“Here We Are, Brother!”

Gu Feiyan’s birthday coincided with the day of her and Qin Gou’s funeral.

The entire Seed Demon Holy Sect gathered at the central plaza, dressed in mourning white.

High above, Gu Jinghong stood with his hands behind his back, his tiger-like eyes filled with sorrow and grief. His expression was one of deep pain.

Gu Feiyan, his beloved daughter, and Qin Gou, the sect’s top seed and beacon of hope for its future, were both gone. Their bodies hadn’t even been recovered, leaving him unable to see his daughter one last time.

Gu Feiyan’s coffin, made entirely of misty spiritual stones, was an empty cenotaph. As for Qin Gou, who always kept his belongings in his spatial ring, even creating a cenotaph for him had been a struggle. In the end, Chen Keshua had to scrounge up a few of Qin Gou’s used cups and chopsticks to place in the coffin.

—

Elder Yuan Zhen, standing on a spirit boat, held a jade slip high in the air. His voice was filled with sorrow and anger as he recited the eulogy.

“Members of the Seed Demon Holy Sect, today we gather with heavy hearts to mourn two outstanding individuals: Gu Feiyan and Qin Gou.”

“Gu Feiyan, our respected and beloved Third Miss, was a kind-hearted, intelligent, and endearing young woman. Qin Gou, always approachable and helpful, was a young man of great promise. Little did we know that he was secretly the sect’s top seed, a hidden treasure and guiding light for our future!”

“Gu Feiyan, from a young age, displayed extraordinary talent. Her life-bound spiritual tool, the Piercing Illusion Eyes, was a rarity in the world. Yet she never used her gifts to bully others. She always protected her peers and frequently sparred with fellow disciples to strengthen bonds and improve combat skills. We remember you, our elegant and generous young lady.”

“Qin Gou, the top seed, joined the sect only a few months ago. Tirelessly dedicating himself to studying the sect’s secret techniques, he also fostered warm relationships with his fellow new disciples in Konglan Valley. His vast knowledge and bold personality earned him the nickname ‘Master Qin’ among his peers. Truly, he was a rare and noble gentleman.”

“Farewell, Gu Feiyan. Farewell, Qin Gou.”

“The spirits of these two remarkable youths will live on forever, their legacy woven into every corner of the sect.”

—

The massive crowd in the plaza was eerily silent, the only sound a pin could drop. Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry shattered the quiet, drawing all eyes to its source.

“Third Sister!”

“My dear Third Sister!”

Gu Yinjiao pounded his chest and stomped his feet, wailing in anguish. “Second Brother misses you so much! I should never have competed with you for the Young Master position. If I hadn’t, none of this would’ve happened. I hate myself! Third Sister, I wish I could see you one last time!”

The crowd was deeply moved. The Second Young Master was truly a man of great loyalty, his bond with his sister unbreakable.

—

Ignoring all attempts to stop him, Gu Yinjiao rushed to Gu Feiyan’s coffin, kneeling beside it. He pressed his forehead against the lid, sobbing uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, at the back of the crowd, a man and a woman were making their way toward the center. Everyone who saw their faces froze in shock, as if turned to stone, before quickly parting to make way, as if avoiding venomous snakes.

Gu Feiyan and Qin Gou stood behind Gu Yinjiao. Gu Feiyan reached out and patted his shoulder.

Gu Yinjiao flinched, shouting, “Leave me alone! I need time alone with my Third Sister!”

Gu Feiyan chuckled, her voice clear and melodious like pearls falling onto a jade plate. “Here we are, brother!”

—

“What?” Gu Yinjiao’s entire body stiffened as if struck by lightning. Trembling, he turned around to see Gu Feiyan’s radiant, smiling face. His lips quivered as he stammered, “This… this can’t be. Is heaven pitying me? It’s as if I’m really seeing my Third Sister again. But why is that bastard Qin Gou here too…?”

—

“Little Yan!”

From above, Gu Jinghong shot down like an arrow, moving faster than the eye could follow. He embraced his daughter tightly, tears streaming down his face. “My precious girl!”

Seeing her usually stoic and towering father cry so openly, Gu Feiyan couldn’t help but tear up as well. Resting her head on his chest, she said softly, “Father, don’t be sad. I’m fine. I was just delayed in the Mystic Realm. And I didn’t fail—I’ve obtained the true inheritance of Forgotten Self.”

“Is that true?!” Gu Jinghong’s eyes lit up with joy.

Gu Feiyan retrieved the Dao Breaker Technique jade slip from her spatial ring and presented it to her father.

Holding the jade slip, Gu Jinghong gently stroked his daughter’s head, his voice warm. “Good girl. My good girl.”

Gu Feiyan’s eyes glistened with tears, her cheeks flushing slightly. “It’s all thanks to Qin Gou. Without him, I couldn’t have obtained the inheritance on my own.”

As for the details of how she obtained it… well, those were better left unsaid.

—

Turning to Qin Gou, Gu Jinghong’s expression was one of deep gratitude. “Qin Gou, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you! Not only did you bring Little Yan back safely, but you also helped her obtain Forgotten Self’s inheritance. I owe you my thanks.”

Qin Gou shrugged with a faint smile. “I just did what I could.” Like being dragged by the collar and kissed mid-sob.

—

Meanwhile, Gu Yinjiao was still in shock, his finger trembling as he pointed at Qin Gou. “This… this is impossible! How are you still alive? In the Reincarnation World, Lord Cthulhu himself said you were dead… Oh no! I’ve let it slip! I just revealed the secret of the Reincarnation World in front of everyone!”

He remembered Shen Tianyin’s grave warning: anyone who exposed the Reincarnation World’s secrets would face immediate divine punishment from Lord Cthulhu, their soul obliterated beyond salvation.

—

Panic overtook Gu Yinjiao. His face turned deathly pale as he scrambled toward Gu Jinghong, clutching his father’s legs in terror. “Father! Please save me! Someone’s trying to kill me! It’s all Qin Gou’s fault—he tricked me into saying something I shouldn’t have!”

—

Gu Jinghong, now on high alert, surrounded himself and those nearby with a protective barrier of spiritual energy. But after an entire cup of tea’s time, nothing happened.

—

Furious, Gu Jinghong kicked his second son to the ground, sending him rolling. “You disgrace! How dare you insult your sister’s savior in front of everyone and make a fool of me?!”

—