Chapter 105: Breakthrough

Bai Ziye reached out and gently touched Bai Yun’s head, smiling as he said, “Just now realizing it?”

Bai Yun puckered her lips adorably. “Oh, don’t touch my head! It’ll make me dumb!” Then she turned to Yinyao with a mischievous grin. “Are you really surnamed Yin? Do you know that the Yin surname isn’t something you can just casually use? If you don’t meet the requirements, you could be stripped of your surname!”

Yinyao was puzzled by Bai Yun’s words, but she caught one thing clearly: Bai Yun’s aunt also bore the Yin surname, while she was surnamed Bai. That alone confirmed that the Yin surname was indeed extraordinary.

“Bai Yun, can you answer me a question?” Yinyao looked at Bai Yun earnestly.

“Go ahead,” Bai Yun replied eagerly, clearly happy to answer questions and help Yinyao.

Bai Ziye observed the change in Yinyao’s expression and didn’t miss the surprise she showed when Bai Yun mentioned her aunt’s surname was also Yin. Apparently, Yinyao herself didn’t fully understand the uniqueness of this surname. Bai Ziye watched her, curious about the question she wanted to ask.

Bai Yun glanced at Yinyao, as if remembering something, and suddenly exclaimed, “Ah, Ziye, you better heal Yinyao’s wound quickly! We’ve been talking so much that we forgot she’s injured!”

With that, Bai Yun moved to Yinyao’s side, supporting her, then quickly beckoned Bai Ziye to come over and tend to Yinyao’s injury. Bai Ziye took a small bottle from his bosom, poured out a pill, and handed it to Bai Yun, signaling her to give it to Yinyao.

Yinyao bent down to take the pill, held it near her nose to smell it, and only after confirming it was an ordinary healing medicine did she swallow it. Bai Ziye made no comment on her cautiousness, thinking she was simply a prudent person.

“All right, Yun’er, help Yinyao to the side so I can treat her injury,” Bai Ziye said, glancing around before pointing at a large stone behind them. He gestured for Bai Yun to lead Yinyao there.

“Okay!” Bai Yun nodded, noticing the stone.

Yinyao didn’t resist, letting Bai Yun support her. When they reached the stone, Bai Yun helped Yinyao sit down. Yinyao shook her head inwardly—she wasn’t that weak yet. Bai Yun was genuinely kind-hearted, so worried she might accidentally aggravate the wound with a careless movement. Such meticulous care was somewhat amusing.

Bai Yun stood by as Bai Ziye sat behind Yinyao. Slowly, a faint white mist rose between his hands. Closing his eyes, he placed his hands on Yinyao’s shoulders. Immediately, Yinyao felt a wave of warmth wash over her, dulling the pain bit by bit. She closed her eyes as well and began guiding the spiritual energy within her body to circulate.

After a while, Bai Ziye noticed something strange: the moment his spiritual energy entered Yinyao’s body, it was immediately absorbed, requiring no further guidance. It flowed entirely of its own accord.

When he felt the time was right, Bai Ziye withdrew his hands and stood. Suddenly, Yinyao entered a meditative state. She radiated a strong spiritual aura, with wisps of white mist rising beside her until she was completely enveloped.

“Ziye, what’s happening to her?” Bai Yun asked, seeing this unfamiliar scene and turning to Bai Ziye.

He shook his head; even he hadn’t expected this. Normally, Yinyao should have awakened quickly; she wouldn’t simply enter meditation like this. Judging by her current state, she was likely undergoing a breakthrough.

Yes, a breakthrough.

Earlier, when he used spiritual energy to heal Yinyao, he noticed her body was rich in spiritual energy but bound by a taboo that prevented her from using it. That taboo existed because she hadn’t yet reached the level to wield that much spiritual energy.

Yinyao found herself in a vast, white, misty realm, unsure what to do. Wandering aimlessly, she couldn’t find an exit. Her brow furrowed as she tried to exert force to break through, but her power felt like it was hitting cotton—utterly useless.

Calming herself, Yinyao sat cross-legged and shielded all consciousness, gradually expanding her spiritual perception. She discovered the white world was saturated with abundant spiritual energy. Chanting a mantra, she absorbed the energy bit by bit and transformed it inside her body into usable spiritual power.

When she felt her internal energy sufficient to challenge the barrier at the peak of the Void realm, a smile appeared on her face. She began to gather her energy little by little, striking at the seemingly fragile barrier.

With one effort, she broke through. Yinyao hadn’t expected it would be so easy to transcend the Void realm and enter the Void Sect.

But it wasn’t over yet.

This breakthrough allowed Yinyao to store far more spiritual energy. In an instant, countless energies surged wildly within her, like a raging floodstorm battering her insides.

Sweat beaded on her forehead. She gritted her teeth, enduring the pain, carefully drawing out tiny strands of spiritual energy and painstakingly clearing her meridians.

Sweat poured down her face; her expression twisted in agony. Her hands clenched tightly into fists, her whole body tense, afraid that any lapse might cause her efforts to collapse.

Through the white mist, Bai Ziye saw Yinyao's strained expression—a face carved by pain. His gaze shifted subtly. Bai Yun noticed his look and peered toward Yinyao. Upon seeing her agonized face, Bai Yun covered her mouth and took a step back.

“Yinyao, what’s wrong with her? Why does she look so miserable?” Bai Yun whispered, pointing at the mist-shrouded figure.

Bai Ziye placed a hand over his mouth to silence Bai Yun. He understood that Yinyao was fighting her own spiritual energy. The greater the breakthrough, the more excruciating the pain. This time, Yinyao’s advancement was no simple matter.

She carefully guided small amounts of spiritual energy to clear her meridians, weaving between the chaotic torrents within her to disperse them, preventing their convergence. She used this minuscule energy to ease her current predicament while exerting her utmost to absorb more spiritual energy for her own use, rather than letting it rampage inside her. Otherwise, she’d suffer severe internal injuries.

As the situation eased slightly, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Yinyao’s lips.

“Ah!”

The white mist dissipated. Yinyao opened her eyes, and behind her stood a white fox, wagging its tail joyfully, expression bright. A brilliant light radiated from her.

The light was dazzling. Bai Yun and Bai Ziye instinctively raised their hands to shield their eyes. When their vision adjusted, they lowered their hands. Such a commotion surely would draw the clan leader’s attention.

At that moment, a dragon’s roar echoed from the sky.

Bai Ziye looked up. A fiery red flame dragon twisted through the air. Someone seemed to be riding it, but the distance was too great to make out their features.

To his surprise, after spotting Yinyao, the flame dragon hovered above them. A moment later, a man dressed in deep blue leapt down from the dragon.

He headed straight toward Yinyao. Bai Ziye, wary, moved to intercept, but the man’s speed was astonishing. Before Bai Ziye could touch his cloak, the man was already by Yinyao’s side.

When Yinyao saw the approaching figure, joy overwhelmed her, and she froze.

“Yao’er!”

“Xuan Yu, it’s you!”

They embraced tightly. Bai Ziye finally understood: these two knew each other and shared a close bond. His previous attempt to stop the man had been unnecessary.

Indeed, the man who leapt down from the flame dragon was Ji Xuan Yu, who had also arrived on the Void Continent. He was the first to reunite with Yinyao.

Watching their warm reunion, Bai Yun’s eyes sparkled with hearts, but Bai Ziye could not share the sentiment. The commotion was already considerable; someone would soon come. It was best to leave quickly.

“Yinyao, you can catch up later, but now is not the time. Follow me—if we linger, others will arrive. I’m sure you don’t want to be discovered so soon,” Bai Ziye urged, drawing Yinyao’s attention.

Ji Xuan Yu looked at the man speaking to Yinyao—so gentle and refined. Then he glanced at the cute girl beside him before settling his gaze on Yinyao.

Yinyao understood his meaning and explained, “They are acquaintances I made in the White Fox Clan. The man is Bai Ziye, and the girl is Bai Yun. Let’s follow Bai Ziye’s advice and leave quickly. The earlier noise will surely attract many.”

“Understood,” Ji Xuan Yu nodded. The flame dragon vanished instantly.

The four followed Bai Ziye’s lead, hastening away. They arrived at a secluded residence where Bai Ziye opened the door and led them inside.

The house had no servants but was impeccably clean, clearly well-maintained.

“This is one of my residences. You can rest assured—no one else is here,” Bai Ziye explained to Yinyao and Ji Xuan Yu. Bai Yun, evidently familiar with the place, nodded.

Inside the study, the four gathered around a table. Bai Ziye brewed tea and poured cups for everyone. Bai Yun’s curious gaze remained fixed on Ji Xuan Yu—she hadn’t forgotten he had descended from the flame dragon.

Once Bai Ziye sat, Bai Yun could no longer contain herself. She stared at Ji Xuan Yu and asked, “Hey, are you from the Dragon Clan? Your flame dragon is so cool! Hehe.”

Bai Ziye winced and lightly tapped Bai Yun’s head, signaling her to be quiet. Bai Yun rubbed her aching head and looked at him with watery eyes, pitifully innocent.

Bai Ziye pretended not to see. Bai Yun pouted, ignored him, and fell silent.

Watching their amusing interaction, Yinyao and Ji Xuan Yu couldn’t help but chuckle softly. Bai Yun tried to speak again but thought better of it and remained quiet.

“Your identities?” Bai Ziye finally asked, the crucial question that would determine his next steps.

Holding her teacup, Yinyao glanced at Bai Ziye, then at Bai Yun, before speaking. “Please let Bai Yun answer a question for me first.”

Bai Ziye nodded. Bai Yun beamed, focusing intently on Yinyao, waiting for the question.

“Bai Yun, you said your aunt’s surname is also Yin. Can you tell me her full name? It’s very important to me,” Yinyao asked.

Ji Xuan Yu understood immediately. Bai Yun’s aunt was a key clue.

Bai Yun didn’t answer at once but looked at Bai Ziye, as if waiting for his decision.

“Why do you ask this question?” Bai Ziye looked at Yinyao, trying to read her intentions.

“Because my surname is Yin,” Yinyao said calmly, meeting Bai Ziye’s gaze without hesitation.

Bai Ziye glanced at Yinyao, then at Ji Xuan Yu beside her, and after a moment’s thought, made a resolute decision. “Bai Yun’s aunt is Yin Hu—a pride of our Spirit Fox Clan and also our enemy.”

Hearing this, Yinyao wept tears of joy, never expecting to find her mother’s information so quickly. Ji Xuan Yu also smiled, patting Yinyao on the back.

Their reactions seemed unusual. Could it be they had come searching for Yin Hu?

Bai Yun seemed to understand something too, watching Yinyao quietly without speaking. Bai Ziye fell silent as well, thinking it best to wait until their emotions settled before discussing further.

Wiping her tears, Yinyao smiled and said, “Did you know Yin Hu fled to the Desolate Continent while pregnant?”

Bai Ziye’s eyes flickered. He looked at Yinyao, seeming to have guessed her identity, astonished yet quickly composed, suppressing his excitement as he listened for more.

...

An hour passed. Bai Yun’s face was streaked with tears. She held Yinyao’s hand tightly, eyes brimming. “So, you’re Aunt’s daughter! Ziye, did you hear that? She’s Aunt’s daughter! I want to take her to see Mother!”

Ji Xuan Yu remained silent but was glad Yinyao had found her family so swiftly. Surely she would soon reunite with her mother.

Bai Ziye believed Yinyao was Yin Hu’s daughter but couldn’t rely solely on her story. He resolved to bring Yinyao to meet the clan leader—Yin Hu’s sister and Yinyao’s maternal aunt.