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The disciples’ faces flushed a little as they hurriedly moved aside to let him pass.
“Thanks,” he said gently before entering the sect and heading towards the Outer Sect Spatial Portal.
The disciples on the way instinctively stopped their activities, their gazes drawn to his figure.
Whispers broke out among the group, awed murmurs of respect and admiration spreading like wildfire due to him becoming a Core Disciple.
Shen Yuan didn’t bother with them as he continued moving towards the Spatial Portal.
The disciples there bowed respectfully and didn’t ask for any charge, as it was one of the privileges of Core Disciples.
Shen Yuan nodded his head towards the disciples before heading inside the portal.
He entered one portal after another and headed back towards the Radiant Heart Peak.
…
As Shen Yuan stepped into his courtyard, the serene atmosphere of the courtyard greeted him like an old friend.
The gentle rustling of leaves and the faint hum of Qi resonating from the surroundings created an air of peace and tranquility.
At the center of the courtyard stood the cherry tree, much better looking than when he transferred it due to him infusing his bloodline further into it.
Shen Yuan approached the tree, his gaze softening as he traced its trunk with his eyes.
Its bark was rough and radiating a soft azure glow, a testament to its survival against the tribulation. Though its growth was slow, it radiated a vitality that showed its potential to bloom into a majestic, unyielding true spirit.
After looking at the tree for a bit, he took out a chair from his spatial ring and placed it beside the tree.
Shen Yuan sank into it with a quiet sigh, letting the weight of his responsibilities momentarily lift from his shoulders.
Xueyan hopped off his shoulder and went to sit on his lap.
“Hehe. Sorry, Xueyan, I took care of all the trouble and didn’t leave any fun for you.” Shen Yuan chuckled softly while patting her.
Xueyan purred softly before closing her eyes and lying down on his lap as he caressed her.
Shen Yuan smiled, looking at her. “Yeah, rest peacefully. You should be tired after all that journey.”
He leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes to take a moment’s rest.
The peace of the courtyard filled his mind as he felt calmness sinking in.
[Won’t you tell your family that you have returned?]
Yue Lan’s voice echoed in his head.
“What’s the point of that? They can easily tell if I’m back or not with their divine sense. As for Qingyu and Ling’er, they should cultivate for now,” he softly replied.
[That’s true as well.]
Shen Yuan rested his head against the back of the chair, letting the calm of the courtyard settle over him. His fingers gently stroked Xueyan’s fur as she relaxed on his lap, a quiet hum forming in the serene atmosphere.
[Yuan’er, you’ve really been busy during this time, huh? First the closed-door cultivation, then the tribulation, then the Core Disciple ceremony, then the Silver Fox Sect, now again closed-door cultivation, and then the Aurora Zone Competition. Your schedule is damn packed.]
Yue Lan’s voice echoed in his mind, filled with both amusement and speechlessness.
Shen Yuan smirked faintly, his eyes still closed. “That’s why moments like this are important. Even if I’m busy, I have to find time to recharge, don’t I? Otherwise, what’s the point?”
[Make sure not to mess up somewhere. With the way things are moving so quickly, even a much stronger cultivator than you would have a problem facing them.]
He shook his head. “I know what I’m doing and how much I can handle. And this is still not my limit. If I can’t even handle these trivial matters, then I don’t deserve these talents.”
[…]
Yue Lan got silent as she had no reply to that.
…
After some time, Shen Yuan opened his eyes slightly, the soft azure glow of the cherry tree casting an ethereal light over the courtyard. Xueyan’s steady breathing was a soothing rhythm as she lay on his lap.
[Yuan’er, are you really planning to push yourself to the Extreme Origin Core Realm before the Aurora Zone Competition? You know the toll that will take, right?]
Yue Lan’s voice was calm but carried a hint of concern.
Shen Yuan tilted his head back, gazing at the azure bud of the cherry tree. “I don’t have much choice. The competition will be a gathering of prodigies and monsters, each carrying a million year old heritage or divine blessings. If I want to compete—or even win—there, I need to at least have a somewhat presentable cultivation base.”
[You’ve always been like this. No rest, no breaks, just endless cultivation and battles. You know very well most of them are double or even triple your age.]
Yue Lan sighed softly.
[But I suppose that’s also why you have these talents and the reason I admire you.]
Shen Yuan chuckled lightly, his fingers continuing to stroke Xueyan’s feathers. “Admiration, huh? I didn’t think that was in your vocabulary.”
[Don’t push it.]
Her tone turned playful, and Shen Yuan smirked, enjoying their banter.
After a few moments of silence, Shen Yuan’s expression turned serious. “Lan’er, I’ve been thinking about the dreams I’ve been having lately.”
[The ones with the figure standing above countless realms?]
Yue Lan asked, her voice softer now.
He nodded. “It’s not just a dream. It feels… familiar as if it’s a glimpse of something that could happen—or already has. Standing alone, without anyone beside me who I can call my own… facing creatures of nightmares.”
[You’re not alone now, Yuan’er. You have people who care for you—your family, your allies, and…] Yue Lan hesitated before continuing, […even me.]
Shen Yuan smiled faintly, his hand pausing on Xueyan. “That’s why I can’t afford to lose. I want to ensure that everyone who stands by me can also share in that view when the time comes.”
[Yuan’er…]
Yue Lan’s voice softened, and for a moment, there was only the quiet rustling of leaves and the distant hum of radiant Qi.
After a while, Shen Yuan stood, gently placing Xueyan on the chair. She stirred slightly but remained asleep, her tiny form exuding a faint warmth.
“It’s time,” he said, his voice resolute.
[Time for what?]
Yue Lan asked, though she already knew the answer.
“Closed-door seclusion,” Shen Yuan replied. “I’ll push myself to the Extreme Origin Core Realm and solidify my mastery over my various Intents.”
He stepped toward the cherry tree, placing a hand on its glowing trunk. The connection between him and the tree deepened due to his bloodline, its aura harmonizing with his own. The tree pulsed gently as if acknowledging his presence.
“I hope you grow up well,” he softly said before removing his hand and moving a little back.
Just as he was about to summon his portal to the Dual Cultivation Chambers, a faint ripple in the courtyard’s Qi caught his attention. His eyes opened slightly, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
“Big Sis Huo Rong,” he called softly, not needing to turn around. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”
From the entrance of the courtyard, Huo Rong stepped into view, her flowing crimson robes glimmering under the tree’s light.