Perfect: I am Shi An from Shicun, and I am Huang’s brother!

Chapter 454 Everyone’s reaction
While Shi An was in seclusion, on the other side, undercurrents were surging within the Heavenly God Academy, and the aftershocks of the Wind Clan's destruction were still quietly spreading.

"Have you heard? The Wind Clan... is truly gone. Their ancestral land has been transformed into a strange willow forest!"

A disciple of the academy, who had just returned from gathering news from the outside world, was pale-faced and his voice trembled uncontrollably as he whispered to his companion.

"Sigh~"

Upon hearing this, the companion gasped in shock: "Is Shi An really that terrifying? He can wipe out even the Changsheng Clan, which is under the jurisdiction of a Supreme Being, so easily?"

"It's more than terrifying! I heard he only used one move, and the ancestral land of the Wind Clan was..."

"Alas, Senior Yuan Qing has really bitten off more than he can chew this time, dragging the entire clan down with him!"

Another person chimed in, looking with lingering fear towards the direction of Shi An's secluded cave, where purple mist swirled, as if a colossal beast capable of devouring heaven and earth was lurking there.

"Shh! Quiet! Have you forgotten the Grand Elder's decree and... that person's decree?"

Someone hurriedly reminded them, their eyes filled with fear.

The fate of the Wind Clan served as a bloody warning, and no one dared to utter a single word about "bullying the weak" again.

The news spread secretly among the academy's disciples like a plague, causing a huge shock and panic.

Those who had previously looked down on or were hostile to the three thousand prodigies of Daozhou because of their powerful backgrounds now all restrained their arrogance and looked at the Ten-Crown King, the Immortal, Shi Yi and others with deep apprehension and even fear.

Shi An's ruthless methods and the immeasurable will of the Willow God behind him made everyone understand the price of touching someone's sore spot.

However, this shock and panic could not completely obscure another profound emotion.

Huo Ling'er sat alone at the edge of the purple bamboo forest, gazing at the hazy sky in the distance, in the vague direction of the Primordial Ancient Mine beyond the Boundless Heaven.

The news brought by Shi An that Shi Hao might return was like a glimmer of light in the darkness, stirring up ripples in her lifeless heart.

But the news that followed, that he had been "suppressed in the ancient mine for ten years," was like a cold tide, almost extinguishing this glimmer of light completely.

Her fingertips unconsciously dug into the bluestone beneath her, leaving shallow scratches.

The emptiness and despair of a few days ago were no longer reflected in his eyes, but rather a mixture of endless worry, deep longing, and an intense, suppressed anxiety.

Taichu ancient mine!

That's a forbidden zone that even the Supreme Beings fear!

Hao... how is he doing inside?

That old scoundrel Yuan Qing...

The Wind Clan... well done!
But this did not alleviate her anxiety about Shi Hao's situation in the slightest.

Although Shi An said he was lucky and would definitely come back.

Ten years... a full ten years!

In that place, every minute and every second was torture. Huo Ling'er wished she could rush to the ancient mine immediately, even if it meant being shattered to pieces, to find him!

Yunxi quietly walked to Huo Ling'er's side, gently sat down, and took her cold and slightly trembling hand in hers.

She didn't speak, but simply stayed quietly by her side, trying to ease her anxiety.

Although she was also a little worried about Shi Hao, after all, he was her younger brother.

But she understood even more clearly that what was needed at this moment was calmness and waiting, because given how much Shi An valued Shi Hao, he would never sit idly by if Shi Hao were truly in danger.

Now that he has gone into seclusion, he must be preparing for something, whether it is to recover his strength or to seek a solution.

She believed in him! So now all she could do was comfort Huo Ling'er and work hard to cultivate herself so that she could become an asset rather than a burden in the storms to come.

"Ling'er!"

After a long silence, Yunxi spoke slowly, her voice gentle yet powerful: "Since Brother An said that Xiao Hao is safe and sound, we should believe him."

"We both know Xiao Hao's abilities. He's even ventured out of the alien realm. The Primordial Ancient Mine... it probably won't hold him for long!"

"I know·······"

Huo Ling'er gripped Yun Xi's hand tightly, as if clinging to the only piece of driftwood: "I know he's strong... but I just... I'm just scared..."

"Sister Xiaoxi, I'm afraid I won't be able to wait for him..."

As she spoke, tears silently streamed down her cheeks; the "ten-year" deadline weighed on her heart like a boulder.

Behind the two, Qingyi stood quietly, without making a sound to disturb them.

She remained as serene and aloof as the moonlight, but deep within her clear, bright eyes churned complex emotions—worry, anger, and shock at Shi An's ruthless methods—all intertwined.

Not far away, the Ten-Crown King, the Immortal, Shi Yi, Cao Yusheng, Chang Gongyan, Qin Hao and others gathered together.

"Eighth brother..."

The ten-time crown emperor spoke in a deep voice, his imperial aura carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible heaviness.

"Although the Primordial Ancient Mine is a deadly place, it is also a place of opportunity."

Beside him, the immortal in white robes, his eyes deep and profound, said, "With Eighth Brother's talent and fortune, he might just be reborn from the ashes. We... should believe in him."

His bone flute twirled gently at his fingertips, flowing with an ethereal melody that seemed to soothe the hearts of the crowd.

Shi Yi's double pupils opened and closed, his cold gaze seemingly able to pierce through the void as he looked towards the direction of the ancient mine: "Even the blood moon and white bones of the alien realm could not bury him, what is a mere ancient mine worth mentioning!"

"We only need to hone our skills here, and wait for him to break through the barrier so we can go to the frontier together!"

His words were resolute, filled with absolute confidence in Shi Hao and a desire for the bloody battle to come.

Cao Yusheng, unusually serious, put away his playful demeanor and his chubby face became solemn: "That's right! That guy Huang is like a cockroach, incredibly tough!"

"What we need to do now is to focus on our cultivation so that when he comes out, we can go together and wipe out those bastards from that foreign land!"

He brandished his fist, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

Chang Gongyan silently wiped the ancient longbow in his hand, his knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

He didn't speak, but the determination contained in his silence was stronger than any words.

Shi Hao is his brother, and more importantly, his comrade-in-arms.

A little further away, the Lunar Jade Rabbit, holding the equally restless little Qilin, gazed with sympathy into the direction of Huo Ling'er, Yun Xi, and Qing Yi through its ruby-like eyes.

She gently stroked the little beast's smooth scales, pressing her cheek against the little Qilin's warm forehead, as if seeking comfort or giving it strength.

"Everything will be alright, right? He's so amazing... he always has been..."

She murmured softly, her voice low but carrying an unparalleled, almost obstinate conviction, which drifted away in the wind.

The wind in the purple bamboo forest, carrying the fresh scent of bamboo leaves and the slight stench of earth, brushed across the faces of the people, each different yet equally somber, carrying their deep longing and silent vows toward the unknown and perilous Primordial Mine.

They were all waiting, waiting for the boy struggling in dire straits to return, and also waiting for their unfathomable elder brother, Shi An, to end his seclusion and stir up the winds and clouds once again.

(End of this chapter)