Watching the news was enough to tell that Sakura Island had become even livelier since the Hua Republic cultivators left. Civilians now surrounded Dami's military bases, and the shadow dwellers had launched raids. Conflicts had also already erupted in multiple regions. The government of Sakura Island kept repeating words like "restraint" and "calm," while Dami's fleet, having withdrawn once, returned and aimed its cannons at its century-old ally. A flood of international condemnations soon followed. Nations all over the world directed tactical criticism at the Jialington Group, and the organization was officially branded as a terrorist group. The rest of the news was of little interest. The Hua Republic remained as steady as ever. Quietly playing the part of a responsible great power, it simply issued a formal condemnation of the Jialington Group. The recent developments made it seem as though a fuse was being lit. The international climate, which was already thick with the smell of gunpowder, now gave off muffled rumbles. For as long as these hidden flames did not spread into the Hua Republic, though, Wang Sheng couldn't care less how intense they burned. He browsed a few popular websites on his phone. Many people were analyzing his progress in cultivation. Most speculated that he was already at the Tribulation Realm and claimed that in the thirteen years that he had spent in the Small Nether Realm, he had likely encountered some extraordinary fortune. He also found one post that seemed more reliable. It carefully explained that while he was trapped in the Earth Qi Seal, the Earth Qi Immortal Spring had continuously supplied him with primal qi. Essentially steeped in primal qi for thirteen years, he rapidly deepened his comprehension and perfected his cultivation realm. Under such circumstances, it was only natural for him to experience such a dramatic increase in strength and surpass his peers by such a wide margin. Fortunately, no one managed to guess that Yaoyun also played a part in his growth. Moreover, there was no need to take such speculations seriously since they were merely the product of cultivators' and ordinary people's imaginations. Despite browsing for some time, Wang Sheng failed to find any useful posts. Instead, he came across self-proclaimed "keyboard warriors" posting lines like "Sweep across the world and conquer the ends of the earth." He couldn't help but shake his head. What good will sweeping across the world bring? Turning foreigners into citizens of the Hua Republic is nothing but a pleasant dream. Such a move would place enormous strain on the Hua Republic's social welfare system and cause countless societal problems. "Little Sheng, would you like some fruit?" his father called from the side. He had brought over a plate of fruit. Wang Sheng, who had been slouching, put away his phone and sat upright. "Dad, you and Mom should rest early. It doesn't matter whether I sleep tonight or not." "It's fine." His father laughed. "How long can you stay home? I know the mundane world is not suited for cultivation, and the quality of primal qi here can never compare with the clarity of the mountains. If you're worried that staying here will hinder your progress, then don't hesitate to head back to the mountains. All we ask is that you stay with us for at least two days." Smiling, Wang Sheng shook his head. "It's alright, Dad. I'm currently at a bottleneck anyway. Considering where I'm at right now, I can't really rush my cultivation; I have to take time to temper my state of mind. I should be able to stay here for a month or two. Considering how many years I've been gone, it's only right that I properly spend some time with you and Mom." "We can both live to a hundred and fifty. Doesn't that mean we're still in our prime right now?" His father puffed out his chest and raised his head. Over the past two days, he had been so happy that he didn't even look old anymore. Wang Sheng extended his right hand and pressed his fingers on his father's wrist to carefully examine him. "You have to exercise more, Dad. You've barely made average progress using the Universal Cultivation Method." "I know, I know. Don't worry," his father replied with a wave of his hand. He picked up a fruit knife and began peeling an apple. "Little Sheng, Little Miao had mentioned that she wants to cultivate with you. What do you think we should do about it?" "Little Miao wants to cultivate?" Wang Sheng chuckled. "That's good. Though her aptitude is only above average, she has great comprehension. She can even become an immortal one day. I'll ask my master to find a reliable Kun Daoist, then I'll take Little Miao to her to formally become her disciple. Since we now have the means, we should choose a cultivation method that truly suits my sister." His father frowned. "Little Miao wants to cultivate under your guidance." "Huh?" Wang Sheng froze, then smiled helplessly. "Dad, though people think I'm strong, I don't really know how to teach someone to cultivate. It's like solving a complex math problem. You may know the answer yourself, but that doesn't mean you can explain it to others." "I think I understand." His father rubbed his chin in thought. After a while, he softly looked at Wang Sheng with deep emotion. In a serious tone, he said, "Except for having you and Little Miao, your mother and I achieved little in this lifetime. You are exceptional in ways we cannot even comprehend. "Little Miao is fortunate to have you as her brother. Knowing we can live to a hundred and fifty is already enough for us. We have no greater ambitions except for the desire to live quietly, pursue a little joy of our own, and spend the rest of our lives in peace. You and Little Miao are different. We don't know how long you two may live. One day, when your mother and I return to earth—" "Dad, you and Mom are still young. You have many years ahead of you," Wang Sheng interrupted, his fingers trembling slightly. He couldn't dare imagine his parents' passing. "Humans experience birth, aging, sickness, and death. Eternal life belongs to immortals." His father smiled. "Don't worry, Little Sheng. Your mother and I have long prepared ourselves for that day. As long as you and Little Miao are okay, we won't have any regrets. You still have a long way to go, so focus on your cultivation with peace of mind. Anyway, let's get back to Little Miao's cultivation. Listen to me, Little Sheng." His father handed him the peeled apple, and Wang Sheng took a bite. It was sweet, though a bit mealy. His father lowered his voice. "Since Little Miao wishes to cultivate, help her along the way and let her walk this path as far as she can. But don't place too much pressure on her. She is clever, but your master told us before that she only has average aptitude. "Also, your mother and I can't live forever. I want Little Miao to spend more time with you from now on so you can grow closer to each other. That way, she'll suffer less when we pass. Your master once told us the three hardest trials that cultivators face: cultivation itself, the calamities of fate, and the passing of mortal kin and friends. "You have a good temperament, but you're still not steady enough; you're still a little impatient. Though you'll grow calmer and more grounded with time and more experience, we don't want the course of our lives and passing to shake your heart. "Your mother and I decided to have another child because, after seeing your Daoist talents, we realized you could one day truly become an immortal and live for thousands of years. Without any siblings, you would be unbearably lonely." Wang Sheng felt a sourness in his nose. He lowered his head and bit into the apple. His father smiled and patted Wang Sheng's head. "How about letting Little Miao start with a basic cultivation method? You and Little Xuan can cultivate alongside her. Once she has stabilized her realm, she can go and study under a different master. She's still young, you know. If she falls for some handsome young man once she's at the right age, she might grow distant from you." Wang Sheng exhaled slowly and forced a smile. "Don't worry, Dad. I'll take good care of Little Miao. Tomorrow, I'll start looking for a suitable master for her. We also have to consider which cultivation method suits her best. "She can continue her studies online, and I'll supervise her until she graduates from high school. Also, the Universal Cultivation Method could undergo another breakthrough. You and Mom could still have your lifespans extended." Smiling, his father leaned back on the sofa. "When I was young, I dreamed of immortality too. But we grew up eventually. They say a man finds his footing at thirty, becomes free of confusion at forty, and understands the will of the heavens at fifty. I've already lived past all those ages. I've come to understand many things, and I now have beliefs that are too deeply rooted to change. "As an elder Daoist once said on television, one has to live a life of meaning. You can't just wander for centuries as an empty shell, forgetting what should be remembered. If your mind gets muddled and your very nature changes, then you've already lost your true self. Passing peacefully and making room for the next generation is far better than that. "Cultivators can endure endless years because you all pursue your own Dao and the Great Dao of the universe. Mortals can't do the same. After all, we know nothing of the Dao. Getting to enjoy life with your mother for a hundred more years is more than enough. "I know you are always thinking about ways to extend our lives, but you don't have to do that. Since we have no grand ambitions, living a meaningful life is enough for us. That in itself is already exhausting." Wang Sheng stared at his father so intently that the old cadre's skin prickled with goosebumps. "Dad, are you okay?" "I am sharing my wisdom with you!" his father answered as he slapped his forehead. "Did I say too much? You do understand what I mean, right?" Wang Sheng chuckled. "Why not try Buddhist arts? With your enlightenment, you might attain Buddhahood on the spot." "Don't speak nonsense. That is an ill-omened thing to say!" His father glared at him, pressed his palms together, and prayed in every direction. He then laughed. "These are nothing but a few life lessons that aren't related to cultivation." Lowering his voice, he added, "By the way, Little Sheng, what's going on between you and Little Xuan? Your mother and I are starting to grow anxious. The two of you clearly have feelings for each other, so what are you waiting for? Are you worried it will hinder your cultivation? I heard the union of yin and yang can improve your progress." Wang Sheng faltered, unsure how to reply. His father grew serious. "I know your mother and I still have many years left, but that doesn't mean we're not excited to have grandchildren. We were too embarrassed to say this before, but I'll be blunt to you now: you have to work harder!" "Dad, how did you and Mom get together back then?" "How else? We dated, grew closer, slept together, and then got married. Isn't that the natural order?" Wang Sheng could not help but laugh and cry. "Is there some specific method between the second and third step?" "You mean… Ah, that's right! You went up the mountain at seventeen to study the Dao!" The sudden realization made his father give him a strange look. He reached into the pocket of his pajamas and pulled out an outdated smartphone. Clearly misunderstanding the situation, he patted Wang Sheng's shoulder as he earnestly advised, "Third page, middle row. Blue browser icon. Private bookmarks. Password is six sixes. You'll benefit greatly from the information in there. Now, work hard. If you don't understand something, just ask me. I'm your father; you don't have to hide anything from me." He clasped his hands behind his back and walked away proudly, completely bewildering Wang Sheng.