Ancient Book

Bzzzt—!

An indescribable scorching sensation, rising from the depths of his bloodline, erupted without warning!

Bai Lin's forehead instantly turned burning hot!

A faint, almost imperceptible flash of golden light flickered between his brows and vanished!

At the same time, the hand he had reached toward the thick volume seemed to be pulled by an invisible force. Instinctively, with astonishing speed, he shoved sideways!

The movement was faster than his usual limit!

"Bang!"

A dull, thunderous crash!

The heavy Gazetteer of the Continent grazed Bai Lin's arm and smashed down onto the thick volume he had just pushed aside!

The tremendous impact made the entire bookshelf shake violently!

Dust billowed up like smoke!

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Bai Lin coughed repeatedly, his little face pale as he stared fearfully at the hardcover book that had fallen to the floor, then at the dark brown thick volume pinned beneath it, with only one corner exposed.

Just now...

What had that feeling been?

That instant of heat and strength...

Had it been an illusion?

"Who?"

"Who's there?!"

An elderly, stern voice came from the direction of the library entrance.

An old man in a gray librarian's uniform, his hair grizzled and thick glasses resting on his face, had been startled by the crash and hurried over.

Frowning, he looked at the dust hanging in the air and the books scattered across the floor. His sharp gaze swept over Bai Lin, who was crouched beside the bookshelf with a stunned expression.

"Forget about him! Hurry!"

"Take that book!"

"Before the librarian gets here!"

Hei Lin's cold, urgent voice rang in Bai Lin's mind like an order, carrying an unquestionable sense of urgency.

"I can feel it..."

"This book..."

"Isn't ordinary!"

"There's something on it!"

"Hurry!"

Startled by Hei Lin's tone, Bai Lin had no time to explain. Before the dust could settle, while the librarian's vision was still obscured, he swiftly reached out. Ignoring the crushing weight of the hardcover book, he used all his strength and yanked!

"Riiip—"

The dark brown thick volume was finally dragged free from beneath the pile of books and the crushing weight!

Its cover seemed to have been scraped open a little, exposing equally aged pages beneath.

Bai Lin did not even have time to glance at it before quickly stuffing the unusually heavy book into his oversized school uniform jacket and clutching it tightly!

The book's cold, rough texture pressed through the thin fabric, carrying a weighty sense of history.

By then, the dust had thinned somewhat, and the elderly librarian had reached him.

He eyed Bai Lin suspiciously, then looked at the books strewn over the floor and the bookshelf that had clearly been shaken.

"Kid, what happened just now?"

"How did the bookshelf fall over?"

"Was it you..."

"I'm sorry!"

"Sir!"

Bai Lin hurriedly stood up, his little face full of apology and nerves, his voice carrying a child's distinctive panic.

"I..."

"I was trying to take a book from up there, and I accidentally..."

"I accidentally knocked over the one beside it..."

He pointed at the Gazetteer of the Continent on the floor, looking utterly at a loss.

Seeing Bai Lin's little face filled with "fright" and "innocence," the old librarian's stern expression softened slightly.

He sighed and bent down to gather the scattered books.

"Be more careful next time!"

"These books are all precious!"

"What if one hit someone?"

"All right, all right, go home now!"

"Be careful next time!"

"Thank you, sir!"

"I understand!"

"I'm sorry!"

As though pardoned, Bai Lin apologized repeatedly. Hugging the unusually heavy "secret" hidden beneath his clothes, he rushed out of the library without looking back, his heart still pounding wildly in his chest.

The setting sun stretched his shadow long.

He jogged all the way home, clutching the book against his chest as if he were holding a scorching riddle from ancient times.

Within his sea of consciousness, Hei Lin's cold voice sounded, carrying a trace of barely perceptible gravity and warning.

"Hide it well."

"Read it when you get home."

The sunset streamed through the window, casting warm slanting shadows across the small entryway.

Bai Lin had just raised his hand to knock when the familiar door creaked open inward.

Na'er's small figure stood behind it.

Her silver hair was edged with soft gold by the evening glow. The moment her clear pale-violet eyes saw Bai Lin, they lit up with pure, dazzling brilliance like stars emerging from the clouds.

She lifted her little face, her voice filled with undisguised joy and dependence as she called clearly:

"Brother."

Those two simple words were like enchanted spring water, instantly washing away the gloom that had built up in Bai Lin's heart throughout the day—the humiliation in class, the panic in the library, and the shadow cast by the heavy secret hidden against his chest.

Warmth surged from his heart, quickly spreading through every limb and bone.

A bright, unfeigned smile bloomed on Bai Lin's face, his voice brimming with the joy of coming home.

"Na'er!"

He instinctively reached out, wanting to rub her soft, moonlight-like silver hair as he always did.

"Look at that. Our Na'er has been waiting for you at the door all day."

Their mother, Lang Yue, spoke with a smile from the dining room.

She was setting a steaming plate of greens onto the table, her gentle gaze resting on the two little children by the door, tinged with helplessness but even more affection.

"She wouldn't sit and wait on the sofa. She moved over a little stool and kept watch here. Every so often, she'd poke her little head outside, eagerly waiting for you to come home."

A hot, aching rush surged up Bai Lin's nose.

He looked at the little girl before him, only reaching his chest, at the complete dependence and waiting filling those violet eyes. It branded itself deep into his heart like a red-hot iron.

Unable to hold back any longer, he opened his arms and carefully yet firmly pulled Na'er's thin, cool little body into his embrace.

His chin rested gently against her silver hair, fragrant with a faint sweet scent. His voice carried an almost imperceptible choke, yet his words were exceptionally clear.

"Na'er..."

"Your brother will work hard!"

"I'll definitely become very, very strong. I'll protect you, protect Mom and Dad, and make sure we all live good lives!"

This embrace was not merely a promise to Na'er. It was also a declaration of war against himself and against the future!

No more retreating!

No more weakness!

Together with the cold, powerful Hei Lin, he would uncover the secret of his body and take control of whatever power might exist within it!

For the little sister who had waited for him at the door all day, and for this warm home!

Lang Yue watched the two children embrace tightly. The smile on her face was like warm spring sunlight, dispelling all her exhaustion.

"All right, all right, you two little clingy things, stop being lovey-dovey in the doorway."

"Wash your hands and eat!"

"If you don't hurry, the food will get cold!"