Chapter 104: We Are All Your Family

Chapter 104: We Are All Your Family — We Are One Family

Jian Mie had no idea that Huangfu Shengqi, who was right beside him, had already successfully set his sights on Li Hao because of him.

After assigning Jian Mie his task, Li Hao recalled the previous night. The many areas within the Realm within the Realm had been filled with auspicious light after the thunderstorm. With curiosity, he asked Lin Xueyou and the others:

“Sister Xueyou, you mentioned the auspicious light after last night’s thunder. Normally, today we should be hearing news of treasures manifesting in many places. But strangely, it’s been calm and quiet so far.”

Upon hearing Li Hao’s question, a wave of doubts surfaced in their minds. They had been distracted by the shocking conflict between Xiao Jiu and You Xue, but now, Li Hao’s words reminded them of the odd stillness today.

Lin Xueyou pondered for a moment before replying to Li Hao:

“The higher the grade of a treasure, the greater its spiritual awareness. They are sensitive to danger and have strong self-preservation instincts. They tend to hide or conceal themselves in special spaces. Outsiders, even if they brush past these treasures, cannot see them.”

Since Li Hao and the others were still young, their understanding of treasures was limited; mostly, they were driven by curiosity and desire.

Li Hao smiled and said:

“Let’s leave everything to fate. Grandpa Baicao often said: ‘One must not be greedy or driven solely by profit. Those who are insatiable end in tragedy. Greed is like a snake swallowing an elephant; in the end, one will have no place to rest in death.’”

Lin Xueyou, Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen all heard Li Hao quoting the revered words of their sovereign with admiration. In their hearts, they thought:

“Our Domain Lord truly possesses vast knowledge and profound wisdom.”

Zhen Ba did not know who Grandpa Baicao was and curiously asked:

“Young Master, who is Grandpa Baicao?”

Everyone was stunned and speechless upon hearing Zhen Ba’s question. Qin Zhen asked incredulously:

“Zhen Ba, you don’t know who Grandpa Baicao is?”

Zhen Ba nodded seriously:

“I really don’t.”

Everyone exchanged surprised looks at Zhen Ba’s ignorance of the famed divine healer. Qin Zhen continued:

“Do you at least know who Princess Lu Yao’s grandfather is?”

Zhen Ba’s mind raced, mumbling as he thought:

“Princess Lu Yao’s grandfather... Grandpa Baicao!”

Suddenly, Zhen Ba seemed to understand something:

“Princess Lu Yao’s surname is Lu, and she is a princess. Could Grandpa Baicao also be surnamed Lu? The Lujiashan Star Domain is also named Lu. So if Grandpa Baicao is related to Lu Yao’s grandfather, do you mean Grandpa Baicao is actually her grandfather?”

Qin Zhen nodded in affirmation:

“Yes, the Grandpa Baicao that Young Master Li Hao mentioned is indeed Princess Lu Yao’s grandfather.”

Now realizing why his friends reacted with such shock whenever Li Hao mentioned Grandpa Baicao, Zhen Ba’s next words astonished everyone once more:

“If that’s the case, then Princess Lu Yao’s grandfather must at least hold the rank of Palace Lord.”

Qin Zhen sighed and corrected him:

“Princess Lu Yao’s grandfather is not just a Palace Lord; he is the sovereign of our Lujiashan Star Domain, the Domain Lord.”

Zhen Ba was taken aback, never expecting the truth to exceed his imagination. Composing himself, he said to Li Hao:

“Zhen Ba never imagined that thanks to you, he would have the honor of being called sibling to the star domain’s princess and her brother. I am truly honored.”

Li Hao interrupted:

“Brother Zhen Ba, don’t belittle yourself. Aren’t you also a young lord of a domain?”

“Ah?”

Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen were struck like a bolt from the blue. None of them had ever imagined that the timid, destitute youth they once knew had such a hidden identity.

Zhen Ba’s mood instantly darkened. Recalling his mother’s last words, he blurted out a melancholic poem:

“To understand the world is difficult, honor’s meaning obscure;
The world’s cruelty and fleeting time, merciless and cold.
Like smoke and clouds, easily dispersed,
Looking back, worries unending.
One thought fixes the heart, a lifetime’s struggle for better dreams.
Now worn and regretful, only a few bitter memories remain.
Cold wind and flying snow know this feeling,
It is the sorrow and longing from the past.
Powerless to repay love, from now on sorrow flows like water.
Unable to warm my wife’s side, no future to rest peacefully.
All the glory and wealth, where have they gone?
The remaining years accompany destitution.”

Lin Xueyou, hearing such sadness, felt her heart sink and asked gently:

“Brother Zhen Ba, why are you so sorrowful?”

Lu Yao, Li Hao, Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen all looked on, eager to hear Zhen Ba’s answer. Patiently, they waited for his explanation.

Zhen Ba gave a bitter smile:

“These were my mother’s last words before she passed. I’ve kept them in my heart ever since. Speaking of my past, I cannot help but feel emotional.”

Hearing this unexpected revelation, everyone felt guilty for stirring painful memories in Zhen Ba’s heart. Especially Li Hao, who apologized sincerely:

“Brother Zhen Ba, I’m sorry. It was thoughtless of me to bring up such sorrowful memories.”

Seeing the concern in his friends’ eyes, Zhen Ba managed a comforting smile:

“It’s alright. You don’t need to worry. Even if you didn’t mention it, these thoughts often come back to me.”

Though reassured, everyone still felt a heaviness lingering in the air.

Zhen Ba, noticing their concern, spoke earnestly:

“Even if no one says it today, I often cry silently alone. Whenever I recall my mother holding my hand before she died, pleading earnestly: ‘My son, I am sorry. You are so young. I wanted to grow old with you and help you find your father. But now I can no longer do that. My wish now rests with you. You must live well and grow strong, to find your father. If he is still alive, tell him that I followed him all my life, enduring hardships like a river’s flow, but with unwavering love beyond youth. I have no regrets and do not wish him ill. If he is gone, bow to him as a father to repay our bond.’

With tears, mother’s final words echoed:
“To understand the world is difficult, honor’s meaning obscure;
The world’s cruelty and fleeting time, merciless and cold.
Like smoke and clouds, easily dispersed,
Looking back, worries unending.
One thought fixes the heart, a lifetime’s struggle for better dreams.
Now worn and regretful, only a few bitter memories remain.
Cold wind and flying snow know this feeling,
It is the sorrow and longing from the past.
Powerless to repay love, from now on sorrow flows like water.
Unable to warm my wife’s side, no future to rest peacefully.
All the glory and wealth, where have they gone?
The remaining years accompany destitution.’”

After finishing, his mother left him with tears in her eyes, leaving him alone forever.

At that moment, I lost all hope. Status and prestige became mere illusions to me. All I cared about was fulfilling my mother’s wishes.”

As Zhen Ba spoke, tears welled up in his eyes. His story told of a mother’s greatness, a wife’s sincere heart, a pair of devoted lovers, and a lonely teenage boy’s tragic fate. Li Hao, Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen listened quietly, swallowing their tears, sharing in Zhen Ba’s sorrow.

Lin Xueyou and Lu Yao, soft-hearted, were heartbroken, weeping with tear-streaked faces.

Seeing his friends so moved by his private pain, Zhen Ba felt a surge of tenderness and said:

“I am fortunate to have met you, Young Master, and all of you sincere friends. Although I have only known you for three days, these have been the happiest days of my life. I only regret meeting you all so late. Knowing you is already more than I could have hoped for. Please don’t be so sad.”

Lin Xueyou, holding back her tears, spoke sincerely:

“Brother Zhen Ba, if you don’t mind, from now on you are family to me. You are my little brother.”

Hearing this, Zhen Ba was deeply moved and could no longer hold back his tears, crying aloud.

At that moment, overwhelmed by emotion, Zhen Ba was speechless for a while. Then he said to Lin Xueyou:

“For someone as destitute as me, how could I ever disdain you, sister? I am honored to meet you.”

Seeing Zhen Ba in tears, calling her ‘sister’ with a choked voice, Lin Xueyou felt a bittersweet mix of sorrow and joy. She quickly reached out to support him, saying:

“Little brother, get up quickly. From now on, we are one family.”

Zhen Ba nodded through his tears.

Li Hao, Lu Yao, Kui Hu, Li Zhan, and Qin Zhen exchanged glances during the heartfelt exchange between Lin Xueyou and Zhen Ba, silently reaching a tacit agreement. After Lin Xueyou and Zhen Ba completed their sibling exchange, they all spoke in unison:

“And we too—we are family to Brother Zhen Ba. We are all one family.”

Hearing these words, Zhen Ba wept again, tears streaming down his face.

The seven youths—five boys and two girls—held each other tightly, tears glistening, deeply moved.

The sky over the Realm within the Realm, once gloomy, seemed moved by the children’s cries and began to drizzle softly.

The seven youths embraced in the gentle rain. From that moment on, their bond became stronger than blood—a kinship deeper than family.

After a long while, they slowly parted.

No more tears, no more sorrow, no more despair—only genuine affection and happiness witnessed by heaven and earth. They smiled at each other, their expressions filled with indescribable joy.

At that moment, all the darkness in Zhen Ba’s heart vanished without a trace.

Suddenly, the laws of heaven and earth around the seven began to stir violently.

Those unaware of the cause all shared the same question:

“What is happening?”

Everyone searched for the source of the upheaval in the natural laws. As they investigated, they discovered it originated from Zhen Ba.

Lin Xueyou exclaimed joyfully:

“Everyone, move aside! Brother Zhen Ba is about to break through!”

At her words, the six quickly distanced themselves from Zhen Ba.

This breakthrough would bring Zhen Ba from the peak of the Outbound Tour realm into the Soul Refining realm. Such a breakthrough was unprecedented in scale for him.

Zhen Ba dispelled all the shadows from his heart, welcoming a brand-new breakthrough. This was not only a leap in realm but also a breakthrough in life and spirit.