Chapter 4: Chapter Four: Xiao Ze, Brother Was Wrong!

At the Luo Family's rooftop.

Luo Ling opened his eyes, recalling everything that had happened these past years, his expression gradually calming.

The Blue Sword far away suddenly erupted in a chorus of sword hums, echoing across all of Dao Ling Shan!

The entire Dao Ling Shan was shrouded in Sword Intent; everyone looked up to the sky, where countless Star Powers surged into a distant blue dot!

What's happening? Everyone grew confused.

After a moment of silence, Luo Ling flew straight to the Blue Sword, stared at it, and gripped its hilt with both hands!

Hummm!

A series of terrifying sword hums rang out; the Star Powers in the sky vanished entirely, leaving only a bright moon hanging in the starry heavens!

This time, the entire Xuan Zhe Continent was stunned!

At that moment, in a deep, ancient forest, an old man opened his eyes, gazing at the distant horizon, shock flashing in his gaze!

"Sword Grandmaster? When did Dao Ling Shan gain such a powerful Sword Cultivator?" The old man frowned, then vanished from his spot after a long silence.

At this moment, Luo Ling realized his inner state had broken through; since attaining Sword Master two years ago, his Sword Dao progress had been painfully slow. Just now, Luo Ze's disappearance had plunged him into stillness, prompting him to reflect on the past—with profound insights and gains.

As Luo Ling reflected, the Blue Sword absorbed countless Star Powers, allowing Luo Ling to instantly break through to Sword Grandmaster!

Now, Luo Ling's body trembled slightly, his internal power flowing endlessly, even feeling inexhaustible—and immensely potent. After sensing this power, a smile curled on his lips.

If Sword Grandmaster is this terrifying, how strong is the Sword Lord? Soon, Luo Ling fell silent.

Because this power was too immense—he could now say he'd obliterate a Dao Xuan Zhe with a single sword strike. Then what of the Sword Lord? Luo Ling's eyes grew grave.

He stopped thinking further, swept his sleeve, and retracted all power; the sky returned to normal. He looked at the scene and said excitedly: "Xiao Ze, stop pretending—you can come out now!"

No response.

"If you won't come out, I'm leaving," Luo Ling said, frowning at the rooftop.

Suddenly, a small figure appeared in the scene—it was Luo Ze!

Luo Ze stared at Luo Ling in shock, exclaiming: "Brother, how did you know I was still here? I was gonna scare you, haha!" He stuck out his tongue at Luo Ling.

Luo Ling walked over, picked Luo Ze up, turned, and carried him inside, placing him on the bed. He squatted before him, gripping his small hand tightly, his expression troubled: "Xiao Ze, don't ever play this kind of joke on me again. I was terrified of losing you. When you vanished, I nearly killed myself. You're my only one. I've cultivated for nearly a decade—not just to follow our parents' path, but because I wanted to protect you, to keep you safe from harm, to let you grow up peacefully and happily." As he spoke, he looked at Luo Ze, his eyes slightly damp.

Luo Ze was about to speak, but Luo Ling gripped his hand tighter.

(End of chapter, please turn page)

He continued: "Xiao Ze, don't interrupt—let me finish. During that time, I gained deep insights; my inner state and strength rose another level. I originally planned to slit my belly and die to join you—but then I sensed a trace of your aura still lingering in the scene. That snapped me back to clarity, then filled me with wild joy. Going from losing you to finding you again felt like a man parched for days in the desert suddenly discovering water. That contrast made me reflect endlessly. Truly, Xiao Ze, don't scare me like that again. I've broken through now—no one on the entire Xuan Zhe Continent can harm you even a hair. Let me protect you properly." His voice trembled slightly as he finished.

After hearing this, Luo Ze suddenly hugged Luo Ling tightly, burying his head against his chest, letting out soft sobs.

Luo Ze was crying.

Then he buried his head even deeper, his voice trembling: "Brother, I'm sorry… hit me… I shouldn't have done this to you… waaaah…" His voice choked, and Luo Ling could no longer make out his words.

Luo Ze couldn't hold back anymore—he burst into loud sobs, unable to speak at all!

Luo Ling looked at Luo Ze, his heart twisting in pain—he'd made his little brother cry.

Had he said something wrong?

He stopped thinking further, hugged Luo Ze tightly, stroked his back, and gently patted him, whispering: "I'm not mad at you. Don't cry. I'll never be mad at you." Then he held Luo Ze even tighter, soothing him slowly…

Long after, the scene fell still. Luo Ling sat beside Luo Ze, who no longer cried—but still held Luo Ling's hand. He spoke slowly: "Brother, when I suddenly vanished, didn't you find it strange? I told you I'd do a magic trick—why did you react so badly?"

Luo Ling suddenly snapped back to awareness.

Right—why had his brother vanished suddenly? Luo Ze didn't cultivate at all, had never cultivated—how could he vanish into thin air? Luo Ling had nearly forgotten this.

At that moment, Luo Ze stood up, took Luo Ling's shoulder, and in an instant, they appeared in a starry void.

The starry void was boundless, as if floating in a sea of stars, everywhere glittering with light, countless stars shining around them—breathtakingly beautiful, a sight beyond words. Beyond the stars lay more stars, endless and infinite. The two brothers now floated in this starry expanse!

Luo Ling was stunned—he'd been instantly transported to some unknown place. He quickly turned to Luo Ze: What kind of miraculous ability is this? Is my little brother a hidden master?

Luo Ze seemed to sense Luo Ling's thoughts; his lips curled slightly, his eyes filled with the starry ocean. He held Luo Ling's hand and said proudly: "Brother, I'm not pretending anymore—I'm the hidden master, the ultimate kind!"

Luo Ling's expression changed slightly—he clearly didn't believe him, pretending to know everything.

He said: "Xiao Ze, don't brag. I know you inside out—I know you better than anyone!"

Luo Ze sighed inwardly—his brother hadn't fallen for it. He'd wanted to see his brother's shocked expression.

Then he said softly: "Brother, before, I could sense the Star Power inside your sword. When I looked up at the starry sky, a thought crossed my mind—and suddenly, I felt your Blue Sword. I tried activating it—and it really flew out, then flew itself into the starry void. Suddenly, Star Power surged inside me, feeling wondrous. I activated that power, and in an instant, my surroundings turned illusory. I told you I'd do a magic trick—and in a blink, I appeared above Dao Ling Shan's sky, at the edge of the starry heavens, surrounded by endless stars—far more beautiful than what we saw on the rooftop! From there, I could look down on the entire Dao Ling Shan, and even see half of the Xuan Zhe Continent. We're now just a short distance above Dao Ling Shan." He pointed downward at a continent: "That's Dao Ling Shan."

Luo Ling stared at that continent!

Seeing his brother's surprised expression, he whispered softly, "Brother, before, I could feel the Star Power inside your sword; when I looked up at the starry sky, a thought crossed my mind, and suddenly I sensed your Blue Sword. Then I tried to activate it, and the Blue Sword truly flew out, flying on its own into the starry heavens. Suddenly, a surge of Star Power arose within me, filling me with a wondrous sensation, so I guided that Star Power—and in an instant, everything around me turned illusory. Then I told you, Brother, I'll show you a magic trick, and in the blink of an eye, I was above Dao Ling Shan's sky, at the very end of the stars, where all around was nothing but starlight—far more beautiful than what we saw from the rooftop! From that vantage point, I could look down upon the entire Dao Ling Shan, and even see half of the Xuan Zhe Continent. We're now not far above Dao Ling Shan." After saying this, he pointed to a continent below and said, "This is Dao Ling Shan."

He had to admit—he was deeply shaken after hearing Luo Ze's words. He didn't yet understand this ability, but it was terrifying!

Luo Ze continued: "Then I returned to the rooftop and saw you sitting on the ground, lost in thought. I didn't disturb you—I kept studying this Star Power. I discovered I could instantly teleport through the stars: activate this power, and I appear anywhere I know. I thought I could only teleport myself, so I just now tried—and found I could bring you along too! When I realized that, I got excited." Luo Ze grew more and more excited as he spoke.

Hearing this, Luo Ling also felt excited. Seeing Luo Ze's joyful expression, he felt glad—perhaps his brother could cultivate after all!

Then Luo Ze's expression darkened slightly: "But I didn't discover any other abilities, so I returned to the rooftop to tell you this big news. But I noticed my body was still transparent, so I thought I'd play a trick—see if you'd notice me. But you just sat there, lost in thought, so I waited. I waited a long time—then suddenly you stood up and called my name. I didn't answer, thinking you were pretending. But you really did notice me—I appeared, and just as I was about to joke, you looked at me with such a serious expression. I felt hurt… waaaah…" Before he finished, he felt a wave of grievance, and began crying again.

Luo Ling, who had been listening quietly, blinked sharply and quickly apologized to Luo Ze…

After hearing Luo Ze's words, he pieced together the full sequence—it was truly his own fault. His brother really had been hurt. Thinking of this, Luo Ling shook his head with a bitter smile—he'd always valued his brother too much.

Luo Ze was still crying. Luo Ling didn't think further—he rushed over, hugged his brother, and gently comforted him…

After hearing Luo Ze's words, Luo Ling pieced together the sequence of events—it truly was his own fault. His younger brother really had been wronged. Thinking of this, Luo Ling shook his head with a bitter smile; he had truly valued his brother too much.

Long after, a boy hugged a little boy—and they vanished into the starry void.

In this silent starry void, not a sound stirred!

After a long while, a boy embraced a young child and vanished into the starry expanse!

……

(End of Chapter)