"They might target Yu Er, and it’s also possible that they could harm you..." "Now that Yu Er has disappeared, I fear losing you too..." The woman said coldly, "Is staying in Qingzhou City really safe?" The man insisted, "Qingzhou City is within the Qian Xue State Boundary, our ancestors have set up Formations here. The Heavenly Secret is clear and bright, but once you leave Qingzhou City, the Heavenly Secret becomes a piece of Chaos, and anything could happen..." The man’s expression was extremely grave. There are great horrors in the Cultivation World. Some truly fearsome Cultivators comprehend the Great Dao, possessing many unpredictable, heaven-defying methods. There are even those who would set up intricate schemes to cultivate Taoist Demons. The closer one gets to the pinnacle of Tao Cultivation, the more one understands the reality of this world, the more terrifying they find the nature of humanity. "So what?" The woman replied indifferently, "You want me to hide in this city, to forget about my child..." "Wan’er, do not interfere..." The man spoke gently and nearly begged, "This matter... the cause and effect are too significant..." And too terrifying... The one who arranged Yu Er’s abduction was proficient in the mysteries of Heavenly Secrets, leaving no traces... The person who kidnapped Yu Er was enshrouded with an immense murderous intent in the web of cause and effect. This was not something an ordinary Cultivator could do. The Dao of Formation, Divine Sense Calculation, Heavenly Secret Cause and Effect... all of these are exceedingly profound and complex matters. Though Wan’er had studied Formations, she had only learned them to an average extent. Deemed a proud daughter of heaven, she received accolades and admiration; this was merely the "good" of the mundane world... It was the "good" within man-made norms. She had no idea how truly profound the world’s real intricate Formations were, what profound Divine Sense was like at all. Those Formations that surpassed the understanding of ordinary Cultivators, the unpredictable laws of heaven that broke through ranks, the Great Dao unrestrained by human norms, just how deep and horrifying they could be... The woman in imperial garments didn’t understand these things. She just looked at her husband, her eyes shifting from anger to a deep sense of desolation. "Did you... already make preparations?" The man remained silent. "If..." The woman paused, holding back pain and enunciating each word, "Yu Er can’t be found, what do you plan to do?" The man dared not meet the woman’s eyes, looking away as he spoke softly, "Father’s idea is that we... have another one..." The woman’s complexion turned pale, her body shaking, her eyes filled with endless grief and hatred. She hated her husband, and she hated herself. "Shangguan Yi, your heart is truly ruthless!" The woman said with tears, "Fine! If you want another child, find some other woman to bear it!" "I, Wenren Wan, will only have Yu Er as my child in this life!" Discover exclusive content at Freewebnovel "Yu Er, he... was so good-natured, so kind, how could he possibly..." Yu Er’s smiling face emerged in the woman’s mind, her heart ached as if pricked by needles; suddenly, she shivered, as if deep within, she could feel that Yu Er was somewhere waiting for her... Her own child, waiting for her... The woman felt unbearable pain, she disregarded everything, turned, and left. "Wan’er, it’s too dangerous..." The man still wanted to stop her. The woman’s eyes were icy, "If you won’t go look for him, I will. If I can’t find him, I’ll search for a lifetime!" "Even if it means death, I want to be with Yu Er." "You just wait to be the Shangguan Family Head, find any woman... to bear you another child." After the woman spoke, her eyes filled with tears, she swept away, leaving the room. The man wanted to hold her back, but when he extended his hand, he grasped nothing. His complexion was pale, and he sighed. After a moment, a servant entered the room, saying respectfully, "Young Master, the Family Head requests your presence..." The man was distracted for a long while before responding weakly, "I understand..." He was the Shangguan Family’s Young Master, the next in line to be the Family Head. But he felt less like a "Master" and more like a "servant" trapped within difficult choices, unsure in the immense Noble Clan who exactly he was the "servant" of. Shangguan Yi deeply sighed and went to a study in the Gu Family residence. He stood respectfully for a while before he heard a deep voice from inside. "Come in." Shangguan Yi entered the room and greeted, "Father." The study was elegant and luxurious. Sitting in the center was a Cultivator with a profound presence and imposing dignity. His appearance was august, with slight graying at the temples and faint crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes but one could see he had been exceptionally handsome in his youth. This man was Shangguan Yi’s father and the true Family Head of the Shangguan Family—Shang Che. "In a few days, I shall be leaving. The matters here will be your responsibility," Shang Che said as he wrote something, his tone low and mild. "Yes," Shangguan Yi responded respectfully. Shang Che looked up at his son and said calmly, "You should not have married Wenren Wan." "She is too impulsive, acts rashly without thinking things through." "She’s a legitimate daughter after all; I don’t know what the Wenren Family taught her…" "Noble Clan daughters can be somewhat capricious before marriage, but once married, they represent the face of the Clan and must look after the Clan’s interests. They should actappropriately. Even if it’s hard, they must endure..." "Father..." Shangguan Yi raised his voice slightly, interrupting Shang Che. "Wan’er is... a good wife. Yu Er’s disappearance has left her extremely distraught. Her rudeness is understandable..." Shang Che looked at his son, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, and after a pause slowly said: "How’s Yu Er doing?" "We are still searching." Shang Che sighed, "Yu Er... he has a pure heart, he is a good child, but, he’s not cut out to be a good Family Head..." Shangguan Yi interjected, "Father, I only have Yu Er as my son."