Invitation

Gu Xun'er's fingertips still rested on Little Yan Ji's soft, tender cheek. Seeing the little one nuzzle insistently into her palm after being teased, the smile in her eyes deepened. She deliberately curled her knuckles and lightly scraped that chubby little nose. "Ling'er is so lively. When she sees Daddy, she'll probably pester him to play with her first."

As soon as she finished speaking, the air beside her suddenly rippled faintly. A black shadow slowly condensed out of thin air, like ink dissolving into clear water.

The moment the man appeared, he dropped to one knee without hesitation, his hands hanging at his sides and his head slightly lowered. The Clan Mark beneath his robes flickered in the glow as he spoke with flawless respect. "Greetings, Miss."

Upon hearing that familiar deep voice, Gu Xun'er knew Ling Ying had arrived without even turning around.

She merely shifted her gaze away from Little Yan Ji's flailing form and gently stroked the jade pendant hanging before her neck.

The jade still retained her warmth. Her fingertips brushed over the faint lotus pattern upon it as her gaze unconsciously drifted toward the mist-shrouded sky beyond the courtyard. It was as though her eyes could pierce the spatial barrier of the Ancient Realm, cross countless mountains and rivers, and settle directly upon the figure in the Southern Region of the Central Continent whom she longed for day and night.

Ling Ying did not rise, remaining in his bowed posture as he reported in a low voice, "The Gu Clan has sent invitations for the Heavenly Curtain Opening to the other Ancient Seven Clans. As for the Xiao Clan's invitation, it has been specially delivered to Starfall Pavilion in the Southern Region of the Central Continent. It should reach Young Master Xiao Ling before