Night fell. In a garden at Qin Manor.
Yi Xiao continued drawing a talisman serenely, while sitting in front of a table with a lamp on it. One needed to be calm and composed while drawing talismans. This was because each stroke contained the wonders of the Heaven and Earth. There was a saying, "Not knowing the key to drawing talismans incurs the ridicule of gods and ghosts; knowing the key to drawing talismans instills fear in gods and ghosts." At Yi Xiao's stage of grasping the implications of the Heavenly Dao, she understood the meaning behind every stroke. She could even modify Dao talismans.
There were many talisman amulets created by experts of various eras.
For example, the best Lightning Dharma, the Divine Firmament Lightning Dharma, was created by Ancestral Master Zhang.
"Sou!"
Qin Yun returned from the West Sea and landed silently in the garden. He stood beside the table and watched Yi Xiao draw.
"Yea." Qin Yun nodded as he watched from the side. The path of cultivation led to the same goal by different paths. He had long attained the Paramount realm and could naturally tell that Yi Xiao's talisman-drawing technique was approaching the acme of perfection.
"Phew." Yi Xiao breathed out as she looked at the Dao talisman in front of her with satisfaction. Following that, she seemed to notice something and looked to the side. She could not help but exclaim, "Brother Yun, you really gave me a scare! You were standing there silently without me even knowing."
Although the Qin Manor was covered in array formations, Qin Yun wielded control over them, so he could naturally enter and exit without causing a stir.
"When I left in the morning, didn't I make you waste a Dao talisman? I was just being careful when I returned. Xiaoxiao, you would probably have jumped in anger if I caused you to waste another Dao talisman," explained Qin Yun.
"At least you are sensible."
Yi Xiao smiled and then shouted, "Yuzhu, prepare some dishes. I will be eating with Master."
"Yes, Madam." A maidservant that had been waiting outside the garden answered immediately.
The Qin family was now a famous family clan throughout the world. The Qin family's owner was naturally Qin Yun, with Yi Xiao appearing on his behalf sometimes! After all, those that required Qin Yun and Yi Xiao's presence were usually the Scenic Mountain Sect, the imperial government, the Daoist and Buddhist sacred lands, the Dragon race, or other important factions. Qin Yun's parents were mortals that had not knocked open the gate of immortality, so they were unable to handle certain matters.
In the manor, Qin Yun was addressed as Master, while Qin Liehu and his wife were addressed as Old Master and Old Madam. His mother, Changlan, was already fifty-five and his father, Qin Liehu, was already over the age of sixty.
After she instructed for the dishes to be made, Yi Xiao asked, "Brother Yun, you left early in the morning and only returned after it was dark. What kept you so busy?"
"It's something important. Listen to what I have to say carefully," said Qin Yun.
"You were dealing with fiendish demons?" guessed Yi Xiao.
"Just listen to what I have to say," replied Qin Yun.
"Alright. I'll listen. Go ahead." Yi Xiao felt helpless. "Why do you keep even me guessing?"
Only then did Qin Yun say, "Do you know that pure-blooded members of the Dragon race are forbidden from marrying members of the other races?"
"I do know. Every pure-blood dragon can achieve the Connate Golden Core realm. They enjoy extremely high standing even as dragon children. Half-bloods would not have the ability to tap into that natural strength. They would not be recognized by the Four Seas Dragon race." Yi Xiao nodded. "For example, in the Four Seas and the various lakes and rivers, there are all sorts of dragons that contain a strain of the Dragon race's bloodline but they are not considered true dragons."
Qin Yun nodded. "The West Sea Dragon race has a dragon lady. Her name is Ao Xue."
"Ao Xue?" When Yi Xiao heard that name, she felt her heart tremble for no good reason.
"This Ao Xue once went ashore and into the human world. She took a liking to a human man," said Qin Yun. "They got married and had a child."
Yi Xiao became nervous listening to this. As a Divine Firmament Chapter disciple, she knew what repercussions awaited the dragon lady.
"The West Sea Dragon race was infuriated when they discovered the marriage! The marriage was a violation of the clan rules. The West Sea Dragon race immediately captured Ao Xue and punished her severely. She was imprisoned for five centuries," explained Qin Yun. "Although she was unwilling to abandon her husband and daughter, she had no way of putting up a struggle. It was also dirty linen for the Dragon race so it was kept completely confidential. Neither her husband nor daughter know that she is a member of the Dragon race."
"Brother Yun, why are you telling me all this…" Yi Xiao looked intently at Qin Yun.
"This dragon lady, Ao Xue, is your mother." Qin Yun looked back at Yi Xiao.
Yi Xiao's body jolted as her face turned pale.
"My mother. My mom? My mom is a dragon lady?" Yi Xiao instantly fell into a daze.
"Yea, and very few people know of this matter. Your father, Yi Caishi, doesn't even know. In the entire Yi family, probably only Patriarch Yi knows about it. Even among the Four Seas Dragon race, only a few know of it," said Qin Yun.
"My mom did not abandon me. She was forced to do so." Yi Xiao's eyes reddened instantly as she grabbed Qin Yun's hand and pleaded, "Brother Yun, help me. Help me save my mom. I want to save her. Save her, please."
"Of course." Qin Yun nodded.
Yi Xiao retracted her hand and said uneasily, "She violated the Dragon race's rules and was imprisoned for five centuries. She violated the rules so how can she be saved? I have heard that there was once a dragon that violated a rule so severely that he was beheaded."
Pure-blooded dragons were few in number. They were typically punished or imprisoned.
As for really beheading a dragon… there were very few instances in history but it did happen!
"Don't worry, Xiaoxiao." Qin Yun held his wife's shoulder and said with a smile, "I have a way to save your mom."
"You have a way? What way?" Yi Xiao found it unbelievable. "This is a violation of the Dragon race's rules."
If exceptions to the clan rules could be so easily granted, how could it remain authoritative?
"Three years ago, I visited the West Sea Dragon Palace. The West Sea Dragon King and company refused my request," explained Qin Yun. "Out of options, I inquired through the Myriad Temple for means to convince the West Sea Dragon race to pardon your mom. The Myriad Temple gave one method, which is to use a Skydragon Blood Crystal to exchange for your mom's freedom."
"Skydragon Blood Crystal?" Yi Xiao asked in detail, "What is it? Why would it get the West Sea Dragon race to make an exception?"
"It is the source of an ancient Skydragon's power," said Qin Yun. "The ancient Skydragon was extremely powerful, with strength far exceeding the immortals and fiendcelestials of our present era. A single Skydragon Blood Crystal is enough to make the Four Seas Dragon Elders go crazy."
"You have one?" asked Yi Xiao hurriedly.
"Yea, I do. In fact, I have more than one," Qin Yun said with a smile. "Isn't your husband awesome?"
"How did you get them?" asked Yi Xiao.
"I made a trip to the Ancient Skydragon Palace," said Qin Yun with a smile. "I was lucky to find a new entrance. And, coupled with your husband's awesome strength, I barged into the Ancient Skydragon Palace. Although I failed initially, I succeeded today! I obtained the Skydragon Blood Crystals! Not only that, I received other treasures too. Take a look at this. The three Cosmic Bangles on my wrist are all first-grade Dharma treasures. In addition, they are a set that, when combined together, match a transcendent-grade Dharma treasure in strength."
Qin Yun pointed at the three black bangles on his wrist.
Yi Xiao looked at Qin Yun and could not help but tear up.
"Why are you crying?" asked Qin Yun immediately.
"You knew about it three years ago. You knew about my mom." Yi Xiao looked at her husband. "You attempted the Ancient Skydragon Palace three years ago but only succeeded today, informing me only after succeeding. That is the Ancient Skydragon Palace. Yet, you went to risk your life without telling me a word?"
"It's fine." Qin Yun smiled. "Don't I look fine now?"
To be honest, the danger in the Ancient Skydragon Palace was difficult to predict. He encountered the arm of an Other Realm Fiendcelestial on his first trip. The fiendmonsters that were produced from its aura indeed posed some danger. Thankfully, it was still within his level of tolerance. If he had encountered the fiendmonsters created by the Other Realm Fiendcelestial's entire corpse… they would probably be ten to a hundred times more powerful than those produced by the arm. If that was the case, Qin Yun would probably have lost his life.
However, such unexplored lands always posed some risk. Qin Yun had also used his sword intent domain and was very careful as he advanced.
"It would be too late if something did happen." Yi Xiao hugged Qin Yun, and her tears moistened Qin Yun's shirt. "I really want to meet my mother but Brother Yun, you are the most important person in my life. Don't go risking your life without a word ever again."
Qin Yun hugged Yi Xiao and smiled.
Under the night sky, the couple embraced each other silently.
Yi Xiao could feel the care and concern from Qin Yun but she was more worried about him. Frankly, she did not have deep feelings for the Yi family. Although finally knowing the story of her mother pained her heart, her mother was something from before her first memory. She lacked memories of her mother so in this world, the most important person to Yi Xiao was still Qin Yun.
"Brother Yun, tell me about that Ancient Skydragon Palace. Others weren't able to obtain Skydragon Blood Crystals but you managed to?" asked Yi Xiao.
"Speaking of that, didn't the Yi family ask me to help find two missing Yi family members?" Qin Yun began explaining.
It was partly luck and partly his own strength that caused him to reap such a bountiful harvest.
After she heard the story, Yi Xiao was astounded by the strength of the ancient Skydragon and the Other Realm Fiendcelestial. She also felt a lingering fear as she could not help but say, "We shouldn't have agreed on that disappearance case. It made you fall into danger."
"Who can predict danger? Besides, it turned out to be a good thing," said Qin Yun. "By the way, I'll contact the Myriad Temple today and begin the process of getting the West Sea Dragon race to pardon your mother."
"Alright." Yi Xiao nodded.
"Master, Madam." A maidservant's voice sounded from outside the garden as maidservants began bringing in dishes.
"Let's eat dinner first," said Yi Xiao. "We have to consider our actions carefully before getting the West Sea Dragon race's pardon."
"Yea, let's eat dinner first."
Qin Yun nodded.
The couple sat by the table and under the flickering light, began eating. After the maidservants took their leave, the couple began discussing over the meal.
"Be wary that the West Sea Dragon race might target your Skydragon Blood Crystals." Yi Xiao said while eating. "You did say that the Skydragon Blood Crystals are immensely attractive to the Four Seas Dragon race. They are even willing to make an exception over a violation of the clan rules for one."