Du Hai and Shen Xuan returned from the hotel. The night air was still, the silence weighing heavily between them.
After a long pause, Shen Xuan finally spoke, his voice low and trembling."Grandpa… if I leave with him, what will happen to you? Who will take care of you? How will you live alone?"
Du Hai chuckled softly, though his eyes carried a trace of sorrow."Foolish child. Before you came, wasn't I living alone already? You don't need to worry about me. What you need to do now is focus on your cultivation. You've grown up now—your path lies ahead, not behind."
Shen Xuan's lips trembled as he stared at the old man. His eyes slowly reddened, tears welling up until he could no longer hold them back. Without a word, he rushed forward and hugged Du Hai tightly.
How could Shen Xuan ever forget? For the past ten years, Du Hai had raised him with endless care and love. To Shen Xuan, Du Hai wasn't just a grandfather—he was mother and father both. The only family he had left in this vast, cold world.
His voice choked with emotion as he whispered,"Grandpa… to me, you are everything. You are my heaven. When everyone else abandoned me, it was you who took me in. Your kindness… I can never repay it. Please remember this—I will always protect you and big Yaoyao for you as well. She will never suffer as long as I live."
Then, with firm resolve burning in his eyes, Shen Xuan slowly dropped to his knees."I will never bow to anyone in this world not even to the heavens themselves, for they are not qualified to receive my bow. The only one worthy… is you, Grandpa."
With that, Shen Xuan kowtowed deeply.
Du Hai's body trembled. His eyes filled with tears, yet his lips curved into a proud smile. His heart was heavy with emotion, but also filled with happiness.
"Good, good child…" he said, his voice thick with emotion. "Now get up. From today onwards, you will walk your own path, but remember don't waste your life worrying about me. I am still in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Once you leave, I plan to travel as well. Who knows, maybe I'll even find a way to break through further."
Shen xuan nodded with heavy heart.
The next morning, Lu Zhen arrived at Du Hai's courtyard. His expression was calm, yet firm."It's time we set out," he said. "The journey to the Southern Region will be long, but along the way, I will personally temper and train Shen Xuan. By the time we reach our destination, his foundation will be solid."
Elder Du nodded, his old eyes shimmering faintly with both pride and sorrow.
Shen Xuan walked forward, and once again, the two embraced tightly. Neither wanted to let go, as if they feared this might be the last time they would see each other.
With a heavy voice, Du Hai whispered countless words of advice, warnings, encouragements, and reminders—all from the heart of a man who had raised this child as his own. Shen Xuan listened quietly, memorizing every word.
At last, he stepped back. His eyes were slightly red, but his expression was calm, resolute.
Lu Zhen raised his hand and waved lightly. From within his storage ring, a treasure appeared. With a sudden flash of light, a small dragon-shaped vessel hovered in mid-air, its surface shimmering with golden scales. The sight left Shen Xuan and Du Hai slightly stunned.
The vessel expanded, transforming into a sleek flying ship, large enough to carry three or four passengers comfortably. Its draconic design gave off an aura of majesty, and even from a glance, one could feel its immense power.
Shen Xuan together with Lu Zhen stepped onto the vessel.
As the ship slowly ascended, Shen Xuan looked down at the only home he had known for the past ten years. His gaze lingered, unwilling to leave, as if carving every detail of the small courtyard into his soul.
Du Hai stood below, his figure growing smaller and smaller with each passing second. Shen Xuan's chest tightened this courtyard had carried his childhood, his pain, his growth, and his warmth.
Finally, the house disappeared from view.
Shen Xuan exhaled deeply, but as he did, his mind flickered with a faint image a hazy memory of his mother's gentle face, looking at him through the window that night so long ago.
He clenched his fists, shaking his head slightly to steady his heart. Then, he sat down cross-legged upon the flying ship.
The vessel trembled, and in the blink of an eye, it shot through the skies like a streak of golden lightning. Its speed was terrifying covering several kilometers in mere moments.
Lu Zhen glanced at Shen Xuan, who had been sitting silently, his eyes still faintly clouded with emotion. A small chuckle escaped his lips.
"This must be your first time leaving home, isn't it? No wonder you look so downcast," he said lightly. "Don't worry. The loneliness will pass. In time, you'll get used to being on your own."
Shen Xuan raised his head slightly but didn't reply. His cold, reserved nature made him seem distant.
Lu Zhen wasn't offended. Instead, he struck up casual conversation here and there. After some time, he realized something.So… this boy isn't just quiet. He's naturally cold, unwilling to speak more than necessary.
A knowing smile formed on Lu Zhen's lips.
After a while, he said, "At our current speed, we'll reach the center of the continent in about a month. That's where our clan is located."
Shen Xuan frowned slightly, his voice calm but questioning."Didn't you say you were from the Southern Region? Then why are we heading to the center?"
Lu Zhen laughed, his tone carefree."Ah, that… I only said it casually. What you know about the Southern Region is true—it is the strongest territory on the continent. But the real heart of power doesn't lie there."
Shen Xuan's expression sharpened slightly. "Then where?"
Lu Zhen's eyes narrowed, his voice lowering with faint pride."The true powerhouses are the Emperor Clans. Their roots are in the center of the continent. Even the so-called First-Class Forces and King Clans can't compare. Do you know why?"
Shen Xuan shook his head.
Lu Zhen continued, his tone like a teacher revealing secrets of the world:"Because a single Emperor Clan holds enough power to sweep away every King Clan combined. There are only ten Emperor Clans in this entire continent… and the balance of the world rests upon their existence."
His lips curled into a faint, meaningful smile."And among those ten… is the Lu Clan."
The words struck Shen Xuan like thunder. His chest tightened, his eyes widening slightly.
Emperor Clan… so this is the level of existence he comes from?
For the first time, Shen Xuan truly understood—his own horizons were far too small. The world was much, much broader than he had ever imagined.
Lu Zhen stood tall at the bow of the flying treasure, the winds whipping past them. He turned his gaze toward Shen Xuan, his voice solemn.
"From today onward… you will be my personal disciple."
His tone was calm, but if anyone from the Emperor Clans or even his own Lu Clan had heard these words, they would have gone mad with shock. Lu Zhen had roamed the world for decades, yet never once had he chosen a personal disciple. Countless geniuses had begged for his guidance—none were qualified.
Yet this boy, only fifteen, had just been acknowledged.
Shen Xuan blinked once. His cold eyes softened slightly, and he bowed his head."Alright, Master. Thank you… for accepting me as your disciple." I will work hard and not disappoint you.
Lu Zhen froze for a moment. Something about the boy's calm acceptance felt strange. Then, raising an eyebrow, he asked with a faint smirk,"Is that it? You don't plan on bowing to your master?"
Shen Xuan shook his head firmly, his tone steady."Apologies, but… no one in this world is qualified to receive my bow. Not even you. The only one worthy of it… is my grandfather."
For a moment, silence filled the deck.
Lu Zhen's eyes narrowed slightly, a rare trace of speechlessness on his face. He wasn't angry—just… stunned.This boy… is he arrogant?
The atmosphere grew awkward for a breath, until Lu Zhen chuckled and waved his hand dismissively."Fine, fine. Bowing is just a ritual anyway. If that's how you feel, I won't force you."
His expression softened as he continued, "But since I've taken you as my disciple, it's only right that I give you something in return."
He lifted his hand, and his spatial ring flickered.
Clang!
In an instant, a sword appeared, hovering in mid-air. Its blade gleamed with an otherworldly brilliance, sharp enough that the very air around it began to ripple and tremble. A faint pressure spread outward, shaking the flying ship.
"This," Lu Zhen said, his voice calm but laced with pride, "is an Immortal-Grade Sword. From today onward… it will be yours."
Shen Xuan's eyes widened ever so slightly. The blade was beautiful—sleek, deadly, and brimming with profound energy. Just looking at it stirred a fire deep within his chest.
He reached out, gripping the hilt. The sword resonated faintly, a clear hum echoing as if acknowledging its new master.
"Thank you, Master," Shen Xuan said softly. Though his words were few, there was weight in them.
Lu Zhen watched as Shen Xuan began familiarizing himself with the blade, and a faint smile curved his lips. Since this sword acknowledge this boy so easily then this boy may truly be worth it.
From this moment shen xuan new journey begins.
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