Marquis Palace, Study Room.
Hanrui was restless, the weight of conflicting emotions gnawing at him. In a bid to distract himself from the heaviness, he silently made the hand seals of Transformation Technique. In mere moments, his form shimmered and shifted into that of a sleek black cat.
With delicate grace, he hopped into his grandmother's lap and laid his head gently on her knees. The familiar softness beneath him brought a sliver of comfort amidst the turmoil.
Xue Li noticed her grandson's distress immediately. Her fingers moved with practiced gentleness, patting soothing circles on Hanrui's back.
The quiet room was filled only with the soft rustle of her robes and the faint crackle of the fireplace.
Hanrui's thoughts swirled turbulently. 'Why am I so sad? So conflicted? he wondered. I gave them the technique so they might be happier… to have a second child.'
Shaking his head to clear the doubt, he looked up at his grandmother and spoke softly, "Nainai, I need your help. This soul power recovery… Although I read about it, it doesn't feel complete."
Xue Li's eyes sparkled with warmth and resolve. "Of course, Rui'er. Come, we'll work through it together."
Her voice was steady, full of the calm authority he trusted.
As they leaned closer, their conversation grew animated, voices mingling with the golden glow of the afternoon light filtering through the window.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
A slender figure paused in the frame—Han Mei, her brow furrowed in concern. Her gaze searched the scene, catching the black cat in her mother-in-law's lap.
A pang of déjà vu flickered through her mind, a familiar voice echoing in the stillness. "Where did that cat come from? I swear I just heard Rui'er's voice…"
She stepped further inside, the sense growing stronger, almost unnerving.
Her eyes flicked back to the cat, and the realization dawned.
Softly, she crossed the room and knelt, wrapping her arms gently around her son's transformed form."You're such a cute little thing," she murmured, voice trembling with affection.
For a long moment, she simply held him—forgetting her original purpose in that silent, tender embrace.
Then, with a steadying breath, she looked into his luminous eyes. "Rui'er, you will be the only child mother will have, mother will always love you, you don't have to force yourself to have a sibling if you don't want to have one"
Wu Tian, who had just walked in and caught sight of his son in cat form, was dumbfounded.
'Does Rui'er like cats? Should I get him one? Or does he just like transforming into a cat?' he wondered, silently observing the scene. As his wife's words reached his ears, he stiffened—waiting to hear how his son would answer.
Hearing his mother's question in a tone of concern, Hanrui felt touched.
Hearing those words, Hanrui felt a quiet comfort wash over him, easing the tightness in his chest. He nestled a little closer, the cat form allowing him to hide his watery eyes.
He managed a small, shaky smile. "I know, Mother. I just… I wanted to make sure I wasn't being selfish. I want you and Father to be happy, whatever you decide. But it's enough for me if I can have all of you to myself a little longer."
'i also wanted to give a cultivation technique that was never given to the parents of the MC in any fanfic' he added in his mind.
Han Mei's arms tightened gently around him, fond and protective. Xue Li's hand kept its soothing rhythm, silent understanding warming the space between grandmother, mother, and child.
Wu Tian stood silently, watching Hanrui curl closer in his cat form. The gentle exchange between mother and son softened something deep inside him.
'Rui'er… always so thoughtful, even when he hides it beneath that mischievous exterior,' he thought.
'He worries about being selfish, but he carries such weight on those young shoulders.I never imagined our boy would have such a big heart, wanting us to be happy first and himself second.'
His chest tightened with a mix of pride and a sudden surge of protectiveness. 'No matter what comes next, I have to be the father he deserves.'
Wu Tian's eyes lingered on Hanrui's sleek black form, the soft weight of the cat in Han Mei's arms, and the gentle rustle of fabrics, and the faint crackle of the fireplace wrapping the room in warmth.
A playful grin tugged at the corner of his lips as he crouched down to meet his son's luminous eyes. His voice was light yet affectionate.
"So, Rui'er, should I start looking for a litter box, or do you plan on staying like this forever?"
At his father's teasing, Hanrui's whiskers twitched. He immediately turned his head toward Xue Li, his large, emerald cat-eyes widening into a perfect picture of wounded innocence—the quintessential puppy-dog look, but in feline form.
Xue Li couldn't help but chuckle, her hand pausing its soothing motion. "Tian, leave the boy alone. He's had a stressful day." Her tone was light, but the subtle lift of her eyebrow held a clear warning.
Han Mei, still cradling her son, shot Wu Tian a mock-disapproving look, though the corners of her lips were fighting a smile. "Honestly, he's just a child. And a very cute one at that." She punctuated the statement by giving the cat a pointed scratch behind the ears, eliciting a soft, rumbling purr that vibrated through her arms.
Hanrui, meanwhile, was doing his absolute best to maintain his sorrowful expression, though a tell-tale tremble in his whiskers betrayed the laugh he was desperately holding back. The purr grew louder, a mix of genuine contentment and suppressed amusement.
Wu Tian watched the entire performance, his own laughter finally bubbling to the surface. He shook his head, the warmth spreading through his chest. The tension that had filled the room moments before seemed to melt away, replaced by the familiar, comforting glow of family affection.
But as his laughter subsided, his expression shifted subtly—touching on the seriousness beneath the humor.
"All jokes aside," he said, his voice softening, "I see the weight you carry, boy. Just remember, no matter how much you protect us, don't lose yourself in the sacrifice. Your path matters too."
The warmth of the moment settled around them like the glow of the fire, the family's bond quietly strengthening in the soft light.
After chatting casually for a while longer, their voices ebbed into the soft silence of the room.
The husband and wife rose gracefully. The faint creak of the wooden floorboards echoed softly beneath their light, measured footsteps.
They moved toward the door, leaving the space with a quiet sense of ease as they returned to their shared dwelling.
As they took their leave, Xue Li and Hanrui couldn't help but exchange a knowing look and share a small smile.
Once the door closed behind them, Xue Li and Hanrui immersed themselves in discussing how soul power recovery work and the known healing skills related to soul power.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, ideas sparking back and forth.
By the end of the day, they had sketched out the basic idea for upgrading the Gravity Seal powered by Soul Power.
While the new Gravity Seal wasn't as potent as Hanrui's instant status recovery level, it provided a solid 40% status recovery along with minor healing.
Seeing Hanrui tired and hungry, Xue Li gently summoned the maids. The soft clatter of porcelain and muted footsteps filled the quiet room as they arrived with a tray of fragrant dishes, the warm aroma of simmering broth and fresh herbs awakening Hanrui's senses.
After ensuring Hanrui ate slowly, savoring the comforting flavors that eased his weariness, Xue Li helped him to his feet.
The subtle scent of lotus and jasmine followed her as she carried him across the polished floor.
She laid him down on his bed, the cool silk sheets soft against his skin and comforting in their smoothness. Lantern light flickered gently, casting shifting shadows on the ornately carved woodwork surrounding them.
With a soft touch, she brushed a strand of hair from his forehead and whispered a few calming words before quietly leaving.
As the door closed behind her, the stillness deepened. Hanrui's breathing slowed, his eyes fluttering shut, surrendering to sleep.
Xue Li returned to her own chamber, the soft rustle of silk silk brushing the wooden floor as she settled into meditation.
Like her son and daughter-in-law cultivating with their respective techniques, she began to channel her energy through the Celestial Swan Radiance.
The technique was known for its graceful flow and radiant power, filling the room with a faint shimmering glow that seemed to hum with celestial energy.
The night passed in quiet cultivation, each member of the household wrapped in their own silent pursuit of power and balance. In their separate chambers, Wu Tian, Han Mei, and Xue Li each felt the subtle shifts of energy, a quiet harmony settling over the palace.
Morning arrived with the sharp, clear ring of a distant temple bell. Hanrui slowly stirred awake , with invigorating energy.
The lingering fatigue was gone, replaced by a vibrant thrum of soul power and chakra coursing through him. He sat up, the silk sheets pooling around him, and took a deep, steadying breath.
The world felt brighter, sharper, and filled with new possibilities.
After training for a bit and washing up Hanrui leaves for the dining hall.
Hanrui entered the dining hall, the polished wooden floors gleaming softly under the warm glow of hanging lanterns. The delicate aroma of simmering broths and fragrant spices filled the air, stoking his hunger.
His eyes quickly scanned the room, noting the empty seats where his parents usually presided. Instead, his grandmother sat serenely near the center of the large round table, awaiting him.
Hanrui quickly made his way to his grandmother's side, lowering himself gracefully into his seat. His eyes lifted to hers, silently pleading with a familiar, unmistakable "feed me" expression.
Noticing her grandson's adorable, pleading expression, Xue Li couldn't suppress a soft smile. With a fond laugh, she gently ruffled his hair, the touch light and comforting.
Without missing a beat, she reached for the chopsticks and began feeding him the dumplings, century eggs, and millet porridge. Her movements tender and patient—a nurturing gesture that spoke volumes about their close bond.
Once breakfast is over Hanrui thanks his grandmother and hugs her and takes his leave.
Reaching his chambers, Hanrui settled down to begin his cultivation, but his mind was already racing with plans.
'Xiao Wu is a soul beast reincarnated into human form. The first step for her is to awaken her martial soul.'
He knew this crucial process required her to visit a nearby village.'She arrived at Nouding Academy in Nouding City, so she should manifest in one of the villages nearby.'
His thoughts traced the possibilities. 'I'll need to pinpoint her exact location when she appears.'
Pausing, he sighed softly. 'Thankfully, I have a year to figure it out. No need to rush.'
With a quiet resolve, Hanrui resumed his cultivation, the path ahead slowly coming into focus.
'As for my favorite cat, Zhu Zhuqing,' he mused with a faint smile. 'I'll just have to wait until her fiancé, Dai Mubai, runs off. Then I can make it seem like she's following him—and take her away.'
'She's still too young, and not the brightest,' he thought with a hint of exasperation. 'Cautious, yes, but smart? Not really.
Looks like I'll have to pay her a visit and earn her trust before she awakens her martial soul. If she trusts me, she'll follow willingly. Otherwise… well, I might just have to kidnap her.'
A helpless sigh escaped him as he shook his head. 'I could pull off the classic hero saving the beauty act when she runs away in the future', he mused, 'but I don't want to lie to her. I want her to trust me genuinely, not because I staged some rescue.'
He sighed again, already plotting his next move.