Grandfather was sitting beneath the old tree when I entered, mending a worn farming tool with practiced hands.
He looked up the moment he heard my footsteps.
"You're finally back," he said, relief flashing across his weathered face.
Then his gaze sharpened slightly, concern creeping in. "I heard about the envoy from the neighbour's… but why did you come back so late?"
"The envoy is leaving this evening," I replied, carefully setting my things aside. "She summoned all of us who awakened spirit roots to the chief's office."
Grandfather's hands paused mid-motion, the tool forgotten in his lap.
"And?" he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"The other four were accepted into the Sun Moon Spirit Sect as outer disciples. They'll be leaving either tonight or within one month."
I saw his shoulders stiffen. For a brief moment, sorrow flickered in his eyes not for them, but for me.
He must have already imagined the scene, me returning home empty-handed, forcing a smile, pretending not to care while my heart cracked silently inside my chest.
He opened his mouth to speak, probably to offer comfort, to tell me it didn't matter.
But before he could say a word, I beat him to it.
"Don't worry about me, Grandfather."
He froze, surprise clear on his face. I turned to face him fully, smiling not forced, not brittle, but genuine and warm.
"I'm not someone who'll be left out."
His eyes widened slightly, confusion mixing with hope.
"The envoy," I continued calmly, reaching into my robe, "was astonished by my comprehension talent. She saw something in me that impressed her, despite my five-element roots."
I took out the jade token and placed it in his palm, feeling the weight transfer from my hand to his.
"This is a sect-affiliated spiritual farmer token," I explained.
"With it, I can grow crops the sect needs such as spirit herbs, spirit grains, anything they require. I earn contribution points for my work, and I can exchange them for resources, techniques, even pills."
I met his gaze steadily, letting him see the certainty in my eyes. "So don't be sad. Don't worry about me anymore. Be at ease, Grandfather."
For a long moment, Grandfather stared at the token as if he were afraid it would vanish if he blinked.
His fingers trembled slightly as they closed around it. Then his eyes grew wet, tears threatening to spill.
"...Good," he said hoarsely, his voice thick with emotion. "Good. This is good, Yuan'er."
The worry that had weighed on him for days perhaps even years, since my parents left, finally loosened its grip.
I could see it in the way his shoulders relaxed, in the way he breathed easier.
The corner of my heart softened seeing him like this.
He's carried so much for so long. For me, for this family. He deserves peace.
Feeling the mood lighten, I clapped my hands together with exaggerated cheerfulness.
"So," I said brightly, glancing toward the doorway where I could sense two small presences hiding, "who wants a meat feast?"
"ME! ME! ME!"
Mo Ling shot out like a small cannonball, arms raised high above her head, eyes sparkling with pure joy. "I want a meat feast! Big Brother Shen, meat feast! Lots and lots of meat!"
Behind her, Mo Fan tried to maintain his usual serious expression, attempting to calm his overexcited sister with a stern look. But his body betrayed him completely.
A thin line of drool slipped from the corner of his mouth, glistening in the afternoon light.
I smiled at him. "Wipe it"
He froze the moment he realized. Silently wiped it away with his sleeve. Then pretended nothing had happened, his face carefully blank.
I burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the courtyard. It felt good to laugh like this, freely and without restraint.
Grandfather stared at me in surprise, clearly taken aback. I also realized then this was new for him.
Before, I had always been quiet around children my age. Reserved. Detached. I spoke mostly with elders, stepping in only when problems arose or help was needed.
But now... I was laughing freely, teasing them, letting myself relax and be young.
If anyone asked why the change, I wouldn't know how to explain it fully.
But deep down, I did know. The system had arrived like a lifeboat just as I was about to sink in this vast cultivation sea.
It had given me hope, given me a future. And that hope had freed something inside me that I didn't even know was locked away.
I headed into the kitchen, pulling out fresh spirit meat from my spirit pouch good quality beast meat I'd been saving and started preparing the meal.
The moment the scent of cooking began to spread, the children crowded at the kitchen entrance, peeking in with wide, hungry eyes.
"Sit down," I said, waving them toward the wooden stools in the corner.
"No need to stand there. Watch if you want."
They hurriedly obeyed, sitting in a neat row like obedient little chicks, their eyes tracking my every movement. I began cooking in earnest with the help of spiritual energy threads.
Fire flared beneath the iron pan, controlled by precise applications of the energy thread.
Meat flew into the air, spinning gracefully before landing perfectly back inside with a satisfying sizzle.
Noodles danced as I tossed them high.
Spiritual energy thread guiding each movement with effortless precision, making the cooking process look like a performance.
"Waahhh!" Mo Ling gasped, her eyes shining like stars. "Big Browther Shen is so amazing!"
Even Mo Fan was completely mesmerized, his earlier attempt at seriousness forgotten entirely. His mouth hung open slightly as he watched the display.
Seeing their expressions of pure wonder, something warm surged up from my chest.
I laughed truly laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. This. This is what it means to live, not just survive.
After a while, the dishes were finished.
I began plating them carefully, preparing to carry everything out to the main hall, but the children immediately jumped up from their stools.
"We'll help!" Mo Ling declared.
"Let us carry them, Big Brother Shen!" Mo Fan added, his small chest puffed out with determination.
"It's fine, I can manage" I started to say.
But they were persistent, crowding around me with eager faces. I relented, unable to resist their enthusiasm. I handed them the lighter dishes simple vegetable sides, rice bowls and cutlery while I lifted the heavier meat platters.
But instead of carrying them with my hands, I let thin strands of spiritual energy form invisible threads, lifting the dishes to float in the air beside me as I walked empty-handed behind the children.
We entered the main hall just as Grandfather returned from the backyard, wiping his hands on a cloth.
He stopped mid-step, his eyes locking onto the sight of me manipulating spiritual energy so naturally, so effortlessly.
For a heartbeat, he simply stared, his expression unreadable.
Then his eyes reddened with emotion, growing wet. looking at me in genuine affection.
[ (Grandfather POV)
Young Master... your heir is more talented than you could ever imagine. If only you were here to see this...]
I noticed him immediately, my heart clenching at the sight "Grandfather?" I asked softly, with concern in my voice.
He shook his head quickly, turning away slightly to hide his face. "It's nothing, Yuan'er. Just dust in my eyes."
But I knew. He was proud. And perhaps, for the first time in a long time, truly reassured about my future.
Grandfather, I promise. I won't let you down. I won't waste this second chance.
The feast was lively, more so than any meal we'd shared in weeks.
Laughter filled the hall as bowls emptied and plates piled up.
Mo Ling talked constantly between mouthfuls, her words tumbling over each other. Mo Fan ate with single-minded determination, though his eyes sparkled with happiness.
Even the setting sun seemed reluctant to leave, casting a warm orange glow through the windows that made everything feel golden and precious.
When we finally finished, twilight had already arrived, painting the sky in shades of purple and deep blue. I stood up, stretching slightly.
"I'm going to the farm to check on things," I said casually.
Mo Fan's head snapped up immediately.
"I'll come with you, Big Brother Shen!"
I shook my head gently.
"No. Stay home and take care of the house. Help Grandfather clean up."
He straightened instantly, his small chest puffing out with importance. "Don't worry, Big Brother Shen!"
He declared solemnly, his young voice filled with determination. "I won't let any danger pass! Rest assured!"
I blinked, then laughed again at his serious expression.
Such a responsible child. I reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately, messing up the strands.
He shrank back slightly, his ears turning bright red, clearly embarrassed by the gesture, but he didn't pull away.
He stood there, enduring it with a dignity that was both touching and amusing.
"Good," I said gently, my voice warm. "I'm counting on you, Mo Fan."
With that, I stepped out into the fading light, the warmth of home lingering behind me like a comfortable blanket.
The evening air was cool and pleasant, carrying the scent of earth and growing things.
....to be continued.
"Leave a review and rating guys, I welcome all the love and criticism in my way"