Killing for the Sword, the Master's Natal Essence, Foundation of Worldly Existence (Please Follow!)

The small courtyard was wrapped in a thick, colorful cocoon of light, cut off from the world.

A Parasol Tree stood lush and flourishing, graceful as a canopy.

You saw that both Parasol Tree and Madam Ruan had fallen asleep.

Parasol Tree's long lashes trembled faintly, her brows drawn tight as though she had fallen into an endless nightmare. Fear showed on her face, and even her body was shaking.

Though Madam Ruan had the figure of a little girl, she held Parasol Tree tightly in her arms.

You smiled faintly. An illusory butterfly flew from your hand and landed on Parasol Tree's shoulder. With only a gentle flutter of its wings, her complexion gradually returned to normal, and her breathing became steady and long.

You flicked a speck of golden light from your fingertip into Madam Ruan's brow. The chill within her body melted away like ice and snow. The pus-filled boils and red bumps on her face vanished completely, leaving her small face smooth, like that of a girl in her teens—though her features were not beautiful.

You carried the two of them into the small courtyard and laid them down.

Then you entered the room and changed into a fresh set of clothes. Your mother had made them in advance, estimating how tall you would be once you came of age: flowing white robes.

You had never had the heart to wear them before. Today, you put them on.

In the main hall, your mother's memorial tablet stood quietly upon the incense table.

You lit three sticks of incense, and smoke curled through the air.

You knelt and bowed three times, solemnly kowtowing upon the prayer cushion.

"Mother, your child is going now!"

"Whether I win or lose, I do not know."

"But all my life, Xie