The graduation ceremony at Moon Pavilion concluded smoothly, with each academy student receiving their graduation certificate from Tang Yuehua and joyfully embracing their loved ones.
The elegant and composed siblings stood before the still smiling Tang Yuehua and bowed. "Aunt, thank you for your guidance this past year."
Tang Yuehua looked at the siblings with satisfaction. "Your achievements today are also due to your own efforts. Your parents would be proud of you."
"Aunt Yuehua, aren't you going to introduce them?" a clear voice rang out. Tang Sui and Tang San turned to see Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince of Heaven Dou, approaching in casual attire.
Tang Yuehua feigned annoyance. "Don't keep calling me Aunt. Do I look that old?"
"Aunt Yuehua..." Xue Qinghe smiled helplessly and looked at Tang Sui and Tang San standing behind Tang Yuehua, his gaze deepening.
Tang Sui, who had also turned to look, her eyes flickered, ripples spreading across them.
This person...
Tang Yuehua moved aside, introducing Xue Qinghe. "Let me introduce you. These two are my nephew and niece."
She cleverly omitted their names, and Tang San didn't give Xue Qinghe a chance to ask, naturally taking over. "Hello, I am Tang Yin, and this is my younger sister."
"Tang Mo."
Tang Sui's clear voice, like two crisp syllables, escaped her cherry lips, unhurried and perfectly timed after the last echo of Tang San's word.
Xue Qinghe looked at Tang Sui's exquisite face, his eyes flashing. He said, half-jokingly, "Little sister Tang Mo looks so familiar, as if I've seen her somewhere before."
But she was different from the little girl he had met before. The young woman before him stood tall and graceful, and even her elegant demeanor couldn't conceal a unique aura that only those of high status could discern—an aura of nobility, of someone who also held great power and came from an extraordinary background.
According to his investigations, after going into seclusion, that person seemed to have lived under an assumed name in an obscure small village.
He had encountered the Tang San and Tang Sui siblings at Death Canyon. Tang Sui had given him an impression of being somewhat naive, especially her direct confrontation with the Titled Douluo Yue Guan, which didn't fit the image of a pampered heir.
Facing Xue Qinghe's probing, Tang Sui's expression remained unchanged, a smile still playing on her lips. "You jest. My brother and I only recently left our sect and have never met you. If you find us similar, perhaps you've met children of my father's collateral relatives?"
At this statement, Tang San subtly glanced at his sister.
Sui Sui is deliberately avoiding Xue Qinghe. Why?
"I see." Xue Qinghe nodded as if understanding and chatted with Tang Yuehua for a few more pleasantries before going to meet his half-sister.
Tang Sui and Tang San also prepared to take their leave from Tang Yuehua.
A look of realization and a hint of reluctance crossed Tang Yuehua's face, but she quickly suppressed it and nodded. "Alright, then you two go back to your room and change before leaving."
"Yes, Aunt."
The siblings nodded obediently, turned, and went upstairs to pack.
[Xue Qinghe has noticed you.]
The system's voice sounded faintly the moment they stepped into the room.
Tang Sui's movements were fluid, without any pause.
'I know.'
'The younger princess of the Heaven Dou Royal Family is at this graduation ceremony. As the Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe would naturally come.'
[Do you want to take this opportunity to inform Master and the others to be wary of Xue Qinghe? After all, you know that Xue Qinghe is...]
The system's voice was subtly persuasive.
Tang Sui understood the unspoken words, but she had no intention of exposing Xue Qinghe, who was also Qian Renxue's disguise as the young master of the Spirit Hall, at this moment.
'Walls have ears. No one can guarantee that the news won't get out to Xue Qinghe. So it's better to remain still and make the most of the situation, allowing our side to develop fully.'
Tang Sui changed into another knee-length dress, light purple in color.
This one was light and beautiful, and it was a skirt-pants style, essential attire for female soul masters in combat.
'Moreover, my congenital deficiency has recovered to a certain extent with the arrival of the spirit, and I am only a step away from complete health.'
'This time, I will not let myself fall into crisis again.'
Tang Sui's expression was calm.
After packing up and regrouping, Tang Sui and Tang San embarked on their journey home together.
Tang Yuehua stood by the window on the top floor, watching the departing figures of Tang Sui and Tang San, a faint smile appearing on her face. "Sui Sui, Xiao San, I will wait for you at the sect."
...
Tang Sui and Tang San followed the sheepskin map left by Tang Hao a year ago, traveling day and night towards the valley marked on the map.
The valley was as it had been when they left, with clear mountains and beautiful waters, a picture of peaceful years.
The waterfall, with which Tang San had spent a year, roared from above. As Tang San leaped up, he could already see a figure standing quietly by the lake.
"Dad!"
Tang San shouted excitedly. Tang Sui, following close behind Tang San, paused and looked at the figure in the black robe standing by the shore. Remembering something, her gaze dimmed.
The figure, who heard Tang San's shout, turned and looked at the two approaching.
"You're back."
A deep voice seemed to echo in their ears, yet when Tang San saw Tang Hao's face, he almost lost his footing and fell from the branch.
He was like a frozen statue, his previously excited gaze now completely dazed, his breathing and heart momentarily ceasing and trembling.
Tang Sui landed gracefully, looking at Tang Hao with a sorrowful gaze.