
As the ladies looked over, the little girl's garments stirred. From beneath them slithered out a seven-colored tiny serpent, coiling lazily upon her tender white arm. With a hiss, it flicked its tongue in the air.
Its form was none other than that of the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python from the past!
Cai Lin rose to her feet and gathered her the child into her embrace, a gentle smile softening her face as she caressed the little one's cheek.
Naturally, Ya Fei and Little Fairy Doctor followed suit, gently pinching the little girl's cheeks in an affectionate, playful manner, their smiles carrying the tenderness of mothers.
Ya Fei focused on teasing the child for a while before her gaze shifted to Hai Bodong, who stood nearby with a faint smile. She understood well—Hai Bodong had always acted like an uncle to this little daughter of theirs.
"Old Hai, since you've come here, has any news caught your attention?" she asked softly. After all, Hai Bodong seldom visited without reason.
"Xiao Yan and the force he established in the Black-Corner Region, Xiao Gate, have arrived in the mansion," Hai Bodong replied faintly.
"Moreover, they claim to have obtained information that requires the attention of the two of you." His gaze slowly shifted toward Ya Fei and Cai Lin as he spoke the last words.
"The two of us?" Ya Fei's brows knitted tightly. She exchanged a glance with Cai Lin, both of them wearing solemn expressions. Instinctively, they wondered if this was connected to the large-scale movements of the Misty Cloud Sect.
With a faint nod, they gave their consent. Hai Bodong promptly excused himself to bring them in.
After a short while, he returned, accompanied by three figures—Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yan, the three Xiao brothers.
"Lady Ya Fei, Lady Cai Lin, Lady Fairy Doctor—my apologies for disturbing you." Xiao Yan cupped his hands respectfully as he greeted them.
To Xiao Yan, who owed Xiao Hua countless favors, it was only natural to treat Ya Fei, Cai Lin, and Little Fairy Doctor with utmost respect, for they were his lovers and future wives.
Though he was momentarily startled to see Little Fairy Doctor, he had already encountered her once before and knew well of her close bond with Xiao Hua. Thus, his respectful greeting toward her carried no hesitation.
Furthermore, the Xiao Clan had remained safe and secure under the protection of the Primer Clan and the Snake-People Tribe. As a member and the clan leader of the Xiao Clan, it was only natural that Xiao Yan felt deeply grateful toward the two of them.
Ya Fei let out a soft laugh, nodding lightly in response to his greeting. Her brows soon furrowed as she took the lead to speak. "I wonder, what news has Young Master Xiao Yan received that requires our attention?"
Xiao Yan nodded, drawing in a deep breath before beginning to explain the events he had encountered on his journey back to the Jia Ma Empire.
"Not long ago, when I passed through the Zhen Gui Pass, I happened upon an Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect. At that time, he was aiding a deputy commander—also aligned with Misty Cloud Sect—in seizing the position of commander."
"Should he have succeeded, the deputy commander would have risen to the highest authority within Zhen Gui Pass, and the troops stationed there would have fallen completely under the control of the Misty Cloud Sect."
At these words, the expressions of Cai Lin and Ya Fei changed drastically. Even Hai Bodong could not conceal the shock that flashed across his face.
They had long known of Yun Shan's ambition, but none expected his actions to be executed with such swiftness and decisiveness.
In that instant, they understood—the massive commotion raised by the Misty Cloud Sect was nothing more than a smokescreen, intended to mask their true scheme: seizing Zhen Gui Pass without interference from other powers.
"Another piece of news…" Xiao Yan continued, his tone steady but heavy. "After I slew that Elder of the Misty Cloud Sect, I discovered a letter on his person—bearing direct instructions from Yun Shan."
He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the room before resting upon the small figure nestled in Cai Lin's arms. The little girl tilted her head in innocent confusion, unaware of the storm gathering around her. Xiao Yan recalled what his elder brother, Xiao Ding, had told him—she was the daughter of Xiao Hua and Cai Lin.
Drawing in a deep breath, his voice sank into a solemn tone, carrying both weight and warning.
"They are planning to attack the Primer Family… and capture Brother Xiao Hua's child."
Bang!
Two vast and mighty auras erupted from Cai Lin and the Little Fairy Doctor, their eyes surging with fury and killing intent the moment they heard the report. Though Ya Fei's strength was far inferior, a cold murderous light flickered within her eyes as well.
This piece of information had truly enraged them. None of the three women had ever imagined that Yun Shan's ambition would extend to seizing their daughter.
"Mother…"
At that very instant, a tender and frightened voice rang out. The three women quickly restrained their auras, soothing the little girl nestled in Cai Lin's embrace.
After calming her, Cai Lin slowly lifted her head. Her eyes sharpened, a chilling glint flickering within them as she fixed her gaze on Xiao Yan. Her voice was low, steady, and edged with steel.
"I do not believe this is Yun Shan's will alone. Is it not more likely that the Hall of Souls seeks to capture her?"
Xiao Hua did not speak but only gave a slight nod. He too had thought the same. Having learned the Hall of Souls' assault on Moonlit Chaos Mansion—and their ultimate defeat at its hands—he knew well the weight of their ambitions. Naturally, they would target his daughter, attempting to use her as chains to bind and control Xiao Hua.
After receiving countless favors from him, such a scheme was something he found utterly intolerable.
"There is no doubt. The Hall of Souls must be the true hand behind this. It would also explain why other forces from beyond the Jia Ma Empire have appeared so suddenly. Yun Shan… he is likely the one who opened the way for them, allowing their movements to go unnoticed."
Xiao Ding rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his voice steady yet heavy.
"That damn Yun Shan… even a dog is better than him!" Xiao Li slammed his palms together, cursing in rage.
But the moment he noticed the little girl had been startled—and the three women glaring at him coldly—he quickly bowed his head, scratching the back of it with an awkward smile.
"So… she is the daughter of the Supreme Elder," Xiao Li muttered, lowering his gaze with curiosity as he looked at the child.
This was his first return to the Jia Ma Empire since delivering Xiao Yan's message, and thus, the first time he laid eyes upon the daughter of Xiao Hua and Cai Lin.
"That's right. She is Xiao Yuyan." Cai Lin's expression softened as she lowered her head, gazing upon her daughter with deep, motherly affection.
The Little Fairy Doctor and Ya Fei also leaned closer, their hands gently caressing the child's tender cheeks, smiles of warmth spreading across their faces.
Bang!
The peaceful atmosphere shattered instantly as the doors burst open. A member of the Primer Clan staggered inside, panic written across his face. His voice rang out in alarm.
"Report! The Misty Cloud Sect, along with several other forces, are advancing this way! They've already slaughtered some of our disciples!"
Those words struck like thunder—the signal that war was upon them. The long-brewing conflict between the Hua Alliance, with Xiao Gate at its side, and the Misty Cloud Sect and their gathered allies… had begun.
…
Far away, in a remote hall deep within the Misty Cloud Sect's back mountain.
The vast chamber lay in complete silence. At its center sat an exceptionally beautiful woman clothed in pristine white. Her presence was striking, her posture upright and flawless as she rested quietly upon a futon, eyes tightly shut, as though in silent meditation.
Creak—!
The silence of the vast hall was broken as the tightly shut door slowly pushed open. A faint stream of daylight slipped through the widening gap, stretching across the floor until it gently wrapped itself around the white-clothed woman seated within.
Bathed in that soft radiance, her figure seemed veiled by a silver thread of light, like an untouchable fairy descended from the heavens—noble, ethereal, and beyond mortal reach.
An old figure stepped in, his pace unhurried yet steady. His footsteps finally came to a halt not far from the woman. With a faint smile tugging at his lips, he spoke softly,
"Yun'er… are you still angry with Teacher?"
The woman slowly opened her eyes at the sound of his voice. Her gem-like pupils shimmered under the daylight, reflecting an unusual charm that set off her elegant features. Her noble yet indifferent beauty could make one unconsciously lower their head in reverence.
That face—unmistakably belonged to Yun Yun, the former Sect Leader of the Misty Cloud Sect.
No longer the leader, for Yun Shan had long since reclaimed the position from her.
Years had left no trace upon her countenance; instead, time had only deepened her noble aura, refining it into something even more profound. Yet beneath that nobility now lay a chill she once never possessed.
"Teacher," she said faintly, her gaze steady but distant. "What brings you to this Forbidden Hall? You, of all people, should not have the time to linger here." Her tone carried a hint of self-mockery, like a blade hidden beneath velvet.
"Ugh, Yun'er, you still have such a temper. Have you already forgotten the painstaking guidance your teacher gave you, all for the sake of a Xiao Clan that bears no blood relation to you?" The old man sighed, his voice carrying both resentment and disappointment at her failure to meet his expectations.
Yun Yun's delicate face revealed a trace of bitterness. After a brief silence, she whispered softly,
"Yun Yun has never forgotten Teacher's teachings. They remain etched deep within my heart. But… why must you treat the Xiao Clan in such a manner? By doing this, you and Xiao Yan will inevitably clash until one of you falls."
"So be it!" Yun Shan's expression darkened the instant that name left her lips. His voice grew sharp as he waved his sleeves with force.
"A mere junior who thinks himself gifted—how could I, Yun Shan, ever be afraid? That brat was chased out of the Jia Ma Empire three years ago. Since then, no word of him has surfaced, even from the neighboring nations. Most likely, he is already rotting in some forgotten corner of the world."
Yun Yun's gaze turned cold. "And what of Xiao Hua? If Xiao Yan cannot make you afraid, will Xiao Hua's wrath truly leave you unmoved when he returns?"
At those words, a shadow of fear flickered within Yun Shan's eyes. He could not deny it—Xiao Hua had indeed left a terror upon his heart. The news of him overturning the Wind-Lightning Pavilion and refining a Tier 9 Treasure Alchemist had long since shaken the Central Plains.
Yet Yun Shan forcibly stilled his heart, drawing several deep breaths before speaking in a low, heavy tone.
"So what if he returns? The Hall of Souls will keep him bound while they wage war against Moonlit Chaos Mansion. And once we seize his daughter, even he will be forced to bow his head—treated worse than a dog beneath my feet."
"Xiao Hua… has a daughter?!" Yun Yun's heart trembled violently at the revelation. For a moment, she felt lost and unsettled. But when she heard that Yun Shan intended to seize the child as a shackle against him, her shock deepened into fury.
"Teacher, if you persist on this unrepentant path, the Misty Cloud Sect will one day be ruined in your very hands!" Yun Yun bit down on her silver teeth, her voice trembling with anger.
"Presumptuous! Yun Yun, you grow more insolent by the day! How dare you speak to me in such a manner?" Yun Shan's expression chilled, his voice sharp as a blade. With a heavy swing of his sleeves, he turned and strode toward the exit of the hall.
"The Misty Cloud Sect will not perish under my leadership. On the contrary, I shall raise it to heights unseen in its entire history—levels no sect leader before me has ever attained!" His tone grew fervent, almost fanatical. "Especially once we seize Xiao Hua's daughter. With her as leverage, Xiao Hua will be forced to serve as our medicinal cauldron—refining pills whenever we demand, discarded once his usefulness runs dry!"
"You would do best to forget him. When matters settle, you will marry Gu He." Just as his figure reached the doorway, Yun Shan halted and spoke coldly.
"Marry… Gu He?" Yun Yun's body stiffened as his words echoed in her ears. The iciness in her heart grew ever heavier, like frost spreading through her veins. She instantly understood Yun Shan's intent.
Gu He was a Tier 6 Alchemist. Though completely overshadowed by Xiao Hua, his status in the empire remained high, his influence and connections vast. With a single summons from a Tier 6 Alchemist like him, at least five of the 'Ten Strong' within the empire would answer his call.
In truth, Yun Shan wanted her to marry Gu He not for her sake, but to bind him tightly to the Misty Cloud Sect—a political tool in the guise of marriage.
At that moment, Yun Yun could no longer recognize the man before her. Was this cold, calculating schemer truly the compassionate teacher she once revered?
The thought felt utterly unbelievable… as if the teacher she once knew had long since vanished.
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