I want to tread the heavens

The northern desert of the Old Lands is a dead land that even ferocious beasts are unwilling to linger in.

The daytime surface temperature of the sand dunes is hot enough to cook raw meat, while the nighttime chill can freeze blood into ice crystals. The sparse spiritual energy here exhibits a strange inertia, making it almost impossible for cultivators to absorb and refine. The sky is perpetually shrouded in a layer of grayish-yellow haze, filtering the light of the twin moons into a pale and icy hue.

Yue Rong—or rather, the illusory figure formed from the last vestige of his obsession—had been carrying Ling Xiao for three whole days, trekking through the desert.

No food, no water, no direction.

Only instinct.

The instinct to protect the young master, and the instinct to move towards the faint mountain shadows in the east.

On the first day, the phantom's feet were ground raw and bloody on the scorching sand. But he felt no pain, or rather, the sense of pain had vanished along with his "existence." He simply walked step by step, using his barely formed, translucent body to shield the infant in his arms from the harsh sunlight and howling sandstorms.

The next day, a sandstorm struck.

The towering yellow sand, like countless tiny blades, relentlessly slashed at the phantom's body. His form flickered in and out of existence amidst the sandstorm, as if it might disintegrate at any moment. But he simply held the infant in his arms tighter, arched his back, and used his last strength to create a fragile barrier.

After the sandstorm, the phantom's form faded by a third, becoming almost invisible.

But he kept walking.

On the third day at dusk, he finally reached the edge of the desert.

Ahead lay a sparse expanse of withered, yellow grass, and further on, low shrubs and a thin stream shimmering in the afterglow of the setting sun. At the foot of the mountain on the opposite bank, the outline of a cluster of buildings could be vaguely seen—gray walls and black tiles, wisps of smoke rising from chimneys—a human settlement.

"arrive……"

The phantom muttered to itself, its voice as faint as a candle flickering in the wind.

He looked down at Ling Xiao in his arms.

For the past three days, the baby has slept most of the time, only letting out a faint cry when extremely thirsty. But each cry doesn't last long, because the jade pendant around its neck always emits a warm glow at just the right moment, as if soothing and nourishing it.

At this moment, Ling Xiao was staring at the blurry, unreal face with his eyes open.

Those pure eyes reflected the fading phantom figure and the pale, waning sun on the horizon.

The phantom tried to smile, but found that it could no longer make an expression.

He could only carry the baby and stagger towards the stream.

The stream was shallow and murky, carrying the salty smell unique to the desert.

But for an infant who had trekked through the desert for three days, it was a life-saving spring.

The illusory figure knelt by the stream, scooped up a handful of water with trembling hands, and carefully brought it to Ling Xiao's lips.

The baby instinctively began to suck, even though it could only drink a few drops at a time.

Just then—

"Waaah—"

A deep, guttural roar came from behind the bushes.

The phantom suddenly looked up.

Three desert hyenas emerged from the shadows, slowly approaching in a triangular formation. These beasts were not large, but they were exceptionally ferocious, with foul-smelling saliva dripping from their mouths, and their scarlet eyes fixed on the unseen figure—no, on the infant in his arms.

In this land of depleted spiritual energy, anything containing spiritual energy is a scarce resource.

Even though Ling Xiao's bloodline was sealed and he was just an infant, the blood flowing within him was still that of Starfall and Devourer of Heaven. That faint yet pure spiritual energy fluctuation originating from the very source of life was like a beacon in the darkness for the desert hyenas.

The phantom slowly stood up and gently placed Ling Xiao on the sand behind him.

Then he turned to face the three-headed beast.

They had no weapons, no cultivation, and not even a complete body.

There was only a wisp of obsession and a pair of semi-transparent hands.

"roar--!"

The lead hyena pounced first, its fangs aimed straight for the phantom's throat.

The phantom did not dodge.

Because he couldn't hide—Ling Xiao was right behind him.

He simply raised his hand to meet that gaping, blood-red maw.

laugh--!

The hyena's teeth pierced through the phantom's palm, but it felt like biting into thin air, with no force whatsoever. Meanwhile, the phantom's other hand shot out like a ghost, its five fingers joined together, using its hand as a knife to precisely stab into the hyena's left eye.

There was no blood splattering.

Because the phantom's hand is semi-transparent, and because this attack did not use power, but rather a trace of residual pressure from the level of "existence".

"Awooo—!"

The hyena let out a mournful howl, staggered backward, and its left eye became a dark, bloody hole.

The other two hyenas were stunned by this bizarre counterattack and dared not move forward for a moment.

The illusory figure stood still, its form fading even further.

That last attack had depleted his already dwindling "existence." He knew he could only unleash one more attack at most before he would completely dissipate.

But one strike cannot kill three hyenas.

What should I do?

Just as the phantom was preparing for a desperate last stand—

"call out!"

The sound of something cutting through the air rang out.

A short, black arrow shot from a distance and pierced the neck of the second hyena with pinpoint accuracy.

The arrow was coated with a deadly poison. The hyena didn't even have time to scream before it convulsed, collapsed, and died, foaming at the mouth.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two more arrows were fired, and the third hyena was also killed.

The phantom suddenly turned its head to look in the direction from which the arrow had been shot.

On the other side of the stream, a group of more than ten people were rapidly approaching.

Leading the group was an old woman holding a snake-headed staff, dressed in a dark blue linen dress, with white hair, a gaunt face, and sharp, eagle-like eyes. Behind her followed seven or eight strong men, armed with knives and bows, dressed simply but moving with discipline, clearly well-trained.

The old woman's gaze swept over the three hyena corpses on the ground, finally settling on the phantom.

To be precise, it landed on the baby on the sand behind the phantom.

When her gaze fell upon the jade pendant around the baby's neck, her pupils contracted slightly.

"Who are you? Why are you here in this desolate place with a baby?"

The old woman spoke, her voice hoarse yet carrying an undeniable authority.

The phantom opened its mouth, but found itself unable to speak.

It's not that I don't want to say it, but that I don't know how to say it.

who am I?

where am i from?

Why should I protect this child?

he does not know.

Memories are blank; only instinct screams: Protect him! Protect him at all costs!

"Madam, this person looks strange," a man whispered to the old woman. "His form is ethereal, neither quite a spirit nor quite a human... Could he be an evil spirit wandering in the desert?"

The old woman did not answer, but instead leaned on her snake-head cane and slowly walked to the stream.

She crouched down and carefully examined Ling Xiao on the sand.

The baby seemed to sense something, opened its eyes, and looked at the old woman.

Her pure eyes reflected the old woman's aged yet still sharp face.

The old woman's heart trembled slightly.

She was 170 years old, and had seen too many people and too many things. But those eyes... were too clear, so clear that they didn't seem like something that should exist in this filthy world.

Moreover, the aura emanating from this baby...

The old woman reached out, wanting to touch the jade pendant around Ling Xiao's neck.

"Buzz—"

The jade pendant suddenly vibrated and emitted a soft buzzing sound.

The old woman's hand froze in mid-air.

She sensed a faint yet incredibly pure stellar power emanating from the jade pendant. The power was so faint that it was almost imperceptible, but its level was extremely high, so high that even she, a "master" in the late stage of Foundation Establishment in the Old Earth Realm, felt an urge to prostrate herself in worship.

"This is……"

A look of surprise and uncertainty flashed in the old woman's eyes.

She withdrew her hand, stood up again, and looked at the illusory figure:

"I am Guo Yun, the third elder of the Guo family of the old land. If you still have any sense, please give me an explanation. If it is truly the work of evil spirits..."

She lightly tapped the ground with her snake-headed staff:

"Although my cultivation is shallow, I cannot tolerate evil things harming people."

The phantom remained silent.

He simply turned around slowly, picked Ling Xiao up again, and then bowed deeply to Guo Yun.

Without words, the plea, entrustment, and deep-seated protectiveness in his gesture were clearly conveyed.

Guo Yun looked at the bow and remained silent for a long time.

She could sense that the phantom was on the verge of disintegration. What sustained its existence was not evil power, but an almost tragic obsession.

And that baby...

Guo Yun's gaze fell once again on the jade pendant around Ling Xiao's neck.

"Although the Guo family has declined, it is still one of the three major cultivation families in the old land, and it still has the ability to protect an infant."

She spoke slowly:

"If you trust me, please come back to the Guo family with me. I can take in this baby for the time being."

The phantom raised its head, and a look of relief seemed to appear on its blurry face.

Then he bowed again.

This time, the bow was even deeper.

The Guo family is located in Qing Shi Town, on the northern edge of the old land, and is the only cultivation family within a radius of three hundred miles.

Although it's called a cultivation family, it has long since declined. The entire family consists of over three hundred people, with the highest-ranking patriarch only at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, and the three elders all at the late Foundation Establishment stage. In the vast star field, such cultivation wouldn't even qualify them as ants, but in this depleted spiritual land, they are already a powerful force.

The Guo family residence is divided into inner and outer courtyards.

The inner courtyard is the residence of the direct descendants and core members, where the spiritual energy is relatively abundant—though only relatively speaking. The outer courtyard is where servants, guards, and independent cultivators affiliated with the Guo family live; the conditions are simple, and it's a mixed bag.

Guo Yun led the phantom and Ling Xiao back to a secluded courtyard on the east side of the outer courtyard.

The courtyard was very simple, consisting of three mud houses and a yard with a dry well and a half-dead old locust tree. But it was quiet and rarely visited.

"From this day forward, the two of you will reside here temporarily."

Guo Yun pointed to the main house:

"I will have someone bring food and water daily. As for this baby..."

She looked at Ling Xiao, who was fast asleep in the illusory figure's arms:

"I will announce to the public that he is my long-lost grandson, orphaned at a young age, who has now been found. Do you have any objections?"

The phantom shook its head.

"As for you..." Guo Yun examined the almost vanishing figure, "In your current state, you won't last more than a few days. Is there anything you haven't finished?"

The phantom remained silent for a moment, then raised its trembling hand, pointed at Ling Xiao, and then at its own heart.

Guo Yun understood.

"Rest assured, I have promised to protect him, and I will not go back on my word. As long as I live, I will ensure his safety."

The phantom bowed again, and then its form began to fluctuate violently.

He knew his time was up.

Finally, he looked down at Ling Xiao in his arms, a gentle smile appearing on his blurred face.

The smile was faint and gentle, yet it seemed to have exhausted his last bit of strength.

Then, he leaned down and gently kissed Ling Xiao's forehead.

Like a father kissing his child goodbye, like an elder brother kissing his younger brother goodbye, like... a guardian kissing the faith he swore to protect to the death.

After the kiss, the illusory figure straightened up and bowed deeply to Guo Yun.

Three bows.

He bowed deeply to express his gratitude for being saved.

Bowing twice in gratitude for the promise of protection.

Three bows, in gratitude... for everything that may come in the future.

After the ceremony, the illusory figure began to dissipate.

Starting from the feet, they transformed into specks of silver light, like fireflies drifting in the wind, scattering in the air.

In the final moment before it completely vanished, the phantom's lips moved as if it wanted to say something, but ultimately no sound came out.

Only the shape of the mouth is vaguely discernible:

"Young...Master..."

"I want... happiness..."

The silver light completely dissipated.

In the small courtyard, only Guo Yun remained, along with the baby in her arms who had suddenly woken up and started crying loudly.

Guo Yun stood in the courtyard, holding the baby, and remained silent for a long time.

Then, she looked down at Ling Xiao, whose face was red from crying, and sighed softly:

"Poor child..."

"From this day forward, you will be called 'Guo Xiao,' and you are my grandson, Guo Yun."

"And you..."

Her gaze fell on the warm, smooth jade pendant around the baby's neck:

The name "Ling Xiao" was mentioned.

"The character 'Ling' on this jade pendant may be your true surname."

"When you grow up, if you have the chance, you may be able to find your roots again."

The baby seemed to understand, and its crying gradually stopped. It just stared at Guo Yun with its pure eyes.

Guo Yun smiled, her wrinkles smoothing out, revealing a somewhat kind expression.

Three days later, a newcomer arrived at the outer courtyard of the Guo family.

He was a man who looked to be in his early thirties. He was tall and strong with a resolute face, but his complexion was pale, his breathing was weak, and he walked with an unsteady gait, clearly indicating that he was injured.

He called himself "Guo Rong," a martial artist who had fled from the northern border. His family was wiped out by his enemies, and he had wandered here alone, hoping to find a place to settle down and make a living.

The steward of the Guo family's outer courtyard originally did not want to take him in—an outsider of unknown origin, and a mortal without any cultivation, keeping him would be a waste of food.

But the Third Elder, Guo Yun, spoke up personally:

"This person has clear eyes and a steady, albeit unsteady, gait; he must have practiced martial arts. The outer courtyard is short of guards, so let's keep him as a low-ranking steward to watch over the warehouse."

When the Third Elder speaks, the steward naturally dares not disobey.

So Guo Rong settled down in the outer courtyard of the Guo family home.

He was assigned to a storage room next to the secluded courtyard on the east side. The room was small, containing only a wooden bed and a broken table. His daily work was to guard the storage warehouse in the northwest corner of the outer courtyard to prevent theft, and to sweep the yard and do other chores.

It was a very humble and difficult experience.

But for someone who has "died" once, this is a new life.

Guo Rong doesn't remember who he is, where he came from, or anything from his past.

He only remembered two things:

First, we must protect the baby living in the neighboring courtyard.

Second, that baby's name is Ling Xiao.

Everything else is unimportant.

Every morning before dawn, Guo Rong would get up and practice a set of boxing techniques in the courtyard.

The boxing technique was quite ordinary, the most widely circulated "basic body-strengthening boxing" in the old days, good for improving health but useless for fighting enemies. But Guo Rong fought very seriously, every punch and every step was meticulous, as if this boxing technique was some kind of peerless divine skill.

After finishing his boxing match, he would go to the small courtyard next door, take Ling Xiao from the nanny arranged by Guo Yun, carry him around the courtyard, bask in the sun, and whisper words that no one could understand.

In the afternoon, he went to the warehouse to stand guard, clean the yard, and do other odd jobs.

That evening, he returned to the storeroom and polished a broken knife under the oil lamp.

The knife was found in a corner of the warehouse, an old item abandoned by someone. The blade was broken in half, leaving only one piece, covered in rust. But Guo Rong cleaned it very carefully, as if it were not a piece of scrap metal, but some rare treasure.

After wiping the knife, he would sit on the edge of the bed, looking at the two moons outside the window, and would sit there until midnight.

No one knows what he's thinking.

Even he himself didn't know.

Only occasionally, in the bright moonlight, would fragmented images flash through his mind—

Purple lightning, silver starlight, a gentle smiling face, a mournful roar...

But every time I try to think about it, my head throbs with pain, as if countless steel needles are churning inside my skull.

So he stopped thinking about it.

She simply stayed by the baby's side, day after day.

A month later, Ling Xiao turned one month old.

Guo Yun held a simple banquet in the courtyard, inviting only a few familiar elders and disciples from the inner courtyard. It was a low-key and warm affair.

At the banquet, Ling Xiao was passed around among everyone, some hugging him, others playing with him. The little guy wasn't shy at all, his innocent eyes curiously observing every stranger, occasionally flashing a toothless smile that melted everyone's hearts.

Only Guo Rong stood silently in the corner of the courtyard, watching.

When someone hugs and teases Ling Xiao, his body involuntarily tenses up, his fists clench, as if he is ready to rush forward at any moment.

Only when Ling Xiao was safely returned to the nanny did he slowly loosen his fist, but his gaze remained fixed on her.

Guo Yun saw all of this.

After the banquet, Guo Yun called Guo Rong to the study.

"sit."

Guo Yun pointed to the chair opposite her.

Guo Rong sat down silently, his back straight, his hands on his knees, in a standard military sitting posture—though he didn’t know why he was sitting like that.

"You've had a tough month," Guo Yun said slowly. "You've been busy with the work in the outer courtyard during the day, and you've also had to help take care of Xiao'er in the mornings and evenings."

"It's my duty," Guo Rong said in a hoarse voice.

"It's my duty?" Guo Yun smiled. "You and Xiao'er are not related, so what's this talk of 'my duty'?"

Guo Rong remained silent.

He didn't know how to answer.

Is it instinct? Is it obsession? Is it the instinct to protect someone even at the cost of amnesia, death, or the destruction of one's soul?

"Never mind, I won't ask any more questions."

Guo Yun waved her hand:

"There's just one thing I need to remind you of."

"Although the Guo family has declined, it is still a cultivation family. Within the family, there is a strict hierarchy and many rules. As an outsider and a mortal without cultivation, it will not be easy for you to establish yourself here for long."

"Guo Laosan, the steward of the outer courtyard, is from the clan leader's lineage and has always disliked me. You are someone I arranged to come here, and he will cause trouble for you sooner or later."

"You need to be prepared."

Guo Rong nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Madam."

"Furthermore..." Guo Yun paused, a deep meaning flashing in her eyes, "Xiao'er is no ordinary child."

"I have observed him carefully over the past month. Although he is just an infant, there is a faint flow of spiritual energy around him, weak yet incredibly pure. Moreover..."

She looked at Guo Rong:

"He's very close to you."

"He smiles every time you hug him. He sleeps especially soundly when you keep watch outside his house at night."

"Perhaps this is fate."

Guo Rong lowered his head, his hands trembling slightly.

Is it fate?

he does not know.

All he knew was that every time he saw that child, a strange, almost painful tenderness would well up in his heart.

It was as if that was his only attachment in this world.

The only meaning of life.

"Starting tomorrow, you won't need to go to the warehouse anymore."

Guo Yun suddenly said:

"I will tell the steward to transfer you to be Xiao'er's personal bodyguard. Your monthly allowance will be doubled, and all you need to do is stay by Xiao'er's side and protect him."

Guo Rong looked up abruptly, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes.

"What, you don't want to?" Guo Yun asked.

"I'm willing!" Guo Rong stood up, knelt on one knee, and said in a firm voice, "Guo Rong will protect my young master with his life!"

This was the first time in a month that he had referred to himself as "Guo Rong".

For the first time, this pseudonym was etched into my very being.

Guo Yun looked at his kneeling posture and the resolute determination in his eyes, and nodded inwardly.

Perhaps, this is fate.

This man, with a mysterious origin and no memory, yet possessing an almost instinctive protectiveness towards Xiao'er, may be Xiao'er's first true barrier in this filthy world.

Get up.

Guo Yun raised her hand:

"Remember the vows you make today."

"The Guo family may not be able to give you wealth and glory, but as long as I live, I will not mistreat you, nor will I allow anyone to lay a finger on Xiao'er."

As for the future...

She looked out the window, her gaze distant.

"Then it depends on the child's fate."

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

From the neighboring courtyard, the even breathing of a baby could be heard.