Chapter 38: Returning Home to Visit Family

Fang Hao thought that since he had achieved Foundation Establishment and joined as an Inner Sect Disciple, and it had been over four years since he left home, with three months left until the Secret Realm trial, why not take this time to go home and visit his parents? He asked the Sect for leave and set off for Nine Slopes Village. Fang Hao flew on his Flying Sword, the mountains and rivers beneath his feet retreating rapidly.

After achieving Foundation Establishment, his sword-flying speed was several times faster than during the Qi Refinement Stage; the journey that originally took ten days now only took two.

Looking at the familiar outline of Nine Slopes Village in the distance, Fang Hao felt inexplicably nervous. It had been over four years; were his parents doing well? Had the village changed much?

The old locust tree at the entrance of the village was still there, and a few old men were playing chess under it. Fang Hao put away his Flying Sword and walked into the village—he didn’t want to frighten the fellow villagers.

"Oh, whose young man is this? You look unfamiliar!" An old man squinted at him.

Another old man nearby looked for a long time, then suddenly slapped his thigh: "Isn’t this the Ning family’s eldest boy? Fang Hao! Is that you?"

Fang Hao smiled and bowed: "Uncle Zhang, Uncle Li, it’s me. Are my parents doing well?"

"Good, good, good! Your parents are living the best life in our village now!" Uncle Zhang clicked his tongue and said, "You kid have done well for yourself! I heard you went to become an immortal?"

Fang Hao modestly replied: "I am just a Cultivator Disciple, not an immortal yet."

Uncle Li leaned in and whispered: "Your parents used that one hundred taels of silver to build a new courtyard, right at the east end of the village. Tsk tsk, blue brick and big tiled house, it’s very impressive!"

Bidding farewell to the old men, Fang Hao walked toward the east of the village. Sure enough, a brand-new courtyard came into view, with blue brick walls and a black-painted gate, far more impressive than the mud-brick house in his memory.

Fang Hao took a deep breath and knocked on the door knocker.

"Who is it?" A woman’s voice came from inside, and the door opened with a creak.

Xu Fenglan looked at the handsome young man outside the door and was stunned for a moment: "Who are you looking for?"

Fang Hao’s nose soured: "Mom, it’s me, Haoer!"

Xu Fenglan widened her eyes, looked him over carefully, and suddenly hugged him: "Haoer! It’s really Haoer! Mom almost couldn’t recognize you! You’ve grown so tall! And so handsome!"

At this moment, Ning Shiyuan also came out upon hearing the noise. Seeing Fang Hao, his hands trembled with excitement: "Good boy! Good boy! It’s good that you’re back! It’s good that you’re back!"

The couple pulled Fang Hao into the house, patting his head and shoulders, overjoyed and not knowing what to do.

"Dad, Mom, have you been well these years?" Fang Hao looked at the gray hair on his parents’ temples, his heart aching.

"Good! We’re doing great!" Ning Shiyuan smiled from ear to ear, "Thanks to you, that one hundred taels of silver turned our family’s fortunes around. We built a new house, bought livestock, and life is getting better and better!"

Xu Fenglan wiped her tears: "It’s just that we miss you... Is Cultivating hard? Have you been bullied by anyone?"

Fang Hao felt warm inside: "It’s not hard, I’m doing just fine. I am already an Inner Sect Disciple now, and my Master and Senior Brothers treat me very well."

As they were talking, the sound of a baby crying came from the inner room. Xu Fenglan hurried in and brought out a two or three-year-old child.

"This is..." Fang Hao was stunned.

Ning Shiyuan rubbed his hands in embarrassment: "This is your younger brother, Little Bo. He was born after you left... we didn’t have a chance to tell you."

Fang Hao was both surprised and happy, teasing the little baby: "Little Bo, call me brother."

The little baby looked at him timidly and burrowed into his mother’s arms.

Xu Fenglan laughed: "He’s still shy. Little Bo, this is your big brother, hurry up and call him brother."

The little guy blinked his eyes and called out in a milky voice: "Bro... ther..."

Fang Hao’s heart melted, and he took out a jade pendant from his storage ring and put it on his brother: "This is a protective amulet, it can keep you safe."

The family was reunited, and they had endless things to talk about. Fang Hao talked about his experiences in Cultivating, and his parents talked about interesting things in the village, enjoying the happy time together.

When Fang Hao took out the gold and silver he brought, Ning Shiyuan was taken aback: "This... so much! Haoer, where did you get so much money?"

Fang Hao smiled and said: "For a Cultivator, gold and silver are nothing. Mom and Dad, keep it to improve your lives."

In fact, these were just mundane gold and silver he had collected while traveling; they were useless to a Cultivator, but for a Mortal, it was a huge sum of money.

Xu Fenglan said worriedly: "Haoer, it’s not easy for you out there, keep this money for your own expenses..."

Fang Hao held his mother’s hand: "Mom, don’t worry. I am a Foundation Establishment Cultivator now, I have as much of these worldly items as I need. You can use it with peace of mind and let my brother study well."

During these few days at home, Fang Hao completely relaxed. Every day he talked with his parents, taught his brother to read, and occasionally helped the neighbors with small things—using a small Spell to cure Uncle Zhang’s chronic cold legs, and using a Condensation Spell to help the Li family solve their drought...

The villagers all knew that the Ning family had produced a "little immortal," so they all came to visit, and the threshold of the Ning family’s house was almost worn down.

Fang Hao did not refuse anyone and helped whenever he could. However, he kept the Sect rules in mind and dared not interfere too much in Mortal affairs.

On the evening of the fifth day, Fang Hao and his father were drinking tea in the courtyard. Ning Shiyuan hesitated for a long time before asking: "Haoer, can Cultivating... make one live forever?"

Fang Hao shook his head: "Cultivating is only to transcend; immortality... is hard to say."

Ning Shiyuan sighed: "Then... once you leave this time, who knows when you will be able to return?"

Fang Hao was silent for a moment: "Dad, the path of Cultivating is long. It is my unfilial act that I cannot stay by your side..."

Ning Shiyuan patted his shoulder: "Silly child, your mother and I only wish for you to be well. As long as you do well, your mother and I are happy. Just... send a letter back often so we know you are safe."

Fang Hao nodded heavily: "I will!"

On the sixth day, Fang Hao knew it was time to go back. The Secret Realm trial was imminent, and he had to prepare early.

Before leaving, he quietly set up a simple protective formation around the courtyard and left a protective Magic Treasure for his parents and brother each.

"Dad, Mom, wear these jade pendants at all times, they can ward off evil and keep you safe," Fang Hao instructed, "When Little Bo grows up a bit, you can send him to school to study. If there is a chance... perhaps he can also Cultivate."

Xu Fenglan, with red eyes, packed dry rations for him: "Take care of yourself out there, don’t worry about home..."

Ning Shiyuan held Little Bo: "Come, say goodbye to your brother."

The little guy seemed to know his big brother was leaving and cried loudly: "Brother, don’t leave..."

Fang Hao’s heart ached. He hugged his brother and bowed solemnly to his parents: "Take care, Mom and Dad! I’m going!"

He turned around and flew up on his sword, soaring into the sky amidst the surprised gazes of his parents and brother. He dared not look back—he was afraid that if he saw his mother crying, he wouldn’t be able to hold back his own tears.

After flying some distance, Fang Hao turned back to look. His parents were still standing in the courtyard, looking up at the sky, not leaving for a long time.

Fang Hao took a deep breath and accelerated toward the Sect.

This trip home made his state of mind more towards Perfection. Although a Cultivator must transcend the Mortal world, family ties are also a part of the Dao Heart.

Returning to the Sect, Fang Hao went directly to the Mission Hall to return his leave permit.

The Deacon Disciple smiled and said: "Senior Brother Ning is back? Is everything well at home?"

"Everything is fine," Fang Hao nodded, "Thanks for your concern."

Returning to his Immortal Cave on Cuizhu Peak, Fang Hao began to prepare for the Secret Realm trial. This trial was said to be full of danger, but also full of Opportunities.

He first checked all his equipment: he maintained his azure steel sword, replenished his Talismans, and checked and perfected his Formation Plate...

Then he went to the market to purchase some necessities: healing Medicinal Pill, detoxifying Spirit Medicine, and a few life-saving Talismans.

Finally, he went to the Scripture Pavilion to check the information on the Secret Realm. The "Tianfeng Secret Realm" for this trial opens once every fifty years; it contains many Opportunities, but is also full of crises.

"It is said that there is a kind of ’Wind Spirit Fruit’ in the Secret Realm, which is very beneficial for Cultivating wind-type Spells..." Fang Hao noted this information down. His Wind Spiritual Root was relatively weak, so if he could find the Wind Spirit Fruit, it would be a good thing.

Everything was ready, and there were two months left until the Secret Realm opened.