Chapter 1497 - 435: Second Uncle, Second Uncle—

But Shen Yunzhou’s breath was weak, and he remained motionless.

The stone monster turned around to look toward the Shen Family’s direction, and a string of small gravel suddenly spilled from its round eyes, clattering to the ground: "Miss..."

Then, it opened its mouth and swallowed Shen Yunzhou and the black-gold dung beetle once more.

Immediately after, it bounced away like a rubber ball, making a "creak creak" sound with each jump, quickly disappearing into the dense forest...

...

Under the bloody sunset, the entire ruins of the Shen Family were shrouded in a thick aura of resentment that wouldn’t dissipate.

Zhou Qing searched among the broken walls and scattered bricks for a whole day, as there were simply too many Spirit Severing Realm casualties here.

It was said that aside from the complete annihilation of the Shen Family’s Spirit Severing Realm members, seven of the twelve people from the Yan Family were lost.

Not to mention the oppressive fall of the two Supreme Realm figures and the death of hundreds of thousands, the intense scent of blood and unyielding obsessions suffused the entire Shen Family.

The little one in the bamboo basket moved uneasily, so he immediately reinforced the triple layer of barrier restrictions, yet still could feel those obsessions eroding the barrier like a bone-eating pustule.

Zhou Qing was truly worried that Little Yaoyao would be affected, so he was forced to leave.

As for Shen Yunzhou—he was likely beyond hope.

Given that Bai Fengyin could accurately track them using Shen Juefeng’s essence blood, it stands to reason they should have locked onto Shen Yunzhou’s whereabouts immediately, right under their noses.

Just days later, when a few other noble families rushed over to verify upon hearing the news, they still couldn’t hide the shock and surprise on their faces.

Soon, this news swept across the entire Nanhuang State, inducing sighs, awe, and even cold sneers.

And at the edge of the Desolate Forbidden, adjacent to the territories of the Four Ancient Races, Sikong Yan stood with hands behind his back, his brows deeply furrowed.

Wu Sha stared at the portrait in his hand, muttering: "Boss, the image released by the Celestial Phoenix Palace and Zhou Qing from the Taiqing Sect are indeed the same person! In just a few years, he has condensed thirty thousand spirit seals..."

Sikong Yan chuckled lightly: "I thought you’d be more shocked that he’s carrying two inscription-level Divine Techniques."

Wu Sha scratched his head, full of confusion: "What are inscription-level Divine Techniques?"

Sikong Yan just smiled without answering, his gaze shifting to the figures probing at the edges of the Desolate Forbidden.

"This time for Zhou Qing..." he sighed deeply, "I’m afraid his fate is inescapable."

...

Seven days later, at dusk.

Zhou Qing returned to the villa with Little Yaoyao on his back.

He stopped once more outside that familiar door, his fingers trembling slightly, tapping lightly.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Three soft sounds echoed clearly in the empty villa.

No response came.

Although he’d expected it, he stubbornly waited, as if just one more moment would bring that familiar, cheerful voice from inside the door—

"Brother Zhou? You’re back!"

Yet, there was nothing.

He slowly pushed open the door.

The twilight sun slanted through the window lattice, casting light into the empty room.

The three-color restriction on the bed still turned slowly, emitting a faint glow, as if still protecting someone who was no longer there.

Zhou Qing stood at the doorway, his gaze scanning every corner of the room.

"So... truly gone."

He closed his eyes, his chest felt cruelly twisted tight, each breath became difficult.

The girl who loved to hop around behind him, gleefully calling "Brother Zhou", disappeared forever from her life.

Then, his gaze fell on the imaging stone placed on the table. He gently picked it up.

At the moment of activation, a soft light and shadow appeared.

The woman in the image arched her brows, appearing a bit playful as usual when being coy.

"Dad, Mom, has little me been born yet? She must be so cute, right?"

His tears immediately broke through.

Especially at the end, seeing her gradually disappearing figure and her strong pretense of calmness, Zhou Qing could no longer hold back and broke into desperate sobs...

The setting sun sank in the west, and the last golden ray slipped through the window lattice, falling on the swaddled Little Yaoyao.

Zhou Qing gently caressed her cheek, his voice hoarse: "Yaoyao, I’m sorry... Dad couldn’t change anything, it’s Dad’s fault."

"But rest assured," a sudden resolution burned in his eyes, "those days you described, Dad will never let you go through them. As for your mother..."

He looked out at the gathering dusk, enunciating each word, as if making a vow, or an announcement—

"Even if the gods and Buddhas of all heavens stand in my way, I will shatter the heavens, slay all immortals and demons, and bring your mother back intact!"

Night fell, and the villa was swallowed by darkness.

Zhou Qing fed Little Yaoyao one last bit of milk, gently patting her to sleep, then rose, taking a final look around the once lively place.

Then he turned away, vanishing into the night...