Home for the Holidays

On December 31, after a day of slaughter at the Elite Training Camp, Qin Hao returned to Jiangnan Pavilion. Over the past month, his ranking had remained firmly in first place. However, Qin Hao no longer paid much attention to such things.

After briefly packing his belongings in his room, he prepared to leave the Elite Training Camp. January and February were the camp's holidays. All the students would leave and return to their respective factions and homes, waiting for the camp to reopen.

This rule existed partly because the camp's various facilities needed time for maintenance, and partly to balance work and rest. After all, prolonged periods of intense cultivation and slaughter had a significant impact on both body and mind. People needed the comfort of family, friends, and familiar surroundings.

Qin Hao still felt a certain sense of urgency about this. Though the strength of an Intermediate War God was already formidable, in the universe as a whole, he was merely an insignificant apprentice. Next year, Luo Feng would enter the Elite Training Camp and begin his legend.

Still, despite that urgency, Qin Hao was delighted by the holiday. He had been away from home for four months. Although he often spoke with his family over the phone, he missed home deeply.

Once he had packed his luggage, Qin Hao headed to Hongning Base City Airport with Zhao Ruo and Shi Jiang. They took a passenger plane back to Jiangnan Base City together.

"Qin Hao, see you after the New Year."

"Come to Jiangnan Base City sometime so we can get together!"

"Alright, see you after the New Year."

After exchanging a few words, the three went their separate ways. Although they were all from Jiangnan Base City, they lived far apart. After leaving the airport, Qin Hao transferred to a special train before finally returning to Yangzhou.

"Nothing beats the feeling of home." As he stepped out of the station and watched the crowds passing by, Qin Hao could not help sighing inwardly. His four months at the Elite Training Camp had been fulfilling. Every day had been occupied by cultivation, and his strength had improved considerably. Yet for Qin Hao, who had never spent long periods away from home in either of his two lives, returning home brought a deep sense of fulfillment to his soul.

"Qin Hao, you're back!"

"What's the Elite Training Camp like? Is everyone there really strong?"

"Qin Hao, you're on break? How long is your vacation?"

After entering Mingyue Residential Area, everyone Qin Hao encountered looked at him curiously and kept asking about the camp. As the only martial artist from Mingyue Residential Area to enter the Limitless Martial Arts Center's Elite Training Camp, Qin Hao was undeniably the kind of child other parents compared their children to.

As martial artists and family members of the Limitless Martial Arts Center, they clearly understood the significance of the Elite Training Camp. It was also known as the War God Training Camp, and every graduate became a War God. War Gods were unquestionably powerful, and there were not many of them even in a single Base City.

"Yes, I'm back. Two months..." Qin Hao answered as he continued walking toward his home.

"Uncle Luo, Aunt Luo." When he reached his doorstep, he happened to meet Luo Hongguo and his wife as they were heading out. Qin Hao stepped forward and greeted them.

"Little Hao, I heard you went to the Limitless Martial Arts Center's Elite Training Camp. Are you on break now?" Luo Hongguo asked.

"Yes, I'm taking two months off to spend time with my family. Is Luo Feng home?"

"No, he went to the Wilderness Zone again." Luo Hongguo's tone was full of worry. He had noticed Luo Feng's recent changes and always felt that something was going on.

Qin Hao knew about Luo Feng's current situation. The matter of the 100-billion reward had caused an enormous uproar online. Even though Qin Hao had devoted all his energy to cultivation, he had still heard about it.

Luo Feng was probably desperately increasing his strength right now. During this period, he had even earned the nickname "Madman." Yet it was precisely because of this crazed cultivation that he would enter the Elite Training Camp next year.

After chatting for a few more moments, Qin Hao opened the door and entered his home.

"Who is it?" As the door opened, a voice came from the living room, tinged with surprise.

"Mom, I'm back," Qin Hao replied.

"Little Hao, you're back! Have you eaten? What do you want to eat? I'll make you something right now."

"Old Qin, hurry out here! Little Hao is back." Wang Su called out as she headed into the kitchen and began cooking.

More than ten minutes later, a bowl of noodles was ready and placed on the table before Qin Hao.

"You're back, so why didn't you let us know? We could've prepared something for you. How long will you be home this time?"

"Two months. I'll go back after the New Year. I should graduate directly next year," Qin Hao said.

"Didn't they say it took five years?" Qin Father and Qin Mother asked in confusion.

"You can graduate early once your strength reaches the standard. My strength should be enough next year," Qin Hao said confidently. In theory, Qin Hao could already graduate. With the strength of an Intermediate War God, combined with his Force Generation, Movement Technique, and Blade Technique, he could contend even with an Advanced War God.

That was because he had spent the past few months rebuilding his foundation and had not focused too heavily on improving areas such as Force Generation. Still, even without deliberately pursuing it, Qin Hao was not far from reaching the fifth level of the Nine Heavens Thunder Blade. He might even break through during the holiday.

The night passed quietly. Early the next morning, Qin Hao got up and entered the training room to cultivate. Compared to the Gravity Chamber at the Limitless Martial Arts Center, training in the room at home felt extremely easy. Yet every movement Qin Hao made was exceptionally slow.

Recently, Qin Hao had become fascinated with Tai Chi Quan, which had been widely spread in his previous life. However, unlike the exercise-style Tai Chi Quan practiced by elderly men and women, Qin Hao was practicing the Secret Manual Hong had collected.

Qin Hao's movements alternated between fast and slow. Though they did not contain much raw power, they were brimming with force. With every movement, Qin Hao carefully sensed the transmission of power through his body and the alternation between Hidden Force and Manifest Force.

"Big brother, big brother, big brother!" While Qin Hao was cultivating, Qin Ying's voice came from outside the training room. She called out repeatedly, her tone full of urgency.

Upon hearing Qin Ying's voice, Qin Hao quickly left the training room and scooped her into his arms. He had returned late the previous night, and Qin Ying had already been asleep, so no one in the family had woken her.

He had not expected her to discover his return so early in the morning. Though the siblings had not seen each other for four months, there was not the slightest trace of unfamiliarity between them. Qin Hao carried Qin Ying to the dining room, where breakfast was already ready. The family sat together, eating breakfast and planning the rest of the holiday.

After Qin Hao joined the martial arts center, his parents had originally wanted to continue working. However, at Qin Hao's insistence, they eventually chose to stay home and take proper care of Qin Ying. After entering the Limitless Martial Arts Center and receiving 10 billion in funds, Qin Hao had directly transferred 100 million to each of his parents, finally putting their minds at ease.

After deciding on their itinerary for the next few days, Qin Hao and his family spent several days touring YZ City. Then they headed straight to Jiangnan Base City and spent a few more days sightseeing there. After visiting several other urban districts in Jiangnan Base City, they finally returned home.

Though they had only spent a few days traveling and Qin Hao had even paused his cultivation, he felt an unprecedented tranquility in his heart. For the first eighteen years of his life, there had first been the excitement after transmigrating, then the helplessness after working hard, the urgency after gaining the Golden Finger, and finally the endless, frenzied training. His heart had never truly calmed down. His previous study and training of mental state had mostly remained theoretical. Only after experiencing such things could theory transform into a true realm of the heart.