The golden-robed lord stood before Lord Gu Jen, trembling with fear.
"Great Lord, please forgive me! I had no idea you were an ancestor of the Die Family!"
Lord Gu Jen smiled faintly.
"Go back to the Immortal World. Tell the Golden Heaven Palace that the Die Family has no interest in their affairs. But if they dare provoke my family again, they will face the consequences."
"Thank you, Great Lord!"
The golden-robed man immediately fled.
Lord Gu Jen watched him disappear before turning toward the Lower World.
"Now, let's see what that little fellow is doing."
Suddenly, a mysterious notification echoed through the spatial region.
[Summoning duration has expired. Returning the summoned entity to its original realm.]
Lord Gu Jen sighed.
"So, my time is up already?"
He glanced toward the distant mortal world.
"Die Yuan, don't get yourself killed before I return."
With that, his figure vanished.
Several days later, Die Yuan sat peacefully in his courtyard, enjoying a cup of tea.
His disciple, Yuixa Ju, stood before him.
"Master, where exactly am I supposed to go?"
Die Yuan tossed him a black jade token.
"Fallen Star Domain. There are ancient ruins hidden somewhere in that region. Investigate them and bring back anything useful."
Yuixa examined the token.
"Master, that place is thousands of miles away!"
"So?"
Yuixa fell silent.
Sometimes, I wonder whether this man actually wants me to succeed or simply wants me out of his sight.
Die Yuan waved his hand.
"Go. And don't die."
"...Yes, Master."
Yuixa departed with a complicated expression.
Finally alone, Die Yuan leaned back in his chair.
"Wonderful. Now I can enjoy some peace."
DING!
A mechanical voice suddenly rang inside his mind.
Die Yuan's smile disappeared.
"System?"
[A special mission has been triggered.]
[Mission: Survive the next 365 days.]
[Reward: Unknown.]
Die Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"Survive? What kind of mission is that? Show me something more interesting!"
[Warning: The Host's power exceeds the permitted limit of the current world.]
[To maintain the stability of the surrounding space, the system will seal the Host's cultivation and combat abilities for 365 days.]
Die Yuan stared at the notification.
"...What?"
[Sealing process initiated.]
A strange force swept through his body.
His enormous cultivation vanished. His extraordinary techniques became inaccessible, and even his attempts to summon a tiny strand of energy failed.
[Sealing complete.]
[Remaining duration: 364 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes.]
Die Yuan slowly placed his teacup on the table.
"System."
[Yes, Host?]
"I'm going to destroy you one day."
[The system acknowledges the Host's statement.]
"SHUT UP!"
And so, the terrifying Die Yuan, a man who had once made powerful experts tremble, was reduced to an ordinary cultivator with no access to his former abilities.
Unfortunately, fate wasn't finished with him.
Thousands of miles away, a woman in a crimson robe ran through a dense forest.
Her face was pale, and black patterns had spread across her neck.
Behind her, several powerful cultivators pursued her relentlessly.
"Your Majesty! Stop running!"
An elderly man in black robes laughed.
"Hand over the Imperial Jade Seal, and perhaps we'll leave you with a peaceful death!"
The woman clenched her teeth.
She was the Empress of the Azure Moon Kingdom, a ruler whose name commanded respect throughout her empire.
Yet now, surrounded by enemies and severely injured, she could barely protect herself.
The elderly man raised his hand.
"Forbidden Art — Nether Poison Mist!"
Black mist swept through the forest.
The Empress immediately tried to defend herself, but the poison entered her body before she could escape.
"Ugh!"
She fell to one knee.
The poison spread through her meridians, disrupting her cultivation and threatening her life.
"Your Majesty, it's over!" the elderly man shouted.
But the Empress refused to surrender.
Using the last of her strength, she fled deeper into the forest.
Her vision blurred. Her legs became increasingly weak.
Eventually, she discovered a secluded courtyard hidden behind a mountain path.
With no other choice, she pushed open the gate and stumbled inside.
"Please… let me hide here…"
She collapsed.
At that exact moment, Die Yuan walked out of his room carrying a cup of tea.
He stared at the unconscious woman.
Then he looked at his tea.
Then back at the woman.
"...What the hell?"
He had only wanted a peaceful life.
Why did trouble always seem to find him?
Die Yuan examined the woman and immediately realized that her condition was serious.
The poison had spread through her meridians, and ordinary healing methods might make it worse.
"System, analyze her condition."
[Analysis complete.]
[Poison identified: Netherheart Venom.]
[Condition: Critical.]
[Recommended treatment: Ancient Yin-Yang Harmonization Ritual.]
Die Yuan frowned.
"Explain."
[The poison has destabilized the target's internal energy. A specialized harmonization ritual may stabilize the opposing energies and allow natural recovery.]
[Both participants must voluntarily cooperate. The procedure requires careful control and does not guarantee a complete cure.]
Die Yuan rubbed his forehead.
"Is there another method?"
[No alternative treatment has been identified.]
The woman suddenly opened her eyes and grabbed his wrist.
"Please… help me…"
Die Yuan looked at her determined expression.
He sighed.
"Fine. I'll help you. But you'd better explain everything once you're conscious."
After explaining the ritual as clearly as the circumstances allowed, Die Yuan received her consent.
He began the ancient healing procedure.
Silver light surrounded them as the opposing energies gradually stabilized. Die Yuan carefully followed the system's instructions, preventing the poison from spreading further.
Hours passed.
Finally, the black patterns on the woman's neck began to fade.
[Stabilization successful.]
[The target is no longer in immediate danger. Additional treatment and rest are required for complete recovery.]
Die Yuan released a long breath.
"Finally."
Exhausted, he helped her settle safely on the bed before sitting beside her.
What a troublesome day.
He had no idea that this encounter would eventually change his entire life.
The next morning, Die Yuan opened his eyes.
"Ah… what a peaceful—"
He stopped.
The woman was gone.
The blanket had been folded neatly, and the window was open.
Die Yuan stared at it.
"She left without even saying thank you?"
He shook his head.
"Whatever. At least the trouble is gone."
Just then, a faint sound came from beside the doorway.
"Waaah… waaah…"
Die Yuan froze.
Slowly, he turned around.
A small cradle stood near the entrance.
Inside it lay a newborn baby boy wrapped in white cloth.
Die Yuan stared at the baby.
The baby stared back.
Silence filled the courtyard.
Finally, Die Yuan pointed at him.
"Who are you?"
The baby started crying louder.
"WAAAAH!"
Die Yuan panicked.
"Hey! Don't cry! I'm asking you a question!"
He hurriedly picked up the child.
"System! Explain this situation!"
[An infant has been detected.]
"I CAN SEE THAT! WHY IS HE HERE?!"
[Insufficient information.]
Die Yuan nearly lost his mind.
He examined the cradle and discovered a jade pendant engraved with a crescent moon surrounded by silver flowers.
There was no letter and no explanation.
Only the mysterious pendant remained.
Die Yuan looked at the baby.
Then at the empty doorway.
That woman… did she leave this child here?
Before he could think further, the baby grabbed his finger.
His tiny hand held on tightly.
Die Yuan fell silent.
For some reason, his anger disappeared as he looked at the child's innocent face.
He sighed.
"Fine. I'll take care of you until I find out what happened."
He examined the pendant again.
"A crescent moon, huh?"
After thinking for a while, he nodded.
"Until I discover your real name, I'll call you Yue Chen."
The baby smiled.
Die Yuan stared at him.
"Don't smile. You're creating a huge problem for me."
The baby continued smiling.
Die Yuan rubbed his face.
"I'm finished…"
Then he gently adjusted the blanket around the child.
"Welcome to the family, little troublemaker."
Neither he nor the child knew that this seemingly ordinary moment would one day shake the entire cultivation world.
Ten years passed.
The secluded courtyard that had once been silent was now filled with laughter.
"Father! Look what I caught!"
A ten-year-old boy rushed into the courtyard, carrying a small spiritual rabbit.
Die Yuan, who was reading beneath a tree, glanced at the animal.
Then he frowned.
"Yue Chen, why are its ears burning?"
The boy looked down.
"Oh!"
Tiny flames flickered around the rabbit's ears.
He hurriedly patted them out.
"Sorry, little rabbit!"
Die Yuan slowly closed his book.
"Didn't I tell you not to practice your strange techniques inside the courtyard?"
Yue Chen lowered his head.
"But Father, I only wanted to test my spiritual fire…"
Die Yuan stared at him.
This child becomes more troublesome every year.
Despite growing up far from powerful sects, Yue Chen possessed extraordinary talent. He could sense spiritual energy instinctively and imitate techniques after seeing them only a few times.
Die Yuan had taught him basic cultivation principles but had never forced him to follow a particular path.
After all, he himself had spent years living without access to his sealed powers.
"Come here," Die Yuan said.
Yue Chen approached.
Die Yuan placed a hand on his head.
"Remember this. Talent doesn't make you superior to others. Learn to control your strength before showing it off."
Yue Chen nodded seriously.
"I understand, Father!"
"Good. Now feed that rabbit before it burns down my courtyard."
Yue Chen ran away.
Die Yuan watched him with a faint smile.
Ten years already…
He had searched for clues about the mysterious woman, but the pendant had revealed nothing.
Still, he had never regretted raising Yue Chen.
As long as the boy grows up safely, that's enough.
But far away, in a magnificent imperial palace, a woman wearing a silver crown stood before a vast window.
She was no longer merely the Empress of the Azure Moon Kingdom.
She had united neighboring territories and established the mighty Azure Moon Empire.
Her name was now feared and respected across countless kingdoms.
Yet there was one matter she had never been able to resolve.
She was still searching for her child.
An attendant entered the imperial chamber and knelt.
"Your Majesty, we have another report."
The Empress turned.
"Speak."
"We have searched the surrounding kingdoms, but there is still no trace of the child."
The Empress closed her eyes.
For a brief moment, the cold ruler's expression softened.
"Continue searching. Expand the investigation beyond the eastern territories."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After the attendant left, the Empress took out a jade pendant.
It bore the same crescent moon surrounded by silver flowers.
Her fingers tightened around it.
Where are you?
Ten years earlier, her enemies had attacked her kingdom to seize the Imperial Jade Seal and overthrow her rule.
During her escape, she had been poisoned and forced to flee through the forest.
In the chaos that followed, she had entrusted her newborn son to a secret arrangement, believing it was the safest way to protect him.
But when she recovered, the people who had been responsible for the child's safety had disappeared.
She had spent ten years searching.
She didn't know the child had ended up in a secluded courtyard.
She didn't know that another man was raising him.
And most importantly, she didn't know that the man raising her son was Die Yuan.
The Empress looked toward the horizon.
"Whoever is protecting my child…"
Her eyes hardened.
"I will find you. And if anyone has harmed him, they will answer to me."
A terrifying imperial aura filled the chamber.
Outside, countless guards immediately lowered their heads.
The Empress's search was about to enter a new phase.
Back in the courtyard, Die Yuan was teaching Yue Chen how to read an ancient cultivation manual.
Suddenly—
DING!
Die Yuan's expression changed.
A familiar notification appeared.
[365-day sealing period: Final stage approaching.]
[Remaining duration: 30 days.]
Die Yuan slowly stood up.
"Finally…"
For ten years, he had lived a peaceful life, raised Yue Chen, and avoided unnecessary trouble.
But now, the countdown was almost over.
Then another notification appeared.
[Warning: Restoration of the Host's power may cause a major change in the surrounding world's balance.]
Die Yuan frowned.
"What kind of change?"
[Insufficient information.]
He stared at the system.
"You've been useless for ten years, and you're still useless!"
[The system remains operational.]
"Shut up."
Yue Chen looked up from his book.
"Father, who are you talking to?"
Die Yuan immediately turned toward him.
"No one."
"Then why are you arguing with the air?"
Die Yuan fell silent.
"…Go practice your writing."
Yue Chen laughed and ran away.
Die Yuan looked toward the sky.
Thirty days.
Once my powers return, I'll investigate that woman's identity and find out why she left Yue Chen.
His eyes narrowed.
"And if anyone disturbs my peaceful life…"
A faint smile appeared.
"They'll regret it."
Far away, in the Azure Moon Empire, the Empress received a new report.
A mysterious jade pendant bearing the imperial family's symbol had been spotted in a remote region.
The Empress immediately stood up.
"Prepare my carriage."
Her attendant was startled.
"Your Majesty, are you personally going?"
The Empress's gaze sharpened.
"If there is even the slightest possibility that the pendant is connected to my son, I will go myself."
She turned toward the palace gates.
"Send word to my trusted generals. No one is to interfere with my investigation."
The imperial carriage departed before sunset.
Meanwhile, Die Yuan sat in his courtyard, completely unaware that the woman from ten years ago was finally moving toward him.
The system's countdown continued.
[Remaining duration: 29 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes.]
And when Die Yuan's power returned, the reunion of a mother, a hidden son, and the man who had raised him would become only the beginning of a much greater storm.