As the battle between Grandfather Yue and Old Man Hu reached a climax, Yue Ling's body resonated with the powerful energies that filled the air. Her cultivation, which had previously been stagnant, began to surge. The more she observed the two old men, the more her energy seemed to align with the forces around her. Suddenly, her aura exploded outward, and she found herself breaking through to the Elemental Convergence Phase, Substage 3.
The intensity of her breakthrough caught both old men off guard. They stopped mid-battle, staring at her in shock and disbelief.
"Impossible...!" Old Man Hu muttered, his voice filled with awe. "We heard of geniuses in the ancient days, but this... this is beyond anything we've seen. What a genius daughter you have, Yue. Ye'er will not be happy with this. Even the Qintian will never be happy with this."
Grandfather Yue's face was stern, but his eyes flickered with pride. "I think your disguise is making you foolish, Hu. Why can't you use your common sense? This is Ye'er's daughter, of course she'd be this talented. Just imagine how you were chosen to be the patriarch of the Liang family."
Before Old Man Hu could respond, a blinding light suddenly burst from the ground, surrounding Yue Ling. She sat in the center of it, floating up slightly, her body glowing with an ethereal light. She was unaware of what was happening around her, consumed by the overwhelming surge of power within her.
Realizing the danger of what was unfolding, both Grandfather Yue and Old Man Hu quickly set up an array, refining the space around them to contain the light and keep the situation hidden. If word of Yue Ling's breakthrough spread, it could attract too much attention, potentially jeopardizing their safety. The stakes were too high.
While they worked swiftly to conceal the event, an ancient relic, tied to both Yue Ling and Xueyin, began to stir. As Yue Ling's breakthrough continued, the relic triggered strange movements, causing vibrations that could be felt across the realm.
In a distant location, Xueyin, who had been in the midst of his own cultivation, was suddenly affected. He felt the pulse of the relic and a strange sensation coursing through his veins. As if guided by fate, the ancient bird accompanying him pricked his finger at that precise moment. The blood that spilled onto the relic triggered it into action, causing a breakthrough for Xueyin as well.
The energy from Yue Ling's and Xueyin's breakthroughs intertwined, though in different locations. Xueyin's breakthrough, however, was far more unstable, and the intensity of the energy forced him into immediate seclusion. He knew that to stabilize his cultivation and ensure his future strength, he could not afford any interruptions.
Meanwhile, back at the ruins, Yue Ling finished her breakthrough. She stood up, feeling an overwhelming surge of clarity. Not only did she feel rejuvenated, but she also noticed a strange change in her appearance. She looked even more radiant, her disguise now making her appear even more beautiful. A natural fragrance emanated from her, subtle yet irresistible to those around her.
However, this fragrance was not entirely harmless. If misused, it could be a potent weapon—capable of luring people into a deep hallucination or even trapping them in illusions.
Old Man Hu, still shocked by the sight before him, turned to Grandfather Yue. "I've never seen anything like this… and what's that?" His gaze shifted to the ancient ring on Yue Ling's finger, which seemed to pulse with a life of its own. He could feel its power, the aura it carried, and he recognized it immediately for what it was: the ancient relic tied to her bloodline.
Grandfather Yue nodded grimly, understanding Old Man Hu's unspoken question. "It's the same relic. But for now, we must leave it be. Yue Ling's power is evolving, and we must protect her. There's much to uncover about her true potential."
Old Man Hu could only watch as Yue Ling stood at the center of it all, unaware of the grand secrets unfolding within her. He knew that the events of today would leave a lasting mark on the balance of power within the realms.