Chapter 90: Fear

Dongxiang Lake’s alchemy workshop resembled a colossal fortress, where tens of thousands of workers toiled relentlessly. Among them, aside from convicts, were many ordinary people simply trying to earn a living.

At the center of the workshop stood the Mage Tower, where Master Xu Guangqing reigned supreme. Below him were his disciples, followed by servants. Dong Bo Lie was one of those assigned to perform the most physically demanding tasks.

“Who’s there!”

The alchemy workshop’s defenses were far more rigorous than those at Leichao Cliff. Aside from Master Xu Guangqing, two Silver Moon-ranked mages were specifically assigned to operate the magical formations, and there were also Silver Moon knights, one of whom wore a unique alchemical armor capable of manifesting strength rivaling that of a named-level warrior. With the formations and the Mage Tower’s enchantments, even a named-level expert who had achieved unity with heaven would only be able to flee in disgrace.

“Hu.” Dong Bo Xueying held his mother’s hand as they flew midair above the alchemy workshop, completely indifferent to the guards below.

Clatter, clatter, clatter…

Many knights had already rushed to the massive roof of the alchemy workshop, gazing upward at the two figures hovering in the sky. The knights felt uneasy and anxious.

These two were flying?

“Hmph.” Dong Bo Xueying cast a cold glance downward.

A tangible wave of soul pressure burst forth like a shockwave, instantly sweeping down upon the group of knights. Under the impact, each knight felt their ears ringing, their vision blurring into obscurity. They were seized by an overwhelming terror, their bodies weakening involuntarily as they collapsed to the ground—this included even the Silver Moon knight clad in alchemical armor, who also fell flat.

“Mother, Father is there.” Dong Bo Xueying guided his mother toward the Mage Tower. A window on one side of the tower silently melted away, forming an entrance. Dong Bo Xueying and Mo Yangyu then stepped inside.

“This… this is…”

“Is this a Transcendent?”

Whether it was the two Silver Moon-ranked mages controlling the formation or Master Xu Guangqing within the Mage Tower, all were alarmed upon noticing Dong Bo Xueying brazenly entering the heavily guarded alchemy workshop. They were equally stunned by the inexplicable sight—just one glance, and all the knights, including the Silver Moon knight, had collapsed?

Even a named-level mage specializing in soul arts would require time to cast such a spell. Moreover, both Dong Bo Xueying and Mo Yangyu radiated protective battle auras—Transcendent battle auras that shone like the sun, dazzling and brilliant.

“That white-haired woman—if I’m not mistaken, is that Mo Yangyu?” One of the mages spoke up. Everyone else remained tense and dared not move.

…

Dong Bo Lie, clad in tattered robes, rested inside his small hut. His body was drenched in sweat. His Sky-tier knight physique and battle aura kept him strong, but the past twenty years had been exhausting, especially the last six. First, he had heard of Xueying’s death, then later learned that his wife, Mo Yangyu, had suffered a magical backlash, rendering her powerless and insane…

Yet he still persisted. Dong Bo Lie himself didn’t know why he continued to endure. Perhaps it was because as long as there was life, there was hope, and he clung to that hope.

“Ka.” The door suddenly opened.

“Coming, coming.” Startled, Dong Bo Lie quickly rose, but then he froze upon seeing who stood at the door.

Outside stood a woman in a violet robe with snow-white hair and a young man in black.

“A… A Yu…” Dong Bo Lie couldn’t believe his eyes. The woman before him was still as beautiful as ever, only her hair had turned white. There was no trace of the madness he had heard about.

“Dong Bo.” Mo Yangyu looked at the once valiant warrior—now reduced to such a pitiful state—and her eyes reddened. She stepped forward and took her husband’s hand.

Dong Bo Xueying watched silently from the side.

He watched his parents speak, watched them embrace and weep.

“Dong Bo, I haven’t told you yet. You must have noticed—this is our son, Xueying.” Mo Yangyu tugged at Dong Bo Xueying beside her.

“Xueying?” Dong Bo Lie had found the young man in black oddly familiar, sensing an inexplicable closeness. Upon hearing his wife’s words, he was incredulous. “But… isn’t Xueying already…”

“Xueying survived after falling into the Black Wind Abyss, and he cultivated to become a Transcendent, escaping from the abyss.” Mo Yangyu explained. “Our son has become a Transcendent.”

Dong Bo Lie gazed at his son.

Eyes, nose, ears… He remembered his son’s appearance clearly when he was eight years old. He was absolutely certain that the person before him was his own son, Dong Bo Xueying. Even if someone else bore a resemblance, the details wouldn’t be this eerily similar.

“Father, Mother, from today onward, you will never suffer again,” Dong Bo Xueying said. “No one has the right to make you suffer.”

Dong Bo Lie suddenly felt an immense surge of pride.

“My son Dong Bo Lie has become a Transcendent lifeform—hahaha…” Dong Bo Lie laughed joyfully. “I knew it! I always knew that one day hope would come! One day! Hahaha…”

“Good lad.” Dong Bo Lie smiled and nodded. “I always knew you’d surpass me. But now, you’ve surpassed me by far! Excellent, excellent.”

Though Dong Bo Xueying had an extraordinary mindset, hearing his father’s praise still brought him joy and satisfaction.

“All of it is over,” Dong Bo Xueying said, his voice turning cold. “But those who made you suffer will not escape unscathed. And that accursed Mo Yang family—who made you suffer for twenty years—such a foolish family doesn’t deserve to exist anymore! Those who wronged you must all pay the price.”

Twenty years.

His parents had endured endless hardships.

His son had been separated from them.

“Xueying.” Mo Yangyu quickly interjected. “There’s no need to go this far. Only a tiny minority of the Mo Yang family truly bears enmity toward us. The vast majority have no quarrel with us at all! Even the clan leader merely enforced the clan’s laws as per tradition—she cannot be said to have targeted me specifically.”

The Mo Yang family was where she had grown up, filled with people she knew and loved.

“Should we just let Mo Yang Chenbai and a few others off the hook?” Dong Bo Xueying glared. “Absolutely not!”

Eight years old.

That cold edict! It had taken away his parents.

Dong Bo Xueying had long sought vengeance against Mo Yang Chenbai, but he also harbored anger toward the clan leader who issued the edict and the foolish upper echelons of the Mo Yang family.

“Xueying.” Dong Bo Lie glanced at his wife before speaking. “That is still your mother’s birth clan, filled with many of her relatives. There’s no need to make things too ugly.”

“Father, Mother, don’t you hate them at all?” Dong Bo Xueying urged urgently.

“At least we are still alive,” Mo Yangyu replied. “There’s no need for excessive retribution.”

Dong Bo Xueying clenched his teeth.

Swoosh.

He vanished instantly from the room. Mo Yangyu and Dong Bo Lie rushed out of the house and looked out the window. High above, Dong Bo Xueying stood bathed in a flame-like Transcendent battle aura, like a god surveying the mortal world. A terrifying pressure radiated outward as Dong Bo Xueying’s icy gaze swept below. All the hidden mages and knights within the alchemy workshop trembled in fear.

“I am Dong Bo Xueying! Many of you may have heard my name.”

“I have returned alive from the Black Wind Abyss, so now it is your turn to fear the Mo Yang family!” Dong Bo Xueying’s voice rang cold and clear throughout the entire alchemy workshop. “Originally, I had planned to wipe out the entire Mo Yang family—every single one who deserved death must die! Including the clan leader who issued that edict!”

“But my mother pleaded for mercy. The Mo Yang family is indeed fortunate.”

“However, though death may be spared, punishment cannot be escaped!”

“Tell your clan leader, Mo Yang Qi, that I await her apology.”

High above, Dong Bo Xueying’s presence filled every mage and knight of the Mo Yang family with dread. “If I am unsatisfied… heh heh…”

That final mocking laugh chilled everyone’s hearts.

Unsatisfied? What exactly would Dong Bo Xueying do if he were unsatisfied? No one knew.

“Father, Mother.” Dong Bo Xueying flew down to his parents’ side, holding each of their hands. “Let’s go home.”

“Alright.” Dong Bo Lie and Mo Yangyu both nodded. Although Mo Yangyu knew that her son’s threat would surely throw the Mo Yang family into chaos and likely result in many deaths, it was still far better than Dong Bo Xueying’s original plan. Moreover, Mo Yangyu had long since lost any affection for the Mo Yang family. Over the years, she had harbored resentment as well, but out of consideration for her brothers and others, she had hesitated.

Swoosh.

With his parents, he transformed into a streak of flaming light, instantly vanishing into the horizon.

The entire alchemy workshop fell into silence.

Soon, the Silver Moon-ranked mages and knights gathered before Master Xu Guangqing.

“Master Xu, what should we do?” Everyone was visibly panicked.

“What can we do? If they cannot weather this storm, the entire Mo Yang family is doomed.” Master Xu Guangqing shook his head. “All we can do is relay the words of this Transcendent being to the clan leader, exactly as spoken, and let them decide. Sigh… can a Transcendent’s wrath be so easily quelled?”