The quiet hum of the late afternoon drifted in through the open window as Feiyin sat with his parents around a low table. Meimei had finally drifted off to sleep, her tiny frame wrapped in a soft blanket, her breathing slow and steady.
Mei Liao poured warm tea into each cup before settling beside Cai Feng. Her fingers briefly lingered on the side of her husband's hand before she turned her attention back to their son. The silence between them wasn't uncomfortable- it was heavy with things they hadn't said yet.
"You've grown far beyond what we could have imagined," Mei Liao said, her voice low.
Cai Feng added, "And with it, your responsibilities have multiplied."
Feiyin nodded. "There's still so much to do. The sect, the infected disciples, the alliances I made… I have to keep my word to my companions too. Hui, Yue, Ren, Qingling, Ruan, and the others- they've risked too much to be left behind."
Cai Feng's eyes narrowed slightly. "We understand. But it's only been a day since we got you back. To think you'll leave again so soon… it's hard."
Mei Liao placed her hand over Feiyin's. "We know the weight you carry. We just wish we had more time with you."
Feiyin gave a soft smile, eyes warm. "Then let me promise you this- before I leave, I'll spend every moment I can with you. I'll make it count. And once everything is over, once the sect is destroyed and the parasites gone- we'll never be separated again."
Cai Feng exhaled deeply, then nodded. "Then we'll leave when you do. We'll take this information to the Spirit Slaying Alliance ourselves and push them to mobilize. If they act alongside your allies, the impact will be far greater."
Their hearts eased at those words, even if the future was still uncertain.
Later, as Meimei awoke and blinked blearily, Feiyin picked her up with a gentle grin. "Good morning, little princess. Ready for an adventure?"
She rubbed her eyes before smiling and nodding with sleepy delight.
Sun Ke and Jiang joined them as they stepped out into the city streets. The family's laughter echoed between buildings. Meimei giggled gleefully as Feiyin hoisted her onto his shoulders, her little hands playing with his hair, tugging gently and making him wince dramatically.
"She's already bullying you," Jiang laughed.
"Toughest opponent I've faced," Feiyin replied with mock seriousness.
Eventually, they arrived at a tall restaurant and made their way to the third floor. There, in a private room, Qingling and Ruan were already seated with Baiyu coiled serenely beside them.
Feiyin led the way in. "Everyone, meet my companions."
Mei Liao stepped forward, hugging both of them. "Thank you both, for watching over my son."
Ruan flushed immediately, bowing her head and muttering quietly. "I-It was nothing, madam."
Qingling smirked. "Oh, it was something. You should see how much trouble he can get in."
Feiyin sighed and gave a half-exasperated smile.
Then he turned and gently gestured to Baiyu. "And this is Baiyu. Or more formally… Cai Baiyu."
Mei Liao's eyes sparkled. "Oh my heavens, aren't you stunning?"
Baiyu gave a delighted hiss and slithered closer, her form winding gently to nuzzle both Mei Liao and Meimei. Meimei burst into delighted giggles, pressing her face into Baiyu's cool, smooth scales.
Meanwhile, Cai Feng had taken a step back, face slightly pale.
Feiyin raised an eyebrow. "Dad?"
Cai Feng looked sheepish. "I may have had a bad experience with snakes in the past..."
Jiang and Sun Ke gaped. "Really?"
Mei Liao chuckled. "It involved a basket and a training camp prank. He screamed like a girl."
"That's classified," Cai Feng muttered.
Feiyin smiled gently and reached out mentally to Baiyu. She tilted her head, then lowered her body as Feiyin approached.
"She's family," he said. "Touch her scales. You'll see."
Cai Feng hesitated, then slowly reached out. His fingers brushed over the scales. They were smooth and cool, like polished jade. The tension left his shoulders.
"Not bad," he admitted.
Then they all took their seats, and dishes began to arrive.
As the meal progressed, conversation turned toward the future.
"How much time before you return?" Cai Feng asked.
Feiyin answered between bites, "After I break through into Yin Refining, I'll begin crafting advanced pills. With what I can produce, I want the surplus of my sect quota to be used to help all of you. My family and my companions."
He turned to them. "That includes you, Jiang, Sun Ke. Tell me, where are you now in cultivation?"
Jiang scratched his head. "Just stepped into the Yin Refining Phase. Thanks to Commander Cai's elite unit resources."
Sun Ke nodded with a proud smile. "Same here."
Feiyin looked to his parents.
Cai Feng said, "Sixth Phase."
Mei Liao added, "Fifth Phase."
He leaned forward, intrigued. "Then tell us. What was Yin Refining like for you?"
The room quieted.
Cai Feng rested his hands together. "Yin and Yang Refining are dangerous and vital. Most men find yang refining easier. Women, yin. But refining both is necessary to step into the True Manifestation phase, and that requires balance and caution. Missteps can cause imbalances in your body's inner state, and could even lead to madness or death."
Ruan and Qingling leaned in, listening intently.
"The essence of the world is naturally balanced," Cai Feng continued. "That balance influences its elemental behavior. When yin and yang are in harmony, they produce elemental essence- fire, water, and so on. When such essence reaches a high enough concentration, it can even become real elements, affecting the world directly."
He lifted his hand. A wisp of energy formed into a metallic dagger.
"The point of yin and yang refining is to refine our essence qi to carry that same trait of permanence. That same impact on the world."
He threw the dagger. It struck the wall- and didn't vanish. It stayed, casting a faint shadow.
The group stared.
Qingling whispered, "It didn't dissipate..."
Cai Feng replied with a smile, "It will, but only after a good while."
Feiyin's eyes gleamed. Ruan bit her lip in determination.
Cai Feng continued, "This marks the true beginning of the late stages in the qi condensation realm. Your essence qi becomes more than just energy- it starts to take on the traits of real elements, becoming tangible and impactful. Once you refine your essence into this semi-tangible form, the next step- the seventh phase- is about purifying and condensing it into liquid form. That liquid essence becomes the base for the eighth phase, where you'll crystallize it into a cultivation spirit."
He looked at Feiyin, expression serious. "Each phase from here on is like crossing a great river. The difference in strength grows wider, the difficulty sharper. So even if you're strong now, stronger than many higher phase cultivators, never grow complacent."
Feiyin nodded firmly.
Cai Feng leaned back slightly, his tone heavier. "That sect master you spoke of- his cultivation spirit may be damaged, but he's still at least in the eighth phase. And more importantly, he was once a ninth phase cultivator. That means he has decades of insights, techniques, and hidden trump cards. Never underestimate someone like that. Don't strike unless you're absolutely sure of the outcome."
Feiyin's expression tightened, the weight of responsibility clear in his gaze. Yet he met his father's serious tone with quiet determination.
"I won't," he said, voice steady. "I've faced enough battles to know better than arrogance. That's why I want to be ready- truly ready. Not just for myself, but for all of you. For everyone who's placed their trust in me."
His mother's eyes softened, and she reached out to gently squeeze his hand.
"And we'll be ready too," Cai Feng added. "When you move, we move. We'll bring this intelligence back to the Alliance and get them into position. The more unified we are, the greater our chances of success."
Feiyin gave a small, appreciative smile, his heart a mix of warmth and weight. "Thank you. I know what I'm asking isn't easy. But we've come too far to falter now. This is the final stretch. Let's see it through together."
***
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