Chapter 35 : Return, Reflection, and Seclusion

He took a few deep breaths, pressing down the exhaustion that weighed on him. Even now, the faint heat of battle clung to the air, and the scent of blood was thick, heavy, and dangerous. Its blood soaked the forest soil, dark and steaming. He didn't linger—he knew well what will come next.

The scent of blood travels quickly. Too quickly.

Already, the wind stirred with unnatural rustling. Distant cries echoed from beyond the hills—other spirit beasts catching the scent. If he delayed even minutes longer, the battle site would become a den of predators.

Wiping blood from the edge of Shadowfang, Li Qingyun turned and disappeared into the trees.

His movements were swift and silent, his Phantom Step Art carrying him like a ghost through the underbrush. It didn't take long before the entrance to his makeshift cave appeared before him, camouflaged with woven foliage and stone.

He slipped inside, reformed the stone barrier with a light touch, and let out a slow breath.

Safe.

Only then did the weight of fatigue catch up to him. His muscles trembled faintly, not from injury, but from accumulated exertion and near-empty reserves.

He sat cross-legged and took out two recovery pills—one to restore spiritual energy, the other to mend his straining muscles. As the pills dissolved and their energy spread through him, easing the strain on his meridians and muscles, he reclined against the wall of the chamber.

His breath evened out.

His mind stilled.

Sleep came quickly.

And the world fell quiet.

---

It was the faint heat of another's presence that stirred him.

His spiritual sense was dulled by rest, but the air around him had shifted. Quiet, watchful, and… familiar.

Li Qingyun blinked groggily, rubbing his temple. The world returned to focus, and his gaze fell on the man sitting across from him, arms loosely crossed, eyes steady and calm.

Li Tianyang.

"Father?" he asked, voice still a little hoarse.

"You're finally awake," his father said with a faint smile. "You slept like a stone."

Li Qingyun sat up straighter, quickly brushing off the haze. "When did you get here?"

"A little before dawn," Li Tianyang said. "You were out cold. Good sign, honestly—means you pushed yourself far enough."

Li Qingyun rubbed his face and sat up straighter. "I didn't sense you at all."

"You're not supposed to. I'm a Golden Core cultivator, Qingyun. If a brat at Qi Gathering could sense me, I'd consider jumping into a pond in shame."

Li Qingyun gave a small laugh, then paused. "You saw the fight?"

"Every move. You fought well—focused and precise." Li Tianyang's tone was calm, but there was unmistakable pride in his gaze. "That Nightfiend was not a small challenge."

"I wasn't sure if I could win until the very end," Li Qingyun admitted. "Its body was far more durable than I expected."

"That's because its physical prowess is near the peak of its rank," Li Tianyang replied. "Rank 2, low-grade… but its body alone could match a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Li Tianyang's expression softened, pride flickering in his gaze. "You did well. You were calm, composed—and more importantly, decisive. That Nightfiend wasn't a normal opponent. A Rank 2 low-grade spiritual beast is equal to an early Foundation Establishment cultivator in strength… maybe more. And this one's body refinement was top of its rank."

"I noticed," Li Qingyun said, frowning in thought. "But it never used any elemental attacks. I kept expecting it to use fire, or maybe dark-type essence."

"It didn't," Li Tianyang nodded. "Because it couldn't. That particular Nightfiend had incredible natural talent in body refinement, but it hadn't grasped elemental manipulation yet. That's why I let you continue the fight."

"I see…" Li Qingyun leaned against the wall, thinking. "So, I fought something as physically strong as a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator—but it didn't have the full range of techniques."

"Exactly. Even so, most peak Qi Gathering cultivators couldn't last long against it. You held your own, and you won."

Li Tianyang nodded. " I needed to know if you could keep your composure against something that, on paper, outclassed you. And you did."

A soft breath escaped Li Qingyun's lips. Then, with no more need for words, he gave a small nod. "Let's return home."

Li Tianyang agreed. As his son is already in leagues above from others of his batch and in their trip to Verdant Soul Forest they got what they had came for without making any mistakes.

---

They traveled with speed now, flying through the forest's upper canopy with Cloudveil Sword Control supporting Li Qingyun's movement while his father glided ahead, his steps touching nothing but air.

Soon, the forest gave way to rolling hills, then paved roads.

By the time they arrived at the estate gates, the sun had risen halfway into the sky.

No sooner had they crossed the threshold than a familiar voice called out.

"Qingyun!"

Li Qingyun turned just in time to catch his mother, Lin Meiyu, stepping briskly across the courtyard, her long pale green robe fluttering in the breeze. Her expression was composed, but her eyes searched him quickly.

"You're safe. Good. Are you hurt?"

"I'm fine, Mother." Li Qingyun raised his head slightly, smiling.

She reached out and cupped his face lightly, checking him one last time before pulling back.

"No internal injuries. No spiritual imbalance. Even your mental state is calm," she said approvingly. "You didn't let yourself slip. Good."

---

That evening, after bathing and changing into soft fresh robes, Li Qingyun sat down to eat in the main hall. The table was spread with roasted spirit beast meat, steamed buns, spiritual fruit soaked in honeyed wine, and dishes prepared with medicinal herbs to fortify his body.

He didn't hold back—his appetite had returned with full force.

"You're eating like a starved beast," Lin Meiyu said with mock sternness as he reached for a third helping of stir-fried beast tendon.

Li Qingyun laughed lightly, enjoying the comfort of home. "I missed your cooking."

She gave him a look that was only half disapproving.

When the meal was finished, and the servants had cleared the table, Li Qingyun leaned back in his seat.

"Father. Mother."

They both turned to him at once.

"I want to go into seclusion."

A brief silence.

"I can feel it," he continued. "The foundation is forming. My energy has saturated to its limit. My spiritual energy can't accumulate further."

Li Tianyang leaned forward slightly. "You've sensed the formation of the Core Vein Matrix?"

Li Qingyun replied, "The meridians are ready to intertwine. All my energy is gaseous, but completely saturated. I think… I'm right at the edge."

Lin Meiyu stood and returned with a jade box. "These pills will support you through the breakthrough process. Take one every day—no more than that. You will know how to use them when you go into seclusion, And remember: forging the Foundation Establishment core is not about speed. It's about precision. Patience."

"I understand."

---

A few hours later, Li Qingyun stood before the secluded training room at the eastern edge of the Li estate. A simple stone chamber—but reinforced with spirit formations etched into every wall.

Li Tianyang nodded. "I often use this chamber myself. There's a 3rd rank spiritual gathering array embedded in it. Perfect for breaking through."

Li Qingyun entered and bowed deeply to both his parents.

"Thank you. I'll succeed."

"We know you will," Lin Meiyu said gently.

The door closed behind him.

Silence filled the room—except for the steady pulse of spiritual energy condensing in the air.

Li Qingyun sat cross-legged in the center. His breathing deepened.

But he didn't began instantly but opened his system interface.