Xiao Yufan was naturally not a stingy person and directly passed the Annihilation Heaven Seal to Hong Zhong. If Nuotiangong were to find out, who knows if he would spit blood in fury…
Having entered the Primordial Realm, Xiao Yufan couldn’t exactly be described as arrogant, but he certainly no longer viewed Nuotiangong and others as his equals. Yet, when he thought of Guo Chen, a wave of concern surged within him.
Although that fellow had been half-dead and rescued by Xue Hanzhi, Xiao Yufan’s instincts told him that Guo Chen wouldn’t die so easily. Moreover, Guo Chen possessed profound good fortune and had already reached the threshold of the先天 (innate) realm during his last appearance—who knew how terrifying he might become the next time he emerged…
There were still several days before they would explore the mysterious location, so Xiao Yufan decided not to dwell too much on it, though anticipation still filled his heart.
“Yingluo hasn’t returned. Would the elders from the Hu family actually come chasing after us?”
Suddenly, a serious thought struck Xiao Yufan. Knowing the Hu family’s temperament, if they discovered Yingluo remained in Huaxia, who knew whether they’d send people to cause trouble? If, in his absence, Yingluo were taken away by the Hu family, he’d have quite the mess to deal with…
“Probably not,” Hong Zhong chuckled, glancing slightly toward Hu Yingluo nearby. “Even the old and strict Fourth Elder didn’t say anything, so would the Hu family really go to such lengths to bring their little princess back?”
Considering Xiao Yufan’s position as the young master of the Tian Alliance and his remarkable achievement of entering the先天 realm at such a young age, the Hu family would likely not refuse such an exceptionally talented son-in-law, would they?
“All talk and no action!” Xiao Yufan muttered. Although this guy had convinced the Fourth Elder, he hadn’t managed to extract much information from him. For now, the Hu family wouldn’t likely come to Huaxia anytime soon, meaning there was no immediate danger. Whatever came, they’d face it head-on—no one could possibly take his woman away from him.
Unconsciously, an image flashed through Xiao Yufan’s mind. Vaguely, he remembered that woman staying by his side all along.
Yet when he awoke, he hadn’t seen that beloved figure, which brought him a sense of disappointment. However, from the girls, he received an exciting piece of news—Cheng Ying would accompany him to explore that mysterious place.
“No matter what hardship you’ve endured, one day I will keep you by my side forever!”
A faint smile curled his lips. Since the moment their eyes met at the martial arts grand gathering, Xiao Yufan had understood much. At the very least, he now knew Ying’er had left for reasons beyond her control, just as he had suspected.
But whether it was during their breakup or their unexpected reunion at the wedding, Ying’er had disguised her emotions so well that he had overlooked the most important thing—the deep feelings they had nurtured together since their youth…
It was because of his pitiful vanity that he had repeatedly let go of Ying’er’s hand. When Ye Kong had said those words, how could the regret in his heart be expressed in mere words?
Thankfully, this time, Xiao Yufan would not make the same mistake again!
“Why haven’t you left yet? Didn’t I already give you everything…”
Hearing rustling sounds, Xiao Yufan initially thought it was Hong Zhong who hadn’t left yet, but soon realized the visitor wasn’t Hong Zhong, but someone else.
“I know my presence is definitely unwelcome here. I came only to thank you!”
Situ Wenchang looked at the man who had once driven him to madness, a bitter smile curling his lips. Now, the two of them stood worlds apart, and he finally understood—he would never be able to compete with this man.
“There’s no need for thanks. I helped you merely to make you realize that a thread of blood-related kinship still exists between us!”
Xiao Yufan smiled, not the least surprised by Situ Wenchang’s appearance. Whether it was opposing him in the capital or obstructing his northern campaign as one of the Northern Three Young Commanders, all that was now in the past.
Now in different worlds, their old grudges had long since faded.
“Blood-related kinship…” Situ Wenchang’s lips trembled slightly, then curled into a mocking smile. The lineage of Old Master Situ was nearly on par with the Hidden Situ Clan, while his own branch couldn’t even stand on equal footing.
If not for this martial arts grand gathering, he wouldn’t have even known how many powerful figures existed in the world. What frustrated him most was that he didn’t even have the qualification to look up to the younger generation of experts.
“Over such a long time, all branches of the Hidden Situ Clan have become distant. Grandfather’s view is that there’s no need to fight anymore—each should walk their own path well enough.”
Xiao Yufan knew that Situ Wenchang’s opposition had always been for the title of future heir of the Situ family, but Xiao Yufan had long since grown indifferent to such matters. However, he did have a strong desire to become the future heir of the Hidden Situ Clan.
Hearing Xiao Yufan’s words, Situ Wenchang was clearly taken aback, but soon resolved himself, for this concerned the survival of their branch.
“Whether it’s the Northern Situ family or the Southern Situ lineage, all are willing to accept Old Master as the family head, and you are the future young master. I believe one day all Situ branches will reunite under the Hidden Situ Clan!”
Situ Wenchang’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried an unshakable determination. Xiao Yufan was somewhat surprised—never would he have expected such words from this man. It seemed the martial arts grand gathering had given him quite a shock.
“Is it really that important to reunite with the Hidden Situ Clan?”
“It is very important. It’s Grandfather’s lifelong wish. Back then, Grandfather was forced to leave the Hidden Situ Clan because of Old Master, and he always hoped to return one day!”
Perhaps Xiao Yufan couldn’t fully understand why Situ Wenchang placed such importance on returning to the Hidden Situ Clan, but for Situ Wenchang, this was his grandfather’s greatest wish in life. It was also why he had previously harbored such hostility toward Xiao Yufan.
If not for the old Situ Patriarch back then, how could their branch have left the Hidden Situ Clan? Perhaps Situ Wenchang didn’t realize that had they not left, they might have perished in that catastrophe long ago.
“I promise you, I won’t let Grandfather’s wish go unfulfilled!”
Letting out a long breath, Xiao Yufan’s eyes softened with a smile. Situ Wenchang’s grandfather was, after all, his senior. How could he bear to let such a wish remain unfulfilled?
Situ Wenchang smiled. He knew—he had made the right choice…
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