Danyang City

At noon, in the Li family’s training grounds of Danyang City, Li An was preparing to return to the Dao Sword Sect. Both the Li and Qin families had gathered to see him off.

After Li An bid farewell to his parents, grandparents, and shared heartfelt words with them, Qin Ran pulled him aside for some final advice.

"You’ve only formed your Golden Core a few years ago. Though your combat prowess is commendable, returning to the Dao Sword Sect isn’t as secure as you might think. The sect today is no longer what it once was—it’s now teeming with prodigies, none inferior to you.

"But if the Li family hopes to maintain its influence in the coming upheaval, we need someone in a pivotal position within the Dao Sword Sect. And that someone must be you.

"You must involve yourself in the sect’s development. If you don’t share in its struggles, you’ll forever remain an outsider, never partaking in its future glory."

The two walked slowly along the training grounds, Qin Ran leading while Li An followed with bowed head, the picture of obedience.

The Li family’s genes were indeed formidable—now a grown man, Li An was tall, handsome, and robust, surpassing even his father in his prime… and standing a full head taller than Qin Ran. In terms of strength, even Li Shiwen paled in comparison.

Of course, no matter how strong he was, there was always someone who could put him in his place.

He might not fear his father’s reprimands, but he certainly feared his aunt’s. A beating from his father was nothing, but a thrashing from his aunt… that was a life-or-death ordeal.

He could even afford to be cheeky in front of his grandfather, Li Zhan, but in the presence of his uncle (Wait, was that the right term? If it was his father’s elder sister’s husband, it should be ‘uncle’; if younger, ‘aunt’s husband’?), he had to tread carefully. The older he grew, the more he understood just how terrifying his uncle was.

"Your father is now a Great General of Xuanqin stationed in North Chu, firmly rooted in the mortal world. But that alone isn’t enough. We must also secure a foothold in the cultivation world—the Dao Sword Sect. Only by standing on both legs can we walk steadily."

Qin Ran continued, "Soon, Xuanqin will undergo a great transformation. When the heavens and earth shift, official ranks will come with cultivation power.

"But such power is forcibly bestowed, far inferior to what’s earned through true cultivation. That’s why you must become the Li family’s pillar of strength, our foundation.

"Do you understand what I’m saying?"

"I understand," Li An replied dutifully.

"Do you know what you must do in the Dao Sword Sect?" Qin Ran pressed.

"I do."

"Say it."

"First and foremost, I must cultivate. I must use the sect’s resources to reach higher realms. Strength is the foundation of everything."

Li An stole glances at Qin Ran’s reaction as he spoke, continuing only when he saw no disapproval.

"I was originally a disciple of Dan Peak, and I’ll return there. It’s the most legitimate path—I still have my identity token.

"Besides, as you’ve said, Dan Peak lacks high-level combatants. I can fill that gap, establish myself through my strength, and then use Dan Peak as my base to make a name for myself within the sect."

Qin Ran nodded in approval. The boy was clever.

"You already know who your enemies and allies are, and you have a general plan. I’ll only add this: a single tree doesn’t make a forest.

"No matter how strong you are alone, you can’t defend Dan Peak by yourself. Once you return, after winning Zhang Junyi’s trust, you must begin nurturing Dan Peak’s own forces. Focus on raising array masters and sword cultivators.

"For arrays, I’ve left texts at Dan Peak—use them to teach disciples. As for sword arts, teach them the same way your aunt taught you."

Li An shuddered at the thought.

Qin Ran warned, "Zhang Junyi was once trustworthy, but over a decade has passed. As Dan Peak’s leader, power and resources can corrupt anyone. People change. When you return, be cautious with him. Test him thoroughly before placing your trust."

He turned to look at Li An. "Your greatest flaw is naivety. Trusting too easily will get you killed. This time, you’re on your own—remember that."

"Yes."

"The outside world isn’t like home," Qin Ran added. "Family won’t turn on you, but outsiders might. Remember, anyone can become your enemy if the stakes are high enough."

"Yes." Li An had become an obedient echo.

"In the cultivation world, enemies are inevitable. The sect leader, Dan Peak’s chief, fellow disciples, your closest friend, even the woman who shared your bed last night—any of them could turn against you.

"But no matter who the enemy is, stay calm. Only a clear mind will keep you alive." Qin Ran’s expression hardened. "And never let your enemies know what you’re thinking."

"Yes."

Qin Ran turned fully to face Li An for the final words.

"A boy becomes a man not through strength or conquests, but through responsibility. When duty calls, standing firm is what makes you a man. Right now, the Li family needs you to plant seeds in the Dao Sword Sect, to prepare for the future of the Land of Immortal Legacy."

He locked eyes with Li An. "Are you a man?!"

Li An straightened, resolve burning in his gaze. "Yes!"

Qin Ran smiled, ruffling Li An’s hair. "Good lad."

They completed their circuit of the training grounds, with Qin Ran covering everything—from philosophy to poetry, from the world’s grand schemes to Dan Peak’s internal politics, from long-term goals to immediate steps.

Once back where they started, Qin Ran handed Li An over to the Li family and rejoined Li Shiyin.

"What did you tell him?" she whispered.

"Taught him how to woo girls," Qin Ran quipped, raising a brow.

Li Shiyin swatted his arm, scoffing. "You? Teaching him? He could teach you! He’s just like his father—a shameless, womanizing stallion."

"You knew about that too?" Qin Ran feigned surprise.

"Hmph!" She smirked triumphantly.

After another round of tearful farewells, Li An approached, lifting Chasing the Wind from Li Shiyin’s shoulders.

"Wind Bro, I won’t come back until I’ve made something of myself," he vowed.

Chasing the Wind leaped free, his paw enlarging mid-air to swat Li An away.

"I’m a tiger, you idiot. Your ‘human achievements’ mean nothing to me," the beast grumbled. Then, as Li An flew off, he shouted after him, "If you win a fight, make sure to drop my name! But if you lose? Don’t you dare say you know me!"

"Deal!" Li An’s voice echoed back as he soared into the distance on his sword.

Chasing the Wind nodded, satisfied.

…And so Li An departed for the Dao Sword Sect, where tales of youthful valor, romantic escapades, and another chapter of immortal cultivation awaited.

After seeing him off, Qin Ran and the others stayed for a meal at the Li family residence before heading home.

After departing Dan Peak westward on a tiger, Qin Ran and Li Shiyin settled in Danyang City, where they lived for over a decade. Naturally, they couldn’t stay with the Li family indefinitely, so they bought a modest house in a secluded part of the city—true seclusion amidst the mundane.

Hand in hand, the couple walked home under the sunset, just like an ordinary mortal couple.

"I worry about Li An," Li Shiyin sighed. "That child has been pampered and sheltered, too naive and guileless. Now that he’s heading to the Dao Sword Sect, I can’t help but fear for him."

What kind of auntie’s bias was this? Despite being the one who disciplined Li An the most, she still saw him as nothing more than a mischievous kid.

"Naive? Hahaha…" Qin Ran burst into laughter. "By the time he was still in split pants, he was already following Chasing the Wind around, swindling and plundering. That’s no innocent child."

Chasing the Wind, now in the form of a kitten, crouched on Qin Ran’s shoulder and raised a paw in protest, meowing indignantly. But no one paid him any attention.

Li Shiyin shook her head. "That’s different. Petty mischief in the martial world isn’t the same as the schemes between sects and nations. I’m afraid he’ll stumble into something he can’t handle and get himself killed without even realizing it."

"Relax, he’s clever. He’ll be fine," Qin Ran reassured her. "And worst-case scenario, I still have eyes on him in the Dao Sword Sect…"

Remembering that Qin Ran had left a clone of his divine sense within the sect, Li Shiyin finally eased her worries.

"Just keep an eye on him," she urged. "He’s the only heir left in the Li family."

"What are you so worried about?" Qin Ran teased. "Once Xuanqin completes its transformation, your brother, parents—they’ll all become cultivators with extended lifespans. Li Shiwen and the others will have plenty of time to have more children. Who knows, your parents might even give you a little sibling or two."

"Shut up!" Li Shiyin scoffed, swatting at him. "You’re impossible."

But her concern lingered. "I just don’t know how long Xuanqin will take. What if my parents don’t have that much time?"

"The mortal realm is already unified. It’s just a matter of Xuanqin’s internal governance now. The Dao Sword Sect has also risen to power, and its momentum can’t be stopped. The only thing left is to drive out the Yuan Organization. It won’t take much longer."

Qin Ran comforted her. "Besides, have you forgotten? I still have the Longevity Pill."

Li Shiyin’s eyes lit up. "The Longevity Pill—it’s ready?"

"Almost," Qin Ran replied with a proud grin.

Overjoyed, Li Shiyin kissed him, then suddenly remembered something else. "What about your parents? How have you arranged things for them?"

"Don’t worry about them. I’ve taken care of everything," Qin Ran said.

As they chatted, they arrived at their doorstep.

A group of neighborhood children were playing kickball nearby, and one of them accidentally sent the ball flying toward the couple.

"Watch out!" the kids shouted. "Incoming!"

But before the ball could land, Li Shiyin spun around, effortlessly intercepting it mid-air with a graceful high kick, balancing it perfectly on her toes.

The bamboo-and-leather ball spun deftly on her foot.

"Whoa!" The children gaped in awe.

With a flick of her toe, she let the ball drop, then caught it with her other foot and juggled it skillfully—bouncing it off her shoulder, chest, knee, and foot in a dazzling display of acrobatics. Some of her moves were so exaggerated that even the kids’ wild imaginations couldn’t have conjured them.

Finally, she brought the ball to a smooth stop under her foot.

The entire time, she never let go of Qin Ran’s hand.

The children stood frozen in amazement before erupting into applause. One bold kid yelled, "Auntie Shiyin, teach us how to do that!"

Li Shiyin smirked, clearly pleased with herself, but she kicked the ball back to them and laughed. "Next time!"

"Last time you said you’d teach us martial arts, and it was also ‘next time’…" one boy grumbled. "Auntie Shiyin is a liar!"

"Heh!" Li Shiyin stuck her tongue out playfully at Qin Ran, pretending not to hear the complaints.

"Acting cute at your age?" Qin Ran tapped her forehead, amused. "Showing off but never teaching them anything."

"You’re the one who said we should keep a low profile!" she retorted, always quick with an excuse.

Qin Ran didn’t argue. He pushed open the gate, stepped inside, and closed it behind them before asking, "You really like kids, don’t you?"

"Of course! Kids are adorable!" Li Shiyin nodded.

"Good." Qin Ran plucked Chasing the Wind from his shoulder and tossed the cat over the wall. Then, scooping Li Shiyin into his arms, he declared with a laugh, "Then let’s make one of our own!"

The bedroom door slammed shut, and the battle within raged for what felt like an eternity.

Outside, Chasing the Wind landed gracefully and scoffed. "Just say you’re in the mood. No need to be so secretive—like anyone cares."

"Chasing the Wind, come play with us!" the children called.

"Meow~" The great demon beast, now in feline form, happily trotted over to join them.

After a month-long "war," Li Shiyin finally conceived. Ten months later, their child was born.

Qin Ran named him Qin Lu.

Like all names carrying parents’ hopes, the character "Lu" held deep meaning.

"Lu"—the path, wishing him a smooth journey through life.

"Lu"—the Dao, hoping he would walk the road of cultivation to its pinnacle.

"Lu"—also, the "Lu" of running away when necessary.

Sixteen years later, young Qin Lu turned sixteen.

That year, the turbulent Land of Immortal Legacy reached its final battle.

On that day, Qin Lu watched as his mother—who always boasted about being the greatest sword immortal under heaven—truly took flight from Danyang City, wielding a river of stars as her blade, charging toward the enemy beyond the walls.