Amidst the embracing mountains, a majestic architectural complex rises from the ground, like a masterpiece crafted by the hand of a god.

The glazed golden roofs shimmer with a rainbow glow under the morning sun, and the stone carvings of auspicious beasts perched atop the nine-tiered eaves are remarkably lifelike.

Within the central hall, spiritual tea on a table made of agarwood exudes a mist of white vapor.

Two elders in the main seat are engaged in lively conversation, suddenly interrupted by the sound of hurried footsteps.

"Daddy! Father!"

A young woman, lifting her azure dress, rushes in, with the ornaments in her hair jingling melodiously.

She doesn’t bother to wipe the delicate sweat on her forehead, her almond-shaped eyes brimming with unconcealed joy: "Xiang Rong and Xiang Lin can walk now!"

And this young woman is none other than Lu Qingqing.

The two elders in the main seat are Shen Yunwei and Lu Jiahe.

Sitting in the main seat on the left, Lu Jiahe is about to scold her when he notices the dewdrops on his daughter’s hair tips, and her embroidered shoes covered in grass bits, clearly having rushed all the way here.

Lu Jiahe’s stern face immediately softens into a smile, his crow’s feet filled with paternal love.

"You little girl......"

He points a finger at her playfully, his voice softening, "You’re a mother now, yet still so reckless."

"Mr. Shen, I must have made you laugh."

Beside him, Shen Yunwei strokes his beard and chuckles softly, continuing where Lu Jiahe left off, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"Mr. Lu, that’s where you’re wrong."

Shen Yunwei’s gaze sweeps past the hall, looking at his two slowly approaching great-grandchildren, his eyes gleaming with benevolence.

"Qingqing’s childlike heart is indeed a blessing for our Shen Family."

Soon, a peal of laughter like silver bells echoes from outside the hall.

Two toddlers clad in red silk bellybands wobble across the threshold.

Their wrists adorned with gilt bells that tinkle clearly with each step.

The boy, Xiang Rong, has a tigerish look, his plump face set with eyes like black grapes.

The girl, Xiang Lin, is sweet and delicate, a butterfly hairpin in her hair quivering with her movements, as if ready to take flight.

"Oh my!"

"My darling grandchildren!"

Lu Jiahe scarcely has time to set down his tea cup before quickly stepping forward to greet them.

The elder squats down, spreading his arms open, his dark silk robe fanning out like clouds on the jade green tiles.

"Xiang Rong, Xiang Lin, come to Grandpa!"

Little Xiang Rong suddenly quickens his pace, nearly tripping.

In that split second, a layer of faint golden aura surprisingly envelopes him, allowing him to hover three feet above the ground!

"What is this...?"

The tea cup in Shen Yunwei’s hand cracks with a "ka" sound, tea trickling through the fissure.

Yet he remains oblivious, his gaze fixed straight outside the hall, his expression brimming with excitement.

Before Shen Yunwei can rise, a gentle breeze slowly wafts in from outside, carrying with it the unique scent of mountain forest vegetation.

A tall figure, at some unknown moment, stands on the vermilion threshold, resembling an immortal descended from the heavens.

This person, clad in a flowing dark black robe, the light, soft fabric fluttering on its own in the windless, serene air.

The sleeves are meticulously embroidered with flowing cloud patterns in gold thread, shimmering brilliantly in the dim light.

"You two little rascals."

With a soft chuckle, the man’s lips part slightly, his voice like the clarity of a jade chime, echoing gently through the grand hall.

As he takes a slow step, a black-gold shimmer seems to swirl around him.

With a stride that appears to tread on invisible clouds, he arrives instantly before the two children.

With a light sweep of his wide sleeves, the two toddlers are securely gathered into his embrace.

"Uncle... Uncle!"

The two little ones call out with their tender voices, their pink faces brimming with surprise, their chubby hands flailing aimlessly in the air.

Their target is the few rounded pearls on the man’s robe, with their crystalline saliva trickling from the corners of their mouths onto his long robe.

Upon recognizing the newcomer, Lu Jiahe’s cloudy eyes suddenly light up.

Like a withered tree encountering spring, it radiates newfound vitality, the layers of wrinkles on his face smoothing out completely in that instant.

"Xuan!"

Lu Jiahe’s voice trembles, his wooden arms slowly rising, veins bulging on their backs, trembling slightly, as if trying to quell the excitement within.

"Big Brother—"

Lu Qingqing rushes forward like a swallow returning to its nest, the gold ornaments in her hair tinkling with her movements, their clear sound echoing in the hall.

She throws herself onto Lu Xuan’s right arm without a second thought, tears of joy sparkling in her eye corners, ready to overflow at any moment.

That was the look of weeping with joy.

"Father, Mr. Shen!"

Lu Xuan first addresses Lu Jiahe in front, as well as Shen Yunwei.

Then, he slowly turns his head, his eyes instantly filled with doting affection, looking at his little sister.

"This time, I should be staying for a year."

At this moment, Shen Yunwei, who has been observing Lu Xuan silently, suddenly speaks, his tone carrying a hint of concern and caution: "Xiaoxuan, have you settled matters outside?"

The implication in Shen Yunwei’s words is clear to Lu Xuan, who nods slowly, his motions steady.

"Yes, almost everything is settled. It’s time to return."

Back then, the situation was extremely critical; the eight great families and the five super forces were filled with enmity towards Lu Xuan, eager to eliminate him.

And Lu Xuan had to enter the Spirit Ruins, so he could only move the Shen Family and the Lu Family to this secluded place, just in case.

Now, those thirteen once-dominant forces of the Great Xia dynasty are reduced to just the Li Family, Mo Family, and Shangguan family.

The surviving remnants have no chance of escaping, and there is no need for Lu Xuan himself to take action.