As the days quietly slipped by, the storm that had once shaken the heavens faded into memory. The skies above the Hidden Land shone clear again, the scent of thunder long dispersed into the soft fragrance of mountain air. Life, as it always did, found its rhythm once more.
The villagers resumed their daily work—the sound of hammers, the laughter of children, and the rustle of crops waving in the wind returned to Luo Village. Yet, though everything seemed normal, a faint reverence lingered in every heart. People spoke softly when they passed near Luo Peak, their eyes filled with quiet respect. Even the youngest among them would stop and bow instinctively toward that sacred mountain.
The youths, who had witnessed that unimaginable scene of divine light, were no longer the same. The image of thunder tearing the heavens, of two radiant figures standing in its midst, had carved itself deep into their souls. Their awe turned into determination. From that day onward, every training ground across the village pulsed with new energy. The once-lazy students now rose before dawn, practicing until the stars appeared again. They no longer dreamed of comfort—they dreamed of strength.
"If such beings can exist in our world," one whispered to another, "then we too must reach beyond what we know."
Even the elders, proud as they were, could not hide their admiration. What had happened upon Luo Peak had become a silent legend—one that would be told for generations.
Yet, for all their knowledge and wisdom, no one truly understood what had become of the Luo family. The villagers had seen them vanish before their eyes, and from that moment, not a single person had heard from them again. The elders—Tong Chen, Yan Zhi Lan, Liang Shan, and Xiao Ling—searched in meditation and divination, but the heavens gave no answer. The Luo couple and Tao had disappeared from mortal sight, as if carried into another realm.
Deep within Luo Peak, veiled by mist and the subtle hum of divine resonance, the truth lay hidden.
The peak was now shrouded by mysterious energies—crimson, white, and faintly tinged with emerald and azure. The entire mountain seemed alive, breathing softly as if it were a living being. These were the remnants of Luo Father's and Mother's divine essences, continuously refining themselves while nourishing the balance of their mortal shells. Within this field, every blade of grass, every drop of dew shimmered faintly with spiritual light.
In the heart of this sanctuary, the Luo couple sat cross-legged beside Tao's still form. Threads of green and blue energy intertwined around them, drawn from heaven and earth, slowly being absorbed and purified within their bodies. They could not refine all of it yet—the process required time and balance—but it allowed them to heal and regain their strength while subtly monitoring the youth who had inherited their sacrifice.
Before them, Tao lay silent within a cocoon of faint golden light. His breathing was steady but shallow, his expression calm, as if dreaming in the embrace of heaven itself. Three full weeks had passed since the final heavenly thunder descended, and though his consciousness had not yet returned, his body was far from idle.
Within Tao's blood, the refining continued endlessly. The essence of the twentieth heavenly thunder—the strongest yet—coursed through him, tempering his mortal vessel beyond human limit. The dual guiding energies of crimson and white that had merged into him during the storm aided the process, balancing the destructive nature of the thunder's might. The black essence that had once threatened to devour him was now sealed within a golden barrier—the final wall forged by the heavens themselves.
Even in unconsciousness, his blood continued to evolve. Each drop shimmered faintly with threads of light, transforming, strengthening, birthing something new. It was slow, but steady—the kind of growth that could shake the limits of the human realm.
The Luo couple watched in silence. They longed to help, but they understood the danger. To add external energy now would disrupt the fragile equilibrium within Tao's body. After long discussion, they agreed on one thing—they could only guide from afar.
"Let the heavens work through him," Luo Father murmured, his deep voice calm but heavy with thought. "Our interference may break what fate is trying to forge."
Luo Mother nodded softly. "Then we shall prepare elixirs—simple ones, not to strengthen, but to sustain. He'll need nourishment when his soul begins to return."
And so they did. From herbs gathered upon the sacred peak, they brewed gentle elixirs that glowed faintly under moonlight. These were not of great power, but of harmony—meant to soothe the recovering body rather than force its awakening.
Meanwhile, Luo Tang remained by Tao's side through every moment.
Morning to dusk, he cleaned the chamber, replaced the soaked towels, maintained the flow of spiritual incense, and practiced silent meditation nearby. He didn't understand the profound energies around him, but he could feel their pulse and rhythm. Whenever Tao's body trembled or the golden light flickered, Luo Tang would place his hand over his brother's and whisper softly, "You'll be fine, Big Brother. I'll take care of everything until you wake."
Sometimes, when exhaustion took him, he would fall asleep by Tao's bedside, his head resting against the bed frame, his hand still holding Tao's arm. Each day, he grew calmer, more grounded—his childish impatience replaced by quiet resolve.
The Luo couple often observed him from a distance, sharing small, amused glances.
"Look at him," Luo Mother said one morning, her voice carrying a playful warmth. "Just a few weeks ago, he used to stomp around demanding to test his 'power level' against the elders. Now, he bows before me and doesn't dare to look me in the eye."
Luo Father chuckled, his tone deep and teasing. "He's finally learned what true power looks like. I almost feel bad for him—almost."
"Hmm~ I don't." Luo Mother's smile curved mischievously. "A little humility will do him good. In the blink of an eye, two full months passed. The seasons on Luo Peak shifted gently—the mist grew softer, the air calmer, and the mountain pulsed with quiet vitality. Within the sacred chamber, the golden cocoon that had encased Tao for so long finally began to fade. The divine light that had once raged within him now settled into a steady, rhythmic glow, like the pulse of a calm heart.
The boy who had faced the fury of twenty heavenly thunders now rested in utter stillness, his breath slow but deep, his aura faintly radiant. And then—without warning—his eyelashes trembled.
A breath escaped his lips. His fingers twitched. Slowly, his eyes opened.
The first thing he saw was light—soft, golden, and warm. The second was Luo Tang, curled up near the foot of the bed, asleep with his back against the wooden frame. His head drooped to the side, his hand still resting protectively near Tao's ankle. His face, though tired, carried a peace that only comes from devotion and love.
Nearby, the Luo couple sat in deep meditation. Threads of light flowed in and out of their bodies—crimson, white, blue, and green—intertwining like living rivers of essence. They were refining the vast energy still lingering within them, stabilizing it, guiding it into perfect harmony. The process was long, perhaps decades or even centuries before it reached completion, but the progress was visible. Their vitality had returned; the weakness that once dimmed their faces was gone. Luo Father's hair shone like polished onyx, Luo Mother's eyes gleamed with clear jade light. They looked as youthful and strong as the day they had first walked upon this mountain.
Tao blinked slowly, trying to gather his scattered thoughts. The air felt heavy, yet peaceful; each breath filled his chest with strength instead of pain. He flexed his fingers—no resistance, no trembling. His body, once torn apart by thunder and corruption, now felt light and whole.
And then, like a whisper carried on the wind, a gentle voice brushed against his mind.
"Finally, you're awake. It took longer than ever this time…"
Tao froze. The voice was soft, calm, and filled with warmth. It was Luo Mother's—gentle as silk, carrying the faint trace of worry and deep relief. Her lips did not move; the words resonated directly through his spirit, a tender ripple within his consciousness.
He smiled faintly, his throat dry. "Aunty… I'm sorry to make you worry."
Her eyes slowly opened. The glow around her dimmed, replaced by that same gentle look she always carried. "Worry?" she said softly, her lips curving upward. "If this is worrying, then it's the kind I can live with. You frightened us, Tao."
At that moment, a muffled sound broke the stillness. Luo Tang stirred, his body jerking awake as though sensing the shift in energy. His eyes blinked open, and for a heartbeat, he looked lost—until he realized who was sitting up.
"B–Big Brother!"
He shot to his feet in an instant, nearly tripping over himself before rushing to Tao's bedside. His eyes were wide, glistening with tears that refused to fall. Without hesitation, he threw his arms around Tao, hugging him tightly as though afraid his brother might vanish again.
Tao chuckled weakly, returning the embrace with what little strength he had. "Tang… I'm here. You've been watching over me all this time?"
Luo Tang nodded vigorously, his voice choked with emotion. "Every single day! You wouldn't wake up—I thought… I thought…"
"Hey, hey," Tao said softly, patting the boy's back. "I'm not that easy to get rid of."
Behind them, Luo Father finally opened his eyes. His deep, steady gaze fell on Tao, and for a long moment, he simply studied him in silence. Then, a faint smile tugged at his lips.
"So," he said at last, his voice rumbling like distant thunder, "you managed to wrestle with the heavens and come back alive. I see the heavens didn't dare take you away."
Luo Mother chuckled softly. "Hmph, of course they didn't. I would've gone up there myself if they tried."
"You would," Luo Father said, shaking his head fondly.
Luo Tang glanced at them both and, for a moment, all four shared the same warmth—like family bound by something greater than blood. The heavy tension that had loomed over the mountain for months finally eased, replaced by quiet laughter and deep relief.
"Rest," Luo Mother said, her tone soft but firm as she rose gracefully to her feet. "Your body may seem healed, but it's still balancing divine thunder and mortal essence. You'll need time before moving again."
Tao nodded obediently. "Yes, Aunty."
"Good," she said with a smile, glancing toward Luo Tang. "And as for you, little one—perhaps now you can sleep properly instead of drooling on your brother's blanket."
Luo Tang's face turned crimson. "I—I wasn't drooling!"
"Oh? Then the pillow must have been crying," Luo Father said, his lips twitching in amusement.
Tao burst into soft laughter. "Guess I missed quite a lot."
"You did," Luo Mother said, hiding her grin behind her sleeve. "But no matter. You're here now."
The chamber filled with quiet laughter that mingled with the hum of divine energy. For the first time in what felt like lifetimes, the mountain no longer carried tension—it carried warmth.
Outside, the mist parted briefly, revealing sunlight spilling through the clouds and cascading over Luo Peak. The air shimmered faintly, as if even the heavens smiled upon the reunion below.
Days passed softly upon Luo Peak. The mist grew thinner, the air lighter, and with each sunrise, Tao's strength returned in full bloom. His body, once torn apart by thunder and darkness, now pulsed with quiet vitality.
Within his chest, the traces of his struggle still lingered—the faint shadow of black energy now confined to the left side of his heart, bound and silent. On the right side shimmered a golden radiance, softer than before, yet steady and pure. Between them, the crimson and white currents—remnants of the Luo couple's essence—flowed harmoniously through his veins, completing a perfect balance that even the heavens might envy.
The once-destructive thunder within his blood had transformed into life itself. Each beat of his heart sent refined, luminous energy coursing through his body, merging with his mortal blood until even his skin seemed to glow faintly beneath the sunlight. His strength was not just restored—it had evolved. Tao could feel it in the way his breath moved, in the rhythm of his pulse, in the quiet certainty deep within his soul.
A week after his awakening, he finally stepped out into the courtyard. The scent of blooming spirit grass filled the air, and the sound of flowing water echoed from the mountain stream nearby. In the backyard, Luo Father and Luo Mother sat in serene meditation, surrounded by faint halos of colored light that shimmered like morning dew.
Tao hesitated for a moment, then walked forward slowly. With each step, his emotions grew heavier—gratitude, guilt, affection—all mixing into something too vast for words. When he reached them, he dropped to both knees and bowed deeply until his forehead touched the earth.
"Uncle… Aunty…" His voice trembled softly, carried by sincerity. "I… I don't know how to thank you. For so long, I didn't understand what you'd done for me. I didn't see your pain, your sacrifice… but now, I do. You gave your very essence to protect me. You risked your lives so that I could keep mine. And yet… you never said a word."
His voice broke near the end, and he bowed even lower, his hands clenched tightly against the ground. "If not for you, I would've vanished long ago. I owe you not just my life, but my future. Please accept this bow—not as a disciple, not as a junior—but as a son to his parents."
For a moment, silence filled the courtyard. The wind brushed gently through the leaves, and a faint shimmer of light rippled across Luo Mother's aura.
Luo Father slowly opened his eyes first, his expression calm but softened by pride. Before he could speak, however, his wife's eyes snapped open—and a sharp "Hmph!" echoed through the air.
"You foolish child," Luo Mother said, her tone half-scolding, half-laughing. "What are you doing kneeling like that? Since when does a son kneel to his parents?"
Tao blinked in surprise. "But… I just—"
"No 'buts'!" she cut in, pointing a slender finger at him. "You think family needs words of thanks? You think saving you was some noble favor? Foolish boy! That's what family is. We protect, we endure, we give—all without keeping count!"
Luo Tang, who had been standing by the door, tried to hide his grin. He had never seen his mother so fierce and yet so flustered.
"Aunty, I—" Tao began again, only to be met with a sharp glare.
"And stop calling me 'Aunty'!" she interrupted, crossing her arms dramatically. "After all this time, after nearly dying together, you still put distance between us? You make me sound ancient! Hmph! From now on, you'll call me Mother Luo or I'll toss you back into bed for another two months of healing!"
Tao froze, then lowered his head quickly. "Y–Yes, Mother Luo…"
"Good." She nodded with mock authority, though the corners of her lips twitched as she fought back a smile. "Honestly, these youngsters… always thinking too much about rules, not enough about heart."
Luo Father chuckled quietly beside her, his deep laughter carrying warmth. "Let him breathe, wife. You've scared the poor boy half to death."
"Hmph! If he's strong enough to wrestle heavenly thunder, he's strong enough to survive a little scolding," she said, though her eyes softened immediately after.
Luo Father turned to Tao, his expression filled with the quiet gravity of years. "What your mother means, Tao, is that we never saw you as an outsider. From the day you entered this house, you were our family. There is no debt between us—only love and duty."
Tao looked up slowly, eyes shimmering. "Then… I'll live worthy of that trust."
Luo Mother smiled warmly this time, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "That's all the repayment we ever wanted."
"And," she added with a sly grin, glancing toward her husband, "if you truly wish to honor us, you can start by teaching this troublemaker of mine not to burn the courtyard during practice again."
"Mother!" Luo Tang yelped in protest. "That was one time!"
"One time too many," Luo Father said, shaking his head with a low chuckle.
The laughter that followed was warm and full of life. It echoed gently through the courtyard, mingling with the sound of the wind and the faint hum of divine energy around them. The mountain that had once trembled beneath heavenly wrath now felt alive with joy.
The laughter and warmth slowly faded into quiet calm as the sunlight began to soften across Luo Peak. The mountain breeze brushed gently through the courtyard, carrying the scent of herbs and faint traces of spiritual incense. Tao sat still for a long while, his mind at ease yet restless beneath the peace.
Something within him stirred—a question that had lingered since the day he first touched cultivation, since the day he first felt that alien, dark energy crawling inside his veins. For years, he had tried to ignore it, but now, with everything laid bare between them, he could not keep it hidden any longer.
His eyes lowered slightly, his voice quiet but steady. "Uncle, Aunt… may I ask something?"
Both Luo Father and Mother turned toward him. The serenity in their eyes didn't waver, but the faint change in the air told him they already understood what he wanted to say.