Another Year, Home of Blue Silver

The days passed peacefully, and studying and cultivating at the academy became Xu Mengqing's daily routine.

He remained extremely disciplined. During the day, he diligently studied Spirit Master theory and general knowledge at the academy. In the evening, after parting with Tang Wulin and returning home, he headed straight for the Blue Silver Grass Bagua Formation in the backyard.

After their previous fusion, his connection to this patch of Blue Silver Grass had long become inseparable, while the bloodline of the Quasi-Blue Silver King was quietly taking shape.

The pale golden patterns on his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul became increasingly distinct. Like living things, they slowly flowed and shifted. Every time he meditated, he could sense the resonance of life from Blue Silver Grass in all directions. Even the Blue Silver Grass by the streets outside the courtyard conveyed a faint yet genuine sense of closeness.

His Soul Power cultivation also rose steadily under such uniquely favorable cultivation conditions. From Level Six to Level Seven, then Level Eight... In merely a year, he broke through to Level Nine Soul Power, just one step away from Level Ten, the Soul Scholar Peak.

His physical strength improved even more steadily through intense training and the nourishment of Blue Silver Grass Life Force. He far surpassed Spirit Masters of the same age and was even tougher than some upperclassmen.

Xu Zhan and Meng Ling'er watched their son's growth with hearts full of gratification and pride.

As Xu Zhan watched Xu Mengqing cultivate, he could sense the dense life aura and Soul Power fluctuations within that Blue Silver Grass formation, and he had been shocked by it at the time.

He vaguely sensed that his son's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul seemed to have undergone some kind of change. Since it appeared beneficial to Xu Mengqing, and Xu Mengqing did not mention it, he never asked. He merely protected him quietly from the sidelines. Of course, whenever he had time, he taught him practical combat techniques and cultivation circulation methods. These were useful at first with his Soul Elder cultivation, but as time went on... sigh~

Na'er, meanwhile, lived well in the ordinary class because she had this older brother. She was naturally adorable, gentle, and well-behaved, and gradually made several close friends. She no longer had her previous timidity. Every day after school, she would skip her way to the backyard and wait for Xu Mengqing to finish cultivating, chirping away as she shared interesting stories from class. Or she would take out snacks she had secretly saved and stuff them into her brother's hands.

She would only become a little downcast whenever cultivation was mentioned. But with Xu Mengqing's comfort, she would quickly recover.

Today's sunlight was blazing and bright, its golden rays enveloping the entire campus in a warm glow.

In the classroom, Tang Wulin stared at Xu Mengqing in shock. "Mengqing, you're about to break through to Level Ten already?"

Xu Mengqing nodded. "Yes. I can feel it. If nothing unexpected happens, I should be able to break through to Level Ten tonight."

Tang Wulin found it hard to believe, though there was also a hint of envy in his eyes. Both he and Xu Mengqing had innate Level Three Soul Power, and both their Martial Souls were Blue Silver Grass. Normally, there should not have been such a large gap between their Soul Power Levels.

He had only reached Level Eight three months ago, yet Xu Mengqing was already nearing Level Ten—and he was the first person in their class to reach Level Ten. Mengqing, I really suspect that your Martial Soul isn't Blue Silver Grass. Tang Wulin felt somewhat bitter, but he still offered his congratulations. "Still, congratulations, Mengqing. You're about to become a Spirit Master."

Seeing Tang Wulin's slight disappointment, Xu Mengqing comforted him. "Don't worry. I believe it won't be long before you become a Spirit Master too."

"Mm, I need to make the most of my time cultivating." After returning to his seat, Tang Wulin immediately began meditating, seizing every moment. His only friend was already about to reach Level Ten, which gave Tang Wulin a sense of urgency. Besides, the two of them had started from the same point.

You all get it, right?

The pressure was crushing!

Your best bro starts grinding harder than you—this pain~ was beyond words~ beyond description~

That afternoon, school ended especially early. When he arrived at the school gates, Xu Mengqing did not hurry off. Tang Wulin greeted him before leaving first; he still had to go forge at Mang Tian's place today.

Before long, a streak of silver light came running over from the direction of the main teaching building.

"Brother," Na'er called softly.

"Na'er, slow down. Don't fall!" Xu Mengqing said with a doting expression.

Na'er still had her head of silver hair. A year had passed, but her appearance had not changed much. She had only grown a tiny bit taller, yet she remained just as adorable, like a little girl who would never grow up. When she stood beside Xu Mengqing, no one would have guessed they were only half a year apart in age.

The setting sun dyed the horizon a brilliant orange-red. Its afterglow fell across the stone path outside Red Mountain Academy, outlining the two figures walking side by side with a warm edge.

Xu Mengqing held Na'er's hand and slowed his pace, letting his little sister skip along at his side. Her silver hair swayed gently with her movements, like a scattering of shattered moonlight.

"Brother, you seem really happy today." Na'er tilted her head up, her violet eyes curving into little crescents as her small hand tightly grasped Xu Mengqing's fingertips.

Xu Mengqing looked down at his sister's innocent, adorable face. The smile on his lips grew gentler as he softly hummed in agreement. "Mm. I should be able to break through to Level Ten tonight and become a real Spirit Master."

"Wow! Brother, you're amazing!" Na'er's eyes immediately lit up, her face full of admiration. "Then once you become a Spirit Master, will you become even stronger?"

"Of course." Xu Mengqing rubbed the top of her head.

Chatting and laughing along the way, the two soon returned home. As they entered the courtyard side by side, a burst of vigorous life greeted them.

Their home no longer looked as it once had. When the Blue Silver Grass had grown wildly before, the small backyard had become so crowded that there was barely room to stand. Limited by the space, and considering the effect the Blue Silver Grass had on Xu Mengqing, the whole family decided to renovate the house.

The family of four all pitched in. Xu Zhan was responsible for tearing down and rebuilding the courtyard walls to expand the grounds, while Meng Ling'er carefully tended every corner. Even Na'er held a small shovel and helped fill the flowerpots planted with Blue Silver Grass. After working for more than half a month, they finally transformed the house into its current appearance.

As far as the eye could see, the entire residence had become a world of Blue Silver Grass, yet it did not look messy in the slightest. The backyard had been fully expanded, and Xu Mengqing had reinforced the original Taiji Bagua Array pattern. Bluestone slabs were embedded between the lines of the Blue Silver Grass formation. The Blue Silver Grass within the array grew the most luxuriantly, its leaves long and emerald-green, their tips glowing with a faint, gentle blue light. Layer upon layer, they spread into a green sea. Whenever the wind blew, they swayed softly, sending ripples of gentle green radiance through the air as dense life energy rushed toward them.

In the open space outside the array, Xu Zhan had built rings of flower beds at varying heights, densely planted with Blue Silver Grass. Tender shoots even emerged from the corners by the courtyard walls and from cracks at their bases. Further ahead, within the main house, Blue Silver Grass could be found everywhere. Terracotta pots sat on the windowsills, their Blue Silver Grass draping over the edges to weave natural green curtains. Pots of all sizes stood on the wooden shelves in the living room, atop the entryway cabinets, and even beside the stairs. A few delicate Blue Silver Grass plants grew beside Meng Ling'er's small bamboo basket for sewing supplies. They looked especially fresh and charming. The Blue Silver Grass indoors was not as thick and robust as that in the backyard, but it possessed a different kind of liveliness. Threads of life energy lingered throughout the home, filling it with the fresh fragrance of grass and wood, without the stuffy dampness of ordinary plants.