Xiao Cheng pushed open the door to the secluded cultivation chamber. The heavy metal door gave a low grinding groan. The corridor was not particularly bright, but with his spiritual perception newly advanced to the Spirit Domain Realm, he could see even the dust drifting in the light with perfect clarity. Outside, Xiao Ran stood leaning against the wall. At the sound of the door, he looked up and examined Xiao Cheng from head to toe.
"You're out. Did you succeed?"
"Yes." Xiao Cheng stretched his somewhat stiff neck. "I broke through."
Xiao Ran did not immediately respond. After a moment of silence, his gaze sharpened, and a vast spiritual pressure bore down on Xiao Cheng like a mountain toppling over. It came without warning, carrying the keen edge of the will of another Spirit Domain Realm expert. He unleashed it without so much as half a word of warning.
Xiao Cheng's brow twitched, and he released his own spiritual power almost instinctively. An invisible dome expanded around him, steadily supporting the pressure. The two spiritual powers collided silently in the air, sending out a ripple barely visible to the naked eye. Dust shook loose in the corridor and drifted down.
He could clearly feel that his father's spiritual power was like a bottomless ocean, but he could now find his footing within that ocean. It was still a struggle, yet at least he could stand his ground properly rather than crumbling at the first touch.
Father and son stared at each other, faint hissing sounds rising in the air. A moment later, Xiao Ran withdrew his spiritual power first. The corners of his lips lifted slightly, and unmistakable satisfaction spread through his eyes.
"Not bad," he said. "You've only just entered the Spirit Domain Realm, yet you can withstand