As soon as they entered the secluded depths of the forest, Xiao Yunhai raised his hand and clicked his fingers.
Instantly, a divine sound barrier formation materialized around them, its shimmering walls sealing off their conversation from the outside world.
This was no ordinary barrier—it was a formation crafted by a being of immense power, designed to ensure that their words would remain a secret, safe from prying ears.
Xiao Yunhai couldn't afford to let even a whisper of their discussion leak out, not when the safety of Xiao Ming and Bai Qing hung in the balance.
Within moments, a few curious demonic beasts, drawn by the sudden presence of intruders, approached the barrier.
But before they could even growl, Xiao Yunhai's aura flared, a mere flicker of his divine might. It was enough.
The beasts choked, their bodies crumpling to the ground as their lives were snuffed out in an instant. Bai Qing, standing nearby, felt a shiver run down his spine.
He had sensed Xiao Yunhai's restrained aura earlier, but this brief display of power was a stark reminder of the gulf between them.
Even the faintest release of Xiao Yunhai's strength was enough to suppress every demonic beast in Demon Raiding Mountain.
Turning to Bai Qing, Xiao Yunhai's expression softened, a rare tenderness breaking through his usual stoic demeanor.
He carefully handed Xiao Ming over to Bai Qing, the sleeping child stirring slightly at the touch of a stranger.
Xiao Ming's small body trembled for a moment, his face scrunching up in discomfort, but soon he settled, his breathing steady once more.
A faint gulp escaped his lips as he drifted deeper into sleep.
Xiao Yunhai's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and guilt as he watched his son. The emotions were fleeting, quickly replaced by the cold, calculating gaze that had earned him the title of Disaster Demon.
Bai Qing, however, seemed oblivious to the internal struggle playing out within Xiao Yunhai. He was too captivated by the sight of the child in his arms, his face lighting up with a warm smile.
"He is your son, isn't he?" Bai Qing asked, his voice filled with admiration as he gazed at Xiao Ming's peaceful face.
Xiao Yunhai nodded silently, his expression unreadable. A wave of helpless sadness washed over him as he contemplated the decision he had made.
Parting with Xiao Ming was not something he had ever imagined, but it was necessary. The world they lived in was too dangerous, too cruel, for a child to navigate alone.
Xiao Yunhai had no illusions about the path ahead—he might not survive the trials awaiting him. But he clung to the hope that Xiao Ming would grow strong, and that one day he would rise to avenge his family and reclaim their honor.
These thoughts swirled in Xiao Yunhai's mind before he pushed them aside, his face hardening into the mask of the Disaster Demon once more.
"Junior Brother Bai," Xiao Yunhai began, his tone tinged with worry, "I can see how pleased you are with the child. But tell me, are you truly willing to take care of him?"
Bai Qing's smile didn't waver as he responded, his voice steady and sincere.
"I love this child already. In fact, I'd be more than willing to steal him from you if I could. But as the clan leader, I must be practical.
You are clearly a being of immense power, likely far beyond the Immortal Essence stage. Your strength is unrivalled, and yet you entrust your son to me, a mere mortal with limited resources.
It's ironic, isn't it? That your child would grow up in such humble circumstances. But I must be honest—I will need a promise from you in exchange for his well being."
Xiao Yunhai's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't hesitate. "What do you need? Name your terms, and if it's within my power, I will grant it."
Bai Qing took a deep breath, his mind racing as he weighed his words.
"My request is simple. I ask that you help prosper and protect the Bai clan. We are weak, and in a world of cultivators, weakness is a death sentence. Your protection would ensure our survival."
Xiao Yunhai's response was immediate, his voice cool and detached. "Consider it done."
With a wave of his hand, hundreds of spatial rings materialized before Bai Qing, each one brimming with treasures and resources.
Bai Qing's eyes widened in shock as he inspected the contents, his mind struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of wealth before him.
It was more than he had ever dreamed of, enough to elevate the Bai clan to new heights.
But before Bai Qing could express his gratitude, Xiao Yunhai cut him off.
"Don't thank me yet. From this moment on, we are bound by a karmic link. You must fulfill your part of the deal, and only then can we consider the debt settled.
As for your clan's protection, I will ensure their safety for at least five hundred years, starting from the day Xiao Ming begins his cultivation."
To Xiao Yunhai, five hundred years was a mere blink of an eye.
His divine senses could span vast distances, allowing him to monitor the Bai clan's safety even from the far reaches of the Sheng Yun realm.
This was the power of a divinity—a being capable of existing in multiple places at once, their influence extending far beyond the physical.
"Junior Brother Bai," Xiao Yunhai continued, his tone growing serious, "there is one more thing. Xiao Ming is not to attempt cultivation for at least ten years. His physique is… disordered, and premature cultivation could harm him.
I have sealed his memories, and he is not to know of me or our encounter until he reaches at least the Xiantian realm. This is non-negotiable."
Bai Qing frowned, his curiosity piqued. "Senior, if I may ask, why delay his cultivation? As the child of a divinity, shouldn't he begin his journey as early as possible?"
Xiao Yunhai's expression darkened, a shadow passing over his face.
"It's better he never knows…" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible.
The pain in his heart was palpable, a million invisible arrows piercing his soul. He was abandoning his son, leaving him to face the horrors of the cultivation world alone—or worse, to live as a mortal, his life fleeting and fragile.
But this was the path fate had chosen, and Xiao Yunhai could only hope that Xiao Ming would one day rise to meet it.
As Xiao Yunhai turned to leave, his figure began to fade, a golden halo enveloping him. Bai Qing, emboldened by a mix of curiosity and desperation, called out, "Senior! What cultivation level have you attained? Forgive my rudeness, but I must know!"
Xiao Yunhai's voice echoed in Bai Qing's mind, cold and indifferent. "A level you might never attain… close to godhood."
The words hung in the air, leaving Bai Qing stunned. He watched as Xiao Yunhai's silhouette ascended into the sky, a shooting star streaking through the clouds.
The divinity was gone, returning to his realm as though their encounter had been nothing more than a fleeting dream.
Bai Qing stood in silence, the weight of Xiao Yunhai's presence still pressing down on him.
He had just spoken with a True Divinity, a being far beyond the reach of mortals like himself. The realization filled him with a mix of awe and dread.
Xiao Yunhai's politeness had masked a brutal, unyielding nature—a man who could crush demonic beasts and entire empires with the ease of swatting flies.
"Above the Immortals… a True Divinity," Bai Qing whispered, his voice trembling.
The psychological weight of the encounter finally hit him, and he felt a cold sweat break out on his brow.
But amidst the fear, there was also hope. The Bai clan's fortune had changed in an instant, their prayers answered by a being who had descended from the heavens.
"Haha! Our clan's future is secure," Bai Qing said, his voice filled with solemn determination. He glanced down at Xiao Ming, still sleeping peacefully in his arms, and felt a surge of resolve. "I must inform Father immediately."
With a final glance at the forest, Bai Qing tightened his grip on Xiao Ming and leaped into the air, his figure disappearing in a flash as he raced back to the Bai clan.