"This..." Di Tian hesitated, his feet stopping in place.
Yin Hongye glanced at him, then at Na'er, who had remained silent beside them, and said calmly, "Growth is painful, like having your tendons pulled and bones stripped away."
His voice was unusually calm as he spoke. "The price of growth is constantly killing your past self."
Di Tian's expression shifted slightly. His Adam's apple bobbed, but in the end, he said nothing.
Breaking first and rebuilding afterward was not something just anyone could accomplish.
Na'er also seemed to have been struck by something. Beneath her silver hair, her violet eyes grew even dimmer.
"You will have to cross this threshold sooner or later. Growth is painful," Yin Hongye continued walking, his voice not loud, yet every word seemed to tread upon their dragon hearts. "Endure the pain long enough, and you'll get used to it!"
After saying that, he stopped paying attention to Di Tian. The mountain hollow lay ahead, and an aura of darkness surged toward them like the night itself, cold and still.
Di Tian stood there for a moment before finally taking a step into the darkness. The dark aura churned like a tide, yet it did not harm him in the slightest. A dark violet dragon soul quietly appeared in midair, slender in form yet carrying the majesty of one who stood above all others.
"Mother," Di Tian called softly.
Beyond the Heavenly Screen, the other two Di Tians were moved by the sight as well.
The Dark Dragon King's dragon soul lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling upon Di Tian. Countless emotions seemed to churn within her heart, but in the end, they became only a soft sigh. "Di Tian, you've come."
She did not ask why he had come, nor did she speak