Main Chapter: Compared to over 1,000 years, 10 will go by in a flash.

The Qing Mountains were an interesting sight. It was three massive mountains linked together with only a small divide between them. The three different mountains were; Ruo, Ai, Qiu.

In fact, considering its true nature calling it the Qing Mountain would be a more accurate name.

But no, the inhabitants were much too divided. Addressing each mountain as Qing Ruo, Qing Ai, and Qing Qiu. Saying as the sun had risen over Ruo, it could only set over Ai.

Though Ruo was considered a mountain. It was one that was truly colonized. It had been pressed and divided. No longer resembling a natural structure. Instead, it looked like a pyramid with ten deep step-like grooves. Split into two by a road called the path of Ruo.

These ten grooves were known as the Ten Rings of Ruo. Starting from the base were the; Lower Mortal Ring, Upper Mortal Ring, the Receiving Ring, the Assigning Ring, the Educating Ring, The Healing Ring, The Minor Cultivating Ring, The Major Cultivating Ring, The Supporting Ring, and The Ancestral Ring.

Above the Ten Rings of Ruo was a flat area. As if the peak of the mountain had been cut off. This area was known simply as the Peak.

And as the sun faded away, burning the sky. The Spring Rain that fell on Ruo was enough to keep it silent.

Then, without warning, all living beings in the world felt pain. However, it was a moment so brief that most did not recognize. And almost all who recognized it quickly forgot it.

In the Major Cultivating Ring, in the main room of Xuan Estate. Xuan Yu found himself with a baby in his arm. Feeling the two warm embraces that helped him hold the baby in his arm.

Cut the disorientation was short, and a pure smile came from Xuan Yu at his success. And as he looked at the tiny baby in his arm his natural smile deepened, and he mouthed;

"Foolish little brother."

The tiny Xuan Yi, in his arms, was deeply asleep. Unaware but blissfully comfortable.

***

Xuan Yu found it odd. Even after gaining eidetic memory. This time of his life was one he never dwelled on, never revisited.

He told himself it was because there was nothing to gain from looking back to then.

But this was when he was able to interact with his first Immortal. A legendary individual who was said to be the strongest Immortal Stage Cultivator of his time.

And the woman who he shared so many similarities with. 'Why did he never revisit these memories?' Though he asked himself over and over he never figured out why.

And as he sat in the center of his Xuan Estate Common Room. A two-year-old Xuan Yi sleeping on his lap. That's what he was doing once more.

Of course, this could be seen as an odd sight. A five-year-old with a cold expression sitting so still and staring outward blankly.

But to the boy's father, it was just a cute and silly sight. And so, Xuan Yu found himself and Xuan Yi scooped up. To the sound of a gentle laugh and a gentler embrace.

Xuan Yu's pride was resistant to such things but, "in the name of not appearing odd," he permitted his father's constant pestering.

And as Xuan Yu watched a full-grown man. Rub his cheeks loving against him and his little brother. While making cooing noise.

Xuan Yu's black eyes that were already cold. Showed traces of annoyance.

Xuan Yu tried to recover, act normal, but it was too late. A bang rang throughout the room.

And Xuan Yu was in the warmth of his mother's embrace.

"You're annoying him."

If music could be considered beautiful. Then the voice that came from a bit above Xuan Yu's head would be considered beautiful.

"It's just a bit of bonding."

Xuan Shen said his voice lively as he chuckled. A hand rubbing through his messy black hair.

"Tch."

Seeing Xuan Shi's eyes slant ever so slightly. Xuan Shen retreated slightly letting the still-sleeping Xuan Yi fill her sight instead. Seeing her youngest Xuan Shi's expression relaxed. Xuan Shen coddled Xuan Yi.

"See? Yi doesn't mind it."

Xuan Shi's eyes fully relaxed and she rested her head on Xuan Yu's.

"That one resembles you and this one resembles me."

Xuan Shen laughed at that. Then with his cheek still stuck to Xuan Yi's. His hand traced Xuan Shi's and then laid on Xuan Yu's cheeks.

And as father and son's eyes met. Xuan Yu felt his father's green eyes resembled the appearance of Qi. Then remembering the crystal-like eyes that Xuan Yi would have. He found himself agreeing.

"Yep, that one's a momma's boy."

Not to that.

***

Xuan Yu enjoyed the time with his parents more than he would admit. Having the odd sides of himself accepted so easily, was comforting. And though he did initially try to pretend to be child-like.

The day his father placed his hand on his head and said, "There's no need to be anything but natural with us." Scared him fiercely but also caused him to stop pretending.

And he let himself go, growing comfortable and immersing himself in the situation. Believing that pointlessly resisting a situation was a sign of immaturity, he adjusted quickly.

Though, today that would all end.

Xuan Yu sat in the entrance hall of the estate. With Xuan Yi nestling in his arms.

Today was the day that he and his little brother would become orphans. Oddly, enough it was his sixth birthday. Knowing they had a mission on the day. The Xuan household had celebrated the day before.

And that mission was the one that the Ruo Clan chose to break its sharpest weapon.

Xuan Yu reasoned with himself. That the parts of him that would try to save his parents had long died. That trying to save them would change too much and his plans would go awry.

Reason after reason was going on in his head but here he was sitting down at the Entrance Hall of the Xuan Estate.

"What are you worrying about?"

Xuan Yu felt his father's forehead suddenly against his own. The light pressure and gentle hand on his head. Shocking away his thoughts.

Not trusting his voice, Xuan Yu merely shook his head.

Xuan Shen kissed his two sons goodbye. Then moving to the door grabbed his hanging outer robe. Throwing it on in one gesture.

Seeing the water-like outer robe with its black and gold trimmings. The solemn purple moon on the robes back.

Xuan Yu for a moment thought his father might be a little cool.

Breaking the moment was a warm hug that enveloped him. His mother lazily pressing her weight on him. But not so much that she felt heavy. Just a warm, comforting reminder.

As Xuan Shi was a slightly awkward woman. In her own way, she was trying to express something. And just like he did over a thousand years ago he understood.

Lifting herself up and stretching she ruffled the sleeping Xuan Yi's hair. Before toddling over to Xuan Shen. Leaning into his embrace. She let him comb out her hair and then place her outer robe on.

Xuan Yu tilted his head down. And suddenly, gracefully he felt something slip over his neck.

Immediately, shock and confusion rang out in Xuan Yu. He jolted up and stared at his parents. His hand moving across the thing around his neck and vaguely recognizing it as a necklace.

Xuan Shen met Xuan Yu's eyes. He tried to be serious but as Xuan Shi was pinching him and glaring. He couldn't appear that heroic. So, he gave a helpless smile instead.

"Take care of your little brother."

Xuan Shen who was having his cheek pulled fiercely. Leaned his face down and kissed Xuan Shi. Taking advantage of her blushing surprise. He wrapped a hand around her waist. And then waving to Xuan Yu disappeared before the latter's eyes.

Xuan Yi yawned in his sleep. And Xuan Yu turned his attention to him. The words he just heard echoing through his mind.

'Did I forget? Why don't I remember such an important event? How could I forget it?'

Xuan Yu's hands traced the necklace and he grew more confused. His thoughts were slightly frantic.

'If I merely forgot. Then where did this necklace come from? What happened to it? No, I wouldn't forget it.'

Xuan Yu stroked the strange metal at the end of the necklace. And suddenly he choked up.

Twice-lost, for a moment, a brief moment. The former leader of the last generation of Demonic Sects. The one who was once known as 'The Devourer of Hope". Lamented things that were twice lost.