A chilling sound suddenly came from outside, and Xue Zining couldn't help but ask, "What is that sound?"
Feng Ling said, "Uncle has passed away. The clan is holding a funeral to guide Uncle's soul."
"How did he die?" Xue Zining asked.
Hearing this, Feng Ling sighed, "Uncle was someone who walked out of the desert. It is said he died outside."
Xue Zining felt an indescribable feeling in her heart. Feng Ling continued, "But it can be considered a just end. Uncle had contact with a member of the Xue family before his death and left the clan privately for the sake of the Xue family. Even if he returned, he was considered guilty and could not escape punishment. Dying outside is a just end!"
Xue Zining was stunned. At this moment, she was certain that Feng Ling was referring to Mr. Feng.
Then, what about Second Mr. Feng?
"Did only one person from your clan go out?" Xue Zining asked.
Feng Ling shook her head and said, "Even if it was a just end, Uncle was, after all, a member of the Feng Yin clan. Second Uncle pleaded to go out to understand the cause of Uncle's death. It has been a month now, and no news has been received."
"Is your Second Uncle powerful?" Xue Zining asked.
Feng Ling nodded, "Very. Do you see Feng Xian? Second Uncle is Feng Xian's master."
Xue Zining trembled all over. Such a formidable opponent, she wondered if Wen Yu Xi and the others could withstand him.
"Sister, what's wrong?" Feng Ling asked, looking at the silent Xue Zining.
"Nothing, I'm just envious that she can be so powerful," Xue Zining said.
Feng Ling replied, "What's there to envy? I am still young now. When I grow older, my martial arts can surpass Feng Xian and Second Uncle."
"Ling'er is the most powerful," Xue Zining said slowly, stroking her head.
"Clan leader, the time has come. You are still appearing," a voice came from outside the door.
Feng Ling looked at Xue Zining and asked, "Sister, do you want to go with me?"
Xue Zining nodded, "Yes."
Feng Ling was overjoyed. "Sister, stay by my side later. No one will intentionally bully you."
Xue Zining nodded.
Following Feng Ling out of the room, she saw that the clan's scenery was covered in white. Beneath a huge tree, a coffin was placed.
This time, Xue Zining saw the clan members. As Feng Ling had said, there were not many people, and fewer young people.
"Sister, stay here. I'll be right back."
Feng Ling walked towards the coffin. Upon reaching it, she placed her hand on the coffin and chanted. Softly, Xue Zining, who was close by, listened carefully and realized it was a mantra for the afterlife.
After chanting, the coffin was lifted and carried towards the deepest part of the forest.
Feng Ling explained, "Inside, there is a spring, and within it is a cave. That is the burial cave of our Feng Yin clan."
"You place it there?"
Feng Ling replied, "Yes. The elder said that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathers there. After many years, the physical body will decay, but the soul will not be extinguished."
Xue Zining was slightly taken aback. "The soul will not be extinguished?"
Feng Ling nodded, "That's what the elder said. But we all understand that these are words of comfort from the elder. Where can a soul be immortal?"
"Indeed, there is no immortal existence," Xue Zining said.
Feng Ling smiled. "But the sustenance in the hearts of the clan members is very important. Being imprisoned here, they greatly need something important to rely on in their hearts, which is why it remains here."
Xue Zining was stunned. The immortality of the soul after death, and even the ability to leave this place, was indeed a form of psychological comfort.
"Let's go, Sister, I'll take you around our clan," Feng Ling said.
Xue Zining nodded.
Following Feng Ling, they had walked through the entire Feng Yin clan when a young man suddenly blocked their path. The man said coldly, "Clan leader, why are you bringing an outsider to the Feng Yin clan? For so many years, no one has brought outsiders to Feng Yin, and you should not be an exception, because you are the clan leader, the guide for the clan members."
Feng Ling lowered her gaze, "A Kui, I thought you were different from them."
A Kui turned his head away, "Ling'er, I can help you with anything else, even become your support. Have you forgotten what happened back then?"
Feng Ling trembled, her complexion changed, and she took a step back.
Xue Zining quickly stepped forward to support her, asking, "Ling'er, what's wrong?"
The one called A Kui said, "That year, someone from the Xue family came, demanding that the Feng Yin clan train Feng Wei for their use. The clan leader disagreed because Feng Wei had already been trained and sent to the royal family. The person from the Xue family feigned a request for a meal.
The clan leader kindly invited him to stay and offered him a modest meal before he left. However, he secretly poisoned it. The clan leader was poisoned, and Ling'er's mother, with her own body, blocked the pursuers.
Later, Ling'er's mother escaped outside. It was not a desert then, but a barren land with countless beasts. Ling'er's mother became prey for the beasts, protecting Ling'er fiercely beneath her. By the time the clan members discovered them, Madam had been dead for a long time, and Ling'er was alive.
The clan leader died, and Ling'er inherited the position of clan leader."
Xue Zining trembled all over and asked Ling'er, "What was the name of that Xue family member?"
A Kui replied, "Xue Wen Jie."
Xue Zining's eyes flickered. "So you all hate the Xue family deeply."
A Kui said, "A hundred years ago, he saved people from the clan, but for the past century, the clan has sent Feng Wei to the royal family multiple times. Now, this kindness has been repaid."
"Indeed, it has been repaid," Xue Zining said.
A Kui continued, "I don't care what your purpose is for coming to the clan, but if you hurt Ling'er, I will not let you go."
"I will not harm Ling'er," Xue Zining said earnestly, word by word, looking up.
The clear eyes on the woman's beautiful and pure face were exceptionally bright, like the dazzling light of early morning.
A Kui was slightly stunned and turned his face away. "You had better keep your word, or I will chase you to the ends of the earth and kill you."
"Okay," Xue Zining nodded.
"Brother A Kui, what are you talking about? She is my sister. I don't allow anyone to bully her, not even you," Feng Ling said unhappily.
A Kui said, "Ling'er, one must guard against others, but not harm them."
Feng Ling replied, "I know. You should leave quickly!"
A Kui left.
Feng Ling said, "Sister, don't listen to what Brother A Kui said. Ling'er believes in you."
"A Kui is not wrong. Ling'er, you are just too kind."
Feng Ling smiled slyly, "I am only kind to Sister."
Northern Frontier King's Residence
The Northern Frontier King looked at the letter in his hand, his face extremely grim. Beside him, Second Mr. Feng glanced at the content, and his expression turned slightly cold.
The Northern Frontier King looked up and asked Second Mr. Feng, "Second Mr. Feng, what should we do? The Empress is in the Feng Yin clan and has obtained the promise of the Soul Lamp."
"What are you afraid of, Your Highness? With this old man here, she won't be able to achieve anything."
The Northern Frontier King breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Second Mr. Feng's words. "Does Second Mr. Feng have a plan?"