Chapter 329 328: My Father, You Are the Only One

"What's going on? How did she just disappear...?"

Yang Xiao was completely bewildered by Xue Yi's sudden disappearance.

And he was worried.

'This won't do. I have to go find her.'

Instinctively, Yang Xiao started to leave and search for Xue Yi.

But he stopped after taking only a single step.

'Where would I even look? Damn it. Rewinding time lets me see what happened, but it doesn't reveal anything more. If I find out who's behind this...!'

Yang Xiao was furious.

But he also knew that for someone to silently take Xue Yi away from right under his nose, their power must be immense. Otherwise, he would have surely sensed something, even while comprehending the Heart of Time.

An existence like that...

'Even if I did find them, what could I do?'

'It would just be humiliating myself.'

Besides...

'From the way they acted, it doesn't seem like they meant any harm to me or Xue Yi. Otherwise, with their level of power, killing me would have been easy.'

But they didn't.

Clearly...

'There must be some other reason.'

However, no matter the reason...

...this incident proved one thing.

'I'm still too weak. If I were powerful enough, how could something like this have ever happened?'

Anger welled up inside him.

Ultimately, it dissolved into a soft sigh.

'Forget it. I'll focus on other things for now.'

At the same time, Yang Xiao made a silent vow to cultivate faster and grow stronger.

Something like this...

...he never wanted to experience it a second time.

'I should head back to the Carefree Sect first.'

After standing quietly for a moment, Yang Xiao sighed.

He planned to return to the Carefree Sect, as his father was still waiting for him there.

He also had some questions he wanted to ask.

If not for what happened to Xue Yi, Yang Xiao would have returned long ago.

'So many days have passed. Father must be worried sick.'

With that thought, Yang Xiao's figure vanished in an instant.

When he reappeared...

...he was hovering in the sky above the Carefree Sect.

"The Young Master is back!"

"It really is the Young Master!"

The sharp-eyed disciples guarding the Carefree Sect spotted Yang Xiao the moment he appeared.

They all began to shout in excitement.

A moment later, Yang Xiao saw Yang Zhentian rush out from the Sect Leader's main courtyard, his face etched with tension and his eyes full of worry.

He only sighed in relief when he saw that Yang Xiao was unharmed.

"Father, I've made you worry."

In a flash, Yang Xiao appeared at Yang Zhentian's side.

Yang Zhentian didn't speak, just patted his shoulder.

"As long as you're back, that's all that matters. By the way, why didn't Yun'Er return with you?"

Yang Zhentian looked puzzled.

"Don't worry, Father. Yun'Er has gone to train in another place with Nangong Tianling—the True God Level powerhouse we met. It's a wonderful opportunity for her. If you wish to see her, I'll bring her back for a visit in the future."

Yang Xiao smiled faintly.

But he noticed his father, Yang Zhentian, had a somewhat unnatural expression.

Especially when he heard the name Nangong Tianling.

After a moment of thought, he understood why.

Looking at Yang Zhentian, Yang Xiao said earnestly, "Father, no matter what, you are my father. My only father."

Yang Zhentian trembled upon hearing this.

Tears welled up in his fierce eyes.

But he waved his hand dismissively.

"No. Now that you know, it's not right for me to keep pretending to be your father. And... they've come for you. With your status, your bloodline... you shouldn't have a lowly father like me. In the future... perhaps you shouldn't call me 'Father' anymore..."

Seeing Yang Zhentian in this state...

...Yang Xiao's heart ached for him for some reason.

This person, the one closest to him...

...was so foolish.

He only ever thought of what was best for his son.

He didn't realize how perfect and wonderful he was in Yang Xiao's eyes.

So, without another word, Yang Xiao pulled Yang Zhentian into a hug and said with unwavering resolve, "I don't care whose blood flows through my veins. I only know one thing: my surname is Yang, and my name is Yang Xiao. I have no other identity."

At these words...

...Yang Zhentian wept.

This tough, resolute man had now cried for the second time in just a few short days.

And both times, it was because of Yang Xiao.

The only difference was that the first time, his tears were from anxiety, fear, and worry.

This time, they were of warmth and relief, mixed with a hint of guilt.

He felt guilty because, on a whim, he had taken this chosen one—the child entrusted to him by that breathtakingly beautiful, Divine Maiden-like woman—and raised him as his own son.

He had even given him the surname Yang.

And chosen his name.

Yang Zhentian felt he had been so presumptuous.

It even felt immoral.

It was just that...

...he could never forget her stunningly beautiful silhouette. Even knowing they could never have any connection beyond Yang Xiao, he couldn't stop himself from indulging in wistful fantasies.

That was why he had done something so absurd.

Forcing a connection with that Divine Maiden from the highest heavens.

Now...

...the dream was over.

But he had also truly fulfilled his responsibilities as a father—perhaps even better than any biological father in the world could have.

But the more Yang Xiao insisted...

...the more uneasy Yang Zhentian felt.

He felt as if he had dishonored Yang Xiao's mother.

The woman who, in his heart, was more beautiful than any Divine Maiden.

"I'm... gratified that you feel that way. How about this: from now on, call me 'Adoptive Father.' That way, people won't get the wrong idea about your mother."

Yang Zhentian said after composing himself.

Yang Xiao, however, frowned.

But before he could say anything, Yang Zhentian cut in.

"Enough. Say no more. I'm truly only worthy of being your adoptive father. By the way, this is Xuan Tianxin's Storage Ring. You killed him but didn't take it, and Cheng Boxuan gave it to me. As you know, I have no use for this stuff, so it's better you have it. Perhaps you'll find something useful inside."

After speaking, Yang Zhentian forced a smile, patted Yang Xiao's shoulder, and left.

In Yang Xiao's heart...

...a fresh wave of sorrow washed over him.

But just as he'd said, it didn't matter who his biological parents were. The only person who had ever felt like a father to him was Yang Zhentian.

Even the father he'd had in his past life as the Flame Emperor of the Human Race couldn't compare to the care and affection Yang Zhentian had given him.

So, even without a blood connection—even if one could say they were complete strangers—Yang Xiao still saw him as his father. His only father.

With that thought, Yang Xiao felt much more at ease.

His gaze then fell upon the Storage Ring in his hand. Having already obtained the Northern Wilderness Sword Mansion, he wasn't particularly interested in Xuan Tianxin's Storage Ring.

But as he casually swept his consciousness over it, Yang Xiao's expression changed.

Because inside...

...was something connected to him.

A painting.