A Reunion After Long Years

A Reunion After Long Years

In the study, time seemed to have frozen.

The space above the black ring twisted slightly, and the phantom of an old man slowly emerged.

It was the Medicine Venerable, Yao Chen.

He wore a plain white robe. Though he was only an illusory soul body, with spiritual light shimmering around his edges, it did nothing to diminish the bearing of a grandmaster. His snowy white hair cascaded down, and his aged face was filled with wisdom. Two flames of soul danced within his spectral eyes, illuminating the two youths before him.

Yao Chen first looked at Xiao Yan, whose face was full of shock. That youthful face reminded him why he had awakened.

Then, his gaze slowly shifted toward the young man in green robes, whose aura was calm and steady.

With just one glance, Yao Chen's soul body trembled violently.

That face was far too familiar to him, so familiar that it had been carved into the depths of his soul.

That was the pride into whom he had poured half his life's effort, whom he had regarded as his own son.

Only, the once-youthful face in his memories had now been tempered by time into one with sharp, defined features. Those once-clear eyes had also become so profound that even he could no longer see through them.

"L-Little Feng?"

Yao Chen's voice was hoarse, filled with disbelief.

That single "Little Feng" crossed more than thirty years of time.

Han Feng looked at the illusory yet frail figure before him. Even his heart, long tempered by the cultivation of a Dou Sheng, stirred with emotion at that moment.

His eyes grew slightly moist.

In his previous life, he had been an orphan and had never known familial affection. After transmigrating, it was the old man before him who had held him in his arms, fed him medicinal pills, taught him to read, treated him like a son, and taught him everything without reservation.

To him, Yao Chen was both master and father.

"Teacher."

Han Feng spoke, his voice carrying a tremor that even he had not noticed.

He stepped forward, intending to support him, but his outstretched hand passed through the illusory body.

He withdrew his hand, suppressed his surging emotions, and forced out a smile uglier than a cry. In a teasing tone, he said, "Teacher, you vanished for so many years that I thought you had gone wandering the world and enjoying yourself. I never expected you to be hiding in this tiny Wu Tan City, sleeping away the years, and even your physical body... is gone."

Though his words were teasing, the fury between the lines caused the temperature in the entire study to drop by several degrees.

If not for knowing that his teacher was a man destined for great fortune and would surely encounter another opportunity, he would likely have already perished, body and soul alike.

Yao Chen looked at the disciple before him. His aged face was filled with wild joy, relief, guilt... countless emotions tangled together, leaving him unsure where to begin.

He had too many questions to ask.

Little Feng, how had you lived all these years?

What was your cultivation now?

Falling Star Pavilion, Feng Xian...

Han Feng looked at his teacher's violently fluctuating soul body and understood what he wanted to ask, but he knew this was not the time to reminisce.

"Teacher."

He spoke first, interrupting Yao Chen.

He took out the jade bottle containing soul-nourishing liquid once more, held it aloft with Dou Qi, and sent it before Yao Chen.

"Your soul body is too badly damaged. This is not a suitable place for recovery, nor should you remain here for long. Return to the ring and recuperate first. We can discuss everything later."

"We have plenty of time."

Those words, "plenty of time," calmed Yao Chen's chaotic thoughts.

That was right. Looking at the disciple before him, his heart filled with countless emotions. He had grown up.

He nodded, gave Han Feng a deep look, then glanced at the still-stunned Xiao Yan beside him. Taking the medicinal liquid with him, he turned into a streak of light and returned to the ring.

The study fell silent once more.

Han Feng turned around, looked at Xiao Yan, who had yet to recover his senses, and handed him the black ring.

"Now, do you understand why I said you were fated with my teacher?"

Xiao Yan nodded mechanically, the hand accepting the ring still trembling slightly.

The shock he had suffered today was simply too great.

"From now on, you no longer need to worry about your cultivation regressing." Han Feng spoke again in an even tone. "Now, are you willing to return to the Black-Corner Region with me to cultivate?"

This time, Xiao Yan did not answer immediately.

He lowered his head to look at the ring in his hand, then thought of his father and the home where he had lived for eleven years.

Going to an entirely unfamiliar place? Leaving his home behind?

After pondering for a long time, he raised his head and said, "Senior... Senior Brother, may I give you my answer tomorrow?"

"You may." Han Feng agreed readily. "I will only stay here for one night."

Having received permission, Xiao Yan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly led Han Feng to the guest room reserved for honored visitors.

The two walked one behind the other through the corridors of the Xiao Family. Just as they turned a corner, a purple figure "happened" to appear ahead of them.

"Brother Xiao Yan, what a coincidence. Are you taking a walk too?"

Xiao Xun'er lifted her skirt slightly as she smiled, but her eyes swept over Han Feng without leaving a trace.

Han Feng rolled his eyes inwardly. What a coincidence. You Xiao Yan fanatic, don't tell me you've been waiting outside ever since I entered the study.

He could not be bothered to expose the little girl's thoughts. He merely nodded faintly at her and said no more, allowing her to follow beside Xiao Yan, chattering away with question after question.

After seeing Han Feng into the guest room, Xiao Yan was immediately dragged away by Xiao Xun'er.

"Brother Xiao Yan, what exactly did that senior... want from you?"

Faced with Xiao Xun'er's questioning, Xiao Yan did not hide anything. He roughly explained how Han Feng had accepted him as a disciple on his teacher's behalf and intended to take him to the Black-Corner Region for cultivation.

After hearing this, Xiao Xun'er remained silent for a long time.

The two walked side by side along the path behind the mountain, neither speaking another word.

Meanwhile, the Xiao Family estate had already erupted into commotion over the news that "Xiao Yan had caught the eye of a Dou Ancestor expert and would be accepted as his personal disciple."

Xiao Yan ignored the jealous, envious, and flattering gazes, heading straight for his father, Xiao Zhan.

Inside the room, father and son sat facing each other. After Xiao Yan laid out the entire matter and all his hesitation, Xiao Zhan remained silent for a long time. Even the hand holding his teacup trembled slightly.

In the end, he set the cup down heavily and looked at his son. His eyes were filled with reluctance, but even more with resolve.

"Yan'er, go." Xiao Zhan's voice was somewhat hoarse. "You are not meant to remain trapped in a small pond. This tiny Wu Tan City cannot contain you. Your sky should be somewhere far broader."

"Your father cannot bear to let you go, but he cannot hold you back either! What the Xiao Family cannot give you, that senior can. If you wish to become a true expert, you must leave and see the world!"

His father's words untied the final knot in Xiao Yan's heart.

He kowtowed heavily to Xiao Zhan three times, his eyes reddening.

"Father, your son has failed you. I cannot remain by your side to serve you."

"You foolish boy!" Xiao Zhan smiled as he helped him up, though tears already glimmered in his eyes. "If you can become an expert who shakes the entire continent, that will be the greatest filial devotion you can offer your father and the entire Xiao Family!"

Late that night, after Xiao Yan left the study with firm resolve in his heart, a black figure silently appeared behind Xiao Zhan.

"Patriarch Xiao."

Xiao Zhan was startled and abruptly turned around. Upon seeing who it was, his expression became respectful once more.

"E-Elder Ling, why have you come?"

Ling Ying did not waste words. He directly handed over a storage ring. "This is a small token from my young lady. She said she thanks the Xiao Family for taking care of her these past years. She wishes to go to the Black-Corner Region with Xiao Yan."

The next morning, when Han Feng pushed open the door to his guest room, two figures were already waiting quietly outside.

They were Xiao Yan and his little tagalong, Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Yan's gaze was firm and resolute, while Xiao Xun'er's face clearly declared that she intended to leave with him.