Depart for Earth

Lord Qin Ming is returning!

This news spread like an undercurrent among the family's low-level guards and servants, stirring up irrepressible excitement and anticipation.

That man was the true pillar of the Qin Family!

Because of his existence, what had once been an insignificant minor family in the Windfall Empire had grown into a major clan of considerable influence.

He was a legendary top-tier genius of the Virtual Universe Company, someone even the royal family of the Ganwu Universe Kingdom treated with utmost courtesy!

One month later, in the core courtyard of the Qin Family estate.

A spacecraft slowly descended onto the dedicated landing pad.

The hatch opened, and Qin Ming stepped down, flanked by the King-Level Immortal Aisi and a retinue of guards.

Qin Lan, Qin Shou, and Qin Xue, who had been waiting for some time, immediately rushed forward with excitement.

"Third Brother!"

Qin Xue was still as lively as ever. Though she had grown into a family powerhouse capable of standing on her own and had even become a disciple of the Ganwu Kingdom Lord, before Qin Ming, she was still that little girl who used to tug at his sleeve and pester him with questions. Her eyes sparkled with pure joy and admiration.

"Little Brother!"

Elder Sister Qin Lan had become more mature and steady. She stepped forward quickly, carefully studying Qin Ming. Her eyes held both the delight of seeing her younger brother and pride in his achievements, along with a faint, hard-to-detect trace of emotion.

Meetings in the virtual universe always felt somewhat distant. Now, with him standing before her in the flesh, the bond of blood felt incomparably real.

"Third Brother!"

Second Brother Qin Shou had changed the most. His build was more robust and powerful, his aura steady and sharp.

He gave Qin Ming a heavy slap on the shoulder and grinned. "Finally got you back! This time, you'd better stay a good while!"

"Elder Sister, Second Brother, Little Xue."

Qin Ming looked at his three closest kin, and a warmth surged in his heart.

No matter how vast the universe he had witnessed or how many life-and-death trials he had endured, the unreserved affection of his family remained the softest harbor in the depths of his soul.

Though they could meet often in the virtual universe, it was never the same as meeting in reality.

Counting time in the Initial Universe, nearly two hundred years had passed in the real world since they had last truly gathered.

"Alright, let's not all stand here." Qin Lan suppressed her excitement and smiled.

"Father, Mother, and the Ancestor are all waiting in the main hall. Let's go in quickly. Don't keep the elders waiting."

"Right, let's go, let's go!" Qin Xue couldn't wait and grabbed Qin Ming's arm.

Surrounded by his family, Qin Ming walked through the familiar corridors and courtyards toward the family's main hall.

Along the way, every clansman, guard, and servant they passed bowed in respect, their eyes filled with fervor and awe.

Inside the hall, all the core members of the Qin Family had already gathered, eagerly looking forward to his arrival.

Father Qin Feng and Mother Lin Wan sat at the head, their eyes moist, their excitement plain to see.

Ancestor Qin Shanhai sat to one side, stroking his beard with a smile, his gaze full of satisfaction and an indescribable pride.

The other uncles, aunts, and heads of various branches were also present, all turning their eager eyes toward the entrance.

"Er—Ming'er!"

Mother Lin Wan was the first to rise. She hurried forward, tightly grasping Qin Ming's hands, and looked him over from head to toe, as if trying to make up for nearly two hundred years of separation in a single glance.

"You've lost weight!" she blurted out, her voice laced with concern.

Hearing this, the corner of Qin Ming's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

This Space-Time Nightmare Beast clone of his possessed an extremely powerful life essence and precise control over its physical form—how could it possibly gain or lose weight?

It seemed that no matter which world it was, no matter how great a child's achievements or how formidable his strength, in a mother's eyes, he would always be that child who suffered and grew thin while away from home.

"Father, Mother, Ancestor." Qin Ming bowed respectfully to his elders in turn.

Even though his status was now exalted and his strength enough to look down upon the entire family, the respect and kinship born of blood had never changed.

"Good, good! It's good to have you back!"

Father Qin Feng gave Qin Ming a firm pat on the shoulder, his voice booming with irrepressible pride.

"My Qin Family's treasured son is now a major figure of the Virtual Universe Company, an Inspector Envoy! Bringing glory to our ancestors—nothing could surpass this!"

Ancestor Qin Shanhai also nodded with a smile. "Ming'er, that you have achieved such heights far exceeds our expectations. The family is proud of you. Since you've returned this time, be sure to stay for a while."

"I understand, Father," Qin Ming replied.

He then greeted each of his uncles, aunts, and elders in turn.

The atmosphere in the hall was warm and harmonious, filled with the joy of reunion after a long separation and boundless hope for the family's future.

Everyone understood that Qin Ming's return was not merely a family gathering—it meant that the Qin Family's standing in the Ganwu Universe Kingdom was about to experience a substantial leap forward!

A welcoming family banquet was soon laid out.

During the meal, Qin Ming briefly recounted some of his experiences in the Virtual Universe Company, though he naturally omitted many classified matters.

Even so, the crowd listened with rapt fascination, unable to stop marveling.

Qin Xue clung to him, peppering him with questions. At the Ganwu Dojo, the Ganwu Kingdom Lord always said her strength was too lacking to allow her to go out and train, so her longing for cosmic adventures burned bright.

Midway through the banquet, Qin Ming turned to his father Qin Feng and said seriously, "Father, I've been assigned to the Ganwu branch as Inspector Envoy. The family's many assets and connections in the Ganwu Universe Kingdom might be an opportunity to make some steady adjustments and expansions."

Qin Feng's eyes lit up. He exchanged a glance with the ancestor Qin Shanhai and replied gravely, "Ming'er, your vision and insight now far surpass ours. If there's anything in the family that needs adjusting or coordinating, just say the word. The family will give you full support."

"No rush for now." Qin Ming smiled. "I've just taken office and need to sort out the Inspector Envoy's duties first. As for the family, keep things as they are—no need to draw attention. However..." His tone paused, his gaze turning stern. "The family must never assume that my special status means you can rest easy and break the law. If anyone violates the law and I find out, I will punish them without mercy, showing no leniency for family ties. And don't think you can get away with it just by evading the family's internal oversight. The Virtual Universe Company's intelligence network is far more capable than you imagine."

This was no idle threat.

In the original story, Luo Feng's family had paid a heavy price for such matters, and Luo Feng himself had dealt with many people personally. Qin Ming wouldn't reveal the inner workings of the Virtual Universe Company's final assessment, but the necessary warnings had to be given.

Qin Shanhai's expression turned stern, and he said in a deep voice, "Ming'er speaks truly. I will personally oversee this matter and enforce strict discipline—no leniency!"

Qin Ming nodded.

Late into the night, Qin Ming returned to the independent courtyard reserved for him in the family's core area. He stood in the yard, gazing up at the clear night sky of Lanfeng Planet. The stars dotted the heavens, somewhat reminiscent of Earth's starry sky from his memory, yet utterly different.

"Earth..." he murmured to himself.

The position of Inspector Envoy was now secure, and the family was safe.