News of Mo Lin, the Artifact Refining Sect's sect master, advancing to Dou Saint swept across the entire Central Continent like a Category 12 hurricane, causing unprecedented commotion and shock. Countless factions took notice—some were alarmed, some wary, some sought friendship—and the threshold of the Artifact Refining Sect was nearly worn through by envoys coming to offer congratulations.
Yet Mo Lin, at the center of the storm, swiftly returned to a peaceful life after the grand celebration. To him, the Dou Saint realm was not the end, but a new beginning. He needed time to settle and consolidate his surging strength, and even more time to accompany his family and enjoy this hard-won tranquility.
Deep within Mo Garden of the Primordial Chaos Realm, spiritual energy lingered in the air, while birds sang amid fragrant flowers.
Warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the sparse branches and leaves of the Spirit Wood, spilling across a patch of soft grass. Mo Lin lay there flat on his back without the slightest concern for appearances, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.
The delicate, doll-like Little Lingxi sat astride his chest, waving her fair little hands as she babbled, trying to catch the strands of hair hanging down from her father's head. Her cheerful giggles rang out without end.
Cai Lin reclined at his side, a rare and utterly unguarded tender smile on her cold, beautiful face as she watched the father and daughter play.
Yun Yun sat on a stone bench some distance away, quietly reading an ancient book. Every so often, she glanced over, the corners of her lips curving faintly upward.
Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin were in the herb garden farther away, quietly discussing a newly cultivated type of Spirit Grass.
Nalan Yanran and Han Yue were sparring with swords, their