A Family's Burden

  Guo Chenwei sighed, the weight of his circumstances pressing heavily upon him. His ethereal form hovered near the luminous surface of the Heavenly Source Monument, gazing outward at the Li family. Their simple home, their humble lives—they had no idea of the storm that might soon descend upon them.

  It was because of Li Yuntai that Guo had escaped the cold, relentless void of the snowy forest. It was through this family's unwitting intervention that he had been recognized as the master of this ancient artifact.

  But were they worthy of becoming TAO Seed inheritors?

  Guo’s mist-like form rippled thoughtfully. Gratitude stirred within him, but caution quickly tempered it. Power—true power—was a double-edged sword. Bestowing even a fragment of the monument’s potential upon the wrong person could lead to disaster. He would watch them carefully, observing their choices, their hearts. Only time would tell if they were fit to carry the seeds of immortality.

  For now, he would wait.

  Outside the artifact, the Li family remained oblivious to the monumental shift that had just occurred within the Heavenly Source Monument. The faint golden runes that had flickered across its surface had vanished, leaving behind nothing but the unassuming, weathered box hidden beneath the stack of firewood in the corner.

  They gathered around the dining table, the remnants of their morning meal still steaming between them. The usual warmth of family chatter was absent, replaced by a heavy, contemplative silence.

  Li Heng, his face lined with the burdens of both fatherhood and the weight of the unknown, finally broke the quiet. His deep voice carried a gravitas that immediately commanded the attention of his sons.

  “Yuntai,” he began, his eyes locking onto his eldest son. “We do not know if this object is a blessing… or a misfortune for our family. But I must ask you—does anyone else know of its existence?”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Li Yuntai straightened in his seat, his posture reflecting the respectful deference a son owed his father in their time-honored traditions. Bowing his head slightly, his voice was steady, yet filled with the gravity of the situation.

  “Father,” he replied, “No one outside our family knows of the box. I swear it .”

  Li Heng nodded, his expression unreadable. After a pause, he turned his gaze to both of his sons, his tone firm, leaving no room for debate.

  “Then listen well.

  What happened today must remain a secret.

  We do not know if this… artifact belongs to an immortal, or if such a being can track its whereabouts. Should the immortal come, we will humbly beg for forgiveness and return it without resistance.

  His eyes darkened with the weight of ancient wisdom passed down through generations.

  “But until that day comes, we must keep this thing safe. A man’s treasure can become his family’s downfall. The world is full of those who would kill without hesitation for such power. Not a single soul outside this household must know of it.”

  The words hung heavy in the air, sinking deep into the hearts of Li Yuntai and Li Xun.

  A solemn silence followed until Li Yuntai could no longer bear the weight of his guilt. He rose slowly from his seat, his face pale but resolute. In a swift, practiced motion, he dropped to his knees before his father, pressing his forehead against the cold, wooden floor.

  “Father,” he said, his voice trembling with remorse, “this son has brought disaster upon our family. I humbly ask to bear this burden alone and accept any punishment you deem fit.”

  The room grew even quieter, the only sound the faint crackling of the hearth.

  Li Heng’s eyes softened as he looked upon his eldest son. Rising from his chair with the steady grace of a man who had faced many battles, both in the world and within himself, he placed a strong, calloused hand on Yuntai’s shoulder.

  “Yuntai,” he said gently, lifting his son’s face to meet his gaze, “I understand your heart. But this is not your burden to bear alone. This is our family’s responsibility.

  “There will be no punishment, only vigilance. The task I give to both you and your brother is simple: keep this artifact hidden. Protect it as you would protect your own lives. Let no outsider, friend or foe, ever know of its existence.”

  Li Yuntai swallowed hard, his eyes glistening, but he nodded firmly.

  Li Xun, ever the calm and thoughtful one, placed a hand over his heart and said, “Father, Brother, I swear upon my life to uphold this duty."

  Li Heng allowed himself a small, rare smile—one filled with both pride and sorrow. He pulled both his sons into a brief, strong embrace before stepping back.

  “Good. Then we are united in this. Our family stands as one.”

  The quiet understanding that passed between them in that moment was unspoken, but powerful.

  Beyond their courtyard walls, the village bustled with the sounds of daily life, unaware of the ancient power now hidden within the humble Li household. But inside their modest home, a family had unknowingly stepped onto a path that would change not only their fate—but perhaps the fate of the world itself.

  And somewhere within the depths of the Heavenly Source Monument, Guo Chenwei watched, his formless consciousness drifting like mist on the wind.

  The seeds of destiny had been planted.