Under the guidance of attendants, guests began to enter.

An old man, who had changed into a new robe, looked spirited as he stood at the entrance welcoming each arriving guest with a smile and expressing his gratitude. Before long, he saw the young man standing before him.

"Huai Shi?" asked the old man.

The young man nodded and, looking up at the old man, asked with great insolence, "Yin Liangji?"

"Guests are to be cherished, please come inside." The old man raised his hand to stop the descendants behind him, who were eager to get angry, and merely smiled benignly at Huai Shi. "Later, our two families will reminisce."

"Good."

Huai Shi nodded and stepped inside, entering the venue, allowing the chilling sensation of Death Perception to engulf him.

By his side, the attendants seemed to shrink their heads under their necks, preferring to pretend they saw and heard nothing as they hurriedly led the way. But halfway there, they were stopped.

"No need to lead the way, he's sitting by me." A man named Yin Ya waved the attendants off and pointed to the seat beside him, asking the young man, "Would that be convenient?"

"It's right near the front row, couldn't ask for more."

Huai Shi agreed good-naturedly, pulling out a chair and taking a seat amid the strange gazes of the Yin family brothers and sisters at the table.

Yin Yan glanced at Huai Shi but decided to ignore him, continuing to fold a napkin in his hands. Some people looked cold, while others seemed to treat it as if they were about to watch a monkey show, full of scorn and contempt.

Unfazed, Huai Shi picked up a glass of red wine served by a waiter and, after taking a sip, nonchalantly asked in his usual bumpkin tone, "Can you mix in some 'happy water' for me?"

The waiter was startled but retreated a few steps into the corner after seeing Yin Ya wave his hand.

"Do you smoke?" Yin Ya asked.

"I'm underage," Huai Shi answered seriously and then took a cigarette from his hand. "Luckily, my teacher doesn't know."

Yin Ya was startled but couldn't help laughing before passing his lighter over.

On the stage, a star frequently seen on TV had already started singing. Amid the jubilant singing, all the underlying tension seemed to melt away, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

"I'm Little Qing's older brother," Yin Ya said, looking up at the performance onstage before continuing, "If you are willing to trust me, please stay seated here and finish this meal. I won't let anything happen to her."

At the dining table, the expressions of others changed, wanting to speak, but after a glance from him, no one dared to be reckless in front of the elder brother.

"Trust you? Why wouldn't I?" Seeing their discomfited faces, Huai Shi couldn't help wanting to laugh. "Considering your reputation, I'll trust you... But, are things really that simple?"

Yin Ya said nothing.

"Isn't it precisely because you're just her brother that so many things are beyond your control?" The young man asked indifferently. "Otherwise, it wouldn't have come to this, would it?"

Huai Shi didn't wait for an answer but told him bluntly, "I'm going to take Ai Qing away, today."

Amid the gentle song, Yin Ya remained silent for a long time, softly sighing.

The oppressive enmity from a Fourth Stage Sublimator fell upon him unabashedly.

"That makes you my enemy, Huai Shi."

"I know."

Huai Shi nodded calmly.

Yin Ya gave him one last look, warning, "If you mess around, you will die here today."

"I know that too," answered Huai Shi with a smile. "And besides, I may have gotten used to that sort of thing a long time ago."

The Sword of Virtue, leaning against the table, vibrated slightly, emitting a clear ringing from among the noise, as the crack on the sheath expanded, ready to unleash the sharpness contained within.

The song dwindled to a lingering echo.

The guests raised their hands, offering applause.

Soon, the applause ceased, and everyone's gaze settled on the old man who was slowly rising from his chair at the front.

"First of all, I would like to thank all friends and relatives for coming here to celebrate the birthday of this old man," said the smiling old man, waving to the guests. Amidst a jubilant atmosphere, his gaze inadvertently swept over Huai Shi, his smile still kind, as he added, "Here, I also have some good news to announce... but before that, I would like to introduce my most beloved great-granddaughter, Yin Qing."

Amidst applause, the old man turned back to look at the grand doors behind him.

As the doors opened, the teenage girl in a wheelchair was pushed forward by attendants, coming to the forefront for all to see.

Huai Shi looked up, his expression turning to one of slight astonishment.

There was no sign of the agony or emaciation one might expect. Her expression was as calm as ever, and she even seemed a little plumper. Her cheeks had a healthy glow, and when she lifted her face, she offered the guests a perfunctory smile.

Even just a hint of a smile was enough to capture everyone's attention.

There was a sickly beauty about her that evoked pity.

Not far away, Cui Jing was stunned, her eyes wide, tugging incessantly at her older brother's sleeve, yet she was lost for words… She had originally intended to belittle Ai Qing's looks to Cui Ping, but now that she had seen Ai Qing in person, she found herself speechless.

With a serene smile, she passed among the guests, nodding politely to each one.

As she passed by Huai Shi, her gaze did not linger, as if looking at a stranger. Huai Shi wanted to say something, but with one look from her, he was petrified, unable to utter a single word.

And so, she gradually moved away from him, heading towards the front, until at last she reached the side of her great-grandfather.

"I'm sorry for being a little late."

She apologized to the guests with ease and held up a small box the size of her palm. "I went to fetch a delivery—a gift for Grandfather."

Soon, in the hands of an attendant, the gift box was opened, and a dazzling light illuminated everyone's eyes.

In the center of the box, on a velvet cushion, lay a scintillating crystal the size of a pinkie joint.

The exquisite gemstone radiated a soft and warm light, while a faint hymn seemed to arise from the air, a pure and sacred melody that played in everyone's ears.

"Holy Grace?"

Someone had recognized the true nature of the gift, incredulous.

It was a precious treasure from Rome, a crystallization of faith believed to save lives—an expensive consumable whose value was not inferior to a High Stage Stigma. Simply wearing it close to the body was like having an extra life guaranteed, a true miracle gemstone.

After a moment of astonished silence, applause and blessings began to sound from the crowd.

Even the Grandfather was taken aback for a second before he smiled, patting Ai Qing's shoulder with satisfaction. "It seems my great-granddaughter has grown up, caring for her Grandfather."

Whether this was a submission or a part of a larger scheme by Ai Qing, he didn't mind at all.

As long as she felt even a slight sense of belonging to the family, that was enough.

Even if it was all an act—it didn't matter.

After all, isn't most of this world a performance?

"As long as Grandfather is happy."

Ai Qing smiled and raised her hand to remove the Silver Bracelet from her wrist.

Then, she stood up from her wheelchair and stood before her great-grandfather.

As the Silver Bracelet fell off, a Source Fluctuation emerged from her. She reached for the box of Holy Grace, the Power from her Soul enveloping the miracle-crystallized gemstone.

In the space between her fingers, the phantom outline of a handgun slowly appeared, pointing directly at the old man's face.

Yin Liangji's smile froze.

In the brief silence, Ai Qing thought for a moment, then said earnestly,

"—May Grandfather live a long and prosperous life."

She pulled the trigger.

POP!

A faint report.

The crystallization of faith turned into a bullet of Disaster, its burning radiance burst forth in a flash, effortlessly tearing through the defenses and obstacles before it.

Then, plasma spurted out, staining her palms and cheeks with red.

In the deathly silence, Yin Liangji fell backwards, no longer breathing.

Without a smile, the Teenage Girl lifted her face, her aquamarine eyes alight with resplendent flames, as she looked down upon those eyes shocked in death.

After seven long years of waiting, her Source Substance was finally liberated from its chains, revealing its true form.

—Soul · Eye of Liberation!

She was free.

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