NOVPUBThis time, the meditation retreat took just over a month—a little longer than Xu Zimei had anticipated, due in part to the unexpected changes in the Chaos Pearl.
The enhancement this time was almost a qualitative leap in strength, and Xu Zimei could feel the power brimming throughout his body.
Most importantly, having entered the Empty Vein Realm, he now possessed the ability to tread through the air.
When Xu Zimei stepped out of his room, he felt as though the outside world had been cleansed, becoming exceptionally clear and pristine.
The various spiritual medicines on both sides of the Goose Southern Peak courtyard seemed more vibrant than ever, as if they had been blessed.
This reminded Xu Zimei of the surge of spiritual energy that coincided with condensing his True Fate.
"Senior Brother," Xiao Guizi hurriedly approached to greet him.
"Has anything happened during my retreat?" Xu Zimei nodded and inquired.
"The Deputy Sect Master visited before; he said to look for him once you’ve emerged from seclusion," Xiao Guizi replied. "And I’ve heard from the disciples at the Sect Gate that our True Martial Holy Sect’s Sect Protection Array was activated recently."
"The Sect Protection Array?" Xu Zimei’s brow furrowed. He already had an answer in mind.
It seemed that the disturbance from his breakthrough had caught his father’s attention. Due to the scarcity of spiritual energy around Goose Southern Peak at the time, his father had had no choice but to harness the Sect Protection Array to gather a vast amount of spiritual energy for him.
No wonder the spiritual medicines in his courtyard were flourishing—it was all thanks to the bath of spiritual energy.
"I understand," Xu Zimei nodded.
"Oh, and Senior Brother, Senior Brother Lin also visited several times, but since you were in seclusion, he had to leave," Xiao Guizi added.
"Ruhu?" Xu Zimei nodded knowingly. He was sure that Ruhu had probably figured it out as well.
......…
After leaving Goose Southern Peak, Xu Zimei went straight to his father’s Azure Mountain Peak.
Xu Qingshan always seemed to wear the same blue robe, but compared to the last time Xu Zimei had seen his father, there was a new sharpness to his demeanor.
"Father," Xu Zimei greeted.
"Seeing you have not neglected your cultivation, I must say, I’m truly relieved," Xu Qingshan said with a smile.
"I will make every effort. It was you who activated the Sect Protection Array, wasn’t it?" Xu Zimei asked.
Xu Qingshan nodded and replied, "I don’t know what great fortune you stumbled upon, nor do I want to probe into it.
After all, you’ve grown up and have secrets of your own.
Just remember, your father will always be your staunchest support. You can come to me with anything."
"I know, I’ve always known," Xu Zimei nodded vigorously. He didn’t consider himself particularly sentimental.
But humans are strange creatures—sometimes, it’s not the grand earth-shattering deeds that move you to tears.
Sometimes, it’s the seemingly insignificant acts of care that reveal someone’s true feelings for you.
Xu Zimei felt a sting at the bridge of his nose, recalling how in his previous life he’d believed his father didn’t care about him.
He’d always felt that the Sect Gate was more important to his father than he was.
But it was only after he was cast into Secluded Dragon Gorge, and his father mobilized the entire sect to avenge him, that he truly understood.
Some people loudly proclaim their willingness to go through fire and water for you, but how many can actually do it?
While others simply support you in silence, which surpasses any words—it’s a conviction.
......
"I say, when you father and son are together, can’t you talk about something else? It’s all about cultivation all day long," Wenren Yun said discontentedly from the side.
"Talk about what? At his age, the most important thing is cultivation," Xu Qingshan replied.
"Mo Er, you’re also fifteen this year, aren’t you? Have you met a girl you fancy? Your mom is still waiting to hold your child for you," Wenren Yun glared at Xu Qingshan and asked Xu Zimei.
"Mom, how old am I this year, what’s the hurry," Xu Zimei quickly shook his head.
"Just look at the grandson of the fourth elder; he has more than a dozen maidservants.
And look at you, those two maidservants I sent you, Chun Xiao and Xia Qiu, you haven’t even touched them," Wenren Yun said discontentedly.
Women, sometimes, become a bit long-winded when they speak.
Wenren Yun probably also hardly saw Xu Zimei, so she started to chatter on and on.
"As for your dad, there’s nothing in this life more important to him than the martial path, he’s wholeheartedly trying to step into the Divine Vein Realm.
Later, when the Sect Master left, he even took on the heavy responsibility of acting as the Sect Master.
Now you, you’re exactly like your dad when he was young, with eyes only for cultivation.
I’ve never been much interested in cultivation in my life; I just hope you and your dad can be safe. When you have a family and children in the future, I can still look after them for you.
Otherwise, if I wait a few hundred more years and reach the end of my lifespan, there won’t be a chance for me to take care of them then."
"What nonsense are you talking in front of the child? With me here, no matter the cost, I won’t let you leave me," Xu Qingshan said hurriedly and anxiously.
"Then you have time to look at me more often, your mind is filled with nothing but cultivation and the sect," Wenren Yun started to feel aggrieved upon hearing Xu Qingshan’s words.
Xu Zimei, seeing the deep love between his parents, realized they had entered the stage of flaunting their affection and quickly brought up an excuse to leave.
"You two, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave first."
"If you have a girl you fancy, remember to tell your mom. I’ll help you propose," Wenren Yun quickly said.
Hearing his mother’s words, Xu Zimei’s pace quickened.
"The Sect will soon open the Blood Demon Secret Realm, and I’ve secured a spot for you. Get ready,"
Xu Qingshan’s voice followed from behind, Xu Zimei paused, "The Blood Demon Secret Realm."
The Blood Demon Secret Realm was a special secret realm within the True Martial Holy Sect, inhabited by a very strange kind of creature. 𝓃𝓸𝓿𝓹𝓾𝓫.𝓬ℴ𝓶
"Blood Demon!"
Although Xu Zimei had never been to the Blood Demon Secret Realm before, he had heard quite a bit about it.
The realm was dangerous, but it also came with opportunities.
It was said that by killing a Blood Demon inside, one could obtain a Blood Demon Crystal.
The Blood Demon Crystal was a treasure that could strengthen the vitality of the human body; the strength of one’s vitality affected not only one’s attacking power but also endurance.
In a battle between two martial artists of the same realm, the strength of their vitality, to a certain extent, was also a factor in deciding the outcome.
Thinking of the Blood Demon Secret Realm, Xu Zimei smiled. In the previous evolution of the River of Fate, he had seen some different things.
He had originally planned to go to the Pure Moon Divine Realm, but before that, Xu Zimei felt that the thing in the Blood Demon Secret Realm might come in handy.
After leaving Azure Mountain Peak, Xu Zimei had barely returned to Goose Southern Peak when he ran into Lin Ruhu.
