Six years

Six years had passed since Ling Tian broke through to the 2nd level of the Qi Refining Realm.

These years had been a storm of relentless cultivation, deepening mastery over various professions, and cherishing precious moments with his family.

His dedication to his path was unwavering, and the progress he had made was a testament to his hard work and determination.

Ling Tian's cultivation journey had been marked by steady progress. From the 2nd level of the Qi Refining Realm, he had now ascended to the 7th level.

Each breakthrough was a result of rigorous training, countless hours of meditation, and a shallow understanding of the Eternal Transcendence Scripture.

His mastery over his qi had reached new heights, and the depth of his spiritual energy was now far greater than before.

"The Eternal Transcendence Scripture is truly a supreme cultivation manual, even with my knowledge which far surpasses the mortal realm, I can barely comprehend its beginning parts, a normal mortal would not even be worthy to read merely the name of this scripture."

Then he thought of his cultivation speed, "The only reason I can't comprehend the manual quickly is due to my trashy cultivation talent, otherwise I would have at least comprehended the technique to a much higher level."

During this time, Ling Tian also shared his alchemical knowledge with his father, Yuan Wei. 

He provided him with recipes for qi refining and foundation-building level pills and other alchemical products.

Under Ling Tian's guidance, Yuan Wei's skills as an alchemist improved tremendously, and his alchemy shop became the number one shop in Huoyuan City.

Despite their success, they chose to stay low-key and not expand beyond the city to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.

Ling Tian spent countless hours teaching Yuan Wei the intricate details of alchemy, from identifying the most potent herbs to mastering the precise temperatures needed for refining different elixirs.

Together, they experimented with various combinations and techniques, refining the processes to perfection.

Yuan Wei's natural talent for alchemy, combined with Ling Tian's vast knowledge from his past life, created a synergy that led to remarkable results.

"Father, try adjusting the flame to a lower intensity here," Ling Tian suggested one evening as they worked in the shop. "It will help in preserving the herb's essence."

Yuan Wei followed his son's advice, and the improvement was immediate. The pill they produced was purer and more potent than any they had made before.

"Remarkable, Tian'er," Yuan Wei marveled. "Your knowledge is truly extraordinary. Our shop has never produced pills of this quality."

Word of their superior products quickly spread throughout Huoyuan City.

Cultivators from all over the region flocked to their shops, eager to purchase high-quality pills and elixirs.

The demand was so high that they could barely keep up with orders.

Despite the booming business, Ling Tian and Yuan Wei agreed to maintain a low profile.

They did not want to attract the attention of powerful sects or rival alchemists who might view them as a threat.

"We must be careful, Father," Ling Tian cautioned. "Our goal is to make money and build a strong foundation for ourselves, not to become targets for those who might covet our success."

Yuan Wei nodded in agreement. "You're right, Tian'er. We'll focus on serving our community here in Huoyuan City and avoid drawing too much attention."

This strategy paid off.

Their shop became a trusted and respected establishment within the city, known for its high-quality products and fair prices.

Yuan Wei's reputation as an alchemist grew, but they remained humble and cautious, ensuring their safety and continued prosperity.

One day, in the warmth of their home, Yuan Wei expressed his gratitude. "Tian'er, your knowledge and guidance have transformed our shop. The reputation we've built has brought us great respect in Huoyuan City."

Ling Tian smiled, "Father, it's our combined effort. Your dedication and hard work are the true reasons behind our success. If you were negligent on my guidance merely because I'm your son then that would have been ignorant, I'm glad I could help you."

Ling Tian's bond with his younger sister, Xin'er, grew stronger over the years. They played together often, their joyous laughter filling the household.

These moments were precious to Ling Tian, especially as he reflected on the missed opportunities and regrets of his past lives.

Determined to make up for those lost moments, he embraced a more carefree and childish demeanor, relishing the chance to create joyful memories with his sister.

One sunny afternoon, Ling Tian and Xin'er were playing a game in the garden.

"Got you, Xin'er!" Ling Tian teased, playfully pinching her cheeks.

"Big Brother, you're so naughty!" Xin'er giggled, swatting playfully at him.

Their playful antics often took a mischievous turn. 

With a gleam in his eye, Ling Tian would pretend to be a statue or hide behind the garden bush, popping out to surprise Xin'er with harmless tricks. 

Though initially startled, Xin'er would quickly join in the fun, their laughter blending together joyfully. 

Their parents watched with amusement, their faces glowing with smiles as they saw the siblings' bond deepen.

Ling Tian also focused on his little sister's cultivation,

"Xin'er, focus your qi like this," Ling Tian instructed gently, guiding her through a simple exercise. "It will help you control your energy better."

Xin'er looked up at him with wide eyes, filled with admiration. "Thank you, big brother! I want to be as strong as you one day."

Ling Tian smiled warmly. "You will, Xin'er. Just keep practicing and never give up."

Yuan Mei, Ling Tian's mother, also benefited from his knowledge. 

He taught her spirit cooking techniques that he had learned in his past life. 

Spirit cooking not only made their meals more delicious but also infused them with qi, providing subtle benefits to their cultivation. 

Yuan Mei was delighted with this new skill and enjoyed preparing nourishing meals for her family.

"Tian'er, this spirit cooking is amazing," Yuan Mei said one evening as they sat down to dinner.

"The energy in these dishes is so potent. It's like we're cultivating while we eat."

Ling Tian nodded, pleased with his mother's progress. "I'm glad you like it, Mother. Spirit cooking can greatly aid our cultivation and keep us healthy, but it's a shame the ingredients are so low level so they are not of much help to me."

He then said about his father, "Much less father who is in the middle realm of foundation establishment realm, the spirit food of this quality has no effect on him, but at least Xin'er will benefit from all of this."

As Ling Tian continued to cultivate and study various professions, he found himself increasingly restricted by the confines of the city. 

Although he had reached the 7th level of the Qi Refining Realm, he felt that his progress was slowing down. 

The limited resources and opportunities in Huoyuan City were starting to hinder his advancement.

One evening, after a particularly intense meditation session, Ling Tian shared his thoughts with his parents.

"Father, Mother, I feel that I've reached a bottleneck in my cultivation. I need to seek new opportunities and experiences beyond this city."

Yuan Wei looked at his son thoughtfully. "Tian'er, you've grown so much. If you feel that you need to explore the world to continue your journey, we support you. Just remember to stay safe and come back to us."

Yuan Mei nodded in agreement. "Your father is right Tian'er. The world outside may be dangerous, but it's also full of opportunities. We believe in you."

Ling Tian felt a surge of gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Father, Mother. I will make you proud and return stronger."

As the days turned into weeks and weeks into months, Ling Tian prepared for his journey. 

He continued his rigorous cultivation, studied various professions, and spent as much time as possible with his family.