Let the Frog at the Bottom of the Well Witness the True Dragon of the Nine Heavens — That Young Existence
Let the Frog at the Bottom of the Well Witness the True Dragon of the Nine Heavens — That Young Existence
The Shen Family was vast, occupying an immense stretch of land. Between its veiled mountain peaks, spiritual springs and waterfalls could be seen cascading down.
At this moment, within a rather tranquil courtyard.
A young man with very long hair, dressed in flowing robes, his features refined and natural, was bending over to water the flowers and plants before him.
He looked quite young, with regular features, appearing only in his twenties.
Though not the slightest ripple of magic emanated from his body, his every movement seemed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding mountains and landscape.
Numerous spirit birds alighted because of his actions, colorful butterflies fluttering about, settling upon the flowers and plants in the courtyard.
“Second Elder, there is no need to say more. When the time comes, I will naturally leave the Shen Family — but not now.”
The young man spoke with his back to the elderly man standing at the courtyard gate, his voice calm and natural, showing not the slightest change despite the person behind him being the Shen Family’s Second Elder.
His expression was earnest as he carefully watered each plant, bending down now and then to pick away withered leaves.
It was as if the person behind him mattered less than the flowers before him.
The Shen Family Second Elder was none other than the old man who had insisted in the palace hall that Shen Xian’er tear up the Marriage Agreement.
His face was sinister, his lips somewhat thin, and hearing these words now, he appeared quite incensed.
“Li Xiu, don’t you fail to appreciate kindness! What was agreed upon back then — and now you go back on your word?”
“All these years, has my Shen Family ever wronged you? When your Spiritual Sea was shattered, who found all those spirit medicines for you? And who went searching for Longevity Fruits on your behalf?”
The young man named Li Xiu shook his head slightly at this and said, “That matter... was not something I agreed to — it was something you all said. And I have already said it: when the time comes, I will leave the Shen Family on my own. By then, you won’t be able to keep me even if you want to.”
“I never asked you to repair my shattered Spiritual Sea. I said back then there was no need to waste the effort — you simply refused to believe me.”
“Moreover, if not for me back then, Shen Xian’er’s maternal grandfather and paternal grandfather would have died long ago. I am their savior. And this is how your Shen Family... treats the man who saved their lives?”
He smiled faintly, his tone natural yet tinged with mockery, as though discussing something as trivial as eating or drinking.
But this dismissive attitude only further enraged the Shen Family Second Elder.
“Enough of your nonsense.”
His expression darkened as he said, “This Marriage Agreement — you will annul it whether you like it or not... A cripple of unknown origins like you — how could you possibly be worthy of my Shen Family’s heaven-blessed daughter?”
“Stop indulging in wishful thinking. Xian’er will never marry you. If you know what’s good for you, leave the Shen Family, and we can still part on good terms.”
“Even if that mysterious shifu of yours shows up, this old man’s words stand unchanged.”
He knew that Li Xiu’s mysterious shifu was extremely powerful — back then, he had rescued Shen Xian’er’s grandfather and maternal grandfather from that perilous place.
And according to what the two of them said afterward, Li Xiu’s shifu had, with a casual wave of his hand, shattered the chaotic principles over the Boundary Marker Sea.
Such a feat required at least the Sacred Emperor Realm or beyond — which was why they had intended to curry favor with him.
And this was also the reason many Shen Family Elders now opposed the match. After all, although Li Xiu’s mysterious shifu had not appeared in three years, who knew whether he was alive or dead?
A Cultivator surpassing the Sacred Emperor Realm was a being who practically stood at the very pinnacle of the Heavenly Tide Realm.
Who would dare offend such a figure?
Hearing this, Li Xiu merely smiled faintly, seemingly still unconcerned, and said, “I’ve already told you — I have no shifu. And if Shen Xian’er wishes to annul the Marriage Agreement from back then, have her come tell me herself.”
“Perhaps in your eyes, Shen Xian’er is dazzling and radiant, but in my eyes, she is nothing special. If her grandfather hadn’t begged me bitterly back then, do you think I would have agreed?”
He was telling the truth. What was one Shen Xian’er worth his concern?
It was merely that this behavior — trying to unilaterally tear up the Marriage Agreement without even showing her face — displeased him.
Since when had he fallen so low as to have his engagement broken off and his promises torn up by others?
“Such outrageous arrogance! Since you put it that way, then I shall bring Xian’er here and have her say it to your face herself.”
The Shen Family Second Elder was so infuriated by Li Xiu’s words that he laughed in exasperation. It was the first time he had met someone so insolent — until now, he hadn’t known Li Xiu’s tone could be this brazen.
He truly thought that having an old monster for a shifu meant he could look down on everyone.
Hearing this, Li Xiu merely gave him a faint glance, then bent down and resumed watering the plants, perfectly leisurely and at ease.
The Shen Family Second Elder snorted coldly, then strode away. However, just as he reached the outside of the courtyard, an ancient-looking Communication Rune in his robe suddenly lit up.
At the sight, his expression changed, becoming incomparably grave — even somewhat nervous and trembling — before he took out the Communication Rune.
“What?!”
“That... young existence — he is actually coming to the Heavenly Tide Realm?!”
Reading the contents of the Communication Rune, the Shen Family Second Elder’s face first froze in a daze, then filled with utter shock. Even his words trembled; he was so agitated he could hardly keep his composure.
The Communication Rune in his hand nearly slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.
Compared to how he had been in front of Li Xiu moments ago, he was practically a different person.
Seeing him like this, Li Xiu’s brow arched slightly, seemingly rather surprised.
This Shen Family Second Elder was a snob who curried favor with the powerful — that much he understood. What could have happened to make his attitude so reverent, his entire body even trembling slightly?
“Young existence?”
He caught those four words in the Second Elder’s speech. His brow furrowed slightly, and after mulling it over carefully, he had some guesses in his heart — though he didn’t much care.
“A frog at the bottom of a well who knows nothing of the heights of heaven or the depths of earth — this time, I shall let you witness what a True Dragon of the Nine Heavens looks like.”
The Shen Family Second Elder sneered, glanced at Li Xiu, then hurried off in a rush, intending to inform the rest of the clan so that everyone could go out to receive the arrival.
What many people didn’t know was that some time ago, he had already made contact with people from the Beyond.
Back then, he had learned that a certain young existence of that clan — one of overwhelming power and unmatched prestige — was searching for people surnamed Gu.
Seizing that opportunity, he had established a connection with the Beyond.
And now, news had suddenly arrived that this young existence was about to descend upon the Heavenly Tide Realm.
His heart quaked, and he quickly guessed at the purpose — it most likely concerned Gu Xianer. Not daring to be negligent, he rushed off to confer with the other Elders.
Although Shen Xian’er’s parents still harbored some grudges against that one because of what happened back then, no matter what, the blood of that clan flowed in her veins.
For the Shen Family, this was also a once-in-a-thousand-lifetimes opportunity...
Meanwhile, within a mountain valley, immortal mist drifted ethereally, spirit mushrooms carpeted the ground, and colorful haze flowed about.
Stones glimmered with treasure-light, and wisps of violet radiance rose from all directions, making the place seem like an immortal paradise.
Mrs. Shen, Father Gu, and Shen Xian’er were still expressing their dissatisfaction with Gu Changge over the earlier matter.
“Xian’er, stop making excuses for him.”
Mrs. Shen looked at her with heartache.
Gu Xianer’s expression was cool and aloof. Listening to Mrs. Shen’s words, she felt helpless and couldn’t help but explain, “Father, Mother, you’ve both misunderstood. What happened back then truly wasn’t Gu Changge’s fault. He is already doing everything in his power to make it up to me.”
“I’m doing very well in the Gu Family. The clan elders all treat me well. Some time ago, an Old Ancestor of our lineage emerged from seclusion and nearly flattened the Ancient Sea Palace...”
“Truly, you don’t need to be like this. The clan elders miss you all.”
Hearing this, Mrs. Shen shook her head and sighed, “Xian’er, you have suffered so much all these years. I know you’re saying this because you have to consider the clan. But a hatred that deep — how could it possibly be dissolved with a few words?”
In her view, if Gu Xianer hadn’t humbled herself and endured the humiliation, how could Gu Changge have so readily spared her? How could he have so readily recalled the exiled clan members and restored their status?
The pain of having her bone dug out — how piercing that must have been!
“Although we haven’t returned to the clan all these years, we still know of certain matters. Gu Changge agreed to the clan elders to bring our lineage back only because he wants to become the Young Master of the Gu Family.”
“Otherwise, would he be so kind-hearted?”
Father Gu spoke up now as well, fists clenched tight, hating his own powerlessness.
How old had Gu Xianer been when her Great Dao Bone was dug out? No matter how Gu Changge explained himself, he could never cover up that cruel fact.
“Mother, Father... you...”
Gu Xianer didn’t know how to explain anymore, and her heart ached.
She knew her parents cared about her, but she also didn’t want them to misunderstand Gu Changge so deeply.
But the events of back then concerned Gu Changge’s secret, so she couldn’t properly explain.
She had already told them everything that had happened between her and Gu Changge during this period, yet they still maintained their disbelief.
“Jiejie, you don’t need to say any more. Now that you’re back with the Shen Family, that’s wonderful. Our family of four will be together forever.”
Shen Xian’er spoke softly. Having been steeped in such talk since childhood, she too harbored an inexplicable hostility toward Gu Changge, whom she had never met.
“You’re still young. There are some things you don’t understand.”
Gu Xianer’s tone carried a trace of helplessness. She had said these words almost every day during this period, yet to no avail.
Her parents’ attitude toward Gu Changge was already deeply entrenched. Changing it would be truly difficult.
“Forget it. You don’t need to concern yourselves with this matter anymore.”
“For now, let’s settle Xian’er’s matter first.”
Seeing they were about to say more, Gu Xianer quickly waved her hand, afraid her parents would say something strange again.
She felt it necessary to take them back to the Gu Family for a visit — and stop by Peach Village along the way. That should change their attitude toward Gu Changge somewhat.
“Fine, fine, no more, no more — lest you get angry again in a moment.”
Mrs. Shen was equally helpless.
She had no idea what kind of bewitching soup Gu Changge had fed Gu Xianer. Every time they spoke of him, she grew unhappy.
Though she never showed it on her face, how could the shifts in her heart escape their notice?
“Why would I be angry...”
Gu Xianer was just about to flatly deny it.
Outside the valley, a divine rainbow suddenly descended. A person arrived and reported to Shen Xian’er, “Reporting to Xiaojie — the Saintess Yao Yue requests an audience at the mountain gate.”
“Saintess Yao Yue?”
Hearing this, Shen Xian’er’s brow furrowed slightly. A seductive figure surfaced in her mind, and she couldn’t quite fathom why the other party would come to the Shen Family at a time like this.
Although she had met Saintess Yao Yue a few times, they were not familiar — they had only exchanged a few words.
And at this particular moment, the other party had come to the Shen Family specifically asking to see her?
“Saintess Yao Yue — is she the Successor of the Blazing Moon Holy Land?”
“What is she doing at the Shen Family?”
Mrs. Shen was somewhat puzzled. Although she had lived in seclusion in this valley all these years, hardly ever stepping outside,
she had still heard of some of the Heavenly Tide Realm’s prodigies.
This Saintess Yao Yue was an exceedingly dazzling, heaven-blessed daughter — the Successor of the Blazing Moon Holy Land.
Powerful, renowned, and stunningly beautiful, she had countless young prodigies pursuing her.
Gossips often compared Saintess Yao Yue with the Shen Family’s own heaven-blessed daughter, Shen Xian’er.
She too couldn’t quite figure out why Saintess Yao Yue would come to visit Shen Xian’er at this time.
“Go tell her I will arrive shortly.”
Though puzzled, Shen Xian’er did not slight her visitor.
After all, the Blazing Moon Holy Land was a power with an extremely long heritage in the Heavenly Tide Realm — it had existed even longer than the Shen Family, with unfathomable foundations.
Moreover, rumor in the Heavenly Tide Realm had it that the Blazing Moon Holy Land’s Ancestor had been in deep seclusion all these years — neither ascended nor passed away.
Once Cultivators of the Heavenly Tide Realm broke through to the Sacred Emperor Realm, they could no longer remain in this world.
They either had to find a way to veil themselves from the heavens, or go into seclusion, sealing away their blood vitality and slowing its decay, lest the world’s rules sense them.
The Shen Family’s own Ancestor, for instance, used the second method — sealed in perpetual retreat within the Ancestral Land, his blood vitality locked away.
“I’ll go with you to take a look.”
Gu Xianer also felt something odd about this and spoke up.
Shen Xian’er nodded, and then the two of them transformed into divine rainbows, leaving the valley and heading for the Shen Family’s mountain gate.
Before the grand and ancient mountain gate, towering bluestone pillars stood, wreathed in cyan radiance, exuding an air of great antiquity.
Many Shen Family members passing by looked ahead in astonishment.
A woman with a graceful figure and a seductively beautiful face, dressed in a red gown, stood before the mountain gate.
A hazy radiance emanated from her body, a jade flute tucked at her waist, lending her an air of languid elegance.
Behind her followed a host of retainers — men and women, old and young — among whom no few possessed formidable, unfathomable strength.
“Saintess Dianxia, are we simply going to wait here? What if Shen Xian’er refuses to see us?”
At that moment, an old man with white hair and beard behind the red-dressed woman couldn’t help but ask.
The red-dressed woman was none other than Saintess Yao Yue. Hearing this, her gaze remained steady as she said, “Shen Xian’er will see me. We need only wait.”
She was confident, unworried that Shen Xian’er would keep her doors shut.
As she spoke, Saintess Yao Yue’s gaze toward the Shen Family grew somewhat complicated — but what lay deeper was a hidden reverence.
As though some terrifying existence lurked within the Shen Family.
Just then, two divine rainbows suddenly streaked across the sky from within the Shen Family’s gates and descended — Gu Xianer and Shen Xian’er.
Toward Gu Xianer — whose face was somewhat unfamiliar yet bore some resemblance to Shen Xian’er — Saintess Yao Yue felt a flicker of curiosity, but she didn’t ask.
“May I know what business brings Saintess Yao Yue to seek me out?”
Shen Xian’er glanced at Saintess Yao Yue and her entourage. Her voice was flat, without a ripple — direct and straight to the point.
Her heart was wholly set on the Dao, free of distractions.
She paid no mind to social niceties, and so her words were far from courteous.
This left the faces of those behind Saintess Yao Yue faintly angered.
After all, they had already been waiting here for some time.
Yet Shen Xian’er’s attitude was thus — she didn’t even invite them in for a sit.
As one of the Heavenly Tide Realm’s renowned ancient clans, the Shen Family’s conduct was rather improper — it would give the impression of looking down on the Blazing Moon Holy Land.
However, Saintess Yao Yue waved a hand unconcernedly. She had dealt with Shen Xian’er before and understood that this was simply her nature.
She was equally direct: “I heard you’re going to tear up the Marriage Agreement with that good-for-nothing live-in son-in-law of your Shen Family?”
Shen Xian’er’s brow furrowed. “How did you learn of this matter?”
This matter had only circulated within the Shen Family so far.
Saintess Yao Yue was at the Blazing Moon Holy Land — where had she learned of it? Could it be that the Shen Family harbored an informant of hers?
“I don’t think that matters.”
Seeing her expression, Saintess Yao Yue understood in her heart, and a smile couldn’t help but bloom on her face. “I’ve already arrived at your mountain gate — won’t Xian’er Guniang invite me in for a sit? No matter what, the Shen Family is one of the greatest clans in the Heavenly Tide Realm. Surely it isn’t lacking even this much magnanimity?”
“What are you trying to do?”
Shen Xian’er’s tone remained unwelcoming, and her inner puzzlement only deepened.
Why would Saintess Yao Yue ask about that good-for-nothing fiancé of hers?
It wasn’t that she had anything against Li Xiu — she simply had no intention of marrying or bearing children. In this life, she wished only to pursue the Great Dao.
Even if Li Xiu were not a cripple, she would not have agreed to this Marriage Agreement.
“Nothing much — I’m merely curious. I very much want to see just who this person is, the one your Shen Family invited in back then, and whom you now wish to cast off by tearing up the Marriage Agreement.”
Saintess Yao Yue smiled, saying no more.
At this moment, even Gu Xianer sensed something amiss. Why would Saintess Yao Yue take the initiative to ask about Shen Xian’er’s fiancé?
“Since you wish to see him, then come along.”
Shen Xian’er saw no reason to refuse. After all, the other party had come to the Shen Family merely to meet Li Xiu through her.
Though she felt nothing toward Li Xiu, she would not restrict his movements... much less interfere with others coming to see him.
“Many thanks, Xian’er Guniang.”
Saintess Yao Yue was inwardly delighted, though her face showed no change, still wearing a proper smile.
Then she followed behind Shen Xian’er, lotus steps swaying gently, red dress fluttering, heading deep into the Shen Family grounds.
“What is this woman up to?”
Gu Xianer, who had been watching coldly from the side, suddenly felt a strong sense that something was off.
This Saintess Yao Yue seemed to harbor ulterior motives.
But just then, a vast and mighty aura suddenly rose from within the Shen Family.
In the centermost palace, lamplight flickered and blazed brilliantly, and then a sky-piercing aura swept across the heavens.
It was an ancient and powerful aura spreading out, followed by the appearance of figure after figure of terrifying presence, all rushing toward the mountain gate in what looked like utmost haste.
Saintess Yao Yue and the others, who were on their way to Li Xiu’s courtyard, were puzzled at the sight.
“What happened?”
“Those just now — were they all the Shen Family’s old-generation existences?”
She couldn’t help but ask.
Shen Xian’er was equally baffled. It was the first time she had seen such a grand spectacle — all the clan elders moving out together toward the mountain gate.
Even facing a powerful enemy, it would not be like this.
“Could some great event have occurred, to alarm every single clan elder?”
She couldn’t help but shake her head lightly, then soon paid it no more mind — after all, such matters had little to do with her.
Gu Xianer’s brow furrowed slightly. This scene reminded her of the day she herself had arrived at the Shen Family.
Because she kept a low profile — yet even so, many of the Shen Family’s clan elders had all come to pay their respects, not daring to be negligent.
“This situation...”
“Don’t tell me that guy has come in person...?”
A strange feeling suddenly arose in her heart, but she dismissed it as impossible. How could Gu Changge care about such a trivial matter?
Let alone personally coming to a place like the Heavenly Tide Realm.