Chen Ze's gaze fell on Xiao Feng. Noticing the blue-purple bruises on his knees and the thick calluses on his palms, his heart trembled slightly.
This child was only around ten years old, yet he worked harder than many adult cultivators.
Those scars silently spoke of his day-after-day persistence, making Chen Ze wonder whether he had been too harsh before.
"How has your cultivation been lately?" Chen Ze waved a hand and lifted Xiao Feng up, his voice unconsciously softening.
Xiao Feng rubbed his hands awkwardly, his knuckles slightly thickened from years of practicing punches.
He had imagined countless times what it would be like to see Chen Ze again, but when he truly faced him, it was as though something had lodged in his throat.
Lowering his head, he spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "Reporting to you, sir, I've already broken through to the eighth level of the Qi Refining Realm."
After saying that, he secretly glanced at Lin Xiaoqing, and a flicker of envy and inferiority flashed through his eyes.
Lin Xiaoqing noticed his gaze and made a face at him, her tone light. "Xiao Feng, you've improved so quickly. Your cultivation is even higher than mine."
Those words were like a flame, instantly setting Xiao Feng's cheeks ablaze.
He lowered his head, unconsciously twisting the corner of his clothes between his fingers, feeling both joyful and bitter.
He was joyful because he had received praise, but bitter because he was still not Chen Ze's disciple.
Chen Ze took all of this in, understanding everything.
This child had always longed for recognition, yet because of his background, he had always felt somewhat inferior.
But things were different now. Xiao Feng had been reborn, his Low-grade Spirit Root elevated into an Ultimate Spiritual Root.