"About ten years ago, a severely injured woman was found in the Xu Family estate, holding a child in her arms."
The clan elder paused thoughtfully, then continued, "I rescued her, and she stayed at the Xu Family, helping with matters for the family. Of course, I advised her to return home, but whenever the topic came up, your mother would fall silent. After that, I never brought it up again."
"Your mother wasn't just a Soul Emperor-level expert—she was also a Battle Armor Master, incredibly powerful. Within just a year, her strength alone elevated the Xu Family's position in Donghai City significantly."
The elder sighed. "Up to that point, things were going quite well, but this is where the problem arose. Xu Junwen, then Deputy Minister of Finance in East Sea City was young, ambitious, and obsessed with the ministerial position. Later, your mother's identity as an Evil Soul Master was exposed, and he secretly conspired with others in East Sea City to capture her. But in the end, when she could not resist, she chose…"
The elder sighed again. "She chose suicide, but before that, she placed a mark on Xu Junwen's body. This mark is connected to you. If he dies, you're safe, but if you die, even he loses half his life. And once a month, it causes unbearable pain."
"Many medical soul masters were consulted, and the conclusion was that this mark would last roughly ten years, though the exact timing depended on the treatments applied. Coincidentally, just days before your birthday, the mark on his body disappeared. That's why he made his move against you then."
The elder's words struck Lin Xiuran like a tidal wave. So that was the reason everything had happened—no wonder Xu Junwen chose those specific days to act.
And… his mother had been an Evil Soul Master?
But even if she was an Evil Soul Master, she was still his mother—the one who should have cared for and loved him.
The elder's tone grew somber, yet he reassured him: "Although your mother was an Evil Soul Master, I never saw her act recklessly. Even under siege, she did not truly harm anyone. Given her strength and Dou Kai, she was not someone easy to capture."
Lin Xiuran clenched his fists tightly, his gaze filled with complex emotions. He hated Xu Junwen with all his heart.
But his current strength did not allow him to take revenge—and the clan elder, who had always shown kindness toward him and his mother, remained present.
The elder reflected with some guilt: "Both these incidents are my fault. Back then, I was in seclusion and did not learn about this immediately. Allowing Xu Junwen to adopt you, to atone for your mother's suffering, was my greatest mistake."
In the first few years, under the elder's supervision, Xu Junwen treated Lin Xiuran reasonably well. But as the elder's health declined and he rarely appeared publicly, Xu Junwen began to act without restraint, eventually attempting to kill Lin Xiuran.
The elder sighed softly. "Ultimately, the Xu Family wronged you and your mother. As long as I am alive, Xu Junwen will never have the chance to harm you again."
He paused, then added, "If you ever wish to take revenge, wait until I am gone. By then, the debts of hatred can be settled—but by that time, I will not be able to protect you."
The elder's words seemed to balance the situation but ensured Lin Xiuran's safety. Even if he wanted revenge, he could not act now. With the elder alive, he had the opportunity to grow stronger.
Eventually, the elder and Xu Junwen left. How events would unfold afterward no longer mattered; Lin Xiuran knew the truth, and that was enough.
Still, many questions lingered in his mind. If his mother was truly an Evil Soul Master, given her Soul Saint cultivation and Dou Kai expertise, her status within the Holy Spirit Church should have been high. How could such a figure come to East Sea City and remain with the Xu Family?
Lost in thought, Lin Xiuran stared at the ceiling, reflecting on these matters until Wu Zhangkong approached the bedside.
"Teacher Wu…"
Wu Zhangkong shook his head slightly, his tone cold. "Rest and heal. Then follow me."
"Ah!?" Lin Xiuran was stunned. He hadn't expected this.
Wu Zhangkong seemed to understand his thoughts and added casually, "I know your mother."
Lin Xiuran was about to ask questions, but Wu Zhangkong cut him off.
"When the time comes, I will tell you about your mother. For now, heal."
With that, Lin Xiuran had no choice but to lie back and rest.
Wu Zhangkong placed the meal he had brought on the bedside table and left without lingering. He had other responsibilities, including tending to the Zero Class students, so Lin Xiuran could rely on hospital staff for anything else.
His stomach growled. During the days he had been unconscious, aside from IV fluids, he had eaten almost nothing.
Like a whirlwind, he quickly finished the meal and, after a short while, felt drowsy.
His mind had processed far too much today, and his body was still weak from just waking up. It wasn't long before he fell asleep.
Yet his consciousness did not completely fade.
"This place is… the Sea of Spirit!"
Looking around the vast darkness, Lin Xiuran realized he had entered the Sea of Spirit.
"How did I get here?" he wondered.
Instinctively, he examined his surroundings.
Three floating spheres hovered at the highest point. Two were side by side—one green, one red. Below them, a silver sphere shone brightly, larger and more radiant than the others.
Lin Xiuran wanted to examine the three spheres carefully, but at that moment, the purple sphere suddenly erupted with dazzling light.
The brilliance blinded him instantly. When his vision returned, the silver sphere had vanished.
"Where did it go?"
Lin Xiuran was puzzled. In an instant, the sphere had disappeared right before his eyes.
(End of Chapter)