Chapter 18: Xiaoqing's Return
The air around the Leifeng Pagoda was thick with magical energy. Xiaoqing stood at the center of a swirling vortex of green light, her power growing with every second. She focused all her will on the ancient stones, her mind filled with memories of her sister's kindness and sacrifice.
"Sister! I am here!" she cried, her voice piercing the roar of the energy. "The wait is over! Come back to us!"
With a deafening roar, the pagoda began to crumble. Huge blocks of stone fell into the lake, sending plumes of water into the air. The light grew so bright that the onlookers had to shield their eyes. In the center of the destruction, a figure began to emerge. It was Bai Suzhen, her white robes still pristine, her face as beautiful as the day she was imprisoned.
She stepped out from the ruins, her eyes blinking in the sunlight for the first time in twenty years. She looked around, her gaze landing first on Xiaoqing and then on the young man kneeling before her.
"Xiaoqing," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "You did it. You saved me."
Xiaoqing rushed forward and embraced her sister, both of them weeping with relief. "I promised I would, sister. I never stopped trying."
Then, Bai Suzhen turned to Mengjiao. She walked toward him, her steps graceful despite her long confinement. She reached out and touched his face, her hands trembling. "My son. My beautiful, brave son."
Mengjiao looked up at his mother, his heart overflowing with love. "Mother. You are finally home."
The reunion was a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. The entire city of Hangzhou seemed to hold its breath as the family was brought back together. The legend of the white snake had reached its climax, but there was one final piece of the puzzle still missing. They needed to find Xu Xian and complete the family circle once and for all.