The Seal

Just as Su Mo awakened Xi'er's Martial Soul.

Countless miles away from Linyang City, deep within the distant Central Continent's towering mountain ranges, luxurious palaces stood proudly one after another.

Thousand-fold palaces with gilded bronze tiles occupied a hundred towering peaks reaching into the heavens, magnificent beyond compare and resembling heavenly palaces in the sky.

At this moment, inside a luxurious palace centrally located in the complex.

A majestic figure sitting atop a dragon throne suddenly stood up.

The momentum emanating from the majestic figure was like roaring waves and billowing floods, sweeping across the surrounding void as two sharp-sword-like divine glints burst from his eyes, shredding the space before him into nothingness.

"Someone come!"

This person gave a low shout that sounded like a thunderclap on flat ground, its voice shaking the earth for a thousand miles.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

"Palace Master!"

"Master!"

Dozens of figures instantly flew rapidly into the grand hall, bowing deeply toward this person.

"My daughter's trace has appeared—in the East Continent."

The majestic figure looked far into the eastern distance, a rare trace of a smile appearing on his resolute face.

His daughter, lost for over a dozen years, finally had news!

"Who is willing to make a trip to the East Continent and bring my daughter back to the palace?"

The majestic figure's gaze was like lightning as he looked at the people below.

"This subordinate is willing to go!"

"This subordinate is willing to go!"

"This disciple is willing to go!"

Thunderous replies rang out as the crowd vied to volunteer.

"Thirteenth Elder, Hao'er, the two of you make a trip there! Be sure to bring my daughter back!"

The majestic figure spoke. With a wave of his hand, a palm-sized jade plate flew toward the two of them. "This object can sense my daughter's exact location."

"Understood, Palace Master!"

"Understood, Master!"

Down below, a thin-faced elder and a handsome youth immediately accepted the order, took the jade plate, and bowed out.

The Su family.

Su Mo and Xi'er arrived at the Patriarch's courtyard and met his father, Su Hong.

"Father, what is going on? Why couldn't Xi'er's Martial Soul awaken?"

Su Mo recounted Xi'er's situation in detail to his father, Su Hong, and asked.

"Let me check Xi'er first!"

Hearing this, Su Hong gripped Xi'er's arm with his palm, channeling a wisp of true Qi into her body.

As the examination progressed, Su Hong's brows gradually furrowed.

Seeing his father's expression, Su Mo's heart skipped a beat, and a bad premonition welled up.

"Father, what on earth is going on with Xi'er?"

Su Mo couldn't help asking out loud once more.

"Inside Xi'er's body, there seems to be a formless force. It is this very force that blocked the awakening of her Martial Soul!"

A trace of solemnity flashed across Su Hong's eyes as he stopped probing and spoke with uncertainty.

"A formless force?" Su Mo was full of doubt.

"Ah, right—it's a seal! There is a seal inside Xi'er's body that locks away her Martial Soul, which is why it couldn't awaken!"

Su Hong suddenly realized something and exclaimed.

"What? A seal?"

Su Mo was stunned. He looked at Xi'er and asked in confusion, "Xi'er, how could there be a seal inside your body?"

Xi'er shook her head with a blank look.

Su Hong also wore a puzzled expression. A seal was an extremely profound method; ordinary people simply did not possess such means, and he had only occasionally come into contact with it in the past.

Su Hong also knew Xi'er's background, and his heart was deeply perplexed.

Reasonably speaking, Xi'er was just a young girl from a small mountain village. How could a martial arts expert have planted a seal within her body?

"Father, is there any way to break the seal inside Xi'er's body?"

Su Mo asked urgently.

Su Hong shook his head and sighed. "I only occasionally came into contact with seals in the past. As for the method to break them, I haven't the slightest idea."

"The art of seals is far too profound; it is simply not something the likes of us can undo."

Hearing this, Su Mo's brows locked tightly together. If the seal inside Xi'er's body could not be undone, then Xi'er would never be able to awaken a Martial Soul.

He absolutely could not sit idly by and watch.

"Mo'er, the power of a seal cannot be resolved by anyone in Linyang City. Perhaps only experts from major external sects possess the capability to unlock it."

Su Hong spoke again.

"Brother Su Mo, you don't need to worry. Even if I can't awaken a Martial Soul, it doesn't matter!"

Xi'er forced a smile.

She did not wish to see Su Mo worry too much on her account.

"Xi'er, don't worry! I will definitely find a way to break the seal for you and let you awaken your Martial Soul."

Seeing the hidden disappointment in Xi'er's eyes, Su Mo said with determination.

With his talent, sooner or later he would step out of Linyang City. Once his strength grew formidable in the future, he would naturally find a way to break the seal for Xi'er.

Since his father was unable to unlock the seal for Xi'er and Su Mo had no other solutions, he was just about to take Xi'er back when Su Hong called out to him.

"Mo'er, the martial tournament begins in three days! Wei Rufeng of the Wei family has openly declared that he wants to avenge his younger brother, stating that during the tournament he will cripple your cultivation and break your limbs. Be careful then—if you encounter him, concede defeat in advance."

Su Hong cautioned.

"What is Wei Rufeng's cultivation level?"

Su Mo asked.

"It is said he has already reached the peak Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation. His strength is formidable, no weaker than Su Tianhao's."

Su Hong said.

"Peak Ninth Layer of Qi Cultivation cultivation? And he dares to be this arrogant?"

A wisp of cold light flashed in Su Mo's eyes, and he said coldly, "If he doesn't know what's good for him, his younger brother shall serve as a cautionary example."

With those words, Su Mo took Xi'er and left.

Su Hong was stunned, smiling bitterly as he shook his head. He found it increasingly difficult to see through this son of his!

Returning to his own courtyard, Su Mo and Xi'er sat together in the yard.

"Xi'er, once this martial tournament ends and the Year-End Festival passes, I will take you away from Linyang City. Experts are as numerous as clouds in the outside world, and there will surely be a way to break the seal for you."

Su Mo gently comforted Xi'er.

"Brother Su Mo, I'm sorry. Xi'er has brought trouble upon you!"

Xi'er lowered her head, her words filled with apology.

"Silly girl, why are you still acting so polite with me!"

Su Mo affectionately rubbed the top of Xi'er's head.

Unawares, he had already developed genuine affection in his heart for this gentle, lovely, and pure-minded girl.

"Brother Su Mo, Xi'er doesn't want to become a burden to you."

Xi'er looked up at Su Mo, her autumn-water-like eyes brimming with steadfastness as she spoke, "Brother Su Mo possesses extraordinary talent, and the vast world of the outer sects is what truly suits you. Xi'er will wait at home for your triumphant return."

"Hehe! Silly girl!"

Su Mo felt deeply moved in his heart. With a large sweep of his arm, he pulled Xi'er directly into his embrace.

Xi'er trembled slightly, but she did not refuse, gently leaning against Su Mo's shoulder.

Neither of them spoke a word, yet the affection in both their hearts blossomed in silence.

At this moment, Xi'er's heart was incomparably sweet.

Su Mo's heart was exceptionally tranquil. Holding Xi'er, his mind was as calm as still water.

Having lived two lives, he had never experienced a moment of such inner peace as he did right now.

In his previous life, he struggled amidst blood and fire, his heartstrings tightly taut every single second.

Now, holding Xi'er and enjoying this quiet and peaceful state, a profound sense of attachment welled up within him.

PS: Work has been far too busy these past two days, so the update pace hasn't been very strong. Please forgive me!