Lang could feel the chaos inside Liu Xiu's mind, because it was entirely caused by him.
At the same time, Liu Xiu was feeling a pain in his head as if thousands of needles were stabbing directly into his soft, tofu-like brain. This wasn't the kind of pain you feel from a single sewing needle; it was a torment that seemed to pierce the brain without even going through the skull.
The pain made Liu Xiu feel on the verge of collapse. He couldn't help but recall the agony he had experienced the last time his powers awakened.
Today's pain was similar, only far more intense than before.
Gritting his teeth, his face twisted in pain, Liu Xiu pounded the ground as if it could relieve some of his torment.
Nearby, Lang's expression was serious, his face slightly grim. Such a powerful mental attack was a heavy burden even for him.
He didn't fully understand the structure of Liu Xiu's brain—though it seemed like it could be crushed at any moment, it resisted just enough to hold on.
Finally, under Lang's relentless mental assault, Liu Xiu was on the brink of losing consciousness.
That brief minute or so felt like an eternity to the two of them.
Seeing Liu Xiu's mind nearing collapse, Lang's face twisted into a grim, almost satisfied smile.
The cost of pushing Liu Xiu to the edge of his sanity was immense. He couldn't allow him even a moment's respite. The strange gravitational control required full mental focus—any lapse, and if Liu Xiu retaliated, Lang would have no defense.
Lang could feel his own head beginning to throb, a consequence of overusing his mental powers—but thankfully, it was almost over.
At the moment Liu Xiu's mind teetered on the brink, he felt himself suddenly enter a vast, white space.
Here, there was no pain, no pressure. The light radiating in the space soothed his mind, easing the suffering.
The agony he had just experienced felt like a distant dream; now, all he felt was a deep sense of relief.
"Child, I'm sorry you suffered." A deep, magnetic male voice suddenly echoed in the space just as Liu Xiu relaxed his mind.
Startled by the voice, Liu Xiu tensed immediately.
He frantically looked around, calling out, "Who's there? Where is this place?"
As he shouted, the light in the space coalesced into a human form.
It was a middle-aged man, dressed as if in a white robe, radiating light so intensely that only his face was clearly visible.
From his face, it was apparent he was not very old—perhaps in his thirties. Yet despite his youth, his face was full of stories.
The man looked at the anxious Liu Xiu with love and concern, his eyes showing both joy and heartbreak.
Softly, he said, "Child, I am your father. Forgive my weakness for letting you endure so much pain."
Hearing these words, Liu Xiu felt as if struck by lightning. His body stiffened; he couldn't move. This man claimed to be his father.
The word "father," both unfamiliar and familiar, left him confused, unsure how to react.
He couldn't recall anything from before his amnesia. Since gaining consciousness, his family had only been Meng Ran's household and the other members of the Hexagram Alliance.
"Father?" Liu Xiu murmured quietly, bowing his head.
After a moment, he raised his head and sneered, "Ridiculous. What proof do you have that you are my father? I can't remember anything about my family. Just because you say so—does that make it true?"
As he spoke, his voice grew louder, and tears brimmed in his eyes.
"If you truly are my father, where have you been all this time?"
"If Meng Ran hadn't found me and brought me home, I don't even know what I would have become."
Hearing Liu Xiu's furious cry, the man felt deep guilt. He stepped forward and hugged the agitated Liu Xiu tightly.
Softly, he said, "Child, your father never intended this. Forgive me."
"Your father had made careful plans to restore our family's freedom."
"But unforeseen flaws arose, forcing me to take certain actions."
"Now it's time for you to remember."
He stroked Liu Xiu's head, a gentle light emanating from his hand.
Liu Xiu initially tried to struggle, but the embrace felt familiar, and he forgot to resist.
He felt a security he had never known, a feeling both familiar and ancient—as if it had happened long ago.
Liu Xiu lay in his father's arms, while the man gently stroked his head, like soothing a baby to sleep.
The light from his father's hand acted to clear the mental barriers in Liu Xiu's mind. When he awoke, he would remember everything from his past.
In the white expanse, father and son remained embraced, like a sculpted statue—they hadn't held each other for a very long time.
After a while, the man lowered his hand from Liu Xiu's head. Liu Xiu opened his eyes, tears unconsciously streaming down.
"Father… father…" Liu Xiu sobbed, his eyes red.
With the mental shackles gone, his memories returned fully.
Liu Zhengyang looked at his son, broken and crying, and gently comforted him: "Xiu'er, it's okay. Father is here."
This man was indeed Liu Xiu's father—the former S-class superhuman of the Monster era, Liu Zhengyang.
"Ah… Father was too weak. I failed to save your mother and allowed you to suffer so much," Liu Zhengyang said, guilt-stricken.
Liu Xiu, looking at the familiar face, sobbed as he whispered, "I've missed you so much, Father. Where are you now? Can I see you again?"
Hearing this, Liu Zhengyang's smile turned bitter. Hesitating, he began, "Xiu'er… Father… actually…"