Unconscious for two days, Xiao Yufan still showed no sign of awakening. Yet, the aura of someone on the verge of reaching the先天 realm had become increasingly solid…
This injury wasn’t as severe as initially thought. However, even though the old hound from the hidden Guo family hesitated somewhat in his attack, it was still a furious strike from a peak-level expert, naturally not to be underestimated.
“The hidden Guo family… they deserve to die!”
Gazing at the profile of the man so close to her, Huangpu Xian’er’s lips curved into a gentle smile, but her eyes burned with hatred toward the hidden Guo family. This man had been injured twice because of them, and so the hidden Guo family had already been placed on her blacklist!
Her grandfather’s sudden departure must mean something unexpected had happened within the Huangpu clan. Without needing to think twice, she knew that if the hidden Huangpu family was in trouble, the hidden Guo family was definitely involved!
“The hidden Guo family has now been pushed to the edge. Soon, they will pay the price!”
Hu Yingluo felt a twinge of heartache. If only she were stronger, she would have killed that person herself. After years of separation, her feelings for Xiao Yufan had not diminished at all—in fact, they had only grown even deeper. Fortunately, she was lucky…
At this moment, Xiao Yufan could only feel pain radiating from every part of his body. When he had fought Guo Chen earlier, he had already drained most of his inner energy. Later, he had unexpectedly killed Guo Junyu, leaving him nearly defenseless.
He had taken the full force of Guo Hongguang’s attack, and his entire body was nearly shattered. Fortunately, his body was unusually strong, and protected by the Dragon-Controlling True Art—if it weren’t for that, he would have either died or been crippled like any other person hit with such force.
Each breath Xiao Yufan took sent sharp pain through his body. That old dog wanted revenge for his grandson—clearly, he had intended to kill.
Stream after stream of energy, like dragon shadows, continuously flowed through Xiao Yufan’s body. If he had been conscious to notice, he would have been astonished to find that his body had once again undergone subtle changes.
In another room, Old Master Situ and the three supreme experts of the Heaven Alliance sat in quiet contemplation. Before them stood a graceful, solitary figure—cold and distant.
“Little girl, I know you’re very close to Yufan. You were the first woman he ever loved. I understand why you left—it wasn’t by choice. But why have you never told that foolish boy the truth? Doesn’t carrying all this alone wear you down?”
Such an outstanding woman had been won over early on by his grandson. Master Situ felt a blend of surprise and curiosity, particularly about Cheng Ying’s true identity.
“It’s tiring, but it’s better than both of us carrying it. As long as he can live happily, it’s enough!” Cheng Ying softly spoke, her icy beauty briefly softening into a delicate smile.
“Do you really think he can be happy knowing the truth? Yufan is just like you—he’s a person who values emotions deeply. No matter what your background is, he will always keep you by his side!”
Shaking his head helplessly, Old Master Situ couldn’t quite grasp the younger generation’s way of thinking. However, since this matter concerned Xiao Yufan’s lifelong happiness, he naturally couldn’t remain indifferent.
“My fate was decided the moment I was born!”
A trace of coldness returned to Cheng Ying’s smile, and her pitifully beautiful expression sent a shiver through Old Master Situ’s heart. He could hardly fathom the weight of the burdens she must have carried all these years.
“If I’m not mistaken, you aren’t really from the Azure Spirit Temple, are you? A guardian shrine like that shouldn’t be able to restrain someone like you!”
Even Master Situ, whose standards were exceptionally high, had to acknowledge the terrifying talent that Cheng Ying possessed. He could sense that her strength originated entirely from within, meaning she had achieved her current level purely through her own efforts.
In fact, she might even surpass Xiao Yufan in this aspect. If such an extraordinary woman could become his granddaughter-in-law, it would be nothing short of ideal.
Cheng Ying didn’t respond, only nodding slightly. But that simple gesture caused the brows of the Heaven Alliance’s three supreme experts to furrow. A woman so powerful that even a guardian shrine couldn’t control her—her identity must be far more complicated than it appeared.
In the hidden martial arts world, besides the hidden clans, the guardian shrines are known to many, though most remain reclusive and rarely interfere in worldly affairs. However, above even the guardian shrines, there were a few rare and mysterious forces—ones even the Heaven Alliance could only admire from afar.
It was hard to imagine just how many restrictions Cheng Ying must face if she truly came from one of those factions. Most importantly, what kind of power could command such reverence that even the Azure Spirit Temple would treat her like a deity?
“It seems the martial world is indeed about to face a storm. Even those hidden forces can no longer remain still!”
Muttering to himself, Old Master Situ fell into deep contemplation. The impending Martial Arts Grand Gathering might merely be the harbinger of the turmoil yet to come. He couldn’t help but ponder what those concealed forces were truly seeking.
For hidden clans, entering the mortal world was indeed tempting, and even some guardian shrines could not resist the allure. However, Master Situ understood that for truly transcendent forces, their ambitions extended far beyond simple worldly gains.
Pursuing a higher realm, for some, fame and fortune were nothing but fleeting clouds. What they truly sought was eternity itself…
“I hope you won’t tell him any of this. I don’t want to burden him. In the eyes of many, he’s already more than excellent enough.”
Gently biting her luscious red lip, Cheng Ying spoke again. She knew the man’s nature all too well—if he learned more, it would only add to his burdens. That was not what she wanted.
“You should understand Yufan better than anyone…”
Old Master Situ neither agreed nor disagreed. His straightforward response left Cheng Ying at a loss for words. Indeed, after all this time, how could she still fail to understand Yufan’s nature?
“If one day, he can truly take me away from the Qingling Clan, I will be willing to stand by his side, just like the other women in his life.”
Cheng Ying’s voice was soft, but Elder Situ clearly caught the words “Qingling Clan.” Even a man as composed as he could feel another ripple stir within his heart. His suspicions were confirmed—this little girl’s identity was far more extraordinary than he had ever imagined.
After speaking, Cheng Ying slightly bowed to the elders and slowly walked out. If only she hadn’t been born into the Cheng family, if only she hadn’t been chosen by the Qingling Clan, perhaps she could now be by her beloved’s side, sharing in his burdens instead of carrying them alone…
After the Martial Arts Grand Gathering, Cheng Ying would accompany this man into the mysterious unknown. Perhaps then, she could finally bring closure to their shared past. But for now, she must still carry the fate that had been hers from the very beginning…
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