The young Duan Chenfeng looked at his elder brother, the once glorious eldest young master of the Duan family, whom he admired the most, now transformed into a beggar, decaying in this foul-smelling, dirty back alley.
His heart was greatly impacted!
Duan Chenyang, on the other hand, saw Duan Chenfeng as his last hope, his raised palm clawing at the void.
"Chenfeng..."
Duan Chenfeng became even more certain that this was his elder brother, but the young boy was terrified to the extreme, his eyes filled with immense complexity.
After hesitating for just a moment, Duan Chenfeng abruptly turned around, intending to flee the scene.
Duan Chenyang, whose eyes had been burning with the fire of hope, now saw his gaze completely dim.
A self-mocking smile appeared on Duan Chenyang's lips, and he then closed his eyes. The outstretched hand failed to grasp the last lifeline, and the flames of hatred began to burn within his heart...
*Snap!*
But just then, the hand that Duan Chenyang was about to let fall was firmly grasped.
It was Duan Chenfeng, who had returned!
"Big brother, I'll take you home!"
Duan Chenfeng's voice was like a heavenly melody.
And all of this was merely a dream. Struck head-on by the Heavenly Gang Yang Thunder, as Duan Chenyang's consciousness was about to dissipate, he heard a voice by his ear, causing his tightly shut eyes to snap open!
Thirty years had passed in the blink of an eye, and the young boy of yesteryear was no longer in his prime.
"Big brother, are you alright?"
Seeing Duan Chenyang open his eyes, Duan Chenfeng smiled through tears.
Duan Chenyang gave a self-deprecating smile, raising his hand to wipe away the tears from Duan Chenfeng's face, and shook his head, "It's nothing, just a nightmare. Now, the dream is over."
The dream was over.
The obsession that had lasted for thirty years had vanished!
The brothers embraced and wept!
They had crossed time, transcended life and death, and even conquered fate. The brothers, having returned, were still youths at heart!
Lin Shuai Nan felt an inexplicable pang of sadness, but before his tears could fall, he turned to look at his second uncle, Lin Zhengning, and was startled.
"Oh dear, Second Uncle, what are you doing? You're crying your eyes out!"
Second Uncle Lin was indeed crying his eyes out, and even after being teased by Lin Shuai Nan, he couldn't stop his tears.
He reached out and tugged at Lin Shuai Nan's clothes, blowing his nose forcefully.
*Pfft!*
"Hey, Second Uncle, my clothes!"
After retrieving his clothes, Lin Shuai Nan disdainfully tossed his outer garment to Second Uncle Lin.
Although the onlookers were also moved, the lingering sense of dread from the previous scenes had not yet disappeared. This was something more unforgettable than mere emotion.
Naturally, they could not understand what Second Uncle Lin was feeling in his heart.
Second Uncle Lin was accustomed to life and death, and had witnessed too many tragedies. However, up to this point, this was the most shocking and perfectly concluded story.
Second Uncle Lin was naturally moved; he felt a sense of unity and success against all odds.
"Wuwu, Xiao Nan Nan, you don't understand anything!"
"Alas, Duan Chenfeng's life was first altered by a geomancy master hired by his mother, and then in the latter half of his life, his fate was controlled by his elder brother, Duan Chenyang!"
"And Duan Chenyang, his fate was also stolen, leading him to master Xuanmen techniques and then control Duan Chenfeng's destiny."
"But what does it matter? Aren't they both still subject to the whims of unfathomable heavenly decrees? Alas, how pathetic, how lamentable!"
"In this world, who can escape the concept of fate! Especially us Xuanmen practitioners!"
Second Uncle Lin poured out all his inner feelings, and his crying finally stopped. He then resumed his demeanor of a wise master, shaking his head repeatedly.
Lin Shuai Nan was confused by his uncle's words. He hadn't understood much of what was said earlier, but he understood the last sentence.
Immediately, Lin Shuai Nan pointed at Ling Feng.
"Who says so, Second Uncle? Didn't my big brother go against the heavens! Didn't he escape fate? If it weren't for him, both these brothers would have died today!"
Second Uncle Lin was taken aback by this remark. He raised his hand and slapped the back of Lin Shuai Nan's head.
"Xiao Nan Nan, you know nothing. Even if Ling Feng's Xuanmen techniques are beyond human capability, can he truly escape the natural cycle of aging, sickness, and death?"
Ling Feng heard Second Uncle Lin's words clearly and gained many insights.
The power of heaven and earth was indeed awe-inspiring.
But if his and his elder brother Ling Yan's fate was inevitably a separation by death!
Then Ling Feng was determined to defy the heavens!
"If fate is unjust, then one must fight against it to the very end!"
Ling Feng's resolve grew stronger.
As the saying goes, a person who lives to fifty understands the will of heaven.
However, most people do not live to fifty, let alone understand the will of heaven.
Ling Feng did not believe in fate, nor was he controlled by it. On this journey, life and death had long been disregarded; only brotherhood and loyalty remained in his heart!
Although the grievances and entanglements between the brothers Duan Chenfeng and Duan Chenyang were quite different from those between the brothers Ling Feng and Ling Yan.
These two brothers were merely unfortunate souls played by so-called fate.
They possessed fraternal affection, and at the brink of death, they were able to see through this and regret their past lives! This was also why Ling Feng had intervened to save them.
"Big brother! Your leg..."
Duan Chenfeng cried out in alarm, and instantly, all eyes converged.
Duan Chenyang's upper body was propped up, appearing unharmed, but from his knees down, he was completely immobile.
Second Uncle Lin shook his head upon seeing this. He had anticipated this outcome when he had done his best to protect Duan Chenyang.
"Alas, the cycle of heaven, retribution is inescapable. Duan Chenyang ultimately could not escape the calamity of a broken leg! However, to have survived is already a great fortune!"
Duan Chenyang seemed to have heard Second Uncle Lin's words. He paid no attention to his legs, waved his hand at Duan Chenfeng, and then gestured for Duan Chenfeng to help him up.
The two brothers, nearing fifty, stood up, supporting each other.
Duan Chenyang's legs had lost all sensation, but with Duan Chenfeng's support, he could still stand steadily.
"Master Lin, my survival today, and the shedding of this lifelong obsession, are all thanks to you! Your great kindness is beyond words. If Master Lin ever needs my assistance, Duan Chenyang will do his utmost!"
Duan Chenyang expressed his sincere gratitude, his entire demeanor softening, making his face appear less aged.
Duan Chenfeng beside him also bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Master Lin, for saving my life, thank you!"
Second Uncle Lin nodded with satisfaction upon seeing this, but then waved his hand and said, "Oh, oh, I didn't accomplish anything today. The person you should thank is Ling Feng! If it weren't for Ling Feng, even if I were to risk my own life, I would not have been able to break the Earth Fiend Yin Thunder!"
"Right, right! Thank you, Mr. Ling, for saving our lives!"
Duan Chenfeng quickly turned and bowed to Ling Feng.
Duan Chenyang's eyes glistened with tears, "Mr. Ling's words earlier were like a divine awakening to me, Duan Chenyang. With this remaining life, I will certainly not be foolish again!"