Chapter 37: Heavenly Spiritual Profound Veins

Xiao Che’s words were as sharp as blades, cutting through the air with absolute certainty. He was not comforting Xiao Lie or Xiao Longxi, nor was he jesting. Rather, it was the most resolute thought in his heart, the relentless drive compelling him to complete it no matter the cost.

Each word he spoke left them stunned for a long moment. Then Xiao Longxi shook her head, her vision blurred by tears: “Xiao Che, I don’t need you to do this. I just want you to be safe, to protect yourself… When I can escape this place, I’ll find you soon. But you must never do anything foolish, never take any risks.”

In her eyes, he would always be the boy who needed her protection, her care. She could sense the resolve in his words—his determination, his unwavering will. And yet, she could not bear the thought of him truly sacrificing himself for them.

“Rest easy, I’ll take care of myself.” Xiao Che smiled gently at her. “Because Grandfather and Auntie are still waiting for me here. Because… I still owe Auntie a promise I haven’t fulfilled.”

“A promise?” Xiao Longxi’s gaze wavered, her brow furrowed with confusion.

But Xiao Che said nothing further. He knelt before Xiao Lie, pressing his forehead to the elder’s chest in reverence: “Grandfather, I am your grandson, Xiao Che. For sixteen years I’ve lived safely under your protection. It’s time for me to spread my wings and soar. You are a great grandfather. My grandson will not let you down by remaining idle… I’ll return. Before I do, you must take care of your health.”

“Yes… yes!” Xiao Lie nodded slowly, his voice trembling, tears glistening in his eyes. He steadied Xiao Che, then pressed a wooden tablet into his palm, its surface adorned with white grains: “My son, the Xiao family exiled you. This city, Lingyun, can no longer shelter you. Your meridians are damaged, and you’ve never walked Lingyun in your life. Though I worry deeply, your eyes… they give me peace. If you have no other path, take this token. Go to a city called ‘New Moon,’ and seek out a man named Si Kong Han.”

“Si Kong Han visited Lingyun years ago. Because of him, I owe him a debt, and I gave you this tablet. When you find him in New Moon, show him this tablet and tell him you are my grandson. Perhaps he can grant you refuge.”

His words spoke of “peace” and “comfort,” yet his eyes betrayed a storm of worry and longing. How could he truly let his son, nearly devoid of cultivation and never having set foot in Lingyun, venture into the world alone, unmoored and alone?

Xiao Che gripped the wooden tablet tightly, nodding solemnly. “Before I leave, I’d like to pay my respects… to Uncle Xiao.”

“Indeed.” Xiao Lie bowed his head in approval.

“Xiao Longxi!” At the moment Xiao Che turned, she lunged forward, gripping his hands with desperate urgency, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, her touch almost melting his heart.

He yearned to take them both with him—to Xiao Lie and Xiao Longxi—but he possessed neither the strength nor the right to do so. Not in this place, where they were still safe.

“Auntie,” Xiao Che whispered, his fingers still wrapped around hers, his gaze soft. “I can’t bear to leave you, more than I already do… So I’ll return as quickly as I can. I promise, I’ll fulfill that promise I made that night… to you.”

Xiao Longxi slowly released his hand. Xiao Che’s grip loosened, one by one, until his hands were free. Then he turned, walking forward with deliberate steps, each one measured, none backward. For he feared that a single glance back would mean he could never leave. And he dreaded the moment if he looked back, seeing his own tears—two tracks of sorrow—streaming down his face.

Grandfather… Auntie… Within three years, I’ll return. Wait for me!! Wait for me!!!!

A promise… A promise…

Xiao Longxi stood transfixed, her tear-blurred eyes watching his figure fade into the distance. Lost in thought, she suddenly heard his words from that night echoing in her heart’s depths: “If you weren’t my niece, I would have married you!”

She clutched her mouth, and with a violent surge, tears she’d held back for so long burst forth like a dam breaking.

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The Xiao Family Cemetery.

Standing before Xiao Fei’s tomb, Xiao Che gazed at the weathered stone for a long, long time. He knelt, pressing his forehead to the ground three times in reverence. When he lifted his gaze, his eyes were steely with resolve.

“Uncle Xiao, the debts my family owes you, I, Yun Che, will never forget. If one day I learn the whereabouts of my parents still living in this world, I will spare no effort to find them—and the son you took from them. When my strength is sufficient, I will locate the one who assassinated you, and I will avenge you, Grandfather, with every fiber of my being!”

With this vow spoken beneath Xiao Fei’s tomb, Xiao Che rose, bowed deeply one last time, and departed with heavy steps.

“From this moment, I am no longer Xiao Che… I am Yun Che!”

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The news of Xiao Yu Long’s brutal murder shook the entire Xiao Sect, leaving them sleepless all night. Xiao Yunhai, enraged, attacked the heart of the sect but fell into a coma. When he awoke, he raved like a madman, commanding the entire sect to search for the killer all night, yet found no trace of the perpetrator—not a single shadow, not a single clue. The only explanation was the sect itself!

Xiao Kuangyun was also deeply angered, though his fury was brief, lamenting the loss of a loyal servant who might have been obedient and useful. Yet such a servant, he thought, was replaceable. But Xiao Yu Long, now dead, could not be returned to the sect. Thus, his choice naturally fell upon the person who had ranked just below Xiao Yu Long in the recent “exam.”

Xiao Zong’s youngest grandson—Xiao Chengzhi.

Thus, Xiao Zong and Xiao Chengzhi rejoiced.

Yet all eyes turned toward Xiao Zong, and the expressions changed. Especially Xiao Yunhai and Xiao Li, their gazes filled with a deep, palpable murderous intent!

If the Xiao Yu Long of the sect had been killed by someone within, then Xiao Zong, without a doubt, bore the greatest suspicion.

But these matters were not Xiao Kuangyun’s concern. That afternoon, the four leaders of the Xiao Sect, accompanied by Xiao Chengzhi, departed Lingyun City, sending their new heir to the Xiao Sect through the major nobles of both the Xiao Sect and Lingyun City. Though the Xiao Sect could dispatch several flying spiritual beasts with ease, this time, the sect leader personally ordered that no flying beasts be used, to allow Xiao Yu Long to cultivate.

After Xiao Kuangyun and his group departed, Xiao Qinglu had already prepared to escort Xiao Qingyue back to the Bing Yun Palace.

“Master.” Xiao Qingyue returned to Xiao Qinglu’s side, bowing respectfully to her father and brother.

Xiao Qinglu turned, her face as cold and radiant as snow: “The Bing Yun Palace is extremely distant. Once you return, I do not know when you might come again. Do not harbor any lingering attachments.”

“Master, rest assured. Qingyue has prepared everything, ready to follow you at a moment’s notice. Though my husband may sorrow, he is deeply pleased that Qingyue has entered the Bing Yun Palace.”

Xiao Qinglu nodded: “Then let us depart now. The Palace Master has long wished to meet you. I’m sure she will be pleased to see you.”

“My lord has prepared a spiritual steed for us. Please follow me to the courtyard.” Xiao Qingyue bowed respectfully.

“No need.” Xiao Qinglu shook her head. “The spiritual steed is too slow. I will use ‘Spiritual Crossing Void’ to carry you. And during this journey, you must carefully feel the changes in my spiritual energy—it will greatly benefit your future spiritual power cultivation… Let’s go. Extend your hand to me.”

Without hesitation, Xiao Qingyue extended her pale right hand. Clearly, Xiao Qinglu intended to use “Spiritual Crossing Void” to carry her through the air, which filled her heart with a surge of excitement and anticipation.

Xiao Qinglu extended her slightly chilled hand, and their palms met. Instantly, a frosty glow erupted around them, and the powerful Bing Yun Technique surged to life… Yet at that moment, Xiao Qinglu’s entire body convulsed violently. The frost technique she had just begun to form dissipated without a trace. She turned, her beautiful eyes fixed on Xiao Qingyue, her expression one of utter shock, as if she had witnessed the most impossible thing in the world.

“Master? What happened to you?” Xiao Qingyue, startled by Xiao Qinglu’s sudden reaction, asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“Impossible… absolutely impossible!!”

Xiao Qinglu muttered to herself. Her other hand shot out, both hands gripping Xiao Qingyue’s right wrist. A frosty glow flickered around her—this time, her beautiful eyes widened again, her entire body trembling more and more violently, her face and eyes filled with inexpressible shock, disbelief, and even joy. She clutched Xiao Qingyue’s hand, staring into her eyes, overwhelmed by intense emotion, unable to speak.

Her appearance terrified Xiao Qingyue: “Master… what… what exactly happened?”

“Qingyue!” Xiao Qinglu felt her heart racing uncontrollably. Cultivating the Bing Yun Technique requires the practitioner’s mind to gradually grow cold and tranquil, making it difficult to stir emotions. Yet after countless years, she had never lost control like this: “Tell me, when did you experience something extraordinary? Did you meet someone special? Or consume a heaven-defying elixir?”

“I…” Xiao Qingyue was at a loss for words.

“The human meridians have fifty-four spiritual points. A person of ordinary talent may awaken ten points at birth, while one with exceptional talent may awaken fifteen. When I first found you, I discovered you had naturally awakened twenty-one points—a once-in-a-lifetime talent! The more points awakened, the faster the spiritual power cultivation and circulation. Those with twenty points awakened cultivate and circulate spiritual power twice as fast as those with ten.

Awakening spiritual points after birth is extremely difficult. Even a master like me, after a hundred years, only managed to awaken seven post-natal points, reaching the pinnacle of thirty points. In the entire Fengyun Continent, fewer than five people have awakened thirty points post-naturally. The Spiritual Awakening Pills given by the Xiao Sect can temporarily open three to four additional points in days, though only temporarily. Even so, these pills are precious even within the Xiao Sect.”

“But you, Qingyue…” Xiao Qinglu gripped Xiao Qingyue’s shoulder tightly, her beautiful eyes never blinking: “You have all fifty-four points open—and permanently! Do you know what this means? It means your cultivation speed and spiritual power circulation surpass even me by nearly a fold! Faster than ordinary people by over five times. And you can practice any spiritual technique or skill without restriction. When breaking through spiritual power, there will never be a bottleneck!”

“In legends, a meridian with all fifty-four points open is called the ‘Heavenly Spirit Divine Vein,’ a divine vein only mythical gods possess! In the history of the Fengyun Empire, none have ever had it! Qingyue… what did you experience during this time?”

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[Yes. Yun Che has successfully left the beginner’s village… Next up: the 1-10 level wild monster zones. Cheats activated!!]