Chen Xuan chewed slowly, but his eyes never left his father.
Bai Chen's face kept shifting — sharp one moment, weary the next, almost panicked after that.
Why does father look like that?
His hand brushed against the simple jade ring on his finger. Closing his eyes, he whispered in his mind.
"Master… I think father suspects poison. Or assassins. His eyes won't stop scanning the hall."
From within the ring, the old voice chuckled.
Brat, your instincts are sharp. I sense it too… but there's more. Your father's aura—it's strange. He hides it well, but to me? It feels like a powerhouse. Someone who's touched realms beyond immortality.
Chen Xuan's heart skipped. His grip on the ring tightened.
"Old man, you know me. I am the Heaven Destroyer. I fought millions, defied fate, raised disciples across eras… and yet, I failed to topple the Heavenly Dao."
Silence. Then the voice rumbled back.
Yes, brat. I know what you were. The sky feared your blade, but the heavens struck you down. And yet… here you sit, reborn.
Chen Xuan looked back at his father, who was distractedly pushing food around his plate. Memories surged—not of war, but of small things: being rocked to sleep, his father pawning treasures just to buy him medicine, smiling through exhaustion just so his son could smile.
"...I don't care about destroying heavens anymore," Chen Xuan whispered inside. "This time, I just want to stay by his side. I owe him too much."
The immortal snorted. Tch. Sentimental brat. Fine, enjoy your father's kindness. But don't get soft. After you eat, we cultivate. Destiny won't leave you alone, Heaven Destroyer or not.
Chen Xuan grinned faintly. "Got it, old man. But first… let me have one more bite."
He lifted his chopsticks like spoon , eating the food enjoying the warmth of the meal, and silently swore in his mind : no tribulation would take this bond from him.
That night, moonlight shining in his room. Chen Xuan sat cross-legged, qi surging.
Crack! Like feeling His chest tightened feeling bones of ribs heavy , blood coughed onto the floor like vomiting .
Damn it again?! he was frustrated said what to do now to himself.
The old voice mocked him.
Brat, how long will you pretend? That's the curse gnawing at your body. Stop lying to yourself.
"Old man, don't nag me to death! If I keel over, it won't be from qi—it'll be from your voice."
The spirit snorted. Cheeky brat. You want to know why you're still alive? Listen well.
The air shifted. In his mind, visions came : swords clashing, skies splitting, talismans burning like suns this visions were his techniques.
The voice thundered.
I was once called Xuan Jianhai—the Boundless Sea of Blades. My sword qi drowned armies. My talismans bound demon lords. Even heavens trembled when I laughed. The Immortal Council hated me but could not deny me. I was their sharpest sword.
Images of Jianhai slashing through demons, his laughter booming across broken mountains, filled Chen Xuan's mind.
When the Demonic Emperor rose, even the Immortal Emperor begged for my blade. I fought, I bled, I gave everything. And when the battle reached its peak—what did he do?
Golden chains erupted, binding his soul. Jianhai's scream shook the heavens.
That bastard sacrificed me! He used my soul to seal the Demon Emperor. Betrayal by the ruler of immortals! I was torn apart, my dao shackled in a sealing formation.
The vision cracked, leaving silence.
Chen Xuan panted, sweat dripping. "So you're just a soul remnant. Bound to this ring."
The spirit laughed bitterly. Exactly. A forsaken immortal, reduced to a trinket. But now I've found you. I'll teach you sword, talisman, strength—everything to crush gods and emperors alike!
Chen Xuan smirked. "Old man… you know who I was, right? Not just some brat. I was the Heaven Destroyer in my last life."
A stunned silence. Then—PFFFFT! Jianhai nearly coughed blood.
You WHAT?!
Chen Xuan grinned wider. "Heaven Destroyer. Fought the heavens. Lost to them. Now reborn. So yeah… you're not the only betrayed one here."
Silence stretched. Then Jianhai barked laughter.
Hah! No wonder your aura feels insane. Heaven's mistake indeed! A Heaven Destroyer calling me 'old man' like I'm his nanny. Hahaha!
"Shut it," Chen Xuan muttered, though a smile tugged his lips. "Old man or not, you're my master now. You had revenge stolen. I had my dao shattered. Let's finish what fate denied us."
The spirit's laugh turned low, dangerous.
Good. Then you are my last disciple. And I—your first master.
Chen Xuan leaned back, black hair falling into his storm-bright eyes.
"Fine. Let's tear open the heavens together."
Later that night, Bai Chen sat across the table from his son. The lamps flickered, shadows around . For a some time, he just looked at Xuan Chen, as if memorizing his face and expression.
Finally Bai , set down his chopsticks.
"Xuan'er," he said,in voice soft but heavy, "I need to go out for now . Something I must handle a business you can assume. I'll return soon."
Xuan Chen froze. That tone—weighted, dangerous. For a heartbeat, the Heaven Destroyer wanted to demand answers. But the son inside him spoke first.
He forced a smile. "Come back earlier, Dad. Don't make me wait."
Bai Chen's eyes softened. He reached out his hand and brushed his son's hair —an unfamiliar, gentle gesture which was new but good feeling for bai chen. Then he turned, waving his hand and as he stepped into the night.
He went out.
The doors shut.
Xuan Chen gripped his chopsticks until they snapped.
Inside the ring, Jianhai muttered darkly.
Your father walks into danger. His aura… he's hiding truths from you, brat.
Xuan Chen's gaze dimmed like thunderclouds.
"…I know. But just this once—I'll wait. I'll trust him."
Moonlight divided the hall, half shadow, half glow.
Father stepping into the dark.
Son waiting in the light.