The rain poured outside the ancestral hall, and the skies were dark and overcast.0

It was as if heaven and earth had been plunged into an endless night. Lightning flashed intermittently, adding an extra layer of heart-palpitating majesty.0

Xi Jingshan’s heart ached. He stretched out his hand and wiped away Xi Ning’s tears. “Don’t cry, A’Ning. No matter what happens, I’ll stay by your side forever, whether it’s in life, or… in death!” 0

Xi Ning gasped, then gazed intently at her father’s haggard face. “I’m not afraid to die, but I can’t bear to see you suffer, Father, nor can I bear to see the entire clan in danger.”0

One of the gathered higher-ups, an old man in gray, said solemnly, “In that case, don’t make things hard on your father any longer. Why not just end yourself and be done with it?”0

Xi Ning whipped around, her beautiful, jade-like face utterly calm. “And how should I end myself, Clan Uncle? Please enlighten me.”0

The old man in gray fell briefly silent. “Just now, I sent someone to initiate contact with Ancestor Xun Hong. I hope that he can leave us a path to life. In exchange…”0

The old man...0