The skies parted as Bai Zihan’s flying carriage tore through the clouds, wrapped in waves of spiritual light.
Inside, Bai Zihan leaned against the cushioned interior, arms folded and eyes closed, wearing an expression of lazy indifference.
He’d gotten permission from Elder Qinglan to go out.
The woman had just given him her usual cold look, nodded slightly, and said, “Go.”
Not that he wouldn’t have gone even if she hadn’t said yes.
To Bai Zihan, Elder Qinglan was his master in name only. She hadn’t taught him a thing to deserve the title.
Still, she let him go. That was what mattered.
Which meant, now, it was time to go back home.
“I wonder if anyone is missing me?”
Well, Bai Zihan doubts that himself.
It hadn’t been that long since he’d returned—just a few months.
But in cultivation circles, even years could fly by, so this was practically a surprise visit.
The Flying Beasts let out sharp screeches as they descended, their spiritual Qi alone forcing nearby rogue cultivators to hit the dirt in panic.
The Bai Clan gates appeared ahead, tall and grand, surrounded by glowing formations and guarded by several cultivators.
Bai Zihan didn’t even bother to slow the carriage.
With a casual flick of his sleeve, the protective formations at the gates parted like water.
The two gatekeepers blinked in disbelief, then paled as they recognized the carriage—Bai Zihan’s personal ride.
“…Is that… Young Master Zihan?”
One of them muttered.
They hadn’t expected him back anytime soon—not when he’d just joined the Heaven Sword Sect.
Knowing it was Bai ZIhan, they didn’t intervene and just continued with their duties.
The carriage screeched to a halt in front of the main courtyard.
With a flick of his fingers, the door opened, and Bai Zihan stepped out—robes fluttering, expression as arrogant as ever.
Several disciples and servants nearby froze. Some bowed on instinct. Others stumbled.
He glanced at them.
Didn’t say a word.
Just kept walking.
***
Inside the main hall, Elder Bai Feng was sipping tea when the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor.
Then without even asking the door was opened.
He frowned.
“Who dares to—”
Then he saw him.
Bai Zihan!
That same arrogant brat.
Back again.
Looking even more infuriatingly than before.
“You—!”
Bai Feng shot up, voice rising.
Bai Zihan just gave him a glance.
“Oh. Uncle!” he said lightly. “Didn’t recognize you. You’ve aged.”
Bai Feng’s eyes twitched.
(This brat…)
He hadn’t expected Bai Zihan to suddenly become respectful—but still, he was as disrespectful as ever.
He was surprised to find that Bai Zihan had come back, much to his annoyance.
Even more annoying were the rumors. About Bai Zihan’s reputation which was getting better and better.
Which spelled trouble for him—especially since he wanted his own son to become the heir.
“Why are you here?”
Bai Feng asked with a deep frown.
Bai Zihan ignored him and kept walking into the inner hall, eyes sweeping across the familiar surroundings.
“Where’s my father?”
Bai Feng’s blood pressure spiked.
“Hmph! Find him yourself!”
He snapped, then stormed off before his blood pressure increased any further.
(What’s up with this old man?)
Bai Zihan thought. Not that he questioned his own behavior.
(If Father is not in the inner hall, he’s probably in his study.)
***
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“Who is it?”
“It’s me, Father.”
The door creaked open as a servant respectfully stepped aside, bowing low.
“Young Master,” he murmured.
Bai Zihan strolled in like he owned the place—which, let’s be real, he sort of did.
Inside, Bai Tianheng looked up from a scroll. The lines on his face smoothed out into a wide smile.
“Zihan’er!”
He stood up at once, clearly in a good mood.
“When did you return, you brat? You should’ve informed me ahead of time!”
Bai Zihan’s lips curled into a lazy smirk.
“Why? So you could prepare a welcoming party?”
“Hah! With the way things are going, I just might have!”
Bai Tianheng laughed heartily.
He came around the desk and clapped his son on the shoulder, eyes gleaming with pride.
“I’ve heard what you did at the Heaven Sword Sect. Well done! And more importantly…”
He picked up a jade slip and waved it.
“The Grand Elder came to see me when he returned. Do you know what he said?”
Bai Zihan raised an eyebrow.
“That you’re getting too old to lead and I should take over?”
Bai Tianheng barked out a laugh.
“Definitely not! He said you managed to recruit a Heaven-Blessed Genius. Lin Xuan, right?”
“Mmm!”
“The Dao Resonance Mirror glowed gold,” Bai Tianheng said, almost reverently. “Do you know how rare that is?”
“I’ve got an idea.”
“Of course you do.”
Bai Tianheng beamed.
“Even the Grand Elder praised you. Many clan leaders are calling me with jealousy that we got Lin Xuan first… I couldn’t be happier.”
Of course, before all that praise, he’d gotten an earful.
The Grand Elder had chewed him out for not knowing about such a monstrous genius sooner—especially when other clans had already started sending invitations to Lin Xuan.
Bai Tianheng had cursed every Bai Clan member stationed at the Heaven Sword Sect.
Apparently, they were all “in seclusion” or “on missions.”
Yeah, right!
Still, eventually, Bai Ren had switched tones and started praising Bai Zihan, much to Bai Tianheng’s relief.
“Is it true you got your hands on an Earth-Grade Cultivation Technique?”
He asked curiously.
Even though the Grand Elder had told him, he still found it hard to believe.
This was Bai Zihan—the same kid he thought would die without constant supervision.
How could he possibly get something that even the Bai clan would struggle to obtain?
“Here!”
Bai Zihan casually tossed over a manual which he already prepared.
Bai Tianheng opened it and studied the contents. His eyes widened.
It was legit.
He put the manual away—he’d need time to study it in detail.
“Good! I heard you got it by accident which can be considered your own luck. I won’t question it.”
Then his expression darkened slightly.
“I also heard… Bai Xinyue is in the Heaven Sword Sect?”
Bai Zihan nodded casually.
Sigh!
“It seems she’s doing well,” Bai Tianheng said, guilt creeping into his voice.
After all, it was his wife who ruined her life—for Bai Zihan’s sake. A choice he still didn’t agree with.
Finding out that she was back on her feet, had regained her talent, and became an Inner Disciple of Heaven Sword Sect… it felt good knowing that she was doing good for herself.
“I heard you have no problem with her rejoining the clan?”
“Well, I never wanted her Dao Bone or her expulsion. I don’t care if she comes back or not.”
Bai Zihan’s tone was indifferent—truly, like it didn’t matter to him.
“That’s good. But don’t tell your mother. Who knows what she’ll do.”
Bai Zihan just nodded.
“Then… Why did you come back? Already missing home?”