Chapter 12: Chapter 12: Flourishing Day by Day
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
The nine-year-old Jianyi Mingwei had grown much taller. He was now nearly one meter and forty centimeters in height and already looked like a half-grown young man.
He had also fully learned the breathing method and the twelve movements of the Little Dragon-Elephant Art, allowing him to practice on his own.
If one had to say what had changed the most about him, it would undoubtedly be his strength and his eyes.
The fate talent [Innate Divine Strength] was no empty title. At present, many adults could no longer compare with him in strength.
His pair of eyes had also become increasingly sharp and profound.
When boys of the same age saw him, they could not help but feel a chill in their hearts.
Not to mention children, even adults would feel uneasy when they encountered him with a gloomy expression.
It felt as if his gaze were as sharp as a blade, stabbing straight into their chests.
However, most of the time, Jianyi Mingwei restrained his edge.
Like Wentian, he remained steady and low-key.
It was now the third month of the year.
After the spring rain, the land washed by the drizzle gave off a deep brown sheen. On the ridges between the fields, wild shepherd's purse lifted its tender leaves beneath beads of water.
A white egret swept over the rice fields filled with spring water. Its sharp beak suddenly pierced the surface and caught a silver crucian carp.
A field mouse emerged from a damp haystack and began nibbling on newly sprouted pea shoots, only to be chased by the old yellow dog guarding the water channels, sending a string of muddy splashes flying.
Across the boundless rice fields, common folk wearing bamboo hats could be seen everywhere, bending over to replant seedlings. Whenever their bare feet stepped into the mud, soft squelching sounds followed.
Wentian was busy in the rice field, while Jianyi Mingwei followed beside him, planting seedlings as well.
Jianyi Mingyuan came over carrying a large teapot and two lidded cups.
"Father, Big Brother, Mother asked me to bring you some cooling tea."
Wentian raised his head and saw Jianyi Mingyuan. He smiled faintly, then turned to Jianyi Mingwei, who was still earnestly planting seedlings.
"Shitou, go up and rest for a while."
"Father, I'm not tired. I'll finish this row soon. Once this side is done, I'll rest."
"As you wish."
Wentian chuckled and climbed onto the bank.
He took the tea Jianyi Mingyuan poured for him and gulped down a large mouthful.
Jianyi Mingyuan looked at Jianyi Mingwei and sighed emotionally.
"Big Brother really is serious."
"Unlike you, little monkey. You can never settle your heart."
Hearing this, Wentian laughed and scolded him.
Jianyi Mingyuan stuck out his tongue and grinned.
"Then I'll go help Big Brother too."
As he spoke, he took off his green cloth shoes, rolled his trouser legs up to his knees, and stepped into the rice field. He walked toward Jianyi Mingwei while shouting, "Brother, I'll help you!"
Jianyi Mingwei looked up and smiled faintly.
"Then I'll have to thank A'Yuan."
"Walk slowly. Don't fall."
Seeing this scene of brotherly harmony, Wentian felt deeply gratified.
His eldest son was steady, towering like a mountain, enough to inherit and pass down the family.
His second son, though lively and restless, was quick-witted, intelligent, flexible, and adaptable.
As for his youngest son, he was now three years old. He could walk and run, and his personality was cheerful and lively.
Wentian had cultivated the Little Dragon-Elephant Art for three years. By now, whenever he practiced, a stream of heat would flow throughout his body.
This was internal strength.
However, to become a third-rate martial artist, one had to open at least thirty-six acupoints.
At present, he had only opened a little over thirty acupoints.
According to the internal strength manual, if one opened all three hundred and sixty-five acupoints in the body, one would reach the peak of the Houtian realm, with internal strength circulating endlessly through the apertures of the heavenly cycle.
A first-rate martial artist needed to open three hundred acupoints.
A second-rate martial artist needed to open one hundred and eight.
Although Jianyi Mingwei was slightly slower, he had also opened twenty acupoints.
His advantage lay in his youth. Opening acupoints at a young age was much easier, and in the future, surpassing Wentian would not be difficult for him.
With Jianyi Mingyuan joining in, the father and sons finished planting the seedlings by morning and returned home cheerfully.
As soon as they reached the entrance of the house, waves of fragrance rushed toward them.
"The smell of chicken soup… and braised carp too…"
Jianyi Mingyuan had only muttered a couple of words when his stomach began growling.
Under the eaves, when Jianyi Mingxuan saw his father and brothers return, he shouted in his childish voice, "Mother, Father and my brothers are back!"
After saying that, he ran toward Wentian, calling out, "Father! Father!"
"Tantou, all you know is how to call Father. What about us?"
Jianyi Mingyuan rubbed Jianyi Mingxuan's head and narrowed his eyes.
"Second Brother often snatches my things, so I won't call you."
He turned his head away and smiled at Jianyi Mingwei.
"Big Brother."
"Oh? I refuse to believe I can't deal with you!"
Jianyi Mingyuan pulled Jianyi Mingxuan into his arms and began tickling him wildly.
Jianyi Mingxuan laughed nonstop, giggling until he finally begged for mercy. Only then did Jianyi Mingyuan let him go.
"Enough. Go wash yourselves, then come eat."
Wentian went to the kitchen to check on Bai Jing and saw that she was still busy.
When Bai Jing saw him, she smiled faintly.
"Husband, go eat first. The last dish is almost ready. I can handle it."
"I could smell the fragrance from far away. Wife, you've worked hard. Being able to marry you is truly my fortune."
"Smooth talker."
Bai Jing scolded him with a smile, but she was clearly pleased. Her face bloomed like a flower.