At this moment, Ling Nan and Xiao Wen were nowhere to be found. After asking the Old Clan Leader, they learned that these two wouldnât return until mealtime, truly letting themselves go. Gu Qiaoqiao shook her head with amusement.
Upon hearing Gu Qiaoqiaoâs voice, Gu Muran had already welcomed her with joy.
He didnât know what Gu Qiaoqiao and the others were doing, but he knew Xiao Wen and Ling Nan had returned first. There were some things he should ask about, and some he shouldnât, but he was still worried in his heart.
Seeing Gu Qiaoqiao return safely, he finally felt a sense of relief.
Then he saw the imposing young man standing next to Gu Qiaoqiao. He knew that this must be Qiaoqiaoâs husband, Qin Yize, whom Xiao Wen mentioned. He didnât expect his sister to be married at such a young age.
Married to someone who is often away.
This silly girl, doesnât she know marrying such a person can make life tough?
But just from their appearance, these two truly look well-matched.
Yet, why does this man seem so imposing? Even though heâs restraining it, his aura is still strong. Just standing there, he exudes a natural authority.
Perhaps this is the temperament cultivated by years of leading troops.
Actually, by this time, the icy aura emanating from Qin Yize had diminished significantly.
Seeing Gu Muran in a daze, Gu Qiaoqiao smiled and introduced them, "Ah Ze, this is the child from Great Grandfatherâs brotherâs family I mentioned to you, who is to be called Elder Brother by age."
Then she looked at Gu Muran, "Elder Brother, this is my husband, Qin Yize."
Despite being of similar age, Qin Yize slightly curled his lips and spoke in a deep voice, "Elder Brother."
Gu Muran was stunned for a moment. He didnât expect this young man of similar age to truly call him Elder Brother. He wasnât a fool and immediately beamed with joy, though he felt it might undermine his authority as an elder brother. He coughed lightly, "Oh, so youâre Qin Yize. Iâve heard a lot about you."
Gu Qiaoqiao couldnât help but laugh at Gu Muranâs serious demeanor.
As expected, Xiao Wen and Ling Nan returned when it was time to eat.
They were informed of Qin Yize and Gu Qiaoqiaoâs arrival in the valley when they entered the village.
Even though she knew that with Qin Yize, Gu Qiaoqiao wouldnât be in danger, Xiao Wen still had some worries in her heart.
Now seeing Gu Qiaoqiao returned safely, she felt relieved, storming into the Clan Leaderâs house like a gust of wind.
It had only been a week since theyâd last seen each other.
Gu Qiaoqiao noticed Xiao Wen seemed tanned. When she mentioned this change to Xiao Wen, Xiao Wen was startled, realizing she hadnât looked in a mirror in the last couple of days and had indeed gotten tanned, which wasnât a good sign.
She playfully punched Ling Nan beside her, "Itâs all your fault. I got this tanned, and you didnât even warn me."
Ling Nan scratched his head in surprise, murmuring, "Sister Xiao Wen, I think you look the same as before."
"You..." Xiao Wen choked with frustration.
Gu Qiaoqiao chuckled softly.
Itâs nice to be with family.
In the afternoon, Gu Qiaoqiao quietly pulled Xiao Wen aside and showed her the stone.
Xiao Wen took the stone, examined it carefully, and Gu Qiaoqiao, observing Xiao Wenâs expression, confirmed that Xiao Wen seemed unaware of it.
As expected, Xiao Wen shook her head and whispered, "Iâve never seen a stone like this, nor heard anything about it."
Gu Qiaoqiao retrieved the stone.
At that time, both of them were sitting in the room they stayed in at Ling Nanâs house.
Xiao Wen furrowed her brow, searching her mind diligently but couldnât find any information about the stone.
Xiao Wen looked at Gu Qiaoqiao, "Qiaoqiao, I really donât know the origins of this stone, and Iâve never heard anyone mention it. Our Phoenix Clanâs legends also donât have any information about it."
Gu Qiaoqiao was a bit disappointed.
Before she could speak, Xiao Wen continued, "Since itâs something left by the Gu Family Ancestor, similar to the Mysterious Dragon Box, it certainly has value..."
At this point, Xiao Wenâs eyes widened in excitement, "Qiaoqiao, put this stone into the Mysterious Dragon Box."
Gu Qiaoqiaoâs eyes lit up, yes, what would happen if this stone was placed into the Mysterious Dragon Box?
How could she have forgotten this crucial idea?
Wasnât the Mysterious Dragon Box also left by the Gu Family Ancestor?
The bag was right at Gu Qiaoqiaoâs bedside. She quickly opened her backpack, took out the Mysterious Dragon Box, and carefully placed the stone inside.
When they placed the stone in, both instinctively held their breath, keeping their eyes glued to the stone inside the Mysterious Dragon Box. At that moment, the stone seemed like a peeled egg, somewhat resembling the fabled Luminous Pearl.
At that moment, it seemed even their hearts stopped.
Moments later, they both felt a bit disappointed.
As nothing changed.
The Mysterious Dragon Box remained the same, and so did the stone.
Perhaps these two objects have no connection whatsoever.
Could it be?
Gu Qiaoqiao reached out to retrieve the stone but was stunned in the next moment.
She couldnât move it.
At this moment, the stone seemed glued to the Mysterious Dragon Box.
Gu Qiaoqiao tried harder, her face turning slightly red, but the stone remained immovable, firmly adhering to the bottom of the Mysterious Dragon Box.
Xiao Wen also found it strange, reaching out to help Gu Qiaoqiao pry the stone from the Mysterious Dragon Box, but it didnât work. The stone was stuck at the bottom, motionless.
Initially, they thought of calling Ling Nan, but Gu Qiaoqiao reconsidered and decided against it.
Because neither the stone nor the Mysterious Dragon Box was coated with glue, and they werenât magnets.
Principally, these two objects couldnât possibly stick together, yet they were firmly attached now.
This phenomenon was inexplicable, even if Ling Nan came, he couldnât move it.
At this point, Gu Qiaoqiao noticed that the luminous sphere floating above seemed larger than usual. At this moment, it was hovering just above the stone, gently enveloping it with its glow.
Itâs hard to describe the feeling.
It was as if, a long time ago, this stone and the box were once together.
Gu Qiaoqiao shook her head.
She cast aside this notion from her mind.
She infused her fingers with spiritual energy again; this time, her strength was almost equivalent to Xiao Nanâs usual strength, but unfortunately, she still couldnât take the stone out of the Mysterious Dragon Box; Gu Qiaoqiao completely gave up.
Moreover, when she placed her fingers on the stone, the aura there seemed unusually pleasing.
Even though the inside of the stone was the same as she felt the past few days, unchanged.