The Eve of the Seal · A Vow to Walk a Lonely Road

The aftershocks of the Annihilation night forest still echoed in the void. Qin Yu rolled up his sleeves to protect Wang Yao's figure, and his escape light transformed into a streak of azure light, breaking through the air and heading straight for Wang Yuan Mansion.

The mansion gate was already brightly lit. Wang Yuan's parents paced back and forth in the courtyard, their faces haggard, their eyes bloodshot, their shadows stretched long in the candlelight. The pile of discarded Silver Starlight Crystal still lay scattered at the entrance, glaringly resembling an insult to them.

Suddenly, a beam of light fell from the night sky, and Qin Yu's figure emerged from the void, holding in his arms Wang Yao, whom he had long since lost contact with.

"Yao'er--!"

The mother let out a heart-wrenching cry and rushed to her daughter, her hands trembling as she stroked her face. Tears streamed down her face, and she could barely speak, "You... you're really back... I thought I'd never see you again..."

The father's knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, tears streaming down his face, muttering, "Thank God... thank Earth... God has opened his eyes..."

Wang Yao's eyes were also brimming with tears as she tightly embraced her parents, her voice choked with sobs. "Father, Yao'er... I've made you worry... Yao'er almost thought... I thought I'd never see you again..."

The family of three embraced, their clothes soaked with tears—a heart-wrenching joy at finding what they had lost, and a silent lament for their departed loved one.

Qin Yu stood quietly to the side, his Qingyi robes fluttering in the wind, a gentle light flashing in his eyes. He didn't speak, but stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the scene of reunion. In his heart, he seemed to hear Wang Yuan's voice—if that brother who had shared life and death had a spirit in heaven, he would surely show a gratified smile at this moment.

After a long while, Wang Fu looked up, his eyes red, at Qin Yu, his voice trembling yet firm. "Young Master Qin... thank you. If it weren't for you, Yao'er would already be..."

Qin Yu reached out and gently helped him up, shaking his head and saying, "Uncle, there's no need for further words. Wang Yuan was my senior brother. Now that he's gone, his sister is my sister. It's my duty to protect her."

The flickering candlelight illuminated this heartbreaking reunion, and also imprinted this indelible bond of affection.

In the flickering candlelight, Wang Yao's parents, their eyes brimming with tears, tightly embraced their daughter. The atmosphere in the courtyard was still lingering with the bittersweet emotions of joy at their lost child being found again. Just then, a familiar presence gently drifted in from outside the courtyard gate, and Chi Ning's figure gracefully arrived. He and the butler had been guarding the gate the entire time.

Her gaze first fell on Wang Yao's Anran figure, and her heart, which had been hanging in suspense all night, finally settled down. Only then did she turn to Qin Yu, her eyes filled with worry and tenderness.

"Senior Brother Qin," she called softly, her voice trembling slightly, "Are you alright?"

Qin Yu turned around, his Qingyi still fluttering in the wind, his aura cold yet steady. He gently shook his head and said calmly, "Hmm, no. Those scoundrels from the Chen Clan have been completely Annihilation by me."

His tone shifted abruptly, his gaze darkening, his voice becoming colder. "But... I'm afraid the Chen Clan won't let this go easily. They will definitely find ways to retaliate. Uncle, Aunt, we can no longer live here."

The courtyard fell silent instantly. In the firelight, Wang Yuan's parents looked solemn, and a fleeting look of fear and helplessness crossed their eyes.

Qin Yu's gaze was firm, and his voice was resolute. "For your safety, you must leave now. Chi Ning and I will escort you and find you a truly safe place to settle down. Wang Yuan is gone; I will protect his family."

Chi Ning nodded gently beside him, her eyes firm yet tender. "Uncle and Aunt, please rest assured, Senior Brother Qin will never allow you to suffer any harm."

Wang Yuan's parents exchanged a glance, remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded deeply. Tears welled up again, their voices choked with emotion but filled with boundless trust and gratitude.

"Hmm... alright. In that case, let's set off."

At this moment, Wang Yao held her parents' hands tightly, looked at Qin Yu, and the fear in her eyes was finally replaced by calm.

Qin Yu led Wang Yuan's family and Chi Ning on a swift journey, traversing mountains, rivers, seas, and mists, finally arriving at an extremely secluded place.

The mountains are majestic, as if a god had cleaved the cliffs from the clouds with a giant hand. Amidst the lush forests, white stone pillars and ancient temples are built against the mountain. Waterfalls cascade down from the sky like silver ribbons into the emerald river bend. The night sky is vast and dotted with stars, and above the clouds, a golden light descends, illuminating the entire sacred place, making it seem like a fairyland.

Ascending the tiered steps, one is surrounded by lush flowers and trees on both sides, with wisteria and roses intertwined, and the sea breeze carrying a refreshing fragrance. Between the palaces, the domes and arcades shimmer with golden light under the moonlight, and the waves gently lap against the bottom of the cliff, weaving together with the waterfall in the air to create a symphony that resonates between heaven and earth.

Wang Yao and her parents were stunned by the scene, their eyes filled with awe and peace. Chi Ning murmured, "This place... is like a paradise lost to the world."

Qin Yu looked around, nodded slowly, and formed a hand seal. The azure light of the Silent Origin instantly transformed into a huge halo in the night sky, covering the entire landscape. As he uttered the incantation in a low voice, an invisible barrier slowly took shape.

The barrier rippled like mirrored water, eventually merging perfectly with the mountains and sea. To outsiders, it appeared as Space Silence mountain range, devoid of any unusual features. Only those with the bloodline of Wang Yuan could Anran pass through this barrier without hindrance.

Having done all this, Qin Yu withdrew his palm and stood up, his voice steady and solemn:

"I have set up a protective array here. From now on, only the Wang Yuan lineage can enter and leave. Neither the Chen Clan nor any other hostile forces can find your tracks."

Wang Yuan's parents' eyes reddened again, and they bowed deeply. "Qin Yu... we owe you so much, we don't know how to repay you."

Qin Yu simply shook his head slightly, his eyes resolute. "No need for thanks. Wang Yuan is my fellow disciple, so you are my family. This place will be your new home."

A gentle night breeze caressed the land, mountains and seas resonated, and the fragrance of flowers filled the air. This sacred realm, protected by a barrier, became the peaceful home of the Wang Yuan family.

As night deepens, the sounds of mountain waterfalls and the murmur of the ocean intertwine, and the protective barrier completely isolates the outside world from the noise, making this sacred place so peaceful that it seems almost otherworldly.

Wang Yao sat down with her parents in the newly arranged hall, her face still showing signs of shock. Suddenly, she quietly walked to Qin Yu's side, her robes fluttering slightly, her voice weak but trembling. "Senior Brother Qin... if it weren't for you, I would already..."

Before she could finish speaking, her eyes welled up with tears, which streamed down her cheeks. It was a vulnerability born of surviving a catastrophe, and an overflow of gratitude.

Qin Yu reached out and wiped away her tears, his voice gentle yet firm. "Wang Yao, don't be afraid. Your brother Wang Yuan has sacrificed himself to protect the middle ranks. If he has a spirit in heaven, he would hope that you can live a peaceful and carefree life. I promised him that I would take care of your family."

Wang Yao raised her eyes and gazed at Qin Yu, her expression complex. She didn't see a cold, ruthless warrior, but a guardian burdened with oaths and responsibilities. She whispered, "I will remember everything that happened today... and I will remember you."

Qin Yu was slightly taken aback, then chuckled and shook his head, "Silly girl, spending time with your uncle and aunt is the most important thing. As for me—I still have a long way to go."

Chi Ning watched silently from the side, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart, but she didn't interrupt. She understood that this moment belonged to Wang Yao, and also to Qin Yu.

Outside the hall, moonlight streamed down, illuminating the flowing patterns of light within the barrier, like a galaxy fallen to earth. Qin Yu's figure stretched long in the radiance, standing tall like a solitary peak.

The Azure Evolution Core emitted a radiant glow of Annihilation. Qin Yu slightly raised his hand, and a mirror pouch, formed from shimmering light, slowly appeared. The outer wall of the pouch resembled flowing crystal time, reflecting faint starlight patterns. He solemnly handed it to Wang Yao, his tone gentle yet firm. "Inside is a small token of our affection, Chi Ning and I. You must accept it. Take good care of your uncle and aunt. Don't worry, we will visit you from time to time."

Wang Yao accepted the gifts with trembling hands, tears welling in her eyes. She nodded gently. She knew very well that she was currently unable to support her parents, and her only caregiver was seriously injured and unable to shoulder the responsibility. At this moment, Qin Yu and Chi Ning's kindness was not only a practical support for her, but also like the protection of older brothers. Suppressing her sobs, she simply said softly, "Thank you."

Qin Yu and Chi Ning said no more, leaving behind a word of advice before slowly departing under the cover of night. As the palace gradually receded into the distance, the moonlight shone on their backs, serene and aloof.

As they stepped out of the barrier, only the two of them remained, walking side by side. The night wind ruffled Chi Ning's hair; she quietly lowered her head, not wanting Qin Yu to see the turmoil in her eyes. Her heart, however, churned within her chest—

Wang Yao gently stroked the surface of the mirror pouch, where starlight shimmered, its water-like luster resembling a flowing Milky Way. She took a deep breath and carefully opened the pouch. In an instant, as if the world had just begun, soft rays of radiant light poured out from the pouch, instantly illuminating the entire palace.

In the light, she froze—it wasn't an ordinary object, but a complete storage bag. The bag's opening formed its own small world, its Spiritual Qi so dense it was almost liquefied. Trembling, she probed inside with her mind and was immediately speechless with shock at what she saw.

Countless piles of Annihilation Starlight Crystal emitted a dazzling light, numbering at least hundreds of millions, their light converging like a sea, illuminating her eyes. The surging energy impact even made her breath catch in her throat for a moment. Beyond the Annihilation Starlight Crystal, there were also some daily necessities neatly arranged: silk clothes, spiritual food, medicine bottles and jars, prescription books, and even warm spiritual spring crystal bottles and ointments for healing injuries.

"This... how is this possible..." Wang Yao's hands trembled, her voice as soft as a whisper in the wind. Tears welled up again, almost uncontrollably.

She suddenly hugged the mirror pouch tightly, sobbing uncontrollably. "Senior Brother Qin... Senior Sister Chi Ning... You have treated our Wang Clan so kindly, I... I will never let my brother's heroic spirit down, I will definitely stand strong for my parents."

In a corner of the palace, Wang Yuan's parents gazed at the dazzling light in their daughter's hand, tears streaming down their faces. They were choked with emotion, nodding repeatedly, their hearts filled with a mixture of gratitude and awe, unable to calm down for a long time.

The night was deep in the Radiant Cosmos Star Hall. Moonlight shone through the palace's glazed glass curtain and fell on the figures of Qin Yu and Chi Ning. The surroundings were so quiet that it was as if they could hear each other's heartbeats.

Worry still lingered in Chi Ning's eyes. She gently bit her lip and whispered, "Senior Brother Qin, you Annihilation Chen Yue, the second young master of the Chen Clan, today. They will soon find out and will probably suspect you soon. How do you plan to deal with it?"

Qin Yu remained calm, a cold glint in his eyes. "The Wang Yuan family has been properly settled. Even if the Chen Clan suspects something, they have no evidence. No matter how much trouble they cause, they cannot use me as an excuse. Moreover, their evil deeds today are destined to be thoroughly punished."

Upon hearing this, Chi Ning felt both relieved and uneasy. She gripped her sleeve tightly with her slender hands and whispered a reminder, "But, Senior Brother... the Chen Clan has a deep foundation and many elders backing them. They definitely won't let this go."

Qin Yu slightly raised his eyes, his gaze reflecting the night sky, his tone calm yet resolute. "We'll meet force with force, and water with earth. If the Chen Clan dares to act recklessly, I will make them understand that the will to annihilate is never to be challenged."

He changed the subject, his gaze falling on the distance, and said in a low voice, "Now that worldly affairs have temporarily subsided, what I care more about is the 'seal' that Elder Meng Qing mentioned. That is the key to the real turmoil in the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer."

Chi Ning's expression changed, and she hurriedly stepped forward, her voice low and urgent. "Don't go, Senior Brother! That place is extremely dangerous. Even Master and the others dare not venture in rashly. Countless ominous omens have been associated with that area since ancient times, and the sounds of fear still echo here. The temple will organize an exploration at an appropriate time, led by the elders. We can go then."

Qin Yu shook his head, his expression cold and resolute. "With so many people around, disputes and concerns are bound to arise. If there really is a secret, it will often be covered up. I must go ahead and find out the truth before I can make a decision."

Chi Ning's heart trembled. Gazing at Qin Yu's retreating figure, she felt awe at his unwavering resolve, yet also an inability to let go. She reached out as if to grab him, but slowly lowered her hand, her voice low and choked with sobs. "Senior Brother Qin... you must promise me you'll come back safely."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yu turned around, looking tenderly into her eyes, and solemnly said, "Don't worry, Chi Ning. Since I promised to protect you and everyone, I will never easily give up."