On the mountain peak, Gu Fei, Xiao Yi Xian, and Cai Lin sat quietly in a pavilion, enjoying the night. Nearby, the two little ones, Xian Yue and Wu Shuang, played with their new friend, Ling Xi. Although Ling Xi was already twelve years old, she fit right in with the younger children.
"Dear, in just two days, the Heavenly Tomb will open again, and you'll be going into seclusion for quite some time..." Xiao Yi Xian suddenly brought up the upcoming event, the opening of the Heavenly Tomb.
Over the years, Gu Fei had been entering seclusion more frequently, and for longer periods each time. Every time he did, Xiao Yi Xian felt an empty void in her heart.
"This time won't be too long!" Gu Fei reassured her. "Even though three years will pass inside the tomb, only six months will pass in the outside world."
Gu Fei understood how Xiao Yi Xian felt, but to deal with the Hun Clan in the future, he had to make the most of his time. The extra two and a half years inside the Heavenly Tomb were vital for his growth as a prodigy.
"Alright, I hope you advance further this time..." Xiao Yi Xian nodded. Though she wished Gu Fei could spend more time with her and the children, she understood his need for seclusion.
"Dear, what were you thinking last night when you saw Ling Xi?" Cai Lin suddenly asked, voicing a question that had been bothering her.
"That's something I can't fully explain to you right now," Gu Fei replied, shaking his head. "All I can say is that Ling Xi comes from the Ling Clan."
"Are you surprised because a member of the Ling Clan came to the Gu Realm? Is it because the relationship between the Ling Clan and the Gu Clan is strained, and they rarely interact?" Cai Lin speculated. "Or perhaps you didn't expect the Ling Clan to come at all, yet here they are?"
Cai Lin, also known as Queen Medusa, was quick to deduce things. From Gu Fei's reaction, she had already guessed part of the truth.
"Heh, you're very smart, Cai Lin. You're almost there!" Gu Fei smiled, appreciating her insight.
Knowing that Gu Fei wouldn't normally hide things from her unless necessary, Cai Lin didn't press the issue further.
"Master, there's someone at the foot of the mountain asking to see you! They say they've come to express their gratitude," the Lion King reported as he approached the pavilion.
"Let them come," Gu Fei responded, having already sensed the arrival of Yao Chen, Venerable Feng, and Xiao Yan.
Soon after, Yao Chen, Feng Xian, and Xiao Yan arrived at the pavilion.
"It seems you've adapted well to your new body," Gu Fei greeted Yao Chen, subtly hinting at something.
"I'm here specifically to thank you for your kindness, Gu Fei," Yao Chen said without wasting words. He gently tapped his black ring, and a wisp of pale white flame rose, hovering in front of him. It was none other than the Bone Chilling Flame.
Yao Chen placed a finger on the flame, which trembled violently for a moment. After a while, the trembling ceased, and Yao Chen's face turned slightly pale.
"I've removed the soul imprint from the Bone Chilling Flame," Yao Chen said, offering the flame to Gu Fei while warning him that, despite the imprint being removed, the flame might still resist due to years of refinement.
Watching this, Xiao Yan felt a surge of emotions. The Bone Chilling Flame had accompanied his teacher for so long, and now Yao Chen had to part with it.
"Master must feel reluctant to give up the Bone Chilling Flame... but compared to regaining his life, these flames are insignificant," Xiao Yan thought with a sigh.
Gu Fei accepted the flame, quickly imprinting it with his soul and sending it to his brow for nourishment. Unlike other flames, the Bone Chilling Flame gave off an intense coldness, though it also contained an extremely violent heat, perfectly blending these opposing forces.
"If there's nothing else, you three may leave now," Gu Fei said after securing the flame. He didn't want to engage further, as their interaction was merely a transaction.
Yao Chen cupped his hands in gratitude and turned to leave.
But just as they were about to depart, Gu Fei sensed the presence of several Gu Clan elders descending upon the pavilion.
"Wait!" Gu Nanhai, accompanied by several elders, appeared from the twisted space and stopped Yao Chen's group. Their attention, however, was focused on Xiao Yan.
"Elder Nanhai, what brings you to see Gu Fei?" Gu Fei greeted them.
"Haha, I'm not here for you. I'm here for this descendant of the Xiao Clan..." Gu Nanhai chuckled, then looked at Xiao Yan. "You must be Xiao Yan."
"Yes, I am Xiao Yan," Xiao Yan responded, standing tall despite the overwhelming presence of the Gu Clan elders.
"Xiao Yan, you're aware that you're a descendant of the ancient Xiao Clan, correct?"
"Yes," Xiao Yan replied solemnly.
"Then tell me, does your Xiao family possess a peculiar ancient jade?" Gu Nanhai inquired.
"Ancient jade?" Xiao Yan was surprised. He recalled the family heirloom given to him by the First Elder before he left home. Could they be after the Xiao family's ancestral jade?
"My family has no such jade," Xiao Yan answered cautiously, choosing not to reveal the truth despite the ancient jade being in his possession.
"Are you sure you don't have the jade?" Gu Fei suddenly interjected.
With his emotion-sensing ability, Gu Fei could easily detect Xiao Yan's unease.
Xiao Yan felt hesitant, anxious, and nervous. Emotional value +200
Gu Fei was certain that Xiao Yan had the ancient jade.