As soon as Nan Xunran obtained the Samsara Mirror, he tried it out. His vision suddenly went black, and an expanse of emptiness surrounded him, as though he had been swallowed by darkness.
The Samsara Mirror trembled violently. He guessed it was because it could not withstand the pressure of the unknown future.
He told the elders what had happened and waited for an explanation.
The elders exchanged looks, saying nothing.
The First Elder broke the silence. "We've never heard of such a strange phenomenon either. Perhaps we need to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Samsara Mirror."
The Second Elder agreed. "Since the Samsara Mirror has sounded a warning, I'm afraid there's danger hidden within. You must proceed with caution."
Nan Xunran nodded gently.
The Eighth Elder, Nan Yao, leaned against the table with her legs elegantly crossed, her toe tapping lightly against the floor. She looked relaxed and at ease.
Her affectionate gaze rested on Nan Xunran, a hint of teasing and tenderness in her foxlike eyes.
She lifted a hand to tuck a lock of hair by her ear, every movement brimming with allure.
The ruby earrings at her ears swayed and shimmered.
The Second Elder's gaze was steady as he nodded in agreement. "Very well."
The Fifth Elder looked concerned. "Ran'er, you must be careful when using it from now on."
The First Elder's expression was solemn. "Ran'er, your ability is beyond question, but you must be cautious."
Nan Xunran bowed slightly and thanked the elders.
The First Elder gazed at Nan Xunran warmly. "That's all. You've been running around a great deal over the Samsara Mirror. Go back and rest first."
With that, the First Elder reached out and patted his shoulder, his eyes full of concern.
Nan Xunran bowed slightly. "Then Xunran will take his leave."
With those words, he turned and left the council hall.
His footsteps gradually receded through the silent space until they faded away.
After Nan Xunran left, the room fell silent.
The Second Elder frowned slightly, lost in thought. "Could the Samsara Mirror's abnormal behavior be an omen of misfortune?"
The First Elder fell silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head. "We don't know yet, but the Divine Son's fate concerns the Nan Clan's future. We cannot afford the slightest mishap."
Nan Yao narrowed her eyes slightly and spoke softly. "Should we assign Xiao-Ran more Dao protectors?"
The Second Elder thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "That could work. Ran'er spent the past few years cultivating in the Crimson Plume Sacred Land and had no need for a powerful Dao protector. After all, the Crimson Plume Sacred Land is one of the Sacred Domain's top sacred lands and a subordinate force of the Nan Clan.
"But things are different now. With the situation changing, it's time to assign him a more powerful Dao protector."
The Fifth Elder suddenly spoke up. "When Ran'er was just born, didn't the Thirteenth Ancestor want to be his Dao protector?"
At those words, everyone was momentarily taken aback, recalling what had happened back then.
Nan Yao nodded slightly. "That did happen."
Her rosy lips curved slightly as she said with a smile, "An ancestor as a Dao protector... there's no precedent for that in the entire Sacred Domain."
With that, she covered her mouth and chuckled.
After hearing this, the First Elder said solemnly, "Very well. I'll go to the ancestral grounds and ask the Thirteenth Ancestor."
With that, the First Elder's expression grew solemn, and a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.
Divine Son Hall
Nan Xunran came walking down a passage in the palace.
"Lord Divine Son!" the guards on either side called out in unison, then bowed in greeting.
Nan Xunran wore a calm expression, a faint smile on his handsome face. He turned his head slightly and nodded to them.
The man stood tall and graceful, his slender frame upright and handsome like a length of bamboo.
He wore a splendid brocade robe that fluttered gently in the wind, lending him an even more unworldly air.
His long, narrow phoenix eyes tilted slightly upward and were exceptionally beautiful.