Ming Fu. This was the name of Xiang Shaoyun's mother, the Imperial Nether Clan's previous little princess. She bore the hope of the clan during her generation. With an astonishingly powerful bloodline, even the Nether Monarch was confident she would become the next Nether Monarch.

Unfortunately, she took the wrong path and started a forbidden relationship with a human. She had even given birth to a child with that human. Her future was thus ruined. Ming Fu had not expected that she would be attacked by the Dark Devourer Clan when her son had finally arrived. Her strength had been sealed, rendering her helpless. Even though she had subsequently broken free of her seal, she still couldn't avoid dying.

Fortunately, Xiang Shaoyun had arrived in time. He even knew to make use of his rune and had a devilblood heart in his possession. Thus, she was able to recover a sliver of life. In a way, this was proof that fate did not intend for her life to end yet.

Ming Fu had a strong will to live. She could sense that her child was now beside her. The sensation coming from her very blood wouldn't be wrong. She had to recover as quickly as possible. Doing all she could, she absorbed the devilblood heart. Her body recovered rapidly, and eventually, she opened her eyes.

The first person she saw was Xiang Shaoyun. For a moment, she thought that she was looking at Xiang Yangzhan. She called out, "Brother Zhan?"

"No, I'm his son, Xiang Shaoyun," replied Xiang Shaoyun in an emotional manner.

Finally, Ming Fu's head cleared up. She grabbed Xiang Shaoyun's hand and shouted, "Y-you're my son! You're my son!"

She then pulled Xiang Shaoyun into her arms and cried bitterly.

"My son, my dearest son, I finally see you, finally..."

Her sadness, her longing, all her feelings burst out like a flood, presenting a touching reunion.

Xiang Shaoyun also couldn't constrain himself anymore. Choking with emotion, he called out, "Mother!"

Since he was a boy, he had wanted to call out to his mother. He had never gotten the chance. And finally, his wish was fulfilled.

Ming Cigeng tactfully left. They were devils, but they weren't without emotions. On the contrary, the feelings they had for fellow clan members were as strong as the feelings humans could have for each other.

After crying for a while, Ming Fu finally released Xiang Shaoyun. She sized him up before lightly stroking his cheeks. "My son, I finally get to see you. Even if I am to die after this, I have no regrets."

Xiang Shaoyun held her hand tightly and said, "Mother, you won't die. We still need to reunite with Father. We will no longer be separated!"

This wasn't only his hope but also his goal.

"Yes, yes, our family will be together again," said Ming Fu in an emotional manner.

Xiang Shaoyun wiped her tears and said, "Mother, it has been hard for you. Let's leave this cursed place."

"I-I'm a sinner. I can't leave this place," Ming Fu said painfully. "Son, leave. I am happy enough to see you this one time. Don't stay. Leave."

"Mother, do you think I can easily leave after coming here?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.

His words seemed to remind Ming Fu of something. After giving it some thought, she panicked and asked, "Son, were you captured by the clan? No, I'm going to beg them to release you! You can't stay here and suffer with me!"

After suffering years of torture, her mental state had become extremely unstable.

Xiang Shaoyun stopped her and said, "Mother, listen to me."

His words managed to calm her.

With a solemn expression, Xiang Shaoyun said, "I am now the nineteenth prince of the Imperial Nether Clan. I was personally appointed by the Nether Monarch himself. He had also agreed to let me bring you out of this place."

Ming Fu was so shocked she couldn't say anything. Who was the Nether Monarch? He was the clan's supreme ruler. A regular person wouldn't even get a chance to meet him. Even a prince or an imperial uncle would not be qualified to meet him frequently.

Her son had been personally appointed a prince by such a person? What a glory that was!

"You're the nineteenth prince? Have you fully awakened your bloodline?" asked Ming Fu.

Xiang Shaoyun nodded. "Yes. I might have a human body, but I have your blood flowing in me. I have awakened all three abilities. It is only natural that I become the nineteenth prince."

Xiang Shaoyun was already accepting his fate. Since he couldn't disobey the Nether Monarch, he might as well make the best out of his current predicament. In any case, he would gain the Imperial Nether Clan's support with his identity as a prince. He could even free his mother. As for how he would face the humans, it was a problem to solve in the future. Even if he had to turn the entire world into his enemy, he would still reunite with his mother.

"Son, it has been hard on you," said Ming Fu as she grabbed Xiang Shaoyun's hands tightly.

"Mother, focus on absorbing the devilblood heart and recover. We have plenty of time together in the future," said Xiang Shaoyun.

"Um," agreed Ming Fu gently. She then focused and continued absorbing the devilblood heart.

The devilblood heart had gathered the blood of countless Imperial Nether Clan members. It suited Ming Fu well. With the power hidden within the heart, Ming Fu regained her strength with its help. Her rune pulsed repeatedly, emitting an enchanting radiance as her blood stirred. A powerful aura burst out of her, and her appearance gradually turned younger. The life force in her body also grew abundant.

Xiang Shaoyun stood silently beside her and waited as she recovered, constantly thinking of his next course of action. He had successfully found his mother, but leaving the Imperial Nether Clan was still a tricky problem to solve.

If a day comes when my strength is beyond the Nether Monarch's, my life will finally be fully in my control, thought Xiang Shaoyun with a sigh.

His thirst for strength grew. Only by becoming the strongest person in existence would he have full control over his fate. Regardless of whether it was in the Devil Domain, on the surface world, or in the universe, strength would always be the greatest guarantee of one's free will.

Xiang Shaoyun did not want to remain in a reactive position. He could only continue growing. Not only did he have to regain his previous life's strength, but he also had to surpass his previous strength. He had to reach the apex of cultivation.

Everything he had experienced recently had further strengthened his resolve in cultivation. For now, he would remain as the prince. However, he might not stay one forever. He vowed to become an existence beyond the Nether Monarch. He wanted to bring his mother out of this place and search for his father. He wanted his family to be together again.

As long as I remain alive, there will always be hope, thought Xiang Shaoyun as he clenched his fists tightly.