As they stared at each other for a moment, Xi Li, with a smile, spread his hands and waited, while Xi Shen just stared at him weirdly. The smile on Xi Li's face stiffened, "What, you're too big to hug your old man?"
Realization his Xi Shen like a train, 'I'm supposed to be a 12-year-old, I got caught up that I forgot my own age.' He quickly got up and hugged his father, "I'll never be too old to receive my father's love."
A sad thought crossed his mind, a memory of his life as Chris, 'I never had loving parents, they left me to my sister when I was 13.' Brushing off these thoughts, he enjoyed the feeling of belonging somewhere, of being important to someone.
Xi Li sighed, "I can't believe my son awakened a Heavenly physique, this is truly a blessing from Heavenly Dao." He broke away from the hug, seriously looking at Xi Shen, "Shen'er, you must hide this fact, at least until you're strong enough or have strong backing, got it? Lest you end up like your mother."
Seriousness turned into sorrow, and soon two men entered the house. One of the men wore a simple white robe, he looked to be in his seventies, and his long gray hair was tied in a loose bun. He was Zhu Yingshu, my mother's Dao Protector, he's at the 4th level of Foundation Establishment.
The other one looked younger, in his fifties, and he had a few black hairs amidst the gray ones. He wore a back and white Taoist robe. He was Zhen Ning, my father's Dao Protector, and his right-hand man.
Both men cupped their fists, bowed, and in unison said, "We greet Clan Leader and Young Master." Xi Shen unconsciously nodded, as they did this often in the past, making him accustomed.
Zhen Ning looked at Xi Shen for a second and then turned toward Xi Li, "Clan Leader, was-" Xi Li just raised his hand, creating a sound barrier with his spiritual energy.
"Yes, it was, Shen'er awakened his physique." After a slight pause, he continued, "It's Heaven Grade Physique." Their shock was evident, as they knew what Heaven Grade physique represented, a Nescant Soul, at least.
Looking at their shock, Xi Shen's mouth curved upwards in a smile, proud of his own luck. He summoned his status while everyone processed the information, 'Status.'
{Status}
[Name: Xi Shen 喜神]
[Age: 12/110]
[Inheritance: Master of Divine Palace(Devine King) #Mortal Part]
[Cultivation: 6th level of Qi Gathering]
[Cultivation Method: Dao of Longevity]
[Physique: Thousand Leaves Body - Heavenly Grade]
[Root: Six Element Root - Heavenly Grade]
[Spells: None]
[Arts: Basic Swordsmanship - 4%]
[Looks: Above Average]
He was first shocked by his advancement to the 6th level of Qi Gathering, as it was in the heat of the moment. He was also shocked by the type of physique he awakened, 'Thousand Leaves Body, one of the top 10 of Heavenly Grade Physiques. Even Qin Qiqiang, the Master of Divine Palace, would be envious of this physique as it's tailor-made for Dao of Longevity.'
He was awakened by his father's voice, "Shen'er, looks like you advanced to 6th level, good." He gestured to Zhu Yingshu and Zhen Ning to wait outside. After they left, he continued, "Your father is worthless, not being able to protect your mother, and now you…"
Xi Li clenched his fists before exhaling, "But, as your father, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve. Take this." As he summoned a pink jade slip, he said, "This is a recommendation jade for Harmony Blossom Sect."
It was smooth pink jade, small as a thumbnail, it emitted a faint fragrance of peach blossoms. Taking it, Xi Shen felt light, as if just carrying it harmonized and cleared his mind.
Xi Li continued, "With it, you can take the tests to enter the sect and become an Outer Sect Disciple if you pass, or a servant if you fail. But either way, you would get their backing. Although a middle-class sect, it has the richest history in the whole Southern Continent."
That piqued Xi Shen's interest, as which sect didn't have a rich history, to claim it has the richest history on the whole continent, is something to boast about.
Xi Li took out another jade slip, however, this one was green in color, and it didn't give out any feeling, "This is the most complete map of the Zheng Dynasty, your old man's own creation, you just inject spiritual energy into it."
Taking it, Xi Shen immediately activated it, the jade crumbled to dust, and a great deal of information flooded his mind, 'If it weren't for the inheritance, this much information would be the greatest I've ever seen. So Zheng Dynasty… it's at least 3 times Euroasia, wow.'
Seeing Xi Shen silent, digesting the information, Xi Li wanted to call out to Zhen Ning and Zhu Yingshu. But Xi Shen's next words shocked him to the core, "Father, it seems I've awakened Thousand Leaves Body."
After a moment of shock, Xi Li went into hearty laughter, "Good, excellent. To think our son would awaken one of the top ten physiques, Fengfeng, you must be proud from the afterlife."
Calming down, he called in the Zhen Ning and Zhu Yingshu. When they entered, he commanded, "Your mission is to take Shen'er to the Harmony Blossom Sect. As he isn't safe here, also, you can give him 'that' once you're at a safe distance."
Both of them cupped their hands and in unison responded, "Yes, Clan Leader." Zhen Ning looked concerned about something, but before he could voice out his opinion, Xi Li stopped him.
Taking out a piece of paper, Xi Li angrily said, "The Sheng Clan sent me a message, later today, Sheng Hua will arrive with a proposition, or in other words, a threat."
Zhu Yingshu clenched his fists, "If only Miss didn't die-" He quickly covered his mouth, apologizing, "Forgive me, Clan Leader. This impudent old fool crossed his boundary."
Xi Li waved dismissively, "It's fine, I know how much Fengfeng meant to you. Now that isn't important, take this." He said as he took out an almost transparent talisman, "This is a conceal talisman, it can hide your presence from anyone below Nascent Soul."
Giving it, he instructed, "Use it immediately and leave this place. Escort Shen'er to the Harmony Blossom Sect, then come back." He then turned to Xi Shen and, with a sigh, said, "This is all I can do as a worthless father. I just hope your mother won't blame me."
Xi Shen hurriedly comforted, "Father, don't talk like that. Mother is proud of you taking care of me so well, and I'm proud to call you my father." Xi Shen was shocked by his own words, but they were from his heart, from Xi Shen's heart.
Xi Li went a bit teary-eyed, but quickly composed himself, "Good, I didn't raise an unfilial son." He went for one last hug, and after a moment, he bid them farewell, "Now go, make us proud, and never forget to stay cautious."
With that, Xi Shen, Zhu Yingshu, and Zhen Ning went on their way, as they activated the talisman, Zhu Yingshu summoned a wooden sword, and he and Xi Shen stepped on it. Zhen Ning flew on an iron sword.
As soon as they flew a bit, Xi Shen heard thunder, seeing Zhu Yingshu and Zhen Ning not commenting, he ignored it. When suddenly, golden lightning hit him out of nowhere, the lightning didn't hurt him in the slightest, just inscribed some kind of profound symbol onto his soul.
Unknown Realm
In the vast universe, a single Palace, purple in color, floated surrounded by small planets that were woven like a glorious picture. In its center sat an ancient-looking man, his robe looked like it contained galaxies, and his long gray hair flowed unrestrained.
Above him levitated a huge bell, full of ever-changing ancient symbols. Suddenly, the bell started to move, producing a soul-piercing sound, and the planets around started to tremble as if responding to the bell.
The old man slowly opened his eyes, revealing their purple color, and mumbled, "It hasn't even been one million years, how can there be another one?" Taking out a small mirror from the void the man continued, "I wonder who could it be?"
A strange light flashed from the mirror, and in bewilderment of the old man it shattered. The old man stared for a second in shock, then a small laugh escaped his mouth, "Haha, to make Mirror of Clairvoyance shatter, what kind of monster did the heavens allow to be born?"
Standing up, the man patted off the dust and smiled, "I guess it's time to visit some old friends. They should also be aware of the anomaly."
Far away in a small forest, a young-looking man sat near the lake fishing. With his every swing of the pole, the Sun and Moon danced, like they tried to be in harmony with the man.
The man looked flawless like everything paled in comparison. His dark hair was tied by a crown, surrounded by a mysterious aura making people respect him on sight.
Suddenly he stopped, revealing a look of surprise and astonishment, "The younger generation will suppress us sooner or later." A sigh escaped his mouth, and he stood up and focused. Seeing through the vast majority of the world, the man tried to find the cause of his surprise but failed.
Rather than anger, he looked even more curious, "Who could it be?" However, no one answered, but the man wasn't discouraged rather energetic.
Out of nowhere, a voice floated over, "Fellow Daoist Han Yu, long time no see. How many eras has it been?" The old man appeared, followed by a large bell.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Sage of Purple Palace himself, fellow Daoist Gu Yuang. Are you here because of the prodigy that has appeared in one of the mortal worlds?"
The single word left his mouth, "Yes." Then he turned around and waited for someone to arrive. Han Yu didn't say anything else as he looked in the same direction, and soon elegant figure floating on the leaf approached them.
She was dressed in a golden dress, her brown hair was tied in a bun. She had fair skin, sharp features, and appeared to be in her twenties, behind her Yin-Yang symbol rotated, creating a mighty presence. Her big eyes locked onto them, and with a small phoenix on her shoulder, she arrived in front of them, "Greetings, Fellow Daoists." Both men responded simultaneously, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Zhao Ming."
As they stood, both men were inferior in terms of presence compared to Zhao Ming. Both of them sighed at the amount of treasures the woman possessed, looking quite envious.
Gu Yuang looked at them with deep meaning and slowly said, "Now that everyone is here, let's discuss the anomaly." Both of them had different expressions. Zhao Ming looked rather displeased, while Han Yu looked more leisurely, as if he didn't care about the matter.
Gu Yuang continued, "We all know what this means, that monster has the potential to be the same as us, if not surpass us. And none of us want a loose cultivator of that level, I presume."
Zhao Ming clenched her fist, "I'm not certain, but that golden lightning can only be the inheritance of one person. We need to decide what to do. I say we intervene and either kill him or accept him in one of our factions. As it's the safest option, we don't want 'that' to happen again."
Han Yu responded immediately, "I vote we don't intervene, worst case scenario we join forces to fight him. But there is a tiny chance of that happening." Both Zhao Ming and Han Yu looked at the oldest of the three.
With a thoughtful look, Gu Yuang slowly explained, "We will only intervene if there is karma. Without the karma, there is no point in interference." Both of them nodded and left, not standing through the ceremony.
As they came back to their respective places, the old man, Gu Yuang, again sat in a lotus position and began to think out loud, "The karma between us has already been established; he broke my Mirror of Clairvoyance. Although the mirror isn't a Dao Treasure, it had some power, but now…" Looking at the broken pieces, he laughed a little, "No matter, no matter. I won't intervene, but a little caution is needed."
With that, the old man sent out a purple character, and soon a young woman entered. Dressed in a purple robe, her long hair flattered with the wind. One word would appear in anybody's mind: 'Graceful'.
The woman saluted with a sweet voice, "Greetings, Master." She bowed slightly and looked at the man in awe and reverence. This was the Sage and Master of Purple Palace, one of the notable sects in this vast space.
"Good, you didn't neglect your cultivation. This is your mission." In his hand appeared a golden character, which matched Xi Shen's, "Find the person with this imprint, but never intervene with them. Only observe, if he or she goes the wrong way, send me a message."
The image of the character burned in her mind as she quickly responded, "Understood!" Bowing again, she turned around and left.
After flying about 2 million kilometers she stopped and looked at the golden character in her hand, not understanding its meaning, "If this can make Master make a move, he or she must be extraordinary, I can't wait to meet them. I, Qin Yao, never failed a mission." With that, she transformed into a purple arc and shot toward one of the planets.
Unknown to Xi Shen three mighty figures now know about his appearance, which might not be a bad thing per se. He was oblivious to the events that happened because he had greater problems at hand.
Southern Continent, Zheng Dynasty, Outskirts of Xi Clan's Territory
Xi Shen looked around in shock, 'What was that?' Seeing his distress, Zhu Yingshu asked, "Young Master, what's the matter? Is the speed too fast for you to hold?"
Given his low cultivation, it was a reasonable question, however, Xi Shen weirdly looked at the two, "You two didn't see the golden lightning?"
Zhu Yingshu and Zhen Ning looked at each other, their faces filled with worry. Zhen Ning slowly asked, "Young Master, did you encounter trouble with your cultivation? Did you have hallucinogens before?"
Seeing they didn't see the lightning, he decided to drop it, "No, my cultivation has been smooth. Forget I asked." Both of them nodded, but were still worried, Xi Shen couldn't help but mull it over 'That lightning and this symbol are weird, I can't even remember the symbol even if I've seen it a moment ago.'