manynovel 722. Unexpected Reunion
722. Unexpected Reunion
This aura was extremely faint. If Xiao Yan's soul power hadn't reached the early stage of the Heavenly Realm, giving him a very detailed perception of everything around him, he might have missed it.
The source of that aura was one of the women captured by the three Scorpion Demons!
Xiao Yan moved swiftly and immediately arrived in front of that person.
The woman appeared to be in her early twenties. Despite her haggard appearance and slightly disheveled clothes due to her imprisonment, and despite her strength being only around the Dou Ling level, her eyes were completely different from those of the other rescued individuals.
Although her eyes shone with the joy of rebirth, there was no hysterical ecstasy or exhaustion-like weakness; instead, there was a tenacious strength that she was trying her best to maintain.
When Xiao Yan appeared before her like a ghost, a hint of surprise flashed in her slightly wary eyes. But when she realized that the person was none other than Xiao Yan, who had rescued them, her wariness turned into gratitude.
The woman was slightly taken aback, but quickly recovered, bowing slightly to Xiao Yan with a respectful yet not servile expression of gratitude: "Thank you for saving my life, young master!"
The woman's composure made Xiao Yan scrutinize her more, and the moment their eyes met, the strange sense of familiarity he felt was confirmed!
This woman faintly exuded an aura belonging to her elder brother, Xiao Ding. This aura was peculiar; it wasn't a direct imprint of battle qi, but rather a unique scent lingering on clothing or skin after prolonged close contact. This sensation could only be perceived by a Heavenly Realm soul.
However, Xiao Yan was separated from his eldest and second eldest brothers during his childhood, and only briefly saw them again in the Black Corner Region. Therefore, Xiao Yan was not entirely certain.
Under Xiao Yan's unwavering, scrutinizing gaze, the woman's initial gratitude faded slightly, and she frowned a little. Xiao Yan was indeed her savior, but staring at her like that was far too abrupt. A vague worry crept into her heart that she might have just escaped one danger only to fall into the hands of another.
Just as the woman couldn't help but cough twice, wanting to speak up and remind him, Xiao Yan seemed to have suddenly received an answer, his gaze accurately landing on a silver bracelet on her slender wrist.
The silver ring had an antique design and didn't appear to be anything particularly valuable, but it was clearly something that had been worn for a long time. Furthermore, Xiao Yan discovered a clearly engraved character for "cauldron" on the surface of the ring!
I've seen this silver ring before!
Xiao Yan's mother passed away when he was very young, but she still left each of the three brothers a keepsake.
What was given to the young Xiao Yan at the time was the mysterious ring that would later house the soul of Yao Lao.
What was ultimately left to his eldest brother, Xiao Ding, was the silver ring his mother always wore, which was specially engraved with the character "鼎" (Ding). Xiao Yan vaguely remembered that his brother would occasionally take it out to polish it, and he, as a child, would sit by the table watching. That unique character—there was no doubt—it belonged to his eldest brother, Xiao Ding, on his silver ring!
"This silver ring," Xiao Yan's voice held a hint of urgency, "where did you get it from?"
The woman was taken aback by his sudden question, and subconsciously used her other hand to gently protect the silver ring on her wrist, as if afraid that Xiao Yan might have ill intentions and want to take it away.
"This silver ring was a gift from my husband. Is there anything wrong with it?"
"Husband? Your husband wouldn't happen to be named Xiao Ding, would he?"
"Yes... who are you?" Xiao Yan called out her husband's name so simply and directly, and the woman's eyes widened in surprise, her suspicion increasing rather than decreasing.
"I never expected to meet my sister-in-law under these circumstances. I am Xiao Yan, brother. You should have mentioned me to you before!" Xiao Yan's originally serious face softened instantly, and even a rare, gentle smile appeared on his lips.
The sudden joy of seeing his family instantly changed Xiao Yan's mood.
"Xiao Yan? But aren't you...? The news that came from the Pill Society said you've already..."
"It's a long story. I did experience some very dangerous moments at Danhui, but I managed to get through them safely in the end. I will explain this to my elder brother when I see him."
The Pill Gathering is, after all, a grand event renowned throughout the Central Plains, and the confrontation between the Spirit Clan and the Pill Tower is a rare clash of top-tier strength in recent years. News of what happened during that time could not possibly be kept secret. Now, Xiao Yan was not surprised that his sister-in-law thought he was dead.
"Are you really Xiao Yan?" The woman was still somewhat incredulous.
"Without a doubt, my eldest brother is Xiao Ding, my second brother is Xiao Li, and our father is Xiao Zhan. Originally, our Xiao family settled in Wutan City. Back then, because I was worried about the safety of my family, I sent them to the ancient clan. Now, it has been almost six or seven years."
At the mention of his family, Xiao Yan's tone softened once more. Having been away from home for so many years, the closer he got, the more excited he became. Finally, he would be able to see his two older brothers and father again!
Xiao Yan succinctly stated the key information, information that only a close relative could possibly know so clearly. Xiao Yan also believed that, given his elder brother's meticulous approach to things, this sister-in-law must also know about their family background. After verifying the information, there should be no doubt about her identity.
With Xiao Yan's detailed introduction, the woman's doubts and hesitations finally vanished. She was now completely certain: the man before her was indeed her husband Xiao Ding's third brother, whom he had mentioned countless times with pride, and whom she had broken down in tears the night she first heard of his death three years ago—Xiao Yan!
Xiao Yan's strength is indeed as powerful as her husband described, and everything about him will be different!
This realization shattered all her feigned composure, and the emotions she had suppressed for so long instantly became uncontrollable and erupted.
She disregarded all decorum, suddenly stepping forward and gripping Xiao Yan's arm tightly with both hands like iron clamps, her nails almost digging into his flesh. Even though she had been abducted by the three Scorpion Demons, she showed no sign of dejection, clearly still preparing for something.
Now, looking at Xiao Yan in front of her, she felt like she had found a lifeline.
Facing Xiao Yan now, and knowing his immense strength, she tilted her head back, tears welling uncontrollably in her eyes. Xiao Yan, seeing this, was momentarily at a loss for what to do.
But the woman before him, her voice trembling, uttered a sentence that immediately stirred all of Xiao Yan's emotions.
"Quick, quick, go save your older brother!"