Chapter 10
Song Li recognized the creature instantly.
She had read of the Frost Toad in ancient texts—an elusive beast found only in the far northern glaciers, treasured by cultivators who practiced ice-attribute techniques. Its value was immeasurable.
Frost Toads were masters of concealment, nearly impossible to capture, and even harder to breed. Only powerful cultivators or major sects could afford to possess one.
On the open market, a single specimen could fetch no less than a million spirit stones.
Her gaze lingered on the small, crystalline creature.
A flicker of greed passed through her eyes.
She hadn’t expected the real Song Li to have such a background. A father like this—his cultivation alone spoke volumes. He was far from ordinary.
And now…
He had mistaken her for his daughter.
Why not play along?
More importantly—if she didn’t…
If he ever discovered what had truly happened to the real Song Li…
She wouldn’t live to see tomorrow.
The decision came to her in an instant.
“Li’er… when your mother and I parted, I didn’t know she was carrying you. If I had, I would never have left.”
Qingxuzi’s voice was low, tinged with regret.
“It’s only natural if you resent me. I won’t ask for your forgiveness… but at least let me make amends. This was your mother’s final request—and it’s my responsibility.”
He forced a bitter smile when she said nothing.
Slowly, Song Li lifted her head.
Tears shimmered in her eyes as her voice trembled.
“Mother… she mentioned you often. But you never came. I thought… you abandoned us.”
“I didn’t. Truly, I didn’t.”
Qingxuzi’s reply came too quickly, almost anxious.
“I cared for your mother. If I had known about you, I would never have left either of you behind.”
Those feelings… had long been buried deep in his heart.
Only in the stillness of night did they ever resurface—quiet, distant, and aching.
Tears slipped down Song Li’s cheeks.
“If you cared for her… then why didn’t you come looking for us all these years?” she demanded, voice breaking. “Every time I asked Mother where you were… she avoided the question.”
Qingxuzi instinctively raised a hand, wanting to wipe away her tears—
Then froze.
This was their first meeting.
In her eyes, he was nothing more than a stranger.
His hand fell back slowly.
“Li’er…” He let out a quiet sigh, his voice weighed down by memory. “Your mother and I parted because neither of us was willing to leave our sects. The Wendao Sect raised me—how could I abandon it for personal feelings? And your mother… she couldn’t leave hers either.”
His gaze softened, distant. “So in the end, we chose to part… peacefully.”
Who could have imagined that years later, fate would deliver such a… miracle?
His gaze softened as he looked at her—so gentle it almost seemed as though he were seeing someone else through her.
Someone long gone.
Song Li’s eyes were still red as she echoed, “The Wendao Sect…?”
“She never told you?”
At her hesitation, Qingxuzi immediately understood.
Her mother must have held some resentment toward him… enough to keep silent all these years.
“The Wendao Sect is in the northern region of the continent,” he explained gently. “Your mother’s Qionghua Sect lies in the south. It’s only natural you wouldn’t have heard of it.”
Song Li quietly exhaled.
Good.
He hadn’t pressed further.
Her identity was safe—for now.
Qingxuzi studied her for a moment before asking softly, “Li’er… there’s something I need to know. How did your mother die? Was it in battle?”
Back then, both of them had been Golden Core cultivators—exceptional in talent.
After all these years… she should have reached the Nascent Soul stage, just as he had.
Nascent Soul cultivators rarely died. Even if their bodies were destroyed, their Nascent Souls could escape—teleporting away, reshaping a new body, beginning again.
But she…
She hadn’t even managed that.
Before her death, she had only barely sent him a letter—across countless miles.
The message was brief. No explanations. Only a request:
Take our daughter back.
And an address in the southern mountains.
A dull ache pressed into Qingxuzi’s chest.
He hadn’t even seen her one last time.
Song Li’s thoughts raced.
Then she spoke—half truth, half fabrication.
“My mother and I were being hunted… by two Nascent Soul cultivators. My cultivation was too low. I couldn’t help her.”
Her voice trembled.
“She held them off… and told me to run. I fled into the mountains. I hid for three days and nights. But I couldn’t endure it any longer—I went back to find her.”
She swallowed.
“That’s when a Golden Core fire beast targeted me.”
A surge of fury erupted from Qingxuzi.
“What was the Qionghua Sect doing? Letting you be hunted like this—on their own territory?!”
Though he tried to restrain himself, the pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator leaked out uncontrollably.
Song Li let out a muffled groan, clutching her chest.
She was only at Foundation Establishment.
How could she withstand that kind of pressure?
Qingxuzi snapped back to himself.
He immediately withdrew his aura and placed a hand on her wrist, sending a thread of spiritual energy into her body.
It circulated swiftly—examining, stabilizing.
Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
“You’re fine… fortunately.”
Guilt flickered across his face.
“You’ve just recovered from serious injuries. You can’t endure strain like this, or it may leave lasting damage.”
“…Mm.”
Song Li nodded softly, her thoughts churning.
So this was the strength of a Nascent Soul cultivator.
If he wanted her dead…
She wouldn’t even have the chance to run.
She had to play this role perfectly.
No mistakes.
Not even the smallest flaw.
Her expression hardened with grief and anger.
“The Qionghua Sect couldn’t protect us,” she said bitterly. “It was destroyed years ago… by some unknown force. Everyone died in that disaster.”
Qingxuzi’s eyes widened. “That’s impossible!”
The Qionghua Sect had over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators—one of the strongest sects on the continent.
Even stronger sects couldn’t guarantee wiping them out completely.
Unless…
Several powers had joined forces?
Before he could dwell further, Song Li continued.
“At that time, my mother hadn’t yet reached Nascent Soul. She was out searching for medicine with me. When we returned…”
Her voice grew hoarse.
“There were corpses everywhere. Blood… like rivers.”
Grief twisted her features as her voice turned hoarse.
“To find the culprit, my mother spent years chasing leads. This time, she finally found a clue… and followed it to a small town at the foot of the mountains.”
Her breath hitched, fingers tightening slightly.
“It was a trap. She fought her way out with me and planned to hide in a place we’d prepared in the mountains.”
Her voice broke.
“But on the way… two Nascent Soul cultivators appeared…”
Tears fell, one after another, striking the cold jade bed like shattered beads.
Her sobs grew uncontrollable.
Qingxuzi’s heart clenched.
And beneath it—rage surged.
He would avenge her.
He must.
“Did… did Mother really send you a dying message?”
Song Li suddenly looked up, eyes filled with desperate hope.
“Could she… still be alive?”
Qingxuzi fell silent.
For a long time, he didn’t answer.
He wanted to believe it too.
But he knew better.
“Li’er… the shell around your neck…”
His voice softened.
“It’s a token of love between your mother and me. We each carry one. They’re bound to our life essence—if one breaks, that person dies.”
Song Li looked down.
The shell rested against her chest—white, smooth, flawless.
Unbroken.
Her heart lurched.
If it wasn’t broken…
That meant Aunt Wen was still alive.
Panic surged.
She grabbed the shell, trying desperately to crack it—but it didn’t budge.
It was impossibly hard.
If Aunt Wen found this place—
She would be finished.
Just as her thoughts spiraled, Qingxuzi raised his hand.
In his palm… lay a cracked shell.
“The one you carry represents me,” he said softly. “This one… represents her.”
He traced the fracture gently, eyes filled with longing.
Song Li froze.
She stared at it, unable to process what she was seeing.
A long silence followed.
“Li’er,” Qingxuzi said gently, “you need to steady yourself. I know it’s hard to accept… but some truths must be faced alone. She wouldn’t want to see you like this.”
A broken sob escaped her.
“Waaah…”
She covered her face, curling into herself as her shoulders trembled violently.
Qingxuzi said nothing.
He simply waited.
After a while, he spoke again, quieter this time.
“This… is the letter your mother sent me.”
He handed it to her.
Song Li lifted her head, eyes red and swollen, and took it.
Only two short lines were written—messy, rushed.
But she recognized the handwriting instantly.
Aunt Wen.
“It’s… my mother’s handwriting,” she said hoarsely.
The words came naturally.
If she was going to play this role… she had to be perfect.
Qingxuzi didn’t suspect a thing.
With a flick of his sleeve, several bottles of pills appeared on the jade bed.
“Your injuries may be healed, but your foundation is weak. These will help restore your vitality.”
Then he led her to a prepared cave dwelling.
“You’ll stay here from now on. If you need anything, just tell me.”
He paused, then added with quiet resolve:
“Li’er… don’t worry. I will avenge your mother.”
Song Li nodded obediently.
She stood there long after he left.
Then—
Laughter burst from her lips.
“Hahahaha…!”
Her eyes gleamed with wild excitement.
“Heaven really favors me! I was worried… with my ordinary talent, how could I ever reach the Golden Core stage? But now…”
She laughed again, breathless.
“With a father like this—so powerful, so guilty—I can have anything I want! Breaking through my realm is just a matter of time!”
Of course… she wouldn’t be reckless.
First, she would play the dutiful daughter. Win his trust. Earn his affection.
Only when he truly accepted her—
Then she would begin asking for more.
Song Li lifted her gaze to the sky, emotions churning endlessly within her.
She and the real Song Li…
They looked almost identical.
As if carved from the same mold.
That was why Aunt Wen had taken her in as a goddaughter in the first place.
Her lips moved faintly.
A whisper drifted into the air—barely audible.
Song Li… Song Li… we’re good sisters, aren’t we?
You should be happy to help me.
Your mother is my mother. And your father… is naturally mine too.