As a father, I just want to quietly watch you live a long life

The imperial consort showed no trace of heartache, her eyes filled with relief.

The expressions of the two were reflected in the blood-soaked eyes of Lu Chi.

Lu Chi could no longer distinguish whether it was tears or blood trickling down his face.

Probably blood.

Otherwise—

Why was he smiling?

…

…

“Yun E, my child…”

“If I leave like this, in this vast and dangerous world… how will you ever protect yourself?”

Lying on the sickbed, the mother tenderly stroked the delicate face of young Yun E. Yun E’s eyes revealed a dazed expression.

Struggling, the mother crawled off the sickbed, gripping Yun E’s hand, coughing up blood into a white handkerchief as she guided Yun E past the Yun Family’s towering, sunlight-blocking walls.

For the first time, Yun E saw the outside world and arrived at a mysterious temple.

The Desire and Fear of the Jade Tower and Cold Immortal’s Mysterious Temple.

Inside the temple, it seemed as though a gaze fell upon her.

…

…

Under the White Jade Arch,

Li Che’s slender fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of his chair suddenly froze.

Crack-crack—

Spring thunder exploded, the terrifying sound resonated like the wrathful roar of heaven itself.

Li Che slowly raised his head.

He wasn’t alone in doing so; under the White Jade Arch, many elders raised their heads as well, their eyes reflecting traces of astonishment.

“A celestial anomaly?”

“A heart trial… It caused a celestial anomaly?”

The Inner Sect Great Elder Fang Hanshu closed the book in his hands and, looking at the spring thunder webbing across the sky, spoke softly.

“Either an innocent soul or a harbinger of death…”

“Which could it be?”

Li Che withdrew his gaze, refocusing on the screen projected by the Sword Energy Disc.

On the screen, the fog-shrouded figures of children trembled and twisted in various ways.

They seemed to endure significant pain.

“This heart trial is based on the Dao Yun power of the Grandmaster, simulated within an illusion realm. It’s real enough to deceive even a typical Divine Fetus,”

“What these children must do is persist—persist until the illusion realm created by Dao Yun power ends. Only then will they pass the heart trial.”

Sitting on his chair, Lv Taibai spoke softly.

It sounded as if he was explaining to Li Che.

“Sect Master, what kinds of illusions are the children experiencing?” Li Che couldn’t help but ask.

“No one knows; it depends on each individual’s heart or secrets buried deep within their soul.”

“Each will differ.”

Lv Taibai glanced at Li Che, his silver hair swaying in the spring breeze as he spoke gently.

“To test the hearts of children, with trials of this magnitude…”

Li Che forced a bitter smile.

Lv Taibai offered a warm smile: “Some are born innocent; others are born as killers…”

“I merely wish to understand what kind of heart my disciple possesses.”

“So I can teach them accordingly.”

Li Che understood and asked no further, sitting quietly as his gaze fell slightly downward.

He saw Xi Xi trembling as she sat on a White Jade Staircase within the Small Cave Heaven. Her tiny face seemed to reflect anguish.

His fingers tapped on the chair.

In the next moment, his consciousness appeared within the Heaven and Earth chessboard.

Five fingers outstretched.

The Immaculate Heart Taoist Fruit pulsated in his chest.

“Xi Xi, don’t be too hard on yourself. All I wish for is that you live a happy, joyful, and peaceful life.”

“Any hardship, I will shield you from. You don’t need to worry.”

Li Che’s eyes shimmered with tenderness.

“So, don’t let yourself suffer too much.”

“I’ll handle everything for you.”

“Father is always here.”

Li Che murmured softly.

His raised fingers suddenly clenched into a fist.

A Thunder Chess Piece materialized in his hand, which he grasped firmly.

However, there was no instant teleportation. Li Che simply held the chess piece tightly.

It seemed as though he wanted to transmit the warmth of his palm and his faint murmurs through the Thunder Chess Piece.

With it, he conveyed all his fatherly love to his daughter.

Letting her feel that behind her, there stood a steadfast and protective pillar—a harbor where she could always find solace.

…

…

Plop-plop—

One after another, rain droplets as big as beans fell, tumbling from the leaden clouds in the sky.

They splattered onto the ground, shattering into fragments.

The Big Black Dog woke up from its slumber, its dog eyes revealing shock as it gazed at the heavens.

The lazy shopkeeper sitting in his chair stood up—nobody knew when exactly he had done so.

He, too, looked up at the sky’s anomaly, his eyes shimmering with complex emotions.

“She’s coming back.”

“Woof—”

The Big Black Dog barked. It shook the water droplets off its body, sighed, and lay back down.

The shopkeeper stood straight, took out a roll of cigarette paper, and from a worn tobacco pouch, seized some tobacco leaves.

Rolling them up, he struck a match with a sharp hiss, igniting the cigarette.

Hsss-hsss-hsss—

The cigarette paper burned, curling the tobacco, releasing dense smoke.

Twin streams of smoke dragoned out of his nostrils.

Clamping the cigarette between his fingers, the shopkeeper sat back in his chair.

He flicked away the ash and crossed one leg over the other.

…

…

BANG—!!!

The window was suddenly torn open!

One shadow after another surged into the house, breaking its warmth instantly.

Fierce Qi-Blood swept through the room, carried by icy wind and snow.

Xi Xi’s eyes squeezed shut, her hairs standing on edge.

Her slumbering parents awoke instantly.

“Ah—!”

Her father roared furiously, grabbing the kitchen knife by the bed and swinging it frantically.

“Get out!”

“You Spirit Infant Sect thieves! Get out!”

Her father roared.

Zhang Ya’s face was pale with terror as she held Xi Xi tightly in her arms. Her body trembled uncontrollably, for she could do nothing more than cling to her child.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!