The Mysterious Elder and the War Beyond the Barrier

Su Xiaoxiao was still too young to truly comprehend much about Yunqing.

From the moment her memories began, she knew of several revered elders in their Ant-People tribe.

There was Yunxi, and then Elder Yunfa, who held the esteemed position of Empress of Shanghuatian. Elder Yunxian oversaw all matters of medicine and healing, while Elder Yunli instructed the young ant people in martial arts and cultivation.

Elder Yunxiang managed their daily lives and the cultivation of their tribe’s food.

Most mysterious of all was Elder Yunqing, who rarely showed her face, residing alone to guard the ancient divine tree that sustained all life. Her past remained largely unknown.

In contrast, the tales of the other elders were widely known. For instance, everyone spoke of Elder Yunfa’s valor during the last Immortal-Demon War.

Afterward, she married the Emperor, relocated to Shanghuatian, and gave birth to a daughter, who became the second dragon to grace this world.

Take Elder Yunli, for example. Ant people are inherently fearful of sharp blades, yet her magical artifact was a double-edged sword.

To avoid frightening the tribe’s younger members, she would never summon her weapon in their presence.

The Ant-People tribe was also adept in medicine, and Elder Yunxian’s medical prowess was legendary, his fame echoing across the Nine Provinces.

It was said that thousands of years ago, he occasionally ventured into the mortal world to practice his healing arts. However, having witnessed the pervasive hypocrisy and greed of humanity, his once gentle disposition had transformed into a fiery temper.

He subsequently returned to the Ant-People tribe, vowing never to leave its sanctuary again.

Elder Yunxiang, by contrast, was the epitome of warmth and approachability. She possessed an inexhaustible patience when attending to guests, her face perpetually graced with a gentle smile, her voice soft and reassuring.

Whenever the young ant people spoke to her, she would either squat or bend down, listening with utmost seriousness. It was to her that all tribe members, young and old, brought their concerns and questions.

Regarding Yunqing, however, their knowledge was sparse. They merely knew of her existence, a figure seen perhaps once every century.

Each time she graced them with her presence, Yunqing wore a mask, her neck shrouded by two layers of white gauze, and she spoke very few words.

All that was known of her history was that she had left the Ant-People tribe millennia ago, and upon her return, had devoted herself to solitary guardianship of the divine tree.

“Elder?” Su Xiaoxiao’s voice held a strange inflection, an unidentifiable, intangible quality.

Yet, it made Su Xiaoxiao acutely aware that Yunqing seemed to be enveloped in sadness.

Just then, the Little Golden Dragon let out a cooing sound from the cradle, effectively breaking the unspoken tension.

Yunqing seemed to snap back to reality, her voice tinged with apology. “I believe I was momentarily lost in thought.”

Su Xiaoxiao shook her head gently. Gathering the Little Golden Dragon into her arms, she composed herself once more, then set off with Yunqing toward the divine tree.

The divine tree, a gift from the Heavenly Dao to the Ant-People tribe, was truly colossal.

It stood majestically at the southernmost tip of the island, its roots intertwined with a network of streams and numerous small pools.

Among these, the ‘Pool of Life’ stood out, its waters exceptionally pure and clear, its spiritual energy the most abundant.

It was often said that the Little Golden Dragon was remarkably well-behaved and easy to raise.

As if sensing Su Xiaoxiao had matters to attend to, she nestled into her arms and drifted off to sleep during their journey.

Her tiny, pale hand clutched Su Xiaoxiao’s lapel, her cheeks soft and plush, making her resemble an adorable, round white dumpling.

Su Xiaoxiao’s heart melted at the endearing sight of the sleeping child.

Beside her, Yunqing’s palm condensed a ball of crimson light. With a graceful wave towards the towering divine tree, its branches and leaves seemed to awaken.

They shifted and intertwined, miraculously forming the perfect shape of a cradle.

“Elder, you’re truly incredible!” Su Xiaoxiao’s praise was utterly sincere.

She had never conceived that a Mermaid possessed the ability to command the divine tree in such a fashion.

Yunqing paused for a moment, then a faint blush crept onto her cheeks, a clear sign of shyness.

“Place the Little Golden Dragon here, and let them rest,” she instructed softly.

Yunqing then offered a gentle smile, explaining the miraculous sight before them to Su Xiaoxiao.

“Yunxiang and Yun Kong should have informed you that the divine tree is no ordinary plant,” she began. “It still affords me a certain level of respect.”

“Moreover, your Little Golden Dragon was born right here,” Yunqing added. “The divine tree, naturally, holds a great fondness for them.”

As Su Xiaoxiao gently settled the child into the makeshift cradle, Yunqing had already shed her outer robe.

With a fluid motion, she gracefully leaped, disappearing into the water below.

Her tail was a vibrant crimson. Among all the Mermaids Su Xiaoxiao had ever encountered, she had never witnessed a tail so breathtakingly beautiful.

It was a striking, rare shade of reddish-orange, like a brilliant gem, made even more captivating by the shimmering play of light on the water.

When Su Xiaoxiao plunged into the water, her tail, being smaller than Yunqing’s due to her youth and lesser cultivation, swished gently.

She didn’t hesitate to voice her admiration, speaking with genuine sincerity to Yunqing. “Elder, your tail is absolutely stunning! It’s the most beautiful one I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

Yunqing gracefully completed two laps in the water, then turned her head, a gentle smile playing on her lips.

“Is that so?” she mused. “It’s a shame you haven’t had the opportunity to see it, for your Yun family’s Elder possesses the most exquisite tail in the entire Mermaid tribe.”

The garments of the Mermaid tribe were fashioned from a unique material, designed to become as translucent and delicate as cicada wings once submerged in water.

Su Xiaoxiao’s gaze fell upon the intricate network of dense, crisscrossing scars adorning Yunqing’s arms.

Unable to tear her eyes away, she found herself staring for an additional moment.

Yunqing, sensing her scrutiny, lowered her head as well. She raised an arm, her voice soft as she inquired, “Are they terribly unsightly?”

“Of course not!!!” Su Xiaoxiao vehemently denied, her voice laced with urgency.

“That day, though I was wracked with agony, I never forgot that you, Elder, cut your arm and let your blood fall into the pool. Afterwards, I felt significantly better.”

Su Xiaoxiao, fearing her sincerity wasn’t fully conveyed, continued with a rush of words, as if worried Yunqing might feel disheartened.

“It’s difficult to articulate, but later the clan leader informed me that without your assistance, the Little Golden Dragon would not have been born so smoothly. How could I possibly believe that I…”

The more Su Xiaoxiao spoke, the more frantic she became, her voice even acquiring a slight tremor of tears due to the overwhelming surge of emotion.

“Elder, I truly…”

“Enough,” Yunqing interjected, swimming closer to Su Xiaoxiao.

She spoke in a soft, soothing whisper. “I was merely asking a question; why are you so terribly flustered?”

“Moreover, for those minor wounds, Yunqing had already prepared medicine and healed them for me that very day,” she continued.

“These particular scars, however, were left many years ago and have long since become indelible.”

Yunqing then added, “You are aware that this place is forbidden to ordinary Mermaids. I must have endured solitude for far too long, to the point where I’ve forgotten how to speak properly, causing you such undue alarm.”

With two emotionally sensitive and somewhat unstable individuals now side by side, every word was carefully chosen, each fearing to cause the other any discomfort.

Yunqing felt a profound connection with Su Xiaoxiao. This conversation by the divine tree prompted Yunqing to extend an invitation.

She had brought gifts to visit Su Xiaoxiao and now asked her to return with her, making Su Xiaoxiao feel truly welcomed.

She had heard from Yunxian that this young Mermaid, barely three hundred years old, had endured considerable hardship while adrift outside their tribe.

Not only had she become pregnant prematurely, but her spiritual meridians were also damaged and depleted. To fully heal them would undoubtedly require a very long time.

The area surrounding the divine tree was unlike any other part of the Mermaid tribe; its spiritual energy was exceptionally abundant and pure.

Yunqing had invited Su Xiaoxiao here for two main reasons: firstly, so she could absorb the revitalizing essence of the water, and secondly, to accelerate her physical recovery.

Su Xiaoxiao was not one for excessive chatter, and Yunqing shared a similar disposition.

Thus, the two conversed sporadically, their voices occasionally breaking the tranquility of the water.

Su Xiaoxiao submerged herself, then gracefully swam back to the surface, releasing a deep, contented breath.

Her spirits, too, seemed to lift with the action.

“I adore being in the water, yet Elder Yunxian absolutely forbids me from venturing into the sea, claiming it’s dangerous,” Su Xiaoxiao grumbled softly.

“Even though my spiritual energy is currently depleted, I am still a Mermaid raised in the South Sea. Could there truly be fierce beasts in those waters capable of harming me?”

Yunqing rarely concerned herself with the affairs of the Mermaid tribe.

Even the other tribe members refrained from sharing too much news of the outside world with her.

Their reluctance stemmed from two fears: first, that they might inadvertently speak of something unpleasant, stirring painful memories for Yunqing; and second, that they might disturb her cherished tranquility.

As Yunqing had no intention of ever leaving the Mermaid tribe, she even wore a mask during her infrequent appearances, a precaution for her safety.

As a result, Yunqing’s knowledge of current events was severely restricted.

She was entirely unaware that the Little Golden Dragon, born to Su Xiaoxiao, carried a lineage that was half-demon.

At the time, given the hurried circumstances, Yunqing hadn’t explicitly informed her, nor would Yunqing proactively inquire about such matters.

She only knew that the child had endured much suffering in the outside world, and her heart ached with sympathy, prompting her to volunteer her aid to the young Mermaid.

Unaware of the ill-fated entanglement between Su Xiaoxiao and Xiyue, Yunqing, prompted by Su Xiaoxiao’s curious query, recounted the meager news she had recently gleaned.

She stated calmly, “Because chaos has erupted beyond the barrier.”

Yunqing casually flicked her tail in the water, her tone unconcerned. “I’ve heard that the Immortals and Demons have already engaged in war.”

“Perhaps Yunxian and the others are wary of malevolent plots, which is why they’ve forbidden you from the sea. If you wish to swim later, you’re always welcome to join me here…”

Yunqing’s words abruptly ceased. She had noticed Su Xiaoxiao’s sudden, alarming change in demeanor.

Su Xiaoxiao’s body was visibly trembling, her tail coiled tightly, and her face was etched with undeniable fear. The defensive posture of her tail sent a ripple of panic through Yunqing as well.

“Xiaoxiao?” she questioned, her voice laced with concern.

“Elder, what did you just say?” Su Xiaoxiao’s voice was barely a whisper. “What’s happening outside?”

“The Immortal and Demon tribes have already commenced hostilities,” Yunqing explained, her voice now more serious.

“I’ve heard that both sides have sustained grievous casualties. Furthermore, it appears that Xiyue has entered the heavenly tribulation for her dragon transformation, and has recently gone missing, her fate entirely uncertain.”

Su Xiaoxiao’s complexion grew even more ashen, a change Yunqing couldn’t comprehend.

“She disappeared?” Su Xiaoxiao rasped, her voice barely audible.

Even Yunqing, with her limited worldly knowledge, understood that Su Xiaoxiao’s reaction was tied to the name Xiyue.

She then explained, “I’m actually not very clear about the specific reasons, but that day when Yunqing and Yunfa were discussing it, I happened to overhear a few sentences. Did… did I say something amiss?”