"Father's fate is unknown. I must go find him!" Shi Ziling was firm and decisive.
Qin Yining clasped his hand. "Then I'll go with you. There are two precious techniques that require us to work together. I wouldn't feel safe letting you go alone."
"No. Hao'er still needs you to look after him," Shi Ziling refused instinctively.
They had also just discovered that their son possessed the legendary Supreme Bone. He was a born supreme being and needed all the more careful attention.
"There are so many people in the clan. Surely they can take care of one child? Besides, Little Zhao is here too. Hao'er loves his big sister most of all," Qin Yining gently persuaded him.
The fact that Shi Hao possessed a Supreme Bone had been secretly reported to the two elders in charge and classified as top secret, lest a leak invite murderous danger.
After all, double pupils were plain to see, whereas a Supreme Bone was not easily discovered.
"As for Little Zhao... let's keep it from her for now, so she doesn't overthink things. We can tell her when we return." Shi Ziling shook his head, looking troubled.
One was his own flesh and blood, a born supreme being; the other was a sweet, sensible "adopted daughter" whom he dearly loved. Had both been ordinary, it would have been fine. Now that his biological son possessed a Supreme Bone, he feared that resentment might take root in her heart.
"That child's talent is even greater than I imagined. Keeping her at the Martial King Manor would rather bury her gifts. Perhaps we should send her to a Primordial Divine Mountain to cultivate."
Qin Yining held her swaddled infant son, her brows faintly furrowed.
The Martial King Manor already had a Double Pupils One, and now it had gained a born supreme being.
It was hard to say whether a gifted girl who had lost her birth parents would receive their wholehearted support.
More likely, certain people would use her as a bargaining chip, marrying her off to another great power in exchange for benefits. That was something neither of them could accept.
"That is what we should do. But our most urgent task is still to find Father." Worried about his elderly father, Shi Ziling had made up his mind to leave.
The two made their preparations. Clansmen came one after another to dissuade them, saying that the Hundred Clans Battlefield was far too dangerous. Yet husband and wife remained resolute and set out without hesitation, leaving the Imperial Capital.
Shi Zhao watched them leave and sighed softly to herself.
Whether it was the Fifteenth Master going to the Hundred Clans Battlefield or Shi Ziling and his wife going to find his father, the former had gone for his grandson, the latter for his father. Both had reasons that left them absolutely no choice.
Never mind that she was, at best, an adopted daughter-even a biological grandson could not have stopped them.
Of course, at the root of it all, she could also blame her own lack of strength. So sorry I haven't attained the Dao in three years and become an immortal in five...
She snuffed out those wandering thoughts, lowered her head, and pressed her forehead against Little Shi's as she held him. "Little Hao, your big sister will protect you."
Whatever the future held, none of it had happened yet. Here and now, in her eyes, the little child in her arms was simply a younger brother who needed her protection.
Shi Yi had also accompanied his mother to see them off. At the sight, he gave a quiet snort. Suddenly, a divine gleam flickered in his eyes, as though he had sensed something, and he stared intently at the sister and brother nearby.
"Yi, are you still thinking about that girl?" His mother was somewhat displeased, but then added, "Her little brother has quite extraordinary potential, though. Once he grows up, he may become your right-hand man. You might as well spend a little more time with him."
As for Shi Zhao? Since she had barely displayed her talent, in his mother's eyes she was merely Shi Ziling's adopted daughter, not worth paying attention to.
Fortunately, she had shown some sense lately, accepted reality, and stopped pestering her Yi.
"Mother, I'm going back to cultivate," Shi Yi said calmly.
As though she had vaguely sensed something, Shi Zhao turned and gave him a radiant smile.
In the days that followed, with clansmen helping to look after him and plenty of servants around, nothing much happened. Apart from missing his parents and fussing a little during the first few days, Little Shi became easy to care for once Shi Zhao had soothed him.
Several days later, Shi Yi's mother came to visit Shi Hao, hoping to establish a closer relationship, only to discover that Shi Ziling and his wife's residence was quiet and deserted, with just a few old servants left to maintain it.
Only after asking did she learn that the sister and brother had moved into a clan elder's secluded residence.
Having made the trip for nothing, she frowned in displeasure. A flash of irritation crossed her eyes, and she grew all the more dissatisfied with that Zhao girl.
When Shi Zhao learned of this, her smile positively blazed with delight. She could not resist pinching Little Shi's soft nose, only to discover, to her astonishment, that the little fellow was actually babbling the word "sister."
"Ee-ya~ Sis~ter~"
The little fellow had not even learned to call for his parents yet, but he could already call her his sister!
Shi Zhao was beside herself with joy. She certainly had not showered this little brother with love for nothing! Scooping him up, she gave him a kiss, a cuddle, and a lift high into the air in quick succession.
Several months passed in a flash. Little Shi Hao grew more adorable by the day and was nearly ten months old before they knew it. He could already speak and walk on his own.
His large eyes were bright and lively, and his fair, pretty face made him look like a porcelain doll. Anyone who saw him would feel the urge to pinch his little cheeks.
Few people got the chance, however, because the sister and brother never stepped beyond either the inner or outer gates.
Shi Zhao's strategy was to guard every opening and hold the line!
Even when the clan elder, Fourth Grandfather, suggested several times that she take Little Shi outside for some fresh air and play, she turned a deaf ear, determined not to leave under any circumstances.
Little Shi was especially attached to her, too, and was so sweet, sensible, and obedient that Fourth Grandfather could do nothing about it. He could only bring in some servants' children to play with him.
During this period, Shi Yi did visit once. When he saw Little Shi laughing happily among a group of children in the back courtyard, his gaze shifted slightly.
"What are you looking at?" Shi Zhao approached, turning sideways just enough to block his view.
"He's far from ordinary. Inside his body... hmm? You-!"
Shi Yi answered instinctively, but before he could finish, he saw Shi Zhao thrust her left palm toward him. Her palm and fingers shone, and a faint rumble like that of a great star sounded.
Clang!! His double pupils awakened on their own. As his eyes opened and closed, strands of runes flickered within them, shooting out two dazzling beams like sword energy piercing the heavens, their metallic ringing deafening.
Unfortunately, that fair, unadorned palm still smashed them apart.
His double pupils dimmed, as though they had lost their luster. Shi Yi instinctively closed his eyes, only to feel a warm, slender, soft hand gently stroking his forehead.
After a long while, he opened his eyes. All four pupils fixed on the person before him, and he said, somewhat angry with embarrassment, "Hah. My dear big sister, have you finally decided to stop hiding?"
"I've never hidden anything from you." Shi Zhao shook her head and casually ruffled his hair again, making Shi Yi so angry that... he got angry all over again.
This moment was just like the moment when the two had first met.
"Sister, up~ I want beast milk... huh? A new big brother!"
Little Shi Hao ran over and promptly wrapped his arms around Shi Zhao's
leg, then tilted his head up to look at Shi Yi. For some inexplicable reason, he was delighted and began running circles around them.
"Hmph. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were biological siblings." With that, Shi Yi turned and left.
Shi Zhao looked thoughtful, then her expression gradually grew peculiar. Could this awkward child have somehow gotten jealous?
Oh no. Don't tell me even this could stir up jealousy!
"I treat you the same way, little brother."
Shi Yi said nothing, but his steps grew a little lighter.
Before you continue