Return to the Dragon Clan’s Sacred Land

After crushing the jade pendant in his hand, a teleportation array lit up beneath Bai Cheng'an, transporting him back to the Dragon Clan’s Sacred Land.

Stepping onto familiar ground, Bai Cheng'an took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the surroundings.

"How long has it been? Only five years… yet, so much has changed."

The Sacred Land of the Dragon Clan was as magnificent as ever. The moment one arrived, they would be greeted by an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy, nourished by the Dragon Vein running beneath the land. Here, flora and fauna thrived beyond normal limits, and deep underground, rare minerals formed in abundance.

Walking along the crystal-clear stream, Bai Cheng'an observed the fish swimming gracefully in the cool waters, untouched by any impurity. As he reminisced, the passage of five years—neither long nor short—had already blurred parts of his memory.

Just as he was lost in thought, he sensed a familiar presence.

A figure with silver hair, clad in flowing white robes, descended from the sky.

A Father’s Worry

"Took you long enough to come back, brat."

The man’s voice carried a mix of scolding and relief. Bai Yu, the patriarch of the Dragon Clan, folded his arms as he gazed at his son.

"You reckless fool! Do you have any idea how worried I was? If I hadn't caught wind of Wu Chengqi schemes in time, neither you nor your child would be standing here right now!"

Bai Cheng'an let out a bitter chuckle.

"Father… I still don’t understand. Why did Wu Chengqi try to kill me in the first place?"

Bai Yu sighed heavily.

"It all started a few days ago. Some classified scrolls containing our clan’s secrets were stolen. Among them was a record of a mission involving his father, Wu Qinghai."

"Wu Qinghai was already at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm, on the verge of breaking through to Spirit Transformation. But before he could succeed… he became infected with demonic energy and turned into a Demonic Being. In his last moments, he retained a sliver of sanity and begged me to end his life."

Bai Yu expression darkened.

"His death was well-documented… or so I thought. But when I reviewed the records, the reason why I executed him had been erased. Before I could react, Wu Chengqi burst in, seized the scroll, and after reading it… was consumed by bloodlust. You already know what happened next."

A Hidden Threat

Hearing this, Bai Cheng'an expression grew serious.

"If the reason for his death was deliberately removed, then… someone within our clan must have tampered with the records."

He instinctively tightened his grip on the infant in his arms.

Bai Yu nodded grimly.

"That’s exactly what worries me the most. Those documents were top-secret, accessible only to elders like myself. If one of our own has betrayed us… then we've already lost more than we realize."

Just then, another figure landed softly beside them, carried only by a gentle breeze.

Bai Cheng'an turned to face the newcomer.

"Uncle, what happened? What about Wu Chengqi?"

Bai Changsheng, an elder of the clan, shook his head.

"I failed to recover your son’s stolen soul… but I managed to injure Wu Chengqi severely. His body may heal, but his soul—after taking my full-powered [Dragon Claw Strike]—has been left fractured."

Bai Cheng'an placed a firm hand on Bai Changsheng shoulder.

"Uncle, don’t blame yourself. If you hadn’t arrived in time, my son and I wouldn’t have made it out alive. You have my deepest gratitude."

Hearing those words, Bai Changsheng tense expression softened.

Meanwhile, Bai Yu, having overheard the conversation, turned toward them.

"Bring the child here. Let me examine him."

Bai Cheng'an hesitated for a moment before handing his son over. Bai Yu placed his hand over the infant’s chest, sending a wave of spiritual energy into his small body.

As the examination continued, Bai Yu expression grew darker. His brows furrowed in concern, making Bai Cheng'an uneasy.

"Father… what’s wrong? Why do you look so serious? Is there something wrong with him?"

Bai Yu sighed and handed the child back.

"There’s a problem, but it won’t affect his physical or mental health. However… it will severely hinder his cultivation in the future."

Bai Cheng'an heart clenched.

"What do you mean? Explain it to me, Father!"

Bai Yu closed his eyes for a moment before answering.

*"Every living being possesses three souls and seven spirits. The three souls are:

Heaven Soul

Earth Soul

Human Soul

The seven spirits are:

Foul Breather

Purification

Thief Devourer

Sound Cutter

Corpse Hound

Corpse Restorer

Poison Flyer*

Bai Yu took a deep breath before delivering the final blow.

"Wu Chengqi stole his Heaven Soul—the very essence that allows a person to perceive spiritual energy, comprehend laws, and grasp the Grand Dao. Without it… your son will struggle to progress past the Foundation Establishment Realm at best."

Bai Cheng'an clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

He knew all too well—the world was merciless. Strength was the only thing that mattered. Even as a Dragon Clan descendant, his son would not be protected forever.

As if understanding Bai Cheng'an turmoil, Bai Yu tossed him a teleportation talisman and a protective artifact.

"Take these. The artifact is crafted from Black Sky Iron, a metal with exceptional resistance to spiritual attacks. Use them well."

He then smiled gently.

"I know what you're thinking. But no matter what happens, never give up. I have faith in you."

Bai Cheng'an stared at the artifact in his hand before taking a deep breath. Then, he carefully handed his son back to Bai Yu.

"His name is He Xiaobai—a child of the Dragon Clan. I entrust him to you, Father."

Turning around, he walked toward the exit of the Sacred Land.

"I will return in ten years. Until then, protect him well. His mother is in Wu Ling City, within the Fire Ape Nation."

With one last glance at his child, Bai Cheng'an stepped forward, his figure gradually disappearing into the distance.

The setting sun cast long shadows across the land, bathing the scene in hues of crimson and gold.

A farewell filled with sorrow.