Ten seconds later, Gui Ying smiled in satisfaction. "Good. Since there are no objections, this eting is concluded. Return to your duties."
At that, all mbers of the Gui Clan stood, clasped their hands, and spoke in unison: "Welco back, Young Master Xiaoxu."
Pleased with their respect toward Gui Xiaoxu, Gui Ying snapped his fingers. In the next second, he vanished from the main hall together with Gui Xiaoxu.
The mont they disappeared, the elders gathered and whispered among themselves.
"This is not necessarily bad news," the Fourth Elder said thoughtfully.
The Sixth Elder nodded and sighed. "No wonder the Old Master’s injuries never healed after he sent the Second Old Master away."
"It seems the Second Old Master’s power didn’t return to the Old Master, but was inherited by his descendant. If the Old Master can’t retrieve that power, he won’t survive the year."
Hearing this, the elders fell into heavy silence.
After a long mont, the Eldest Elder spoke. "I wonder why the Young Master brought back Young Master Xiaoxu at this ti. Could it be that he intends to..."
He didn’t finish his words, but everyone understood what he ant.
Shaking his head, the Third Elder said firmly, "I don’t believe the Young Master would kill Young Master Xiaoxu to save the Old Master. You all witnessed how protective he was. Besides, the Young Master is very protective of our clan mbers."
Rembering the earlier scene, the Third Elder added with a hint of surprise in his voice, "Honestly, this is the first ti I have seen the Young Master treat soone so well. Even Gui Di, who grew up with him, isn’t treated with such favor."
When they heard this, the elders fell into contemplative silence.
anwhile, outside the main hall, curious whispers spread among the mbers of the Gui Clan about the new Young Master Xiaoxu.
Unbothered by becoming the clan’s central topic, Gui Xiaoxu stood quietly, facing the sickly old man.
Gesturing for Gui Ying and Gui Xiaoxu to take a seat, Gui Fan said weakly, "Don’t just stand there. Co and have a seat with ."
After the two of them took their seats, Gui Fan poured each of them a cup of spiritual tea. Setting the cups before them, he gestured for them to drink.
Seeing that Gui Fan had no intention of speaking until they drank, Gui Xiaoxu calmly lifted his teacup and took a sip.
Once he finished, Gui Fan asked, "Xiaoxu, do you know how Ah Yi passed away?"
"In the ancestral records, the Ancestor passed away peacefully from old age," Gui Xiaoxu replied.
Hearing this answer, Gui Fan stared blankly at the morning sky outside. After a long silence, he muttered softly, "Died from old age..."
Not understanding why Gui Fan looked so mournful over what should be a peaceful passing, Gui Xiaoxu said, "Old Master, the ancient records state the Ancestor passed away at one hundred and twenty years old."
"He passed peacefully without pain or regrets. There is no need to feel sad about such a natural death."
Realizing that Gui Xiaoxu still didn’t realize that the Gui Clan were cultivators, Gui Ying explained, "Xiaoxu, the average lifespan of Gui Clan mbers is five thousand years. One hundred and twenty is equivalent to a newborn in our clan."
Hearing this, Gui Xiaoxu blinked in mild shock. But rembering everything that had happened since eting Gui Ying, he didn’t doubt Gui Ying’s words.
After a brief mont of silence, Gui Xiaoxu suddenly asked, "Gui Ying, how old are you? I don’t recall you ever ntioning your age."
Gui Ying raised his chin slightly and replied with a hint of pride, "This young master is twenty-two this year."
Gui Xiaoxu was speechless when he heard this.
"......" Turns out, he is still young. No wonder he is so childish.
Gui Xiaoxu had assud Gui Ying was older because Gui Ying always treated him like a child. But in reality, Gui Ying was younger.
Seeing Gui Xiaoxu’s expression, Gui Ying snorted. "What? Do you think this young master looks old?"
Already accustod to Gui Ying’s pettiness, Gui Xiaoxu ignored him and turned to look at Gui Fan instead.
Seeing this, Gui Ying was displeased, but since his grandfather was present, he rely pouted and drank his tea.
Coming out of his grief, Gui Fan let out a long, weary sigh. He looked at Gui Xiaoxu and said, "I sense a seal suppressing your power and bloodline. Was it placed on you at birth? Do you know who the culprit is?"
Gui Xiaoxu shook his head and explained, "This is a curse passed down from my ancestors. Every mber of my Gui Clan is born with it."
"In the past, the curse was weaker, so mbers of my Gui Clan could live up to seventy years. But over ti and across generations, the curse has grown stronger. In my generation, I was the only one born, and I was born with only thirty years of lifespan."
"Earlier generations had more mbers and more births. But for the last twenty generations, each generation could produce only one child. No matter how many wives or husbands the descendants married, they could only have one offspring."
After hearing this, Gui Fan frowned deeply. "No wonder Ah Yi died as a mortal. It seems that sending him away to another world angered the Heavenly Dao of that world."
Gui Xiaoxu studied the old man’s expression, then said, "Gui Ying told that the seal can be broken with enough spiritual energy."
Gui Fan nodded. "That is correct."
"Then... when will I be able to break the seal?" Gui Xiaoxu asked, unable to hide his hopeful tone.
Sensing his expectation, Gui Fan offered a comforting smile. "Do not be anxious, child. With here, nothing will happen to you."
Gui Xiaoxu froze slightly in surprise. It was the first ti he had ever felt such gentle warmth from an elder. Even his grandfather never treated him with such gentleness.
Sitting between them, Gui Ying noticed the subtle shift in Gui Xiaoxu’s expression and emotions. A faint smile curled on his red lips as he sipped his tea, clearly in a pleasant mood.
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