The heavy cold-jade stone doors of the cultivation chamber slowly pushed open to both sides.
A wisp of warm morning sunlight spilled down the corridor and fell on Lu Yuan. He had sat cross-legged in silent cultivation for a month, yet his clothes were still neat, his aura steady and restrained. Only the depths of his eyes held a trace of clarity after comprehension, along with a faint regret at not yet having crossed the threshold.
The women, who had long been waiting quietly outside the door, instantly gathered their gazes on him.
The six of them all had expectation and tenderness they could not hide between their brows. Seeing Lu Yuan emerge from seclusion, they slowly stepped forward one after another, relieved smiles spreading across their faces.
"You're finally out. This past month really made us wait."
Xia Qingyin spoke softly, her tone filled with gentleness. Her fingertips lightly patted the child in her arms, and her gaze fell tenderly on Lu Yuan.
Su Yaqing took half a step forward and looked him up and down, concern in her brows and eyes. "After a month in seclusion, did you gain anything? Is your body all right?"
Looking at the concerned faces before him, warmth surged through Lu Yuan's heart. He stepped forward and gently drew the women to his side, his tone carrying a trace of apology, yet filled with certainty. "I made you worry. This month, I devoted myself to comprehending the profound meaning of ice. Although my understanding of the ice elemental source deepened quite a bit, in the end, I still didn't reach the goal I wanted."
His voice paused for a moment. He looked at the women and continued, "So I plan to enter seclusion for another period of time. If I don't comprehend it