Chapter 110 Long-Awaited Reunion
Within the valley, a gentle breeze stirred.
On a reclining chair, Chen Chang'an suddenly opened his eyes. Rising to his feet, he stretched lazily.
His gaze fell outside the window upon Xiao Chen, who was practicing swordsmanship under Uncle Wu's supervision.
The youth's longsword carved steady arcs through the air, each stroke so deliberate that even the atmosphere seemed to stall for a moment.
"This boy is starting to look the part."
The corners of his lips lifted. With a flicker of his figure, he appeared behind Xiao Chen, throwing an arm around his shoulder.
"Ma—master?" Xiao Chen was startled, almost dropping his sword.
"Put practice aside for now," Chen Chang'an said with a smile. "I'll take you to meet someone."
"Huh? Meet who—"
Before he could finish, his vision blurred, and the world around him changed in an instant.
…
Elsewhere, Xiao Ling'er and the others stepped slowly into the valley.
"The spiritual energy here… it's so rich!" She couldn't resist taking a deep breath, her whole body feeling as if her pores had opened.
Old Mo too was secretly stunned. "The concentration of spiritual energy in this valley… it surpasses even some sect headquarters! But this place… this location, I feel I've heard of it before, vaguely familiar…"
After pondering for a long while, he still couldn't recall, and simply let it go.
Jiang Che remained silent, though his eyes betrayed a trace of shock.
The spiritual energy here was no worse than that of the sect he had cultivated in within the Upper Realm!
The three walked along the path. On both sides, spiritual herbs released a fragrant aura, while in the distance, a waterfall cascaded like silver silk, the scenery breathtaking.
Suddenly, Xiao Ling'er halted.
Her gaze locked ahead, her pupils trembling, even her breathing frozen for a moment.
"Xiao… Xiao Chen brother?"
The words were barely audible, yet it seemed she had poured her entire strength into them.
Not far ahead, a young man was being pulled along by his master, struggling in vain with a helpless look.
"Master! Please, let go! I can walk myself—"
That familiar voice struck her ears, and Xiao Ling'er's heart clenched tight. Tears burst forth uncontrollably.
"Xiao Chen brother…"
This time, her voice carried clearly.
The young man's body froze, and he slowly turned his head.
Their eyes met.
Xiao Chen stood stunned, his eyes first flashing with shock, then flooding with joy. "Ling'er?!"
Chen Chang'an finally released him with a smile, letting him stride forward—though Xiao Chen stopped just a few steps away, suddenly unsure what to do. "You—you… how are you here?"
Xiao Ling'er bit her lip, tears falling like pearls breaking from a string. She opened her mouth, but not a word came, only a firm nod.
Seeing this, Xiao Chen's heart softened. He reached out to rub her head, smiling. "Already grown up, yet still crying?"
The familiar gesture, the familiar tone—Xiao Ling'er could no longer restrain herself. With a cry, she threw herself into Xiao Chen's arms, clinging tightly.
"Xiao Chen brother… I missed you so much…"
Her voice was muffled, tinged with sobs.
Xiao Chen froze for a moment, then gave a helpless smile and gently patted her back. "All right, all right, I'm fine, aren't I?"
His tone was tender, yet carried the protective warmth of an elder brother, with no trace of overstepping.
Xiao Ling'er felt the comfort of his embrace, her heart both sweet and aching.
She wished time could stay frozen in this moment forever.
But she also knew—Xiao Chen's feelings for her had always remained those of brother and sister.
This affection she carried, she dared not voice for now.
Not far away, Chen Chang'an crossed his arms, watching the scene. A knowing smile flickered in his eyes.
"Ah, youth is a fine thing…"
He sighed softly, then turned toward Jiang Che, leaving this moment of reunion to the siblings.
…
The breeze rustled through the bamboo grove, making a gentle susurration.
Jiang Che stood beneath an ancient tree, gazing at the reunion before him in a daze.
How wonderful, he thought to himself, unable to help it.
As an observer, he could naturally see Xiao Ling'er's feelings for Xiao Chen. That pure bond between them was enough to move anyone who witnessed it.
But recalling his own past, he could not help but sigh.
Truly, he had been blind back then.
That person always spoke of how difficult it was for the "junior disciple," and he had foolishly believed it was sympathy…
Suddenly, he sensed someone approaching.
Turning, he saw a white-robed man walking slowly toward him.
The man's features were refined, his brows as if painted, a faint smile playing on his lips. Though no true essence radiated from him, his presence felt unfathomable.
Jiang Che would never be foolish enough to mistake him for an ordinary man. Which meant… another Saint Realm peak? Since when had the lower world been home to so many peak Saints?
Moreover, something about him felt strangely familiar. Could it be, just as Senior Lin had said, that they truly shared a fate of master and disciple?
"You are Jiang Che?" The white-robed man stopped and spoke lightly.
Jiang Che's heart jolted. That voice, that tone—it inexplicably reminded him of the "Senior Lin" who had once pulled him from the abyss.
Though the appearance was wholly different, the same refined and transcendent aura was unmistakable.
"This junior is indeed Jiang Che." He bowed respectfully, though inside his heart surged like a stormy sea.
"Very soon, we will meet again."
The words of that senior at their farewell suddenly rang in his mind. Could it be…
He could not stop himself from studying the man closely.
The more he looked, the more he felt—though the appearance was different, every gesture, every mannerism, was exactly the same!
"What is it?" The white-robed man's lips curved in a half-smile. "Is there something on my face?"
"Not at all!" Jiang Che quickly lowered his head, his heartbeat like thunder.
A bold guess surfaced in his heart: he was a man of the Upper Realm, disciple of a great sect. He knew some unique techniques could create avatars to act in place of the true body.
And since this man too stood at the peak of Saint Realm, could there truly be so many peerless powers in the lower world waiting for him to encounter? If so… then Senior Lin… this senior before him… they were one and the same?
Chen Chang'an, unaware he had already been exposed, only thought the youth was shy. Calmly he said, "As my… ahem… junior sister mentioned, you and I share the bond of master and disciple. Are you willing to acknowledge me as your teacher?"
Jiang Che trembled all over.
Then, he smiled.
In that moment, all doubts and speculations ceased to matter.
Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees and bowed deeply, knocking his head to the ground.
"Disciple Jiang Che greets Master!"
As his forehead touched the earth, he seemed to catch a glimmer of satisfaction in the senior's eyes.
…
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