First Prince Li Youshi listens to one of his spies' report as he stares into the direction of the Bai Residence.
"The Dark Lord An and Light Mistress Guang have a daughter? This prince thought that they are without a child."
"Your Royal Highness, from what this servant has heard is that their daughter is born with a weak constitution so she is living with the mysterious Dark Sorceress until she reached her fifth birthday. She has since been living with her parents. Still, nothing much is known about her. Her name... Her looks. Only the inner circle of the Sect know who she is."
First Prince Li Youshi looks down at the handwritten report in his hand and says, "Eldest Miss Bai has been missing on that year too. The same year that their daughter returns... Quanheng Sect has been dormant for years now. I have heard that Ancestor Zu wants to hand over his leadership to someone else? Who is it? Is it one of the Elders?"
"There is a rumour going around that the new leader will be the daughter of Dark Lord An and Light Mistress Guang. She is a disciple of the Dark Sorceress and Ancestor Zu has personally given lessons to her too along with all of the Elders. Though she never joins any competition, she is said to possess multiple elements. Due to her young age, the potential of her to become the strongest is not an impossibility."
"Continue to observe the Sect and its people especially the young miss."
"This servant will try his best but this young miss always has 4 companions by her side. They are an expert in their respective elements too. One of her companions is said to be a dual-cultivator."
First Prince Li Youshi continues to look at the Bai Residence. Eldest Miss Bai has 4 maidservants by her side and they too have gone missing. Is this just a mere coincidence?
"It will be my imperial birthday soon. Maybe an invitation to the Quanheng Sect should be sent... You can leave now."
It has been 10 years since the oldest and legitimate daughter of Duke Biming has gone missing. He has only seen her once during her fifth birthday banquet and concluded that she is just an ordinary young miss. She is not a beauty that can destroy a nation unlike her mother, Duchess Fen Liling, but when he first saw her, he cannot help but feel that she is somewhat that he is familiar with. But, that was the first and the last time he has met her so that feeling of his is completely unfounded.
"Eldest Miss Bao, if you are still here, this prince will do anything to ensure that you will not be harmed. I have taken care of your family for the last few years, and my imperial father has slowly become a paranoid old man over the years. The need for him to take his revenge has been overtaken by his paranoia."
He takes a deep breath before he continues, "My imperial mother has taken a step further on ensuring that this prince ascension to the throne will be a smooth sailing one with my assistance. In exchange, she allows me to protect your family from being harmed by imperial father."
Meanwhile, Quanheng Sect is bustling with activities as the whole members shown up for Young Mistress An Guang's birthday celebration and hairpin ceremony. Quanheng Sect always been discreet and never opens up its gate to others including its members, but for Young Mistress An Guang, Ancestor Zu and the Elders invited the remaining members and the other Sects to witness her "passage to adulthood" ceremony.
What is more shocking is that the Heaven Realm too participated in this celebration as the other guests watch a white-haired yet divine-looking man sitting next to Ancestor Zu, Dark Sorceress Yin'an stares at the white-haired man before she turns to look at Ancestor Zu.
"I have lived for more than a hundred years but, I never ever seen someone from the Heaven Realm before. Seeing that one of the Heaven Realm's treasure is here, I curious about how Shenyuan is able to get it from the Heaven Realm in the first place?"
The white-haired man smiles and a few of the female guests sigh as they watch him. Earth Mistress Tu Qianqian and Fire Mistress Huo Qing smirk in response to the sound of the sighs. Even Herbal Mistress Xuan watches in fascination towards the white-haired man.
"Dark Sorceress Yin'an, it has been a while since you have appeared. One has to guess that your disappearance has something to do with Ancestor Zu."
Ancestor Zu coughs and says, "I have made a mistake and paid for it."
"Paid? When? Where? Zuzu, if you really want to pay, pay with your body. This old woman needs someone to accompany her for the rest of her life."
Ancestor Zu turns his head and glares at her, "Old woman, are you trying to curse me? Rest of your life? How long is that going to be?"
"Eternity. I have a plan, and that plan is 'you'. Hahaha!"
The white-haired man laughs and says, "Ancestor Zu, one can see that the Dark Sorceress is your destined partner. In this second arch, both of you will never again be separated unless one of you will perish. But, that chosen one will not let it be. Her desire to protect what is dear to her is so strong that even our Realm will be affected. That is why our Lord allowed the Dark Lord to take the Longevity Pearl to be gifted to the Young Mistress. A month before, our Lord suddenly came out from his seclusion and waited to the arrival of the Dark Lord."
"And, you are..."
"Herbal Mistress Xuan, one is known with the name of 'Qing Yige¹'. One is the Left Chancellor of the Heaven Realm."
She smiles and says, "Ancestor, I have always thought that you are a freak of nature but then the Dark Sorceress has miraculously shown up. And, now... Left Chancellor Qing Yige of the Heaven Realm. According to the rumours, you are as old as those two."
Left Chancellor Qing Yige laughs as he looks at Ancestor Zu's oldest disciple. Herbal Mistress Zu is a 55-year old woman but, due to her expertise in herbs and poison alike, she has somehow managed to maintains her youthful appearance. She has a soft and gentle demeanour and not as devastatingly beautiful like Light Mistress Guang Liang but her kind smile what draws people in. But, he can feel that she is being somewhat confrontational with him.
"Herbal Mistress Xuan, this is the first time that we have met right... Why are you treating me as if one is your enemy?"
"Just because I hated your looks."
Earth Mistress Tu Qianqian and Fire Mistress Huo Qing turn to look at Herbal Mistress Xuan and thought, "Xuan'er, what kind of lame reasoning is that?"
"Interesting... Xuan Xuan, do you want to know what kind of fate does one have with you?
Herbal Mistress Xuan glares at him and says, " Not interested..."
Left Chancellor Qing Yige smiles as he looks at her. If she did not interact with him at all, he has decided not to take action. But, she did exactly the opposite. As she is his fated partner, he will do whatever it takes to make her accept him.
A soft yet melodious voice suddenly says, "Father, Left Chancellor Qing is indeed an interesting man. Zu Zu, make him stay with us for the time being."
Ancestor Zu smiles and immediately runs towards her, "An An, there you are. Your first aunt is suddenly acting so fierce towards the Left Chancellor."
"Zu Zu, a matter of the heart is complicated yet easy to resolve. Make peace with Grandmother Yin'an. (Whisper) And, let those two settles down their complication too. Understood?"
"Okay, An An. I will do whatever you wanted me to do. Do not be angry with me..."
There it is. The Little Ancestor has sunk her claws to make Ancestor Zu to do her bidding. Dark Lord An Shenyuan and Light Mistress Guang Liang lovingly look at their daughter while ignoring Ancestor Zu's current predicament.