Chapter 107: The Prodigy of the First Day

“Auntie, Bai Ziye has already rushed to the scene of the incident. Should we call him back?” Yinyao thought that since they already knew who caused the commotion, Bai Ziye ought to be brought back.

Hearing Yinyao’s suggestion, Bai Yun immediately jumped up. “Yes, yes, Mother, let Ziye come back! And have him come along so we can discuss the next steps!”

Watching her own daughter’s impatience and then glancing at her sister’s daughter, who was calm and composed, Bai Ling couldn’t help but shake her head. Sigh, her child was just like this—impossible to compare, and really, no need to.

“Alright, you two, just wait a moment. I believe Ziye will be back soon. Don’t worry,” Bai Ling said kindly with a smile.

“Alright,” Yinyao nodded with a smile. Bai Yun, however, wasn’t so obedient. She suddenly released Bai Ling’s hand and jumped away. “Mother, I’m going to check it out. Wait for my good news!”

With that, Bai Yun dashed off like a flash. Bai Ling took Yinyao’s hand with an amused, helpless smile. “Your sister’s just like this. Don’t hold it against her.”

“No, Bai Yun is adorable. I didn’t expect her to be so pure. Auntie, you’ve protected her well!” Yinyao shook her head; she quite liked Bai Yun’s personality—it was truly endearing.

Bai Ling glanced back at a person who was almost forgotten. “Xuan Yu, come walk with us. If it’s convenient, you can tell me what you know about your origins. That way, I can help you find your family.”

Ji Xuanyu politely thanked Bai Ling. “Thank you, Clan Leader. Let’s talk as we walk.”

“Mm.”

The three of them left the hall together, slowly making their way toward the garden outside.

Along the way, many servants bowed their heads and greeted Bai Ling respectfully. It was clear she commanded great authority and respect among them, a testament to how well she had managed the White Fox Clan since taking charge.

This stirred a pang of guilt in Yinyao’s heart. She understood that managing such a large clan was exhausting—a responsibility that should have been her mother’s but was taken up by her aunt due to her mother’s selfishness. To do well, Bai Ling must have invested a great deal of effort.

“Xuan Yu, tell us your story,” Bai Ling gently prompted, her tone warm and familiar, like an intimate friend.

“Alright, I’m from the Dragon Clan, which I believe you already know. I inherited the power of the Flame Dragon, but honestly, I don’t know much about my origins. My parents never told me anything about the Void Continent. Now that they’re gone, I have no one to ask. The only thing I know is that the surname ‘Ji’ has been passed down through my family,” he revealed everything without reservation.

Ji Xuanyu knew this woman before him was a good person. With her abilities, she could likely find his family quickly. That was why he chose to be completely open rather than hold back.

“Ji? That surname… Let me think. Among the Dragon Clan, that name hasn’t been seen for a very long time! It’s probably because your ancestors were expelled from the Void Continent by the Dragon Clan’s rulers long ago. You say you inherited the Flame Dragon’s power? Come to think of it, the Dragon Clan hasn’t seen the Flame Dragon’s power for ages. Perhaps the rulers banished your branch of the clan that possessed it,” Bai Ling slowed her pace, recalling carefully as she shared what she knew about the Dragon Clan.

“Since I was born, I haven’t seen anyone in the Dragon Clan wield the Flame Dragon’s power. I’ll ask the elders next time and see if they know anything about your branch. For now, I can’t offer any more useful information,” Bai Ling said apologetically.

Ji Xuanyu didn’t show disappointment or frustration. Instead, he smiled calmly. “Thank you for your kindness, Clan Leader. I’m not in a rush to find my family. A big part of why I came to the Void Continent was because of Yao’er. Finding my family is just a side matter.”

Hearing this, Bai Ling was somewhat surprised. She glanced at Ji Xuanyu and then at Yinyao, sensing that their relationship was more than mere friendship.

Yinyao herself felt a whirl of emotions—unsure whether to be happy or sad—but deep down, she believed she was glad.

“Alright then, no rush. Let’s head back. I think Yun’er and Ziye should be returning soon. I have great faith in Ziye’s efficiency,” Bai Ling said cheerfully. Yet, after praising Bai Ziye, she gave Yinyao a fleeting, subtle look that seemed slightly off—too brief for Yinyao to interpret.

Ji Xuanyu, overhearing Bai Ling’s admiration for Bai Ziye, thought to himself that she probably wished to entrust her daughter to him. Bai Ziye was outstanding and clearly cared deeply for Bai Yun. Their understanding was likely unspoken but mutual.

Sure enough, as they reached the hall, Bai Yun’s loud voice rang out. “Brother, listen! Come here quickly, no one else can hear this. We found Auntie’s daughter!”

Though Bai Yun’s voice was somewhat hushed, everyone present was powerful and alert. Her whisper was no secret to them, and they all smiled knowingly without saying a word.

Yinyao looked up and saw the tall man Bai Yun was tugging—his figure so familiar, seen not long ago—though she wasn’t sure if it was really him.

“Ahem, Yun’er, the Clan Leader is here,” Bai Ziye said, noticing Bai Ling, Yinyao, and Ji Xuanyu approaching. He cleared his throat to signal Bai Yun to be cautious.

The man Bai Yun had been pulling heard Bai Ziye’s words, shook off his mischievous little sister, and stepped forward to face the trio. Suddenly, his eyes widened in shock.

“Yinyao?!” he exclaimed in disbelief.

Seeing the man clearly, Yinyao smiled warmly. “Bai Yong! Didn’t expect that, did you? Nor did I expect you to be my cousin!”

Noticing their reactions, Bai Yun quickly jumped between them, eyeing her brother suspiciously, then looking uncertainly at Yinyao before decisively speaking. “Brother, you know Sister Yinyao?”

“Oh?” This revelation piqued Bai Ling’s curiosity; Yinyao had never mentioned knowing this man.

Even Bai Ziye’s interest was stirred, and Ji Xuanyu silently questioned Yinyao with his eyes: What was going on?

“It’s like this. I came from the Wasteland Continent and woke up right at the border between the White Fox Clan’s territory and the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s. I wanted to hide there and gather my thoughts. Then Bai Yong and the White Fox patrol arrived, coincidentally just as the Nine-Tailed Fox patrol was there too. I was discovered. Bai Yong asked my name, I told him the truth, and suddenly the Nine-Tailed Fox members started to resent me,” Yinyao explained in detail to clear their doubts about how she knew Bai Yong.

“At that moment, Bai Yong protected me. When no one was paying attention, he took me to the main road in the forest and told me to run quickly and find the White Fox Clan leader. But he didn’t know the Nine-Tailed Fox patrol captain was secretly following me. Then I met Bai Yun and Bai Ziye, who came to my rescue. You already know the rest,” Yinyao continued.

“Hehe, that’s right! Brother, not bad! You even played the hero and saved my dear auntie’s daughter, my cousin!” Bai Yun teased, patting Bai Yong’s shoulder playfully.

Bai Ling listened to Yinyao’s story and nodded, then looked at Bai Yong. “Yong’er, do you know who the captain of the Nine-Tailed Fox patrol is this time?”

Bai Yong was about to speak when someone beat him to it. “He’s the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s top prodigy—Mei, the clan leader’s son.”

The speaker was Bai Ziye, and upon hearing this, everyone understood immediately. Mei was the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s top genius, while Bai Ziye was the White Fox Clan’s top genius. Naturally, they were rivals, constantly competing openly and covertly. This also explained why Bai Ziye had said “long time no see” to Mei, whose expression had darkened upon hearing his voice.

“Mei! It seems Yao’er has encountered many people since returning to the Void Continent. Luckily Yong’er was there; otherwise, given the clan’s sensitivity to the surname Yin, hardly anyone would have dared protect you. Yong’er understood that your mother has always been a thorn in my side, so he extends extra care to those with the surname Yin,” Bai Ling said, addressing Yinyao and resolving her earlier confusion about Bai Yong’s protection.

Yinyao looked at Bai Yong gratefully. Without his intervention, she feared she would have long since fallen to Mei’s hands. It was thanks to him that everything that followed was possible—she truly owed him her thanks.

“Yong’er, Ziye, how did things go?” Bai Ling asked, turning to the two she had called.

Bai Ziye and Bai Yong exchanged a glance before deciding who would speak.

“Mother, we have pacified the restless clan members and explained that the white fox spirit they saw was caused by a reclusive disciple’s breakthrough today. As for the Flame Dragon, we told them a friend from the Dragon Clan came to visit, someone close to that reclusive disciple, who came to check on her progress,” Bai Yong explained their approach.

Bai Ling nodded in approval and looked at Bai Ziye. “Ziye, you must have come up with this explanation. You knew these two would appear before the clan eventually, so you created this identity to make their presence acceptable. I know Yong’er wouldn’t be so meticulous.”

Bai Yong scratched the back of his head. “Mother’s sharp eyes never fail to see through me!”

“Yes, Clan Leader! I doubt you would hide them from the clan, so you crafted identities for them to appear openly,” Bai Ziye smiled faintly, not denying it.

Bai Ling nodded appreciatively. “Indeed, Ziye is thoughtful. Yao’er, from now on, you must not use the surname Yin when appearing before the White Fox Clan. You understand why. Tomorrow, I will introduce you to the clan. For now, you will take the surname Bai, and your name will be Bai Yao. How does that sound?”

Yinyao nodded without objection, grateful for everyone’s consideration.

“Very well. Yun’er, take Yao’er to rest first. Yong’er, you and Yao’er’s friend should rest as well. Ziye and I will discuss some other matters,” Bai Ling commanded with a wave.

Everyone followed Bai Ling’s instructions and went on their way.