Supreme Cauldron

Chapter 3: Yun’er, What Do You Say?

“Mother, you said it was a rumor. How could it possibly be true?”

Ling Yun felt the eyes of everyone in the hall locked on him.

Since ancient times, no one had ever returned after falling into the Abyss of Demons.

If it was revealed that Ling Yun had returned from the Abyss, it would surely bring about a great disaster.

And with his current physical state, he was not yet capable of dealing with such a crisis.

The Grand Elder pondered for a moment. “But in the past six months, we turned the entire Moyun Mountain Range upside down and still couldn’t find any trace of you…”

The other elders, who had also joined the search, nodded in agreement.

To them, Ling Yun seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

“Ahem…”

Ling Yun cleared his throat and had to continue explaining, “Back then, after my spiritual roots were stripped, I accidentally fell into a drainage tunnel. I’ve been hiding there to recover for the past six months.”

After hearing this, everyone looked at each other in disbelief. With the Ling family’s power, they had practically combed through every inch of the Moyun Mountains.

From what they knew, no such tunnel had been overlooked.

But right now, the more pressing issue was—

Someone had dared to strip the spiritual roots of the Ling family’s young master!

“Who did this?”

The Grand Elder radiated fury.

Ling Yun’s dual fire-and-water spiritual roots were incredibly rare and held the potential to reach sainthood.

If they truly had been taken, how could the Grand Elder not be enraged?

“Outrageous!”

The Second Elder looked toward Xiao Liuli, who sat in the main seat, and said, “Madam, Ling Yun is your son. Now that he has suffered such injustice, whatever you decide—we will follow!”

“That’s right! Even if it costs us our lives, we must get justice for the Young Master!”

All the elders were furious and ready to act!

Seeing their reaction, Ling Yun felt a warm current rise in his heart.

This was what a family was supposed to be.

United in purpose, fighting against a common enemy!

He was fortunate to be born into this family—

Even more fortunate to have returned from the Abyss.

“Yun’er, what do you say?” Xiao Liuli’s voice rang out.

Ling Yun faced everyone and said,

“Elders, from childhood, you taught me: Every grudge must be avenged!”

“So please rest assured—I will handle this myself.”

“But Young Master, your spiritual roots…”

The Grand Elder’s brows furrowed deeply.

The other elders also frowned slightly.

Without spiritual roots, how could Ling Yun exact revenge on his own without the family’s help?

“Yun’er, no matter what you choose to do, your mother and the entire Ling family will be your strongest support.”

Xiao Liuli waved her hand to end the conversation. “Yun’er, go get some rest for now.”

Ling Yun bowed and excused himself.

As she watched Ling Yun walk away, Xiao Liuli turned to the Grand Elder with a thoughtful expression.

“Grand Elder, don’t you feel Yun’er seems a little different since he returned?”

The Grand Elder thought for a moment and said, “Yes, he does seem a bit different. But his bloodline is definitely that of the Ling family. As for his soul, the Second Elder just now also checked—there’s no sign of possession.”

“Maybe it’s because he’s been through life and death. He’s grown up and shed his youthful naivety.”

At this point, the Grand Elder grinned.

“Madam, by the way, the Young Master is already sixteen now. The Ye family has spread word of wanting to annul the engagement. Should we start looking for another match for him?”

Xiao Liuli smiled faintly.

“I used to be anxious about this matter. His father recently sent me a message—he already found a fiancée for Yun’er.”

“She’s brought the engagement agreement and has already arrived in Cangfeng County.”

“I was still wondering how to explain it to him, but now… it seems I don’t need to say anything at all.”

The Grand Elder chuckled. “If the family head personally arranged it, then it’s settled. The Young Master won’t end up alone!”

Back in his courtyard, everything was spotless.

Nothing had changed—everything was just as he remembered it.

“Feels good to be home.”

Ling Yun sprawled out on the bed, staring up at the ceiling in a daze.

Suddenly, a gentle voice called out, “Yun’er.”

“Mother!”

Ling Yun quickly got up and looked toward Xiao Liuli as she entered the room.

She was dressed in an elegant purple court robe, graceful and noble—

But the worry between her brows couldn’t be hidden.

Clearly, she had been deeply worried these past six months.

“Yun’er, I know there were many things you couldn’t say in the hall just now.”

Xiao Liuli sat beside Ling Yun on the bed, gently holding his hand.

“Yun’er, tell me the truth—how exactly were your spiritual roots taken?”

At her question, a figure flashed through Ling Yun’s mind.

But he simply patted her hand lightly and replied, “Mother, I know what you’re worried about. But don’t worry—I won’t do anything foolish, even if I want revenge.”

Seeing that Ling Yun still refused to speak, Xiao Liuli sighed softly.

Her son’s temperament hadn’t changed—he was still her good child.

“Alright, Yun’er. If you don’t want to say, I won’t press you.”

She straightened up slightly and said with a serious tone, “But there’s something else I must tell you.”

“Oh? What is it?” Ling Yun asked.

Xiao Liuli hesitated for a moment.

“I’ve heard the Ye family intends to break off the engagement.”

Originally, if Ling Yun hadn’t come back, it would’ve been understandable.

But now that he had returned alive, things weren’t so simple anymore.

The Ling family was a prestigious household.

And Xiao Liuli’s son was not someone others could humiliate.

“Is this the Ye family’s decision or Ye Mengyan’s idea?”

Ling Yun frowned.

He and Ye Mengyan had been childhood friends and had shared deep feelings.

Even during his ten thousand years in the Abyss, he never felt any affection toward Princess Qingming—

Part of the reason was his focus on repaying the Abyss Emperor, but another reason… was Ye Mengyan, his first love.

“It’s said Ye Mengyan recently awakened an extraordinary spiritual root. Chu Tianqi, the lead disciple of the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy, has publicly declared his intention to bring her into the sect.”

“But I think that Chu brat is mostly after Ye Mengyan herself.”

Xiao Liuli gave her speculation, but she was confused as to why Chu Tianqi hadn’t just taken her as a wife or concubine directly.

After all, as the top sect in Cangfeng County, Heavenly Profound Martial Academy was far beyond what the Ye family could compare to.

But Ling Yun knew the real reason.

“When does the Ye family plan to annul the engagement?” Ling Yun asked with a complex expression.

“The entrance trials for Heavenly Profound Martial Academy are in half a month.”

Xiao Liuli calculated. “So, if the Ye family is going to break it off, it’ll likely be in the next few days.”

“Alright. I understand.” Ling Yun nodded calmly.

Xiao Liuli glanced at her silent son and, after some thought, suggested,

“Yun’er, how about letting the Grand Elder take you out to relax a little?”

The Ye family might come soon, and Ye Mengyan might be there too.

She was afraid Ling Yun would be hurt again—especially after just losing his spiritual roots.

“I’m fine, Mother.”

Ling Yun waved his hand, showing no emotional reaction.

Though feelings lingered in his heart, his mindset was no longer that of a sixteen-year-old.

He was ready to see for himself what choice the woman he’d held in his heart for ten thousand years would make.

“Actually, Yun’er, even if they do break the—”

Xiao Liuli tried to mention the new fiancée.

“Mother, I’m tired,” Ling Yun interrupted, ending the conversation.

“…Alright then. I won’t disturb you. Rest well.”

Xiao Liuli gave him a deep look, then turned and left the room.

The next day, someone from the Ye family really came.

It was the Ye family patriarch, Ye Qingshan, who personally arrived.

He specifically asked to see Ling Yun by name.

The Grand Elder, known for his temper, nearly flipped the table on the spot.

But Xiao Liuli gestured for him to calm down and had someone go call Ling Yun.

As Ling Yun entered the hall, he instantly became the center of everyone’s attention.