In the ancient spirit continent, within the capital of the Tianwu Kingdom, Cloud Abyss City, stood the Ling Family.
A young woman clad in a light blue dress was positioned outside the Ling Family's grand gates. Her already exquisite beauty, illuminated by the sunlight, seemed even more breathtaking, drawing the attention of passersby.
"Who is this maiden? She's so beautiful."
"I just heard her say her name is Ling Luoyi."
"Ling Luoyi? Isn't that the name of the Ling family's eldest miss?"
"Yes, but wasn't the Ling family's eldest miss long gone, having disappeared in the Sunset Forest?"
"Indeed, indeed. They say there's been no news for ten years; she's probably dead by now?"
"I think so too. It's a pity the Ling family patriarch is still searching for her."
"Ah, you say, is she real or an imposter?"
"She must be real. Given the Ling family's current situation, what is there that's worth impersonating?"
"Have you all forgotten? The Ling family still has five admission slots to the Ancient Spirit Academy."
"Ah, right."
Upon hearing this, none of the surrounding townsfolk believed she was the real Ling Luoyi. After all, no one would believe an eight-year-old girl with no cultivation could survive in the Sunset Forest.
The Sunset Forest was the largest monster forest in the Tianwu Kingdom, filled with countless treasures and countless dangers.
The Ling family's eldest miss had fled into the Sunset Forest at the age of eight, with no news since, and at that time, she possessed no cultivation.
Therefore, everyone assumed she was dead.
Amidst the townsfolk's discussions, the Ling family's second uncle, Ling Qi, rushed out.
Ling Qi looked at Ling Luoyi standing outside the gate and couldn't help but exclaim, "Sister-in-law."
Ling Luoyi raised her eyes. A middle-aged man, looking somewhat weary, stood at the entrance.
Ling Luoyi felt a moment of disorientation. In her memory, this man had been spirited and full of vigor.
She quickly regained her composure, smiled gently, and called out, "Second Uncle."
Her soft voice carried, reaching Ling Qi's ears. Ling Qi reacted, and a wave of joy surged within him.
Ling Qi quickly strode closer to Ling Luoyi, taking her hand. "Lu'er, it's really Lu'er."
Initially, Ling Qi had suspected someone was impersonating Ling Luoyi to covet the Ling family's admission slots to the Ancient Spirit Academy. But when he saw Ling Luoyi's face, he dismissed the thought. Ling Luoyi's face was identical to his sister-in-law's.
Ling Qi looked at Ling Luoyi, too overwhelmed with emotion to speak, tears welling up.
The butler, Liang Yihai, who had followed them out, looked at the surrounding townsfolk and stepped forward, saying, "Second Master, let's go inside to talk."
Ling Qi finally came to his senses and quickly said, "Yes, yes, look at my memory. Let's go home, let's talk at home."
Ling Qi excitedly led Ling Luoyi into the Ling mansion.
Seeing Ling Qi's excited demeanor, the townsfolk knew that the young lady was indeed the Ling family's eldest miss.
Soon, the news of the Ling family's eldest miss's return spread throughout Cloud Abyss City.
However, the Ling family had long since declined, and naturally, it did not attract much attention from the major families.
Ling Luoyi followed Ling Qi to the main hall. At this moment, the Ling family's fifth uncle, Ling Jin, was seated in the hall, appearing calm. However, his occasional glances outward betrayed his inner turmoil.
Even after being disappointed many times, he still held onto hope.
Soon, Ling Qi brought Ling Luoyi into his line of sight.
"Fifth brother, look, Lu'er, Lu'er is back."
Ling Jin did not respond to Ling Qi, but stared intently at Ling Luoyi.
Ling Luoyi also looked over, smiling, and called out, "Uncle."
"Lu'er." Ling Jin couldn't help but shed tears. "Lu'er is truly back."
"Uncle, I'm back."
"Fifth brother, why are you crying? This is such joyous news, you should be smiling."
"Yes, yes, I should smile, I should smile."
Ling Jin looked at Ling Luoyi, wanting to say something. He hesitated and said nothing.
"Lu'er, sit down and let's talk."
Ling Luoyi sat down and chatted with her two uncles.
"Second Uncle, Uncle, where are the others?"
After chatting for a long time, Ling Luoyi looked at the hall, which had only contained the three of them, and asked.
"Oh no!" Ling Qi exclaimed as if remembering something.
Suddenly, a guard ran in and knelt, "Second Master, someone from the Yuan family has arrived."
"They've finally come." Second Master Ling looked at Ling Luoyi. "Lu'er, you stay here and talk with your Uncle. Second Uncle will handle it."
"Second Uncle, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, Second Uncle can handle it."
"Second Uncle, may I go with you?"
"This..." Second Master Ling hesitated, then refused. "No need. You've just returned, get some rest. The family matters can be handled by the elders."
Seeing Ling Qi's firm expression, Ling Luoyi did not insist further.
"Ling San, take the Yuan family members to the front hall."
"Yes."
*
Front Hall.
The Yuan family was led by their patriarch, Yuan Zhan. He stood in the courtyard with a stern expression, his family members positioned behind him, each watching Ling Qi with an air of amusement.
"Ling Qi, have you considered what this family head told you last time?"
Although it was a question, the tone was filled with disdain.
"Yuan Zhan, I will not agree. Give up on that idea!" Ling Qi sternly refused.
The Yuan family members raised their weapons, awaiting their patriarch's command to charge and slay the Ling family.
The Ling family guards also drew their weapons, confronting the Yuan family, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
"Second Uncle, what's wrong?"
A melodious voice cut through the stiff atmosphere.
"Lu'er, didn't I tell you not to come?!" Ling Qi instantly looked at Ling Luoyi and shouted in panic.
"Is this young lady the Ling family's eldest miss?"
Before Ling Luoyi could speak, Yuan Zhan continued, "On my way here, I heard people say the Ling family's eldest miss had returned. I didn't expect to see her so soon. Ling Qi, this family head congratulates you on achieving your wish."
"May I ask who you are?" Ling Luoyi seemed not to recognize the person before her and asked.
"This family head is the Yuan family's patriarch, Yuan Zhan."
"Luoyi pays her respects to Patriarch Yuan." Ling Luoyi bowed and asked, "May I ask why Patriarch Yuan has come to my Ling family?"
"Lu'er..."
Seeing Ling Luoyi step forward, Ling Qi quickly pulled her back.
"Second Uncle, it's alright."
This simple sentence reassured Ling Qi.
Ling Luoyi looked at Yuan Zhan, waiting for his reply.
"Can the Ling family's eldest miss make decisions for the Ling family? If not, isn't this family head wasting his time?"
Ling Luoyi remained silent, only looking at Ling Qi.
The Ling family patriarch was not present, and Ling Qi was currently in charge of the Ling family. Therefore, whether Ling Luoyi could make decisions depended on Ling Qi.
Ling Qi met Ling Luoyi's gaze and then nodded.
Yuan Zhan naturally saw this and said, "A few days ago, the Ling family's second miss killed my son, Cheng Jie. This family head gave the Ling family three days to consider. Either hand over the culprit who killed my son, or present your Ling family's fourth-grade pill as compensation to this family head, and this matter will be considered settled."
"Oh, there's such a thing? Patriarch Yuan, this matter is of great importance, you cannot speak carelessly, nor can you believe hearsay."
"Does the Ling family's eldest miss mean that this family head is unable to distinguish right from wrong and has slandered the Ling family's second miss?"
"Patriarch Yuan, please calm your anger. Luoyi merely wishes to understand the truth. Since it concerns my second sister, why not invite her here to hear her account, what do you say?"
"Is the Ling family's eldest miss trying to shield the Ling family's second miss?"
"How could that be? It's just that even the perpetrator has the right to defend themselves, don't they?"
"Then, as the Ling family's eldest miss suggests, let's give the Ling family's second miss an opportunity to defend herself."
In Yuan Zhan's view, the Ling family was already at the end of its rope. No matter what Ling Luoyi did, it was merely a struggle before death.
Ling Luoyi looked at Ling San, who understood and left.