I'm finally back home. Now I can talk to my family and learn more about this world.
I turned to Mom. "Why were you defeated by the Golden Elephant Sect?"
"They caught us off guard," Mom replied calmly. "At our cultivation level, everyone is capable of destroying a universe. That's why some worlds, like this one, have the durability of an entire multiverse of the lower worlds and universes."
"Oh… so I can stop sealing myself?"
As I released my aura, the earth trembled violently for ten seconds.
Mom's eyes widened in shock. "Oh, son… when did you get so powerful?"
"It's been a while," I said with a shrug.
"I'm assuming you've reached the Golden Jade Stage?" she asked. "Only those who've lived for ten thousand years usually attain that level. How did you reach it so young?"
"I have my secrets."
I leaned against the wall. "How long do people usually live in this world?"
"Mortals can live up to ten thousand years," Mom explained. "But cultivators have no set limit—unless their soul is erased."
"So how old are you and Dad?"
Mom smiled faintly. "My age? That's a rude question. But your father… he's around two million years old—and still going strong."
My eyes widened. "Huh! That means… Grandpa?"
"He's a hundred million," Mom said. "Give or take."
"But you all look so young," I said, completely dumbfounded.
"We age normally from one to twenty," she said. "After that, the aging process stops."
"So people here have unlimited potential… and no ceiling to their power?"
"Yes," Mom nodded. "Though some cultivators hit bottlenecks or simply choose not to continue advancing."
"How big is this world?"
"Five hundred forty-six sextillion, seven hundred forty-seven quintillion miles," she said casually. "That's 5.46747 × 10²³ miles. Or about 880 billion billion billion kilometers."
I blinked in disbelief.
This isn't a planet—it's a universe.
So how massive would an actual universe be in comparison!?
"Thanks for answering my questions," I said at last.
Mom smiled warmly. "No problem, son. Get some rest. We'll see you in the morning."
System Notification: Host has obtained a new item: Soul Skill Book.
"I'll read it in the morning, System," I muttered. "I'm tired."
Just as I was heading to my room, I heard Dad's voice from behind me.
"Son, why are you going to bed so early?"
I turned around. "Do you really want to know?"
Dad raised an eyebrow. "Yes."
"I watched you and Mom die this week."
His expression froze. "But… we're alive, aren't we?"
"Yes… but after the war, you weren't. I brought you back. I didn't want to say anything, but I figured you should know."
Dad stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. "I'm sorry we made you go through that… for us."
I returned the hug silently.
He pulled back and looked me in the eye. "How did you resurrect us?"
"I learned a certain skill… from a master," I said.
Dad grew quiet, then murmured, "A resurrection technique… at such a young age…"
He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Son, it's our responsibility to protect you. Please don't carry burdens like this alone. You're not alone."
"Thank you, Father."
"Goodnight, son."
"Goodnight," I replied softly.
Finally… sleep.
Meanwhile, in the Golden Elephant Sect…
"They're alive?" a cultivator stammered.
"Yes," the Young Master said, staring coldly into the distance.
"But how?" the man asked, clearly shaken.
"I don't know," the Young Master replied.
He turned slowly. "Then we'll just have to try again… won't we?"
"Yes, sir. I'll—"
Splat.
A sickening sound echoed as blood and shattered bone splattered across the floor. The cultivator's body hit the ground, lifeless.
The Young Master stood over the corpse, voice like ice. "I will not tolerate failure. Either kill them… or be destroyed like him. Understand?"
"Yes, sir!" the rest shouted, trembling.
"Good. Now get out of my sight."