Looking at all the elements he gained or more correctly can use, Xiao had a headache on how to deal with it. The power over death is not something simple. There was a saying in the cosmos about the welders of the power over death: "One could make an enemy of anybody but death. If you do, you would not be able to rest even in death!"
And that was the truth. With the power over death, they would be able to bring those they killed back to life, essentially making that person their slave. Necromancy is a very common path in the Shrine of Death, making it so that even after death, one would faithfully serve the one who killed them. This path is not well-received by others in the cultivation world.
The Shrine of Death is a powerhouse organization that wields the power of death, of course, several shrines of Death exist holding on different Gods of different pantheons but the members of the shrines consist of the descends or the gifted ones from these so-called Gods and messing with them is never the right choice.
And all these shrines come together to form an organization called Eternity's Requiem, forming a supreme power that few in the whole of the cosmos dare to mess with.
In fact, there was once a purge initiated by Celestial Vitalists, a group similar to the Eternity's Requiem, formed of different Shrines of Life, to eradicate Eternity's Requiem. What followed was an utterly crushing battle where those who fought ended up becoming nourishment and power for Eternity's Requiem. Ever since then, no one has dared to question their standing.
It is a good thing that Eternity's Requiem doesn't have any interest in expanding or growing more power. Since they thrive on death, it is not easy for them to find subordinates. Leaving aside its history, if Xiao were ever found to have this element, he would definitely kiss his laid-back life goodbye.
Coming out of his thoughts, Xiao shook his head as he looked at his mother, who was worriedly looking at him. Seeing it, he chuckled and spoke calmly to his mother.
"Don't worry, Mother. I have no plans to take this path. Plus, looking at the density, I can see that my affinity with space and this element is not as high as fire and death, so it's a no-go."
Hearing his words, Yun Lan sighed with relief. Even though she knew her son was smart, she was afraid he would choose the path of death or the other path. After all, those who walk this path would undoubtedly become more powerful and amazing, but the dangers accompanying them are not worth it, while it pained her to make her son choose this path, it was for the best, for sometimes reality is the cruel mistress of life.
She was afraid that in Xiao's greed for power, her son would choose this path. Xiao had hidden it well, but Yun Lan could still sense his great desire for power. She didn't know the reason behind it, but she could tell that his desires are unbending, though when she heard his words, she finally sighed with relief. However, her expression soon twisted.
She knew that the affinities that her son carried isn't normal. Only certain species could wield such power, and she began to worry that her son might think she was unfaithful. Meanwhile, Xiao, who saw his mother's face go from relieved to filled with dread, was initially confused by her behavior. After some thought, it clicked for him.
His mother was fearful of what he thought about her! He knew he was just a child, and his mother must have worried that even a genius child's thinking might turn against her. Smirking, Xiao calmly looked at his mother and called out.
"Mom."
Hearing his call, Yun Lan quickly broke out of her trance. Only to be met with her son's calm smile. Somehow, seeing it, her anxiety-filled heart calmed down. She didn't know how her child could calm her down, but seeing his deep black eyes shining with a bright white light, her heart seemed to calm on its own. Seeing that his mother had become calm, he spoke.
"Mother, are you worried that I might think that you cheated on Father?"
"No, I-"
Yun Lan tried to speak, but before she could, Xiao interjected with a trusting smile.
"Don't worry, Mother. How could you do such a thing? It's beneath you. I know that you don't love Father, but cheating on him is not something you would do. You are too prideful to engage in such a task. Moreover, I know you are not that kind of woman, mother..."
"You are amazingly talented and beautiful. Moreover, you will always be mine and Xuanyin's loving mother, and that will never change."
Hearing her son's words, tears suddenly gushed out of Yun Lan's eyes. At that moment, she didn't care that her son's words and thinking didn't match his age. All she cared about was the trust and familial love that filled her son's eyes. She could see her son's utmost respect and love toward her, and she couldn't help but have a smile of her own.
"Mother, are you okay?"
Xiao asked as he walked up to his mother along with Xuanyin. Seeing it, Yun Lan opened her eyes and hugged both of her children. At first, Xuanyin wanted to dodge, but she felt her brother holding her, so she joined the family hug. After a few minutes, Yun Lan broke the hug and wiped the tears from her eyes. With a pout, she pinched Xiao's cheeks again.
"Look at this, making your mother cry so much in one day. What a bad son you are."
Feeling his cheeks being pinched for the second time that day, Xiao could only relent and accept his mother's "punishment." Seeing her son give in, Yun Lan smiled cheekily and played around with his cheeks for a while. After some time, she finally let Xiao go, and he walked back to his sofa. He sat on it without a second thought, and Xuanyin came up to him and sat on his lap. She wrapped her arms around him and laid her head on his chest.
For the past few years, she had been getting closer to him, but he didn't mind. Xiao simply took it as his sister, spending time with him since she didn't have any other friends. He found it cute to indulge her. Little did he know that one day, this same sitting position would cause him a lot of headaches.
After finally getting comfortable, he looked towards his mother, who spoke to him.
"I was really surprised when you chose the element of fire. It seems that my son has grown up before my eyes. Oh, what would this lonely mother of yours do?"
Xiao ignored his mother's antics, which would cause anyone who knew Yun Lan to drop their jaws in surprise. While Yun Lan appeared positive and playful in front of her children, she had another name that brought fear to others. That name is the "Ice Devil."