C13 Wu Family

"What?! Immortal level?!" Lin Yu gasped, his mind reeling from the revelation.

"Yes..." The old Taoist sighed wistfully, "But ultimately, his severe injuries destroyed his foundation, and he passed away, transforming into an immortal right here in this cave."

"Master, do you know the origins of those three people? Why did they massacre the village?" Lin Yu asked, feeling the old Taoist's sorrow. Though he had never met his grandmaster, a surge of sadness and rage welled up inside him.

The old Taoist shook his head, his expression shifting from sorrow to fury. Clenching his fists, his eyes blazed with hatred as he said, "I inquired as well, but my master, fearing my impulsive wrath, chose not to divulge the details. He only urged me to safeguard the seal and avoid these individuals, honoring my parents' efforts."

With a resounding "Bang!" the old Taoist, overcome with anger, slammed his fist into the cave wall, panting heavily, "My parents, my entire tribe, they were all slain by these people."

"My parents?" Lin Yu was taken aback, his heart pounding with each shocking revelation. He hadn't expected the old Taoist, who seemed so detached, to have such a profound backstory. Taking a deep breath, Lin Yu calmed the turmoil in his heart and listened intently to the old Taoist's harrowing tale.

Indeed, before my master's transformation, he confided in me about my heritage, and I became the last member of the Wu family...

In the dimly lit cave, the old Taoist narrated his life story with moments of sorrow and moments of acceptance. Lin Yu, realizing the depth of the old man's experiences, listened closely, his heart heavy with empathy.

The Wu family was an ancient lineage, rich in resources and filled with formidable members. Despite their strength, they chose to live hidden from the world. Outsiders perceived the Wu family as enigmatic, unaware that for generations, they had been the custodians of a sacred seal. The old Taoist's father was the latest patriarch and the seal's protector.

The knowledge of the seal was confined to a select few elders and the patriarch, safeguarded by a secret method passed down through the ages. However, as time marched on, changes were inevitable, leading to the loss of many traditions and the origins of the seal and the bound entity it contained. What was known was that the seal was created by an ancient deity who expended their lifeblood. The binding object was of immense significance, and to maintain the seal's integrity, it required a continual offering of lifeblood. Despite the tumultuous passage of millennia and the shifting sands of time, the seal remained secure.

Shortly after the old Taoist's birth, a once-stable existence was shattered. A group of enigmatic figures attacked the Wu family, seeking the binding object. The venerable family was nearly annihilated. In a moment of crisis, the old Taoist's father used a secret technique to transfer the binding object into his son's body and, at great peril, managed to save a small remnant of their people. The old Taoist's master was the sole elder to survive.

This elder led the few remaining members of the family in a harrowing escape, eventually concealing their identities and going into hiding. None but the elder knew what lay within Wuyi's body, yet there was an unspoken understanding that the mysterious assailants' pursuit was somehow linked to it. Out of respect for the lineage, the family harbored reverence for the patriarch, but it was natural for them to harbor suspicions and apprehensions about the unknown.

...

Upon learning the old man's history, Lin Yu was deeply moved. A sudden realization struck him, "Master, the pill you're concocting now—could it be...?" Lin Yu felt as though he had grasped something significant, yet he was reluctant to accept it as truth.

"Yes, my lifeblood is nearly depleted..." the old Taoist replied with a heavy sigh.

A jolt went through Lin Yu's mind, and he felt a surge of warmth. His suspicions were confirmed, but the reality was still difficult to face. "Is there truly no other way?"

The old Taoist chuckled softly, patting Lin Yu's head with a touch of affection. He stroked his beard and explained, "There are ways. One is the Dragonfire Elixir, an ancient remedy of our clan, lost to the outside world until I fortuitously recovered it a few years back. The other requires an Almighty to willingly use a secret method to transfer their lifeblood, a perilous act that few would undertake without good reason."

"Is there really no hope at all?" Lin Yu murmured, his voice tinged with a sense of loss. Overwhelmed by emotion, he reflected on the care and warmth he had received from the old Taoist, who had become like family to him. Faced with such a daunting challenge, he struggled to come to terms with it, tears streaming down his face.

"Listen, young man, a man's tears are not easily shed, especially since I'm not even dead yet. Why the tears?" the old Taoist chided.

"Wah—Master, when are you going to die?" Lin Yu, upon being scolded, burst into tears and choked out the question.

"Heh, you're eager for me to kick the bucket, huh? Don't worry, it'll happen soon enough," the old Taoist said with a laugh and a mock scold, despite Lin Yu's blunt words.

"Wah—"

"Hahaha... Good, good. The heavens have been kind to me. I've lived for centuries, wandering the world, always alone. I never imagined I'd end up meeting a kid like you to see me off. I have no worries now. This seal has been passed down for years, and though I don't know exactly what's inside, my parents and master died protecting it. I'd rather die avenging them than live in hiding, but I must not let the seal fall into the wrong hands. For centuries, those people have never stopped hunting me. I've had to hide and even fought a few of them, though I don't know who they are or why they want the seal. Their organization is strict and hierarchical, and the three they killed in the village were not their top agents. It seems my vengeance will be hard to fulfill."

The old Taoist turned to look at Lin Yu, who was still sobbing. He was just a child, after all. A bitter smile played on his lips, and his eyes held a hint of apology as he sighed, struggling to find the words.

Lin Yu, his face streaked with tears, looked up at the old Taoist, his eyes reddening but his voice steady. "Master, if you trust me, I will guard the seal."

The old Taoist's fingers trembled slightly, and his eyes grew moist. His voice, gentle and tinged with relief, said, "Little one, perhaps meeting you in the woods was the universe looking out for me. Taking you as my disciple is the best decision I've ever made."

Having lived for hundreds of years and seen much of the world, the old Taoist was an astute judge of character. Despite their brief time together, he could see that Lin Yu, though youthful in appearance, had a strong will and a sharp mind. He was deeply emotional, cautious, and prudent—making him the ideal person to entrust with the current predicament.

Kneeling before the aged Taoist, Lin Yu's voice carried a resolute tone, "Master, even though I have yet to step onto the path of cultivation, rest assured, one day I will avenge you and right the wrongs done to you!"