Chapter 28: Father's Love
For a moment, the entire hall fell silent, only disrupted by the lingering echoes of Xiao Chen and Xiao Rongyu's conversation.
Hmm… Hmmm…
A soft cough suddenly rang out. Elder Xiao Jian cleared his throat, his silver brows slightly raised as he reminded them of their location—the Patriarch's residence.
Xiao Rongyu flinched and immediately fluttered a respectful bow, "S-Sorry, I didn't mean any disrespect…" she whispered nervously. She turned to Xiao Chen, hoping he'd follow suit.
Xiao Chen, however, simply shrugged as if it had nothing to do with him.
"Leave them, Elder Jian." Patriarch Xiao Hao smiled faintly. "You don't get to see Chen'er express his emotions like this every day… can you?" His voice suddenly trailed into a whisper, softer than before, "He is usually detached and emotionless…Not like he used to be…"
Xiao Chen's ears perked up. With his heightened senses, he caught his father's words. For a brief moment, he felt a ripple in his heart—something he hadn't felt in a long time. The strong emotions laced in his father's voice… were real.
"…Father," Xiao Chen mumbled almost inaudibly.
Patriarch Xiao Hao's expression softened. "Chen'er." He flicked his sleeve, and in an instant, a golden glint flashed through the air, spinning rapidly toward Xiao Chen.
With practiced calm, Xiao Chen reached out and caught the object mid-air. Xiao Rongyu leaned forward slightly, curiosity flashing in her amber eyes.
Resting in Xiao Chen's palm was a golden ring, intricately designed with flowing runic patterns and small inscriptions of ancient characters. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and even without probing, the dense energy within it could be faintly felt.
"This—" Xiao Chen's eyes widened. High-Grade Mortal Rank Spatial Ring?!
Xiao Rongyu gasped but quickly composed herself, though a gentle, pleased smile remained on her face.
Xiao Chen's usual indifference crumbled in that moment, replaced with rare gratitude. His lips parted, "…Thank you."
The words were simple, but their weight carried deeply—hidden excitement, restrained joy.
Patriarch Xiao Hao chuckled inwardly. How could he, a peak-stage Martial Lord and a father, not sense the shift in his son? The excitement was there, plain as day, even if Xiao Chen tried to suppress it.
"Chen'er, I've prepared some things for you inside," Xiao Hao smiled, his tone warmer. "Take a look, you just have to—"
"Tch. You don't need to tell me how to probe a Spatial Ring." Xiao Chen cut him off with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Without another word, Xiao Chen closed his eyes, channeling a thin strand of Soul Force into the golden ring. Instantly, his mind connected to the ring's internal space.
The inside was vast—far beyond the capacity of most mortal-rank Spatial Rings. A smooth stone floor stretched endlessly within, with perfectly arranged items neatly placed in corners.
The first thing that caught his eye was a small ornate chest—he probed it open and felt his breath hitch. Inside… ten thousand gold coins shimmered under the ambient light of the space.
His gaze shifted. Beside the chest was a small pile of stones emitting faint spiritual light—about a hundred of them. Spirit Stones.
Low-Grade Spirit Stones… but a hundred pieces? Xiao Chen's heart skipped. In the Great Martial World, spirit stones were treasures birthed from Spirit Mines—pure condensations of Heaven and Earth's spiritual energy. Divided into Low, Mid, High, and Top Grades, they served as cultivation aids, formation fuels, and even currency within powerful cities and sects.
Each Low-Grade Spirit Stone was worth at least a hundred gold coins. His father… had spent a fortune on him.
Now that I think of it… I realize just how broke I've been… Xiao Chen smirked inwardly. With this, I can finally buy some resources and start cultivating my Body and Soul. I don't have to wait until I join the Elemental Dao Sect…
At the far end of the spatial ring's space, two items rested—an elegant flexible armor and a broadsword taller than most grown men.
The armor gleamed softly—a silver-gray suit with thin interwoven scales, flexible yet strong. A low-grade Spirit Rank treasure—lightweight, perfect for high-speed movement while offering ample defense.
However, Xiao Chen's gaze only lingered on the flexible armor for a moment before it landed on the broadsword. Its dark steel blade gleamed coldly even in the void of the spatial space. Crimson runes ran along its edge, pulsing faintly. The hilt was wrapped in black beast leather, its cross-guard simple yet intimidating.
High-Grade Spirit Rank weapon! Xiao Chen's pupils contracted slightly. The same grade wielded by the family's Distinguished Elders…
A wry smile tugged at his lips. Father even remembered my weapon of choice… Despite possessing Heaven's Bane, his sealed weapon capable of rivaling Heaven Rank treasures, carrying it openly would only attract greedy eyes.
"But this… this is perfect," Xiao Chen muttered. A broadsword fit his combat style. Simple, brutal, effective.
Rongyu, still watching, blinked as she caught his subtle smile—one of the rarest things to appear on Xiao Chen's face.
Patriarch Xiao Hao chuckled heartily. "Chen'er, take these. Consider them a father's love… and my way of saying I believe in you. I may not say it much… but I've always been proud of you."
For the first time in a long while, Xiao Chen was speechless.
"…Thank you… Father."
Patriarch Xiao Hao let out a hearty laugh, his deep voice echoing across the grand hall. "Don't mention it, Chen'er… After all, what is a father's love if not silent support?" He stood up, his tall frame casting a long shadow beneath the evening light filtering through the jade windows.
"As for your journey… if you're truly going to the Mystical Beast Forest, know this—it will take you two to three days just to reach the forest's outskirts on foot." He clasped his hands behind his back, his eyes distant, as if envisioning the vastness of Clear Water City. "The forest is situated at the city's edge, far from our Xiao Family Estate. Clear Water City is a grand place… Its size shouldn't be underestimated."
Xiao Chen, now probing the new spatial ring on his finger, raised his head. "What are you suggesting, Father?"
Patriarch Xiao Hao chuckled. "Simple. You should head to the Spirit Beast Stables. Rent a mount. With a proper Spirit Beast under you, your journey will be much faster and safer."
Xiao Rongyu's eyes lit up instantly. "Ah! That's a great idea! Why didn't I think of that? We would've wasted too much time walking!" she exclaimed, her excitement evident as she tugged lightly at Xiao Chen's sleeve.
A faint smile curled Xiao Chen's lips. "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go, Rong." He reached out and grabbed Xiao Rongyu's hand naturally, his calloused palm wrapping around her slender fingers.
"W-What?" Xiao Rongyu gasped softly, her cheeks flushing red. The sudden touch startled her—Xiao Chen had never taken the initiative like this before. The firm yet gentle tug stirred something unfamiliar within her chest, leaving her heart racing.
But Xiao Chen… was utterly oblivious to her fluster. He simply held her hand tightly and strode toward the exit, his mind focused on their next move.
As their figures approached the door, Elder Xiao Jian's aged voice suddenly echoed behind them, "Be careful… The outside world is not as simple as it seems." His tone carried a rare hint of concern.
Xiao Chen paused mid-step, tilting his head back slightly to glance at the elder. With a calm, steady nod, he acknowledged the warning.
However, just as they were about to step past the threshold, Patriarch Xiao Hao's expression darkened. His eyes sharpened, his voice turning low and serious.
"Chen'er… one last thing." He exhaled heavily, his hands tightening behind his back. "I know we've done everything possible to keep the news of your Martial Spirit and cultivation hidden. The elders know… but no message was leaked outside the main family hall." He paused, his gaze landing heavily on Xiao Chen.
"But still… it's not absolute. There are always eyes and ears lurking in the shadows. Someone with ill intent could have caught wind of it… or might seek it out. You… could be targeted." His voice trembled slightly at the end, not out of fear, but fatherly worry buried deep in his heart.
The air grew tense.
Xiao Chen turned around fully, facing his father. Xiao Rongyu stood beside him, gripping the hem of her sleeve tightly. They both understood the weight of those words.
Patriarch Xiao Hao exhaled again. "Chen'er… Rongyu… You both must be careful. The Mystical Beast Forest is dangerous, but men… are even more so."
Xiao Chen glanced at Rongyu, who nodded silently. Their gazes locked, both acknowledging the silent understanding between them. This wasn't just a journey for resources… it could be a hunt—with them as the prey.
"We understand, Father," Xiao Chen spoke, his voice firm and steady. "I'll protect us."
Patriarch Xiao Hao nodded slowly. "Good. Then go."
Without another word, Xiao Chen tightened his grip on Xiao Rongyu's hand and led her toward the exit, their steps firm yet silent. The heavy doors of the Patriarch's residence creaked open, revealing the vast grounds of the Xiao Family Estate bathed in the golden hue of the morning sun.
The courtyard, once a place of childhood memories and innocent laughter, now felt distant—as though it belonged to another lifetime. The towering ancestral halls stood solemnly behind them, their carved pillars and jade tiles shimmering faintly, whispering tales of a glorious past.
Xiao Chen paused for a brief moment, his gaze lingering on the estate walls that had both protected and suffocated him for years. Home... He thought, lips curling into a faint, almost bitter smile. For all its warmth, it's also a cage, it's been a year I left home, last time was an unprecedented experience...
Taking a deep breath, he tightened his grip on Xiao Rongyu's hand. "Let's go," he whispered, his voice carrying a rare gentleness.
As they stepped past the final threshold, a cold breeze swept over them. The warmth of the Xiao Estate slipped away like a fading dream, replaced by the vast, unpredictable world waiting beyond.
For the first time, Xiao Chen truly felt it—his journey to self exploration had began