Na'er's Uneasy Premonition

Late at night, all was quiet. Moonlight flowed like water, spilling across the bluestone slabs of Ye Mansion's guest courtyard.

The guest rooms Ye Clan had arranged for the three of them were tranquil and elegant. Several lush bamboo stalks grew in the courtyard, rustling softly as the night breeze passed through them.

Li Changqing was sleeping soundly when he suddenly heard a light knock on his door through his drowsiness.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Three knocks, very soft, carrying a hint of hesitation and unease.

Li Changqing opened his eyes and yawned, assuming Bo Saixi or Ye Lingling had come to discuss tomorrow's trip to the Ancestral Land.

He rubbed his eyes, rolled out of bed, walked to the door, and reached out to undo the latch.

Yet when the door opened, he saw a petite figure standing outside.

Na'er stood at the door, her silver hair gleaming faintly beneath the moonlight. Her amethyst-like eyes held a trace of unease and panic.

She wore a thin nightgown with a coat casually draped over it. Clearly, she had climbed straight out of bed and come over.

Li Changqing froze for a moment, then quickly stepped aside and said, "Na'er? Come in. Don't catch a chill."

Na'er obediently entered the room and stood in the middle of it, wringing her hands together with her head lowered, looking as though she wanted to speak but could not bring herself to.

Li Changqing shut the door and walked over to her. Seeing how uneasy she looked, he softened his voice and asked, "Na'er, why are you out here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

Na'er raised her head. Panic flickered in those amethyst-like eyes as she said softly, "I... I can't sleep. My heart feels unsettled, like something is about to happen."

Hearing that, Li Changqing could not help falling into thought.

If anyone else had said something like that, he would have dismissed it with a snort.

After all, with a Peerless Douluo like Bo Saixi around, anyone who came would have to get on their knees and submit.

A level ninety-nine Peerless Douluo was the absolute pinnacle of humanity. That was no joke.

But Na'er was different.

She was the incarnation of Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena, wielding spiritual power and elemental power.

Although she currently looked like nothing more than an ordinary little girl, her true nature was still an avatar of the Common Master of Soul Beasts.

Her intuition and perception were far beyond those of ordinary people.

If she said she felt uneasy, then there had to be a problem.

Li Changqing was silent for a moment before looking at the girl in front of him and asking quietly, "Na'er, do you mean... there's something wrong with Ye Clan's Ancestral Land?"

Na'er hesitated, then nodded lightly before shaking her head again. Uncertainly, she said, "I'm not sure either... but I can be certain that this is the first time I've felt this way since coming here. It's like... something is calling to me, but also warning me. I can't explain it. How about... we don't go? Okay?"

There was a hint of pleading in her voice, and her amethyst-like eyes were full of unease.

Li Changqing's heart softened as he looked at her, but he still smiled and comforted her. "Don't worry, Na'er. Sister Xixi is the pinnacle among mortals. Unless a god descends in person, no one can defeat her. Besides, there are things inside that we need, so we have to make this trip. If you're scared, you can wait outside tomorrow."

But Na'er shook her head firmly. "No. I want to go in with you."

Looking into her determined eyes, Li Changqing knew he could not persuade her otherwise. He could only coax her, "Alright, alright, we'll go together. Now hurry back to sleep. Rest well so you'll have the energy tomorrow."

Yet Na'er lowered her head, wringing her hands together. After hesitating for a long time, she finally said timidly, "Brother Changqing... can I sleep with you? I can't really fall asleep alone."

Li Changqing paused. Seeing her pitiful expression, he did not refuse. "Alright. You sleep on the inside."

Na'er nodded obediently, immediately took off her coat and shoes, climbed onto the inner side of the bed, and slipped beneath the covers. Only her amethyst-like eyes remained visible as she looked at Li Changqing.

Li Changqing yawned, lay down as well, and pulled the covers over himself.

Sure enough, Na'er fell asleep not long afterward.

Her breathing became long and even, and the unease on her little face gradually faded, replaced by peace and relaxation.

Perhaps she had truly been reassured, or perhaps the aura of life around Li Changqing had a calming effect.

Li Changqing turned his head to look at Na'er's peaceful sleeping face, then closed his eyes and drifted into a deep sleep as well.

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, spreading a layer of silver frost across the floor.

The next morning, the sun shone brightly, and the breeze was gentle.

After breakfast and washing up, everyone headed toward the Ancestral Land under Ye Wanqing and Ye Lingling's guidance.

They passed through a long corridor, went around several artificial rockeries, and crossed a lush field of medicinal herbs.

The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of countless herbs, refreshing both mind and spirit.

At the end of the herb field stood an enormous Bronze Gate.

The gate was roughly three zhang tall and two zhang wide, forged entirely from bronze. Its surface was covered in mottled verdigris, clearly bearing the marks of countless years.

Exquisite begonia patterns were carved into the gate, their layered petals so lifelike that they seemed ready to bloom at any moment.

The entire gate radiated an ancient, mysterious aura, as though it connected to another world.

Everyone stopped before the Bronze Gate.

Ye Wanqing turned to look at Li Changqing and the others, her tone solemn. "This is Ye Clan's Ancestral Land. Whenever a clan head dies, their descendants send them inside to be buried. Only then will the next bearer of the Nine Heart Begonia martial soul appear. It can be said that this is the most sacred place of Ye Clan."

Li Changqing looked up at the enormous Bronze Gate, sensing the ancient aura it radiated, and could not help feeling curious.

What exactly was hidden behind this gate?

Under the gazes of the three of them, Ye Wanqing took a deep breath, stepped forward, pressed her right hand against the Bronze Gate, and slowly infused it with Soul Power.

The next moment, the door that had been sealed for countless years emitted a dull sound.

"Rumble—"

Accompanied by a deep roar, the Bronze Gate slowly opened, revealing a dark, secluded passage.

Night pearls were embedded in the walls on both sides of the passage, giving off a gentle glow that illuminated the path ahead.

A stale scent rushed out from within, carrying the sediment of time and the weight of history.

Ye Wanqing withdrew her hand, turned to the three of them, and said, "The door is open. I'll stand guard outside and wait for you to come out. Lingling, take them inside."

Ye Lingling nodded, then looked at Li Changqing and the others. "Follow me."

With that, she took the lead and entered the passage.

Li Changqing and Bo Saixi exchanged a glance, then followed after her.

Na'er stayed close beside Li Changqing, her little hand unconsciously clutching the corner of his clothes.

Her amethyst-like eyes held a trace of tension, but also a trace of curiosity.

The four of them entered the passage, and a heavy sound came from behind them.

The Bronze Gate slowly closed, cutting them off from everything outside.

Silence returned to the passage, with only the echoes of their footsteps remaining.

The night pearls gave off a gentle glow, lighting the road ahead.

The walls were covered in murals depicting the deeds of Ye Clan's ancestors throughout the generations.

Some showed them treating wounded soldiers on battlefields, some showed them saving commoners during plagues, and some showed them dominating the world of soul masters.

Every mural told of Ye Clan's glorious history.

As Li Changqing walked, he examined the murals around him and secretly marveled.

Although Ye Clan could not compare with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in wealth, the depth of its history was something the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could never rival.

After walking for some time, the passage suddenly opened up ahead, revealing an enormous underground space.