“Great-grandfather, don’t worry. I will save Lan’er. Please wait a moment.” Long Junhao stepped out of the door.
“Long Yun, Lin Bo, guard the door and don’t let anyone enter. Long Lei, go to the roof and watch. No one can enter without my order, not even the emperor. It’s by the order of the former emperor,” Long Junhao instructed firmly.
“Great-grandfather, we can begin now,” Long Junhao said, looking at Long Dahai with hope.
Long Dahai sat cross-legged, unleashing the Heavenly Dragon Battle Technique. A faint golden light started to rotate around him, spinning faster until he became a mere circle of light. His spirit left his body, floating upward. This separation was dangerous, and since he was not yet divine, he had to be cautious as he risked everything to save Lan’er.
He knew that a soul not yet in the netherworld was on its way there but had no idea where to begin searching for Lan’er.
After exploring much of the space, Long Dahai still couldn’t find her and felt anxiety creeping in as he approached the netherworld. “Lan’er, where are you?” he called with his spirit, sensing his weakening power adding to his worries.
If he couldn’t find her soon, he would have to return.
After searching for half a day, just as he was about to turn back, he caught a glimpse of a white figure on the ground – Lan’er’s soul. Terrible, her soul was about to dissipate! He immediately accelerated his divine technique and swiftly swept up Lan’er’s soul.
Lan’er felt extremely cold. In her daze, she kept hearing familiar voices calling her. She wanted to respond but couldn’t let Long Junhao hear her words. Gradually, she lost control of her consciousness and felt scared. She didn’t want to sleep. Junhao had said she just needed two days to return. But now? She wanted to see her babies, Junhao, and Ling Feng, whom she remembered Junhao mentioning. She tried to stay awake but ultimately fell asleep.
In her dream, she saw her great-grandfather, who said she was too mischievous and causing sadness. Later, he would take her home. She was happy her great-grandfather had come to fetch her.
Long Junhao stared unblinkingly at Long Dahai.
Two hours had passed, and why hadn’t great-grandfather finished? Watching the golden light around him fade, his heart tightened. He could see this as a sign of the Heavenly Dragon Battle Technique’s power declining. “Great-grandfather, hold on!”
Just then, Long Dahai successfully returned Lan’er’s soul to her body. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He opened his eyes and signaled Long Junhao to wait by the bed. He took out two pills emanating divine energy from his chest—one for Long Junhao to give to Lan’er when she woke up, and one for himself. He immediately sat down to cultivate again. Searching for Lan’er had completely depleted his power; he would need at least three to five years to recover.
Outside the royal residence, people waited anxiously. The golden light streaming through the door’s cracks amazed them, but after two hours, the light vanished, and the door remained closed, heightening their anxiety.
Long Junhao watched Lan’er closely by the bed. Suddenly, her finger moved. Overjoyed, he grabbed her hand and whispered, “Lan’er, wake up, please.” Hearing his call, she struggled to open her eyes but felt weak. Long Junhao quickly placed the pill in her mouth.
Lan’er felt a warm flow enter her mouth and spread through her body, invigorating her and banishing fatigue. She opened her eyes to see Long Junhao’s haggard face; tears welled up as she recognized him. She embraced him tightly, their tears and shared warmth expressing their deep care for each other.
Long Junhao pressed his lips to hers, gently prying them open and deepening their kiss until they had to pull away for air.
“You two lovebirds, don’t get intimate in front of this old man. You almost made me go crazy!” Long Dahai teased, causing them to separate, Lan’er’s cheeks flushed.
“Great-grandfather, are you okay? I—” Lan’er’s voice choked as she observed the old man’s pale face. Unsure how to express her gratitude, she pulled Long Junhao with her and knelt before Long Dahai, kowtowing three times.
“Alright, alright, get up! It’s good that nothing’s wrong. I’m going back now.”
Long Dahai helped the two children he loved most, patted their shoulders, and then flew out the window.
He disliked social interactions, and now, having completed this earth-shattering deed, he would have to hide again. He suddenly remembered something important: “Junhao, Lan’er, Ling Feng is in a farmhouse north of Lishan Mountain. Your happiness cannot do without him; remember to find him and bring him back.” By the time he finished speaking, he had already disappeared, his voice lingering in the air. These juniors always made him worry, but now he could finally leave with peace of mind.
Lan Lan leaned into Long Junhao’s embrace. “Junhao, I almost thought I would never see you again. It was so cold up there. If great-grandfather hadn’t arrived in time, and if your call hadn’t kept me, we might never have met again.” She clung to the man she deeply loved, recalling the bone-chilling cold, as if it were just a dream. Now, she was finally back and reunited with them.
[Main Text: Chapter Fifty-Eight – Ling Feng]
North of Lishan Mountain.
A robust man stood at the edge of a cliff, hands behind his back. The mountain wind blew his long hair as he gazed into the distant peaks, revealing a confused and troubled expression.
His entire being exuded a sense of loneliness that seemed incomprehensible to others, and the scar slanting across his handsome face added a chilling quality to his appearance.
He was Ling Feng, the man Lan Lan had always been concerned about.
He often reflected on the sweet life he shared with Lan Lan, her every smile and lively demeanor vivid in his mind. Though that time wasn’t long, it was enough for him. After all, she was married to the Rui Prince, a remarkable man, and he cherished those few years of happiness.
During the pursuit by the Sky Eagle Nation, despite the old man’s efforts to save him, he felt the scar running from his eyebrow to his face. The handsome face he once took pride in, which had attracted many women, was gone. Every time he inadvertently lifted his veil, he heard gasps and screams. Each cry eroded his confidence, leaving him afraid to stand before the woman he loved and smile. No injury hurt him as much as the thought of her potential fear.
Sometimes, he wandered around the prince’s residence, finding satisfaction in merely catching a glimpse of her. When he heard she had died from poisoning, his heart seemed to stop.
If she were gone, the only person who made him cherish life would be lost too. What joy would he have in living, what fear in dying?
He felt guilty towards his parents, who had raised him with great difficulty, yet he had never repaid them. A selfish son, he had imagined marrying and having children to let his parents enjoy family happiness. But was it misfortune or blessing that he fell deeply in love with a pure, otherworldly princess who was already married? Father! Mother! If there is a next life, I will be a good son, serving you at your knees, no longer causing you worry.
After waiting many days at the prince’s residence, he finally saw the old immortal who had saved his life enter. He believed in the old immortal’s ability to save her again. So, upon seeing the old immortal arrive, he reluctantly left.
As long as she was fine, he could go. Without her, living anywhere was the same. If there were no unexpected circumstances, she would learn of his whereabouts. Would she still miss him? Would she come looking for him? He held on to the last bit of hope.
He stood there until sunset, then took a deep breath and slowly turned to leave.
