**[5 Years Later]**
The dimly lit room exuded a heavy sense of contemplation, illuminated only by the flickering glow of oil lamps casting long shadows on the walls. Within this confined space stood three figures, each carrying the weight of years past. Fang Huan, now an elder, exuded an aura of authority, his hair streaked with silver betraying the passage of time. Beside him, his father, once a formidable warrior, had also succumbed to the inevitable changes of aging, embodying the legacy of the Fang Faction they had built together when both became elders.
In the courtyard outside, laughter echoed as Fang Zheng, now a boisterous young boy, darted about with friends, his innocent joy a stark contrast to the seriousness enveloping the room. The sounds of their play drifted in, like a reminder of what was at stake—a future unclouded by uncertainty.
Stepping forward from the shadows was Gu Yue Bo, an old man draped in a grey robe that billowed slightly with his movements. His gaze was both probing and contemplative, filled with the wisdom of a life spent navigating the complexities of clan politics and the mysteries of cultivation. Despite his advanced age and wisdom, his face told tales of sleepless nights.
"Still no solution, Clan Leader?" Fang Huan's voice resonated with a depth that had matured over time, shaped by trials and responsibilities. The authority he now commanded was both a burden and a badge of honor, yet beneath it lay a simmering frustration. He had turned to the clan leader many times, hoping for answers to a problem that seemed increasingly insurmountable.
Gu Yue Bo's brow furrowed, frustration mingling with concern as he replied, "No records document this phenomenon. What you describe defies the natural order, Fang Huan." His tone was firm, though tinged with a hint of empathy. He had invested his time and resources not merely out of pity but due to the overriding interests of the clansmen—this was a matter that intertwined their fates.
The room hummed with unspoken tension, the potential darkness of unresolved mysteries looming like a dark cloud. Outside, Fang Zheng's laughter continued to ring, a stark reminder of the innocence that the two elders were fighting to protect in a world rife with uncertainties.
Fang Huan bit his lips in frustration, the familiar taste of bitterness filling his mouth. He glanced at his daughter, a whirlwind of emotions churning within him. What on earth was happening to her? Why was she not aging? The question gnawed at him, a relentless reminder of the mystery that surrounded Fang Shung.
Across the dimly lit room, Clan Leader Gu Yue Bo surveyed the child with a mix of confusion and mild frustration sketched across his weathered features. Time had not been kind to anyone in the clan, yet here was a child who defied its passage, remaining perpetually at the tender age of one. The clan leader couldn't fathom the implications of her stunted growth, nor could he shake the unsettling feeling that it might herald something far greater than mere misfortune.
[Decade passes]
Years rolled on, and the Gu Yue Clan had faced the ferocious onslaught of the wolf horde more than once, each conflict forging the clan's resolve like tempered steel. Through it all, Gu Yue Bo, equipped with his vast knowledge and unwavering wisdom, forged a strategic alliance with the Fang Faction. This alliance, however, came at a precarious price; unbeknownst to him, the Mo Faction and Chi Faction were secretly uniting their forces, plotting against him in the shadows. The delicate balance of power had shifted; with the medical faction at his side and the Fang Faction as his ally, Gu Yue Bo found himself at odds with the others, who looked on with simmering resentment.
Today marked another chilly, fog-laden January day, the air thick with humidity that clung to the skin like a cold shroud. A dense veil of mist enveloped the towering mountains, obscuring the path ahead and casting everything into an ethereal dreamscape.
Inside a spacious two-story house, the atmosphere was laden with unease as the scene repeated itself—a loop caught in time. On the second floor, filmy light struggled to penetrate the haze, illuminating the faces of those gathered. Fang Shung, despite the years that had crept by, remained ironically frozen at just one year of age. In stark contrast, her brother had blossomed into a young man of sixteen, a vibrant spirit in the dimness of their surroundings.
The room, once filled with youthful laughter, was now steeped in a heavy silence. Fang Huan, now in his late thirties, gazed at his daughter, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Time etched deep lines of worry across his brow as he pondered the unfathomable riddle of his daughter's existence. Just what was wrong with Fang Shung? Why did she remain untouched by time? Each day posed the same haunting questions, echoing relentlessly in his mind, refusing to be silenced.
Fang Zheng had just turned 16, a pivotal age in the Gu Yue clan, marking the time for the highly anticipated Awakening Ceremony. It was the moment when young clansmen would finally awaken their apertures, embarking on the transformative journey of becoming a Gu master. The weight of this milestone hung in the air, thickening his anticipation.
As he pushed open the ancient, creaking door, a sense of foreboding washed over him. The dimly lit room was filled with shadows that danced around the walls, and his heart skipped a beat as his gaze fell upon his younger sister. At just one-year-old, she lay peacefully in her crib, seemingly untouched by the relentless march of time that governed everyone else.
"Sister... Just what is wrong with you?" he murmured, his voice barely more than a whisper, tinged with both concern and confusion. The mystery of her stasis consumed his thoughts, an enigma that perplexed him deeply. While he was growing older, stronger, and preparing for his Awakening, she remained a delicate infant, seemingly suspended in time.
A wave of melancholy washed over him as he pondered his future. *Will I be a frail old man by the time she enters her prime?* he thought bitterly. The image of himself, a weathered figure grappling with time, while his sister blossomed into adulthood, filled him with dread. *What if I never get to experience her youth alongside my own?*
With a grim determination, he bit down on his teeth, feeling an ache deep within as he extricated himself from the overwhelming atmosphere of the room. The Awakening Ceremony loomed just three days away, a beacon calling him forward on the road of life. He understood that to dwell on his sister's condition would only tether him in place, and he refused to be stuck.
Outside, the moonlight wove its silver threads through the windows, illuminating the dim room in an ethereal glow. The sheer veil draped over the crib swayed gently, a delicate whisper in the cold winds that swept through the night, brushing against the baby girl who lay blissfully unaware of the turmoil swirling in her brother's heart.
The dimly lit room glowed softly under the pale moonlight as a delicate aura of azure energy began to emanate from the bed, flowing gently into the frail figure of the girl. Her eyes, deep as the abyss, blended seamlessly with the shadows as if they were two inseparable companions.
With each passing moment, the bluish energy coursed through her body, causing it to grow and transform rapidly, transforming her into a youthful 16-year-old girl in a matter of an hour.
Her dark hair waterfalled down her slender back, reaching the waist, while her eyes remained abyssal and captivating. Her skin was as flawless and milky white as freshly fallen snow, her body possessing an elegant and enticing figure, perfect in all the right places.
Wrapped in a loose white robe, she slowly blinked, her eyes adjusting to the new light.
"Finally, I have shed the Heaven and Time Path Dao Marks imposed on me. Heaven's Will had attempted to resist, but it was ultimately futile."
Despite the passage of years, she could still feel the lingering effects of the curse she had inflicted upon Heaven's Will and a faint connection to another being who had become one with it, though she was unaware of its identity.
It was, in truth, Star Constellation Immortal Venerable who still suffered alongside Heaven's Will.
Frustrated by the imbalance of her Supreme Body's Yang and Yin energies, she knew it was the reason why she now had to live as a female.
Shung, now standing in the mirror, took in her new, 16-year-old form. Though she was displeased with her female body, she couldn't deny its attractive curves. "If I were shameless enough, scamming and scheming with it might be an option," she thought to herself.
But her contemplation was interrupted as the door to her room suddenly burst open. Fang Huan, her father, stood there, his face filled with disbelief and hopeful excitement.
"D-daughter, is that you?" he asked, his words tinged with both anticipation and fear.
Without missing a beat, Shung replied, "Yes, Father." As soon as she confirmed her identity, Fang Huan rushed forward and enveloped her in a tight embrace, tears streaming down his face. For sixteen long years, he had suffered and waited in agony, his mind tortured by the mystery of his daughter's unchanged appearance. Today, she was finally back, finally normal.
Fang Zheng and his father also entered the room, drawn by the commotion. Even the Clan Leader Gu Yue Bo, his long beard in hand, entered with an air of calm, genuine joy on his face.
"Well, well, Elder Fang, it seems the heavens finally pitied you, haha!" he chuckled heartily, the scheming politician temporarily set aside.
Despite his stern demeanor, the Clan Leader couldn't help but feel a genuine sense of relief and happiness for Fang Huan and his family. He knew all too well how cruel the world could be, and moments of joy like these were precious and rare.
Fang Shung allowed her father to hug her tightly. Her face was calm and tranquil.
"In the original timeline, my parents weren't supposed to live this long or even form a faction of their own," she thought inwardly.
After a joyful reunion, Clan Leader Gu Yue Bo led Elder Fang Huan to his quarters.
"Elder Fang, please accept this humble Wind Cloud Tea. Enjoy this small gift," the Clan Leader said with a smile as he poured the tea. Fang Huan smiled back and said, "No, no, Clan Leader. Your respect is too much for me."
"You deserve this. Now drink the tea before I kick you out," he joked lightly.
After their cheerful exchange, the atmosphere shifted. Both men exchanged knowing glances and serious expressions. Fang Huan broke the silence, "Clan Leader, based on my knowledge, profound-level Time Path methods can manipulate time. Who could be behind this?"
Gu Yue Bo replied, "Even if we wanted to investigate, we couldn't. The expert must be at least Rank 5."
Fang Huan gritted his teeth; now that his daughter had returned to normal, it was time to uncover who had caused this turmoil.
"I understand your desire for answers, Fang Huan, but remember, life is filled with unexpected twists and turns. What we perceive might just be our facade," Gu Yue Bo said, drawing from his years of experience.
Fang Huan calmed his gaze, his self-control working effectively.
Fang Huan experienced a sudden burst of inspiration, prompting him to inquire eagerly of Gu Yue Bo, "What if... this could be an Extreme Physique?" The absurdity of the thought surprised him, yet he noted that Gu Yue Bo did not immediately dismiss the idea, which added weight to his musings.
They belonged to a medium-level clan situated on a moderately sized mountain, a place where ordinary disputes typically arose with their rivals, the Bai and Xiong clans. Their understanding of martial arts was limited, and even their secret records provided scant information on the elusive concept of Extreme Physiques. Thus, arriving at such an extraordinary conclusion felt bizarre yet not entirely out of reach.
Gu Yue Bo reflected on this, stating, "Regardless of our speculation, the awakening ceremony will confirm whether she possesses one." While he spoke with what seemed like a measure of hope, both men carried a growing unease in their hearts. They couldn't shake off their discomfort regarding the behavior of Gu Yue Bo's daughter. Despite being raised in a child's world, she had inexplicably matured into a young woman—her demeanor strikingly calm and composed. This was far from typical for someone of her age, and the depth of her knowledge was unsettling, defying all expectations.
This peculiar situation began to plant seeds of suspicion in the minds of those involved. Fang Zheng, Fang Huan, his father, and the Clan Leader Gu Yue Bo could all feel the growing tension. What lay beneath the surface of this bewildering calm was a question that lingered ominously in the air, igniting their curiosity and anxiety alike.